Integrated records

Some things are so obvious that I am amazed that they need to be stated. Integrated records for children, using a unique identifier, is surely a case in point.  

Of course, the NHS wants the NHS identifier, and schools want the unique pupil number – but, hey, someone just needs to decide – we don't need a working party of senior officials, we don't need an extended consultation, we don't need a lengthy implementation plan – if Michael Gove and Andrew Lansley can't agree, let David Cameron decide – and then impose the solution.  

But let's remember that the NHS can't even agree on a standard health recording and monitoring system for hospitals, so that nurses and doctors moving between hospitals have to learn how the forms at the the bottom of patents' beds must be used. There are even some hospitals with several different recording systems... as I say, some things seem so obvious that I feel I must be missing something.