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NHS Information

NHS departments, hospitals, health authorities, etc

The sites listed are official NHS/Gov. sites providing a wide range of public information.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) Official main NHS websites for:

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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) NHS Direct online

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

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) Department of Health

The main website of the Department of Health.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) Healthcare Commission

Promotes improvement in the quality of the NHS and independent healthcare. They have a wide range of responsibilities, all aimed at improving the quality of healthcare. They have a statutory duty to assess the performance of healthcare organisations, award annual performance ratings for the NHS and coordinate reviews of healthcare by others.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) Dr Foster - Independent Guide to Healthcare Services

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

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) Scottish Executive - Health

Health information from the Scottish Executive.


Professional health care associations

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland

Includes patient information about anaesthesia

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Women's Health

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

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) Association of Medical Microbiologists

Includes fact sheets on a variety of infectious diseases.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) British Association for Counselling

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

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.)

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) British Association of Occupational Therapists

The professional association of occupational therapists.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) British Dental Association

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

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) British Dietetic Association

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

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) British Institiute of Radiology

A learned society for the radiological sciences.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) British Medical Association (BMA)

Professional body for doctors.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) British Medical Laser Association

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

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) British Orthopaedic Association

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

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) British Society of Gastroenterology

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

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) British Thoracic Society

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

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) Chartered Society of Physiotherapy

Aims to support and promote members and their profession.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) College of Optometrists

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

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) Council for Psychotherapy (The UK)

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

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) Florence Nightingale Foundation

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

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) Institute of Chiropodists & Podiatrists

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

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) NMAP

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

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) Nursing and Midwifery Council

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

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) Royal College of Anaesthetists

A website to help find out more about anaesthesia.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) Royal College of General Practitioners

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

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh

Aims to promote the highest standards in medicine.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) Royal College of Psychiatrists

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

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) Royal College Surgeons Edinburgh

Information about the college, its history etc

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) Royal College of Surgeons of England

Includes some patient information on surgical procedures

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain

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

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) Society of Chiropodists & Podiatrists

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

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) Society of Endocrinology

Endocrinology is medicine concerning hormones such as thyroid disorders etc.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) Department of Work and Pensions

Comprehensive information on benefits.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) Department for EnvironmentFood and Rural Affairs

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

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) Emergency Medical Services Index

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

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) Food Standards Agency

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

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) Health Service Ombudsman

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

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) Medicines Control Agency

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

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) National Blood Service

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

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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 apple icon (PatientApple.gif) Patient's Association

Listening to patients and speaking up for change.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) Public Health Genetics Unit

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

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) Socialist Health Association

Debate and discussion about NHS and health topics.

Patient apple icon (PatientApple.gif) 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.


Further sources / more detailed information

Some non-UK sites

The following list popular non-UK health information sites with content aimed at the general public. They are mainly from the US. They have not been checked to see if information about the above topic is included but these large sites are comprehensive.

More detailed medical information

The following list online sources of more detailed medical information, mainly from the UK. These sites are mainly aimed at health professionals, but are of interest to all. They have not been checked to see if information about the above topic is included, but information about most medical topics can usually be found.























Disclaimer: Patient UK has no control of the content of the above links. Inclusion does not imply endorsement by Patient UK.

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Disclaimer: Patient UK has no control of the content of the above links. Inclusion does not imply endorsement by Patient UK.

Advertise on this site


PS - Health and Poverty

Perhaps the biggest cause of ill health in the world is poverty. Help to Make Poverty History. For example, why not lend some of your money to disadvantaged communities to enable them to trade their way out of poverty through schemes such as Shared Interest.

See also MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY North East for details and links to campaigns against poverty.

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