This page contains the answers to the most commonly asked questions about transitioning to NHS.net. For a more detailed FAQ regarding the technical details of each Microsoft application that will be transferred, please visit our Technical FAQs page.
What is the transition to NHS.net and why is it needed?
The transition to NHS.net involves moving your organisation Microsoft Teams, Outlook (email), OneDrive and SharePoint to the NHS.net central digital platform. This means your @NHS.net account will be your main account for Microsoft Teams, Outlook (email), OneDrive and SharePoint.
This project was established to bring NHS users who are not in the central digital platform into a central digital platform (NHS.net), where colleagues can seamlessly collaborate as one organisation. This is another step in the journey to enable better collaboration across the NHS organisation. For more information, please read more about the transition and how it will benefit you.
This project was established to bring NHS users who are not in the central digital platform into a central digital platform (NHS.net), where colleagues can seamlessly collaborate as one organisation. This is another step in the journey to enable better collaboration across the NHS organisation. For more information, please read more about the transition and how it will benefit you.
What is the transition process?
The transition process involves 3 stages.
1. Preparation – End Users will be informed about the transition to NHS.net and informed of any tasks that they are required to complete before data copy/ switchover. This will ensure end user data is validated, enabling a secure transition to NHS.net.
2. Data Copy – where items such as your emails, files & folders from the organisation account will be copied to your @NHS.net account. This process will be continuous until switchover to ensure all edits, and changes you make are replicated in NHS.net. Users will still be able to edit existing documents and create new documents throughout the Copy Stage .
3. Switchover – when the transition to NHS.net is complete, your files/ folders and emails will be readily available for you in the central digital platform. Users will have guidance for the process of switching their Microsoft Teams, Outlook (email), OneDrive and SharePoint from their organisation account to their @NHS.net account.
1. Preparation – End Users will be informed about the transition to NHS.net and informed of any tasks that they are required to complete before data copy/ switchover. This will ensure end user data is validated, enabling a secure transition to NHS.net.
2. Data Copy – where items such as your emails, files & folders from the organisation account will be copied to your @NHS.net account. This process will be continuous until switchover to ensure all edits, and changes you make are replicated in NHS.net. Users will still be able to edit existing documents and create new documents throughout the Copy Stage .
3. Switchover – when the transition to NHS.net is complete, your files/ folders and emails will be readily available for you in the central digital platform. Users will have guidance for the process of switching their Microsoft Teams, Outlook (email), OneDrive and SharePoint from their organisation account to their @NHS.net account.
Which applications will be transitioned to NHS.net?
Microsoft Teams, Outlook (email), OneDrive and SharePoint will be transitioned to NHS.net. Other Microsoft applications including Power Platform, PowerBI and MS Forms will need to be manually migrated by each user into NHS.net.
Please consult the how will the transition work? article for more information.
Please consult the how will the transition work? article for more information.
What will happen if I am away during my transition?
The transition will occur regardless of whether you are logged in to your device or not. Once you have returned from leave you should be able to turn on / restart your device and resume your set up post-transition.
I have an existing NHS.net account. Will I need to set up an additional account?
No. You will need to confirm your existing NHS.net account when prompted. This will ensure our team can move your organisation data into your existing NHS.net account.
What if my NHS.net email address hasn’t been used in a while and is inactive?
If your account has been disabled, a new NHS.net account will be created for you.
How will I receive my login details for my new nhs.net account and how do I login?
You will receive your new NHS.net email address and a temporary password in two separate emails. You can follow our guidance to enable your nhs.net account, once you receive your login details.
Will this transition impact my day-to-day work?
The transition will not impact your day-to-day work. In the lead up to switchover please continue working as usual. On the day of switchover your data will be moved to NHS.net and you will be able to access all your usual documents and apps using your NHS.net account.
How should I login to my laptop/desktop when the transition is complete?
Please login in to your laptop/ desktop computer with your same organisation account details not your nhs.net account details.
How will I access my Microsoft Teams, Outlook (email), OneDrive and SharePoint after the transition?
From switchover day, will need to use your @NHS.net account to access Microsoft Teams, Outlook (email), OneDrive and SharePoint. You will receive a workflow message containing a schedule with the updated NHS.net SharePoint site link.
Microsoft Teams, Outlook (email), OneDrive and SharePoint in your organisation account will move to read only and a banner will be applied to SharePoint as a reminder that it is read only.
Please refer to out guidance on working between your accounts for further information on how to keep the two accounts separate to reduce confusion.
Microsoft Teams, Outlook (email), OneDrive and SharePoint in your organisation account will move to read only and a banner will be applied to SharePoint as a reminder that it is read only.
Please refer to out guidance on working between your accounts for further information on how to keep the two accounts separate to reduce confusion.
What support is available after my transition?
To help you throughout the transition, there is a variety of support available to you. If you are facing an issue, please first refer to this support site, particularly the M365 FAQs , Switchover Day Guidance and the Overview FAQs.
If this does not resolve your issue, or you are unable to find your question or query, please contact one of the following:
Raise a ticket via the IT Service Portal or call the Service Desk at 0300 303 4868 if you are facing difficulties accessing the Portal itself
If this does not resolve your issue, or you are unable to find your question or query, please contact one of the following:
Raise a ticket via the IT Service Portal or call the Service Desk at 0300 303 4868 if you are facing difficulties accessing the Portal itself
Will my Microsoft 365 App License be affected?
Post-transition, you will still need your organisation account to log in to your device. You will still need your legacy account on your Microsoft Apps accounts to use your applications. Please ensure you are logged in on Microsoft apps with your legacy account when signing in.
To check that your organisation account is still logged in on the Microsoft 365 Account Apps (Word, PowerPoint, Excel etc.), select your name/image on the top right navigation bar of a Word Document or PowerPoint, then make sure one of the listed accounts is your legacy account. If it’s not there, please select ‘Sign in with a different account’ and log in to your legacy account.
To check that your organisation account is still logged in on the Microsoft 365 Account Apps (Word, PowerPoint, Excel etc.), select your name/image on the top right navigation bar of a Word Document or PowerPoint, then make sure one of the listed accounts is your legacy account. If it’s not there, please select ‘Sign in with a different account’ and log in to your legacy account.
Will I be able to continue collaborating with external colleagues?
Yes. However, please note that all non nhs.net guests will need to be re-added into channels.
Will I need my legacy account after the transition?
Yes. For the time being, your organisation account will remain active so that you can continue to login to your work laptop/desktop, access applications that have not been moved as a part of the transition to @NHS.net.
Can I change my transition date?
Unfortunately, given the complexity and amount of data being transferred across organisations, we are unable to take individual requests to change their transition date.
How can I access OneDrive and Teams from my mobile device post-transition?
If you use your mobile device to access OneDrive or Teams regularly, you may want to set up your @NHS.net account on your mobile device as well. To do this, add your @NHS.net account to your Microsoft apps on mobile (i.e. Teams or OneDrive) through the respective ‘Add account’ buttons. You can do this without signing out of your legacy account to allow you to switch between both accounts on the app.