The Office of Population Censuses and Surveys' Classification of Surgical Operations version-4 (OPCS-4) was first issued in September 1987.
It was used to record operations and procedures carried out in the acute sector, although coding of surgical procedures had been going on since 1944.
In Scotland, OPCS codes are used in SMR returns to record operations, procedures and interventions.
The NHS England Clinical Classifications Services maintain and develop OPCS on behalf of the UK.
The following OPCS versions were used in Scottish national data during the times specified.
From OPCS4.3 to the present, each new publication was implemented in April of the noted year.
| OPCS version | Time Period used in Scottish national data |
|---|---|
| GRO | 1961 to 1970 |
| OPCS2 | 1971 to 1976 |
| OPCS3 | 1977 to 1988 |
| OPCS4 | 1989 to 2006 |
| OPCS4.3 | 2006 to 2007 |
| OPCS4.4 | 2007 to 2009 |
| OPCS4.5 | 2009 to 2011 |
| OPCS4.6 | 2011 to 2014 |
| OPCS4.7 | 2014 to 2017 |
| OPCS4.8 | 2017 to 2020 |
| OPCS4.9 | 2020 to 2023 |
| OPCS4.10 | April 2023 to present |
For questions about OPCS-4 coding email phs.terminologyhelp@phs.scot