NACEL Data and Improvement Tool (DIT) - platform update

We have now moved the NACEL Data and Improvement Tool (DIT) over to a new platform. With this move, we have improved loading times and added some new features (see below), but more importantly this platform it will serve as a solid foundation for us to continue development of the DIT in the future.

In order to access the new platform, you will need to update your password. We have enforced this to ensure the security of the data within the tool. Click here to reset your password: https://data.nacel.nhs.uk/forgot-password

Although the tool is very similar to the old Data and Improvement Tool, there are some changes to its appearance and functionality.

A summary of the changes:

• Your current password will need to be reset. Once you have logged in with your new password, you will be able to change it to something more memorable again if you would prefer.

• Loading times are quicker. Logging in, loading the different views, and applying peer groups or filters is now much quicker. Due to the size of the NACEL 2024 dataset, you may still find that some 2024 charts need a few seconds to load when there is heavier traffic to the site.

• Data will not update live but will be updated daily. This is a temporary change and live updates will return as part of a later phase of development.

• Some of the drop-down lists have moved. Previously you could find the year and ‘Quarter of death’ drop downs in a bar along with other filters and peer groups. You can now find the year in the top-right corner of the page and the ‘Quarter of death’ drop down in with the other filters.

• Additional features make navigation easier. A list of the charts on the selected page can be found in the top right of the page. Click on the name of the chart you’re interested in to jump to it. This list is searchable and allows charts to be toggled off and on.

• The ‘time series’ explore view shows data across years. Previously, the chart would only show the data points for the calendar year selected. Now the data points are from January 2024 to the most recent quarter.

• The ‘List Option Bar’ view shows the names of submissions in your selected organisation. Previously named ‘Period – Average’, it’s now easier to identify your submissions along the bottom of the chart (x-axis). Hovering over a bar also allows you to see the name of submissions outside your selected organisation.

• The data table has a separate tab. Previously, this table sat below the ‘Period – Average’ chart. The table now supports filtering of organisations/submissions and re-ordering by values in the column (e.g. alphabetically by organisation or submission name, by result, by sample size)

If you are unsure about anything within this new tool, please refer to the guidance here.

Dying Matters 2025

This week marks #DyingMattersAwarenessWeek (5–11 May), led by Hospice UK, with this year’s theme: #TheCultureOfDyingMatters.

It’s a powerful reminder of the importance of open, honest conversations about dying, death and grief — and how our diverse cultural backgrounds shape those experiences.

🎥 Watch this moving conversation between volunteers at St Joseph’s Hospice as they share their personal and cultural experiences of death and what connects their experiences:
 👉 Watch the video

💬 Let’s keep the conversation going. Visit the #HospiceUK website to explore more stories, resources and ways to get involved:
 👉 Dying Matters Awareness Week | Hospice UK

Advance Care Plan Day 2025

Today is Advance Care Plan Day 2025, the UK’s second National Day dedicated to Advance Care Planning and Future Care Planning.

This day is intended to shed light on the importance of planning for the future, to ensure care for patients is the best it can be at the end of their life.

In the 2022 report, NACEL recommended that ICBs/Health Boards, working with Provider Executive Boards should “ensure patients have the opportunity for advance care planning conversations, enabling their wishes or preferences for future care and support to be documented and shared”. Findings show that many patients who died in hospital hadn’t participated in advance care planning discussions before their final admission, highlighting the need to continue raising awareness about the importance of advance care plans.

For the latest NACEL findings on ACP, healthcare professionals can visit the NACEL Data and Improvement Tool.

Reminder to submit data to the NACEL 2025 Mental Health Spotlight Audit

If your organisation is currently registered for the NACEL 2025 Mental Health Spotlight Audit, please continue to submit your data for the Case Note Review (CNR) and Staff Reported Measure. 

CNR data can be submitted via the data collection pages.

In the Audit Guidance document, we have outlined which staff members and clinical areas may be suitable to distribute the staff survey to. The NACEL Team have also produced a poster to help promote the survey to staff. The QR code and URL link to the survey can be found on the data collection pages for your submission.