Smartcards
Please see below information on how to obtain and update your smartcard.
Obtaining Smartcards and related queries
Renewing Smartcards
Step by Step Guide on using self service Care Identity Management
Unlocking Smartcards
Obtaining Smartcards and related queries
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals: for Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre, Lancaster and Morecambe areas:
email: Bfwh.Smartcards@nhs.net
Tel: 01253 951016 – Option 9 (for Smartcard department)
Registration Authority Manager: Martyn McKechnie.
Midlands & Lancashire CSU (MLCSU): for Preston, Chorley South Ribble, West Lancashire, East Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen areas:
Contact details
For all Smart Card related queries, including how to apply, how to add new sites, or how to become a sponsor, click here and complete the form.
To follow up on any Smart Card queries following the completion of the form and receiving your 6 digit reference code, please click here to access the Smart Card Chat Bot. Please note, this is available between 8am-4pm Monday – Friday.
For any secondary escalation requests, we are pleased to say we now have regular, direct liaison with RA Senior Manager. Please email us with your CSU Reference ID and Smart Card number at office@cplsc.org.uk
Please note, you must complete the CSU form before using the Chat Bot or escalating to CPLSC as you will require your 6 digit reference code when contacting the Chat Bot.
Email: MLCSU.Servicedesk@nhs.net
Smartcard requests are not accepted via telephone
For all Smart Card related queries, including how to apply, how to add new sites, or how to become a sponsor, click here and complete the form.
Please note – if after completion you are presented with a message stating ‘please contact your RA officer’ you do not have to do this it just means that your form has been submitted.
South Cumbria Smartcard support
There have been some important changes to Smartcard pin requirements across South Cumbria, please click here for further details.
North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust Contact details
RA Smartcards (Cumbria) –smartcard@ncic.nhs.uk
Telephone- 01228 608888
Renewing Smartcards
Your EPS2 Smartcard is valid for 2 years from when it was issued. You will start to get a warning when you log in using your card 30 days before the expiry date. You can renew your card by following the on screen instructions, which appear with the expiry warning. This will take you to the NHS Self- service portal where you can complete the process. (you must have a smartcard inserted into your pharmacy computer to access this). This Portal can also be used to change your password if you wish to do so.
Most pharmacy computer systems allow access to the sites, but don’t leave it too long, because if your card expires you will have to send it back to the RA team for renewal. You will be able to self-renew your card twice, giving you a total of 6 years from its first issue.
Step by Step Guidance on Using Care Identity Management
Smartcards are used by community pharmacy team members to access NHS IT systems such as EPS and the Summary Care Record (SCR). There is a system in place to support pharmacy teams with the maintenance of their Smartcards and this briefing outlines how this allows pharmacy team members to self-manage their Smartcards.
Step-by-step guidance on using Care Identity Management – NHS England Digital
Updating smartcards for multi-site use:
Smartcard Role and Activity codes and how to update them:
Unlocking Smartcards
New Card Unlock System guidance
Self-service guideline and links
Self Service Unlock Smartcard – Care Identity Management – NHS.UK (care-identity-service2.nhs.uk)
For RA Sponsors You only need to unlock a user’s smartcard if they cannot use self-service smartcard unlock.
Unlock a smartcard in Care Identity Management – NHS Digital
Other RA guidance documents
-Register a new user
-Assign user access
Guidance for RA sponsors and local smartcard administrators – NHS Digital
Please click here for further details
More Information
For more information and additional resources see PSNC website: