How to connect to web-based e-RS

Independent Sector Providers

Must have a contract agreed by one or more NHS Commissioner for each service they want to set up on the NHS e-Referral Service.

Referrers

Must ensure that relevant commissioning organisations will recognise and pay for activity resulting from your referrals.

Get your teams ready for the change

Successful digital implementation isn’t solely about technology, it’s about people

To ensure the success of your e-RS implementation or support maximising the benefits of using e-RS to support patients referred for onward care, identify the individuals and processes impacted by these organisational changes that are needed to realise the benefits.  

Driving improvements in productivity through digital transformation 

Change management plays a crucial role in facilitating lasting digital transformation and driving improvements in productivity.  

The report by Lord Darzi (2024) on the Independent Investigation of the NHS, identified that there must be a major tilt towards technology to unlock productivity. The report stated: “In particular, the hundreds of thousands of NHS staff working outside hospitals urgently need the benefits of digital systems.” 

Change management tools to support transformation and unlock productivity  

Join the existing 2000 members on the Change Management Network on the FutureNHS Collaboration platform to access: 

• The Change Management toolkit and its tools 

• A discussion forum 

• Learning and support 

NHS Futures workspace is for everyone in health and care, supporting secure collaboration across organisations at no cost.  

We are here to support you in implementing and optimising the use of e-RS successfully, please contact our team at [email protected].  We can support you to access Change Management resources and access to the NHS England Change Management Tools. 

An ODS code is required to access NHS Digital services.

The Registration Authority is responsible for authorising users and setting up devices and access modes.

The RA will need to add e-RS specific business roles.

Your organisation must:

1. Complete the Data Security and Protection (DSP) Toolkit
   Special care should be taken by organisations whose staff may use devices in less private settings, for example, applying screen filters
    
2. Ensure Clinical Assurance is in place for your business processes including:
   • Appointing a named Clinical Safety Officer
   • Adhering to the DCB0160 standard (you may also request to view the NHS e-RS Clinical Safety Case and Hazard Logs)

Review the specification for the device connecting to e-RS, ensuring these are aligned with the configuration requirements.

The following access control options are secure measures by which clinical and personal information is accessed by only those that have a valid reason to do so. The options have been updated to support the transition to move all e-RS professional users to authenticate access and roles via Care Identity Service 2 (CIS2) when accessing web-based e-RS application via the internet-facing URL (ers.nhs.uk).

Connection via HSCN connection

Smartcard

e-RS can continue to use physical smartcards to access e-RS where existing infrastructure is in place. Even where smartcards are used, users must still access e-RS via the internet-facing URL. Local registration authority (RA) teams or RA providers will advise on local plans to transition RA services to CIS2 Authentication. Find out more about registration authority users.

HSCN connection not necessary

e-RS can be accessed via the public internet, where users are authenticated using CIS2. Any new organisations onboarding to e-RS should follow the guidance to use CIS2 and the internet-facing URL to access the professional e-RS application

Cross Platform Keys

Security keys where authenticated users can access the e-RS professional application across all their devices. Find out more about security Keys.

Windows Hello for Business

Access using a Windows device via PIN, facial recognition, or fingerprint. Find out more about accessing e-RS using Windows Hello for Business.

Microsoft Authenticator

Find out more about using Microsoft authenticator which enables a user to log in with their care identity credentials and verify through a code generated in the authenticator app.

Review the e-RS website for further information on using the application including setting up services, referring a patient, actioning referrals for both directly and indirectly bookable services and the training overview sessions available.