Written by Technical Team | Last updated 31.07.2025 | 5 minute read
Digital transformation in healthcare relies heavily on the seamless exchange of information across multiple systems. For NHS Trusts and digital health innovators, integrating with Access Rio – a widely used electronic patient record (EPR) platform – is a critical step in creating more efficient, patient-centred services. The challenge, however, lies in achieving this integration in a secure, scalable and interoperable way. That is where Access Rio integration using the Conexes API comes into play.
Conexes, developed by Servelec, provides a safe and robust framework that enables real-time, bi-directional integration with Rio. By leveraging the Conexes API, organisations can remove barriers caused by siloed systems, reduce duplicate data entry, and deliver more accurate, accessible patient records. This article explores how digital health innovators can get started with Access Rio integration using Conexes, including the technical building blocks, security foundations, and potential use cases.
Access Rio is a cornerstone EPR used by NHS Trusts to manage patient information, appointments, assessments, and clinical notes. Yet, without integration, many Trusts still face the inefficiencies of having to manually enter the same data into multiple systems. This not only wastes valuable clinical time but also increases the risk of data inaccuracies, undermining patient safety and service quality.
Through Access Rio integration, Trusts can connect Rio with external applications, mobile platforms, and other clinical or operational systems. The result is a more connected healthcare ecosystem where clinicians, administrators, and even patients benefit from timely, accurate, and complete information. With the Conexes API acting as the bridge, innovators gain the tools they need to deliver new digital services without disrupting core clinical workflows.
Conexes is a hosted integration platform designed specifically to support real-time data exchange with Rio. Built within Servelec’s secure cloud infrastructure, it enables digital innovators to develop and deploy integration solutions that comply with NHS data governance standards while maintaining flexibility and scalability.
One of the key advantages of using Conexes for Access Rio integration is its support for multiple interface standards. While the current API set is delivered as SOAP web services, the roadmap includes REST, HL7 v2 and v3, and FHIR interfaces. This ensures that organisations can align their integration strategy with both existing capabilities and future interoperability goals.
Furthermore, Conexes operates on a subscription model, providing access not only to the relevant APIs but also to a test and development ecosystem, SDKs, and professional consultancy support. This reduces barriers to entry for digital innovators, ensuring they can move from concept to live integration efficiently and securely.
For Access Rio integration, Conexes provides a range of API packs that can be selected depending on the use case. These cover core functionality areas within Rio and allow innovators to build solutions that meet specific needs.
The Demographics Pack supports patient identification and contact retrieval, while the Documents Pack allows the addition and retrieval of clinical documents linked to patient records. The Appointments Pack offers the ability to create, update, and manage appointments within a clinician’s diary, including push notifications for booking changes.
Other packs include functionality for Alerts, Allergies and Diagnoses, Clinical Noting, Assessments, and Patient Summaries. Together, these enable digital health innovators to build solutions that cover the full breadth of patient engagement and clinical documentation, from scheduling through to real-time care updates.
By carefully selecting the right API packs, innovators can ensure their Access Rio integration delivers maximum value without overcomplicating implementation.
When dealing with patient data, security and compliance are paramount. Conexes ensures that all data exchanged during Access Rio integration is encrypted and protected through industry-standard mechanisms.
Each integration relies on SSL certificates for both server-side and client-side authentication, ensuring that only authorised systems and users can access Rio data. For NHS Trusts, this means that all integrations comply with strict information governance requirements, safeguarding sensitive patient records.
In addition, Conexes supports the use of VPNs for secure connections between local Rio environments and the Servelec cloud where required. With rigorous auditing processes, every data exchange is logged to maintain accountability and traceability – a vital component in modern healthcare integration.
One of the most valuable features of the Conexes offering is its dedicated test and development ecosystem. This sandbox environment allows innovators to experiment, prototype, and test their Access Rio integration ideas without impacting live patient systems.
By working in this controlled environment, developers can trial the full range of APIs, run accreditation tests, and validate security mechanisms. This greatly reduces risk and accelerates the journey to go-live. Once an integration has been proven in the test environment, it can be deployed confidently into the Trust’s Rio live environment with full support from Servelec and partners like 6B.
The flexibility of the Conexes API means that Access Rio integration can support a wide range of use cases in digital health. For example, innovators may integrate mobile apps to provide clinicians with secure access to patient records on the move. Others may develop systems that automatically synchronise referrals, appointments, and assessments between Rio and other care platforms.
Another powerful use case is enabling third-party applications to push clinical documents or progress notes directly into Rio, ensuring that patient records remain comprehensive and up to date without manual entry. Likewise, APIs that provide structured patient summaries enable information to be shared quickly and securely with partner organisations, enhancing collaboration across the care pathway.
By tackling challenges such as duplicate data entry and fragmented patient information, Access Rio integration supports the NHS in delivering more efficient and joined-up care.
For many digital innovators, the challenge is not just understanding the potential of the Conexes API, but also navigating the technical and governance complexities of integration projects. That is where 6B can provide vital expertise.
As a trusted digital partner, 6B supports organisations through every stage of the Access Rio integration journey, from initial planning and architecture through to development, testing, and deployment. With hands-on experience working with Conexes and Rio, 6B ensures that integration projects are delivered securely, efficiently, and in line with NHS priorities for interoperability and patient safety.
By collaborating with 6B, digital innovators can focus on designing and delivering innovative services, confident that the technical foundations of their Access Rio integration are in expert hands.
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