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HSCN IP address management

The Health and Social Care Network (HSCN) provides new and significantly different network services to the predecessor NHS network.

HSCN creates the effect of a single network across health and social care providers and their partners. It is designed to support more integrated care and is available to all health and social care organisations in England. 

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HSCN Internet Protocol address management process

NHS Digital maintains the HSCN IP addressing policy and administers the IPAM function. The IPAM team manages the allocation and return of subnets from the HSCN IP address space.

Only IP addresses allocated by the IPAM team should be advertised across HSCN. Advertising addresses not allocated by the NHS Digital IPAM team is not permitted.

Please note that the IPAM team only accept IPAM requests via the IPAM online forms in the HSCN portal. Please contact [email protected] for further information.

All HSCN customers need to:

  1. Request access to the HSCN portal by emailing [email protected].
  2. Ensure that you request ‘IPAM delegate’ permissions under your parent ODS code (such as trust or CCG level) and not site ODS codes (such as a trust site or GP practice).
  3. Complete an IPAM form via the HSCN portal.
  4. The IPAM team will acknowledge your submission within five working days.
  5. Your requested IP addresses and migration date will be reviewed by the IPAM team, with every effort will be made to meet your requirements.
  6. The IPAM team will send an email confirmation within five working days from the date of acknowledgement or contact you if further details are required.

Requirement for additional IP addresses

If you require an additional allocation of IP addresses, then please complete the HSCN Private IP Address Allocation Request form and return by email to [email protected].

This form is only for organisations with sites already connected to HSCN that have a requirement for an additional allocation of IP addresses from the NHS private IP address space; 10.0.0.0 - 10.255.255.255.

Further information and enquiries

For IPAM enquiries please email the HSCN IPAM team: [email protected] or email [email protected] to request content from previous guidance webinars.

Policy and guidance documents

HSCN IP addressing policy

Further information is available from the HSCN IP addressing policy. The policy applies to all direct connections to the HSCN from organisations of all types, including NHS, social care, and third-party organisations, such as application providers.

HSCN IP addressing good practice guidelines

The HSCN IP addressing good practice guidelines document provides advice and guidance for IP addressing and related key protocols for organisations connected to HSCN.

ARTICLE

HSCN Internet Protocol (IP) addressing policy

This HSCN Internet Protocol (IP) addressing policy defines the legitimate addressing schemes and the working principles for their use. This policy statements set out in this document are necessary to underpin the transition to the HSCN in support of the business needs of health and social care.

Last edited: 12 October 2022 11:27 am