Syndication

This page gives you a complete overview of NHS Choices syndicated content. Please visit it regularly to find out about the latest syndication developments. In addition, have a look at the syndication blogs, where you can find details of all feeds and features, videos, helpful hints and tips, and examples of how different partners are using NHS Choices syndicated content.

Working in partnership via content syndication

Each month, around 10 million people access NHS Choices content via more than 600 partner websites, applications and other internet-connected devices, including more than 200 NHS organisations, local authorities and commercial companies such as Microsoft, Mumsnet and Boots.

Our free syndication programme allows partners to embed NHS Choices content (including multimedia tools and more than 900 videos) within their websites, negating the need for in-house development or external signposting. In the past year, 50 million people have viewed NHS content via partner websites. For example, Microsoft uses our content to power its mobile Health Choices application, and Myria Systems has implemented the information across a range of GP websites.

What is NHS Choices syndication?

Syndication allows you to pull content from the NHS Choices website via a feed. This means that any information you syndicate will remain up-to-date, regardless of any changes we make. This content spans the website, meaning you can pull in single articles on a condition, or whole chunks of information on stopping smoking or weight loss. We have four content formats available for syndication:

Feeds – The content and data is supplied in .xml, which you can integrate with any web solution and add any styling desired. It can also be used to power mobile applications, smart TV channels and others. You will need someone with the requisite technical knowledge to manage the feeds integration. Once you fill in the application form, you will be given an API key which will allow you to access the feeds and the necessary documentation to guide you through the process. For more guidance, visit our syndication blogs.

Videos – The videos are accessed by embedding them directly from the site, or we can build you a multiplayer containing multiple videos. When you fill in the application form, inform us about your needs and we will try to respond to your requirements. Browse our video library or read our syndication video blog for more guidance. Please note we no longer supply videos in hard copy format.

Tools – If you wish to use any of our tools, read the Tool Usage guidance and let your syndication manager know which ones you require.

Widgets – Content via syndication should be simple to integrate, assuming you have access to someone with the requisite technical knowledge as it will involve writing back-end script such as PHP, .NET, etc. If you don't have this knowledge or access to it, you can use our widgets to integrate Services near you (directory of health and social care services), Health A-Z (conditions and treatments explained), Live Well (healthy living advice) and Care and support (social care and dementia). The widgets are easy to configure and use, and work by giving you embedding code to add to your webpages, producing the desired widget. For further information, see our Syndication widget area or contact your syndication manager.

How to register

If you are an organisation looking to use NHS Choices content on your digital platforms, simply fill in the registration form provided under the Register as an organisation heading.

If you are an individual or developer and wish to get access to NHS Choices syndicated content, please fill in the registration form for individuals in the tab above.

If you wish to use videos for educational purposes or want more information about our syndication services for research purposes, you don't need to fill in the form: simply get in touch with us.

Contact the NHS Choices Service Desk (nhschoicesservicedesk@nhs.net) for any enquiries.

For more updates, follow us on Twitter: @NHSCSyndication