Healthdirect National Health Services Directory vs NHS Service Finder

Healthdirect National Health Services Directory (NHSD) provides nationally consistent information about health and related services to help consumers make appropriate choices. It makes 150,000 services accessible and is searched more than 2.2 million times each month across platforms. Listings can include location, contact details, hours, appointment availability, delivery mode, practitioner information, referrals, accessibility, payment options and secure messaging details. Healthdirect offers integrations through FHIR APIs, an embeddable widget and the Provider Appointments API. The responsive widget lets people search for services and can be placed on a webpage or in a mobile app using a code snippet. The appointments API supports real-time availability and online bookings through booking-provider integrations. Directory data aligns with the FHIR Australian Provider Directory Standard and uses SNOMED CT-AU terminology. Integration partner access is listed at free. Services maintain their own listings and are advised to review them at least every 12 months. New service types must meet eligibility criteria, including support by SNOMED CT-AU, community relevance and a trusted aggregate data source.

NHS Service Finder is a web service for health and social care professionals in England to locate NHS services and direct patients to suitable care. It covers more than 160 searchable service types, including GP surgeries, pharmacies, urgent treatment centres, mental health services and social care. Service listings can include contact details, eligibility criteria, referral instructions, maps and directions; public service information can also be emailed to patients. Information comes from the Urgent and Emergency Care Directory of Services and the NHS website. Search results may vary with the information regional teams have completed, and local commissioning can affect their breadth and quality. The service works on mobile, tablet and desktop with an internet connection and is free to use. Access requires a Care Identity (CIS2), and NHS England’s Service Finder uses multi-factor authentication. Users need individual accounts; shared accounts are no longer supported. It operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with support from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays.