To ensure that the information in these Tables is as accurate as possible, the Audit Commission has looked at the way that the organisations in the NHS are keeping their records and how the figures have been collected.

Opinion of the Audit Commission on the Trust indicators (Tables 1 to 4 and 6)

This information has been collected by the Department of Health from data submitted by individual Trusts and the attached Tables are the responsibility of the Department of Health.

Auditors appointed by the Audit Commission have carried out a review of the systems in place to collect the data in the attached Tables. This review did not involve the verification of the data itself.

Overall, for 99 per cent of the total number of indicators, auditors reported that the systems in place were satisfactory for the purpose of producing the information required.

Opinion of the Audit Commission on the vaccination and immunisation rates indicator (Table 5)

This information has been collected by the Department of Health from data submitted by NHS bodies and the attached Tables are the responsibility of the Department of Health.

Auditors appointed by the Audit Commission have discussed with District Health Authorities their arrangements for collecting the data for vaccination and immunisation rates. This review did not involve the verification of the data itself.

Overall, for 89 per cent of the total number of indicators, auditors reported that the arrangements in place were satisfactory for the purpose of producing the information required.