The National Duplicate Registration Initiative (NDRI), first undertaken in 1999, uses leading edge data matching techniques to review general practitioners' (GPs) patient lists to identify inaccuracies in the data that distort both the wider resource allocation within the NHS, and specifically the payments made to GP practices. By tackling these inaccuracies the initiative also enables patients' medical records to be passed to their new GP in cases where previously the system has been unable to link the patient's former and current GP registrations.
To contact the NDRI team, please email ndriqueries@audit-commission.gov.uk or call our automated telephone message service on 0844 798 2222.
NDRI matches now available
In line with the NDRI timetable the first phase NDRI 2009/10 matches were launched in the secure NDRI website on 4 December. The release includes duplicate registrations, patients over 100s and properties with more than 10 patient registrations. Future releases will include removed asylum seekers and registrations relating to deceased persons.
NDRI 2009 work programme and scale of fees
We consulted on our proposed work programme and scale of fees for the National Duplicate Registration Initiative (NDRI) 2009/10 between September and October 2009. The Commission has now considered all of the responses and has agreed to confirm the work programme and scale of fees set out in the consultation document.
Full copy of the consultation response
Timetable
| Activity |
Who |
Method |
When |
| Extract patient data |
NHS CFH Systems and Service Delivery Team |
|
Saturday 17 October 2009 |
| Upload patient data |
NHS CFH Systems and Service Delivery Team |
Via secure NDRI Website |
Monday 19 October - Friday 23 October 2009 |
| NDRI matches available |
Audit Commission |
www.audit-commission.gov.uk/ndri (external website)
Communicated to the named key contact at NHAIS sites |
Friday 4 December 2009 |
Legal framework
The Audit Commission has confirmed NDRI to be part of the statutory external audit and PCTs are legally obliged to provide the relevant data, which is required under Section 6 of the Audit Commission Act 1998.
NDRI 2004
Although NDRI 2004 provided considerable assurance about the accuracy of GP list data it resulted in the cancellation of almost 185,000 patient registrations; 0.3 per cent of the population. The annual savings from these deductions exceed £9.5 million. In addition NDRI identified weaknesses in the system and data quality issues.
Download the full national study. This study contains all our findings and recommendations.
National Fraud Initiative (NFI)
The National Fraud Initiative helps detect fraudulent and erroneous payments from the public purse. The NFI began in 1996, and now runs every two years, enabling participants across the UK from local government, central government and the NHS to identify fraud and error. To date, an estimated £450 million of fraud and overpayments have been identified from this work and the initiative has attracted international recognition.