Ambulance Dataset API - some queries

API Platform
1

Hello,

Would anyone be familiar with the ADS API, specifically how it handles historical datasets? If data has been missed or was previously submitted incomplete, and we send it as FHIR bundles, would it be acceptable to submit these older records retrospectively?

Additionally, is there any alternative mechanism for submitting larger volumes of data, such as bulk CSV uploads, rather than using the API? This may be more efficient for significant backlogs.

If the API is the only supported route, are there any rate limits or restrictions on the number of API calls that can be submitted within a given period (for example, per hour)?

Many thanks

2

Hi Matthew,

Welcome to the Developer Community.

Historical / retrospective submissions
The ADS API service does not explicitly prohibit submitting historical records. If records were previously missed or submitted with incomplete information, retrospective submission via FHIR Bundles is generally consistent with the API’s purpose of submitting ambulance data to DPS. However, it does not define any business rules around late submissions, overwrite behaviour or data correction policies. These are governed by the Ambulance Data Set (ADS) submission guidance.

Bulk CSV uploads
The published API supports submission using FHIR. We are not aware of an alternative CSV bulk upload mechanism for ADS through the API Platform. If you have a significant historical backlog, we would recommend discussing this with the ADS service team, as they can advise whether there are any operational arrangements available for large-scale backfill exercises.

Rate limits
The ADS team can advise on an appropriate submission approach and any operational considerations, particularly if you expect to submit a high volume of FHIR Bundles over a short period.

Thanks,

NHS England API Platform team

Please note: The API Platform team can only address queries relevant to the NHS England API platform, including security, rate limiting, logging, monitoring and alerting. For any API, CIS2, NHS Login specific queries, please reach out the relevant API / Service teams.

3

Thanks for the speedy reply - do you have the contact address for the ADS team?