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NHSMail (NHS.net Connect) case studies and media releases:
What is NHSmail?
The NHSmail service is the national secure collaboration service for health and social care in England. CQC-registered adult social care providers can apply for, and use, the service for up to 10 staff (e.g. up to 10 individual NHS.net email accounts can be set up for a care home or home care service)*.
A care provider must be compliant with the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) to be eligible for an NHS.net email account. Support with achieving compliance with DSPT is available through Bedfordshire Care Group’s DSPT webpage.
(*Where the applicant is already using a system that meets the ‘secure mail standard’ (DBC1596), applications for an NHS.net account will be declined. For example, applications from professionals working for central or local government (with a GOV.uk email) will be declined as the email system used by employees of these services meets the same security standards as NHS.net.)
Why should I use it?
The principal benefit of using NHSmail is security. The NHS.net system is one of the safest ways to send and receive electronic information, such as text and images. This is an increasingly important consideration for professionals working in adult social care where it is necessary to share sensitive information by email about the people they care for.
Other benefits of using NHSmail include:
- Access to the NHS’ People Directory – contact details for thousands of other professionals working in health and social care.
- It demonstrates to other agencies that you are a trusted and trustworthy partner for the sharing of electronic communications.
- It entitles you to online access to modern business productivity applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams.
- It provides a ‘passport’ to access other online services such as Proxy Access to Medication.
- It entitles the account holder to apply for a Blue Light Card which offers discounted access to purchase many high street and online brands and services.
How do I get started?
To find out more about NHSmail and how to apply for the service, visit NHSmail Services – NHSmail Support.
For most adult social care providers, technical support for using NHSmail will be through the National Advisory Service (NAS). This service is provided by Accenture PLC, a technology company contracted by the NHS to support health and social care professionals using NHSmail.
NAS should be your first port of call for support. Call 0333 200 1133 or email helpdesk@nhs.net.
Currently the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Digitising Social Care (DiSC) team can provide limited advice and support for prospective and existing NHS.net users. To contact the team, email blmkicb.digital.socialcare@nhs.net.
Online guidance
- To reset your password or unlock your account: You will need to know your ‘account secret’ or your security questions and answers, and then follow the Self-service password reset guide.
- To get an NHSmail account: The Starter guide for social care providers – NHSmail support guide outlines the options for new users to join NHSmail.
- To manage your NHSmail shared mailbox: The Managing shared mailboxes – NHSmail support guide has details on how to add and remove users to your shared mailbox.
- To add a signature to your NHS emails: The Creating an email signature – NHSmail support guide explains how to automatically add your signature to any NHS emails you send.
- To set up automated replies: The Setting automatic replies (out of office) – NHSmail support guide shows you how to set up automated replies when you are going to be out of the office, such as on leave or off shift.
- To set up email ‘rules’: The Inbox rules to manage email – NHSmail support guide shows you how to create ‘rules’ to automatically forward, delete or save emails without you having to perform the manual steps each time.
- To tell NHSmail that you have a new employer: The Request for leaver and joiner NHSmail support guide shows you how to update your NHSmail account when you have moved between different adult social care employers.
Contact us at:
blmkicb.digital.socialcare@nhs.net