For information: Multifactor authentication (MFA) to be enabled for new NHSmail users

From 2 October 2023, new NHSmail users (excluding pharmacy, optometry, dentistry and social care users) will have MFA applied to their NHSmail account by default.

We recommend you update any local guidance for new starters to include MFA registration as part of setting up their account.

These changes are being implemented to improve cyber security across the NHS. Industry research suggests that MFA can prevent 99.9% of attacks on user accounts.

More information can be found on the NHSmail support site.

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Self-service smartcard unlock – migration to new application complete

The migration from the old, registration-based self-unlock process to the new, faster system is now complete.

The final steps of the migration are now in place:

  • the old service URL now redirects to the new application
  • the link from Identity Agent when a smartcard is locked now points to the new application

You can no longer access the old service and should let staff know that they should use the new application to unlock their smartcard. They will still need to take their card to a Registration Authority or unlocker if:

  • they do not have a valid email address on their profile
  • their certificates have expired

The short URL for the new application is digital.nhs.uk/unlock

For full details of the new application, read our guidance on the new self-service smartcard unlock.

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Recording of the series 9 smartcard broadcast event

NHS England held a 1-hour broadcast event on 21 September 2023. You can view a recording of the event here.

The main focus was on new software required across the entire health and care network, including:

  • NHS Credential Manager 1.3.1.0
  • Identity Agent 2.4.5.0

It also covered timings and what is required to update the software, followed by a Q&A session.

    For more information on the new smartcards, email iamplatforms@nhs.net

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    Event: A unified approach to nursing and midwifery documentation webinar

    Towards a unified vision of nursing and midwifery documentation is now available. This guidance outlines principles to reduce the burden of documentation and support its digitisation.

    Join our webinar on Monday 2 October from 4pm to 5pm to learn more about the guidance and get further advice on implementing the principles in your area.

    Find out more and register to attend.

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    Final reminder: Summary Care Record application is closing on 29 September 2023

    Please ensure that your organisation and your staff have prepared for the switch from the Summary Care Record application (SCRa) to the National Care Records Service (NCRS) before 29 September 2023.

    If you do not, users will automatically be redirected to the NCRS after this date to ensure they do not lose access to national patient services. This does not apply to users of the ‘Chargeable Status’ tab.

    Read more about the NCRS.

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    For action: switching on access to online GP records

    The information below for EMIS practices is out of date. If you did not submit a form to add your practice to the list, it may still be possible to secure a slot once existing requests have been processed by emailing us. Please include your practice name, ODS code and your request to bulk enable access and we will work to support you.

    The updated GP contract requires all practices to provide their patients with online access to new (prospective) health information in their GP records (unless exceptions apply) by 31 October 2023. Please see the GP readiness checklist. 

    You can request EMIS to automatically enable your patients access to their records. Additional sessions are available in October where EMIS is running these ‘bulk enablement’ processes for participating practices. To add your practice to the list, please book a slot by 19 September. 

    You can follow this user guide (FutureNHS login required) to update your system yourself before the deadline of 31 October. Practices that have already switched on access to online GP records have found the process easy to follow.  

    Practices should not bulk-apply the SNOMED code ‘1364731000000104 Enhanced review indicated before granting access to your own health record’ to their patients. Changes to the GP contract 2023/24 only allow for people to be excluded from online record access if they are individually identified as at-risk or individually decide to opt-out. 

    If you have bulk-applied the SNOMED code ‘1364731000000104 Enhanced review indicated before granting access to your own health record’ to large cohorts of patients, you should ensure that individuals who are not individually at risk have a SNOMED code ‘1364751000000106 Enhanced review not indicated before granting access to your own health record’ applied before your bulk enablement processes are run.  

    When considering safeguarding issues, it is important to remember that patients will only be able to see new information as it is saved in their health record after the practice go-live date. Read more about safeguarding your patients during these changes. 

    More information about enabling access can be found on the NHS Digital website. If you need any help or advice, you can contact our dedicated support team.  

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    Event: Medicines Interoperability webinar

    Our Digital Medicines programme is looking for partner organisations and suppliers to work on a collaborative project in secondary care to accelerate the development of medicines reconciliation and develop and deploy the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS).

    You may already be working towards these deliverables or be interested in understanding more. If so, please join us for a webinar on Wednesday 4 October 2023 from 1pm to 2pm.

    Find out more and register to attend.

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    Additional information for digital leaders – September 2023

    New guidance is available to help healthcare providers in England implement clinical decision support systems, which have the potential to improve quality of care, outcomes and safety. The guidance covers topics including key considerations, common barriers and success factors.

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    Event: Cloud Services Delivery Partner webinar

    You are invited to join us for an early market engagement webinar to support the upcoming NHS England Cloud Services Delivery procurement project.

    We intend to source an agnostic cloud service delivery partner who will support our Cloud Centre of Excellence in delivery, development and management of our multi-cloud environment and supply chain.

    The webinar will take place on 3 October from 2pm to 3pm. In the session we will explore the capabilities and requirements needed to compete for this service.

    Find out more and register your interest. 

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    For action: Ensuring blood and organ donation decisions are recorded

    Since October 2021, patients’ blood and organ donation preferences are no longer being processed through GP practices.

    If your practice is using an old patient registration form, it is important not to include questions about blood and organ donation preferences in it. This will avoid the risk of a patient recording preferences on your form that are not registered by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT).

    The best way to ensure you are up to date in this and other areas is to use the nationally funded Register with a GP surgery online service. It is fast and easy to sign up, will save you and your patients time and provides access to up-to-date online and paper forms. 

    If you have not yet signed up to Register with a GP surgery, please ensure you are using:

    1. The latest version of the Family doctor services registration form (GMS1), or

    2. A bespoke registration form that is up-to-date and does not include questions about blood or organ donation preferences.

    We encourage you to direct your patients to information on the NHSBT website about registering as a blood donor (https://www.blood.co.uk) or registering a decision on organ donation (https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk).

     

    You can contact the NHSBT Organ Donor Register team for more information about recording decisions, and the Register with a GP surgery team for more information about the service.

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