The NHS Number

Your NHS Number is unique to you. Using your NHS Number to identify you correctly is an important step towards improving the safety and efficiency of your healthcare.

If you know your NHS Number, or have it on a document or letter, you can help healthcare staff find your records more easily and share them safely with other people who are caring for you.

NHS staff will begin to ask for your NHS Number more often, so remember to keep it in a safe place that you have easy access to.

No, it is not essential to know your NHS Number, but it can sometimes be helpful if you are able to give it to NHS staff who need to find your health records.

No, your NHS Number is different from your NI number, which is used for tax, benefits and pensions. If you have any questions about your NI number, contact your local office of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

To find your local office, visit www.dwp.gov.uk.

If you want to know your NHS Number, or you have an old-style number and want to know your new one, please follow the instructions below.

You can also check any recent letters you have had from the NHS, as these should now include your NHS Number. It is important to keep a record of your NHS Number safe, as it will be used in any letters or health records about you.

I am registered with a GP surgery. What is my NHS Number?

If you're registered with a GP, you will already have an NHS Number. To find out your NHS Number, contact your GP practice and ask them to look it up. To protect your privacy, you may be asked to show a passport, driving licence or some other proof of identity. 

I am not currently registered with a GP surgery, but I think I already have an NHS Number. How do I find out what it is?

In this case, you can ask your local primary care trust (PCT) to look it up for you.

You can search for your nearest PCT on NHS Choices or call NHS Direct on 0845 4647. When you phone your local PCT, ask for the department dealing with patient GP registrations. They can give you your NHS Number or direct you to the right person within that PCT.

Anyone who has registered with a GP practice in England, Wales or the Isle of Man will have an NHS Number. Also, since 2002 all babies born in England, Wales or the Isle of Man will automatically get an NHS Number. 

If you were born before October 2002 and never registered with a GP practice then it's unlikely that you have an NHS Number. In that case, you should register with a GP practice as soon as possible. You can find out about local GP practices via this website. Here you'll also be able to find out if the GP practice is accepting new patients at the moment. Your local primary care trust (PCT) may also be able to help.

If you are a visitor to this country and require NHS care, you will be allocated an NHS Number where it is possible to do so. In cases where the organisation is unable to allocate an NHS Number directly, you will be given a local number (for example a hospital number).

Having an NHS Number does not entitle you to free NHS treatment. For more information see our guide for overseas visitors to the UK.

If  your baby was born in a hospital in England or Wales, they should have been given an NHS Number through the hospital system shortly after the birth.

If your baby was born at home, the health visitor will usually tell you the baby’s NHS Number when they next see you and the baby at your home or at their clinic.

The new-style 10-digit NHS Number was created specifically to help make it easier for patients to be uniquely identified across the NHS.

The first nine digits are used to identify you and the 10th is used to confirm that the number is valid. This 10-digit number was introduced in 1996 (replacing the older version) to improve accuracy, access to information and confidentiality.