Onboarding to the National Imaging Registry (NIR)
The digital onboarding journey for the National Imaging Registry (NIR).
Overview
The National Imaging Registry (NIR) is a secure, system-to-system integration service. It does not have its own user interface and does not replace local imaging systems.
It enables authorised diagnostic systems to:
- query a patient’s imaging history
- retrieve diagnostic metadata, reports and images
- access information across organisational boundaries
- support direct care clinical workflows
NIR onboarding is the process of connecting to this integration (API) Service. The process is fully digital, and is accessed by the NHS England Developer and Integration Hub and completed using the Digital Onboarding Service (DOS).
We’re here to support you
You don't need to complete the NIR onboarding journey alone. The NIR team is available to help you understand the process, prepare the required information and work through each stage as smoothly as possible.
Use the Further support section to contact us, raise a Service Desk request or visit the Developer Community. You can also use the Further information links at the bottom of this page to access related guidance and resources.
We're also running fortnightly Drop-In Sessions.
Our aim is to make onboarding clear, straightforward and easy to navigate, with support available when you need it.
Start here
NIR onboarding involves both healthcare organisations, also known as End User Organisations (EUOs), and technology vendors. The routes are connected, but the tasks, responsibilities and evidence requirements are different.
During this phase of NIR, eligibility is confirmed by the NIR Service Team. For EUOs, eligibility is confirmed by the NIR Service Team in collaboration with the Digital Diagnostics Capability programme.
This onboarding journey follows a six-stage process from confirming eligibility through to go-live.
Not sure where you fit?
If you are an NHS Trust, imaging network, independent provider or other care provider, start with the Data Controllers route. This route is for healthcare organisations primarily responsible for the management and treatment of patients.
If you build, configure or supply the system that connects to NIR, start with the Data Processors route. This route is for supplier companies and vendors who process information on behalf of data controllers.
The questions you are asked, and the compliance requirements you need to complete, will depend on your onboarding route and your organisation’s role in NIR.
You do not need to complete everything at once. Some stages can run in parallel, and you will be guided by NHS England teams, the NIR team and the Digital Diagnostics Capability programme where relevant.
If you are unsure which route applies to your organisation or use case, email the NIR team at [email protected].
Digital onboarding stages
The NIR onboarding journey follows a standard set of stages. The activities and evidence required may differ depending on whether you are onboarding as an EUO, a supplier, or both.
0. Prerequisites
Confirm your organisation is ready to start onboarding. This includes identifying your role, checking eligibility, confirming your use case and understanding the governance, technical and assurance requirements that apply.
1. Setup
Register for the required NHS platforms and begin the Digital Onboarding Service process. This stage helps set up your access and confirms the information needed to support your onboarding journey.
2. Governance
Complete the relevant governance and assurance requirements for your role. This may include data sharing, information governance, clinical safety, data protection, DSPT status and local organisational approvals.
3. Technical
Complete the technical activities needed to connect safely to NIR. This may include supplier conformance, integration testing, certificate exchange, environment testing and readiness checks.
4. Legal and production
Complete the final legal, assurance and production access steps. This may include signing required agreements, confirming technical conformance, completing go-live checks and preparing for live service.
5. Live service
Move into live operation with appropriate support, monitoring and governance in place. This includes hypercare, issue management, usage monitoring and transition into business-as-usual.
Onboarding steps
1. Confirm your route
Choose between Data Processor or Data Controller routes.
2. Define your use case
Decide whether you want to publish data, consume data, or both.
3. Submit the right use case form
- EUOs: Use Case Submission Form - Healthcare Organisations – Fill in form
- Suppliers: Use Case Submission Form - Supplier/Vendor – Fill in form
Supported use cases during beta
NIR currently supports direct care use only.
- UC-1: Query and retrieve diagnostics
Clinical teams can access imaging metadata, reports and images. This may support pathways such as radiology, stroke, cancer MDTs and trauma.
- UC-2: Publish diagnostic data
Organisations can make locally held imaging data discoverable to authorised organisations nationally.
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UC-3: Support NHS-funded care across settings
Independent providers and partners can access and contribute diagnostic data where this supports NHS-funded direct care.
Use case not an exact fit?
Still submit it. The team will review your use case and help confirm whether it fits the current scope or needs further discussion.
Need help with your use case?
If you need support completing your use case form, or would like more information about the process, raise a request through the Service Desk using the Raise a Request for NIR (National Image Registry) form.
4. Enter DOS and Complete Assurance
Use the Digital Onboarding Service to complete the assurance questions.
Go to the Developer and Integration Hub website to login or register.
5. Go-Live Planning
Suppliers can enter the INT environment when they are invited by an EUO, after signing the NHS England Connection Agreement. Healthcare organisations are responsible for completing the rollout plan form and signing the Go/No-Go template to confirm the planned switchover date.
Preview assurance questions
Onboarding guidance
The Digital Onboarding Service is used by all organisations onboarding to NHS England APIs. Because NIR has specific governance, data sharing and technical requirements, additional guidance is provided for organisations onboarding to the National Imaging Registry.
This guidance explains how the general Digital Onboarding Service assurance questions apply to NIR, and what evidence may be needed from healthcare organisations or suppliers.
Further support
NIR implementation is supported by the Digital Diagnostics Programme, a funded programme enabling rapid adoption and rollout of NIR across the NHS.
For more information:
- email: [email protected]
- visit the National Imaging registry pages on Future NHS
Contact us
Need help with NIR onboarding or have a question about the process? Contact the NIR Delivery Team or raise a request through the Service Desk.
Raise a Service Desk request
Use the Service Desk to raise onboarding questions, request support with your use case, or ask for guidance on the next step.
Visit the Developer Community
You can also visit the National Imaging Repository topic on the NHS Developer Community to find updates, discussions and support materials.
Email: NIR Delivery Team at [email protected].
Further information
This page provides key governance templates and documents (such as the DSA) and explains the responsibilities, assurance requirements and controls that apply to NIR.
Use the ODS code finder to search for your organisation’s (supplier or healthcare) Organisation Data Service code. Your ODS code is required during NIR onboarding to identify your organisation and support assurance checks.
Use the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) finder to search for your organisation’s (supplier or healthcare) published DSPT status.
The Digital Onboarding Service helps organisations and suppliers integrate with NHS APIs through a structured assurance process.
Last edited: 27 May 2026 9:03 am