Sources of trusted health information. Includes sources for health and care staff, information to share with patients and shared-decision making tools.
NHS Inform is an excellent source of information that you can signpost patients towards. As well as information about illnesses and conditions, and self help guides on commons symptoms and what to do about them, there is a healthy living section that includes things like keeping active and healthy eating.
The Info for me option at the top of the screen on NHS Inform also gives you the option of printing health information or downloading as a PDF that you can share with others.
NHS Inform also provides a range of easy read guides which provide information in a simple way to help people navigate healthcare information and get to the information they need to make informed choices about their health and care.
Delivered by The Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (ALLIANCE), ALISS is a directory of local community services such as mental health support, foodbanks, money advice, and more. It includes details about support groups, local activities and public libraries, and can be a useful resource to keep patients active and engaged in the community.
The Patient Information Forum has created a number of guides to help the public find trusted health information. They cover topics including AI in healthcare, social media, and understanding risk and benefit. View the full collection of PIF guides.
The PIF tick directory is a list of organisations certified by the Patient Information Forum as trusted sources. Information from these organisations is produced by trained staff, evidence based, and in easily understood plain English. View the PIF tick directory.
Access to the full range of PIF resources requires a paid membership.
SIGN have produced plain language versions of their clinical guidelines suitable for the general public. Written in an accessible format, these guidelines enable the patient to make informed choices about their own treatment and care
There are a number of third sector website out there as well which provide good quality information designed to inform patients. UK based charities are preferable because the information provided is relevant to the local context.
For health and social care staff in Scotland The Knowledge Network is the recommended source for your own information needs.
The Knowledge Network provides access to evidence summary resources which give busy health and care staff access to summarised, quality assured, evidence based information, in an easy to navigate format. These evidence summaries include patient information resources that you can download in PDF format to share with patients:
You will need an NHS Scotland OpenAthens account to access these resources. Find out more on The Knowledge Network help and training pages.
Shared decision making is central to the goals of realistic medicine. Find out more about realistic medicine and shared decision making on the Realistic medicine learning site on Turas Learn.
The Being a partner in my care resource on the Right Decision Service is designed to enable health professionals and patients to work together to put the patient at the centre of their care. Includes a library of shared decision making aids for a range of topics and conditions. Also includes information about the BRAN questions which should be used to facilitate conversation between a patient and health professional (based on the NHS Inform campaign ‘It’s o.k. to ask').
These easy read guides have been produced for people with learning disabilities to help individuals navigate the healthcare system and participate in shared decision making.
The NHS Inform 'It's o.k. to ask' campaign recommends four key questions to aid a discussion between a health professional and a patient. These are often referred to as the BRAN questions.
Your healthcare professional will be able to explain why they think a certain treatment would be the best option for you compared to other treatments available.
Your healthcare professional will be able to explain the risks or possible side effects of your treatment. They’ll reassure you about any concerns you may have.
Your healthcare professional will be able to outline any alternative treatments that may be available to you.
Your healthcare professional can explain what may happen if you choose not to go ahead with your planned treatment.
Your local NHS library service may be able to offer further support and guidance. For contact details please visit The Knowledge Network local library service