NHS number for payroll

Hi everyone! I am coming to the UK on a spouse visa on Saturday and have a standing job offer to begin on Monday. I have given them my bank details but they will need an NHS number asap to give to accounts so I can be paid. I have found some old posts about this but like I said, most of them are old. Do I still register with a GP to apply or can I go to Job Centre Plus?

Would appreciate any help on this one!

You need a National Insurance number not an NHS number.  It's similar to a Social Security number.  It's not essential to have one before you start a job and you'll still get paid it's just that you will be taxed at a generic rate until you get it sorted. 

https://www.gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number

An NHS number is a totally different thing and has to do with registering with a GP.

I think you're confusing NHS numbers with NI (National Insurance) numbers. Your job shouldn't need/care about your NHS number, which you should get after you register with a GP (and is used to track your medical records across hospitals). Your job will care about your NI number, as that determines what taxes get taken out of your paycheck.

You'll need to register at your local job centre for a national insurance number (bringing your passport, at least, and possibly proof of address? I can't remember). You'll get a NHS number when you register with your local GP.

cross-posted with Anonymiss

To get a National Insurance number, you'll need to go to one of the JobCentres (or call) and make an appointment.  I got an appointment within a few weeks of when I called, but I wasn't really given a choice of when to show up.    They just told me 'so-and-so time and such-and-such place on such-and-such date'.    Luckily, I was free. 

It didn't take too long once I was there.... although it seemed like it was something I could have easily filled out on my own...    I had to bring my passport, DH's NI number and they asked if I was looking for work (but they didn't need proof- just my word).

Pretty easy, but a bit of a hassle as you might have to travel to another centre to apply. 

If you're coming in on a spousal visa, it's likely you won't need an interview. 

Awesome! Thank you for the help. I was definitely confused. So GP for NHS and Job Centre for NI. Perfect! Thanks for the help everyone!