Inactive NHSmail user accounts will be closed from March 2020

Management of inactive user accounts

User accounts have the format ‘firstname.lastname@nhs.net’ and each account has a default mailbox quota of 4GB.  They are used by NHSmail users to access emails and to exchange information securely.

User accounts become inactive if:

• they have not been accessed for 90 days or more
• the password has not been updated for more than 365 days.

What action do I need to take?

If you still require your NHSmail account, please log in to your account by 11 March 2020 and ensure that you then log in at least every 90 days to keep your account active.

By adding a unique mobile phone number and security questions you can unlock and reset your password without needing to contact the NHSmail helpdesk.

If you no longer require your NHSmail account, no action is required.  Your account will be deleted automatically in March 2020.

Note: Shared mailbox owners should inform the relevant NAS team where colleagues are on long-term absence to request the account is disabled – a request should then be made to enable the account upon the user’s return to work. Disabled accounts, if not enabled again, remain on NHSmail for up to 18 months prior to deletion.

Management of closed organisations

The Organisation Data Service (ODS) assigns legal identifying codes to health and social care organisations.

NHSmail is reviewing all organisations with a closed status that still have NHSmail accounts, as these organisations are no longer eligible for NHSmail.

You can check whether your ODS code is active or closed using the ODS Portal.

What action do I need to take?

If your organisation is closed, please follow the below steps.

1. Obtain an open ODS code from the ODS team.
2. Contact the relevant NAS team to request the transfer of accounts to the open ODS code.

Note: Changes to ODS codes can take up to six weeks to show on NHSmail.

Contact us