Your NHS number

Everyone registered with the NHS in England and Wales has their own unique NHS number. Your NHS number is printed on the medical card given to you when you register with a GP practice. 

Your NHS number helps healthcare staff to find your health records. Each NHS number is made up of ten digits, shown like this: 
450 557 7104 (this is an example number only).

Why is your NHS number important to you?
Your NHS number is unique to you. Using your NHS number to identify you correctly is an important step towards improving the safety of your healthcare.

If you know your NHS number, or can show your medical card, you can help healthcare staff find your records more easily and share them safely with others who are caring for you. 

As an added safety measure, you can start checking the things the NHS sends you to make sure they have the right NHS number.