Reliable medical websites for patients.

NHS Choices. This excellent website offers on-line medical advice and symptom checking, has a health A-Z that has all you need to know about more then 750 conditions and treatments, and can help you find services such as GPs, hospitals and dentists. There is also information about other important issues such as pregnancy, addiction, mental health problems, sexual health and internet pharmacies. Website home page: www.nhs.uk

Patient UK. This website hosts a large number of patient information leaflets about a wide range of conditions, complied by doctors and nurses to represent the way the information would be conveyed during a consultation. There are audio presentations, diagrams, translations into other languages, and patient’s stories. Another section of the site concerns medicines and drugs, and discusses the benefits and side effects of prescription and over-the-counter medicines. Web address: www.patient.co.uk

Netdoctor. This website features sections on women’s health, health and wellbeing, and heart and blood problems. There is also a large database of information about medical conditions and medication, plus a section that explains in text and images about a whole range of tests and investigations such as blood tests and X-rays, urine tests and procedures such as gastroscopy and colonoscopy and amniocentesis. An interesting feature is the Netdoctor videos where you can listen to a doctor talking about a small range of topics. They are accessible from the home page. Web address: www.netdoctor.co.uk

BUPA Patient Factsheets. These are excellent quality factsheets that describe hundreds of common conditions and procedures. They are well designed, well illustrated and easy to read, and what sets them apart is that many of them are accompanied by superb video animations that add greatly to the explanation in the text. They are reliably sourced and referenced, and refreshingly, There is no promotional material in the content.

CancerHelp UK This UK charity is an information partner with the NHS, and is an excellent source of information for cancer sufferers and their relatives. The clear and concise information covers questions such as what cancer means, specific types of cancer, and issues concerning treatment and how to cope with the disease. They also have a team of specialist nurses who are available to talk on a free phone number. Website: www.cancerhelp.org.uk

Parkinson’s Disease Society This UK charity is the largest presence on the internet for people in this country who suffer from Parkinson’s disease, and is equally valuable for those who have to care for them. Details of descriptions of the disease, treatments, and how to live with the disease are all to be found here. OMNe of the most important sections shows how to find the nearest of the many support groups across the country that can be a lifeline to patients, friends and relatives. Website: www.parkinsons.org.uk

Epilepsy Action This is the top charity website in the UK for information about epilepsy. There are sections for adults and children, and important issues such as driving, drug therapy, surgical procedures and employment. There is information about how to cope with this seizure disorder that is relevant to sufferers and to carers. Website www.epilepsy.org.uk