Act now to avoid losing access to Pathways Authoring Tool (PAT)

Care Identity (CIS2) authentication is now live in PAT

To access Pathways Authoring Tool (PAT), users must now have their active Care Identity linked to their PAT account. If you have not linked your active Care Identity to your PAT account, you must follow the instructions below immediately.

If you have already linked your active Care Identity to your PAT account, or if you are an API user, no further action is required.

Switch to using Care Identity authentication

1. Request your own Pathways Authoring Tool Account

If you already have your own PAT account, go to Step 2.

If you do not have an individual PAT account. Step 2 can be completed in parallel with Step 1.

How to request your own PAT account

If you work for NHS England, you will need to request your PAT account via [email protected].

If you work for a provider you will need to speak to your nominated clinical lead at site.

If you already have your own PAT account and an active Care Identity, go to Step 3.

2. Set up or reactivate your Care Identity (CIS2) authentication

How to set up or reactivate your Care Identity (CIS2) account

You must contact your organisation's local Registration Authority (RA) to apply for a Care Identity or to reactivate an existing one.

If you need additional help finding your local Registration Authority (RA), contact your hospital or organisations' IT helpdesk.

If you work for NHS England, you’ll need to contact the service desk.

Acceptable authentication methods are:

NHS Smartcard - Health & Social Care Network (HSCN) and internet
Windows Hello
iPad
security key
Microsoft Authenticator
NHS.net Connect
Passkeys

More support about applying for a Care Identity is available.

3. Link your Care Identity to your PAT account

Users of PAT will need to link their Care Identity account to their PAT account to ensure no disruption to their normal work. As of 2026, only users that have linked their Care Identity account will be able to login to PAT.

How to link your Care Identity to your PAT account

Follow the guidance on how to link your Care Identity to your PAT account.

Once you link your Care ID, you will be able to log in to PAT with a smartcard or other approved authentication method.

Actions for local IT teams

Pathways Authoring Tool (PAT) users must now log in using their local authentication method and Care Identity credentials. As of 2026, the previous username and password login method is no longer supported.

Local IT teams must ensure that devices are set up according to requirements for the authentication option selected. See NHS CIS2 Authentication authenticator options for more information.

For smartcard access, see guidance for configuring NHS identity to work with NHS smartcards.

Why Care Identity authentication has been implemented

Care Identity authentication provides a secure and reliable way to access sensitive information. It enables:

logging in with a variety of additional authentication methods
a single login across multiple systems, meaning there is no need to remember multiple logins and passwords

Get help

For support:

use the Service Now Portal email: [email protected] or
call 0300 303 5035 (for urgent queries)

Last edited: 3 December 2025 3:37 pm