Under the terms of the contract, which includes production of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), ID Data Cards will become the NHSBSA's sole supplier across a range of healthcare products, with a demand for more than 10m cards a year.

A data file containing all new requirements will be electronically sent to the production facility on a twice-daily basis, with ID Data processing up to 100,000 cards per day during peak periods.

The two sides of each card are printed separately, using ID Data's CD72 press, on 300micron PVC and laminated together with an 80micron overlay on each side to form a 760micron card.

All cards are personalised at the same site in Petersfield with a high-speed, drop-on-demand inkjet printer before being fixed to the carriers, inserted in envelopes and despatched. All printed stationery is sourced from within the Tall Group.

The contract was awarded following a competitive tender process that started in September 2010. In addition to the EHIC, ID Data will also be responsible for the production of the Tax Credit Exemption Card and the NHSBSA Medical Cards.

NHS BSA head of operations Brendan Brown said: "ID Data Cards has demonstrated its ability to provide a high quality card solution in a responsive and cost effective manner. We needed a card partner that could not only meet the precise needs of the NHSBSA, but more importantly those of the general public."

John Cooke, business development director of ID Data Cards, added: "This contract is recognition of our longstanding experience and expertise within the public sector across Europe. We work closely with our customers to create complete solutions and we are becoming card partner of choice with an increasing number of organisations."