The service provides access to trusted clinical information resources when and where they are most required. With practical functionality built around day to day needs, NHS Medical Search offers a range of information resources to staff who may not regularly have used existing NHS library services.

The NHS Medical Search website includes a medical information search facility and a range of downloadable tools to allow clinical information sources to be searched from the desktop, from within a document, or from within a local trust website.

Simple instructions on how to install the tools are included. Some NHS IT departments may wish to add these tools to desktops across their trust if there is sufficient interest.

Anyone who does not have permission to install the tools on their desktop should speak to their IT department. For further information about the service visit the NHS Medical Search website (N3 connection required).

NHS Medical Search has been developed as a part of the Common User Interface (CUI) programme, between NHS Connecting for Health, Microsoft, and several key clinical information providers:

• The National Library for Health
• Medicines.org.uk
• British National Formulary as published by the British Medical Association

NHS Connecting for Health is the national organisation which is supporting your local NHS to introduce new computer systems and services. These will help deliver better, safer care for NHS patients.