I have also used it for looking up things on diabetes as there is diabetes in my family. One doctor actually said that he and I should change places as I knew more about it than he did. Turning to the States Information on the NHS website NHS Direct is limited and patients like Marilyn Garner are turning elsewhere for information - often to the United States. Mike Stone of the Patients Association is concerned that many patients are having their expectations raised unrealistically. But the system has been plagued with delays and problems since contracts were signed five years ago.
Work is also under way on an online electronic public library of health.
But Health Minister Geeserla Stuart says it is a massive task. It is a huge organisation. The overall implementation of that strategy across the board will in some areas be quicker than in others. What is important to us is that whatever we do in terms of information, either to GPs or to patients, it is safe, it is reliable, it is tested and it is clinically sound. The challenge to the health service is keeping up with the pace of change.