CDM Glossary

Welcome to the CDM Glossary - your single, authoritative source for all CDM data definitions and terminology.

The glossary defines the data attributes and items included in the logical and physical CDM, ensuring consistent meaning and usage of data across the NHS data infrastructure.

Note: the CDM Glossary is in active development and some of the included definitions are still subject to change.

This page is designed to give you direct access to the latest approved content by:

• accessing the database: Use the 'Access Database' button below to open the live, interactive data viewer for exploring and searching current definitions. Or,

• download the CSV: If you require an offline copy or static snapshot for analysis, use the 'Download CSV' button below to save the full glossary file.

The NHS CDM is a single, central, consistent approach for structuring and defining NHS data. The CDM is not a single product, but a framework structured in distinct layers, each building upon the last to ensure a model that is comprehensive and can be implemented.

The layers are defined as follows:

• Conceptual Layer: Provides a high-level, technology-agnostic blueprint of fundamental healthcare concepts and entities.

• Logical Layer: This is a technology-neutral layer that defines the detailed structure and relationships of the data entities, serving as the single source of truth for all data definitions.

• Physical Layer: Represents the actual physical implementations of the Logical CDM, often taking the form of specific data products and technical standards (e.g. FHIR profiles, database schemas).

Platinum

These attributes and items are considered stable. They have been formally approved through the Data Assurance Board (DAB) process and belong to a logically modelled domain. They have been developed and released via the NHS Data Model and Dictionary and are aligned to the Federated Data Platform (FDP) Ontology.

Gold

These attributes and items belong to a logically modelled domain and have been developed and released via the NHS Data Model and Dictionary. They may or may not have been approved through the DAB process and may or may not be aligned in the FDP Ontology.

Silver

These attributes and items have not yet been approved through the DAB process. However, the data elements have been logically modelled and approved by the relevant governance or clinical bodies, and / or have been developed and released via the NHS Data Model and Dictionary, and / or aligned to the FDP Ontology.

Bronze

These attributes and items are working drafts or conceptual artefacts under active development. They have not yet been modelled or approved, but are used to support collaboration, prototyping, and alignment across teams during active development.

These attributes and items have a high likelihood and are subject to change.