Skip to main content

NHS Medical Search tool now available to NHS users

The Medical Search tool comprises of 3 medical information search packages that can integrate with Microsoft Office applications, windows desktop, as well as a secure document sharing tool. These tools can only be accessed through computers on the NHS network (N3).

The tools have been developed through support from the National Library for Health and Connecting for Health, utilises a vast knowledge bank of credible sources such as the National Library of Health evidence based medicine, guidance, medical dictionary and specialist libraries, British National Formulary and Medicines.org.uk. The search tool sits in existing popular software and can provide NHS users with easy access to reliable medical information that is completely up-to-date. The NHS Medical Search project has developed three tools to do this:

The Office Research pane

The first uses a feature of Microsoft Office called the research task pane. An augmented version has been developed for the NHS that allows people to use it to search the library and formularies while using Microsoft Office applications, such as Word.

The Medical Search Deskbar

The second tool that has been developed is a deskbar application that can be downloaded onto a Windows desktop (the start up screen for any computer running an operating system such as Windows XP or Windows Vista).

The SharePoint feature

The newest tool to be developed is a feature for SharePoint, which is Microsoft’s web-based collaboration platform. This is increasingly being used in the NHS to allow trust staff or particular teams to share information and exchange documents securely.

More information/download link

For further information about NHS Medical Search, please visit: www.medicalresearchservices.nhs.uk. NOTE - To access this link, users must be connected to the NHS N3 network.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Heart Month - February 2026

  Heart Month takes place each February in order to raise awareness of the risks of cardiovascular disease and to encourage people to take action to reduce their risk of developing heart and circulatory diseases. RELATED LIBRARY RESOURCES     The Health Libraries, both at the Royal Stoke and County Hospitals, offer resources related to this topic. In the lists below you’ll find a small selection of items from our collection. To locate these items, simply go to our online catalogue or ask at the counter.  This document covers the following resources – books , journals , journal articles and patient information .   BOOKS :       Pathophysiology of heart disease: an introduction to cardiovascular medicine ; Lilly, Leonard S; 2026 (Kluwer Academic); 8 th edition – available as a Keele and an NHS e-book Artificial intelligence for cardiovascular disease: advances in treatment ; Malviya, Rishabha; Rajput, Shivam; Muthiah, Deepa; 2025 (Apple Acad...

Information for mental health - health information week #HIW2026

  Mental health resource list for #HIW2026 Check out  this resource sheet for resources to support mental health , includes sections on: General information and support Information and support for children and young people Self-management resources Self-management resources for young people Podcasts Health Library Resources A number of health library resources can help you to create your own patient information: BMJ Best Practice  - available to all NHS staff, includes patient leaflets on a wide range of conditions and diseases. Clinical Key  - available to UHNM staff, includes editable patient leaflets on a wide range of a conditions and diseases. Easy read and multiple language versions are also available. 10 steps to creating patient information  - our online tutorial giving you hints and tips on developing your own patient information

Cashless payments only at the Health Library

  We are now cashless at the Health Library. If you need to pay any library charges or purchase anything at the counter we now only take credit / debit card payments. You don't need to visit the library to pay your overdue charges. The Health Library also offers you the option of paying any library charges online via the Keele University online store. Both Keele University members and NHS staff members can use the Keele University online store. Please see our website for more details on paying library charges and instructions on how to use the Keele University online store.