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Introduction

Introduction

July 2023: We updated this guide to reflect changes to the syndication service since it was first launched. For further details, see update information.

The NICE syndication service encourages commercial and non-commercial third parties from the UK and overseas to use the unique repository of national content and advice we produce in their own systems and services. This guide outlines the types of content available through syndication and shows you how to navigate the application programming interface (API) to identify, access and easily extract the content you require for your own applications, systems and platforms.

Our aim is to formalise and control the distribution of NICE content through a quality-assured service, limiting unauthorised use by openly providing content suitable for integration and presentation. Benefits include links with NICE and the use of our logo, where appropriate, within your application or system. All NICE content is periodically reviewed and updated, and you will automatically get updated content when using the service.

Caching the information is recommended, refreshing it as agreed with NICE. The usual timeframes for caching are:

  • immediately at the request of NICE, or

  • for page views by feed: no less than once every 24 hours, and

  • for all other information: no less than once every 7 days.

The licensed guidance content can be used for decision support tools, interactive tools, resource discovery services, websites, mobile apps, research, and more.

Our site is designed as a representational state transfer (REST) interface, for developers and content integrators to explore the services we have available and understand how to access and use the NICE API.

The syndication feed for our guidance is currently available in:

  • text/html

  • application/atom+xml

  • application/vnd.nice.syndication.services+json

  • application/vnd.nice.syndication.services+xml.

Please note that access to NICE syndicated content through the API will need someone with technical knowledge to interrogate the syndication feed and manage integration, including an ability to work with and consume .xml using a backend scripting technology. The section on using your API key to explore NICE's content offers technical advice on how to use the API. You can also view this information by clicking 'help' at the top of all content pages accessed through the API.

What NICE content is available for syndication?

Subject to a licence agreement with NICE, the syndication service currently grants access to NICE guidance, including quality standards and information for the public (summaries written in plain language).

Links to all products available through syndication on the NICE website can be found in appendix A.

Box 1 Summary of NICE guidance available for syndication

  • antimicrobial prescribing guidelines

  • cancer service guidelines

  • clinical guidelines

  • COVID-19 rapid guidelines

  • medicines practice guidelines

  • NICE guidelines

  • public health guidelines

  • safe staffing guidelines

  • social care guidelines

  • diagnostics guidance

  • health technology evaluation guidance

  • highly specialised technologies guidance

  • interventional procedures guidance

  • medical technologies guidance

  • technology appraisal guidance

  • quality standards

  • information for the public.

'NICE guidelines' refers to evidence-based recommendations for health and care in England, which are also applicable to Wales, and includes the other guideline categories listed in box 1, such as clinical, public health and social care guidelines. Updated guidelines that were originally published before 2015 are republished as part of this category under an NG number. If they are not substantially updated, they retain their original number and category (for example, CG or PH).

How to apply

Applications can be submitted at any time, and each application is considered on its own merits. To apply, first complete an application form, available on the how to apply section of the NICE syndication API page, and agree to the generic terms of one of the 4 licence formats.

Applications should be sent to syndication@nice.org.uk and are considered monthly. An assessment based on your application will be circulated to our internal review panel and inform the eventual licence use case, so please provide as much detail as possible.

We are happy to receive additional information outside of the form if you feel this would be helpful. Please also note that commercial applicants will need to complete a confidential due diligence form if the application is successful but not for a 'test' licence.

The syndication process is outlined in box 2, and the 4 types of licensing arrangement are summarised in table 1.

Box 2 The NICE syndication process

1. Application

Domestic and international commercial/non-commercial third parties are assessed based on:

  • impact on NICE resources

  • strategic fit with NICE's syndication objectives

  • risk to NICE business activity

  • legitimacy of business model (if applicable)

  • UK versus international use.

2. Licence options

  • test (3 months)

  • pilot (12 months)

  • full (4 years)

  • metadata (4 years).

3. Access

Syndication API.

4. Content available for syndication

NICE guidance.

Table 1 Summary of NICE syndication licences

Licence type

Duration

Purpose

Service fee

Full

4 years, with an option to renew for 2 sequential 12-month periods, subject to agreement in writing

Permits use of NICE content in live products, systems and platforms

See table 2

Metadata only

4 years, with an option to renew for 2 sequential 12-month periods, subject to agreement in writing

Permits use of NICE guidance metadata in products and services on a domestic and international basis

No fee is applicable

Pilot

12 months maximum

Allows the applicant to test the market with a newly developed product

See table 2

Test

3 months

Allows the applicant to test the feasibility of developing a product from both a content and technical perspective. The licence is applicable to both domestic and international settings

No fee is applicable

The full and pilot licences are the same, except that the pilot licence gives the applicant more time to evaluate the content and their product with potential users than the 'test' licence below. The generic licences can be found in the licences section of the NICE syndication API page. The international full and pilot licences form part of the generic international content licence.

After reviewing an initial application, NICE can issue a short-term test licence (maximum 3 months) for initial evaluation purposes on both a domestic and international basis, or the applicant can request this at the outset. Please note that any subsequent international use of NICE content, outside of metadata use, will be subject to the non-negotiable fees in table 2.

Applications must include details of the proposed use and can be accompanied by supporting information such as screenshots.

Table 2 Overseas syndication charges (including access to updates)

Pilot licence (12 months)

£40,000 (payable on signature)

Full licence (4 years)

  • Year 1: £40,000 (payable on signature)

  • Year 2: £40,000

  • Year 3: £40,000

  • Year 4: £40,000.

These fees are subject to VAT at the prevailing rate if paid from the UK.

It is the client's responsibility to obtain any information on local taxes/customs duties. If applicable, any taxes, duty or bond will be payable by the client. Withholding tax (WHT) will be added to the quote/invoice if applicable within a specific territory.

These fees are currently subject to review.

Please note that under the terms of the NICE UK open content licence, there is no fee for providing content through the NICE syndication service if it is only used in the UK.