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 feeds forum, 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. You can also share ideas and ask questions in our forum.
Working in partnership via content syndication
Each month, around 10 million people access NHS Choices content via more than 400 partner websites, applications and other internet connected devices, including over 200 NHS organisations and local authorities, Microsoft, Mind, 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. The content and data is supplied in .xml, which you can integrate with any web solution, and can also be used to power mobile applications, smart TV channels and others.
The API key supplied to you as part of your integration will allow you to access the feeds. Videos are accessed by embedding them directly from the site, or we can build you a multiplayer containing multiple videos. For more guidance, read our Syndication video blog. Please note we no longer supply videos in hard copy format. If you wish use any of our tools, read the Tool Usage guidance and let your syndication manager know which ones you require.
Please contact Matt George (matt.george1@nhs.net) if you are working for local government, an NHS organisation or a charity.
Please contact Richard Moore (richard.moore@dh.gsi.gov.uk) if you are working for a commercial organisation and/or are interested in app development.
How to register
To get access to NHS Choices syndicated content, simply fill in the registration provided under the heading Register as organisation.
Widgets
Content via syndication should be simple to integrate, assuming you have access to someone with the requisite technical knowledge – 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) and Live Well (healthy living advice). 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.
