All returns are to be sent in a fixed file format.
The return should be sent via the secure upload mechanism located on the NHS Wales Data Switching Service (NWDSS) – https://nwdss.wales.nhs.uk (NHS Wales Users Only)
Returns should be submitted monthly and signed off in the NWDSS by the Local Health Boards (LHBs) by the 28th calendar day of the month. If the 28th falls on a weekend or bank holiday, the deadline for submissions is the next available working day.
VASS Checks can be accessed via https://nwdss.wales.nhs.uk/CheckLogic/chkstart.aspx?service=cap (NHS Wales users only).
A postponement should be reported for the month that the postponement occurred. For example, if a procedure was due to take place on the 19th June 2013 but was postponed on the 17th April 2013, the postponement in April 2013 should be reported in April 2013 data submitted in May 2013.
The following data items are used to uniquely identify a postponement record:
•Organisation Code (Code of Provider)
•Local Patient Identifier
•Pathway Identifier
•Intended Admission Date