Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon today launched NHS inform - a new one-stop health advice service for the Scottish public.
The three-tiered service, which features a phone line, website and face-to-face advice will bring trusted health information from all sections of the NHS together for the first time.
The new service was demonstrated to Ms Sturgeon at the NHS 24 annual review.
The NHS inform service will include:
- General information on medical conditions
- Answers to commonly asked health questions
- Health Zones providing advice on health rights, back pain and alcohol
- A calendar of health events
- NHS information in your area, including links to all NHS boards websites
Commenting on NHS inform Ms Sturgeon said:
"Through NHS inform the public will have a single place to turn to for all of their health information needs for the very first time.
"It will allow people to access trusted information where they need it, when they need it and how they need it.
"Having access to quality health information will give people the power to help improve their health and allow them to be partners in their own healthcare. This is part of our vision of a mutual NHS.
"In this tight economic climate, NHS inform will also provide greater value to money as it will reduce the amount of duplication across national and local health organisations and ensure that patients can access the right part of the service on the first occasion."
NHS inform is a developing service and will be launched in phases with the telephone and online services, provided by NHS 24, the first to go live.
NHS inform will provide the public, patients and carers with a wide range of quality assured health information:
- online at www.nhsinform.co.uk
- over the telephone at 0800 22 44 88 (between 8am and 10pm)
- in the future, face to face