To ensure the quality of coded clinical data is at its best all clinical coders in the NHS acute sector that use ICD-10 and OPCS-4 must have:

• received the appropriate training,
• attended a clinical coding standards course,
• completed the core curriculum laid out below, and
• be using the correct coding tools.

All clinical coders must have completed the following requirements. Without these basic principles career progression will be limited and the quality of coded clinical data at risk of being below par. Evidence from the former Audit Commissions work to audit clinical coding in the NHS has proved a link between investment in training and accurate data standards.

The links below will take you to the information on the core curriculum as the basis of their work:

• information on starting out as a coder - Clinical Coding Standards Course
• how to keep up to date with current coding standards - Clinical Coding Standards Refresher Course
• how to increase your coding knowledge by attending a coding course - Clinical Coding Specialty Workshops
• improving your computer skills - NHS Microsoft Office Skills training (MOST)
• interested in becoming an Accredited Clinical Coder - National Clinical Coding Qualification (UK)

The Apprenticeship Standard for Clinical Coder has been approved and published by the Institute for Apprenticeships and is now ready for delivery.

Follow the links to the news articles below for more information:

• Standard Approved by the Institute
• Clinical Coder Apprenticeship Approved for Delivery

• National Clinical Coding Standards Reference Books ICD-10 and OPCS-4 (these reference books also apply to mental health coding)
• Basic Anatomy and Physiology Instruction Manual
• Four-step coding process eLearning Module
• General Data Protection Regulation

• UK Council for Health Informatics Professionals (UKCHIP)
• Association for ICT Professionals in Health and Social Care (ASSIST)
• Institute of Health Record and Information Management (IHRIM)
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)
• Healthcare Resource Groups (HRGs)