Subject resources

 
 

Health information

The Health Information collection is based in Marylebone Information Service. All the resources are for reference only.

'People need information about health and healthcare in many different circumstances. Patients want to know more about what is wrong with them and how they can best look after themselves. Carers or relatives or friends seek information on behalf of others'
(Section 5.12, Information for Health: an information strategy for the modern NHS, 1998 - 2005)

If you want information on general health care, alternative medicine and therapies, finding a support group, the Health Service, or if you just want to browse through the books and journals about new advances in treatments and drugs, this is the place for you.

You will find directories of the Health Service, doctors, dentists and practitioners of complementary therapies. There is also a large collection of books written specifically for the lay person in a straightforward and non-technical way.

There are files of

  • the Lancet from 1824-1884 (incomplete) and from 1885 to the current date
  • the British Medical Journal from 1884-1938 (incomplete) and from 1939 to the current date
  • the Nursing Times from 1963 to the current date

and several current journals covering alternative therapies and other health topics

You can also search MEDLINE and other health sites via the Internet, and can search the WELDIS website for information on Westminster-based and nationwide health support groups, local doctors, dentists, opticians and a wide range of other services for older people, people with disabilities, chronic illness or mental health problems.

We can help!

So, whatever your needs, we can provide you with up to date information on questions such as:

  • Your doctor's qualifications and experience
  • The side effects of drugs
  • How to find a doctor or dentist
  • Have you got anything on the Elephant Man?
  • Keyhole surgery
  • HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy)
  • How to have a sex change
  • Fertility
  • Alternative treatments such as Reflexology or Homoeopathy
  • ... and much more

For these and many others, the Health Information Collection is just the service you need.

Also

And don't forget that if you can't get to us, all Westminster libraries will be able to help you find a list of local doctors as well as books on medical topics for all ages of the family - from baby care to caring for an aged person, through healthy living to dealing with a death.

Other key resources on health and medicine in London