Keeping your information up to date (DOS)

The Directory of Services (DoS) is a central directory of information, maintained by NHS Digital, which provides NHS 111 call handlers and others with real-time information about services available to support patients.

Pharmacies’ services and opening hours are included within the DoS and it is important to the efficient working of NHS 111 and some other urgent care providers that information on pharmacy services is accurate to allow patients to be appropriately referred to community pharmacies.

DoS is not publicly available, as it contains some private information, such as telephone numbers for use only by healthcare professionals, but pharmacy teams can access DoS via various web-based systems.

Pharmacy contractors can check or amend the information in their DoS profile through the NHS Profile Manager

From 9th November 2020, under the NHS Terms of Service, contractors must ensure that the DoS profile for their pharmacy is comprehensive and accurate. Additionally contractors must verify and, where necessary, update the information contained within the pharmacy profile at least once each quarter of the financial year.

The NHS financial quarters are 1st April to 30th June, 1st July to 30th September, 1st October to 31st December and 1st January to 31st March.

Amending or verifying a pharmacy profile creates a record in the NHS Profile Manager which will act as evidence to NHS England that these actions have been undertaken. NHS Digital will prepare a report for NHS England of the contractors that have made a submission to the NHS Profile Manager each quarter, which will be used for contract management purposes.

For more information visit the CPE website Directory of Services (DoS) – Community Pharmacy England (cpe.org.uk)