User Interface

The MESH UI is a website that enables the manual sending or receiving of small files, in low volumes. It’s ideal for sending things like a monthly report of patients who have received a vaccination.

You can access the MESH UI website through the Health and Social Care Network (HSCN). 

If you do not have access to the HSCN, you can access MESH UI using your standard internet connection.

Using HSCN

Accessing MESH UI using the HSCN, you can send or receive files up to 100 MB.

To access HSCN, you’ll need: 

• an NHS smartcard
• a @nhs.net, @nhs.uk or @gov.uk email address
• a UK IP address

Some programmes will only allow you to send files using HSCN for security reasons. This means you will need an NHS smartcard. 

If you do not have an NHS smartcard, you can order a new one. New NHS smartcards need to have a ‘R8015’ code applied to it. You can request this from your Registration Authority manager.

Using a standard internet connection

Accessing MESH UI using a standard internet connection, you:

• can send or receive files up to 50 MB
• will not be able to send or receive test files

If you use a standard internet connection, you’ll need:  

• to set up 2-factor authentication 
• a @nhs.net, @nhs.uk or @gov.uk email address 
• a UK IP address

To get started, you’ll need to apply for a MESH Mailbox. This is a virtual mailbox where all files sent using MESH UI will go.

You’ll receive a unique Mailbox ID to send or receive files from. It’s similar to an email address, and is made of letters and numbers, for example C43008GP004. 

Before you apply for this, you’ll need to know 3 things, these are:

• your organisation data service (ODS) code
• your workflow ID or workflow group
• the environment you need to use

Once you have a Mailbox ID, you’ll also need to apply for a MESH UI account.

We’ll set up your account and link it to your MESH Mailbox ID. This means that you’ll be able to sign in to send and view files that you receive.

ODS code

You’ll need to know the ODS code of the organisation, practice or department that is sending or receiving files. This is because we need to know that your organisation has a legal basis to use MESH UI.

If you do not know what your ODS code is, you can find it using your postcode.

If your organisation does not have one yet, you can apply for a new ODS code.

Workflow groups or workflow ID

You’ll need to know the workflow group or workflow ID for the data you want to send or receive.

MESH UI uses workflow groups and workflow IDs to identify what type of data is being sent and received. For example, if you’re sending the results of a cardiology scan, the workflow group would be ‘Cardiology’ and the workflow ID would be ‘CRDLGY_SCANS’.

Most data sets already belong to an existing workflow ID and workflow group. To find them, you can:

• speak to the person who asked you to send the files to them
• speak to the person who needs to receive your files 
• speak to someone in the programme 
• search the list of known workflow IDs and workflow groups 

If you need a new workflow ID or workflow group to be created, complete the workflow request form.

The environment you need to use

You’ll need to say if you want to send or receive files in a production environment or a testing environment and apply for a Mailbox ID for each one separately.

Environments are individual workspaces where MESH UI can be used.

Files sent with MESH usually stay within the same environment. For example, a file sent in a production environment stays in this environment. It can only be accessed by someone who is using MESH in the same environment.

Production environment
The production environment is for sending and receiving files from people in other organisations. It's also known as the live environment.

These files can be accessed by people in other organisations.

Many people use a production environment but some programmes require you to send a test file on one of our testing environments first. You may need to speak to someone in your organisation to find out which environment you need to use.

Test environment 
If you’re new to MESH UI, you may want to use a test environment to learn how it works. This is a safe space where you can try MESH UI out without sending files in a live environment. It’s only available if you’re using HSCN to access MESH UI. 

Some programmes require you to send files with sensitive data in a test environment first before using the production environment.

One of the most commonly used test environments is known as the 'Path to Live deployment' environment.

You’ll need to fill in an online form to apply for a MESH Mailbox. This will take 5 to 10 minutes to complete.  

To apply, you’ll need:

• your ODS code
• the workflow groups and IDs for the files you plan to send or receive
• to select the environment you want to use 
• the contact details of the person who will be managing the mailbox in your organisation

Apply for a MESH Mailbox

Once you have a MESH Mailbox ID, you’ll also need to fill in a separate form to apply for a MESH UI account. This takes 5 to 10 minutes to complete as well. 

To apply, you’ll need:

• your ODS code
• the 12 digit number on the front of your NHS smartcard below your photograph (if you plan to use HSCN)
• to give the reason you need access to the MESH UI 

Apply for a MESH UI account

Receive your credentials

Once you’ve applied, we’ll send you an email containing your Mailbox ID and the URL to access MESH UI. 

Keep your Mailbox ID safe as you may need to share it with other people to receive messages at a later date. We’ll also ask you for this if you need help from our support teams. 

Set up multi-factor authentication, if accessing MESH UI using a standard internet connection

You’ll need to set up multi-factor authentication before you can access the MESH UI. 

We’ll email you set up instructions to follow. This is where we’ll also ask you to create a PIN. Make sure you keep it safe as this will be required every time you sign into MESH UI. 

We’ll also ask you to choose an authentication method (for example Google Authenticator App or email) to receive a one-time passcode. You’ll authenticate using this method when you sign in for the first time. 

Once you’ve received your credentials you can access the MESH UI to send and receive files. 

Send your first file

1. Go to https://ui.mesh.national.nhs.uk/
2. Click the “Log in with my Care Identity” button
3. Choose your authentication method from the “Select your login method” screen
4. Enter any further information required in the next screen and click “Submit”
5. Select the 'New Message' button in the top right of the main screen
6. Select the message type, recipient, and files you want to send
7. Click 'Submit' to send the file

You can only send files to 1 recipient at a time. To send the same file to multiple recipients, you’ll need to create a new message for each recipient. 

The only supporting text you can add with your file in MESH UI is a 'Message subject' and 'Reference'. To enter text in these fields, click on '+ Additional information' and follow the guidance shown in the 'Please note' box.

Receive your first file 

The files you’ve received will appear under the 'Inbox' tab. 

Your files are kept in Inbox for 5 days before they are removed. You are responsible for collecting received files and managing your inbox.