Once you've configured your MESH client you can use it to send the file of patient data to be checked. If you're using MESH UI (smartcard access), refer to the guidance in the section above.
To make a submission over MESH client/API you require two files. The previously mentioned data file (.dat) and a control file (.ctl).
Refer to the information in our MESH client user guide for a .ctrl template and details of how to send and receive messages over MESH, whilst taking into consideration the National Data Opt-Out specific details below.
Creating and sending your files for National Data Opt-Out
The data (.dat) file you created earlier on this page is the .dat file mentioned on the user guidance page. You do not need to create another.
For the .ctl file:
We suggest having a local ID, as files returned relating to your outbound file will contain the same local ID, allowing you to match returned files to the original outbound files.
If the MESH client has not been set to automatically run as a service (if it's not in the start-up services enabled on your computer) then after placing the files in the OUT folder you will need to run the MESH Client.
Receiving files
Files sent back from the service will be placed in the IN folder, along with an updated control file.
The Check for National Data Opt-outs Service could take up to one hour to get a processed file back after you send it.
If a control file has been completed incorrectly it will be moved to the FAILED folder along with the respective data file. You should check this folder periodically for files that could not be sent via MESH.
A new additional MESH message will also be sent to the sending MESH mailbox to inform that the processing job has been created for the submission. This message is comprised of two files (.dat and .ctl) and states that a job has been created in POS to clean the supplied file.