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NHS App API

Engage with users of the NHS App.

Overview

Use this API to engage with users of the NHS App - a simple and secure way for patients registered with a GP surgery in England to access a range of services on their smartphone or tablet.

You can:

  • send in-app messages to specific users of the NHS App
  • send native Apple or Android push notifications to mobile devices registered by specific users of the NHS App

Who can use this API?

This API can only be accessed by organisations that deliver functionality to citizens through the NHS App.

API status and roadmap

This API is in private beta, meaning:

  • we might make breaking changes, but only if we can't avoid it, and we'll give advance notice
  • we can't guarantee availability or performance

To see our roadmap, or to suggest, comment or vote on features for this API, see our interactive product backlog.

If you have any queries, please contact us.

Technology

This API is RESTful.

It also conforms to the FHIR global standard for health care data exchange. Specifically, it is aligned with FHIR UK Core, which is built on FHIR Release 4.

You don't need to know much about FHIR to use this API - FHIR APIs are just RESTful APIs that follow specific rules. In particular:

  • resource names are capitalised and singular, for example /CommunicationRequest not /communicationRequests

  • array names are singular, for example recipient not recipients for communication recipients

  • data items that are country-specific and thus not included in the FHIR global base resources are usually wrapped in an extension object.

Network access

This API is available on the internet, and, indirectly, on the Health and Social Care Network (HSCN).

For more details see Network access for APIs.

Authorisation

This API is application-restricted, meaning we authenticate the calling application but not the end user. In particular, the three FHIR CommunicationRequest endpoints use signed JWT authentication - you authenticate your application by sending a signed JSON web token (JWT) to our OAuth 2.0 authorisation server. For more details see Application-restricted RESTful APIs - signed JWT authentication.

The non-FHIR communication endpoint used an API key pattern to authorise the calling system. This endpoint has been deprecated and will soon be removed from the API. It should no longer be used.

Environments and testing

API Environment NHS Login Environment Base URL
Development Sandpit https://dev.api.service.nhs.uk/nhs-app/
Integration Testing AOS https://int.api.service.nhs.uk/nhs-app/
Production Production https://api.service.nhs.uk/nhs-app/

Development

Our development environment:

  • includes authorisation
  • is for initial development and integration testing
  • points to the Onboarding Sandpit NHS App environment, which in turn is using the NHS Login Sandpit environment

Integration testing

Our integration test environment:

  • includes authorisation
  • is for formal release testing and assurance when onboarding with NHS Login
  • points to the Onboarding AOS NHS App environment, which in turn is using the NHS Login AOS environment

For more details see integration testing with our RESTful APIs.

Onboarding

You need to get your software approved by us before it can go live with this API. We call this onboarding. The onboarding process can sometimes be quite long, so it’s worth planning well ahead.

To onboard for this API, please get in touch with the NHS App onboarding team at app.onboarding@nhs.net .

Endpoints: Communication

Send a communication (deprecated)

post
/communication
Try this API

Overview

This non-FHIR endpoint has been deprecated and will soon be removed from the API. It should no longer be used. Instead, please use one of the three FHIR R4 CommunicationRequest endpoints, depending on whether your use case requires sending a communication via in-app message only, push notification only, or both in-app message with an associated push notification.

You can send:

  • in-app messages to specific users of the NHS App
  • native Apple or Android push notifications to mobile devices registered by specific users of the NHS App

Recipients are specified by NHS number. A single communication request can be sent to between 1 and 100 distinct NHS numbers.

Request

Headers
Name Description
X-Api-Key
String
An API Key used to authenticate the calling application. For more details see Application-restricted RESTful APIs - API key authentication. If this key is not supplied, or does not grant access to this API, a 401 Unauthorized response is returned.
Example: AHkYeqh8N1yrnKGb108puMFUdmxnATkS
Required
X-Correlation-ID
String
A unique message identifier. We use this to trace the message if you raise an issue with our helpdesk.

If provided, we recommend a GUID for uniqueness and convenience.

This is mirrored back in the response headers.

Example: b5bc6879-103e-4a78-975e-87e815c5da58
Body
Required
Content type: application/json
Examples
Sending an in-app message only
{
  "campaignId" : "optional campaign id",
  "requestReference" : "optional request reference",
  "channels" : {
    "appMessage" : {
      "sender" : "Onboarded Third Party",
      "body" : "You have a new appointment, please confirm you can attend. Open the Onboarded Third Party appointment [here](https://www.nhsapp.service.nhs.uk/appointments/hospital-appointments)"
    }
  },
  "recipients" : {
    "nhsNumbers" : [ "9903002157" ]
  }
}
Sending a push notification only
{
  "campaignId" : "optional campaign id",
  "requestReference" : "optional request reference",
  "channels" : {
    "pushNotification" : {
      "title" : "You have a new message",
      "body" : "The message may contain something important.",
      "url" : "https://www.nhsapp.service.nhs.uk/patient/messages/app-messaging"
    }
  },
  "recipients" : {
    "nhsNumbers" : [ "9903002157" ]
  }
}
Sending an in-app message together with an associated push notification
{
  "campaignId" : "optional campaign id",
  "requestReference" : "optional request reference",
  "channels" : {
    "appMessage" : {
      "sender" : "Onboarded Third Party",
      "body" : "You have a new appointment, please confirm you can attend. Open the Onboarded Third Party appointment [here](https://www.nhsapp.service.nhs.uk/appointments/hospital-appointments)"
    },
    "pushNotification" : {
      "title" : "You have a new message",
      "body" : "The message may contain something important.",
      "url" : "https://www.nhsapp.service.nhs.uk/patient/messages/app-messaging"
    }
  },
  "recipients" : {
    "nhsNumbers" : [ "9903002157" ]
  }
}
Schema
Name Description
object
campaignId
string
Optional Campaign Identifier, used to group multiple communication requests for later analysis.
Max length: 50
Example: optional campaign id
requestReference
string
Optional human-readable transaction reference to later identify this request.
Max length: 50
Example: optional request reference
channels
object
required
The channels by which the communication will be sent, and the content for each communication channel. We support sending in-app messages that appear within the NHS App, and native Apple and Android push notifications.
appMessage
object
The communication content to appear as an in-app message.
sender
string
required
The name to be displayed in the NHS App as the sender of the message. The NHS App user interface will group together messages sent from the same sender name into a single thread of messages.
Pattern: must not match <(.|\n)*?>
Max length: 50
Example: Onboarded Third Party
body
string
required
The body text of the message to be displayed in the NHS App. We support a subset of Markdown for in-app messages.

Currently supported Markdown syntax:

  • Emphasis

    • Bold text **Bold**
    • Italic text _Italic_

  • Lists

    • Bullet list:

      * Item1

      * Item2

      * Item3

  • Ordered lists

    1. Item1

    2. Item2

    3. Item3

  • Links with text [Link text](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markdown)

  • Links with title [Link text](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markdown, "Title text")

  • Images ![NHS Logo](https://assets.nhs.uk/images/nhs-logo.png)

Pattern: must not match <(.|\n)*?>
Max length: 5000
Example: You have a new appointment, please confirm you can attend. Open the Onboarded Third Party appointment here https://www.nhsapp.service.nhs.uk/appointments/hospital-appointments
pushNotification
object
The communication content to appear as a native Apple or Android push notification.

Notifications must use unicode characters.

They must not contain:

  • personally identifiable information (for example: the name of a user's doctor)
  • sensitive information (for example: details about a health condition)
  • links to external websites

Notifications can only link to pages and features within the NHS App.
title
string
required
The title to be displayed at the top of the push notification.
Max length: 50
Example: You have a new message
body
string
required
The body text to be displayed in the push notification.
Max length: 200
Example: The message may contain something important.
url
string uri
The URL to a page within the NHS App to be opened when the notification is tapped. If this property is not specified, the App will open on the home screen.
Max length: 1000
Example: https://www.nhsapp.service.nhs.uk/patient/messages/app-messaging
recipients
object
required
The intended recipients of this communication. Currently we support only sending communications by NHS number.
nhsNumbers
array
An array of NHS numbers corresponding to the patient(s) to whom this communication should be sent. Each communication may be sent to between 1 and 100 distinct NHS numbers. The communication request will be rejected if any duplicated values exist in this array.
Example: ["9903002157","9678304287"]
string
The patient's NHS number. The primary identifier of a patient, unique within NHS England and Wales. Always 10 digits and must be a valid NHS number.
Pattern: ^\d{10}$

Response

HTTP status: 201
Request successfully received by the server and queued for sending to recipients.
Headers
Name Description
Location
String
The location of the newly-created resource.
X-Correlation-ID
String
If an X-Correlation-ID was specified in the request, this is mirrored in the response.
Body
Content type: application/json
Example
{
  "id" : "a2d10720-9e72-4ae4-be72-8cbe1be292d1"
}
Schema
Name Description
object
id
string
An identifier for the newly-created communication resource within the destination system.
Example: a2d10720-9e72-4ae4-be72-8cbe1be292d1
HTTP status: 400
There is an error in your request.
Headers
Name Description
X-Correlation-ID
String
If an X-Correlation-ID was specified in the request, this is mirrored in the response.
Body
Content type: application/json
Examples
App message body text exceeds maximum length
[ {
  "propertyName" : "Channels.AppMessage.Sender",
  "message" : "Exceeds maximum length"
} ]
No recipients have been specified
[ {
  "propertyName" : "Recipients",
  "message" : "Not specified"
} ]
Some recipient NHS numbers are invalid
[ {
  "propertyName" : "Recipients.NhsNumbers",
  "message" : "Specified values are invalid: '9658219003', '9618229043'"
} ]
Multiple issues - sender name is missing and campaign ID exceed maximum length
[ {
  "propertyName" : "CampaignId",
  "message" : "Exceeds maximum length"
}, {
  "propertyName" : "Channels.AppMessage.Sender",
  "message" : "Not specified"
} ]
Schema
Name Description
array
object
propertyName
string
The property name within the source payload that has failed validation.
Example: Recipients.NhsNumbers
message
string
A description of the reason why the source payload has failed validation.
Example: Specified values are invalid: '2981615972','3846131965'
HTTP status: 401
Authorisation issue, for example a missing or invalid X-Api-Key header.
Headers
Name Description
X-Correlation-ID
String
If an X-Correlation-ID was specified in the request, this is mirrored in the response.
Body
Content type: application/json
Examples
Invalid API key
{
  "fault" : {
    "faultstring" : "Invalid ApiKey",
    "detail" : {
      "errorcode" : "oauth.v2.InvalidApiKey"
    }
  }
}
Invalid API key for given resource (valid API key, but not enabled for this API)
{
  "fault" : {
    "faultstring" : "Invalid ApiKey for given resource",
    "detail" : {
      "errorcode" : "oauth.v2.InvalidApiKeyForGivenResource"
    }
  }
}
Schema
Name Description
object
fault
object
faultString
string
Example: Invalid ApiKey
detail
object
errorcode
string
Example: oauth.v2.InvalidApiKey
HTTP status: 403
You are not authorised to perform this operation. For example, some onboarded client Apps may be permitted to send Push Notifications but not In-App Messages, or vice versa.
Headers
Name Description
X-Correlation-ID
String
If an X-Correlation-ID was specified in the request, this is mirrored in the response.

Send an in-app message

post
/communication/in-app/FHIR/R4/CommunicationRequest
Try this API

Overview

Use this endpoint to send an in-app message to one or more NHS App users.

Recipients are specified by NHS number. A single request to this endpoint can send an identical message to between 1 and 100 distinct NHS numbers.

We support a subset of Markdown for describing the body text of in-app messages. The length of each in-app message is limited to 5000 characters, including any markdown characters and embedded hyperlinks.

The body of requests made to this endpoint are instances of HL7 FHIR R4 CommunicationRequest resources. This schema documentation describes which fields on that resource we require and support. The API is tolerant of (but will silently ignore) any additionally supplied optional fields. For example, we do not currently honour the doNotPerform or priority fields.

Request

Headers
Name Description
Authorization
String (^Bearer\ [[:ascii:]]+$)
Example: Bearer g1112R_ccQ1Ebbb4gtHBP1aaaNM
Required
X-Correlation-ID
String
A unique message identifier. We use this to trace the message if you raise an issue with our helpdesk.

If provided, we recommend a GUID for uniqueness and convenience.

This is mirrored back in the response headers.

Example: b5bc6879-103e-4a78-975e-87e815c5da58
Body
Required
Content type: application/json
Example
Sending an in-app message
{
  "resourceType" : "CommunicationRequest",
  "identifier" : [ {
    "system" : "https://fhir.nhs.uk/NHSApp/campaign-id",
    "value" : "optional campaign id"
  }, {
    "system" : "https://fhir.nhs.uk/NHSApp/request-id",
    "value" : "optional request reference"
  } ],
  "status" : "active",
  "payload" : [ {
    "contentString" : "You have a new appointment, please confirm you can attend. Open the Onboarded Third Party appointment [here](https://www.nhsapp.service.nhs.uk/appointments/hospital-appointments)"
  } ],
  "sender" : {
    "display" : "Onboarded Third Party"
  },
  "recipient" : [ {
    "type" : "Patient",
    "identifier" : {
      "system" : "https://fhir.nhs.uk/Id/nhs-number",
      "value" : "9903002157"
    }
  } ]
}
Schema
Name Description
object
Communication request to send a in-app message
resourceType
string
required
FHIR Resource Type - this must be CommunicationRequest.
identifier
array
An optional array of identifiers used to identify this request for later analysis.

We have defined the following two systems for identifiers that will be stored with the request:

  • Campaign ID - denoted by system https://fhir.nhs.uk/NHSApp/campaign-id . This is an optional campaign identifier, used for later identification of a group of multiple communication requests. For example, this could be used to identify all messages that pertain to invitations for a particular vaccination programme.
  • Request Reference - denoted by system https://fhir.nhs.uk/NHSApp/request-id . This is an optional request identifier, used for later identification of a specific request.

Note that these identifier system names are case-sensitive. The values provided for each of these two identifiers are limited to 50 characters, and must not match the regular expression <(.|\n)*?>. No more than one campaign ID and one request reference can be supplied with each request.

The API will not reject requests that contain other identifier systems, but these values will be ignored and not recorded against the request.

When a CommunicationRequest resource is returned in the response body to a successful request, this array will also include a globally unique identifier assigned by the API, with the system urn:ietf:rfc:3986. This is the same logical ID contained within the Location header of the successful response.
object
system
string uri
The namespace for the identifier value
Example: https://fhir.nhs.uk/NHSApp/campaign-id
value
string
The value of the identifier
Example: Optional campaign ID
status
string
required
Request Status of the message. This must always be active (case-sensitive).
Default: active
payload
array
required
The body text of the message to be displayed in the NHS App
object
contentString
string
required
The body text of the message to be displayed in the NHS App. We support a subset of Markdown for in-app messages.

Currently supported Markdown syntax:

  • Emphasis

    • Bold text **Bold**
    • Italic text _Italic_

  • Lists

    • Bullet list:

      * Item1

      * Item2

      * Item3

  • Ordered lists

    1. Item1

    2. Item2

    3. Item3

  • Links with text [Link text](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markdown)

  • Links with title [Link text](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markdown, "Title text")

  • Images ![NHS Logo](https://assets.nhs.uk/images/nhs-logo.png)

Pattern: must not match <(.|\n)*?>
Max length: 5000
Example: You have a new appointment, please confirm you can attend. Open the Onboarded Third Party appointment here https://www.nhsapp.service.nhs.uk/appointments/hospital-appointments
sender
object
required
The sender of the in-app message.
display
string
required
The name to be displayed in the NHS App as the sender of the message. The NHS App user interface will group together messages sent from the same sender name into a single thread of messages.
Pattern: must not match <(.|\n)*?>
Max length: 50
Example: Onboarded Third Party
recipient
array
required
An array of NHS numbers corresponding to the patient(s) to whom this in-app message should be sent. Each communication may be sent to between 1 and 100 distinct NHS numbers. The communication request will be rejected if any duplicated values exist in this array.
Max items: 100
Min items: 1
object
type
string
FHIR resource type that the reference refers to. This should be Patient.
Example: Patient
identifier
object
Identifier of a recipient. This should be an NHS number.
system
string uri
required
The system that the identifier belongs to. This should be https://fhir.nhs.uk/Id/nhs-number
Default: https://fhir.nhs.uk/Id/nhs-number
value
string
required
The patient's NHS number. The primary identifier of a patient, unique within NHS England and Wales. Always 10 digits and must be a valid NHS number.
Pattern: ^\d{10}$
Example: 9903002157

Response

HTTP status: 201
Request successfully received by the server and queued for sending to recipients.
Headers
Name Description
Location
String
The location of the newly-created resource.
X-Correlation-ID
String
If an X-Correlation-ID was specified in the request, this is mirrored in the response.
Body
Content type: application/fhir+json
Example
{
  "resourceType" : "CommunicationRequest",
  "identifier" : [ {
    "system" : "urn:ietf:rfc:3986",
    "value" : "8f7ec136-66eb-4a9e-97ca-5c7a53d2710c"
  }, {
    "system" : "https://fhir.nhs.uk/NHSApp/campaign-id",
    "value" : "optional campaign id"
  }, {
    "system" : "https://fhir.nhs.uk/NHSApp/request-id",
    "value" : "optional request reference"
  } ],
  "status" : "active",
  "payload" : [ {
    "contentString" : "You have a new appointment, please confirm you can attend. Open the Onboarded Third Party appointment [here](https://www.nhsapp.service.nhs.uk/appointments/hospital-appointments)"
  } ],
  "recipient" : [ {
    "identifier" : {
      "system" : "https://fhir.nhs.uk/Id/nhs-number",
      "value" : "9903002157"
    }
  } ],
  "sender" : {
    "display" : "Onboarded Third Party"
  }
}
Schema
Name Description
object
id
string
An identifier for the newly-created communication resource within the destination system.
Example: a2d10720-9e72-4ae4-be72-8cbe1be292d1
HTTP status: 400
There is an error in your request.
Headers
Name Description
X-Correlation-ID
String
If an X-Correlation-ID was specified in the request, this is mirrored in the response.
Body
Content type: application/fhir+json
Examples
Invalid resource type
{
  "resourceType" : "OperationOutcome",
  "issue" : [ {
    "severity" : "error",
    "code" : "invalid",
    "diagnostics" : "type (at Cannot locate type information for type 'communicationrequest')"
  } ]
}
Payload body text exceeds maximum length
{
  "resourceType" : "OperationOutcome",
  "issue" : [ {
    "severity" : "error",
    "code" : "invalid",
    "diagnostics" : "Exceeds maximum length",
    "expression" : [ "payload[0].contentString" ]
  } ]
}
No recipients have been specified
{
  "resourceType" : "OperationOutcome",
  "issue" : [ {
    "severity" : "error",
    "code" : "invalid",
    "diagnostics" : "Not specified",
    "expression" : [ "recipient" ]
  } ]
}
A recipient has an invalid NHS number
{
  "resourceType" : "OperationOutcome",
  "issue" : [ {
    "severity" : "error",
    "code" : "invalid",
    "diagnostics" : "NHS Number is invalid",
    "expression" : [ "recipient[0].identifier.value" ]
  } ]
}
Multiple issues - sender name is missing and campaign ID exceed maximum length
{
  "resourceType" : "OperationOutcome",
  "issue" : [ {
    "severity" : "error",
    "code" : "invalid",
    "diagnostics" : "Multiple Campaign IDs specified",
    "expression" : [ "identifier" ]
  }, {
    "severity" : "error",
    "code" : "invalid",
    "diagnostics" : "Exceeds maximum length",
    "expression" : [ "identifier[2].value" ]
  }, {
    "severity" : "error",
    "code" : "invalid",
    "diagnostics" : "Not specified",
    "expression" : [ "sender.display" ]
  } ]
}
Schema
Name Description
object
Operation outcome
resourceType
string
read-only
FHIR Resource Type.
Default: OperationOutcome
issue
array
List of issues that have occurred.
Min items: 1
object
severity
string
required
Severity of the error.
Allowed values: fatal, error, warning, information
Example: error
code
string
required
FHIR error code.
Allowed values: invalid, security, processing, forbidden
Example: invalid
diagnostics
string
Additional diagnostic information about the issue.
Example: Not specified
expression
array
FHIRPath of element(s) related to the error.
string
Example: sender.display
HTTP status: 401
Authorisation issue, for example a missing or invalid bearer token.
Headers
Name Description
X-Correlation-ID
String
If an X-Correlation-ID was specified in the request, this is mirrored in the response.
Body
Content type: application/fhir+json
Example
Invalid Access Token
{
  "resourceType" : "OperationOutcome",
  "issue" : [ {
    "severity" : "error",
    "code" : "forbidden",
    "diagnostics" : "Invalid Access Token"
  } ]
}
Schema
Name Description
object
Operation outcome
resourceType
string
read-only
FHIR Resource Type.
Default: OperationOutcome
issue
array
List of issues that have occurred.
Min items: 1
object
severity
string
required
Severity of the error.
Allowed values: fatal, error, warning, information
Example: error
code
string
required
FHIR error code.
Allowed values: invalid, security, processing, forbidden
Example: invalid
diagnostics
string
Additional diagnostic information about the issue.
Example: Not specified
expression
array
FHIRPath of element(s) related to the error.
string
Example: sender.display
HTTP status: 403
You are not authorised to perform this operation. For example, some onboarded client Apps may be permitted to send Push Notifications but not In-App Messages, or vice versa.
Headers
Name Description
X-Correlation-ID
String
If an X-Correlation-ID was specified in the request, this is mirrored in the response.
Body
Content type: application/fhir+json
Example
{
  "resourceType" : "OperationOutcome",
  "issue" : [ {
    "severity" : "error",
    "code" : "security",
    "diagnostics" : "Supplier with ID c53d9ed3-b4fe-408e-8908-d185aa7d6fec does not have channel Push Notification permission"
  } ]
}
Schema
Name Description
object
Operation outcome
resourceType
string
read-only
FHIR Resource Type.
Default: OperationOutcome
issue
array
List of issues that have occurred.
Min items: 1
object
severity
string
required
Severity of the error.
Allowed values: fatal, error, warning, information
Example: error
code
string
required
FHIR error code.
Allowed values: invalid, security, processing, forbidden
Example: invalid
diagnostics
string
Additional diagnostic information about the issue.
Example: Not specified
expression
array
FHIRPath of element(s) related to the error.
string
Example: sender.display
HTTP status: 429
You have exceeded your application's rate limit.
Headers
Name Description
X-Correlation-ID
String
If an X-Correlation-ID was specified in the request, this is mirrored in the response.
Body
Content type: application/fhir+json
Schema
Name Description
object
Operation outcome
resourceType
string
read-only
FHIR Resource Type.
Default: OperationOutcome
issue
array
List of issues that have occurred.
Min items: 1
object
severity
string
required
Severity of the error.
Allowed values: fatal, error, warning, information
Example: error
code
string
required
FHIR error code.
Allowed values: invalid, security, processing, forbidden
Example: invalid
diagnostics
string
Additional diagnostic information about the issue.
Example: Not specified
expression
array
FHIRPath of element(s) related to the error.
string
Example: sender.display

Send an in-app message with an associated push notification

post
/communication/in-app-with-notification/FHIR/R4/CommunicationRequest
Try this API

Overview

Use this endpoint to send an in-app message followed immediately by an associated native Apple or Android push notification to one or more NHS App users.

Recipients are specified by NHS number. A single request to this endpoint can send an identical message and push notification to between 1 and 100 distinct NHS numbers.

If a recipient is an active NHS App user but has not registered a device to receive native push notifications, they will still receive the in-app message.

This endpoint allows you to specify the content that will appear in the in-app message. It does not allow you to specify the content that will appear in the associated push notification. The content of the push notification will always default to standardised text that currently reads "You have a new message. This may contain important information". When a recipient taps the native notification, the NHS App will open on the in-app messaging inbox page.

We support a subset of Markdown for describing the body text of in-app messages. The length of each in-app message is limited to 5000 characters, including any markdown characters and embedded hyperlinks.

The body of requests made to this endpoint are instances of HL7 FHIR R4 CommunicationRequest resources. This schema documentation describes which fields on that resource we require and support. The API is tolerant of (but will silently ignore) any additionally supplied optional fields. For example, we do not currently honour the doNotPerform or priority fields.

Request

Headers
Name Description
Authorization
String (^Bearer\ [[:ascii:]]+$)
Example: Bearer g1112R_ccQ1Ebbb4gtHBP1aaaNM
Required
X-Correlation-ID
String
A unique message identifier. We use this to trace the message if you raise an issue with our helpdesk.

If provided, we recommend a GUID for uniqueness and convenience.

This is mirrored back in the response headers.

Example: b5bc6879-103e-4a78-975e-87e815c5da58
Body
Required
Content type: application/json
Example
Sending in app messages and push notifications
{
  "resourceType" : "CommunicationRequest",
  "identifier" : [ {
    "system" : "https://fhir.nhs.uk/NHSApp/campaign-id",
    "value" : "optional campaign id"
  }, {
    "system" : "https://fhir.nhs.uk/NHSApp/request-id",
    "value" : "optional request reference"
  } ],
  "status" : "active",
  "payload" : [ {
    "contentString" : "You have a new appointment, please confirm you can attend. Open the Onboarded Third Party appointment [here](https://www.nhsapp.service.nhs.uk/appointments/hospital-appointments)"
  } ],
  "sender" : {
    "display" : "Onboarded Third Party"
  },
  "recipient" : [ {
    "type" : "Patient",
    "identifier" : {
      "system" : "https://fhir.nhs.uk/Id/nhs-number",
      "value" : "9903002157"
    }
  } ]
}
Schema
Name Description
object
Communication request for Sending an in-app message together with an associated push notification
resourceType
string
required
FHIR Resource Type - this must be CommunicationRequest.
identifier
array
An optional array of identifiers used to identify this request for later analysis.

We have defined the following two systems for identifiers that will be stored with the request:

  • Campaign ID - denoted by system https://fhir.nhs.uk/NHSApp/campaign-id . This is an optional campaign identifier, used for later identification of a group of multiple communication requests. For example, this could be used to identify all messages that pertain to invitations for a particular vaccination programme.
  • Request Reference - denoted by system https://fhir.nhs.uk/NHSApp/request-id . This is an optional request identifier, used for later identification of a specific request.

Note that these identifier system names are case-sensitive. The values provided for each of these two identifiers are limited to 50 characters, and must not match the regular expression <(.|\n)*?>. No more than one campaign ID and one request reference can be supplied with each request.

The API will not reject requests that contain other identifier systems, but these values will be ignored and not recorded against the request.

When a CommunicationRequest resource is returned in the response body to a successful request, this array will also include a globally unique identifier assigned by the API, with the system urn:ietf:rfc:3986. This is the same logical ID contained within the Location header of the successful response.
object
system
string uri
The namespace for the identifier value
Example: https://fhir.nhs.uk/NHSApp/campaign-id
value
string
The value of the identifier
Example: Optional campaign ID
status
string
required
Request Status of the message. This must always be active (case-sensitive).
Default: active
payload
array
required
The body text of the message to be displayed in the NHS App
object
contentString
string
required
The body text of the message to be displayed in the NHS App. We support a subset of Markdown for in-app messages.

Currently supported Markdown syntax:

  • Emphasis

    • Bold text **Bold**
    • Italic text _Italic_

  • Lists

    • Bullet list:

      * Item1

      * Item2

      * Item3

  • Ordered lists

    1. Item1

    2. Item2

    3. Item3

  • Links with text [Link text](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markdown)

  • Links with title [Link text](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markdown, "Title text")

  • Images ![NHS Logo](https://assets.nhs.uk/images/nhs-logo.png)

Pattern: must not match <(.|\n)*?>
Max length: 5000
Example: You have a new appointment, please confirm you can attend. Open the Onboarded Third Party appointment here https://www.nhsapp.service.nhs.uk/appointments/hospital-appointments
sender
object
required
The sender of the in-app message.
display
string
required
The name to be displayed in the NHS App as the sender of the message. The NHS App user interface will group together messages sent from the same sender name into a single thread of messages.
Pattern: must not match <(.|\n)*?>
Max length: 50
Example: Onboarded Third Party
recipient
array
required
An array of NHS numbers corresponding to the patient(s) to whom this in-app message and push notification should be sent. Each communication may be sent to between 1 and 100 distinct NHS numbers. The communication request will be rejected if any duplicated values exist in this array.
Max items: 100
Min items: 1
object
type
string
FHIR resource type that the reference refers to. This should be Patient.
Example: Patient
identifier
object
Identifier of a recipient. This should be an NHS number.
system
string uri
required
The system that the identifier belongs to. This should be https://fhir.nhs.uk/Id/nhs-number
Default: https://fhir.nhs.uk/Id/nhs-number
value
string
required
The patient's NHS number. The primary identifier of a patient, unique within NHS England and Wales. Always 10 digits and must be a valid NHS number.
Pattern: ^\d{10}$
Example: 9903002157

Response

HTTP status: 201
Request successfully received by the server and queued for sending to recipients.
Headers
Name Description
Location
String
The location of the newly-created resource.
X-Correlation-ID
String
If an X-Correlation-ID was specified in the request, this is mirrored in the response.
Body
Content type: application/fhir+json
Example
{
  "resourceType" : "CommunicationRequest",
  "identifier" : [ {
    "system" : "urn:ietf:rfc:3986",
    "value" : "58dccb28-671f-4237-8095-e80cf54861e1"
  }, {
    "system" : "https://fhir.nhs.uk/NHSApp/campaign-id",
    "value" : "optional campaign id"
  }, {
    "system" : "https://fhir.nhs.uk/NHSApp/request-id",
    "value" : "optional request reference"
  } ],
  "status" : "active",
  "payload" : [ {
    "contentString" : "You have a new appointment, please confirm you can attend. Open the Onboarded Third Party appointment [here](https://www.nhsapp.service.nhs.uk/appointments/hospital-appointments)"
  } ],
  "recipient" : [ {
    "identifier" : {
      "system" : "https://fhir.nhs.uk/Id/nhs-number",
      "value" : "9903002157"
    }
  } ],
  "sender" : {
    "display" : "Onboarded Third Party"
  }
}
Schema
Name Description
object
id
string
An identifier for the newly-created communication resource within the destination system.
Example: a2d10720-9e72-4ae4-be72-8cbe1be292d1
HTTP status: 400
There is an error in your request.
Headers
Name Description
X-Correlation-ID
String
If an X-Correlation-ID was specified in the request, this is mirrored in the response.
Body
Content type: application/fhir+json
Examples
Invalid resource type
{
  "resourceType" : "OperationOutcome",
  "issue" : [ {
    "severity" : "error",
    "code" : "invalid",
    "diagnostics" : "type (at Cannot locate type information for type 'communicationrequest')"
  } ]
}
Payload body text exceeds maximum length
{
  "resourceType" : "OperationOutcome",
  "issue" : [ {
    "severity" : "error",
    "code" : "invalid",
    "diagnostics" : "Exceeds maximum length",
    "expression" : [ "payload[0].contentString" ]
  } ]
}
No recipients have been specified
{
  "resourceType" : "OperationOutcome",
  "issue" : [ {
    "severity" : "error",
    "code" : "invalid",
    "diagnostics" : "Not specified",
    "expression" : [ "recipient" ]
  } ]
}
A recipient has an invalid NHS number
{
  "resourceType" : "OperationOutcome",
  "issue" : [ {
    "severity" : "error",
    "code" : "invalid",
    "diagnostics" : "NHS Number is invalid",
    "expression" : [ "recipient[0].identifier.value" ]
  } ]
}
Multiple issues - sender name is missing and campaign ID exceed maximum length
{
  "resourceType" : "OperationOutcome",
  "issue" : [ {
    "severity" : "error",
    "code" : "invalid",
    "diagnostics" : "Multiple Campaign IDs specified",
    "expression" : [ "identifier" ]
  }, {
    "severity" : "error",
    "code" : "invalid",
    "diagnostics" : "Exceeds maximum length",
    "expression" : [ "identifier[2].value" ]
  }, {
    "severity" : "error",
    "code" : "invalid",
    "diagnostics" : "Not specified",
    "expression" : [ "sender.display" ]
  } ]
}
Schema
Name Description
object
Operation outcome
resourceType
string
read-only
FHIR Resource Type.
Default: OperationOutcome
issue
array
List of issues that have occurred.
Min items: 1
object
severity
string
required
Severity of the error.
Allowed values: fatal, error, warning, information
Example: error
code
string
required
FHIR error code.
Allowed values: invalid, security, processing, forbidden
Example: invalid
diagnostics
string
Additional diagnostic information about the issue.
Example: Not specified
expression
array
FHIRPath of element(s) related to the error.
string
Example: sender.display
HTTP status: 401
Authorisation issue, for example a missing or invalid X-Api-Key header.
Headers
Name Description
X-Correlation-ID
String
If an X-Correlation-ID was specified in the request, this is mirrored in the response.
Body
Content type: application/fhir+json
Example
Invalid Access Token
{
  "resourceType" : "OperationOutcome",
  "issue" : [ {
    "severity" : "error",
    "code" : "forbidden",
    "diagnostics" : "Invalid Access Token"
  } ]
}
Schema
Name Description
object
Operation outcome
resourceType
string
read-only
FHIR Resource Type.
Default: OperationOutcome
issue
array
List of issues that have occurred.
Min items: 1
object
severity
string
required
Severity of the error.
Allowed values: fatal, error, warning, information
Example: error
code
string
required
FHIR error code.
Allowed values: invalid, security, processing, forbidden
Example: invalid
diagnostics
string
Additional diagnostic information about the issue.
Example: Not specified
expression
array
FHIRPath of element(s) related to the error.
string
Example: sender.display
HTTP status: 403
You are not authorised to perform this operation. For example, some onboarded client Apps may be permitted to send Push Notifications but not In-App Messages, or vice versa.
Headers
Name Description
X-Correlation-ID
String
If an X-Correlation-ID was specified in the request, this is mirrored in the response.
Body
Content type: application/fhir+json
Example
{
  "resourceType" : "OperationOutcome",
  "issue" : [ {
    "severity" : "error",
    "code" : "security",
    "diagnostics" : "Supplier with ID c53d9ed3-b4fe-408e-8908-d185aa7d6fec does not have channel Push Notification permission"
  } ]
}
Schema
Name Description
object
Operation outcome
resourceType
string
read-only
FHIR Resource Type.
Default: OperationOutcome
issue
array
List of issues that have occurred.
Min items: 1
object
severity
string
required
Severity of the error.
Allowed values: fatal, error, warning, information
Example: error
code
string
required
FHIR error code.
Allowed values: invalid, security, processing, forbidden
Example: invalid
diagnostics
string
Additional diagnostic information about the issue.
Example: Not specified
expression
array
FHIRPath of element(s) related to the error.
string
Example: sender.display
HTTP status: 429
You have exceeded your application's rate limit.
Headers
Name Description
X-Correlation-ID
String
If an X-Correlation-ID was specified in the request, this is mirrored in the response.
Body
Content type: application/fhir+json
Schema
Name Description
object
Operation outcome
resourceType
string
read-only
FHIR Resource Type.
Default: OperationOutcome
issue
array
List of issues that have occurred.
Min items: 1
object
severity
string
required
Severity of the error.
Allowed values: fatal, error, warning, information
Example: error
code
string
required
FHIR error code.
Allowed values: invalid, security, processing, forbidden
Example: invalid
diagnostics
string
Additional diagnostic information about the issue.
Example: Not specified
expression
array
FHIRPath of element(s) related to the error.
string
Example: sender.display

Send a push notification

post
/communication/notification/FHIR/R4/CommunicationRequest
Try this API

Overview

Use this endpoint to send a native Apple or Android push notifications to mobile devices registered by specific users of the NHS App.

Recipients are specified by NHS number. A single request to this endpoint can send an identical push notification to between 1 and 100 distinct NHS numbers.

The body text of notifications can be up to 200 characters in length.

They must not contain

  • personally identifiable information (for example:the name of a user's doctor)
  • sensitive information (for example:details about a health condition)
  • links to external websites

You can also optionally specify a URL for a page within the NHS App to be opened when the recipient taps on the push notification. If a URL is not specified, the NHS App will open on the home page.

The body of requests made to this endpoint are instances of HL7 FHIR R4 CommunicationRequest resources. This schema documentation describes which fields on that resource we require and support. The API is tolerant of (but will silently ignore) any additionally supplied optional fields. For example, we do not currently honour the doNotPerform or priority fields.

Request

Headers
Name Description
Authorization
String (^Bearer\ [[:ascii:]]+$)
Example: Bearer g1112R_ccQ1Ebbb4gtHBP1aaaNM
Required
X-Correlation-ID
String
A unique message identifier. We use this to trace the message if you raise an issue with our helpdesk.

If provided, we recommend a GUID for uniqueness and convenience.

This is mirrored back in the response headers.

Example: b5bc6879-103e-4a78-975e-87e815c5da58
Body
Required
Content type: application/fhir+json
Example
Sending a push notification
{
  "resourceType" : "CommunicationRequest",
  "identifier" : [ {
    "system" : "https://fhir.nhs.uk/NHSApp/campaign-id",
    "value" : "optional campaign id"
  }, {
    "system" : "https://fhir.nhs.uk/NHSApp/request-id",
    "value" : "optional request reference"
  } ],
  "status" : "active",
  "payload" : [ {
    "contentReference" : {
      "reference" : "https://www.nhsapp.service.nhs.uk/patient/messages/app-messaging",
      "display" : "You have a new message. The message may contain something important."
    }
  } ],
  "recipient" : [ {
    "type" : "Patient",
    "identifier" : {
      "system" : "https://fhir.nhs.uk/Id/nhs-number",
      "value" : "9903002157"
    }
  } ]
}
Schema
Name Description
object
Communication request for sending a push notification
resourceType
string
required
FHIR Resource Type - this must be CommunicationRequest.
identifier
array
An optional array of identifiers used to identify this request for later analysis.

We have defined the following two systems for identifiers that will be stored with the request:

  • Campaign ID - denoted by system https://fhir.nhs.uk/NHSApp/campaign-id . This is an optional campaign identifier, used for later identification of a group of multiple communication requests. For example, this could be used to identify all messages that pertain to invitations for a particular vaccination programme.
  • Request Reference - denoted by system https://fhir.nhs.uk/NHSApp/request-id . This is an optional request identifier, used for later identification of a specific request.

Note that these identifier system names are case-sensitive. The values provided for each of these two identifiers are limited to 50 characters, and must not match the regular expression <(.|\n)*?>. No more than one campaign ID and one request reference can be supplied with each request.

The API will not reject requests that contain other identifier systems, but these values will be ignored and not recorded against the request.

When a CommunicationRequest resource is returned in the response body to a successful request, this array will also include a globally unique identifier assigned by the API, with the system urn:ietf:rfc:3986. This is the same logical ID contained within the Location header of the successful response.
object
system
string uri
The namespace for the identifier value
Example: https://fhir.nhs.uk/NHSApp/campaign-id
value
string
The value of the identifier
Example: Optional campaign ID
status
string
required
Request Status of the message. This must always be active (case-sensitive).
Default: active
payload
array
required
The body text to be displayed in the push notification.
object
contentReference
object
required
Structure of body text in the push notification.
reference
string url
required
The URL to a page within the NHS App to be opened when the notification is tapped. If this property is not specified, the App will open on the home screen.
Max length: 1000
Example: https://www.nhsapp.service.nhs.uk/patient/messages/app-messaging
display
string
required
The communication content to appear as a native Apple or Android push notification. Notifications must use unicode characters. They must not contain * personally identifiable information (for example:the name of a user's doctor) * sensitive information (for example:details about a health condition) * links to external websites Notifications can only link to pages and features within the NHS App.
Max length: 200
Example: You have a new message. The message may contain something important.
recipient
array
required
An array of NHS numbers corresponding to the patient(s) to whom this push notification should be sent. Each communication may be sent to between 1 and 100 distinct NHS numbers. The communication request will be rejected if any duplicated values exist in this array.
Max items: 100
Min items: 1
object
type
string
FHIR resource type that the reference refers to. This should be Patient.
Example: Patient
identifier
object
Identifier of a recipient. This should be an NHS number.
system
string uri
required
The system that the identifier belongs to. This should be https://fhir.nhs.uk/Id/nhs-number
Default: https://fhir.nhs.uk/Id/nhs-number
value
string
required
The patient's NHS number. The primary identifier of a patient, unique within NHS England and Wales. Always 10 digits and must be a valid NHS number.
Pattern: ^\d{10}$
Example: 9903002157

Response

HTTP status: 201
Request successfully received by the server and queued for sending to recipients.
Headers
Name Description
Location
String
The location of the newly-created resource.
X-Correlation-ID
String
If an X-Correlation-ID was specified in the request, this is mirrored in the response.
Body
Content type: application/fhir+json
Example
{
  "resourceType" : "CommunicationRequest",
  "identifier" : [ {
    "system" : "urn:ietf:rfc:3986",
    "value" : "54615138-df34-4a79-840d-dd07e9451519"
  }, {
    "system" : "https://fhir.nhs.uk/NHSApp/campaign-id",
    "value" : "optional campaign id"
  }, {
    "system" : "https://fhir.nhs.uk/NHSApp/request-id",
    "value" : "optional request reference"
  } ],
  "status" : "active",
  "payload" : [ {
    "contentReference" : {
      "reference" : "https://www.nhsapp.service.nhs.uk/patient/messages/app-messaging",
      "display" : "You have a new message. The message may contain something important."
    }
  } ],
  "recipient" : [ {
    "identifier" : {
      "system" : "https://fhir.nhs.uk/Id/nhs-number",
      "value" : "9903002157"
    }
  } ]
}
Schema
Name Description
object
id
string
An identifier for the newly-created communication resource within the destination system.
Example: a2d10720-9e72-4ae4-be72-8cbe1be292d1
HTTP status: 400
There is an error in your request.
Headers
Name Description
X-Correlation-ID
String
If an X-Correlation-ID was specified in the request, this is mirrored in the response.
Body
Content type: application/fhir+json
Examples
Invalid resource type
{
  "resourceType" : "OperationOutcome",
  "issue" : [ {
    "severity" : "error",
    "code" : "invalid",
    "diagnostics" : "type (at Cannot locate type information for type 'communicationrequest')"
  } ]
}
Payload body text exceeds maximum length
{
  "resourceType" : "OperationOutcome",
  "issue" : [ {
    "severity" : "error",
    "code" : "invalid",
    "diagnostics" : "Exceeds maximum length",
    "expression" : [ "payload[0].contentReference.display" ]
  } ]
}
No recipients have been specified
{
  "resourceType" : "OperationOutcome",
  "issue" : [ {
    "severity" : "error",
    "code" : "invalid",
    "diagnostics" : "Not specified",
    "expression" : [ "recipient" ]
  } ]
}
A recipient has an invalid NHS number
{
  "resourceType" : "OperationOutcome",
  "issue" : [ {
    "severity" : "error",
    "code" : "invalid",
    "diagnostics" : "NHS Number is invalid",
    "expression" : [ "recipient[0].identifier.value" ]
  } ]
}
Multiple issues - sender name is missing and campaign ID exceed maximum length
{
  "resourceType" : "OperationOutcome",
  "issue" : [ {
    "severity" : "error",
    "code" : "invalid",
    "diagnostics" : "Multiple Campaign IDs specified",
    "expression" : [ "identifier" ]
  }, {
    "severity" : "error",
    "code" : "invalid",
    "diagnostics" : "Exceeds maximum length",
    "expression" : [ "identifier[2].value" ]
  }, {
    "severity" : "error",
    "code" : "invalid",
    "diagnostics" : "Not specified",
    "expression" : [ "sender.display" ]
  } ]
}
Schema
Name Description
object
Operation outcome
resourceType
string
read-only
FHIR Resource Type.
Default: OperationOutcome
issue
array
List of issues that have occurred.
Min items: 1
object
severity
string
required
Severity of the error.
Allowed values: fatal, error, warning, information
Example: error
code
string
required
FHIR error code.
Allowed values: invalid, security, processing, forbidden
Example: invalid
diagnostics
string
Additional diagnostic information about the issue.
Example: Not specified
expression
array
FHIRPath of element(s) related to the error.
string
Example: sender.display
HTTP status: 401
Authorisation issue, for example a missing or invalid X-Api-Key header.
Headers
Name Description
X-Correlation-ID
String
If an X-Correlation-ID was specified in the request, this is mirrored in the response.
Body
Content type: application/fhir+json
Example
Invalid Access Token
{
  "resourceType" : "OperationOutcome",
  "issue" : [ {
    "severity" : "error",
    "code" : "forbidden",
    "diagnostics" : "Invalid Access Token"
  } ]
}
Schema
Name Description
object
Operation outcome
resourceType
string
read-only
FHIR Resource Type.
Default: OperationOutcome
issue
array
List of issues that have occurred.
Min items: 1
object
severity
string
required
Severity of the error.
Allowed values: fatal, error, warning, information
Example: error
code
string
required
FHIR error code.
Allowed values: invalid, security, processing, forbidden
Example: invalid
diagnostics
string
Additional diagnostic information about the issue.
Example: Not specified
expression
array
FHIRPath of element(s) related to the error.
string
Example: sender.display
HTTP status: 403
You are not authorised to perform this operation. For example, some onboarded client Apps may be permitted to send Push Notifications but not In-App Messages, or vice versa.
Headers
Name Description
X-Correlation-ID
String
If an X-Correlation-ID was specified in the request, this is mirrored in the response.
Body
Content type: application/fhir+json
Example
{
  "resourceType" : "OperationOutcome",
  "issue" : [ {
    "severity" : "error",
    "code" : "security",
    "diagnostics" : "Supplier with ID c53d9ed3-b4fe-408e-8908-d185aa7d6fec does not have channel Push Notification permission"
  } ]
}
Schema
Name Description
object
Operation outcome
resourceType
string
read-only
FHIR Resource Type.
Default: OperationOutcome
issue
array
List of issues that have occurred.
Min items: 1
object
severity
string
required
Severity of the error.
Allowed values: fatal, error, warning, information
Example: error
code
string
required
FHIR error code.
Allowed values: invalid, security, processing, forbidden
Example: invalid
diagnostics
string
Additional diagnostic information about the issue.
Example: Not specified
expression
array
FHIRPath of element(s) related to the error.
string
Example: sender.display
HTTP status: 429
You have exceeded your application's rate limit.
Headers
Name Description
X-Correlation-ID
String
If an X-Correlation-ID was specified in the request, this is mirrored in the response.
Body
Content type: application/fhir+json
Schema
Name Description
object
Operation outcome
resourceType
string
read-only
FHIR Resource Type.
Default: OperationOutcome
issue
array
List of issues that have occurred.
Min items: 1
object
severity
string
required
Severity of the error.
Allowed values: fatal, error, warning, information
Example: error
code
string
required
FHIR error code.
Allowed values: invalid, security, processing, forbidden
Example: invalid
diagnostics
string
Additional diagnostic information about the issue.
Example: Not specified
expression
array
FHIRPath of element(s) related to the error.
string
Example: sender.display