We’re pleased to share that we have launched a new Patient Portal called Alder Connect on 24th April 2026.
Once you have registered, you can access Alder Connect below
Alder Connect will provide a single, secure digital front door for families to manage and engage with aspects of their child’s care, gradually replacing traditional patient letters.
Designed specifically for children and young people, the portal will allow those with parental responsibility to access key information in one convenient place, rather than across multiple systems currently used.
Some families will receive a text message inviting them to register for Alder Connect so please keep an eye out for it and follow the instructions to get started.
Please ensure your contact details are accurate on your child’s medical record through your GP.
Step by step – how to registerFrequently asked questions
What is Alder Connect?
Alder Connect is our Patient Portal. It is a secure online service that allows people with parental responsibility to access and manage parts of their child’s care in one place.
Is this the same as the NHS App?
No. The Patient Portal is designed specifically for children and young people. It offers features not currently available in the NHS App for paediatric patients, such as flexible proxy access and earlier access to secondary care information.
Who can use the Alder Connect?
People with parental responsibility for a child or young person receiving care at Alder Hey. For phase one, this will be a person with parental responsibility; in later phases, it will allow multiple persons with parental responsibility and include options for foster carers.
Will I have access to all of my children under one account, or do I need a separate account for each child?
Yes, one parent will have access to multiple children under the same parental responsibility, under the same account. However, initially, one parent will have access to those accounts under a single username, e.g., mum. In the future, you can have the option of mum and dad each having an account, with access to those children’s details.
Why do you need to check parental responsibility?
Parental responsibility checks help keep children and young people’s information safe and ensure only authorised people can access records.
Why can’t I see everything yet?
Features on Alder Connect are being introduced in phases. Some information and features will become available later as the portal develops. For phase one, you will be able to view appointment letters and also manage your appointments, including confirming, cancelling or requesting the rescheduling of appointments.
Why can’t I see my clinical letters from previous appointments
They are being added periodically and should all be visible by the end of May at the latest. If you need to view previous clinical letters, please refer to our previous portal, which is still switched on until all letters are transferred.
Why haven’t I received an invitation to register?
Registration is currently invitation-only and linked to upcoming appointments. Wider access will follow as the portal continues to roll out.
Can more than one carer have access?
Yes, but this will only be available in later stages of the Portal, estimated for summer 2026, and only where parental responsibility is confirmed. Access is carefully managed to protect children and young people’s information.
What information can I see right now?
Depending on your child’s care and the rollout stage, you may be able to view appointments, clinic letters, and key health information, such as allergies.
Will I be able to see test results?
Some test results will be available in later phases. Not all results will appear immediately, and your care team will explain results where needed.
Will past hospital letters be put on this new system?
The aim is for users registered in the current system to be able to view their previous clinical letters from March 2026. For new users, as they will have received these previous letters by paper, their clinical letters will be going forward.
Can I message my child’s clinical team?
Messaging will be introduced gradually and used appropriately. It does not replace appointments or urgent contact routes.
If printed versions of letters are required, who can we contact?
If you need a printed letter, e.g. for school, you can discuss it with your clinical team, but we would encourage you to use the Portal. However, people who cannot access the Portal, for example, if they don’t have access to the internet, will continue to receive paper correspondence.
Can I upload photos or videos?
Photo and video sharing will be added in a later phase and should only be used when requested by a clinician.
Does the portal replace appointments or phone calls?
No. Alder Connect supports care but does not replace appointments, phone calls or urgent services.
What should I do if the information looks wrong?
If you think information is incorrect, phone your care team so it can be reviewed and updated.
Is my child’s information safe?
Yes. It uses secure NHS systems, and access is tightly controlled.
What if my child no longer receives care from Alder Hey?
Access will be linked to active care. Information shown may change over time depending on your child’s care journey.
What if I need help using the Alder Connect?
Guidance will be available once you receive your invitation, and further support will be provided as the portal develops.
How do I register?
At the moment, registration will be via a text message invite. Please keep a lookout for it.
Accessibility video
The video below demonstrates how to access accessibility functions in Alder Connect.
Pre-registration
What is pre-registration?
Pre-registration will enable families to create an account on Alder Connect before the portal officially goes live. This will mean that, from go-live, the pre-registered families will have instant access to their hospital-related information (appointment letters and clinic letters) digitally via this platform.
How can I pre-register for Alder Connect?
The pre-registration is being managed by Alder Hey, initially inviting families to register in small groups.
The first group of invites will be sent to users who have previously registered for the Healthcare Comms portal to view clinic letters from Alder Hey electronically.
Following this, patients with upcoming appointments will be invited to pre-register.
Why can I not see any of my child’s appointment information when I sign in?
As this is a pre-registration phase, no clinical information will be viewable until the official go-live.
Do I have to pre-register for the portal?
You do not have to register for the portal, but registering is the only way to receive information digitally. Also, there will be many new features coming to the portal, so by registering, you will have access to them as they go live. If you chose not to register, you would continue to receive paper appointment letters.
Can another person with parental responsibility for the child or young person also register for an account?
Initially, only one person can register an account for each child. In a later phase, the system will allow additional people with parental responsibility to access the child’s account.
Can I add multiple children to my account?
Yes, you can add multiple children to your account. Although you will need to register them at the point of receiving a link to do so. This is because each patient needs to be signed up with a unique link.
When will the portal be live?
The team are working hard at the moment, whilst pre-registration is in progress, to ensure the portal is ready for go-live. The go-live date is currently planned for 31st March.
Why haven’t I received an invitation to register?
Pre-registration is currently by invitation only. Wider access will follow as the portal continues to roll out.