NHS login
This page provides guidance for NHS staff to support patients with the NHS login process
About this service
NHS login provides patients and the public with a simple, secure and re-usable way to access multiple digital health and care services.
It is used by many of NHS England's own patient-facing digital services, such as the NHS App, and also by many of our partners' apps and services.
When a patient accesses an app or website which uses NHS login, they will either create an account and complete security checks or log in to their existing account. Once they are logged in, they will be able to access the app or website.
Wherever the public see the NHS login button, they can securely access their health and care information. In most cases they can use the service to prove who they are without needing to visit their GP.
Who this service is for
Patients and public
Patients registered at a GP practice in England, or receiving NHS services in England, can use NHS login to access health and care services. For example, patients can access the NHS App or online consultation platform eConsult.
Patient information about NHS login.
Providers of digital health and care services
NHS login is designed for digital patient-facing services that offer a health or social care related app or website. Providers of digital health and care services can ask about using NHS login if their service aligns with the NHS Long Term Plan and delivers benefits for the health and care system. They must also be commissioned or sponsored by an NHS organisation. If a service has both a commissioned element and a private element, only the commissioned service can use NHS login.
Partner and developer information about NHS login.
We are continuously working with new partners, increasing the use of NHS login across the digital health and social care market. See our list of NHS login integrated partners and services for more information on where NHS login is live.
Benefits
- a single, trusted login account that is convenient for patients and, because it has been developed by the NHS, they know that their health and care data is protected
- partners and developers can trust NHS login to take care of the identity verification of their users securely and know that it is a brand that the public will recognise
- the health and care system benefits from a secure NHS login process that will support the best use of technology to enable preventative, predictive and personalised care
National usage policy
NHS login is not mandatory, but it is strongly recommended for patients that need to access a wide range of health care websites and apps that can be linked to their NHS medical records.
Furthermore, NHS login is mandatory for organisations wishing to conform to the NHS service standard. Otherwise, NHS login is not mandatory, but it is strongly recommended because it conforms to DAPB3051 Identity Verification and Authentication Standard for Digital Health and Care Services which is mandatory for all patient-facing digital health and care services.
Status, service level and current usage
This service is live.
It was launched in September 2018 and currently has over 46,000,000 users.
There are over 120 apps and services currently live with NHS login.
This service is a silver (plus) service. This means it is operational 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
How to access this service
Patients
When a patient chooses a health and care website, app or service which uses NHS login for security, they will access NHS login automatically.
Partners
For onboarding information, see integrating with NHS login.
Contact us
| Enquiry | Point of contact |
|---|---|
| Patient and public advice and guidance | About NHS login |
|
Live service incident. For use by NHS login partner services and health care professionals |
National Service Desk Online portal: NHS England Customer Portal Email: [email protected] Telephone: 0300 303 5035 |
| Technical support and feedback for use by patients |
NHS App and account contact form |
| Developer support | NHS Developer Community |
Further information
NHS login for partners and developers
Guidance, process and supporting information for digital health and social care services that are interested in or integrated with NHS login.
Patient information on NHS login
Read guidance and supporting information for the public and people who use NHS login.
Data Protection Impact Assessment: NHS login - formerly Citizen Identity
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requires a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) to be completed by a controller where its processing of personal data is considered to be a high risk to the rights and freedoms of individuals.
Last edited: 23 April 2025 11:03 am