Today the public spending watchdog begins a much-needed discussion about how to improve the reliability of facts and figures used by those who make decisions on our behalf.
Public bodies - councils, health trusts, emergency services, and their regulators - all depend on accurate and accessible information. Social workers, child safety professionals, doctors and police are working in the dark unless they have good data. Services cannot be 'joined up' if one organisation distrusts another's data sets.
The Commission's new discussion paper Nothing but the truth suggests three options for assessing data, including spot checks on the indicators used to track service performance. Better information, it says, could improve efficiency and value for money. It also proposes that inspectors should give independent assurance of the credibility of information in addition to auditors' examination of accounts.
Audit Commission Chief Executive Steve Bundred says: 'The issue of data quality bedevils public service. Many recent failures to protect the vulnerable - Victoria Climbié and Baby Peter in Haringey, the high death rate in Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust - have raised questions about the quality of information used by professionals, and how well they share it.'
Nothing but the truth says that a determined attempt to improve the quality of locally produced data does get results. For example, nine out of ten police authorities had good or excellent data quality in 2007, compared with only three in ten in 2004, according to the Audit Commission.
The discussion paper says 'responsibility for the quality of data unambiguously rests with the organisation producing it. There remains much that can be done at a local level by local public bodies and their partnerships to improve.'
Steve Bundred adds: 'The aim of this paper is to begin a conversation about what needs to be done to improve data quality in local public services, and what some of the options are to enhance effectiveness. We look forward to hearing what people have to say.'
Notes to editors
- The Audit Commission is an independent watchdog, driving economy, efficiency and effectiveness in local public services to deliver better outcomes for everyone.
- Our work across local government, health, housing, community safety and fire and rescue services means that we have a unique perspective. We promote value for money for taxpayers, auditing the £200 billion spent by 11,000 local public bodies.
- As a force for improvement, we work in partnership to assess local public services and make practical recommendations for promoting a better quality of life for local people.
For further information please contact:
Mark Nicholson
Media Relations Manager, Audit Commission
Millbank Tower, London SW1P 4HQ
Direct line 0844 798 2135 / 0207 166 2135
24hr Press line 0844 798 2128
Mobile 07813 038132
E-mail m-nicholson@audit-commission.gov.uk