Part of Networks and connectivity standards
Wireless on the move standards
Standards you should meet on providing connectivity for staff outside of your own sites.
6.1 NHS organisations should provide consistent connectivity for roaming and peripatetic staff
Importance of meeting the standard
NHS staff increasingly deliver healthcare services beyond NHS-managed premises, including in local authority buildings, social care settings, courts and police facilities, hospices, and patients’ private homes.
Reliable roaming connectivity enables staff to access clinical systems, update records in real time, and deliver care efficiently and safely regardless of location. Inconsistent or poorly supported connectivity increases administrative burden, disrupts workflows, and risks fragmentation of care and loss of information.
This standard applies where NHS staff are expected to deliver care or perform operational duties outside of NHS-managed network environments or their own homes including use of productivity tools such as Ambient Voice Technology (AVT), where clinicians are reliant on consistent connectivity to capture and update patient records in real time while working across different locations.
When to meet the standard
- designing or deploying digital services intended for use outside NHS premises
- equipping staff for mobile, community or cross-organisational working
- organisational changes result in new collaborations, mergers or clusters
- establishing partnerships with non-NHS organisations where shared connectivity is anticipated
How to meet the standard
NHS organisations should enable roaming connectivity through a combination of interoperable wireless technologies, compatible end-user devices, agreements and subscriptions with relevant providers and clear operational practices.
Connectivity should be designed to work across all possible third-party environments without requiring bespoke configuration at different locations, nor staff intervention.
Staff must be equipped, trained and supported to connect seamlessly, automatically and reliably when working away from NHS-managed networks or their own home.
Technical requirements to meet the standard
- partner-provided federated Wi-Fi services (such as GovWifi and govroam)
- third-party solutions for making best use of public mobile coverage
- public Wi-Fi networks
- public mobile networks
Wireless connectivity solutions are interoperable and standards-based, enabling consistent user experience across different environments. They should be supported by end-user experience monitoring where available.
Support remote diagnostics, support and troubleshooting of roaming connectivity issues across devices, locations and access types
NHS organisations equip staff with access to nationally available Wi-Fi federated roaming networks, GovWifi and govroam, and these are broadcast at their own locations for visiting staff.
Aligns to the following DSPT principles:
| Principle | How it supports |
|---|---|
| Identity and access control | Supports federated access and authenticated use across external networks. |
| Data security | Ensures secure transport of data over non‑trusted carriers. |
Last edited: 6 August 2026 8:25 am