§ Mr. GapesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of duplicate numbers which have been issued since the launch of the NHS unique patient number project; how many were issued in the last six months; what assessment he has made of the rate of issue of duplicate numbers; and if he will make a statement. [33986]
§ Mr. HoramNon-unique numbers have been issued to some 7,500 newly registered babies in the six months since the launch of the new national health service number on 4 December 1995. This represents 1 to 2 per cent. of birth registrations.
The rate of issue of non-unique numbers peaked at 500 in one week, but has now reduced to around 50 per week.
Non-unique numbers are being identified by existing monitoring procedures, and all of the babies concerned have been given new NHS numbers to replace the non-unique numbers.
§ Mr. GapesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost of rectifying the deficiencies in the NHS unique patient number project which lead to the production of duplicate numbers. [33987]
§ Mr. HoramThe costs to the national health service executive of correcting the processes which led to the issue of non-unique numbers to some new babies, and then amending their entry in NHS systems, are estimated to be £130,000.