Additional information for GP practice managers – March 2024

From 12 April 2024, all health and care staff who access e-RS using the legacy URL (https://nww.ebs.ncrs.nhs.uk) will be directed to a new page that will require them to select an option to access e-RS on the new URL (https://ers.nhs.uk).

Please update and replace any instances of the legacy URL with the new URL in favourites and shortcuts, in line with the online guidance.

The system itself is not changing, simply the URL link used to access it.

As part of the newly published GP contract, we are asking all GP practices in England to begin using the Register with a GP surgery service from October 2024. The service is free to use and consists of an online registration service and a new paper form.

The Register with a GP surgery service is easy for patients to use, and more than 1 million patients have now used the digital service to find and submit a registration to a local GP.

Learn more about the benefits of the service and how to sign up.  

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System-generated position assignments are all expiring on 31 December 2024

From 31 December 2024, all system-generated position assignments will expire.

National RA have developed a SYSPOS tool using Microsoft Excel, which uses existing CIS reports as an external data source to automatically identify active and inactive users assigned to system generated positions. It can be used by individual RA hosting organisations or by RA service providers such as ICBs who have many child organisations.

Organisations with high numbers of system generated positions in use will benefit from using the tool. Organisations already aware of low numbers of system generated positions in use do not need to use the tool.

  1. Download the SYSPOS tool and move it to a suitable folder on your computer.
  2. Download the following Care Identity Service reports for your organisation(s) and export to Excel format:
    • Logins in Organisation
    • Registered Users in Organisation
  3. Rename the above files as below and copy them to the same location as the tool:
    • Logins
    • Registered Users
  4. Open SYSPOS Tool > Enable Content (on Security warning)
  5. Click Data tab > Get Data > Data source settings > Change source for both files to point to their new locations

SYSPOS tool

Note: this step is only required once unless the local file path of the CIS reports is changed.

This step is required when you've downloaded updated reports from CIS. Remember to rename the reports as stated above. A refresh could take up to 10 minutes to complete depending on the size of your RA function. This also applies to the calculate sheet operations.

Follow these steps:

  1. Formulas tab > Calculate Options > Manual
  2. Data tab > Refresh All
  3. Wait for data to refresh
  4. Select Logins sheet > Formulas tab > Calculate sheet
  5. Wait for calculations above to complete
  6. Select Registered_Users sheet > Formulas tab > Calculate sheet
  7. Select Dash sheet > Formulas tab > Calculate sheet

The Dash sheet provides a summary of SYSPOS assignments across your RA function. This should help determine how much time to allocate to this exercise.

1. Identify inactive SYSPOS users

Inactive users with either a SYSPOS only or SYSPOS + Standard position assignment(s) who have not logged in within the last 12 months should have their access revoked.

  • View Logins sheet > Select row 1 > Data tab > Filter > Column R > Tick ‘Revoke Access’ only
  • Revoke SYSPOS assignments in CIS/CIM for users returned in the list

 

2. Identify Active SYSPOS Users

Active SYSPOS users who have logged in within the last 12 months will require both a review of access and appropriate follow up action.

View Registered_Users sheet > Select row 1 > Data tab > Filter > Column X > Tick ‘Yes’ only. The results will highlight the users in scope including their current position assignments and RBAC codes:

A. For Users with SYSPOS Only Assignments:

  • Review Pattern(s) of access in the target org and either assign an appropriate existing standard position or create and assign a new one.
  • Revoke SYSPOS assignments in CIS/CIM.

B. For users with both a SYSPOS + Standard + position assignments:

  • Review access and assign an appropriate standard position assignment only if one is required.
  • Revoke SYSPOS assignments in CIS/CIM.

 

3. Close System Generated Positions

Upon completing follow up actions 1 and 2, close all system generated positions within your organisation(s).

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Additional information for digital leaders – March 2024

From 12 April 2024, all health and care staff who access e-RS using the legacy URL (https://nww.ebs.ncrs.nhs.uk) will be directed to a new page that will require them to select an option to access e-RS on the new URL (https://ers.nhs.uk).

Please update and replace any instances of the legacy URL with the new URL in favourites and shortcuts, in line with the online guidance.

The system itself is not changing, simply the URL link used to access it.

If your organisation uses the central @nhs.net tenant, you can join the NHSmail FastTrack Partnership programme. You will be paired with a dedicated partner team to help you fully utilise and benefit from Microsoft 365 products such as Intune, Phone Systems and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.

The programme is free to access until June 2026. Find out more and register for the programme.

Scan4Safety is an innovative approach to barcode scanning at the point of care, proven to improve patient safety and reduce costs across the NHS. Visit the new NHS Scan4Safety website to learn more about the benefits and how to get started using it in your organisation.

Thasmim Ali describes the changes we’ve made to our digital service catalogue to make it easier for our stakeholders to find out and understand what national digital services are available for NHS staff and organisations to use.

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Wireless innovation trials applications open end of March 2024

Organisations that are using innovative connectivity technologies to support the delivery of better health and care can apply for funding and support through our Future Connectivity programme’s wireless trials. Last year we awarded £1 million to 7 trusts running wireless trials.

This year, we are particularly interested in working with organisations that are considering:

  • improving productivity and capacity through wireless improvements at fixed locations
  • improving quality of care through connectivity for people providing care remotely
  • improving environmental sustainability through use of wireless Internet of Things (IoT)
  • reducing operational risk through wireless resilience and backup
  • alternative wireless or Wi-Fi initiatives

Complete our short registration form to apply for the 2024/25 financial year. These will be reviewed once the applications open at the end of March.

You can visit our advice and guidance site or contact nhsdigital.future.connectivity@nhs.net if you have any questions.

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Additional information for pharmacy and medicines professionals – February 2024

We would like to know if and how pharmacies are using the NHS App and NHS website (NHS.uk) with patients – and what is and isn’t working well – to help us find opportunities for future improvements.  

We want to hear from pharmacy staff who do, and who don’t, use the NHS App and NHS website. If you would like to participate, please complete this 10-15 minute survey before 23 February.   

We would like to speak with any pharmacists who have referred patients into secondary care – either via the patient’s registered GP, through the NHS e-Referral Service (eRS), or any other processes and systems. This will help us improve the design and function of NHS eRS.

You can email us to sign up for a 45 minute user research interview at a time that suits you or complete a 5 minute survey.

We've launched a new campaign to encourage greater use of the refreshed NHS App, which provides convenient access to essential health and care services.

Campaign materials are available for you to use and share. If patients have questions about the app, you can direct them to our help pages.

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Additional information for GP practice managers – February 2024

To understand how the NHS App and NHS website (NHS.uk) can better meet the needs of GP practices, we would like to know if and how practices are using them with patients, and what is and isn’t working well. This will help us find opportunities for future improvements.  

We want to hear from GP practice staff who do, and who don’t, use the NHS App and NHS website. If you would like to participate, please complete this 10-15 minute survey before 23 February.   

We would like to hear from primary care staff who are involved in referral processes and ongoing management of referrals that are initiated by someone outside their own practice (for example, a pharmacist or optometrist). This will help us improve the design and function of the NHS e-Referral Service.

Please cascade this 5 minute survey to colleagues in your practice.

You can find out about what digital clinical safety is and the current clinical safety officer training offer in the new Digital Clinical Safety FutureNHS site (FutureNHS login required). You can also learn about Scan4Safety, which aims to improve patient safety through the traceability of medical devices and equipment, while reducing care costs.

Access the new platform find information on best practice, join the discussion and ask your questions.

We have launched a new campaign to encourage greater use of a refreshed NHS App, which provides convenient access to essential health and care services.

Campaign materials are available for you to use and share. If patients have questions about the app, you can direct them to our help pages.

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Additional information for digital leaders – February 2024

ou can find out about what digital clinical safety is and the current clinical safety officer training offer in the new Digital Clinical Safety FutureNHS site (FutureNHS login required). You can also learn about Scan4Safety, which aims to improve patient safety through the traceability of medical devices and equipment, while reducing care costs.

Access the new platform find information on best practice, join the discussion and ask your questions.

We have launched a new campaign to encourage greater use of the refreshed NHS App, which provides convenient access to essential health and care services.

Campaign materials are available for you to use and share. If patients have questions about the app, you can direct them to our help pages.

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The Chrome extension will no longer be available from 31 May 2024

On 1 January 2024 the Chrome extension was deprecated. It continues to be maintained to 'reasonable endeavours' by the NHS Care Identity Service.

On 31 May 2024, the Chrome extension will be retired and will no longer work.

From June 2024, Google Chrome will sunset Manifest V2.

You can find out more about this change and why it's happening in this deprecation notice.

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£1 million boost for wireless innovations to improve patient care

 

Around £1million in total has been awarded to seven trusts as part of NHS England’s Wireless Trials programme, which seeks to make the most of cutting-edge wireless technologies to provide the best care and experiences for patients, while freeing up more staff time to spend with their patients.

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust will trial an innovative approach of combining satellite and cloud-based wireless solutions to enhance connectivity across their 10 hospital sites and wider community services.

Mid Cheshire and Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS trusts will use the funding to install wireless trackers on medical equipment and hospital beds, which allow real-time monitoring and location tracking so that staff can easily find what they need, when they need it.

The North West and East of England ambulance services trusts will also roll out improved wireless connections in A&E and ambulance areas, speeding up the transfer of essential patient care data from ambulances to hospitals.

Another project run by Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust will introduce a new app that allows staff to take observations on tablets and smartphones by a patient’s bedside, reducing the time spent typing up patient notes and providing more time to spend with patients.

A trial at the Countess of Chester NHS Foundation Trust will wirelessly link modern diagnostic devices with the trust’s electronic patient records system, speeding up assessment time for patients.

Stephen Koch, Executive Director of Platforms, NHS England, said: “I have been impressed with the innovative ideas coming from the system and we are delighted to be able to award this funding to the successful trialists to develop new or improved wireless solutions for the NHS.

“We’ll be monitoring the outcomes of the trials and are very hopeful that a number of these will be able to be scaled more broadly across the health and social care system saving clinical time, improving patient care and saving money for the system.”

Dan Prescott, Group Chief Information Officer, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, said: “As one of the country’s largest NHS trusts, it’s essential that we can provide continuous patient care with minimum disruptions. With the Wireless Trial we’re aiming to create a reliable, fast and secure network access solution to address unexpected connectivity issues, even in areas of poor-connectivity. This is vital in supporting key initiatives for our staff and giving our patients the best possible care.”

Previous wireless trials included the development of University College London Hospitals’ Find and Treat service, which uses high-tech tools and software to provide real-time remote diagnosis and referrals on board a mobile health unit. The service provides remote screening, testing and treatment for vulnerable, homeless, and high-risk people in London.

Another trial led to South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust becoming the first 5G-connected hospital in the UK.

This Wireless Trials programme aims to provide NHS organisations with the capability they need to deliver the challenging digital ambitions set out in the NHS Long Term Plan.

The trialists will benefit from funding for their project, advice and guidance from NHS England, and the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded organisations. NHS England will also capture best practice from successful trialists and share this across the wider NHS.

Applications for the next series of wireless trials will open later this year. More details are available on the Connectivity Hub.

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Issue with applicants to Apply for Care ID not receiving text link

We are aware of an error where applicants to Apply for Care ID are not receiving their text link in order to continue their application.

Restarting your mobile device may help resolve the issue.

We are trying our best to fix this error as soon as possible and ask for your patience during this time. To report an incident, please contact ssd.nationalservicedesk@nhs.net and include:

  • your application ID
  • full details of the issue
  • details about your device type and OS version
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