How long to get an NHS Card?

Your GP surgery can tell you your NHS number if you want to keep a record of it.

You can still request a card...

http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/887.aspx?CategoryID=68&SubCategoryID=162

"An NHS medical card is issued when you first register with a GP. It contains your NHS number and other information such as your name, address, date of birth, and details of your registered practice or individual doctor.

When you register with a new GP, you will be asked for your NHS medical card. If you do not have one (for example, in the case of a newborn baby), the receptionist will give you a form to fill in (GMS1). When you have completed and returned the form, your local health authority will transfer your medical records to your new GP. Your medical card will be posted to your home address. Some local health authorities (PCTs) do not issue medical cards, or only do so on request."

or

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Hl1/Help/YourQuestions/DG_10015151

"If you lose your NHS medical card, you can get a replacement either by visiting your GP or by contacting your health authority. A list of health authority websites can be found by visiting the links below."

One year and five months!  That might be the longest gap between posts yet!


Vicky

One year and five months!  That might be the longest gap between posts yet!


Vicky

Close but not quite, how soon we forget!

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=24212.msg716684#msg716684

I just relocated to London on a spousal visa. Can you manage to get an NHS number before you receive this card as mentioned above? Reason I ask is that my husband and I are signing a lease for a flat and they're asking for my NHS #. I have yet to even register with a GP, but can do so within the next few days. In terms of making sure this lease goes through should I give them my US social security number in the meantime? Thoughts?

Thanks,
SHaz

You have to do an initial registration with a GP to get an NHS number.

Somehow, I think you're confusing an NHS number (healthcare) with a National Insurance (NI) number (tax, like an SSN). You have to apply for a National Insurance number which is issued through the Job Centre for those employed or seeking employement for taxation purposes and to those who are applying for benefits such as tax credits.

I cannot imagine sigining a lease needs an NHS number but a NI number makes sense since it functions like a SSN here. Your SSN is useless here except for filing your US income taxes.

ETA information on applying for a NI number:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/BeginnersGuideToBenefits/DG_10014073

and NHS number:
http://www.nhs.uk/aboutnhs/thenhsnumber/Pages/TheNHSNumber.aspx

Your landlord or letting agent should have no need for either your NHS or NI number. Strong whiff of dodgy geezer here.

Are they asking for an NI number to do a credit check?  I agree, I don't like this.  No one but my accountant and the Revenue know my NI number.


Vicky

Every estate agent application for renting that I have seen requires your NI number.  I guess you could leave it blank, but then they don't need to rent you the house. 

When we moved into our current flat, because I am self employed the landlady needed my mum to act as guarantor.  We got the forms through for the credit check, and it asked for NI numbers.  My mum point blank refused to give it, I spoke to the letting agency, and thay said 'no problem'.  We all passed the check.

The NI number may be asked for, but a check can be done without it.

Vicky

Every estate agent application for renting that I have seen requires your NI number.  I guess you could leave it blank, but then they don't need to rent you the house. 

We did exactly that when renting a house in Canterbury a few years ago - left it blank. They never mentioned it again and it was no bar to us renting the place. They are just trying it on, because they do not need it and you're not legally obliged to tell them.

(x-posted with Victoria)