This guide is a Health and Social Care Network (HSCN) readiness test guidance note. It includes a service readiness test report, demonstrating basic HSCN network connectivity. The aim of this guide is to help the consumer network service provider (CN-SP) and their consumer organisations reduce their technical risk and assist in confirming HSCN service readiness. The test report provides useful information on post connectivity troubleshooting if this is required.

The intended audience is any HSCN CNSP and their consumers.

HSCN creates the effect of a single network across health and social care providers and their partners. All health and social care organisations in England are within scope of the HSCN solution, which allows an integrated care delivery service.

Scope

Tests within the scope of this document include:

HSCN CNSP customer premises equipment (CPE) basic connectivity tests

Whilst these tests are in accordance with the HSCN Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) Call off Terms, Schedule 4 Part 2 they should form the basis for any CNSP demonstrating delivery of the HSCN compliant service regardless of the procurement vehicle used.

HSCN customer basic connectivity related tests:

1. HSCN connectivity service availability
2. Internet (out-bound) availability (where applicable)

Note: The CNSP may need to demonstrate additional capability depending upon the service delivered. However, these tests are intended to provide the consumer with confidence that the service is available.

Out of Scope

CNSP (supplier) tests outside the scope of this guide include:

• Public Services Network (PSN) connectivity services
• virtual private network (integrated and stand-alone)
• managed firewall (integrated and stand-alone)
• intrusion prevention system (IPS)/intrusion detection system (IDS) - integrated and stand-alone
• cloud access services
• Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)
• additional customer defined virtual routing and forwarding (VRFs)