For free, secure access to a range of high-quality digital resources from the extensive, NHS-funded collection including ebooks, journals, study aids, databases of clinical management and social policy information and more, you need an NHS OpenAthens account.
NHS OpenAthens is not a resource in itself, but the ‘key’ that unlocks a range of quality, trusted, evidence-based information for health and care staff throughout their career. So, it is important you have an active account.
Both the NHS Knowledge and Library Hub and BMJ Best Practice (the national clinical decision support tool) use NHS OpenAthens authentication, as well as a large collection of OUP medical handbooks, the Royal Marsden Manual, Maudsley Prescribing Guidelines and more. So it is important that all health and care staff and trainees in England have an active account.
One of the primary advantages of having an up-to-date NHS OpenAthens account is being able to get to these online resources wherever, whenever you need them, from any connected device at work, in practice, on call, while studying and at home, 24/7.
Sign up today or renew your account to unlock a host of evidence and knowledge throughout your career!
Am I eligible?
NHS OpenAthens, and the resources it unlocks, is available to more members of the wider health and care community than you might think. See examples below.
Social care and public health staff
Social care staff, social workers and public health professionals, along with prison healthcare staff. After registration, the NHS Knowledge and Library Hub is probably a useful first point to use your account to browse the varied range of quality information.
Community pharmacy and NHS dentists
Community Pharmacists and Dentists are also eligible getting access to resources such as Maudsley Prescribing Guidelines, Medline, EMBASE, the Health Research Premium Collection of online journals and relevant Oxford University Press handbooks.
GP and practice staff
GPs and practice staff, including locums while working within a practice can get access to an extensive and varied list of relevant resources to use day to day.
Nurses and midwives
Nurses and midwives can get some resources specific to their professions such as the Royal Marsden Manual and the CINAHL database along with a long list of relevant Oxford University Press manuals.
Allied Health Professionals
Allied Health Professionals – across all professions there is something for you – once registered on NHS OpenAthens, start with the Knowledge and Library Hub to explore.
Leaders, managers and operational staff
Leaders, managers and operational teams can benefit greatly from signing up for an account. The core content offers more than clinical evidence-based information, there are a number of health management databases and journals available. Managers can also to direct their colleagues and staff teams to resources which will save their organisation time and money by giving them access to the centrally funded assets.
Students on healthcare courses and placement
Students on healthcare courses may be registered by their university library, but may also get registration while on placement giving them an invaluable resource for their studies and research.
Simple registration
Registration is designed to be straightforward with quick approval times. You can check your eligibility if you are unsure.
Watch our ‘how to register’ video
Sign up today or renew your account to unlock a host of evidence and knowledge throughout your career!
The NHS OpenAthens system is funded and managed by NICE on behalf of the NHS in England