The general principles of the NHS Number standards are:

Find It - find the NHS Number for a person as soon as possible in the care pathway, ideally on initial contact with the service.

Use It - use the NHS Number to link a person to their care record; use the NHS Number to search for an electronic record; use the NHS Number on wristbands, documents and reports used for the care of the person.

Share It - share the NHS Number with other organisations so they can use it; include the NHS Number on all correspondence and electronic messages.

Reasons organisations must use NHS Numbers

There are a number of reasons why organisations need to use NHS Numbers.

• The Operating Framework 12/13 requires providers and commissioners to use NHS Numbers. For more information about how NHS Numbers will influence commissioning and contractual payments visit the 'Using NHS Numbers for commissioning and contracting' webpage.
• The NHS Number Safer Practice Notice
• The NHS Future Forum recommends to the government use of NHS Numbers.
• Sir Bruce Keogh, NHS Medical Director and sponsor of the NHS Number programme outlines the importance of NHS Number use (PDF, 213.6kB).

Guidance for all organisations

The following fact sheets and guidance documents are useful for all organisations using or planning to use NHS Numbers, both covered or not by an existing NHS Number standard.

• NHS Number factsheet for staff (PDF, 2.6MB)
• How to trace NHS Numbers

• Guidance for trusts Allocating NHS Numbers (PDF, 385.3kB)

NHS Number case studies

• Improving staff efficiencies and patient care at the Forget Me Not Children's Hospice (PDF, 1.1MB) in West Yorkshire.

• Read about how the NHS Number is being used in prison healthcare.

• Julie has been a midwife for 30 years, read her account of how an incident with a newborn baby could have been avoided with an NHS Number.

• Read Jas's story as she went through the various stages of her pregnancy.

System specific guidance

• PACS NHS Number Approach (PDF, 56.3kB)

• PACS and RIS - NHS Number (DSCN 32/2008) Compliance Update (Jan 2012) - this document provides an update on the extent to which LSP-provided PACS and RIS are currently compliant with the NHS Number standard.

Care setting guidance

• NHS Number Guidance for GP Practices (PDF, 439.0kB)

Implementation Toolkit

The Implementation toolkit has been produced using material from trusts working towards conformance with the Safer Practice Notice and Information Standards. The toolkit is aimed at primary and secondary care settings and is structured to reflect the requirements contained in the Standards.

Communications and awareness toolkit

The communication and awareness toolkit provides materials that can be used by organisations for NHS Number awareness activities with staff or the general public.

Further support and frequently asked questions (FAQs)

If you still have unanswered questions visit further support and FAQs.