PRACTICE POLICY REGARDING THE PROVISION OF HEALTH & CARE NUMBERS
What is a health and care number?
Your health and care number (HCN) is a 10 digit number to identify and match you to your health care records.
Where to find your HCN?
The number can be found on your medical card, on letters from your GP or on a hospital letter, or on any prescription.
Can’t find your HCN?
The Health and Social Care Board has provided information regarding this. They have given a website in which you can apply for a new medical card on which your HCN is available. As a practice we provide this information.
Do I need it to book a COVID-19 Vaccine?
The booking website and HSC advice states that,
“You will need a mobile number or email address to book your vaccination online so we can confirm your appointment details.
If you know your Health and Care Number (HCN), it will help us tell your GP that you’ve been vaccinated. You can find your HCN on any GP or hospital letter, on any prescription or on your medical card. If you don’t know your Health and Care number, you should not call your GP to ask for it.” Get Vaccinated | COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Northern Ireland (hscni.net)
Following HSC guidance we will not give this out over the phone, but we can provide details of how to obtain your HCN.
Again as the HSC guidance has stated, you should not call your GP to ask for it, as this blocks our phone lines for those seeking medical attention.