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About NHS login

NHS login allows you to access a range of health and care websites and apps with one set of login details.

Where you can use NHS login

You can use NHS login to access many health and care websites, apps and services.

This includes:

  • health and wellbeing services
  • maternity and child health services
  • online pharmacies
  • online and video consultation services
  • patient access services
Information:

Access your NHS account

Find out more about the services you can access with NHS login

How to set up an NHS login

When you first want to use a health and care website, app or service you may be asked to create an NHS login.

You will need an email address (with more than 6 characters) and mobile phone or landline number to set this up.

The first time you set up your NHS login, you'll need to prove who you are. This is so you can be connected to your NHS record. It also protects your health information.

Once you've registered and passed all identity checks, you can log in to the health and care website, app or service you want to access.

How to prove your identity

You may be asked to give different levels of proof of who you are depending on the website, app or service you're trying to access.

Low level proof of who you are

If you register for an NHS login with a verified email address and mobile phone or landline number, you will have provided a low level proof of who you are.

If you want to access your health records or any personal information you'll be asked for more identity information.

Medium level proof of who you are

If you want to do things like contact your GP surgery or get notifications in the app, website or service you're using, you'll need to provide a medium level proof of who you are.

This means you'll be asked for your NHS number, date of birth and the postcode you have registered with your GP.

If you do not know your NHS number you can enter your name instead.

High level proof of who you are

If you want to access your health records or any personal information you will need to provide high level proof of who you are.

You can do this by in a number of ways.

Using a fast-track identity check

Your NHS login set up can be fast-tracked if you're already registered with GP online services.

If you register for an NHS login with a mobile phone number already registered with GP online services, you will not need to do an identity check again.

By submitting photo identification and completing a face scan

When you register you'll be asked to submit photo identification and then do a face scan to match your face.

You can use your:

  • passport
  • UK driving license (full or provisional)
  • Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
  • UK Residence Card, or EEA Biometric Residence Card (BRC)
  • European driving license (full)
  • European national identity card

By submitting photo identification and a video

When you register you'll be asked to submit photo identification, but instead of completing a face scan you can record a video.

You will be shown 4 numbers and asked to tell us what they are.

You can do this by:

  • saying the numbers
  • signing the numbers using British Sign Language
  • writing the numbers down and showing them

Using registration details from your GP surgery

You can register using registration details from your GP surgery. These are:

  • a Linkage Key (also known as Passphrase)
  • an ODS Code (also known as Organisation Code or Surgery ID)
  • an Account ID

You need to ask your GP surgery for these details.

To use this option, the patient should select ‘No, I do not have photo ID', when asked if they have photo ID.

Information:

Help with NHS login

You can:

NHS login privacy policy

NHS login follows the UK government's data storage standards (PDF, 2.25MB) to keep your information private and secure. For more information visit the NHS login privacy policy.

Page last reviewed: 22 December 2021
Next review due: 22 December 2024