How can I access NHS bibliographic databases, journals and other resources?
Answer
Here is advice on how to access NHS databases, journals and other resources. This advice applies just to England - if you are in the NHS in another home nation, please contact your local NHS library for advice.
Databases
The NHS has access to AMED*, British Nursing Index*, Embase, Emcare, HMIC and Social Policy and Practice, and Trip Pro. The University does not have these resources. If you are an undergraduate health student, you can use your NHS Athens account to access these. If you are not entitled to an NHS Athens account, you cannot get access.
*A note about AMED and British Nursing Index - access to both these databases will end from 1st July 2025. Please contact us if you need more information.
A note about Trip Pro - the basic version of Trip is free. An alternative route to Trip Pro is to go to the basic Trip, click Login, then Institutional Login. Institution is "University of Leicester (NHS in England)". Enter your NHS Athens details.
Access NHS databases through the NHS Knowledge and Library Hub. Click the words “NHS Knowledge and Library Hub" in the main body of the page. Then, click "Sign in with NHS OpenAthens" next to Welcome, Guest, at the top of the page. You should see a login page (if you don’t, clear cookies and browser cache, or click the padlock icon next to the URL > Cookies and site data > Manage cookies and site data, and delete cookies, and try again). Use the boxes on the left to login with your NHS Athens account.
The databases are listed under “In-depth searching” at the bottom of the page.
Note that the NHS Ovid databases default to Basic search. Change to Advanced before searching.
Journals
Login to the Hub as above. Access NHS journals via the Browse Journals link at the top of the screen.
Please contact us at librarians@le.ac.uk if you need any more information.
Other resources
Access to eLearning for Healthcare is possible using your NHS Athens account - see separate FAQ. Access to the NHS Learning Hub is also possible using your NHS Athens account. This is a collection of learning materials from different sources, compiled by Health Education England.
Access to BMJ Best Practice is possible using your NHS Athens account - see separate FAQ.