Making integration easier

We’re improving the way APIs are designed, delivered and supported across NHS England so it’s easier to build safe, consistent and interoperable services.

Our aim is to remove duplication and provide a clearer, more predictable experience for anyone integrating with NHS systems.

We are improving the API experience across the full lifecycle - from learning and building to testing, onboarding and running services in production.

Learn easily

• Clear, accessible online documentation.
• Tutorials, examples and sandboxes to help you explore APIs early.

Build easily

• Simple, secure, internet‑facing APIs.
• Use of open standards such as REST, FHIR and OAuth 2.0.
• Consistent clinical coding standards, including SNOMED CT, dm+d, ICD, OPCS and UTL.
• Secure authentication through NHS CIS2 and NHS login.

Test easily

• Self‑service test environments with clear instructions.
• Early‑stage sandboxes to support development before integration.

Onboard easily

• A streamlined digital onboarding process.
• Mandatory checks focused on clinical safety, privacy and security.

Get help easily

• Self‑service tools wherever possible.
• Responsive support when you need it.

Run easily

• High availability for production APIs.
• Tools for monitoring API health and performance.

By reducing friction across the integration journey, we aim to help you:

• deliver new digital services more quickly
• rely on APIs that are secure, stable and consistent
• spend less time navigating technical barriers
• focus on creating value for health and care users

Our goal is to make integration simpler, more predictable and better supported across the NHS.

To ensure consistency across our APIs, we follow a set of policies and best‑practice guidelines for design, development and delivery. These help ensure that APIs are secure, reliable and aligned with national standards.

For more details, see API policies and best practice.

Visit the Developer and integration hub to explore documentation, APIs and integration guidance.