The Common User Interface (CUI) is a set of standards that define a common interface for healthcare IT systems to address this problem.

During the tenure of NHS Connecting for Health (2005-2013), a need was identified for consistency in the display of common items and their layout on screens, driven by a desire to improve patient safety and to aid clinician effectiveness. The Common User Interface (CUI) project was set up to define a common interface for healthcare IT systems and nine standards were subsequently published in 2010:

The original nine common interface standards for healthcare IT systems applied to:

• ISB 1500 Address Input and Display
• ISB 1501 Time Display
• ISB 1502 Date and Time Input
• ISB 1503 Date Display
• ISB 1504 NHS Number Input and Display
• ISB 1505 Patient Banner
• ISB 1506 Patient Name Input and Display
• ISB 1507 Sex and Current Gender Input and Display
• ISB 1508 Telephone Number Input and Display

Since publication, the health and care technology landscape has changed considerably. It is now acknowledged that these standards are out of date. Nevertheless, there is still residual value in some of the data elements identified within them and it is the intention to review and identify elements which remain relevant to ensuring patient safety and continue to promote clinical uptake of health and care IT.