NHS Choices - 12 Apr '07

12th April 2007

Dear Colleagues,
The Secretary of State announced yesterday that the NHS is to launch a new information service this June, which will play a crucial role in making the Choice agenda become a reality for patients and clinicians. As the Directors of the NHS Choices programme, we wanted to provide you with some more information about this exciting initiative.

Drawing on the combined expertise of NHS.UK, NHS Direct, and the National Electronic Library for Health, The Information Centre and the Healthcare Commission, the new website will assist patients and health professionals in making informed and personalised health choices. It will raise awareness of the choice of treatment centres currently available and provide a vital communications link for the extended choice network.

However, NHS Choices will do more, much more - it will radically expand the library of easily digestible and accurate information about conditions and treatments available to patients. It will tackle health inequalities by enabling health professionals to engage with their patients in the most disadvantaged communities. Information will be made available in a number of different formats and provide a resource and information service for the voluntary sector, patient advocates and carers to distribute to patients who do not have internet access.

The attached document provides a more detailed briefing, which includes a breakdown of the website’s main content. The project team here in Skipton House is drawn from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines. However, we are united in our determination to launch a validated, evidence-based information resource that caters for the 21st century patient and which facilities the goals of choice and personalised healthcare for all.

We would welcome feedback, either now or when the website is launched, so please send any questions or comments to the following e-mail address:  nhs_choices_registration@dh.gsi.gov.uk.
 
Yours sincerely,


Beverley Bryant                                        Tim Kelsey
DH Chief Information Officer,                Chair, Doctor Foster Information,
& Co-Programme Director                    & Co-Programme Director

Copy of this letter
Copy of Guidance

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