Features

Wed, February 22, 2012

PEOPLE in Scotland are being reminded about the wide range of information available at www.nhsinform.co.uk as part of national Eating Disorders Awareness Week.

With events taking place throughout the country to mark the event this year from February 20 to 26, people affected by an eating disorder and their families are being reminded that they have access to quality-assured information from a single trusted health resource at NHS inform.

The popular health resource includes an online health library with a dedicated section on eating disorders, covering topics on anorexia nervosa and bulimia, as well as links to other useful sources of information.

The Support Service Directory can also be accessed at www.nhsinform.co.uk and aims to put those in need in touch with support groups in their local area. The facility can be searched by postcode and keyword, and includes those dedicated to eating disorders.

NHS 24 Medical Director Professor George Crooks said: “Eating disorders affect around 1.1million people in the UK and we would like to take the opportunity of Eating Disorders Awareness Week to highlight the wide range of information available at NHS inform for people in Scotland.

“At NHS inform we work closely with our partners to ensure that people can access the most up-to-date, relevant and consistent information available to them.

“Recovering from an eating disorder can take a long time and accessing specialist care, advice and support is an important step for patients and their families.

“While we would always encourage patients to seek medical advice from their GP, the NHS inform website provides an additional source of reliable health information and can put people in contact with sources of support in their local area.”

Visitors can also use the website to search for NHS services in their local area, to find answers to common health questions and for information on health and welfare topics. NHS inform can also be accessed over the telephone on 0800 22 44 88 (8am to 10pm).

Ends

For further information please contact NHS 24 Communications on 0141 337 4501

Editor’s notes

• NHS 24 provides high quality, national telehealth services to people across Scotland through telephone, web, and other digital channels
• NHS 24 employs a range of specialist clinical staff including call handlers, nurse advisors, pharmacists, mental health advisors, dental nurses and special phoneline advisors within Breathing Space
• NHS 24 provides access to trusted health information through a range of different services, including NHS inform, Care Information Scotland and Life Begins at 40. These services are available to the public via a range of different delivery channels, including the web, telephone and digital TV
• The Scottish Centre for Telehealth and Telecare is part of NHS 24 and leads the way in delivering innovative new technology-based services to the people of Scotland
• Follow NHS 24 and NHS inform on Facebook and Twitter.