Accessing e-Referrals via Vision Using a Smartcard

Note - If you want to access e-Referrals without opening a patient consultation, see "Accessing the e-Referral Service Home Page and select patient", which explains how to access using Internet Explorer.

To access e-Referrals via Vision, you must first use your Smartcard to connect you to the NHS Digital Spine.

The Smartcard looks much like a credit card, with a picture of the user, together with their Unique Identification number (UID) and a gold chip where all the information is held.

To access e-Referral, you should already be logged on to your computer, so you see your desktop on your screen.

1. Put your Smartcard into the Smartcard reader
2. Enter your PIN number (also called Pass Code) and select Yes I accept and wish to proceed, or press Enter on the keyboard.
3. You can now see a box in the bottom right corner of the screen with a progress bar, detailing the remaining time before the card will be authenticated.
4. You may (or may not) now see a security alert, select Yes to proceed if you do see a security alert.
5. Answer Yes to Do you want to close this window?
6. You are now logged on to the Spine

   Note - If you have a problem logging on, see Failure to connect.

7. Double click on the Vision icon.
8. If you have more than one role set up, you now see the Select Role box for Vision. Select your Role from the pick list of roles and click in the Assigned Profiles box.
9. Select OK.
10. The Vision home page is displayed.