| Type of site | Medicine and health |
|---|---|
| Available language(s) | English |
| Owner | Egton Medical Information Systems |
| Launched | 22 April 1997 |
Patient UK or Patient.co.uk is an online resource providing information on health, lifestyle, disease and other medical related topics. The website's aim is to provide members of the public with up-to-date information on health related topics in the form of comprehensive leaflets which can be read online or printed. Leaflets are compiled by qualified medical practitioners with several years of experience in the medical profession. According to an article in the Daily Telegraph from 2006, the site is a "gateway to some of the most reliable online health resources".[1]
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Patient UK was first launched in 1997 as a directory of UK websites providing health related information, and was originally operated by Patient Information Publications (PIP), a company established by two medical professionals. In December 2002 PIP joined forces with Egton Medical Information Systems (EMIS) to relaunch the site as an information providing service. The content of Patient UK was extensively revised and updated, its aim being to offer interested parties a reliable and comprehensive source of health and disease information. In April 2008, EMIS acquired PIP's share of Patient UK, but the company's partners remain involved as consultant editors and lead authors.
Patient UK contains straightforward and easily accessible health-related information produced by a team of doctors. Users can register with the site, allowing them to book appointments with their own GP and order repeat prescriptions. However, this is only possible if the user's surgery uses EMIS computer software, although the system is used by most practices.[2] Information on Patient UK is updated to keep abreast of the latest medical thinking, with each leaflet reviewed every two years or as and when necessary (whichever comes first).[3]
Writing in the Oxford Journal of Occupational Medicine on the subject of educating his patients about health matters, physician Andrew Mounstephen says of Patient.co.uk; "[...] I have found a great help in performing this education and information providing role.[4] The Daily Telegraph has described Patient UK as a "gateway to some of the most reliable online health resources",[1] while The Good Web Guide calls the site "well-designed and clear".[5] A Times article from 2007 describes the information on Patient.co.uk as "simple and easily accessible" and produced by doctor.[2]