ICE Interoperablity is a set of web services that have been developed as a result of a supplier driven co-operative. The service is designed for an environment where a browser based interaction is used to place requests or view results. ICE is the host system for managing the placement of requests and the viewing of results. Third party systems can then use the web services to call ICE modules direct from their own system. There is a commitment from all GP Suppliers, to support the interfaces. The interfaces are also suitable for use by third party suppliers.

The services consist of a combination of online applications and SOAP applications. They allow request messages to be passed as a query string in a browser or as input to a SOAP call. When data is passed via a browser, the resulting web page displayed, is appropriate to the service requested. When data is passed via a SOAP call, the SOAP response is either an XML data stream or for an online application, a message which contains the URL, which the calling application should then launch in a browser. For online applications only (whether called via query string or SOAP), any messages generated as a result of user interaction (test Order) are returned in a hidden element in a given page. The calling application must be able to recognise the document complete event for this page and extract the xml message from the hidden frame. For SOAP connection all messages created are retrieved by a further SOAP call. All XML messages used to drive the service have been developed using HL7 V3 using UK CMETS for AgentRole and Patient which in turn have been developed for GP2GP links.

The following online service applications are currently supported by ICE Interoperability