About NHSforum.co.uk

What is NHSforum.co.uk

It's your chance to have your say in an open way. We feel that healthcare is best debated in a free environment so that the real issues can surface, be discussed and consequently resolved so that we retain a service that is the envy of the world but more importantly delivers effective medicine in a way that serves it's population whilst supporting it's staff. We have built NHSforum.co.uk to deliver the following:

• airing controversy without fear
• improving communication between professionals
• dedicated discussion space for each specialty, job function of group
• help zones to share experiences & expertise
• sharing of information so that we don't continually reinvent the wheel

NHSforum.co.uk is just for NHS staff, controlled by insisting you have an NHS email address. We never release this information or any identifying information to anyone and protect our system vehemently. You have a public screen name, a region & function and that's it e.g. Doris, South West, Doctor, Paediatrics. We want you to feel safe in using it, without fear of reprisal, email bombardment or undue concern. It's your forum. We'll make sure it stays that way!

Key Questions

Q1. Why do you ask for Specialty information?
A - Many of the issues facing the NHS are specific to certain specialties e.g. 4-hour wait in A & E and so we want to encourage the right people to dicuss the right issues. It also helps us keep you informed about areas relevant to you.

Q2. How can you provide all of this for free?
A - NHSforum.co.uk is supported through advertising on the side of the site. We don't force this on you and we make sure our advertisers understand that we enjoy a special relationship with healthservice professionals. We never release your details to them, you will never receive emails directly from them or unsolicited advertising in any form.

Q3. Will I be bombarded by emails from NHSforum.co.uk?
A - Absolutely not. You will receive an unobtrusive email that keeps you up-to-date, has links to articles of value to you (very much your choice if you go there) and identifies special offers and other information we feel may be of interest. It may have a few select adverts too but our whole focus is on making this email something that you value because it helps you save time, money and get the best from NHSforum.co.uk. If at any time you are unhappy, you may simply de-register.

Q4. What do I do if I want to stop using NHSforum.co.uk?
A- Simply de-register. We won't keep your details or take it personally. You can then simply come back when you want to.

How will I benefit from using NHSforum.co.uk?

Apart from allowing you to contribute to healthservice debate in an open way, which benefits all, we have created distinct areas that you can derive direct benefit from. Let's use an example; you're a Cardiology Consultant working in a busy DGH. You'll find a whole section devoted to Cardiology, including:

• space to post or collect clinical guidelines, allowing you to share your work or save time by adapting someone elses
• forums to discuss unusual cases, allowing you to learn or seek advice
• equipment reviews - saving you time by cutting down the options or identifying the limitations
• discussion on clinical papers - helping you identify what's new in just one place
• new information from meetings - keeping you at the leading edge in the field
• cost saving measures - allowing you to review ideas that might just work in your service
• open discussion of service reform - keeping you informed and allowing you to gauge feeling generally
• clinical trials forum - allowing you to contribute or even

Additionally, you'll find a section for consultant talk, allowing consultants generally to discuss issues important to you, polls to express your feelings, hot topics e.g. the current cash crisis in the NHS, a zone of light relief to keep you sane and whole areas devoted to providing you with help.

It doesn't matter who you are in the health service, there are sections just for you as well as more general help & comment.

It's your health service

At the end of the day, it's your life. You devote the majority of your waking hours to it and your say is important. We want NHSforum.co.uk to become central to healthcare to ensure that not only is everyone's voice heard but also that life becomes easier because of all the positive things you can do with NHSforum.co.uk.

Use it and tell your friends about it. The more users there are, the more powerful and useful it becomes.

Enjoy it, remembering it is anonymous!