NHS Information

• Official main NHS websites
• How the NHS is organised, run and funded
• NHS departments, hospitals, health authorities, etc
• Professional health care associations
• Other agencies concerned with health care

Official main NHS websites

• England
• Scotland
• Wales
• Northern Ireland

These official gateway sites include information about NHS organisations, local NHS services, what the NHS does, how it works, and how to use it. You can search for details of doctors, dentists, opticians, pharmacies, walk-in centres, hospitals, etc. You can look at performance indicators to see how your local services are doing, waiting times, etc.

 NHS Direct online

Site complementing the NHS Direct telephone information service for England (0845 4647 - 24 hours).

 NHS Direct online Wales

Site complementing the NHS Direct telephone information service for Wales (0845 4647 - 24 hours) including health features, healthcare guide, conditions and treatments, etc.

 NHS 24

Site complementing the NHS Direct telephone information service for Scotland (08454 24 24 24 - 24 hours) including health features, healthcare guide, conditions and treatments, etc.

 Department of Health

The main website of the Department of Health.

How the NHS is organised, run and funded

 About the NHS

Lots of information about the NHS including: Structure; Core principles; History; Regulation; Constitution; The NHS Number. From teh main NHS site.

 A Junior Doctor's Guide to the NHS

Written for Junior Doctors - but of interest to all. Clarifies how the NHS works, its structure, PCTs, Trusts, how it is regulated, etc, etc.

 Patient Information Centre

From the website of the Royal College of General Practitioners. Includes sections called 'Understanding General Practice' and 'Using GP services (Your Surgery)'

NHS departments, hospitals, health authorities, etc

 Care Quality Commission

The Care Quality Commission is the independent regulator of health and social care in England. Their aim is to make sure better care is provided for everyone, whether that's in hospital, in care homes, in people's own homes, or elsewhere.

 Direct Gov

Directgov is the place to turn to for the latest and widest range of public service information. Other sites that provide NHS information.

 Directory (web, postal and other) of UK Healthcare Providers

Web Links and Lists of Postal Addresses and Contacts for NHS Hospitals, Trusts and other Healthcare Providers. A link to Tagish services.

 Directory of GP websites (1)

Links to 750+ doctors websites and the addresses of thousands of other surgeries and health centres in the British Isles.

 Directory of GP websites (2)

More than 420 GP practices with web sites listed. Is your doctor on-line yet? As well as practice details, many GP web sites also include information on common illnesses, healthy living etc.

 Dr Foster - Independent Guide to Healthcare Services

Whether NHS or private, gives some help on comparing healthcare between different hospitals and other providers.

 National Clinical Assessment Authority (NCAA)

The Authority's aim is to provide a support service to health authorities and hospital and community trusts who are faced with concerns over the performance of an individual doctor.

 National PatientSafety Agency

Aims to improve the safety and quality of care through reporting, analysing and learning from adverse incidents and 'near misses' involving NHS patients. The NPSA is an independent body created in July 2001.

 NHS Cancer Screening Programmes

This official site provides information on the NHS Breast Screening Programme, NHS Cervical Screening Programme and the UK Colorectal Cancer Screening Pilot.

 NHS Plus - Health at Work

Delivers clear andconcise information to employers, employees, Occupational Health Providersand NHS staff. It provides a comprehensive resource on workplace risks and health issues and puts employers in touch with their local NHS Plus unit.

 Prescription Pricing Authority

The PPA is an independent Special Health Authority within the NHS. It provides services and information for pharmacists and GPs and administers the NHS Low Income Scheme.

 Scottish Executive - Health

Health information from the Scottish Executive.

Professional health care associations

 Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland

Includes patient information about anaesthesia

 Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Women's Health

Mainly for members but site includes some useful leaflets on a variety of topics.

 Association of Medical Microbiologists

Includes fact sheets on a variety of infectious diseases.

 Association of Respiratory Nurse Specialists

A professional organizationfor respiratory nurse specialists and respiratory nurse consultants whodesire to develop a network, which would enable collaboration betweenprimary and secondary care services and other agencies. This in turn wouldfacilitate a quality seamless service for patients with respiratory diseaseand their carers.

 British Association for Counselling

Among other things it publishes directories and other information to enable those seeking counselling to make an informed choice.

 British Association for Sexual & Relationship Therapy

The UK's leading professional body for sexual and relationship therapists. Objectives are: to advance the education and training of persons who are engaged in sexual, marital and relationship therapy, to promote research in the fields of marriage and other intimate relationships; sexual, marital and relationship therapy; and human sexuality, and to advance the education of the public about sexual, marital and relationship therapy.

 British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons

A professional association but their website includes lots of information for the public about plastic surgery and various surgical operations. Check this site out first before embarking on plastic surgery.

 British Association of Plastic Surgeons

The British Association of Plastic Surgeons BAPS. (This is different to the BAAPS "aesthetic site, and gives an overview of plastic/ reconstructive surgery practice, explaining the wide role of plastic surgeons in burns, tissue loss etc, not just purely aesthetic work.)

 British Association of Psychotherapists

Specialises in individual psychoanalytic psychotherapy for adults, adolescents and children and is one of the foremost psychoanalytic psychotherapy training organisations in the country.

 British Association of Occupational Therapists

The professional association of occupational therapists.

 British Association of Teachers of the Deaf

The professional association for teachers of the deaf. Site includes information for teachers in schools, speech therapists, guidelines etc.

 British Dental Association

Includes fact files for the general public on many aspects of dental health.

 British Dietetic Association

This site provides members and the general public information about the BDA and its work.

 British Institiute of Radiology

A learned society for the radiological sciences.

 British Medical Association (BMA)

Professional body for doctors.

 British Medical Laser Association

A professional association concerned with the use of lasers in medicine but contains a section for non-medical people.

 British Orthodontic Society

General information on Orthodontics, including the aims of orthodontic care, frequently asked questions and description and explanation of the advantages of Orthodontic treatment.

 British Orthopaedic Association

Includes masses of links on orthopaedic related sites (although mainly for the professional)

 British Psychological Society

Exists to promote the advancement of the study of psychology and its applications, and to maintain high standards of professional education and conduct.

 British Society for Disability and Oral Health

A professional society but welcomes contact from disabled people or their carers who have experienced difficulty in obtaining dental care. A register is kept of the specific areas of interest of members, which can be used to put clients in touch with appropriate dental services.

 British Society of Gastroenterology

An organisation focused on the promotion of gastroenterology within the United Kingdom.

 British Society for Rheumatology

Professional organisation but also contains a patient information section on rheumatic disorders, what is a rheumatologist and about seeing a rheumatologist.

 British Thoracic Society

The professional organisation for specialists in chest diseases. The site includes a useful patient information section.

 Chartered Society of Physiotherapy

Aims to support and promote members and their profession.

 College of Optometrists

The professional, scientific and examining body for Optometry in the UK, that works exclusively for the public benefit.

 Council for Psychotherapy (The UK)

A professional association to promote and maintain the profession of psychotherapy. A national register of psychotherapists is published annually

 Florence Nightingale Foundation

Advances the study of nursing and promotes excellence in Nursing practice.

 General Chiropractic Council (GCC)

The UK statutory body with regulatory powers, established by the Chiropracters Act 1994. It has three main duties, to protect the public by establishing and operating a scheme of statutory regulation for chiropractors. To ensure the development of the profession of chiropractic. To promote the profession of chiropractic so that its contribution to the health of the nation is understood and recognized.

 General Optical Council

The General Optical Council (GOC) is the regulator for the opticalprofessions in the UK. Its purpose is to protect the public by promotinghigh standards of education and conduct amongst opticians.

 Health Professions Council (HPC)

Regulatory body responsible for setting and maintaining standards of professional training, performance and conduct of the 12 healthcare professions that it regulates. These are: arts therapy, clinical scientists, chiropody/podiatry, dietetics, medical laboratory science, occupational therapy, orthoptics, physiotherapy, paramedics, speech and language therapy, prosthetics/orthotics, and radiography.

 Independent Midwives Association

The Association exists for the dissemination of information about, and support for, independent midwives, and to lobby for the traditional role of the midwife.

 Institute of Chiropodists & Podiatrists

Principally a site for professionals with details of Foot Health Council.

 Midwives Information and Resource Service (MIDIRS)

Information on midwifery, pregnancy, childbirth, the newborn, and maternity services. statistics, government and official reports, books, conference proceedings, newspaper articles, and consumer information leaflets etc.

 MidwivesOnline.com

This site is a response to the information needs of professional midwives, student midwives and to some extent other related professions such as neonatal nurses and health visitors. The ultimate aim is to ensure that midwives and the Mothers/Families cared for by them, have easy access to user-friendly, relevant, up-to-date information necessary to make decisions about their own and their baby's treatment and care.

 NMAP

A guide to quality Internet resources in Nursing, Midwifery and the Allied health Professions.

 Nursing and Midwifery Council

Nursing and Midwifery Council exists to protect the public by setting standards for education, training and conduct for nurses,midwives and specialist community public health nurses in the UK.

 Renal Association

The Renal Association is the professional body for U K nephrologists. In addition to its twice yearly scientific meetings, the Association plays an active role in the development of renal services within the U.K.

 Royal College of Anaesthetists

A website to help find out more about anaesthesia.

 Royal College of General Practitioners

Includes patient information about illness and disease and how the family doctor service works

 Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecology

Information about the College including details of Courses and Events, Examination regulations and timetables and services for Fellows and Members.

 Royal College of Pathologists

Aims to : Advance the science and practice of pathology, further public education therein, and promote study and research work in pathology and related subjects and publish the results of such study and research.

 Royal College of Physicians

Aims to maintain standards of medical practice in hospitals in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with the aim of assuring quality care for patients.

 Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh

Aims to promote the highest standards in medicine.

 Royal College of Psychiatrists

Their website includes patient information covering conditions such as depression, anxiety, phobias and other psychological problems.

 Royal College of Radiologists

The College's objectives are: the advancement of the science and practice of radiology, the furtherance of public education, and the promotion of study and research.

 Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

Mainly a site for the profession but includes information on access to speech and language therapy services and obtaining names and addresses of private therapists.

 Royal College Surgeons Edinburgh

Information about the college, its history etc

 Royal College of Surgeons of England

Includes some patient information on surgical procedures

 Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain

Performs various roles on behalf of the public and its members.

 Royal College of Nursing

Represents nurses and nursing, promotes excellence in practice and shapes health policies.

 Royal College of Midwives

A professional organisation run by midwives for midwives. Their website give details of information and advice on a wide range of midwifery issues.

 Royal Society of Medicine

Aims to provide a broad range of educational activities and opportunities for doctors, dentists, and veterinary surgeons, including students of these disciplines; and allied health-care professionals.

 Social Care Association

Founded in 1949, the SCA is the leading professional voice for all staff groups in the Social Care service, wherever they work. The main aim of the Association is to promote high standards in Social Care services.

 Society of Chiropodists & Podiatrists

Includes foot health advice for everyone, including children, diabetics & sports enthusiasts How to fit shoes properly.

 Society of Endocrinology

Endocrinology is medicine concerning hormones such as thyroid disorders etc.

 UKCC

United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health visiting. The the regulatory body for nurses, midwives and health visitors. Assuch, it deals with a range of nursing, midwifery and health-relatedissues, many of which will be of interest to the general public.

 Wound Care Society

Aims to assist nurses to provide wound management based on sound research, whilst emphasising the importance of providing total care for the patient

Other agencies and organisations

 Department of Work and Pensions

Comprehensive information on benefits.

 British Red Cross

Cares for vulnerable people everywhere, working in local communities in the UK and many countries overseas. Respond in the wake of major emergencies or disasters, such as train crashes or floods. They also provide a range of services to meet the personal emergencies of individuals.

 Chief Medical Officer

The Government's principal medical adviser and Head of the Medical Civil Service. Located in the Department of Health, the CMO provides medical advice on the widest possible range of matters affecting the nation's health, and in these capacities has direct access to Ministers in all departments. Site includes includes letters and reports.

 Chief Medical Officer (Scottish Executive)

The Scottish Executive's principal medical adviser. The post has direct involvement in the development of health policy in Scotland, including prevention, health promotion, health protection and harm reduction. CMO also has lead responsibility for issues such as clinical effectiveness, quality assurance, accreditation and research, and covers the spectrum of health related issues ranging from Public Health policy to NHS Operations.

 Department for EnvironmentFood and Rural Affairs

The government department which deals with food, air, land, water and people.

 Emergency Medical Services Index

Database listing of UK emergency medical services categorised by Road or Air. A worldwide section is also included.

 Food Standards Agency

The Agency's aim is to make sure the food we eat is safe, and to offer independent, balanced advice.

 General Dental Council

The regulatory body of the dental profession. It protects the public by means of its statutory responsibilities for dental education, registration, professional conduct and health. It supports dentists and dental auxiliaries in the practice of dentistry and encourages their continuing professional development. You can search for registered dentists from this site.

 General Medical Council

Every working doctor needs to be registered on the GMC list. (This is the list a doctor can be 'struck off'). The GMC has strong and effective legal powers designed to maintain the standards the public have a right to expect of doctors.

 Health Protection Agency

The Agency plays a critical role in protecting people from infectious diseases and in preventing harm when hazards involving chemicals, poisons or radiation occur. We also prepare for new and emerging threats, such as a bio-terrorist attack or virulent new strain of disease.

 Health and Safety Executive

The HSE's business is to ensure that risks to people's health and safety from work activities are properly controlled.

 Health Service Ombudsman

Do you have a complaint about the service you have received from the NHS? The Health Service Ombudsman can help you.

 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA)

A statutory body which regulates, licenses and collects data on fertility treatments such as IVF and donor insemination, as well as human embryo research, in the UK.

 International Planned Parenthood Federation, the (IPPF)

Links national autonomous Family Planning Associations (FPAs) in over 150 countries worldwide. It is registered as a charity in the United Kingdom and is the largest voluntary organization in the world to be concerned with family planning and sexual and reproductive health.

 Joint Committee on Postgraduate Training for General Practice

A statutory body which issues certificates to GPs who have successfully completed vocational training in the UK. Contains a searchable list of doctors who have a certificate to practice as a GP.

 Long Term Medical Conditions Alliance

An alliance of 60 voluntary organisations works to ensure the voices of people with long term medical conditions are heard.

 Medical Devices Agency (MDA)

The primary task of the (MDA) is to help safeguard public health by working with users, manufacturers and legislators to ensure that medical devices meet appropriate standards of safety, quality and performance.

 Medicines Control Agency

"Safeguarding public health by ensuring that all medicines on the UK market meet appropriate standards of safety, quality and efficacy".

 National Blood Service

All you need to know about donating blood and what it is used for.

 National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE)

Working with clinical bodies, NICE will systematically appraise health interventions before they are introduced in the Health Service. It will offer clinicians clear guidelines on which treatments work best for patients, and which do not.

 National Radiological Protection Board

The Board is a statutory body with responsibility to to advance the acquisition of knowledge about the protection of mankind from radiation hazards and to provide information in relation to the protection from radiation hazards.

 Patient's Association

Listening to patients and speaking up for change.

 Public Health Genetics Unit

A source of comprehensive scientific information on genetics. The diseases information database may be of particular interest.

 Public Health Observatories - PHO

One of the intiatives proposed by the Government White Paper - Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation The PHO will monitor the state of the health of the public and the factors that cause poor health and health inequalities to provide information for a range of organisations which promote health and well being.

 Socialist Health Association

Debate and discussion about NHS and health topics.

 UK Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Surveillance Unit

The incidence of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is monitored in the UK by the CJD surveillance unit. Also provides some background information about CJD and other human spongiform encephalopathies and some links to other resources.