Provider organisations - support materials for using the NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS)

If you've not implemented e-RS, find out how to get started

Please note a technical issue is currently preventing the video links working, we are working to resolve this.  Please contact [email protected] for support.

Read the best practice guideline for provider users.

Different channels for referring patients

Find out about the following different channels available in e-RS via which providers may wish to consider:

• advice and guidance model
• referral assessment service model
• directly bookable service model

Setting up services

Read the guidance to support creating and maintaining services on the Directory of Services (DoS).

To assist specific clinical teams to set up services correctly, so that referrals can be directed to them and be managed appropriately, review information on slot reservation and setting up slots which will provide additional knowledge.

The resources linked below will allow you to find out more about:

• using the referrals for review worklist to review referrals
• how best to manage and minimise appointment slot issues
• the advice and guidance function
• reviewing referral assessment service referrals
• the 'Request Admin to Rebook' function
• how to manage clinical assessment service referrals
• what displaced appointments are and how they can be appropriately managed by service providers
• clinical responsibility when delegating responsibility for referring, accepting, redirecting or rejecting NHS e-Referrals to a non-clinician
• pathway start times

As services develop or situations change, there are times when aspects of the referral process may alter for provider organisations. The links below detail:

• how to amend or replace a patient administration system (PAS)
• how to move to a directly bookable service
• how services on e-RS can be transferred from one provider organisation to another  
• if an e-RS update could impact the way providers work

Virtual overview training sessions covering different user roles are undertaken regularly and can be registered onto from our website.

A training environment is available which mirrors live e-RS and allows training on a life-like system, without the risk of accessing or altering real data. Find out more about getting access.