Networks and Connectivity advice and guidance
The Networks and Connectivity Programme sources and shares expert technical knowledge and produces guidance to support the NHS to plan and implement the right connectivity for local needs.
Health-focused expert knowledge and resources to help NHS organisations plan and deliver wireless connectivity solutions to meet local needs.
To target and prioritise the right blend of system knowledge and expert independent advice, we engage with health and care organisations, directly and through surveys, to understand their connectivity challenges and produce, adapt and promote guidance to address the challenges identified.
Get in touch with the team for questions or support at [email protected].
Wireless technologies in health
This guidance is designed to be an entry point for any healthcare professional wanting to know more about wireless technology and its potential application to healthcare. We recommend you read this document first to familiarise yourself with the common wireless connectivity terms and technologies before reading any of the topic specific guidance on this page.
Connectivity at NHS sites
Wireless technology has emerged as a cornerstone of healthcare delivery, driving innovations in patient care, medical data management and operational efficiency.
This guidance aims to provide NHS organisations with the information they need to understand and select the right wireless solutions for addressing current and future healthcare challenges.
Wi-Fi metrics and measures
Guidance on the measurement, analysis, and management of Wi-Fi performance metrics to get the best out of Wi-Fi networks at NHS sites.
Real Time Location Services (RTLS)
Real Time Location Services (RTLS) refers to any system that accurately determines or tracks an item or person's location. RTLS is not a specific type of technology, but a goal that can be accomplished through a variety of systems for locating and managing assets.
See our RTLS guidance for potential applications of RTLS in health, their benefits and how to identify if, and what type of, RTLS implementation is right for your organisation.
Fixed wireless connectivity
Fixed wireless technologies can be very useful in meeting connectivity needs for organisations, where installation of physical cables is difficult or impossible, such as remote rural locations, where many GP or community sites are located, or to provide resilience in the event of terrestrial cable failure.
Mobile connectivity
This guidance explains how health organisations can leverage mobile (cellular) technology to ensure seamless connectivity, complement their existing Wi-Fi capabilities and provide added resilience to maintain uninterrupted services.
The terms 'mobile connectivity' and 'cellular connectivity' have the same meaning and are sometimes used interchangeably. Our guidance uses the term 'mobile connectivity'.
Internet of Things (IoT)
IoT refers to a network of devices and sensors which are capable of collecting and sharing data with people or with other devices, and taking action based on this information.
Smart Network Management
Guidance which defines Smart Network Management and describes how it can help health organisations ensure their networks continue to offer high levels of service and availability in the face of increasing demand and complexity.
Wireless infrastructure
This guidance for organisations walks you through the key considerations for wireless technologies, the types of networks that could be utilised, and even assesses the types of construction materials that could be considered to support better wireless networks.
Connectivity on the move
Today’s health and care professionals work across many different settings and locations and are dependent on a mixture of fixed and wireless connectivity to do their jobs.
This guidance aims to provide NHS organisations with the information they need on the technical options available to best support their staff to have access to the right connectivity regardless of location.
Wi-Fi roaming
This guidance describes the product options, benefits, costs and considerations of Wi-Fi roaming to NHS organisations considering implementing Wi-Fi roaming and explains how they can support seamless connectivity and network access wherever it's needed.
Contact us
For more information, a full list of our articles and the opportunity to get involved with our community user groups visit Future Connectivity advice and guidance on FutureNHS (you will need a FutureNHS account to view this page).
If you’d like to ask any questions or provide feedback, please contact us at [email protected].
Further information
The Cloud Centre of Excellence (CCoE) promotes a best practice approach to drive the adoption of Cloud services. It provides a centralised enablement function and supports Cloud service consumers across NHS England and the wider NHS.
The National Blueprinting Programme helps Trusts, health providers and ICBs across the health and care system deliver quicker and more cost-effective digitisation, leading to better health outcomes for patients and improved staff experience. This is through the provision of Blueprints and other knowledge artefacts to facilitate peer to peer learning and sharing good practice from previous digital transformation delivery.
Last edited: 30 May 2025 4:02 pm