National Perinatal Data Development Committee

Background

The National Perinatal Data Development Committee (NPDDC) provides expert technical advice on maternal and perinatal data and statistics (including maternal and perinatal mortality).

Terms of reference

The NPDDC:

• reviews and recommend data items for inclusion, modification or deletion in the Metadata Online Registry (METEOR), and the maternal and perinatal-related National Minimum Data Sets (NMDS) and National Best Endeavours Data Sets (NBEDS) via the National Health Data and Information Standards Committee (NHDISC)
• advises the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) on state and territory data collection processes relating to maternal and perinatal data
• provides advice on the costs and timing of implementing proposed new data items for national reporting, including the capacity and preparedness of the jurisdictions and other relevant bodies/agencies to collect and provide these data as part of the appropriate NMDS or NBEDS
• advises on the content and structure of draft AIHW reports relating to maternal and perinatal data
• advises on an integrated program of data development for the perinatal, perinatal and maternal mortality, and congenital anomalies data collections
• exchanges information and consults with other stakeholders in maternal and perinatal health and mortality in Australia on the appropriateness, relevance, quality, comprehensiveness and clarity of national maternal and perinatal data
• ensures that data shared between jurisdictions for information, review and clearance purposes are confidential
• promotes the use of national standards in relevant local and national data collections
• works with other advisory bodies such as the National Maternity Data Development Project Advisory Group, the National Maternal and Perinatal Mortality Clinical Expert Group and the National Congenital Anomalies Advisory Group (NCAAG) to provide advice on content specific topics.

In addition to the responsibilities outlined above, individual Committee members:

• consult with relevant stakeholders within their jurisdictions in a timely manner (for example, clinicians, data providers) and keep their NHDISC representative informed of data item development as required
• promote the NPDDC as the national expert body on maternal and perinatal health and mortality data
• provide comments on papers/issues in the timeframe agreed to (if a jurisdiction has no comment, this should be conveyed to the Secretariat).

The AIHW has additional responsibility for:

• developing and managing a work program based on agreed priorities
• seeking expert clinical and/or technical advice from relevant medical and midwifery colleges and other relevant bodies/agencies as necessary on behalf of the NPDDC
• providing advice on known developments in other related national committees or projects
• following data development guidelines of METEOR.

Membership

The NPDDC consists of a representative from each state and territory health department or their delegate, the Chair of the NPDDC and the AIHW.

Other observers and temporary members may be invited on a transitory basis as their expertise is required.

Secretariat

Secretariat support is provided by the AIHW Perinatal Data Unit.