The future of the NHS e-Referral Service

Thanks to user feedback, the NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS) is continually improving to make it easier, quicker and more convenient to use. Find out about the improvements we're making and our user feedback process.

NHS e-Referral Service vision

"To provide NHS and partner organisations with a referral service that empowers patients to obtain the best care - first time, every time."

NHS e-Referral Service principles

Enabling patients and professionals to manage referrals in partnership.

Providing a single source of information on referrals and bookings into health and social care services.

Providing a standard tool to support the management of health and social care referrals.

Supporting patients in completing referral and booking transactions online, including provision of assisted digital options.

Making data and information readily available to support patient choice, clinical pathways and health and social care planning.

Simplifying the referral process and supporting national standards of integration and interoperability.

Promoting a modern approach to software design and development.

Developing a high-quality solution that delivers significant benefits and makes the NHS more efficient.

Future service roadmap

The e-RS service is constantly being developed and improved. We are regularly adding new features based on research and data insights.

Our roadmaps show what we are working on right now and what we plan to do in the future. Some of these things may change over time.

We maintain two roadmaps:

Referrals & Appointments (R&A) roadmap covers service-specific work
Manage R&A overarching roadmap sets out our shared priorities, planned outcomes, and how our work fits together.

Find out about changes in our next e-RS update and detailed information on key planned changes.

Research

If users indicate that they would like to be included in the research process, they will be contacted by the e-RS programme research team when work is underway in the relevant functional area so they can be involved alongside other users.

Note: if you are a patient and you have a query regarding your referral or hospital appointment, please contact your GP, GP Practice, or hospital for further assistance.

Last edited: 7 August 2026 7:44 am