RCPCH-NHS-Numbers

A python 3.11 module for NHS numbers

Currently it offers:

• NHS number validation
• Unique random NHS number generation

steps for installing for dev purposes:

1. clone the repo
2. create a virtualenv (python -m pyenv virtualenv 3.11.0 rcpch-nhs-numbers)
3. pip install -e .

Testing can be done from the command line in the root directory: pytest

NHS Numbers

NHS numbers are complicated - they are always 10 digits long, do not start with a zero, and must fulfill the modulus 11 algorithm to be valid. This is explained here

Validation rules are needed in software though nowhere is this offered as an API or as a standardised module. There are several packages on pypi that offer it and there is currently a conversation across UK health tech to have one nhs-number package to rule them all.

This package is designed to be a conversation starter, not the definitive solution. It is a call to arms for NHS data enthusiasts to:

1. Tweak and improve the versions offered here
2. Begin a conversation about what other scope might be included (eg Scotland, Wales and NI)