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"connection to the HSCN is provided based on the business need to share information within the health and social care community.
This means that HSCN is available to any organisation where the purpose of its connection to HSCN is the delivery, facilitation, or support of health and/or social care in England.”
It can be signed online using the HSCN Portal. To register for an account, please complete the self service registration process. You will need to know your Organisation Data Service (ODS) code and the contact details of the person who will sign the Connection Agreement.
ODS codes are used to uniquely identify organisations within the health and social care sector. You can search for existing ODS codes using the ODS Portal (Transition Network/HSCN connection required). Register for an ODS code if you don't already have one.
When you've signed the Connection Agreement online you'll receive an automated confirmation email with a copy of your signed Connection Agreement attached.
HSCN Access Policy
The HSCN Authority (NHS Digital) has a policy which governs access to HSCN. Your organisation’s compliance with this policy is automatically determined during the course of the self-service registration process.
Essentially, you must confirm that you agree with the “Acceptable Use” statement and specify, at a high level, what sorts of services your organisation offers. Depending on the information which you submit you will either be automatically approved or your application to sign an HSCN Connection Agreement (and thereby gain access to HSCN) will be paused pending manual approval by the HSCN Authority.
Connection Agreement search
The HSCN Connection Agreement Search tool is available at https://crm.digital.nhs.uk/hscnconnectionagreementsearch/.
This tool allows you to check whether an organisation has signed an HSCN Connection Agreement; a mandatory requirement for connecting to HSCN. You can search for individual organisations by name or up to 100 organisations at a time by ODS code.
Private IT service providers connecting from outside of Englands borders
See the NHS Digital Private IT service providers wishing to connect from outside of Englands borders policy document.