*Apologies for cross posting*
Patients across the UK are set to lose out on independent, reliable health
information as the Department of Health axes funding for BestTreatments -
the award-winning website from the BMJ Group.
Since 2004, BestTreatments has been available through NHS Direct online.
It was developed to help communication and decision making between
patients and professionals, by giving the public access to information on
which treatments work and which don’t, based on the best and most up-to-
date research. It covers over 1500 treatments used for 200 clinical
problems, from minor ailments to more serious conditions like cancer.
People view nearly a million pages of BestTreatments information each
month and it has been independently judged the most readable and
accessible of 15 UK health sites. It was also recommended as one of the
top health websites by the Patient Information Forum in a recent Times
guide to good health.1
“BestTreatments is currently the only independent, accessible and truly
evidence based service available to patients, says Editor, Cherrill
Hicks. “By removing it, the Department of Health appears to be
backtracking on its commitment to put patients at the centre of health
care.”
“We are surprised and disappointed by this decision,” adds Dr David Tovey,
Editorial Director for BestTreatments, “especially when NHS policy
documents consistently promote the view that access to high quality health
information is essential if people are to be empowered to make genuinely
informed choices.2
The BMJ Group remains committed to helping patients and their families
make the best decisions about their care, in partnership with their
doctor. We will do everything possible to keep the site going, but this
decision may leave us with little choice but to charge patients and
doctors for the service in the longer term.”
Commenting on the decision, Juliet Dunmur, deputy chair of the British
Medical Association’s Patient Liaison Group, says: “Like thousands of
other patients, I’ve found BestTreatments to be both user-friendly and a
valuable source of up-to-date information. It’s a real shame that the
government has decided to withdraw its support.”
From the beginning of April 2007 access will only be available by
subscription. For details of subscription rates please contact the BMJ’s
UK Sales Manager Mr Jarrard Cooper: [log in to unmask], tel: 0207 383
6684.
Ends
Notes to Editors:
BestTreatments is produced by the BMJ Group. It explains the benefits and
risks of over 1500 treatments and helps people to choose the best option
for them in partnership with their doctor. It also helps people to
understand their condition and what it may mean for their lives. The site
is constantly updated as new evidence is published.
1Guide to Good Health on the Internet, The Times, 4 November 2006
2 “High quality information empowers people. With poor information they
cannot make effective choices; and without information they have no real
choice at all. A lack of information can be damaging for patients, their
relatives, carers and for health professionals.” Better information,
better choices, better health: Putting information at the centre of
health. Department of Health 3 Year Strategy 2004, p3.
www.besttreatments.co.uk
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