Guidance to support directory of service (DoS) review

NHS England is working towards the implementation of a standardised naming convention for all e-RS services on the e-RS Directory of Service (DoS). This will require all organisations to review and update their services on their DoS to ensure they are appropriately aligned with the new speciality and clinic types.

Release update

The e-RS release on 23 June 2026 introduced the DoS mapping tool for service definers, enabling services to be mapped to the new specialty and clinic types. 

The mapping tool enables organisations to progress to the next step within e-RS following the work undertaken using the guidance below. 

Using the support guidance and information below, providers should have already commenced a review of their e-RS DoS.

Demo video 

Watch the DoS mapping tool video.

Question and answer sessions 

A series of question and answer (Q& A) sessions have been scheduled following the release of the mapping tool. These sessions provide an opportunity to ask any questions related to the tool.

Service definers are encouraged to review the demo video, explore the mapping tool using their own service definer login and review the frequently asked questions on FutureNHS (login required) before booking a session.

Each Q&A session will be limited to 5 attendees, so please only book a slot onto one of the sessions if assistance is required.

Guidance for providers

Guidance to support providers with their DoS review has been created. It includes service mapping options which should be considered, based on how providers have set-up their DoS. Providers also need to ensure a minimum of one named consultant is added to legal right to choice services. 

Additionally, providers can also download documents to support their DoS Review. These documents are available on the FuturesNHS/e-RS site (login required) and include:

1. New Specialities or Clinic Type terms – the terms workbook contains all the new specialities and clinic type terms you will need map your services on the e-RS DoS. These terms have been clinically reviewed with Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) clinical colleagues and other national clinical leads. 

2. DoS Mapping Template – to assist providers with their DoS review and mapping to the new terms prior to the mapping tool being available, a DoS review template is available for download. Once downloaded, providers can filter the list by their organisation to display all services with their current speciality and clinic types. They can then navigate along to specify the new e-RS speciality and clinic type(s) for their existing services. The new terms in the template align with the main workbook, which can be used for reference. Providers can then update in e-RS when the mapping tool is available. This template shows the status of e-RS services at the end of the relevant month. A new version will be uploaded at the start of each month – however, the ‘new’ specialty and clinic type fields will always be blank, so providers will need to merge the information with any that has been recorded locally. 

If you require further information or assistance, please contact [email protected].