The CRANE Database
The CRANE database records information about children and adults born with cleft lip and cleft palate in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
It was set up by the Department of Health after a report in 1998 into the quality of care for people with cleft lip and cleft palate. It is owned by the Craniofacial Society of Great Britain and is managed by a project team based in the Clinical Effectiveness Unit of The Royal College of Surgeons of England, in London. The database is funded by a grant from the National Health Service.
If you are interested in statistics on cleft lip and palate in the UK, CRANE’s annual reports are the best place to look.
CRANE Annual Report 2022 (2021 data)
CRANE Annual Report 2021 (2020 data)
CRANE Annual Report 2020 (2019 data)
CRANE Annual Report 2019 (2018 data)
CRANE Annual Report 2018 (2017 data)
CRANE Annual Report 2017 (2016 data)
What kind of information is collected?
CRANE collects information on these children at birth or at diagnosis, and into childhood – including information about the surgical treatments your child has had, and how your child is getting on in terms of their speech, hearing, growth, dental health and overall health.
Why does the database collect information?
The information collected is used to:
- get an accurate picture of the numbers of babies born with cleft lip and cleft palate and the different types of care that are provided;
- help monitor the performance of the special units that treat children with cleft lip and cleft palate;
- produce reports which highlight areas of good care so that this knowledge can be shared; and
- help to find the causes, and the best treatments for, cleft lip and cleft palate.
No information is used in the reports that could be used to identify you or your child.