Onboarding to the National Imaging Registry (NIR)

Before starting NIR onboarding, all organisations and suppliers should complete the following steps:

1. Register with the Developer and Integration Hub if you have not already done so. This is where you will access the Digital Onboarding Service (DOS) and complete your NIR assurance requirements.
2. Register with the National Service Desk if you do not already have access. The Service Desk is used to raise NIR onboarding questions and support requests.
3. Complete the appropriate NIR use case form and save a copy after submitting so the NIR Service Team can understand what you are connecting, how you intend to use NIR and confirm your eligibility:
   • EUOs/Healthcare organisations: complete the Healthcare Organisation use case form
   • Suppliers and vendors: complete the Supplier/Vendor use case form

Importantly, use the onboarding guidance and supporting resources provided on this page throughout your onboarding journey. These materials explain how to approach the DOS questions, what information and evidence may be required for your route, and where to find the relevant templates and supporting documentation.

Choose your onboarding route

NIR onboarding is divided into two routes: Data Controllers and Data Processors. The routes are connected, but the questions, responsibilities and evidence required during onboarding are different.

Data Controller

If you are a healthcare organisation (HCO) or care provider, or act on behalf of Data Controllers (Imaging Networks, Shared Care Record teams) follow the Data Controller onboarding route.

For NIR, the Data Controller route is for the healthcare organisation or care provider responsible for the patient information being accessed or made available through NIR.

This normally includes:

• NHS Trusts and Foundation Trusts
• independent healthcare providers
• other health and care organisations providing direct patient care

Data Controllers determine how patient information is used within their organisation and remain responsible for their local information governance, data protection, clinical safety and deployment arrangements. Imaging Networks and Collaboratives can also onboard through the Data Controller route where they are acting on behalf of participating Data Controllers. In these cases, each healthcare organisation they represent must be identified and listed as part of the onboarding process.

Data Processor

If you build, configure or supply the system connecting to NIR, follow the Data Processor onboarding route.

For NIR, the Data Processor route is for the supplier, vendor, manufacturers, or health IT partners, providing the technology that connects to NIR and processes information on behalf of a Data Controller.

This normally includes suppliers of:

• PACS
• RIS
• imaging viewers
• shared care records
• EPRs
• other systems or integration technology connecting to NIR

Data Processors are responsible for assuring the product and integration they provide, including the relevant technical, governance, clinical safety and contractual requirements.

What happens next

Once your use case and eligibility have been reviewed, you will progress through the NIR Assurance section of the Digital Onboarding Service.

The onboarding journey takes you from eligibility and preparation through governance, technical assurance, legal requirements and go-live. Some activities can be completed in parallel, and the Data Controller and Data Processor routes will come together where a healthcare organisation is deploying a supplier's NIR-enabled product version.

During this phase of NIR, eligibility is confirmed by the NIR Team. For healthcare organisations, this is undertaken jointly in collaboration with the Digital Diagnostics Capability programme where applicable.

The NIR team supports organisations and suppliers through the process. If you are unsure which route applies to your organisation or use case, contact [email protected].