Benefits of Connecting to HSCN

The Health and Social Care Network (HSCN) is a new data network for health and care organisations which provides the underlying network arrangements to help integrate and transform health and social care services

The Benefits of HSCN

Over 950 connected organisations across more than 12,000 sites are already benefiting from the greater value for money, increased flexibility and efficiency provided by the Health and Social Care Network.

offers a competitive market of compliant HSCN suppliers in order to increase innovation, reduce connectivity costs and improve consumer choice
established secure and simplified connection requirements for HSCN consumers, and a dedicated obligations framework for HSCN connectivity suppliers
provides a simple route to procure HSCN connectivity through established Crown Commercial Services procurement frameworks

established the Network Analytics Service (NAS) which monitors all network traffic on HSCN and identifies new or anomalous behaviour
created the NHS Secure Boundary internet filtering service which protects organisations from the most sophisticated network security threats
introduced an improved cloud-based Domain Name System (DNS), integrated into the National Cyber Security Centre’s Protective DNS, which helps to disrupt the use of DNS for malware distribution and operation

enabling organisations to rationalise their connectivity by obtaining public (internet) and private network services over a single connection
allowing simple access to NHS Digital’s national applications, making it easier to work collaboratively across both health and social care
making it easier to share information, confirm NHS numbers, share patient Care Plans and access Summary Care Records

More detail has been published on the improved cyber security offered by HSCN, which can be found on our improving cyber security webpage.

Case Studies and testimonials

Existing users of HSCN have described their experience of adopting HSCN and the benefits they’ve achieved Find out more on the HSCN Case Studies webpages.

Further information

Health and Social Care Network (HSCN)

The Health and Social Care Network (HSCN) provides a reliable, efficient and flexible way for health and care organisations to access and exchange electronic information.

HSCN technical policies and guidance

Guidance, policy and best practice documents covering all technical aspects of HSCN. Documents within these pages will be regularly reviewed and updated by NHS Digital.

Last edited: 6 September 2022 5:51 pm