NHS.net Connect (formerly NHSmail)
Published on: 19th July 2013 | Updated on: 22nd April 2026
NHS.net Connect (nhs.net) is the NHS-funded secure email service used by health and care professionals. It is approved for sending and receiving patient information safely.
For community pharmacies, NHS.net Connect is a core operational tool. It supports day-to-day communication with NHS organisations and is essential for meeting NHS Terms of Service requirements.
You can access NHS.net Connect:
- via the Health and Social Care Network or the open internet; and
- using a free web-based service or by linking it to an email client such as Microsoft Outlook.
You may notice updated branding and a refreshed landing page. NHSmail is now known as NHS.net Connect, and email addresses continue to end in @nhs.net.
Click on a heading below for more information
Every community pharmacy in England can have a shared nhs.net mailbox. This is the main inbox used by the pharmacy.
To access the shared mailbox, each team member must have their own personal nhs.net account, which is then linked to the shared mailbox.
Shared mailbox naming format
- Email address: pharmacy.ODScode@nhs.net
- Display name: Pharmacy.ODScode (Pharmacy name, town)
All pharmacy shared mailboxes are managed by NHS National Administration Service (NAS) within the nhs.net system.
Personal accounts are linked to the shared mailbox, allowing authorised staff to read and respond to pharmacy emails.
Since all the way back to November 2020, NHS Terms of Service have required pharmacy owners to make sure their teams can send and receive nhs.net emails from the pharmacy shared mailbox.
To meet this requirement, pharmacy owners must ensure that at least two staff members at each pharmacy have:
- live personal nhs.net accounts; and
- access linked to the shared mailbox.
Pharmacy owners must ensure that:
- each pharmacy premises has a shared mailbox using the pharmacy.ODScode@nhs.net format;
- relevant staff have active and linked personal accounts;
- there are enough linked accounts to cover opening hours, including when locums are the responsible pharmacist;
- the shared inbox is checked regularly and emails are acted on promptly; and
access is reviewed routinely and accounts are unlinked promptly when staff leave, to prevent data breaches.
If your pharmacy has never had a shared mailbox, you can request one using the community pharmacy NHS.net Connect registration portal.
As part of registration:
- up to three personal accounts can be created initially (more after the shared mailbox is setup); and
- these are used to access the shared mailbox.
Step-by-step guidance is available in Community Pharmacy England’s briefing: How to complete the NHS.net Connect registration process.
Once registered, login details will be sent so users can activate their personal accounts and access the shared mailbox.
When logging in for the first time, each user must:
- accept the user agreement; and
- complete account activation steps.
If you have problems activating an account, raise a technical query with the National Administration Service (NAS).
If your pharmacy does not appear during registration:
- raise a technical query with the NAS for support.
This can happen if:
- your pharmacy previously had a shared mailbox; or
- your pharmacy is new or has a recently changed ODS code.
There can be delays while organisations such as PCSE, NHSBSA and the NHS ODS team update records. In these situations, you should use the nhs.net technical escalation route.
If your shared mailbox is not in the pharmacy.ODScode@nhs.net format, you have two options:
- request a new shared mailbox through the registration portal, if one has not yet been setup; or
- raise a technical query with the NAS asking for the address to be updated.
Legacy single-password mailbox with shred purpose
Some pharmacies may still have an nhs.net account that was originally set up as a ‘personal mailbox’, meaning there is a single set of login details, even if the email address looks like a shared one (for example, examplepharmacy@nhs.net).
The nhs.net team has asked that these legacy accounts are moved to the NHS pharmacy directory as proper shared mailboxes. This means each person who accesses the shared mailbox has their own individual login credentials, rather than everyone sharing one account.
Moving to a shared mailbox model improves security, supports good access management, and helps pharmacies meet the requirements of the NHS Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPTK).
Legacy long-name shared mailbox
Some pharmacies may also have their shared mailbox in a legacy longer naming format (nhspharmacy.location.pharmacynameODScode@nhs.net) but that format has been superseded a long time ago, and all pharmacy owners should now align to the current shorter naming format (pharmacy.ODScode@nhs.net) to ensure national consistency.
All pharmacies must now use a shared mailbox that is accessed only through linked personal accounts.
If a new team member already has an nhs.net account, the shared mailbox owner can link it, or ask the NAS to do this.
If the team member does not have an account and your pharmacy has fewer than 10 linked personal accounts, the shared mailbox owner should email helpdesk@nhs.net from the shared mailbox to request a new account.
Include:
- the staff member’s full name;
- an alternative email address; and
a mobile phone number (used to send the temporary password).
If your pharmacy needs more than 10 personal accounts:
- email your Integrated Care Board (ICB) pharmacy contracts team explaining why extra accounts are needed.
If approved:
- the ICB will contact the national helpdesk; and
- new accounts will be created and linked.
Passwords are sent by text message to the staff member’s mobile phone.
To activate a new account: one.
- Go to https://portal.nhs.net
- Select Login
- Enter your nhs.net email address
- Enter the password sent to your phone
You will then be asked to:
- change your password;
- set security questions; and
- accept the Acceptable Use Policy.
Once completed, you can also access Microsoft Teams for messaging, calls and meetings across health and care.
NHS England provides a practical guide for community pharmacy teams covering:
- logging in;
- shared mailbox owner responsibilities;
- email signatures;
- out-of-office replies;
- name changes;
- training links;
- forgotten passwords;
- locked accounts;
- using the NHS directory; and
- service status updates.
Regularly check your junk folder and mark trusted emails as safe to prevent missing important messages.
You can access nhs.net:
- via a mobile web browser; or
- using the Outlook mobile app.
Pharmacy owners should consider data security when staff use mobile devices. Key points include:
- strong passcode or biometric security;
- limiting message previews on lock screens;
- remote wipe capability if a device is lost; and
- clear processes when staff leave.
Guidance and templates are available, including Community Pharmacy England’s Bring your own device policy template.
Some IT system suppliers offer patient messaging using a special nhs.net application account.
To set this up:
- the pharmacy’s nhs.net administrator requests an application account;
- the request is sent to the nhs.net helpdesk; and
- the account name should not be a person’s name (for example, reminders.ODScode.donotreply).
Application accounts count towards the standard 10-account limit.
Multi‑factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra security check when logging in.
Instead of just using a password, MFA confirms it is really you. This greatly reduces the risk of cyber attacks and helps protect patient data.
Pharmacy nhs.net users can choose from three MFA methods. Using the Authenticator app is strongly recommended.
Timings
- New users: MFA is required when accounts are set up.
- Existing users: MFA is mandatory from Autumn 2024.
If MFA is not set up after prompts:
- password rules become stricter; and
- access can be limited.
Step‑by‑step guidance is available in Community Pharmacy England’s MFA factsheet.
People Finder helps you look up nhs.net email addresses for individuals and organisations.
Access it at:
- https://portal.nhs.net/PeopleFinder; or
- via the NHS.net Connect portal menu.
Top tips:
- search by ODS code if needed;
- bookmark People Finder for quick access; and
- save frequent contacts.
When using nhs.net, pharmacy owners should consider:
- controlled access to shared mailboxes;
- safe handling and storage of patient information;
- secure sending practices and correct recipients;
- information governance policies; and
- regulatory requirements for company email signatures.
nhs.net supports communication, not long‑term data storage. Attached documents and clinical records should be saved securely in local systems.
For technical problems:
- Email helpdesk@nhs.net with your query
- Use your nhs.net account if possible
- Include your name, role, pharmacy name, ODS code and contact number
Replies usually arrive within two working days. Always check your junk folder.
If issues remain unresolved, you can escalate to Community Pharmacy England by emailing it@cpe.org.uk with full correspondence.
All pharmacy nhs.net users can access Microsoft Teams.
Teams can be used for:
- messaging;
- voice and video calls; and
- collaboration with NHS colleagues.
Pharmacy teams are encouraged to download the app and test it regularly.
The nhs.net team is inviting community pharmacy owners to register an interest in NHSmail Virtual Visits, a booking and consultation tool linked to NHSmail Microsoft Teams. Community Pharmacy England is supporting this work so pharmacy teams can help shape digital tools that work well in practice.
The tool allows consultations to be booked and carried out either face-to-face or remotely, using a secure NHSmail and Microsoft Teams environment.
Pharmacies from across the sector are welcome to take part, including those that do not usually adopt new IT early. The aim is to make sure the tool is easy to use for all pharmacy staff.
To take part, pharmacy team members will need a personal nhs.net account, access to a shared nhs.net mailbox, Microsoft Teams, and a device with a webcam. Participants will be asked to use the platform and share feedback on usability.
To register your interest or find out more, email da@cpe.org.uk with ‘Virtual Visits pilot’ in the subject line, including your pharmacy name and ODS code.
Community Pharmacy England and the NHS.net Connect team worked on a pilot checklist, and How it works factsheet. Further piloting maybe subject to interest levels.
NHS.net Connect guidance also indicates that regular NHS.net Connect MS Teams can provide a remote consultation solution option.
- Add NHS.net Connect to your browser favourites or mobile home screen.
- Review who has mailbox access regularly.
Set reminders to log in at least once every 30 days to keep accounts active.
Where can I find answers to common questions?
Read more:
For more information on this topic please email it@cpe.org.uk
