Internet Explorer goes out of support on 15 June  

From 15 June 2022, Internet Explorer will no longer be supported by Microsoft or NHS Digital. If you're still using this browser to access NHS Digital’s web-based systems, you should switch to a modern alternative such as Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.  

NHS Digital sites may not work in Internet Explorer

If you use Internet Explorer to access websites, you may find that NHS Digital services do not work, or do not work correctly.

All NHS Digital web-based products and websites are designed for, or compatible with, modern browsers. You may find that they do not work, or do not work correctly, if you try access them using Internet Explorer after 15 June.  

Using unsupported systems makes your organisation more vulnerable to cyber security threats and makes it more likely that you’ll experience performance or reliability issues.

Credential management – a must-have for modern browsers 

Many of our internet-facing services also require NHS Credential Management for users to access them using modern browsers such as Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge. It provides a faster, more secure and more stable authentication solution than the one used in Internet Explorer 11.  

You’ll need Credential Management installed on your device if you need to access core NHS Digital systems such as our Spine user interfaces (including SCRa and EPS Prescription Tracker), NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS) and Emergency Department Digital Integration (EDDI).   

What does this mean for me?  

It is the responsibility of individual organisations to make sure their teams are using supported products.   

If you are responsible for managing IT in a health or care organisation

You should make sure you have a plan in place to withdraw Internet Explorer from your IT estate and install NHS Credential Management (HSCN connection required) for any users who require access to national NHS systems which require authentication.  

If you use NHS Digital web-based systems for your work

You may need to contact your local IT service desk to find out more about your organisation’s plan to switch off Internet Explorer and to ensure continued access to our services.

Information about individual services  

NHS e-Referral Service  

The latest release of the NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS) is compatible with modern browsers when using Credential Management to authenticate.   

The guidance for this service has recently been updated. The use of Microsoft Edge in IE mode (sometimes known as 'Compatibility Mode') has been removed as an alternative solution. Use of IE Mode will mean users cannot access e-RS from October 2022 onwards, following a security update.

All guidance can be found on our e-RS webpages.  

Emergency Department Digital Integration (EDDI)

Detailed guidance to support the technical installation of EDDI is available on our website. This includes specific instructions for the use of Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge, as well as troubleshooting advice.

SCRa and National Care Records Service

SCRa and National Care Records Service products require NHS Credential Management to authenticate in secure modern browsers. NHS Digital strongly recommends that users and system suppliers consult the Warranted Environment Specification (WES) to assure that all software versions currently in use are fully supported.

Access to SCRa using Internet Explorer (IE) and IE compatibility web browsers is coming to an end in June 2023.

Find out more about switching to a modern browser.

NHSmail

NHSmail/NHS.net is compatible with modern browsers and has no reliance on Internet Explorer. NHS employees accessing NHSmail are able to use other modern browsers with no additional configuration.
More information around the disabling and deprecation of Internet Explorer 11 is available on the NHSmail support site.

Open Exeter

All aspects of Open Exeter are compatible with modern browsers, with the exception of the use of smart cards for login. Read more about this.

Electronic Staff Record (ESR)

The Electronic Staff Record system (ESR) is now accessible using browsers other than IE11.

Users of core ESR functions such as Payroll, HR, Learning Management, Recruitment can use Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge with minimal configuration:

core function users can opt in to use other browsers on their landing portal (the ability to opt in is enabled by the employer organisation)
NHS Smartcard users need to ensure the NHS Credential Management and Identity Agent v2.3 are installed

NHS employees accessing ESR Self Service are able to use other browsers with no additional configuration.

IT and ESR leads can find information on the required configuration in ESR User Notice 3161.

Users with compatibility issues

Some older applications or websites may only work correctly in Internet Explorer.

The official Microsoft guidance is that users should use Microsoft Edge in Internet Explorer mode if they experience this issue, which will enable them to continue to use older applications smoothly.

Many NHS Digital systems will not work correctly using this mode, and more may become incompatible in the future when systems are updated.

NHS Digital does not recommend using Edge in Internet Explorer mode as an alternative to using modern browsers alongside Credential Management.

Last edited: 15 November 2023 11:23 am