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ITK3 Messaging Distribution specification versions

“ITK3 Messaging Distribution” is the term used for a set of generic FHIR messaging components. These messaging components have been developed by NHS Digital to allow a standard approach to FHIR MessageHeaders and responses (acknowledgements) across NHS message and document flows in England. The Payloads are not specified within this specification as these components can carry any Payload. These components, along with NHS Digital FHIR Message and FHIR Document specifications are part of the ITK3 solution.

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Release candidate implementable specification versions

The table below contains the release candidate version of the ITK3 Message Distribution specifications.

All versions are based on the FHIR STU3 standard.

Status Release version Release date Details
stable

Interoperability Toolkit 3 Messaging Distribution FHIR API standards

 2022 API standards for a set of generic messaging components using FHIR STU3 to create a unified approach to NHS message and document flows across England. 

Previous ITK versions

ITK 3

The table below contains the previous versions of ITK 3 specification.

All versions are based on HL7 FHIR STU3.

Status Release version Release date Details
public live ITK3 2.9.0-live 24 March 2021 Release candidate version
public beta ITK3 2.8.0-public-beta 8 September 2020

Public beta version of the specification for ITK3.
This specification may be subject to controlled future changes.
release candidate ITK3 2.7.0-rc 15 January 2019 Previous release candidate version of the specification for ITK3.
This specification may be subject to controlled future changes.
release candidate ITK3 2.6.0-rc 8 November 2018 Previous release candidate version of the specification for ITK3.
This specification may be subject to controlled future changes.
beta ITK3 2.5.0-beta 17 August 2018 Beta version of the specification for ITK3.

Warning: beta specifications are still subject to some changes, but these changes are done under an RFC / CCN process and with consultation with first of type vendors.

ITK 2.2

The table below contains the live version of the ITK 2.2 specification.

These specifications are deemed to be stable enough for implementation.

All versions are based on the HL7 V3 standard.

Status Release version Release date Details
live ITK 2.2-Live May 2016 Overview of ITK 2.2
live  ITK 2.2 architecture specifications May 2016 ITK 2.2 full specification

ITK 2.1

The table below contains the live version of the ITK 2.1 specification.

These specifications are deemed to be stable enough for implementation.

All versions are based on the HL7 V3 standard.

Status Release version Release date Details
live  ITK 2.1 architecture-final
(zip file download)		 23-Jun-2014 ITK 2.1 full specification

Associated specifications

Transfer of Care Document Payloads

Transfer of Care payloads that can be sent via ITK3.

Development and testing tooling

Clinical Document Viewer Tool

The Clinical Document Viewer Tool allows rendering of FHIR documents and included resources.

Note: Supplied “as is” for the purpose of testing and development only. This tool is not integral to any formal conformance or assurance. Documents and resources rendered successfully using this tool may not be valid against NHS Digital specifications. It is not provided for inclusion in any Transfer of Care production system.

Exemplar Stylesheet

The Exemplar Stylesheet (XSLT) is a sample stylesheet for rendering a FHIR Document (XML to HTML).

Note: this is supplied “as is” for the purpose of testing and development only. Documents which are rendered successfully using this stylesheet may not be valid against the NHS Digital specifications and this stylesheet forms no part of any conformance or assurance. This stylesheet may be used, modified or adapted as required by implementers but solely at their own risk.

ITK3 Test Harness

The ITK Test Harness is a synthetic receiver of ITK3 Documents and Messages that supports the response and error behaviour defined in the ITK3 Message Distribution specification.

Last edited: 8 February 2023 9:48 am