Written question asked by Hilary Benn (Labour) on Monday, 8 January 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 11 January 2024 (named day). A holding answer was provided on Thursday, 11 January 2024. A substantive answer was provided by Andrew Stephenson (Conservative) on Thursday, 11 January 2024 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Medical Records: Northern Ireland

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what reason NHS numbers issued in Northern Ireland are not transferable to England.

Answer: There has never been a single National Health Service number system across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Prior to the introduction of the current 10-digit format NHS number in 1995/96, there were 22 different NHS number formats in existence; one of these was the Northern Ireland NHS number format. The rationalisation that took place introduced the common format we have now. Whilst a common format NHS number is in use there has never been a decision for a single database operating across both authorities.

Secondary information