Neurological Conditions: estimated prevalence in Scotland in 2026

Annex B: Data and Methodology

Data Request  

Data for the specified neurological conditions were requested from general practices through PHS, which manages PCIS, which replaced the previous SPIRE system. PCIS enables PHS to request aggregate data from general practice clinical systems about specific health conditions. General practices can opt out of any or all extract requests. Aggregate datasets of this kind can be published to inform the public and healthcare staff and other professionals about the incidence and prevalence of those health conditions.  

The SG analytical team requested aggregate data via a data request form submitted to PHS. The request was subsequently approved by the GP Editorial Board. PHS publishes a list of approved data requests which includes details of this request (PHS, 2026b).  

Identification of Diagnostic Codes  

General practices in Scotland record patient diagnoses through the use of read codes a national standard coding system used in Scottish general practices for recording clinical information (signs, symptoms, diagnoses or activities).  

For the 2022 prevalence report, the SG commissioned Primary Care Informatics (PCI) to identify the read codes associated with each of the neurological conditions included in that data request. PCI comprises a group of general practitioners, general practice managers and others with a special interest in health informatics. Their services include guidance on read codes. PCI provided a set of read codes for the majority of neurological conditions requested, taking account of some advice requested and received from clinicians on the NACNC.  

For this report, the read codes used for the conditions published in the 2022 report were checked by PHS and then used to extract the general practice data for the specified neurological conditions for this report. The list of read codes is available in a supporting document accompanying this publication.  

Data Extract Provided  

The data provided comprise the number of people diagnosed with selected neurological conditions recorded in general practices in Scotland on 1 May 2026 and recorded as alive as of that date (general practice electronic records include data from as far back as the 1940s.) For each condition, breakdowns by NHS regional Health Board, by HSCP and by sex and age are also available. The data provided are aggregate data and do not include any patient-identifiable data. Statistical Disclosure Control (PHS, 2024) was applied to ‘suppress’ small numbers to help maintain confidentiality.  

How to Access the Data 

The datasets are available in a spreadsheet as a supporting document accompanying this publication. The data is broken down by NHS regional Health Board, by HSCP, and by Sex / Age Group.  

Quality Assurance 

The data extract was quality assured by PHS before it was shared with SG. Quality assurance for this report was provided by PHS and by SG statisticians.