In February 2007 the Department of Health (DH) published the guidance document 'Coding for Success'.

This document has been written in partnership with DH, NPSA, MHRA, NHS CFH and PASA. It recommends both industry and NHS adopt the GS1 system of coding standards and sets out an action plan that supports both the NHS and healthcare industry.

Shortly after the publishing of the document, NHS Connecting for Health (NHS CFH) entered into an agreement with GS1, the global standards agency, to lead a programme of work for the NHS to drive adoption and use of the coding standards to reduce patient safety risk.

After the announcement that NHS CFH were entering into an agreement with GS1 Lord Hunt, the then Minister for Health, issued a statement to parliament advocating the programme and the adoption of standards in healthcare.

Through focusing on key areas, working with other healthcare agencies and liaising with the industry and manufacturing side of healthcare, we have been able to make a huge success of the programme and influence healthcare end to end, from manufacturer to patient to after care.

Through the adoption of simple coding standards we can deliver the following five rights:

• ensuring that the right patient
• is given the right treatment
• in the right dose
• through the right route
• at the right time