Health and Social Care Network (HSCN)

Community Pharmacy England has produced a briefing to help pharmacy owners and teams understand the HSCN and how to get the most from their IT connection. You can read the full briefing here:

Community Pharmacy England Briefing: How to get more out of your connections

Connection options

There are three main ways to connect:

• Through IT system suppliers:
  Some IT system suppliers arrange connections on your behalf, often using an intermediate “aggregator” company. Aggregators usually use an HSCN-approved connectivity supplier. Some system suppliers offer an ‘all-in-one package’ that may include the IT system, hardware, upgrades, and HSCN connectivity.
• Through a commercial network provider:
  Pharmacy owners can arrange connectivity directly with a provider.
• Through a direct HSCN connection:
  This is possible, but less common for independent pharmacies and small chains.

Security

HSCN is an open network that enables more flexible connectivity.
To safely send and receive electronic prescription messages, NHS IT teams must approve your connection.

IT system supplier offerings

Some IT system suppliers provide packages that include software upgrades and HSCN connectivity. Pharmacy owners should contact their supplier for details. More information is available below.

Your IT system supplier may work with an intermediate “aggregator” to help the connection between your pharmacy and the NHS Spine. Aggregators usually use an HSCN-approved connectivity supplier. Historically, many used BT, but under the HSCN model, more suppliers are now endorsed.

A list of aggregators is provided below.

Pharmacy owners can enter into a contract with an approved network provider to purchase an indirect connection that is separate from their IT system.

Before contracting directly with a network provider, check with your IT system supplier to make sure the connection is compatible with your system and suitable for operating the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS).

If you provide an aggregator solution for community pharmacy in England and wish to be included, email da@cpe.org.uk.

NHS England maintains a larger list of potential aggregators.

Community pharmacies can choose to connect directly to HSCN. However, this is unlikely to be the most effective approach for independent owners or small chains. A direct connection usually requires sponsorship by the local NHS England team.

Some larger pharmacy chains have connected their corporate networks directly to HSCN.

Community pharmacies do not currently have automatic access to ‘nww’ webpages (for example, some Shared Care Record systems). If you need this access, your aggregator — and possibly your IT system supplier — will need to safelist the webpages required.

The aggregator may also need additional approval.

You can contact it@cpe.org.uk for a template webform to support this process.

To begin, identify the nww pages you need and ask your IT system supplier to request safelisting through their aggregator.

When choosing or negotiating your connection contract, consider discussing:

Service levels

• What performance levels and resilience are offered?
• Will speeds increase in line with national averages?

Failures and compensation

• What happens if the connection fails?
• How long will repairs take?
• Is compensation available for service disruption?

Installation and EPS coordination

• Will installation be coordinated with the configuration needed for EPS?

Extra benefits

• Security software and protective processes
• Internet telephony (VoIP) options
• A separate non-HSCN broadband line
• Use of mobile devices connected to HSCN
• Back‑up 4G/5G or dual connections
• Wide area networks (WANs) for multiple branches
• Future authentication tools (e.g. two-factor or multi-factor authentication)

Compatibility with the IT system

• Check compatibility with your IT system supplier.

Contract length

• Can contracts for hardware, software, support and connectivity be aligned?

Contract flexibility

• Can you change the connection speed without adding charges?

Transparency of offering

• Are clear-written details available for comparison?

Transparency of data handling

• Does the provider explain how data is protected and how they comply with GDPR?

BT originally held the sole contract to deliver the national N3 network, which supported access to EPS and the NHS Spine. This legacy network has been rebranded as the HSCN “Transition Network”.

NHS England now manages the HSCN and allows multiple companies to become HSCN‑endorsed suppliers, creating a competitive marketplace that encourages choice, innovation and better value for money.

Almost all pharmacies (more than ninety-nine per cent) using EPS Release two are connecting to the HSCN transition network.

As with N3, pharmacy owners must continue to maintain strong cyber security protections. Further guidance is available in Community Pharmacy England Briefing 053/17: Data and cyber security protections.

1. Will my ability to deliver services be disrupted by the move to HSCN?
   Adverse effects are not expected. If your IT system supplier changes your connection in future, there may be planned adjustments such as a new router. Community Pharmacy England has asked NHS England to ensure any planned maintenance happens at times of low pharmacy activity, such as overnight in the middle of a month.
2. What impact does the HSCN transition have on connection costs?
   Like‑for‑like HSCN connectivity is becoming cheaper over time. Broader broadband markets have seen costs fall while speeds improve. Pharmacy teams can use free online speed‑test tools to compare performance across suppliers.
3. Will HSCN introduce new minimum standards for availability or speed?
   NHS England sets minimum standards for HSCN suppliers. For example, services must offer at least 99.95% availability. These standards apply to direct HSCN connections. NHS England’s commercial team is exploring contractual requirements for resilience within IT system supplier contracts.
4. Are there any ways to improve my connection speed?
   Yes. One option is to install an additional standard broadband line for general internet use that does not involve sensitive data. HSCN and N3 connections are intended for sensitive information only.