NHS Pathways vs NICE CKS (2025): Telephone Triage vs Primary Care Management

Last reviewed: 2025-12-19 · Reviewed by

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At a Glance

Who is it for?

NHS Pathways:Call Handlers

NICE CKS:GPs / Nurses

Why choose NHS Pathways?

  • **Risk Averse**: Prioritises safety over precision.
  • **Symptom-Based**: Starts with 'Chest Pain', not 'Angina'.
  • **Outcome**: Ambulance / ED / GP Appointment.

Why choose NICE CKS?

  • **Diagnosis-Based**: Starts with 'Stable Angina'.
  • **Holistic**: Covers lifestyle, drugs, and follow-up.
  • **Expert**: Assumes user is a clinician.

Feature Comparison

CapabilityNHS PathwaysNICE CKS
InputSymptomsDiagnosis
ContextUrgent Care / PhoneRoutine Care / Clinic

In-Depth Analysis

Overview

NHS Pathways is used before the patient sees a doctor, to decide if they need one. NICE CKS is used by the doctor, to decide how to treat them.

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Use-Cases

Patient with 10/10 Pain

When to choose NHS Pathways

  • **Winner.** Rapid triage to emergency services.

When to choose NICE CKS

  • Not designed for emergencies.

Medication Review

When to choose NHS Pathways

  • N/A

When to choose NICE CKS

  • **Winner.** Detailed guidance on monitoring.