Common ailments service: onward referrals by ailment and destination

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Next update expected:2027

Updates

12th March 2026
Dataset first published.

Main information

Designation
Official statistics
Data provider
NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership
Data source
Prescribing Services
Time period covered
April 2024 to March 2025

Overview

Summary of dataset and variables

This dataset shows referrals made by pharmacists following a consultation through the Common Ailments Service (CAS). Referrals can be made to NHS services including general practitioners, dentists, optometrists, emergency departments, out of hours GPs, and other NHS providers such as health visitors and chiropodists. Not all consultations result in a referral, and these data are also shown in the table.

Data are presented by ailment and referral destination.

Percentages are calculated within each ailment. This means the numerator is the number of referrals made to each destination per ailment, divided by the number of consultations for the specific ailment. The variables are: Year – the financial year in which the consultation was recorded. Ailment – the condition assessed under the Common Ailment Service. Referral destination – the service patients were referred to, for example GP practice or emergency department. Number of referrals – the number of consultations for an ailment that resulted in a referral to a specific destination. Percentage of consultations referred – the percentage of all consultations for that ailment that resulted in a referral to that destination.

Data collection or calculation

Each time a consultation is started through the common ailments scheme a record is created an all-Wales community pharmacy system. If the consultation results in a referral, it is recorded on the same record. Data for each consultation is supplied as an individual record. The data in these tables is based on the data supplied and therefore includes all consultations provided in the year. No adjustments are made to the data and no forecasting or modelling is applied.

Statistical quality

The data are based on administrative records. They reflect activity recorded by pharmacists at each consultation. Statistics are produced using the data as recorded at the consultation. This may result in a small number of ailments or referral destinations being incorrectly recorded. As there is no feasible way to check consultation details, no adjustments are made to records that appear to be miscoded. Data quality depends on accurate recording in pharmacy systems. Local differences in recording practice may affect comparability between areas or years. Changes to service scope or clinical guidance may affect trends over time. Small numbers may be subject to disclosure controls.

Related reports

Published by

Organisation
Welsh Government
Contact email
stats.healthinfo@gov.wales