PCSE regularly receives a report from NHS systems identifying patients whose records contain a temporary forename (for example, Baby, Twin, or Baby of).
These temporary forenames are commonly used when registering newborns before a formal name has been confirmed. Once a patient has a confirmed forename, it is important that their GP record and the Personal Demographics Service (PDS) are updated to ensure data accuracy.
When will I be contacted?
If your practice has patients listed on the Patients with Temporary Forenames report, and have been registered for more than a month, PCSE will email the practices’ main contact to ask for an amendment to be submitted through the GP Links to update the patient’s forename on the PDS.
Once the amendment has been received and processed, no further action is required.
What do I need to do?
- Check the patient’s record to confirm whether the forename is still a temporary forename.
- If the patient has a confirmed forename, submit a forename amendment via GP Links.
- If the patient’s forename is not yet known, contact their parent/guardian for these details and submit a forename amendment via GP Links once known.
Do we need to provide evidence before updating the forename?
No. Practices do not need to provide documentary evidence when updating a patient’s forename.
Why have we received a temporary forename email when we have already updated the patient’s forename?
Another organisation (E.g. a hospital or pharmacy) may have updated PDS and changed the name back to a temporary forename. If this is the case, reply to the email you received from PCSE so it can be investigated.
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