An idea that is not rocket science - Patient identity numbers

THE proposal to give every patient using health and social care services a unique identifying number for their lifetime is a sensible step towards improving patient safety and avoiding hospital cock-ups that can put lives at risk.

Along with free GP care for people aged over 70, the timing of this announcement is another tell-tale sign an early general election could be on the cards. A question that comes to mind is why was this idea not put into effect before now? It’s glaringly obvious that measures to reduce incorrect medication cases or vaccinations, or sending the wrong patient for surgery, are long overdue. Yet, it has to be said this seems a worthwhile scheme which, provided it does what it says on the tin, ought to be welcomed.

It was first proposed in 2009 as a means of reducing duplication and administration work, and facilitating electronic health records. Besides helping in the prescription of medicine, it was also aimed at bringing patients in Ireland into line with those in the rest of Europe. It has taken six years to deliver what some will see as another layer of bureaucracy in the form of a specific number for patients as distinct from the personal public service (PPS) number, which helps people access social welfare benefits, public services, and information.