Smartcards are a way of controlling access to protect patient data. Controls are in place to ensure only those people who are directly involved in patient care have access. Local Registration Authorities will assign roles onto the Smartcard, and will set the card to allow access in relevant pharmacies.

Each individual pharmacy team member whose role requires them to need a Smartcard, should obtain one.

Remember Smartcards should not be shared by individuals.

You may find this leaflet from North West london Collaboration of Clinical Commissioning Groups helpful, which has information for Smartcard users.

Keep it safe and secure. Never tell anyone your Passcode. Never allow anyone else to use it. Never leave it unattended. Immediately report its loss, theft or damage to the RA or your Sponsor

Which Registration Authority?

Please contact the relevant Registration Authority below, based on your address (if you are a locum) or the location of your Pharmacy (if you are store based). Please look at this PSNC factsheet for further information. If you need details of a Registration Authority that is outside of the 9 boroughs covered by The Middlesex Group, please look here.

For Barnet, Enfield and Haringey:

Contact details

Tel: 020 4506 6006
Email: ra.nclicb@nhs.net

Self Service Portal: https://nhsncl.service-now.com/itportal 

For Brent, Harrow, Hillingdon, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham and Hounslow:

Contact Details

Email: nhsnwl.registration.authority@nhs.net
Tel: 0208 962 6591 or 0208 962 4903

 

How do I unlock my Smartcard?

  • Step 1 Self unlocking (requires prior registration)

    The leaflet for registering for self-unlocking is here   but this requires prior registration with an NHSmail address. If your Smartcard is locked but you have not registered then try option 2 or 3.

    Top Tip: Get your card registered so that you can self unlock in the future.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Step 2 Administrator/Sponsor unlock

    Do you have a Local Smartcard Administrators (LSAs)/Sponsors in your pharmacy/company? They can use the online Smartcard software, Care Identity Service (CIS) to unlock a Smartcard (apart from their own).

    If you do not have anyone conducting the LSA role in your pharmacy, then try option 3.

    Top Tip: Consider getting someone approved for the future. It is a good idea to have to one person at each premises to be able to conduct this. Further information on the process is here  

     

  • Step 3 RA unlock

    If a card is locked and if steps 1 and 2 are not available then contact your RA as listed above to request the card to be unlocked.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

How do I renew my Smartcard?

Self-renewal Smartcard service

NHS Digital have designed  a self-renew process for NHS smartcard users.

The process is summarised in the short video below:


 
Please ensure you have the right set up before proceeding by checking against the compatibility table for browser and machine configuration. See the NHS Digital page here   for further information.