Access scenarios
The following three access scenarios describe the interactions between private ITSPs, consumer network service providers (CNSPs), the HSCN Peering Exchange Service (PES) and end consumers. All are outlined in Figure 1 below.

Figure 1 – HSCN private IT service provider connection scenarios from outside of England’s borders
A private ITSP can connect to HSCN, via a CNSP, and offer a ‘value-add’ capability based upon adhering to the “A” and “B” scenarios outlined in Figure 1. Find out what constitutes 'adequate countries'.
Scenario A - providing value-add capability to end consumers in England
A private IT service provider, who is located outside of England, is provided with a HSCN connection to enable their value add capability to be made available to public-sector health and social care communities in England.
Supporting messages
The Private ITSP needs to comply with the criteria for provision of service. In particular:
- part a) for which the ITSP will need to apply for, sign and adhere to the ITSP Connection Agreement
- part c) for which the ITSP will need to maintain adherence to the specific list of allowable countries
- part f) for which the ITSP needs to know where their end public-sector customer base is located.
Scenario B - providing value add capability to end consumers in a devolved nation
This follows the same approach as Scenario A, however their value add capability can be made available to public sector health and social care communities within a devolved nation.
Supporting messages
The private ITSP needs to comply with the criteria for provision of service. In particular:
- part a) for which the ITSP will need to apply for, sign and adhere to the ITSP Connection Agreement
- part c) for which the ITSP will need to maintain adherence to the specific list of allowable countries.
- part f) for which the ITSP needs to know where their public sector end-customer base is located.
Scenario C - end consumers who are not in England or a devolved nation
For completeness this scenario has been included as the HSCN Access policy states that HSCN is available to any organisation where the purpose of its connection is the delivery, facilitation, or support of health and/or social care in England.
This is being extended to devolved nations upon the submission and approval of their HSCN request letters in accordance to Section 255 Health and Social Care Act 2012.
Note: At time of writing “Crown Dependents” are still under review and will be added via the appropriate process channels in due course.
A CNSP will therefore not be permitted to offer a HSCN connection to a public-sector organization outside of the above countries.
A private ITSP will therefore not be permitted to offer their value-add capability to a public sector organization outside of the above countries.
Supporting messages
The private ITSP needs to comply with the criteria for provision of service. In particular:
- part b) which covers the subtlety between a private sector and a public sector health organisation
- part f) for which the ITSP needs to know where their public sector end customer base is located