To want my sons correct surname?

It did after numerous times of asking yes. I asked the GP in person and reception. It was inconvenient as I couldn't use any medical letters as proof of address because the middle initial was different to that on all my other letters. Just keep on at them that you need it corrected, you may have to ask to go through to the practice manager.

How can they not change it without a new nhs number? When I got married they changed my surname no problem.

My GP had my middle initial wrong and it took months of asking to correct it. You have my sympathy

@MummyToBe23 yes I'd think so it's the way lots of information is held and prescriptions sent etc

digital.nhs.uk/services/spine

There is a central database called SPINE and what can happen is even if it has been changed manually sometimes when the next person puts their ID card in it kind of reverts back. So somebody with a card and authority needs to go in and change it on the SPINE.

He wouldn't get a new NHS number that's nonsense, they just need to make sure it is changed properly.

It is standard practice that newborns are initially registered as BABY MUMS SURNAME if the parents aren't married because this provides a link to you whilst in hospital - but this is then changed once they've been registered. For example when I took my little girl to hospital at about 1 she was still registered there as BABY MUMS SURNAME as she hadn't been back since so they had to update it to NAME DADS SURNAME.

It sounds like they're making it extra complicated but in its nature it's not unheard of for the baby to initially be registered with your surname. Hope that makes sense.

*off

Of topic but in answer to another poster...In terms of adoption or other sensitive situations where new NHS numbers are given, witness protection etc. Records are redacted for GP surgeries so identifiable information is extracted. These are seen as the primary records. Hospital records are not transferred over. You can ask departments/consultants to summarise but the idea is to protect identities...but it is accepted GP records should have hospital records on there. Makes no sense I know and makes people vulnerable health wise but this is the set up. I'd very much advise against a new NHS number in this situation. They really should amend their mistake. But first find out is it hospital or GP surgery mistake...

I should say after that...If the hospitals have the correct surname on his records and NHS number and it is the GP surgery who have it incorrect, then yes the GP surgery need to amend their mistake. A formal letter to the practice manager to start with. But check to start with the NHS number and surname at hospital is all correct. Hope this helps and what a nightmare for you.

@Spencer0220 yes I think I just went in and said "I've got married and changed my name" - showed them the marriage certificate and it was changed on the computer then and there.
My bank was the same.
(The only thing I can't seem to change is my name on my National Insurance records so I still get some post in my maiden name 🤷)

Adoption would be totally different though. Presumably so birth family can't trace. But I'm assuming records move over?

It’s not hard to change. Surely no different to changing someone who has got married, spelling mistakes etc.

The hospital may have a different computer system, so may need a separate request.

Speak to the Information Governance team/officer at the hospital where he was born. If I'd read your post right the hospital registered him when he was born? PALS will be able to pass you their details, they should also be on the hospital Trusts website. It's an error on their part not yours. Presumably the GP surgery (primary care) are just picking up the information from the hospital (secondary care). Information governance should help, it is their mistake and yes it would affect him in the future going forward appointments, ID etc not matching say if he registered at a different doctors at uni etc. so it does need sorting.

A child gets a new NHS number when they are adopted, but it makes no sense to say a change of name = new number as a default, as otherwise loads of married women would have new numbers, and they don't.

When I got married, they didn't update my NHS number.

They said I'm still the same person. Same as your son.

My gp surgery updated the name no problem after I showed my passport and marriage certificate.

Yes I asked for a "known as" name weird they wouldn't do it if they are doing it in ops case without her asking or wanting them to.

@eurochick I suppose technically there has been a name change because in hospital she would have been on record as "Baby Your-name" and that's the name on any paperwork until you actually go and register your baby.
It seems some GP surgeries do like making a song and dance about something simple 🙁

I changed my name when I got married 15 years ago. My NHS Covid record is bizarrely in my maiden name, yet my NHS App and GP records all show my married name.

Even when I attended a Covid Vaccination appt 3 yrs ago, booked in my married name, they tried to turn me away as they couldn't find me on the list despite having my appointment letter.

It turned out that the computer record they were using to record my vaccine had my maiden name and address from 20 years ago! Luckily I have an unusual first name and they kept looking and eventually found it. Mind you, she was trying to tell me that I was mistaken about my name and address, not them 😁!

I think it's just a weird fluke and seems difficult for them to resolve if there are merged databases.

Hopefully you'll get it resolved soon!

@MummyToBe23 sorry to confuse you but the question about the double name was for @ConfusedConfuse rather than you 🙂

This is crazy! My son was baby mysurname when he was born. Registered him on birth certificate as my then fiancé's surname. Then registered at the doctors and there was never an issue. They sound like they're being difficult for the sake of it.

@MummyToBe23 the important thing to remember is your baby's NHS number will never change and will follow him through life so his medical records will never get lost.
At the moment this is annoying - but it won't be denied any medical care just because his birth certificate says different.
Keep telling them - but don't panic over it.