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

BMJ Best Practice Clinical Champion programme for NHS staff

Are you an NHS healthcare professional interested in how digital health tools can support patient care and decision-making at the bedside? Are you looking to strengthen your portfolio and demonstrate your leadership skills and capabilities? Applications are now open for the next cohort of the BMJ Best Practice Clinical Champion programme. Open to any clinical professionals across the NHS, this is a great opportunity to get involved in a strong community promoting the use of digital health tools to improve patient care. Clinical Champions receive help from BMJ, including support for quality improvement projects. You must be a doctor, nurse, midwife, GP, pharmacist, paramedic, medical student (on clinical rotation), or AHP and in good standing with your medical profession. This programme is exclusively for NHS staff in England.   BMJ Best Practice is an evidence-based, clinical decision support tool that has been selected by NHS England and NICE. It is freely available to all he...

Fibroids Awareness Month - July 2026

  Uterine fibroids are benign tumours of the uterus that affect millions of women and are most common in women of reproductive age.  Fibroids can often be overlooked but they can cause significant symptoms like heavy menstrual bleeding, pain, fatigue and fertility issues.  Fibroids Awareness Month takes place every July in order to raise aware of these non-cancerous growths and to encourage education, research and diagnosis.   RELATED LIBRARY RESOURCES     The Health Libraries, both at the Royal Stoke and County Hospitals, offer numerous resources on 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       Fibroids ; Abduljabbar, Hassan; (InTechOpen), 2021 – available online as an Open Access...

Join the Health Library

  Get support for your studies, professional development, research and patient care from the Health Library. NHS staff working for our partner NHS organisations can join the Health Library , You’ll benefit from: Study space Enjoy our welcoming library space where you can: Use NHS computers and laptops Study alone in quiet pods, study together on shared desks or study in silence Print, photocopy or scan documents Connect your personal devices to the wifi Relax in our wellbeing area and casual seating Complete our etutorial Using the Health Library to learn more about the facilities we have. Collections and resources Make the most of the wealth of healthcare specialist resources we provide. From books, journals, databases and clinical tools, you can access specialist content to get the evidence you need: Search healthcare specialist databases for the latest research Find best practice, recommendations and guidelines to support your care and practice Borrow bo...