NHS in "Becton on Sea" mix-up

At least, not according to the National Health Service. For when Derek, 75, quoted his post-code to a helpline operator it brought an unexpected response.

"I'd rung them up because I wanted to opt out of having my clinical details placed on the NHS computer, " said Derek, of Sutton Place, Bexhill.

"They insisted that the computer had me living not in Bexhill-on-Sea but in Becton-on-Sea, which so far as I'm aware isn't anywhere in the British Isles.

"To cap it all, I later got a letter from the NHS addressed to me at -- Becton-on-Sea. It hardly inspires confidence in their new computer, does it?"

The long-delayed uploading of clinical information onto a 12.4 billion central computer system for the NHS in England, due in 2004, began last month.

An NHS spokesman said: "As with any large project, there are inevitably a few teething problems.

"But if anyone has any concerns they can telephone the helpline, 0845 603 8510, for help and advice."

The NHS Summary Care Records (SCR) programme allows patients to choose to have a secure electronic record containing key health information about them.

These details are drawn from a patient's GP records and can be added to as necessary by other health care staff treating the patient, ensuring vital information is easily at hand.