The CHI Programme is supporting NHS Boards as they work to achieve and maintain universal use of the CHI number on patient communications. We offer guidance, communications materials, and targeted support to NHS Boards to ensure that they progress towards meeting the target.
The CHI number is the unique patient identifier for NHS Scotland. Everyone who is registered with a GP practice in Scotland has a CHI number.
Using CHI helps to ensure that:
- Patients can be correctly identified more quickly and more easily
- A more complete picture of a patient's healthcare can be accessed
- More informed decisions can be made about a patient's care
CHI is also important in the wider strategic context. Using CHI throughout NHS Scotland is a vital building block for several important national initiatives, including: Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS), SCI Store, the Emergency Care Summary and the Electronic Health Record.