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COVID-19 Second Generation Surveillance System (SGSS)

This data set ceased in February 2024 - demographic and diagnostic information concerning antigen test reports for COVID-19, in England only. It included the first positive results from Pillar 1 (swab testing in PHE and NHS hospital labs). Future flows (a separate product) will include all positive, negative, void and inconclusive test results. The NHS England SGSS asset is NHS England's only source for Pillar 1 testing data. Pillar 2 testing data is also available to request as a separate product.

Page contents

Data set versions as presented in the DARS online system

COVID-19 SGSS First Positives (Second Generation Surveillance System)

Access method

Data set available in packages

Packages are pre-defined groups of fields and or tables that allow a customer to select from a list that best meets their needs. Packages do not allow a customer to customise their field or table selection.

  • No

Period of data coverage

April 2020 to February 2024

Geographical scope of data

England

Linkable to other data sets

  • Yes - Options for linking using either pseudonymised or identifiable data

Data collection process

Submitted by: Hospitals and testing laboratories

Collected by: UK Health Security Agency

Frequency: Daily when initially collected but collection has ceased now

Clinical coding systems

Does the data set include any standardised systems of coding?

  • None
Full list of coding systems considered

SNOMED-CT (a structured clinical vocabulary for use in electronic health records.)

ICD  (International Classification of Diseases classifies diseases and other health conditions.)

OPCS-4  (Office of Population Census and Surveys classification of interventions and surgical procedures)

dm+d  (Dictionary of descriptions and codes which represent medicines and devices in use across the NHS.)

NICIP (National Interim Clinical Imaging Procedure provides consistent recording of imaging procedures.)

UCUM  (Unified Code for Units of Measure (UCUM) is a code system intended to include all units of measurement.)

TFCs (Treatment Function Codes are used to record treatment activities undertaken)

Read Code v2  (A coded thesaurus of clinical terms.)

Read Code Clinical Terms v3 (A coded thesaurus of clinical terms.)

UICC (Union for International Cancer Control classification of cancer by anatomic disease extent.)

IMD  (Indices of Multiple Deprivation measures relative poverty.)

Derived fields

Standardised formulation may be applied across multiple data sets to generate commonly derived fields.  Any standard derivations applicable to this data set are listed below. Please note that this does not include bespoke derivations created specifically for the individual data set.

  • LSOA_OF_RESIDENCE (The Lower Super Output Area (lowest level without being disclosive) covering the area in which the patient’s postcode falls.)
Full list of standard derivations considered

GP_PRACTICE_CODE_TRACED (The GP practice that the patient is registered at, as found when traced against the Person Demographic Service (PDS).)

CCG_OF_RESIDENCE (Clinical Commissioning Group covering the area in which the patient’s postcode falls where data relates to pre 1 July 2022. Otherwise ICB Sub Location.)

ICS_OF_RESIDENCE (The Integrated Care System covering the area in which the patient’s postcode falls. This will be null for any data relating to earlier than 1 July 2022.)

LA_OF_RESIDENCE (The Local Authority covering the area in which the patient’s postcode falls.)

LSOA_OF_RESIDENCE (The Lower Super Output Area (lowest level without being disclosive) covering the area in which the patient’s postcode falls.)

CCG_OF_REGISTRATION (Clinical Commissioning Group which has a commissioning relationship with the GP practice which the patient is registered at where data relates to pre 1 July 2022. Otherwise ICB Sub Location.)

ICS_OF_REGISTRATION (The Integrated Care System covering the area in which the patient’s GP practice falls. This will be null until for any data relating to earlier than 1 July 2022.)

LA_OF_REGISTRATION (The Local Authority covering the area in which the patient’s GP practice falls.)

LSOA_OF_REGISTRATION (The Lower Super Output Area (lowest level without being disclosive) covering the area in which the patient’s GP practice falls.)

Third party licensing

Does the data set require copyrighted clinical assessment tools or outcome measures that require a licence?

  • None

Advice and support

Governance of this data set is provided by:

Owning organisation: UK Health Security Agency

Data Controller: NHS England

Data Processor: NHS England

NHS England provides a variety of functions for the data sets we make available.  Therefore, our knowledge and understanding of the data will vary, impacting the level of advice and support we can provide.

In relation to this data, we undertake partial management of this data set on behalf of the owning organisation. We may be able to offer some guidance but full advice and guidance is provided by that organisation 

Supporting documentation and guidance

ARTICLE

SGSS and SARI Watch data

Data Provision Notice to require the submission of data from the United Kingdom Health Security Agency relating to COVID-19 testing, surveillance and hospitalisation, from the SGSS and SARI Watch systems.
ARTICLE

UK Health Security Agency blog: Changing the COVID-19 Case Definition

Explanation of why the change in the case definition to one based on episodes was introduced, with effect from 31 January 2022.

Last edited: 9 April 2026 1:51 pm