Overseas working arrangements
To uphold the highest standards of information security and Information Governance (IG), NHS North East London Integrated Care Board (NEL ICB) and GP practice staff are advised that IT support is not available when working from outside the United Kingdom.
We are seeing daily failed attempts to access the VPN from overseas and to manage the risk, VPN access will only be available from the UK going forward. Access to NHSmail will continue in line with NHS England guidance.
Security and Regulatory Rationale
The protection of confidential patient data and the integrity of NHS digital infrastructure are paramount. Accessing NHS systems from overseas may compromise security, breach NHS policies, and violate UK regulatory requirements. Therefore, staff working abroad cannot be offered IT support, including assistance with troubleshooting, password resets, or system access issues.
Implications for Staff
- Staff located outside the UK are ineligible for any NHS NEL ICB or GP IT support services.
- Overseas access attempts may result in restricted or blocked entry to certain NHS systems.
- This policy is implemented to maintain compliance with all data protection and regulatory standards.
Required Actions
- Please plan your work and travel arrangements accordingly. If you anticipate travel abroad, address any outstanding IT issues prior to departure.
- Do not attempt to access NHS NEL ICB or GP IT systems for work purposes whilst abroad.
- For technical support or anticipated IT matters, contact your local IT service desk before leaving the UK.
For clarification, please consult your line manager or the local NHS NEL ICB IT service desk.
Your cooperation is appreciated in safeguarding patient confidentiality and supporting the resilience of NHS IT systems.