NHS Service Finder is a free web service for health and social care professionals in England to locate local NHS services and guide patients to appropriate care. It covers over 160 searchable service types, including GP surgeries, pharmacies, urgent treatment centres, mental health services, and social care. Service records can provide contact details, eligibility criteria, referral instructions, maps, and directions; public service information can be emailed to patients. Information comes from the Urgent and Emergency Care Directory of Services and the NHS website. Results depend on the information regional teams have completed, and local commissioning can affect their quality and breadth. The service works on mobile, tablet, or desktop with an internet connection. Access requires a Care Identity (CIS2), and NHS England’s Service Finder uses multi-factor authentication. Each user must have an individual account; shared accounts are no longer supported. It operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, while support is available weekdays from 8am to 6pm, excluding bank holidays.
Who it is for
It is intended for professionals working in health or social care settings in England, not for personal or general public use. Users need an internet connection and individual Care Identity access.
What is good
- Searches over 160 service types.
- Shows eligibility and referral information alongside contact details.
- Works on mobile, tablet, and desktop.
- Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
What to know first
- Access requires a Care Identity (CIS2).
- Shared accounts are no longer supported.
- Results depend on regional information and local commissioning.
- Support is limited to weekday hours, excluding bank holidays.
Verdict
NHS Service Finder offers professionals in England a free way to find local services and share public service information with patients. Its usefulness depends partly on regional data completion, and access requires individual authentication.
Get started with NHS Service Finder
- Open the NHS Service Finder website.
- Create an individual account; shared accounts are not supported.
- Use a Care Identity (CIS2) to access the service.
- Complete multi-factor authentication.
- Search for local services from a mobile, tablet, or desktop with an internet connection.
What the free plan stops at
The free plan is for health and social care professionals in England. Search breadth and quality depend on the information regional teams have completed and on local commissioning.
Questions about NHS Service Finder
Is NHS Service Finder free?
Yes. The Free plan is free.
Who can use NHS Service Finder?
It is available to professionals working in a health or social care setting in England. It is not intended for personal or general public use.
What devices can I use it on?
It is a web service that works on mobile, tablet, or desktop devices with an internet connection.
What is required to access the service?
Access requires a Care Identity (CIS2), and NHS England’s Service Finder uses multi-factor authentication.
Can people share an account?
No. Shared accounts used by multiple people are no longer supported; each user needs an individual account.
When is the service available, and when can I contact support?
The service operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Support is available from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays, by email or on 0300 303 5035 for urgent queries.
NHS Service Finder plans and pricing
All plansCompared on healthcare provider directories
- Free plan
- Yes
