Official Publications

See the Library’s central Official publications pages for general resources, particularly the British Government Publications Collection and the European Documentation Centre.

NHS and Department of Health sources

Associated departments and agencies

Care Quality Commission: joint official body which monitors quality standards in social care, health care and mental health care
Department of Health
Health and Social Care Information Centre: coordinates health and adult social care data collection
Health Protection Agency: monitors infectious diseases, environmental health risks from toxic chemicals, poisons or radiation, and is responsible for implementing emergency measures in a crisis (eg bioterrorism)
National Library for Health: NHS continuing professional development support portal, offering access to policy and guidance, information resources, and specialist knowledge support sections for different health professions. See the following sections:
- Guidance
- Evidence
NHS Confederation: communication and partnership organisation for NHS member organisations; gives access to policy papers and newsletters
NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence): body that examines the efficacy and cost effectiveness of medicines and therapies, and provides guidance on their use (the full-text of NICE guidelines are available from the site)

NHS health authorities and trusts

NHS Choices: public gateway site for help finding local doctors, dentists, pharmacies, hospitals, and social care services. Contains directory information about NHS health authorities and trusts: