Westminster Libraries can help you answer these questions and find other health information in four ways:

• Using the Health Information Book Collection at Marylebone Information Service

• Using online resources exclusive to library members

• Making use of external online resources, carefully selected by library staff

• Attending one-off and regular events in our libraries

The Health Information Book Collection

The Health Information book collection (to be found at Marylebone Information Service) covers general health care, alternative medicine and therapies, finding a support group, the National Health Service, and new advances in treatments and drugs.

 You will find directories of the health service and medical practitioners,and some guides to practitioners in complementary and alternative therapies. There is also a large collection of books written specifically for the lay person in a straightforward and non-technical way. The collection also includes these journals:

• The Lancet from 1824 to the current date

• The British Medical Journal from 1884 to the current date

The resources listed above are available (for reference only) at Marylebone Information Service. Every Westminster lending library will have a selection of health and medical books. Most of these will be available to borrow.

Online Resources

As a library member you can exclusively access many health and medical resources anywhere you can reach the Internet. This service is part of our comprehensive 24/7 Library service. You can download a full list of the health and medical titles included in four reference databases:

• Credo Reference

• Oxford Reference Online

• Gale Virtual Reference

• KnowUK.

Tried and tested links to external health information sources can be found in the Health & Medicine section of Westminster Libraries’ Gateway to Websites

Events in Westminster libraries

The following regular events and sessions are held in Westminster libraries:

• “Share a Book” Groups at Church Street,  Maida Vale, Paddington,  Queen’s Park and Victoria libraries – we read aloud short stories, poems, novels and plays, breaking frequently for people to express their thoughts and responses. Each group is led by a trained facilitator.

• Health drop-ins are held regularly at Marylebone, Paddington, Pimlico and Victoria libraries.

There are also frequent one-off events – look out for these on the Westminster Libraries News & Events page.

Other key resources on health and medicine in London

Be sure to check the relevant website before visiting any of these resources. There may be a charge or a need to register.

British Library: Science, Technology and Business - contains books which may not be held anywhere else.

British Medical Association Library - great for health professionals.

Imperial College London, Central Library – caters for in-depth researchers.

King's Fund – particularly strong on health management.

Wellcome Trust Libraries – including a History of Medicine Library; an Information service; a Medical Photographic Library and Medical Film & Video Library