Data Linkage
Since recruitment completion, we have worked to link our data to health records and this has helped to greatly extend our data resources. This section details our current data as well as potential future data linkage.
We aim to provide data that is both detailed and accurate. Data linkage plays a key role in maximising the value of Generation Scotland’s research data and can help to raise new research questions or to replicate current findings. It also allows continued follow-up of our participants without requiring re-contact.
Our linkage uses the Community Health Index (CHI), which is Scotland’s health care population register. The CHI register is the key to all patient data collected by the NHS in Scotland, which we can now link to our current participants who have given consent.
Below is a bar chart detailing our current linkage and planned future linkage:

SMR00 Out-patients
SMR01 In-patients
SMR02 Maternity
SMR06 Cancer Registry
SMR04 Mental Health
Died Mortality (NRS)
Presc Prescriptions
Dental NHS Dentistry
Lab SCI Store lab tests
GP Primary care data
We have now linked data from SCI Store routine NHS lab tests from Tayside and Glasgow, with Grampian expected to be added in 2018.
We are currently working with Albasoft to extract primary care data from GP practices throughout Scotland. The governance and consent issues are complex, but we are collaborating with UK Biobank and SHARE to resolve them.
You might also be interested in:
Our Access Process
Our Access Policy
Research Publications