How to Get an NHS.uk Domain for Your GP Practice

What Is an NHS.uk Domain?

An NHS.uk domain (e.g. yourpractice.nhs.uk) is the official web address format for NHS organisations in England. It replaced the older .nhs.net addresses for public-facing websites and signals to patients that your site is a legitimate, verified NHS service.

Having an NHS.uk domain builds instant trust. Patients know they are on an official site, search engines give it authority, and it aligns with NHS England branding requirements.

Who Can Get One?

NHS.uk domains are available to:

• GP practices registered with NHS England
• Primary Care Networks (PCNs)
• NHS Trusts and Foundation Trusts
• Clinical Commissioning Groups (now Integrated Care Boards)
• Other NHS-funded organisations

Individual clinicians, private practices, and non-NHS organisations cannot register an NHS.uk domain.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

You must be a registered NHS organisation with an ODS (Organisation Data Service) code. You can look up your ODS code on the NHS Digital ODS portal.

Step 2: Choose Your Domain Name

Your domain should follow NHS naming conventions:

• Use your practice name as it appears in the ODS directory
• Keep it short and memorable
• Avoid abbreviations that patients would not recognise
• Example: stmarysgpsurgery.nhs.uk

Step 3: Submit Your Application

Applications are managed by NHS Digital (now NHS England). You will need:

• Your ODS code
• The domain name you want
• Contact details of the practice manager or IT lead
• Confirmation that you have a website hosting provider ready

Submit your request through the NHS.uk domain registration service.

Step 4: DNS Configuration

Once approved, you will receive DNS records to configure with your hosting provider. This typically involves:

• Setting A records or CNAME records to point to your web server
• Configuring MX records if you want email on the same domain
• Setting up an SSL certificate for HTTPS

Step 5: Go Live

After DNS propagation (usually 24-48 hours), your site will be accessible on your new NHS.uk domain. Make sure to:

• Set up 301 redirects from your old domain
• Update Google Search Console with the new address
• Notify NHS Choices / Find a GP to update your listing

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Not setting up redirects — your old domain may still have search rankings and backlinks. Redirect them or lose that SEO value.
• Forgetting email — if you want @yourpractice.nhs.uk email, configure MX records at the same time.
• Slow hosting — an NHS.uk domain on slow shared hosting still gives a poor patient experience.

How Simpliy Helps

We handle the entire process for our clients:

• Domain application and liaison with NHS Digital
• DNS configuration and SSL setup
• 301 redirects from your old domain
• Search engine resubmission

It is included at no extra cost as part of our website packages.

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