# BaRS **URL:** https://developer.community.nhs.uk/c/bars/114.md [Latest](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/latest.md) · [Categories](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/categories.md) · [Tags](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/tags.md) --- ## [About the BaRS category](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/t/about-the-bars-category/14676)
**Author:** [@akunna.ndubuisi1](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/u/akunna.ndubuisi1)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [21 August 2026 19:36 UTC](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/t/about-the-bars-category/14676 "2026-08-21T19:36:37Z")
Welcome to the Booking and Referral Standard (BaRS) category. Use this category to ask questions about implementing and integrating with BaRS, including BaRS Applications, FHIR assets, API access, testing and environmen… --- ## [How do I have a receiver endpoint added to the Endpoint Catalogue?](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/t/how-do-i-have-a-receiver-endpoint-added-to-the-endpoint-catalogue/15556)
**Author:** [@Adedayo\_Okunade](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/u/Adedayo_Okunade)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [6 October 2026 10:54 UTC](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/t/how-do-i-have-a-receiver-endpoint-added-to-the-endpoint-catalogue/15556 "2026-10-06T10:54:51Z")
The information required depends on the environment. Integration (INT) Register the receiving service in the Directory of Services (DoS), where applicable. Prepare the INT receiver endpoint. Provide the Service ID or … --- ## [What is the difference between a Target Identifier and an endpoint URL?](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/t/what-is-the-difference-between-a-target-identifier-and-an-endpoint-url/15555)
**Author:** [@Adedayo\_Okunade](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/u/Adedayo_Okunade)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [6 October 2026 10:47 UTC](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/t/what-is-the-difference-between-a-target-identifier-and-an-endpoint-url/15555 "2026-10-06T10:47:13Z")
See Endpoint Catalogue guidance A Target Identifier identifies the service or destination that should receive the request. An endpoint URL is the physical API address to which the BaRS proxy sends the request. The End… --- ## [When can I request a Production receiver endpoint?](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/t/when-can-i-request-a-production-receiver-endpoint/15554)
**Author:** [@Adedayo\_Okunade](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/u/Adedayo_Okunade)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [6 October 2026 10:42 UTC](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/t/when-can-i-request-a-production-receiver-endpoint/15554 "2026-10-06T10:42:58Z")
A Production receiver endpoint can be requested when the applicable assurance and onboarding prerequisites have been completed. This includes: approval of the applicable SCAL requirements; issue of a Technical Conform… --- ## [How do I connect to BaRS as a receiver?](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/t/how-do-i-connect-to-bars-as-a-receiver/15553)
**Author:** [@Adedayo\_Okunade](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/u/Adedayo_Okunade)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [6 October 2026 10:40 UTC](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/t/how-do-i-connect-to-bars-as-a-receiver/15553 "2026-10-06T10:40:43Z")
Start with the \[Connect as a receiver link\]. That guidance contains the current requirements for domains, fully qualified domain names, NHS certificates, private keys, Certificate Signing Requests, endpoint configuratio… --- ## [What are JWKS and KID?](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/t/what-are-jwks-and-kid/15552)
**Author:** [@Adedayo\_Okunade](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/u/Adedayo_Okunade)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [6 October 2026 10:37 UTC](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/t/what-are-jwks-and-kid/15552 "2026-10-06T10:37:01Z")
A JSON Web Key Set (JWKS) publishes the public keys used to verify signed authentication assertions. See Signed JWT authentication. A Key ID (KID) identifies the specific public key that should be selected from the key … --- ## [What information must I provide to obtain BaRS sender access?](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/t/what-information-must-i-provide-to-obtain-bars-sender-access/15551)
**Author:** [@Adedayo\_Okunade](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/u/Adedayo_Okunade)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [6 October 2026 10:34 UTC](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/t/what-information-must-i-provide-to-obtain-bars-sender-access/15551 "2026-10-06T10:34:01Z")
The current list of information required for BaRS sender access is maintained on the Connect as a sender. Use that page when preparing an Integration or Production access request, because the required information m… --- ## [How do I connect to BaRS as a sender?](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/t/how-do-i-connect-to-bars-as-a-sender/15550)
**Author:** [@Adedayo\_Okunade](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/u/Adedayo_Okunade)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [6 October 2026 10:32 UTC](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/t/how-do-i-connect-to-bars-as-a-sender/15550 "2026-10-06T10:32:39Z")
Start with the Connect as a sender · Digital Onboarding Service That guidance contains the current steps for registering the application through Digital Onboarding, configuring the applicable NHS API authentication and … --- ## [Does Integration access automatically provide access to Production?](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/t/does-integration-access-automatically-provide-access-to-production/15549)
**Author:** [@Adedayo\_Okunade](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/u/Adedayo_Okunade)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [6 October 2026 10:31 UTC](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/t/does-integration-access-automatically-provide-access-to-production/15549 "2026-10-06T10:31:25Z")
No. Integration and Production are onboarded separately. See Testing and Environments. Integration access does not automatically provide Production access. Before progressing to Production, a supplier must complete the … --- ## [How do I access the BaRS Integration environment?](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/t/how-do-i-access-the-bars-integration-environment/15548)
**Author:** [@Adedayo\_Okunade](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/u/Adedayo_Okunade)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [6 October 2026 10:30 UTC](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/t/how-do-i-access-the-bars-integration-environment/15548 "2026-10-06T10:30:12Z")
Use the connection guidance that matches the role performed by your system: Sender: Connect as a sender Receiver: Connect as a receiver A sender must register its application through Digital Onboarding and complete th… --- ## [What BaRS environments are available?](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/t/what-bars-environments-are-available/15547)
**Author:** [@Adedayo\_Okunade](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/u/Adedayo_Okunade)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [6 October 2026 10:28 UTC](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/t/what-bars-environments-are-available/15547 "2026-10-06T10:28:52Z")
BaRS has two main service environments: See Testing and Environments. - Integration (INT) — a live-like environment used for development, endpoint configuration and testing. - Production (PROD) — the live environment. … --- ## [Does every BaRS workflow require both a booking and a referral?](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/t/does-every-bars-workflow-require-both-a-booking-and-a-referral/15546)
**Author:** [@Adedayo\_Okunade](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/u/Adedayo_Okunade)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [6 October 2026 10:27 UTC](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/t/does-every-bars-workflow-require-both-a-booking-and-a-referral/15546 "2026-10-06T10:27:40Z")
No. A BaRS workflow does not always require both a booking and a referral. End-to-end workflow Within a BaRS Application or agreed use case, the workflow is designed to meet the operational and clinical needs of the sup… --- ## [How do I identify which BaRS Application supports my use case?](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/t/how-do-i-identify-which-bars-application-supports-my-use-case/15545)
**Author:** [@Adedayo\_Okunade](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/u/Adedayo_Okunade)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [6 October 2026 10:25 UTC](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/t/how-do-i-identify-which-bars-application-supports-my-use-case/15545 "2026-10-06T10:25:46Z")
Review the BaRS Applications and compare the documented workflows with your organisation’s proposed process. Consider: - the service sending the request; - the service receiving it; - whether the workflow involves a b… --- ## [Where can I find BaRS FHIR assets, payload examples and MessageDefinitions?](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/t/where-can-i-find-bars-fhir-assets-payload-examples-and-messagedefinitions/15544)
**Author:** [@Adedayo\_Okunade](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/u/Adedayo_Okunade)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [6 October 2026 10:22 UTC](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/t/where-can-i-find-bars-fhir-assets-payload-examples-and-messagedefinitions/15544 "2026-10-06T10:22:47Z")
Open the BaRS FHIR Assets · Booking and Referrals Simplifier project. The Booking and Referrals Simplifier project contains the FHIR assets used to implement BaRS, including UK Core profiles, BaRS-specific profiles, Mes… --- ## [Where can I find the BaRS Implementation Guide?](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/t/where-can-i-find-the-bars-implementation-guide/14981)
**Author:** [@Adedayo\_Okunade](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/u/Adedayo_Okunade)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [1 September 2026 12:20 UTC](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/t/where-can-i-find-the-bars-implementation-guide/14981 "2026-09-01T12:20:23Z")
Open the Open the BaRS Implementation Guide. The guide is published on Simplifier and brings together the Analysis, BaRS Core, BaRS Applications, FHIR assets, Testing and Environments, Assurance and Deployment guidance … --- ## [What technical guidance do I need to implement BaRS?](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/t/what-technical-guidance-do-i-need-to-implement-bars/14979)
**Author:** [@Adedayo\_Okunade](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/u/Adedayo_Okunade)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [1 September 2026 12:10 UTC](https://developer.community.nhs.uk/t/what-technical-guidance-do-i-need-to-implement-bars/14979 "2026-09-01T12:10:51Z")
Start with the BaRS Implementation Guide and follow its seven implementation stages: Analysis — review the principles, prerequisites, infrastructure, roles and responsibilities. BaRS Core — understand the common workf…