SMART Cards & NHS Mail accounts
Updated 27/10/2023
SMART card queries:
NECS service desk
Email: necs.servicedesk@nhs.net
Website: https://www.necsu.nhs.uk/
Tel: 0300 555 0340
Link to further details:
https://servicedesk.necsu.nhs.uk/category/smartcards/ra-pharmacy/
If you are a locum pharmacist and therefore not attached to any particular pharmacy, please state this on the email.
For the locum 5xf code they normally add the FFFFF National Locum Pharmacist position to your smartcard. However, NECS will need to add some evidence to the request that you are working as a locum.
Normally some screen shots showing your bookings or registration with a locum agency would be fine for their auditing, plus GPhC registration number.
They can also add smartcards to the dispenser and pharmacy technician locum positions if requested.
NHS Mail
For several years, community pharmacies in England have been able to request a pharmacy shared NHSmail mailbox. To access this, users must have their own personal NHSmail account which is linked to the shared mailbox.
Pharmacy shared NHSmail mailboxes use the following naming conventions:
| Shared mailbox email address | pharmacy.ODScode@nhs.net |
| Display name | Pharmacy.ODScode (Pharmacy name, Town) |
If you want to obtain a shared NHSmail account for your pharmacy, you can do this via the community pharmacy NHSmail registration portal.
For help and queries then contact the helpdesk@nhs.net.
More detailed information is on the CPE website – NHSmail – Community Pharmacy England (cpe.org.uk)
Reminder that, under the NHS Terms of Service, contractors must ensure their staff have access to, and are able to send and receive NHSmail from, the pharmacy shared NHSmail mailbox. To meet this requirement, contractors must ensure that at least two members of staff at the pharmacy premises have live personal NHSmail accounts that are linked to the shared mailbox.
