GPs to give out patient codes

Individual health identifiers will start appearing on electronic referrals by GPs as the final steps are being taken to establish the national database.

GPs can now refer patients to all acute hospitals electronically — more than 10,550 were received by hospitals in May, compared to 2,289 a year ago when the process started.

Patients will have a unique number for life that can be used by health service providers, both public and private, in communications about their care.