NHS Evidence launches

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has launched NHS Evidence, an online source of “fast, free, relevant and trustworthy” information for health and social care staff.

The new service was promised in the final report of Lord Darzi’s Next Stage Review of the NHS, High Quality Care for All and is being promoted as a way to spread innovation across the health service.  

Speaking at the launch, Lord Darzi said: “in my strategy for the future of the NHS, I made it clear that if quality was to become the organising principle of the NHS, its staff and patients must have a way to access the latest authoritative clinical and non-clinical evidence and best practice.

“NHS Evidence will ensure that whatever you do within the NHS you will always have access to the best information you need to deliver the highest quality care to your patients.”

NICE says NHS Evidence will “help users identify the best evidence by sorting, sifting and prioritising a range of information and awarding an accreditation mark to the most reliable and trustworthy sources of guidance.

“All information submitted for accreditation will be assessed by an independent advisory committee and guidance producers must show they meet a pre-defined set of criteria indicating that their product has been developed using rigorous processes.

“The new system is built around a powerful search engine (Microsoft FAST), that will allow users to browse evidence using ‘topic trees’, upload and share their own content and customise the service based on their own preferences – for example, to access evidence that is tailored to their needs, and to receive alerts about new information.”

Although NHS Evidence has its own website, staff are expected to access it through NHS operating systems, such as GP management software and trust office software. Patients will be able to access NHS Evidence through sites such as NHS Choices.

Dr Gillian Leng, chief operating officer for NHS Evidence said: “This is just the first stage in the development of an impartial service. Health and social care professionals are closely involved working with us to design and enhance the functionality of the service.”

Link: NHS Evidence