Introduction

The NHS Number is a national unique identifier that makes it possible to share patient information across the whole of the NHS safely, efficiently and accurately. It is a 10-digit number assigned to every individual registered with the NHS in England and Wales. The first nine digits are the identifier, with the tenth used as a check digit to confirm the number's validity.

The consistent use and universal availability of the NHS Number will enable the NHS to realise the preferred position of having a single record for each patient. Duplicate records lead to the fragmentation of patient information and have potential clinical safety implications.

The use of the NHS Number for management of patient-related data will facilitate improved matching of information to the correct patient and will be of benefit to all NHS staff who interface with patients, in that they can have confidence that they have the correct and complete record for the correct patient.

The use of the NHS Number as the unique patient identifier will also help ensure that samples, images and other patient-related tests can be referenced back correctly and inserted into the correct records.

Standards

Future Roadmap

Further Information

For further information please see:

• NHS CFH NHS Number programme