City of Westminster

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 to find articles, NHS Direct and MedlinePlus for information on illnesses, as well as other health sites via the Internet (other useful sites are listed on the Health and Medicine section of the Gateway to Websites). You can also 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

Where possible, we have linked directly to the address and opening details on the service's own website. Where we have not been able to do this, we have given details here - but it is always safest to contact the service before visiting to confirm that no details have changed.

British Library: Science, Technology and Business
  • Address: The British Library, St Pancras, 96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB
  • Nearest Tubes: Kings Cross, St. Pancras
  • For information about admissions, opening hours and to order material in advance, contact Reader Services Enquiries:(020) 7412 7676

    E-mail: reader-services-enquiries@bl.uk
  • For subject enquiries:

    Health - (020) 7412 7288. E-mail scitech@bl.uk
  • We strongly recommend that you telephone the Library first, unless you already have a Reader's Ticket (you will need a reader's ticket to use the library).
British Medical Association Library
  • Address: BMA House, Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9JP
  • Phone: 020 7383 6625
  • Nearest Tube: Russell Square
  • Please note there is a substantial charge for using this library: contact the Librarian for admission details.
Imperial College London - Central Library
  • Address: Central Library, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ
  • Phone: 020 7594 8820
  • Nearest Tube: South Kensington
  • Day reference passes are available but users will have to show a valid research need before they can extend beyond this level of access.
King's Fund
  • Address: The King's Fund, 11-13 Cavendish Square, London, W1G 0AN
  • Phone: 020 7307 2400
  • Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus or Bond Street
  • Anyone is welcome to visit our new information centre in central London, where our team of expert librarians is on hand to advise and assist you in your search for information. Kings Fund Website
Office for National Statistics Library Service
  • Newport Library, Telephone: 01633 812129, E-mail: library.enquiries@ons.gov.uk
  • London Office Address: 1 Drummond Gate, Pimlico, London SW1V 2QQ, National Statistics Customer Enquiry Service: 0845 601 3034
Wellcome Trust libraries
  • Address: Wellcome Library, 183 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE
  • Phone: 020 7611 8722
  • Nearest Tube: Euston Square
  • Special features include:

    - History of Medicine Library

    - An Information Service

    - Medical Photographic Library

    - Medical Film & Video Library
  • You have to become a member of the Wellcome Trust libraries in order to use them, and you may need to make an appointment - so please telephone first, and take some ID with you.

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