SmartCard Readers and NHS Identity Agent for ETP Dispensing

SmartCard Readers and NHS Identity
Agent for ETP Dispensing
As an ETP2 compliant system, you now require SmartCard readers and an installation of the NHS Identity
Agent on any PC you wish to dispense Electronic Prescriptions on.
This document is to advise on the supported SmartCard readers and the requirements to run the NHS
Identity Agent.
SMARTCARD READERS
A question often posed is, “what is the recommended SmartCard reader?”
The answer is simple – our recommended SmartCard reader is the Ominkey Cardman 3121. This is
because, this is the model recommended by HSCIC, as supported for use with NHS Identity Agent.
These can be purchased online and are inexpensive.
KEYBOARD CARD READERS
Whilst not recommended, in my experience keyboard readers work absolutely fine and I haven’t come
across one yet that doesn’t interface with the NHS Identity Agent. (As long as the Windows drivers are
correctly installed)
* However, if you purchase a keyboard card reader and it does not work, we would suggest to buy the
recommended reader and would not invest support time in resolving.
SmartCard Readers and NHS Identity Agent for ETP Dispensing
Julian Horsley 12th November 2014
NHS IDENTITY AGENT
The NHS identity agent is a critical piece of software which allows the SmartCard to log onto the NHS spine.
ETP is impossible without it. This needs locally installing on each PC and can be installed by a member of
support for you.
NHS IDENTITY AGENT SUPPORTED OPERATING SYSTEMS
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Windows XP – 32 bit
Windows Vista – 32 bit
Windows 7 – 32 bit
Windows 7 - 64 bit
IDENTITY AGENT CLIENT VERSIONS
Previously NHS Identity Agent 11 and 13 were designed for Windows XP systems.
These versions also worked on Windows 7 32 bit operating systems.
In April 2014, HSCIC released a Windows 7 HSCIC Client version 1.0 which had both a 32 bit and 64 bit
versions.
This client is now used on Windows 7 operating systems.
WINDOWS 7 CLIENT & SMARTCARD COMPATIBILITY
If you wish to use the Windows 7 client, you must ensure that you have a series 4 or above smartcard.
Old smartcards may be series 3 and would not work.
You would need to contact your RA to get an updated card.
On the back of your smart card is a number. The 1st two digits denote which series your card is.
Example below is a series 6 card.
SmartCard Readers and NHS Identity Agent for ETP Dispensing
Julian Horsley 12th November 2014

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