Register your .nhs.uk Domain Name

Introduction

Registration of your .nhs.uk name is quite simple.

1. Think of the name that you want to use.
   
   
2. Complete the application form - apply online.
   
   
3. Tell us the name that you have chosen so that we can set up GPUK.net to work with your .nhs.uk name.
   
   
4. (For your application, whether online or by fax, you will need to specify the ip address 66.39.54.108).

If you prefer we can complete and fax the form for you. All you need to do is to tell us the name that you wish to register and a couple of other details (see the link on the Admin page) and we shall fax the form to the NHSIA for you. If you wish us to do this then follow the .nhs.uk registration link on the Admin page, which will tell you exactly what we need from you.

The advantage of our doing it for you is that we are familiar with the application form and can ensure that it is completed correctly. But if you complete it either online or on paper and fax it yourself then it is probably a little quicker and you know that it has been done. It's up to you.

Choose a Name

Think of a suitable name. The NHS Information Authority will not accept just a town/city name, you need to give some indication that you are a surgery or health centre or whatever. Examples of names that are likely to be acceptable:

• www.middletownsurgery.nhs.uk
  
  
• www.middletownhc.nhs.uk
  
  
• www.middletownmc.nhs.uk
  
  

In the past they have rejected names such as:

• www.middletown.nhs.uk

You don't have to use a village/town/city name, you may have some other name for your practice. Try applying for the name that you want. If they reject it then nothing is lost apart from a bit of time, just reapply - it's free.

Their FAQ includes information on their policy on naming of domains.

Fill in the Form

The NHSIA name registration pages include a link to the form to apply online.

1. Section 1

   • practice and contact details

   • for "Technical" put the name of the most technical person at the practice, probably yourself as you are filling in this form!

   • for "Organisation Code" you use your practice code which is a letter followed by five digits and can be found:

     • as part of your nhsnet smtp email address, e.g. P12345

     • by asking your HA IT department

     • by locating your practice in the GP section at www.nhs.uk/localnhsservices/

       1. For question 1 select "GP surgeries"
       2. For question 2 enter your practice postcode
       3. When you find your practice you will find your organisation code as part of the URL address in the browser address bar. e.g. if the address includes /G54321/ then your organisation code is G54321

2. Section 2

   • in part 3 enter the name you wish for your website e.g. www.middletownsurgery.nhs.uk

   • the ip address in the box to the right of the website name should show 66.39.54.108

   • Ignore the other parts of Section 2

   • Ignore the section for nww addresses, you are registering a www address.

3. Section 3.

   • The NHSIA have a policy not to enable you to use your domain name for email. But by following the correct procedure some practices have successfully arranged for email to somebody@oursurgery.nhs.uk to be delivered to their MTA.

   • Here are some instructions as to how you may be able to get this to work for you. Meantime you may be best to leave this section blank, or cross it out.

4. Section 4.

   • Complete all sections.

5. Now submit the form for processing by the NHSIA.

Tell GPUK.net the name that you have registered

You need to let us know the name that you have chosen, and the details of your account so that we know which account to connect to this name.

• For security reasons you should email us from your registered admin email address (the address to which we sent your account details on signing up with GPUK.net)

• Email your details to support@gpuk.net

• Tell us the name that you have registered

• Tell us your account name e.g. www.gpuk.net/ourpractice

How soon will it work?

The NHSIA may take up to 7 - 10 days to process your application. After they have completed it there will be a delay of 48 - 72 hours before activation is complete and reliable, so don't expect it to work properly straight away. It may appear to work and then stop working again. Just be patient and give it a couple of days to settle down. This is a feature of the Internet - it takes two to three days for the "dns" changes (which are what enable and control website names) to be circulated around the globe, and thereafter it should be fine.

It will not work until both the NHSIA and GPUK.net have completed the configuration.

Don't forget to tell us the name that you have registered with NHSIA!