« New@PCC newsletter - issue 68 | Main | New@WIPP newsletter - June 2007 »
June 26, 2007
NHS Choices
NHS Choices, the comprehensive health information website that provides easily accessible information about conditions, treatments and hospitals, was launched on 19 June 2007.
The website empowers the public to make informed choices about their own health, including when and where they receive treatment. Patients can also give immediate feedback on their hospital treatment and experience.
NHS Choices has also been designed as a resource for voluntary sector workers, patient advocates and carers to distribute information to patients who do not use the internet.
Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt said: "Health advice is the second most popular subject on the web. Consequently there is a bewildering array of information online often of varying quality that can be confusing or in the worst cases dangerous. With the launch of NHS Choices that will change - patients and providers will now have access to the best, most reliable information on health.
"NHS Choices puts patients in the driving seat - giving them access to information not previously available to them so they can make informed decisions from advice about healthy eating to identifying the right hospital for their treatment.
"The site will also enable health providers to form different partnerships with patients. Providers will be able to communicate directly with the public online and allowing patients to compare hospitals will encourage clinicians and managers to improve their performance.
"Over the next few months, we will continue to develop the site and provide the information that people want and need so that we have a truly patient-led NHS."
Posted by S.Austin at June 26, 2007 1:57 PM