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Directory of Services

The Directory of Services (DoS) is a database that is set up and maintained by Healthcare providers which gives real time information on what services are available across all care settings in the region. By using real time information patients can be directed to the most appropriate local service. Services can vary depending on the time of day, demand and what services are available. 

When we receive a call in to the 111 service, it is triaged using the NHS Pathways system, which is linked into the DoS.  During triage we collect information including the patient’s age, gender, current location and the symptoms they have. The Pathways system will use the information provided to automatically search the DoS and establish the most appropriate service for referral. This may mean that the closest service may not always be the most appropriate place for the patient to be seen.  For example X-ray services may only be available at certain times of the day in some hospitals and not others or the nearest service may not have the capacity to accept more patients.