Mapping NHS patient choice policies across England: Referral data to NHS and private providers, June 2008 – March 2024

This dataset comprises publicly-available NHS information about GP and other practitioner referrals of NHS patients for a first outpatient appointment with either an NHS or a private provider during the period June 2008 and March 2024. It is made up from publicly-available NHS data from the Monthly Activity Return (MAR) which was in operation June 2008 – March 2020, and the Monthly Referral Return (MRR) which was in operation June 2020 – March 2024.
The MRR dataset focuses on GP and other practitioner referrals of NHS patients for a first outpatient appointment with either an NHS or a private provider, so is replicated in full with distinctions highlighted between NHS and private providers.
The MAR data collection was broader, so has been edited to focus on GP and other practitioner referrals of NHS patients for a first outpatient appointment with either an NHS or a private provider. Again, distinctions between NHS and private providers are highlighted.