EVERYONE in Ireland should have a unique patient identification number so they get the safest health care possible, the State’s health services watchdog has urged.

Every person in the country should be issued with an identification number to track them through the health system throughout their life, experts said today.

Minister for Education and Science Mary Hanafin and The Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology (IRCSET) have today announced the appointment of Professor Jane Grimson as chair of the council.

A new Board of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) with Dr Pat Fottrell as its chairperson has been appointed by the Tánaiste Mary Harney.