TABLES AVAILABLE FROM THE PATIENT REGISTER DATA SYSTEM, COMBINED WITH NHSCR DATA, FOR USE WITH THE POPGROUP MODEL IN MAKING DEMOGRAPHIC FORECASTS AND PROJECTIONS.
ONS is responsible for producing estimates of internal migration in England and Wales. However, measuring migration is not straightforward, as there is no compulsory system within the UK to record the movement of the population. Therefore, it is necessary to use proxy data to make estimates of migration.
Migration estimates are based on patients moving and changing their doctor as they change address. The NHS Central Register (NHSCR) at Southport records movements of patients between former Health Authority areas (HAs). Historically, internal migration estimates were available at the FHSA/HA level; these were equivalent to shire counties, metropolitan districts and groupings of London boroughs. FHSA/HA-level migration estimates are available from 1975 on a quarterly rolling year basis, and are published in Population Trends, Key Population and Vital Statistics and other ONS publications such as Social Trends and Regional Trends. However, until 1999, no migration estimates were published below this geographical level.
By obtaining a download from each patient register and by combining all the patient register extracts together, ONS can create a total register for the whole of England and Wales. Comparing records in one year with those of the previous year by linking on NHS number enables identification of people who change their postcode. A migrant in the Patient Register Data System is defined as a person who, between one year and the next, changes their area of residence. The download is taken at 31 July each year to enable migration estimates to be made for the year ending 30 June. This is consistent with the assumption that people delay registering with a new GP for a month after they move.
In 2000, internal migration estimates by age and gender were made available for all local authority areas. These estimates are made by constraining the migration estimates from the patient registers with the NHSCR estimates at the former HA level.
Dissemination of data
The tables outlined in this document have been specifically developed for users of modelling software. The data are unrounded and provided for research purposes only. For this reason, their further dissemination is not permitted.
Tables
ONS currently have 5 tables available. They are:
1. GOR/local/unitary authority by sex, quinary and broad age group
(Available back to year ending June 1999). Age groupings are: All ages, 0-4, 5-9, 10-14, 0-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29,15-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 30-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 45-59, 60-64, 45-64, 65+, 65-69, 70-74 and 75+.
2. GOR/local/unitary authority by sex and single year of age, data aggregated 3 year periods
(Available back to year ending June 2000). Ages are: All ages, 0 to 89 and 90+.
3. Current county by sex and single year of age, data aggregated 3 year period
(Available back to year ending June 2000). Ages are: All ages, 0 to 89 and 90+.
4. Current county by sex, quinary and broad age group
(Available back to year ending June 1999). Age groupings are: All ages, 0-4, 5-9, 10-14, 0-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29,15-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 30-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 45-59, 60-64, 45-64, 65+, 65-69, 70-74 and 75+.
5. GOR by sex and single year of age, data for single year
(Available back to year ending June 1999). Ages are: All ages, 0 to 89 and 90+.
Charges
The tables shown are now available, free of charge, from this combined data source.
Availability
The tables are normally available in September/October each year for data ending the previous mid-year.
Ordering Tables
To order tables, or make other enquiries, please e-mail: ‘migstatsunit@ons.gsi.gov.uk’.
Internal Migration
Migration Statistics Unit
Office for National Statistics
August, 2006