NHS North West Genomics
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NHS North West Genomics - Local Development build (v2.2.5) built by the FHIR (HL7® FHIR® Standard) Build Tools. See the Directory of published versions

Data Type Profile: NHS Identifier

Official URL: https://fhir.nwgenomics.nhs.uk/StructureDefinition/NHSIdentifier Version: 2.2.5
Draft as of 2026-11-05 Computable Name: NHSIdentifier

Only traced NHS Number SHOULD be used, un-traced NHS Numbers MUST be clearly indicated.

NHS Data Dictionary and Model

Ubiquitous terms: NHS Number, NHS No, NHS ID; CHI Number (Scotland); H&C Number (Northern Ireland).

Mapping

  • HL7 FHIR Patient.identifier (type = NH)
  • HL7 v2 Patient Identifier List (PID-3)
  • IHE XDS sourcePatientId and patientId

Format: NNNNNNNNNN, values include a checksum, details can be found in NHS NUMBER

  • Testing number range: 999 000 0000 to 999 999 9999

NHS Number (England and Wales)

  • England, Wales and the Isle of Man value ranges: 400 000 0000 to 499 999 9999, and 600 000 0000 to 799 999 9999.
Field HL7 FHIR Identifier OID / URI HL7 FHIR Value HL7 v2 CX HL7 v2 Value Example
Value value   - CX.1   9449305552
Type type   http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/v2-0203#NH CX.5 NH -
Assigning Authority assigner.identifier   X24 for NHS England PDS traced patients CX.4 NHS -
System system 2.16.840.1.113883.2.1.4.1 https://fhir.nhs.uk/Id/nhs-number N/a N/a -

CHI Number (Scotland)

  • Scotland ranges: 010 100 0000 to 311 299 9999.
Field HL7 FHIR Identifier OID / URI HL7 FHIR Value HL7 v2 CX HL7 v2 Value Example
Value value   - CX.1   9449305552
Type type   http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/v2-0203#NH CX.5 NH -
Assigning Authority assigner.identifier     CX.4 CHI -
System system 2.16.840.1.113883.2.1.3.2.4.16.53 urn:oid:2.16.840.1.113883.2.1.3.2.4.16.53 N/a N/a -

Health and Care Number (Northern Ireland)

  • Northern Ireland ranges: 320 000 0000 to 399 999 9999.
Field HL7 FHIR Identifier OID / URI HL7 FHIR Value HL7 v2 CX HL7 v2 Value Example
Value value   - CX.1   9449305552
Type type   http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/v2-0203#NH CX.5 NH -
Assigning Authority assigner.identifier     CX.4 HSC -
System system   https://fhir.nhs.uk/Id/hsc-number N/a N/a  

Identifier.system

Name System
England and Wales https://fhir.nhs.uk/Id/nhs-number
Scotland urn:oid:2.16.840.1.113883.2.1.3.2.4.16.53
Northern Ireland https://fhir.nhs.uk/Id/hsc-number

Example

HL7 v2 CX

9449305552^^^^NH

HL7 FHIR Identifier

{
  "use" : "official",
  "type" : {
    "coding" : [
      {
        "system" : "http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/v2-0203",
        "code" : "NH"
      }
    ]
  },
  "system" : "https://fhir.nhs.uk/Id/nhs-number",
  "value" : "9449305552"
}

Usages:

You can also check for usages in the FHIR IG Statistics

Formal Views of Profile Content

Description Differentials, Snapshots, and other representations.

NameFlagsCard.TypeDescription & Constraints    Filter: doco
Identifier 0..* CorrelationIdentifier An identifier intended for computation
Identifier.Slices for extension Content/Rules for all slices
Identifier.Slices for extension.extension:nhsNumberVerificationStatus 0..1 CodeableConcept NHS number verification status
URL: https://fhir.hl7.org.uk/StructureDefinition/Extension-UKCore-NHSNumberVerificationStatus
Binding: UK Core NHS Number Verification Status (required)
Identifier.use This element is a modifier element. This element is included in summaries. 0..1 code usual | official | temp | secondary | old (If known)
Binding: IdentifierUse (required): Identifies the purpose for this identifier, if known .
Identifier.type This element must be supported. This element is included in summaries. 0..1 CodeableConcept Description of identifier
Binding: NW IdentifierType (required)
Fixed Value: 
{
  "coding" : [
    {
      "system" : "http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/v2-0203",
      "code" : "NH"
    }
  ]
}
Identifier.system This element must be supported. This element is included in summaries. 1..1 uri Recommended. This may be defined by a EPR/LIMS system.
Binding: UK National Health Identifiers (required)
Example General: http://www.acme.com/identifiers/patient
Identifier.value This element must be supported. This element is included in summaries. 1..1 string The value MUST be unique to the organisation
Example General: 123456
Identifier.assigner This element must be supported. This element is included in summaries. 0..1 Reference(Organization) Organization that issued id (may be just text)
Identifier.assigner.identifier This element must be supported. This element is included in summaries. 1..1 Identifier Logical reference, when literal reference is not known
Identifier.assigner.identifier.use This element is a modifier element. This element is included in summaries. 0..1 code usual | official | temp | secondary | old (If known)
Binding: IdentifierUse (required): Identifies the purpose for this identifier, if known .
Identifier.assigner.identifier.system This element must be supported. This element is included in summaries. 1..1 uri The namespace for the identifier value
Required Pattern: https://fhir.nhs.uk/Id/ods-organization-code (extensions allowed)
Identifier.assigner.identifier.value This element must be supported. This element is included in summaries. 1..1 string The value that is unique
Example General: 123456
Example Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust: R0A

doco Documentation for this format

Terminology Bindings

Path Status Usage ValueSet Version Source
Identifier.use Base required IdentifierUse 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.
Identifier.type Base required NW IdentifierType 📦2.2.5 This IG
Identifier.system Base required UK National Health Identifiers 📦2.2.5 This IG
Identifier.assigner.​identifier.use Base required IdentifierUse 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.

Constraints

Id Grade Path(s) Description Expression

This structure is derived from CorrelationIdentifier

NameFlagsCard.TypeDescription & Constraints    Filter: doco
Identifier CorrelationIdentifier
Identifier.Slices for extension Content/Rules for all slices
Identifier.Slices for extension.extension:nhsNumberVerificationStatus 0..1 CodeableConcept NHS number verification status
URL: https://fhir.hl7.org.uk/StructureDefinition/Extension-UKCore-NHSNumberVerificationStatus
Binding: UK Core NHS Number Verification Status (required)
Identifier.type 0..1 CodeableConcept Description of identifier
Fixed Value: 
{
  "coding" : [
    {
      "system" : "http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/v2-0203",
      "code" : "NH"
    }
  ]
}
Identifier.system 1..1 uri Recommended. This may be defined by a EPR/LIMS system.
Binding: UK National Health Identifiers (required)

doco Documentation for this format

Terminology Bindings (Differential)

Path Status Usage ValueSet Version Source
Identifier.system Base required UK National Health Identifiers 📦2.2.5 This IG
NameFlagsCard.TypeDescription & Constraints    Filter: doco
Identifier 0..* CorrelationIdentifier An identifier intended for computation
Identifier.id 0..1 string Unique id for inter-element referencing
Identifier.Slices for extension 0..* Extension Additional content defined by implementations
Slice: Unordered, Open by value:url
Identifier.Slices for extension.extension:nhsNumberVerificationStatus 0..1 CodeableConcept NHS number verification status
URL: https://fhir.hl7.org.uk/StructureDefinition/Extension-UKCore-NHSNumberVerificationStatus
Binding: UK Core NHS Number Verification Status (required)
Identifier.use This element is a modifier element. This element is included in summaries. 0..1 code usual | official | temp | secondary | old (If known)
Binding: IdentifierUse (required): Identifies the purpose for this identifier, if known .
Identifier.type This element must be supported. This element is included in summaries. 0..1 CodeableConcept Description of identifier
Binding: NW IdentifierType (required)
Fixed Value: 
{
  "coding" : [
    {
      "system" : "http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/v2-0203",
      "code" : "NH"
    }
  ]
}
Identifier.system This element must be supported. This element is included in summaries. 1..1 uri Recommended. This may be defined by a EPR/LIMS system.
Binding: UK National Health Identifiers (required)
Example General: http://www.acme.com/identifiers/patient
Identifier.value This element must be supported. This element is included in summaries. 1..1 string The value MUST be unique to the organisation
Example General: 123456
Identifier.period This element is included in summaries. 0..1 Period Time period when id is/was valid for use
Identifier.assigner This element must be supported. This element is included in summaries. 0..1 Reference(Organization) Organization that issued id (may be just text)
Identifier.assigner.id 0..1 string Unique id for inter-element referencing
Identifier.assigner.extension 0..* Extension Additional content defined by implementations
Slice: Unordered, Open by value:url
Identifier.assigner.reference This element is included in summaries. C 0..1 string Literal reference, Relative, internal or absolute URL
Identifier.assigner.type This element is included in summaries. 0..1 uri Type the reference refers to (e.g. "Patient")
Binding: ResourceType (extensible): Aa resource (or, for logical models, the URI of the logical model).
Identifier.assigner.identifier This element must be supported. This element is included in summaries. 1..1 Identifier Logical reference, when literal reference is not known
Identifier.assigner.identifier.id 0..1 string Unique id for inter-element referencing
Identifier.assigner.identifier.extension 0..* Extension Additional content defined by implementations
Slice: Unordered, Open by value:url
Identifier.assigner.identifier.use This element is a modifier element. This element is included in summaries. 0..1 code usual | official | temp | secondary | old (If known)
Binding: IdentifierUse (required): Identifies the purpose for this identifier, if known .
Identifier.assigner.identifier.type This element is included in summaries. 0..1 CodeableConcept Description of identifier
Binding: Identifier Type Codes (extensible): A coded type for an identifier that can be used to determine which identifier to use for a specific purpose.
Identifier.assigner.identifier.system This element must be supported. This element is included in summaries. 1..1 uri The namespace for the identifier value
Required Pattern: https://fhir.nhs.uk/Id/ods-organization-code (extensions allowed)
Identifier.assigner.identifier.value This element must be supported. This element is included in summaries. 1..1 string The value that is unique
Example General: 123456
Example Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust: R0A
Identifier.assigner.identifier.period This element is included in summaries. 0..1 Period Time period when id is/was valid for use
Identifier.assigner.identifier.assigner This element is included in summaries. 0..1 Reference(Organization) Organization that issued id (may be just text)
Identifier.assigner.display This element is included in summaries. 0..1 string Text alternative for the resource

doco Documentation for this format

Terminology Bindings

Path Status Usage ValueSet Version Source
Identifier.use Base required IdentifierUse 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.
Identifier.type Base required NW IdentifierType 📦2.2.5 This IG
Identifier.system Base required UK National Health Identifiers 📦2.2.5 This IG
Identifier.assigner.​type Base extensible ResourceType 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.
Identifier.assigner.​identifier.use Base required IdentifierUse 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.
Identifier.assigner.​identifier.type Base extensible IdentifierType 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.

Constraints

Id Grade Path(s) Description Expression

This structure is derived from CorrelationIdentifier

Summary

Mandatory: 1 element
Fixed: 1 element

Extensions

This structure refers to these extensions:

Key Elements View

NameFlagsCard.TypeDescription & Constraints    Filter: doco
Identifier 0..* CorrelationIdentifier An identifier intended for computation
Identifier.Slices for extension Content/Rules for all slices
Identifier.Slices for extension.extension:nhsNumberVerificationStatus 0..1 CodeableConcept NHS number verification status
URL: https://fhir.hl7.org.uk/StructureDefinition/Extension-UKCore-NHSNumberVerificationStatus
Binding: UK Core NHS Number Verification Status (required)
Identifier.use This element is a modifier element. This element is included in summaries. 0..1 code usual | official | temp | secondary | old (If known)
Binding: IdentifierUse (required): Identifies the purpose for this identifier, if known .
Identifier.type This element must be supported. This element is included in summaries. 0..1 CodeableConcept Description of identifier
Binding: NW IdentifierType (required)
Fixed Value: 
{
  "coding" : [
    {
      "system" : "http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/v2-0203",
      "code" : "NH"
    }
  ]
}
Identifier.system This element must be supported. This element is included in summaries. 1..1 uri Recommended. This may be defined by a EPR/LIMS system.
Binding: UK National Health Identifiers (required)
Example General: http://www.acme.com/identifiers/patient
Identifier.value This element must be supported. This element is included in summaries. 1..1 string The value MUST be unique to the organisation
Example General: 123456
Identifier.assigner This element must be supported. This element is included in summaries. 0..1 Reference(Organization) Organization that issued id (may be just text)
Identifier.assigner.identifier This element must be supported. This element is included in summaries. 1..1 Identifier Logical reference, when literal reference is not known
Identifier.assigner.identifier.use This element is a modifier element. This element is included in summaries. 0..1 code usual | official | temp | secondary | old (If known)
Binding: IdentifierUse (required): Identifies the purpose for this identifier, if known .
Identifier.assigner.identifier.system This element must be supported. This element is included in summaries. 1..1 uri The namespace for the identifier value
Required Pattern: https://fhir.nhs.uk/Id/ods-organization-code (extensions allowed)
Identifier.assigner.identifier.value This element must be supported. This element is included in summaries. 1..1 string The value that is unique
Example General: 123456
Example Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust: R0A

doco Documentation for this format

Terminology Bindings

Path Status Usage ValueSet Version Source
Identifier.use Base required IdentifierUse 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.
Identifier.type Base required NW IdentifierType 📦2.2.5 This IG
Identifier.system Base required UK National Health Identifiers 📦2.2.5 This IG
Identifier.assigner.​identifier.use Base required IdentifierUse 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.

Constraints

Id Grade Path(s) Description Expression

Differential View

This structure is derived from CorrelationIdentifier

NameFlagsCard.TypeDescription & Constraints    Filter: doco
Identifier CorrelationIdentifier
Identifier.Slices for extension Content/Rules for all slices
Identifier.Slices for extension.extension:nhsNumberVerificationStatus 0..1 CodeableConcept NHS number verification status
URL: https://fhir.hl7.org.uk/StructureDefinition/Extension-UKCore-NHSNumberVerificationStatus
Binding: UK Core NHS Number Verification Status (required)
Identifier.type 0..1 CodeableConcept Description of identifier
Fixed Value: 
{
  "coding" : [
    {
      "system" : "http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/v2-0203",
      "code" : "NH"
    }
  ]
}
Identifier.system 1..1 uri Recommended. This may be defined by a EPR/LIMS system.
Binding: UK National Health Identifiers (required)

doco Documentation for this format

Terminology Bindings (Differential)

Path Status Usage ValueSet Version Source
Identifier.system Base required UK National Health Identifiers 📦2.2.5 This IG

Snapshot ViewView

NameFlagsCard.TypeDescription & Constraints    Filter: doco
Identifier 0..* CorrelationIdentifier An identifier intended for computation
Identifier.id 0..1 string Unique id for inter-element referencing
Identifier.Slices for extension 0..* Extension Additional content defined by implementations
Slice: Unordered, Open by value:url
Identifier.Slices for extension.extension:nhsNumberVerificationStatus 0..1 CodeableConcept NHS number verification status
URL: https://fhir.hl7.org.uk/StructureDefinition/Extension-UKCore-NHSNumberVerificationStatus
Binding: UK Core NHS Number Verification Status (required)
Identifier.use This element is a modifier element. This element is included in summaries. 0..1 code usual | official | temp | secondary | old (If known)
Binding: IdentifierUse (required): Identifies the purpose for this identifier, if known .
Identifier.type This element must be supported. This element is included in summaries. 0..1 CodeableConcept Description of identifier
Binding: NW IdentifierType (required)
Fixed Value: 
{
  "coding" : [
    {
      "system" : "http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/v2-0203",
      "code" : "NH"
    }
  ]
}
Identifier.system This element must be supported. This element is included in summaries. 1..1 uri Recommended. This may be defined by a EPR/LIMS system.
Binding: UK National Health Identifiers (required)
Example General: http://www.acme.com/identifiers/patient
Identifier.value This element must be supported. This element is included in summaries. 1..1 string The value MUST be unique to the organisation
Example General: 123456
Identifier.period This element is included in summaries. 0..1 Period Time period when id is/was valid for use
Identifier.assigner This element must be supported. This element is included in summaries. 0..1 Reference(Organization) Organization that issued id (may be just text)
Identifier.assigner.id 0..1 string Unique id for inter-element referencing
Identifier.assigner.extension 0..* Extension Additional content defined by implementations
Slice: Unordered, Open by value:url
Identifier.assigner.reference This element is included in summaries. C 0..1 string Literal reference, Relative, internal or absolute URL
Identifier.assigner.type This element is included in summaries. 0..1 uri Type the reference refers to (e.g. "Patient")
Binding: ResourceType (extensible): Aa resource (or, for logical models, the URI of the logical model).
Identifier.assigner.identifier This element must be supported. This element is included in summaries. 1..1 Identifier Logical reference, when literal reference is not known
Identifier.assigner.identifier.id 0..1 string Unique id for inter-element referencing
Identifier.assigner.identifier.extension 0..* Extension Additional content defined by implementations
Slice: Unordered, Open by value:url
Identifier.assigner.identifier.use This element is a modifier element. This element is included in summaries. 0..1 code usual | official | temp | secondary | old (If known)
Binding: IdentifierUse (required): Identifies the purpose for this identifier, if known .
Identifier.assigner.identifier.type This element is included in summaries. 0..1 CodeableConcept Description of identifier
Binding: Identifier Type Codes (extensible): A coded type for an identifier that can be used to determine which identifier to use for a specific purpose.
Identifier.assigner.identifier.system This element must be supported. This element is included in summaries. 1..1 uri The namespace for the identifier value
Required Pattern: https://fhir.nhs.uk/Id/ods-organization-code (extensions allowed)
Identifier.assigner.identifier.value This element must be supported. This element is included in summaries. 1..1 string The value that is unique
Example General: 123456
Example Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust: R0A
Identifier.assigner.identifier.period This element is included in summaries. 0..1 Period Time period when id is/was valid for use
Identifier.assigner.identifier.assigner This element is included in summaries. 0..1 Reference(Organization) Organization that issued id (may be just text)
Identifier.assigner.display This element is included in summaries. 0..1 string Text alternative for the resource

doco Documentation for this format

Terminology Bindings

Path Status Usage ValueSet Version Source
Identifier.use Base required IdentifierUse 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.
Identifier.type Base required NW IdentifierType 📦2.2.5 This IG
Identifier.system Base required UK National Health Identifiers 📦2.2.5 This IG
Identifier.assigner.​type Base extensible ResourceType 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.
Identifier.assigner.​identifier.use Base required IdentifierUse 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.
Identifier.assigner.​identifier.type Base extensible IdentifierType 📍4.0.1 FHIR Std.

Constraints

Id Grade Path(s) Description Expression

This structure is derived from CorrelationIdentifier

Summary

Mandatory: 1 element
Fixed: 1 element

Extensions

This structure refers to these extensions:

 

Other representations of profile: CSV, Excel, Schematron