Technical note on the calculation of the baseline for the Detect Cancer Early HEAT target

1. Introduction

1.1 This Technical Note details the rationale behind the choice of data source for, and method of calculation of, the baseline for the Detect Cancer Early (DCE) HEAT target. Cancer data sources will be discussed along with their suitability for use in measuring progress towards the target. How this data was then used to calculate the baseline, set targets for individual NHS boards and publication plans will also be outlined. The official statistics which support this target and technical information regarding data validation and coding will be published separately by Information Services Division (ISD), National Services Scotland.