Thank you for your request for information about the following:
Under what circumstances NHSBA undertake credit searches on patients?
Your request was received on 19 December 2023 and I am dealing with it under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
Response
The NHS Business Services Authority does not make credit searches on patients. Any Equifax checks are to verify customer details as explained below.
NHS Exemption Checking Services
In the NHS Exemption Checking Services, Equifax checks are only used when setting up a direct debit. This is to verify a customer’s name, address and bank account details match as part of the Know Your Customer (KYC) process.
Overseas Healthcare Services
The NHSBSA’s Overseas Healthcare Services may perform a UK residency check with Equifax.
Data Queries
If you plan on producing a press or broadcast story based upon the data, please contact communicationsteam@nhsbsa.nhs.uk This is important to ensure that the figures are not misunderstood or misrepresented.
The information supplied to you continues to be protected by the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and is subject to NHSBSA copyright. This information is licenced under the terms of the Open Government Licence detailed at:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/
Should you wish to re-use the information you must include the following statement:
“NHSBSA Copyright 2024” This information is licenced under the terms of the Open Government Licence:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/
Failure to do so is a breach of the terms of the licence.
Information you receive which is not subject to NHSBSA Copyright continues to be protected by the copyright of the person, or organisation, from which the information originated. Please obtain their permission before reproducing any third party (non NHSBSA Copyright) information.