Overview
Duplicates occur when a patient is assigned more than one NHS number, creating multiple records for the same individual.
Confusions happen when two or more different patients are linked to the same NHS number, causing their records to merge incorrectly.
Both issues can lead to the following risks:
- Clinical Risk: Patients may receive incorrect treatment or prescriptions.
- Data Integrity Issues: Incorrect Demographic Information could be entered on a patients record
- Medical Records Issues: Medical records can be misrouted or lost.
- Operational Delays: Time and resources are wasted resolving errors instead of focusing on patient care.
For PCSE to investigate the query, please obtain as much information as possible directly from the patient before submitting the form, including:
- Any previous names
- Previous addresses
- Previous GP surgeries
- Place of birth
- Dates of entry to the country, where applicable.
If the online form is submitted with limited information, PCSE may ask you to contact the patient to obtain the missing details.