Requesting IP blocks from NHS England

Jodi Foulger | May 1, 2026 | 1 min read

If your organisation requires more than one inbound IP address to connect with NHS healthcare resources, applying for IP blocks directly via NHS England’s IP Address Management (IPAM) service is recommended.

While some connectivity providers offer IP addresses from their own pool, this creates dependencies that make switching providers more difficult. Holding IP addresses directly from NHS England gives your organisation greater independence, simplifies whitelisting for NHS end customers, and ensures your IPs are managed in line with NHS network security standards.

Introduction

You may encounter a scenario where your organisation requires more than one inbound IP address to connect with NHS healthcare resources. If this is the case, we recommend applying for IP blocks directly via NHS England’s IP Address Management (IPAM) service. While some connectivity providers offer IP addresses from their own pool, this can create dependencies that make transitioning to new providers challenging. This guide explains why directly requesting IP blocks from NHS England benefits your organisation in the long term and provides a step-by-step process for doing so.

Why Apply for IP Blocks Directly from NHS England?

Advantages of Independent IP Allocation

Enhanced Provider Flexibility: By requesting IPs directly from NHS England, your organisation retains control over the IP addresses, making it easier to switch network providers if necessary.
Direct NHS Support and Compliance: NHS England’s IPAM service ensures that your IPs are managed according to NHS security standards, reducing the risks associated with third-party ownership.
Simplified Whitelisting and Trust Relationships: IP addresses allocated directly from NHS England are already recognised within NHS networks, simplifying security and access for your NHS end customers who may need to whitelist your IP addresses.

Step-by-Step Guide: Applying for NHS IP Blocks

To obtain IP addresses directly from NHS England, follow these steps:

1. Request Access to the HSCN Portal

Email enquiries@nhsdigital.nhs.uk requesting access to the HSCN portal. Access to this portal is necessary for managing your IP address application and other HSCN services.

2. Request ‘IPAM Delegate’ Permissions

Make sure you request IPAM delegate permissions under your parent ODS code. This should be at the organisation level (e.g. a trust, ICB), not site-specific ODS codes (such as a trust site or a GP practice).
This level of permission is necessary for managing IP allocations and avoids restrictions that come with site-specific codes.

3. Complete the IPAM Form via the HSCN Portal

Once access is granted, log in to the HSCN portal and complete the IPAM application form.
Include accurate information about the number of IP addresses required, the purpose of the IP block, and any specific requirements related to NHS connectivity.
You will also be asked for Circuit Identifiers. These will be provided to you by Cloud Gateway.

4. Acknowledgement of Your Submission

After submitting the form, the IPAM team will acknowledge your application within five working days. This confirmation indicates that your request is under review.

5. Review of Requested IP Addresses and Migration Date

The IPAM team will assess your IP address request, considering your specified requirements and proposed migration date.
While every effort is made to meet your needs, please bear in mind that adjustments may be suggested based on NHS network policies.

6. Receive Confirmation or Additional Information Request

Within five working days of the acknowledgement, you will receive either:

A confirmation email with details of your allocated IP addresses and activation timeline.
Or a request for additional information if further clarification is required.

By following these steps, your organisation can secure NHS-approved IP addresses independently, maintaining flexibility and ensuring compliance with NHS network requirements.