NHS Trusts are to take part in a survey on the uptake and use of the NHS Number, NHS England has announced.
The survey – the first of its kind – will enable NHS England to create a comprehensive picture by Trusts across England of use of the NHS Number in direct care.
The NHS Standard Contract for 2014-15 states that “the provider must use the NHS Number as the primary identifier in all clinical correspondence” and is a key criterion for applications to the Integrated Digital Care Fund.
NHS Trusts are to take part in a survey on the uptake and use of the NHS Number, NHS England has announced.
The survey – the first of its kind – will enable NHS England to create a comprehensive picture by Trusts across England of use of the NHS Number in direct care.
The NHS Standard Contract for 2014-15 states that “the provider must use the NHS Number as the primary identifier in all clinical correspondence” and is a key criterion for applications to the Integrated Digital Care Fund.
NHS England has asked chief information officers in acute, ambulance, community and mental health Trusts to complete the survey by July 31 and plans to have a complete report on progress by September 2014.
The findings of the survey will be used to target support for adoption of the NHS Number at a local level.
Beverley Bryant, director of strategic systems and technology said: “We want to help all Trusts in England and the populations they serve, to reap the benefits of integrated and safer care as quickly as possible and the use of NHS Number as the primary patient identifier is fundamental in enabling this”.
Support in driving the use of NHS Number will be a cross-organisation initiative led through our central programme team but working hand in glove with regional leads, the CCGs and, of course, the Trusts themselves.”
Further information about the NHS Number for NHS staff and patients and the public, can be found at the NHS Number page on the HSCIC website.
