Attachments - converting files to formats supported by the NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS)
The information on this page provides instructions on how to save unsupported files to different formats to allow them to be uploaded into the NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS).
How to manage unsupported file types in e-RS
The e-RS programme has made changes to the types of files that can be uploaded into e-RS. When a user attempts to add an attachment, of a file type that is not supported by the service, in the web-based version of e-RS (not through a GP integrated system) the message below will appear:
The steps below detail how to change an unsuitable file into a type that is supported.
If an error message appears when uploading referral information that states the attachment type is not supported, please follow the steps below:
- Close the error message box.
- Review our supporting file types to understand what files are accepted and then save the attachment as a different file type (see the example process details below).
- Open the file and save it as a supported format.
Information or files may be stored in these supported formats:
- Save as a PDF document (ideal for multi-page information such as discharge summaries)
- Take a screenshot (ideal for small pieces of information, such as test results)
- Take a snip (an alternative method of taking a screenshot and easy to redact confidential information, available on most computers)
Please also review the ‘Removing locally saved files from my device’ section.
Save a file as a PDF document
HTML file types
On a Windows computer, the HTML file will open in either Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox, depending on which browser is on the user’s computer.
Refer to the appropriate section below to follow steps on how to save the file as a PDF document:
Note: Please contact the local IT team if there are issues displaying the Print to PDF option.
The following section may help capture information from files that open in an application, rather than a browser window.
How to capture information from the screen and crop images
Users may wish to capture information being displayed on the screen. They may redact or crop unnecessary personal information before uploading the image to a referral.
Note: Capturing information as an image limits a user’s access to the information. For example, screen readers will not be able to interpret the detail within the image and they cannot copy and paste text from the image.
The following options capture information as images:
Removing locally saved files from my device
It is important to ensure any files saved locally to a device (for example, saved on the user’s desktop, c:\ drive, etc) are removed, as the information could contain personal identifiable data.
Copy any files to the appropriate patient record and attach them to e-RS before carrying out the following steps.
- Locate the file to be removed. This can be done by searching for 'File Explorer' using the search bar or the start menu located at the bottom of the screen (see image below).
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From the File Explorer window,right-click the file, and select Delete.
The file has been moved to the ‘Recycle Bin’ and must now be removed from this location. - Locate the ‘Recycle Bin’ on your device. On a Windows machine the ‘Recycle Bin’ icon maybe displayed on the Windows Desktop.
Double-click the icon to open the ‘Recycle Bin’.
If the ‘Recycle Bin’ icon is not displayed on the desktop, follow either of the steps below to present the Run command box where the ‘Recycle Bin’ can be located:
- If there is a Windows key on the keyboard, hold this down along with the ‘R’ key to display the Run command box.
- Use the search bar or the Start Menu located at the bottom of the screen and search for ‘Run’ and select Open.
When the Run command box appears, type in the ‘Open:’ field - explorer.exe shell: RecycleBinFolder and select OK.
Open the ‘Recycle Bin’, locate the file, and right-click to select the Delete option.
- With the ‘Recycle Bin’ window open, navigate to the file, right-click, and select Delete. The file has now been permanently removed from the device.
If GP practice users are noticing an increasing number of referrals with outstanding referral letters in their integrated system, this may be due to the system rejecting incorrect file types which have been attached to the referral. It is important to monitor and action all worklists regularly, in addition to reviewing integrated system error logs.
Last edited: 22 November 2023 5:25 pm