NHS Mail is the main way you can send sensitive information to health services.

 It is an easy, secure and convenient way to send and receive accurate and timely information such as medical and prescription notes, test results and CPN reviews.

To get NHSmail, care homes need to make an online application HERE

There are 5 steps in signing up for NHSmail, once you have published your DSPT assessment:

● Step1-find your Care Quality Commission (CQC) location ID (registration number)

● Step 2- find your CQC contact ID (sometimes called registered manager's ID, from your CQC registration information) or ask, via the form you are filling in, for a one-time passcode (OTP)

● Step 3-decide who will be the shared mailbox owner, who will have access and who will be mailbox administrators.

● Step 4- get the names, mobile phone numbers and email addresses for the (2 -10) staff who will have nhs.net accounts.

● Step 5 -fill out the online registration form on the NHSmail portal by one person on behalf of each site.

You can download a guide for care homes on registering with the NHSmail portal, which takes you through the steps you need to take. It can take up to 48 hours for the NHSmail team to get back to you with the information you need to get your account set up. Set-up itself usually takes about an hour.

To arrange a support call, please email: sam@sussexdigitalteam.co.uk

Activating accounts.

Once the registration form has been completed, an email will be sent to the email addresses supplied, giving usernames.

The email will also give instructions on how to activate the new NHSmail account and how to use it.

The shared mailbox can be used for general communications with the care home. One or more members of staff, as well as the care home manager or administrator, need to be given the job of managing the shared mailbox. There needs to be a process in place to make sure it is checked regularly, and messages dealt with.

You can follow this link for more details on NHSMail NHS England» Signing up for NHSmail

If you need to set up more than 10 or more accounts, follow the information below: There are two ways to meet the secure email standard. One of them is to implement an already compliant service (such as NHSmail, Office 365 or Google G Suite) or demonstrate your own service is compliant with the secure email standard.

Setting up and changing your NHSMail account can be a confusing and sometimes a bewildering task. Although we are not directly involved in managing NHSMail accounts, do not hesitate to contact us and we can put you in touch with the right people to help you.

List of downloadable resources used in this guidance:

● A guide to secure email systems and standards

● A guide for care homes on registering with the NHSmail portal

● Digital Social Care training guide