Patient information

Patient Information Knowledge Hub

This page contains links to resources to help patients find and assess good quality, reliable health information. Updated: October 2024.

Caution

You should always discuss information you have found online with the healthcare team who are looking after you. NEVER start or stop a course of medication or treatment without talking to your doctor first.

Books

Search for books held in your local public Library (Cheshire East).
Cheshire East Libraries health and wellbeing offer (Cheshire East).
Reading Well - A campaign by The Reading Agency with reading lists compiled by health experts. 'Books on Prescription' and 'Mood-boosting Books' all available from your local public library.

You are also welcome to access the book stock in the East Cheshire NHS Library, please contact us to arrange an appointment. We stock most of the 'books on prescription' collection, which are available for reference use.
Tel: 01625 661362
Email: [email protected]

Organisations

For information on conditions and treatments, specialist websites will be a useful resource. These are often run by charities, for example: British Heart Foundation, Macmillan, Age UK. The advice and information offered by mainstream, national organisations should be fairly reliable and accurate. Be cautious of smaller organisations, especially any websites which are promoting you buying something from them. You can find a list of organisations that have been certified by the Patient Information Forum here.

NHS Account

Guide to setting up an NHS account
Videos on using your NHS account on the NHS website
Videos on using the NHS app
Choose if data from your health record is shared for research and planning - includes an easy read leaflet and information in languages other than English.

Training and support

Starting to use the internet (Learn My Way)
Managing your health online (Learn My Way)
Understanding health research

Medical terminology

Free evidence-based resources

NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries - information on different clinical specialties based on the latest evidence by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
NICE Guidance - a list of the guidance produced by NICE.
NICE Talks - podcasts from NICE.
Cochrane Library of Systematic Reviews - learn more about systematic reviews here.
NIHR Evidence - plain language summaries of recently published health research.

Video: 7 Ways to check if you can trust health information

Websites

Access to Research - free access to academic articles through public libraries.
BILD resources - easy read guides and booklets on different topics.
The Brain Charity - information on a wide range of neurological conditions.
Change People - easy read information guides and leaflets.
Contact a Family - information, advice and support for families with disabled children.
Easy Health - patient information written for people with a learning disability.
Easy Read Guides: Getting ready to talk about your health and 3 questions for better health - designed by NHS England for people with learning disabilities and autism.
Getting informed, getting prepared - finding care and support for older people.
Great Ormond Street Hospital - information on children's health.
Health Talk - personal stories on living with a range of conditions.
Lab Tests Online-UK - information about common tests used to diagnose and treat different conditions.
Medicines for children - information on medicines your child may have been prescribed, and tips on giving medicine to children.
Recovering from surgery - information from the Royal College of Surgeons to help you make a speedy recovery after surgery.
What? Why? Children in hospital - a UK charity helping children and parents prepare for hospital, includes videos to help prepare children for various procedures.

Behind the headlines

Resources on fact checking information and news articles.

Full Fact - independent fact checkers.
Ferret Fact Service - Scotland's first non-partisan fact checking service.
BBC Verify - short audio updates from the BBC on current events and disinformation.
Research the Headlines - looks at the research behind health news headlines.
Science Media Centre: Roundups for journalists - responses from experts to science news.

How to spot fake news poster with the text: Consider the soruce, read beyond, check the author, supporting sources?, check the date, is it a joke?, check your biases, ask the experts.

Social media

East Cheshire NHS Trust: Twitter / Facebook
NHS: Twitter
NHS Choices: Facebook
Patient UK Twitter / Facebook

Staff Library Facebook page

Apps

NHS App - watch this video to find out more.
Catch app - for parents/carers of children 0-5 years
Hub of Hope - find local mental health support
NHS 'One You' apps - includes 'Couch to 5K'