Frequently asked questions

The National Diabetes Experience Survey collects voluntary self-reported information covering seven of the nine protected characteristics: 

• Age
• Disability
• Gender reassignment
• Race/ethnicity
• Religion
• Sex
• Sexual orientation

In addition, it collects information on the following: 

• Long-term condition or conditions
• Working status
• Gender identity

All definitions of protected characteristics are taken from https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/equality/equality-act-2010/protected-characteristics

Age

Definition of protected characteristic: a person belonging to a particular age (for example, 32 year olds) or range of ages (for example, 18 to 30 year olds).

The National Diabetes Experience Survey collects information on the protected characteristic of age using age bands.

Disability

Definition of protected characteristic: A person has a disability if they have a physical or mental disability which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

There are two questions on long-term conditions or illnesses in the National Diabetes Experience Survey; a general question on long-term conditions ('Apart from diabetes, do you have any physical or mental health conditions or illnesses lasting, or expected to last, 12 months or more?'), and a follow up question providing further information about the types of conditions or illnesses ('Apart from diabetes, which of the following long-term conditions or illnesses do you have?'). 

Based upon the Government Statistical Service (GSS) standard: respondents are asked if there is any effect on their day-to-day activities of their diabetes and any other long-term condition or conditions ('Thinking about diabetes and any other long-term conditions or illnesses you have, do any of these reduce your ability to carry out day-to-day activities?') and those who respond ‘Yes’ are defined for the purpose of the survey as self reporting disability.

The National Diabetes Experience Survey collects information on the protected characteristic of disability in the manner described above.

Gender reassignment

Definition of protected characteristic: Where a person undergoes, or proposes to undergo, a process for the purpose of reassigning their sex.
We have sought to use a proxy measure for gender reassignment based on the responses to the following questions:

Which of the following best describes you?

• Female 
• Male 
• Non-binary 
• Prefer to self-describe 
• I would prefer not to say 

Is your gender identity the same as the sex you were registered at birth? 

• Yes 
• No 
• I would prefer not to say 

For example, a response to the first question of ‘female’ and a response of ‘no’ to the second question would infer that the individual self-reports that their gender is reassigned.

The second question wording is based on the 2021 Census question. Both of the questions are based upon research, stakeholder engagement and data analysis.

However, please note that the questions are currently being reviewed by NHS England Insight & Voice team.

The National Diabetes Experience Survey collects information on the protected characteristic of gender reassignment in the manner described above.

Race

Definition of protected characteristic: race includes someone’s colour, nationality ethnicity or national origins. A racial group can be made up of two or more distinct racial groups, for example Black Britons, British Asians, British Sikhs, British Jews, Romany Gypsies, Irish Travellers. 

The National Diabetes Experience Survey uses the current GSS ethnicity harmonised standard to collect information on the protected characteristic of race with some slight changes. The National Diabetes Experience Survey question does not include free text ‘other’ responses and includes one additional code of ‘Roma’.

Religion or belief

Definition of protected characteristic: religion refers to any religion, including a lack of religion. Belief refers to any religious or philosophical belief and includes a lack of belief. 

The National Diabetes Experience Survey uses the current GSS religion harmonised standard to collect information on the protected characteristic religion.

Neither the harmonised standard nor the survey seek to measure belief.

Sex

Definition of protected characteristic: a man or a woman.

Information on the protected characteristic of sex is collected in the survey using the following questions:

Which of the following best describes you?

• Female 
• Male 
• Non-binary 
• Prefer to self-describe 
• I would prefer not to say 

Is your gender identity the same as the sex you were registered at birth? 

• Yes 
• No 
• I would prefer not to say 

For example, a response of ‘Male’ to the first question and a response of ‘Yes’ for the second, infers a self-reported sex of ‘Male’. 

We do not have sex data for those who select the options ‘Non-binary,  ‘Prefer to self-describe' or ‘Prefer not to say’  or for those that do not respond to either or both questions.

The second question wording is based on the 2021 Census question. Both of the questions are based upon research, stakeholder engagement and data analysis. 

However, please note that the questions are currently being reviewed by the NHS England Insight & Voice team. 

The National Diabetes Experience Survey seeks to collect information on the protected characteristic of sex in the manner described above.

Sexual Orientation

Definition of protected characteristic: Whether a person's sexual orientation is towards their own sex, the opposite sex or to both sexes.

The National Diabetes Experience Survey uses the GSS harmonised standard to collect information on the protected characteristic of sexual orientation. 

Do you collect the protected characteristics marriage/civil partnership and pregnancy and maternity?

We do not currently collect these protected characteristics.