Good practice guidance for the use of the NHS Number in adult social care
The NHS Number should be included on any patient identifiable data you receive from General Practices or Secondary Care Organisations.
The NHS Number Safer Practice Notice mandates the inclusion of the NHS Number in these areas. If you do not receive an NHS Number for a service user you can request that this be included.
Social care staff can be made aware of the NHS Number and its use as an identifier, linking a person and their records together on their pathway through and between health and social care.
Find it - Use it - Share it
- Find the NHS Number for a person as soon as possible. Determine the NHS Number as early as possible in the persons care pathway and request that the NHS Number is included on all referrals from health colleagues.
- Use the NHS Number to link a person to their record. Include the NHS Number as part of all communications, correspondence and filing systems involving an individual's identifiable information.
- Share the NHS number with colleagues so they can use it. Display and print the NHS Number in the 3 3 4 format so healthcare colleagues can also receive the NHS Number.
"This is ground-breaking work for adult social care, and is critical to our progress on delivering the vision for integrated and personalised care and support as offered by Lord Darzi's Review." - David Behan, Director General of Social Care, April 2009.
The Health and Social Care Integration Programme may also be of interest.