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Dr Gillian Leng, Chief Operating Officer for NHS Evidence, explained in the February issue of Guidelines in Practice how NHS Evidence provides high-quality clinical information via a web-based portal (www.evidence.nhs.uk). It has been 1 year since NHS Evidence was launched and during this time a robust accreditation scheme has been introduced to allow the user to identify the most trusted sources of information. An independent advisory committee of experts and professionals grants accreditation to sources of guidance that meet the highest standards, and these can be identified online by the NHS Evidence Accreditation Mark (see below). It is anticipated that accreditation will be awarded to other sources of information in the future.

Professor David Haslam, Chair of the NHS Evidence Advisory Committee, is currently co-authoring an article with Dr Leng on the process for awarding accreditation, ensuring consistency when making decisions, and the future of accreditation. A case study will also be included, written by Mr Tahir Mahmood (Vice President, Standards, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists) who explains why the college was among the first to apply for accreditation.

The article on the accreditation scheme will be published in the June issue of Guidelines in Practice, and Dr Leng’s recent review on the practical benefits of NHS Evidence for GPs is available online at: www.eguidelines.co.uk/eguidelinesmain/gip/contents_pages/contents_vol_13_feb.php

NHS Evidence Accreditation Mark

Julia Morris, Editor
julia.morris@mgp.ltd.ukG