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Changes for MESH User Interface (MESH UI) users who authenticate with 2FA

The way 2 Factor Authentication (2FA) users access the Message Exchange for Social Care and Health User Interface (MESH UI) is changing in the last week of September 2023.

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NHS England have sent out invitations on email from NHS Apply for Care ID to current 2FA MESH UI users.

You must complete the application to find or create a Care Identity Service (CIS) profile in order to continue to use MESH UI.

The MESH UI Spine application is migrating to use CIS2 Authentication.

No impact to smartcard users

The service will work in the same way for smartcard users. They will only need to re-confirm once that they wish to continue using their smartcard. 

Action needed for 2 Factor Authentication Users

The use of 2FA to access MESH UI will no longer be available from 18 January 2024.

If you currently use 2FA, you will need to set up Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) on your smartphone or tablet to securely access MESH UI as soon as possible.

MFA will require you to enter your password and a code generated by the Authenticator App; there will be no option to receive your one-time passcode by email.

What current 2FA users will need to do as soon as possible

1. Check your emails for an email from ‘Apply for Care ID’

All MESH UI users will need a CIS profile.

In July 2023, you were sent an email from Apply for Card ID, inviting you to check if you already have a CIS profile. To find out if you do, you will need to follow the steps in the email.

If you have not received the email, please contact [email protected]

A CIS profile is used by over 1 million NHS and Care staff to access national systems and services. This will include the MESH UI application. 

2. Attend a Teams call at your convenience

Your Registration Authority will contact you to arrange a Teams call to link your device to your CIS profile.

This will enable you to use MFA to securely access your CIS profile.

This process should take no longer than 5 minutes. 

3. Access MESH User Interface (MESH UI)

You will then be able to access the service.

You can still access MESH UI during this process

While you go through the process of creating your CIS profile and registering your device, you can continue to access MESH UI using your current 2FA method.

You will continue to use your current 2FA process until MESH migration to CIS2 Authentication is live on 18 January 2024. From this date you will no longer be able to use your current 2FA authentication.

If this information is not relevant to you

Please contact [email protected] if any of the following statements apply to you:

  • I currently use MFA to access MESH UI but do not want to in the future
  • I no longer require access to MESH UI via MFA
  • I no longer require access to MESH UI
  • I do not want to set up and use MFA on a smartphone or tablet
  • I am a 2FA user, but have not received an email from Apply for Care ID

Last edited: 8 January 2026 1:35 pm