Patient Information Knowledge Hub

Books​

• ​Search for books held in your local Library (Cheshire East).
• Books on Prescription (Cheshire East).
• Reading Well - 'Books on Prescription' and 'Mood-boosting Books' all available from your local public library.

You are also welcome to consult the book stock in this 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: ecn-tr.stafflibrary@nhs.net

Organisations

• ​​NHS website
• ​East Cheshire NHS Trust - patient information
• British Institute of Learning Disabilities (BILD)​
• patient.info
• NHS Library Service patient resources

For information on particular 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 sites which are promoting you purchasing from them.

NHS support pages

• Become a confident internet user (NHS guide)
• ​GP services online: A how to guide
• Understanding health research
• Finding quality health information on the internet​​

Free evidence-based resources

• NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries
• ​NICE Guidance
• ​Cochrane Library of Systematic Reviews​
• NICE Talks​

Websites

• Coronavirus resources (NHS)
• ​BILD easy read information pages
• The Brain Charity - information on a wide range of neurological conditions
• Change People - easy read information
• 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 - 3 questions for better health (Health Education England)
• Easy read - Getting ready for a talk about your health (Health Education England) 
• ​Getting informed, getting prepared - finding care and support for older people.
• Great Ormond Street Hospital - information on children's health.
• Guide to appraising health information (Patient Information Forum)
• Health information in other languages (NHS)
• Health Talk - personal stories on living with a range of conditions
• How does the NHS in England work? (King's Fund)
• Lab Tests Online-UK - designed to help patients understand the common tests used to diagnose and treat a broad range of conditions
• Medicines for children - information on medicines your child may have been prescribed, and tips on giving medicine to children
• ​Picture of health - making health information easier
• ​Recovering from surgery - information from the Royal College of Surgeons to help you make a speedy recovery after surgery
• Self care resources
• ​What? Why? Children in hospital - a UK charity helping children and parents prepare for hospital, includes videos to help prepare children for various procedures

​Medical terminology

• NHS acronym buster
• ​Understanding medical words
• Great Ormond Street health dictionary
• Abbreviations commonly found in medical records

Social media

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

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'

Videos

• East Cheshire 'Health Matters' public lectures
• NHS Choices videos
• Patient UK videos
• ​​Top tips to help find trustworthy health information online​​​​​​

Behind the headlines

• Full Fact
• Ferret Fact Service
• BBC Reality Check
• Research the Headlines
• Science Media Centre: Roundups for journalists

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.