For a medical emergency call 999. For urgent but non-emergency medical help call NHS 111.

Editorial policy

This page explains how we produce the information published on NHS Direct. It applies to every page on the site.

Sources

We base our content on published guidance from:

  • The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)
  • NHS.uk — the official UK National Health Service information site
  • The British National Formulary (BNF) for medicines information
  • Royal Colleges (RCGP, RCN, RCPCH and others) for specialty guidance
  • Peer-reviewed medical literature for topics not covered by the above

Where we cite guidance, we link to the source so you can read it in full.

Review

Every health-topic page is reviewed by a suitably qualified person before publication. The reviewer’s name and the review date are shown on the page. Pages are re-reviewed at least once every twelve months, or sooner if the underlying guidance changes.

Corrections

If you find an error, please tell us. We take corrections seriously and will update the page and its review date when we make substantive changes.

Advertising and funding

Any advertising on this site is clearly marked. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. We do not publish sponsored health content that is not distinguishable from our editorial pages.

Limits of what we do

The information on NHS Direct is general and educational. It is not tailored to your individual circumstances. It is not a diagnosis, a prescription, or a substitute for professional medical advice. If you are unwell or worried about your health, contact your GP, a pharmacist, or NHS 111. In a life-threatening emergency call 999.