Before you start using this resource list

This resource list has been designed with library and information staff in mind and can be used to:

• Raise awareness of high quality, reliable web sites providing health related information
• Increase the confidence of staff to be able to answer health related questions quickly and accurately

so that patients and the public:

• Have answers to health related questions answered quickly and accurately
• Can be confident that the answers they receive come from high quality, reliable sources of health related information
• Increase their awareness of high quality, reliable sources of health related information

Help – how to refer on

Ask Bolton Libraries – we aim to answer questions big and small on anything and everything.  Ask us any question; we can give information and refer you to the most relevant agency or person to help you with your query.
Phone: 01204 332858                                           Email: askboltonlibraries@bolton.gov.uk
Web: www.bolton.gov.uk/askboltonlibraries Twitter: @askboltonlibs

Library staff at Bolton NHS FT are available to help answer health related questions from the public if contacted by any other library staff.  The best contact is library@boltonft.nhs.uk and a deadline would be appreciated to help us manage our workload.

Judging the quality of web sites and health information

Although the web sites listed here are recognised for the high quality of the information they provide, not all web sites are as reliable.  There are some simple steps that can be used to judge the trustworthiness of information and the resources below offer some help.

LEAP Online – a skills portal designed by University of Bolton staff which contains freely accessible content. The following section may be useful when assessing the quality of a website:

https://www.bolton.ac.uk/leaponline/My-Academic-Development/My-Research-Needs/Using-the-Internet-for-Research.aspx

DISCERN – a brief questionnaire which provides users with a valid and reliable way of assessing the quality of written information on treatment choices for a health problem:

http://www.discern.org.uk/index.php

Disclaimer

The information here is a sample of sites freely available to the public in general, recognised for the high quality of the information they provide.
Inclusion in this list is not an endorsement of, for example, what treatment is available and/or recommended.  Members of the public should always seek medical advice from an appropriately qualified practitioner.

Changes to sites
Websites are constantly being developed and some changes may mean hyperlinks stop working.
All of the sites and links were correct at the time of publishing.  If you notice any links that have changed or no longer work, please report them by emailing library@boltonft.nhs.uk