The report shows that the NHS Choices website received over a 100 million visits in the previous year, 10 % more than in 2009.
A separate study performed by Imperial College London found that 70 % of patients use the Internet to search for health information, with a third of those logging on to NHS Choices deciding not to visit their GP afterwards, potentially saving the NHS £44 million (approx. €52 million) a year.
UK Health Minister Simon Burns said: "Every day we use the Internet and technology to organise our lives, and increasingly when it comes to our health. For example, more and more people are taking the information they have found online with them when they consult their GP. It is important they can find accurate, trusted information from sources such as NHS Choices."
He added: "It is vital that every penny spent on the NHS counts, and the Imperial College research shows that tools like NHS Choices can help deliver savings."
NHS Choices recently topped a Which? investigation into medical websites, which concluded that the site "excelled for its breadth of information" and contained "medically robust information".
Bristol GP Knut Schroeder said: "The Internet is a great resource for health-related information as long as people can use sources they can trust and rely on."
He also stated: "Indeed, many of my patients now use websites such as NHS Choices to look up health-related information, such as symptoms or medical conditions. As a result, they are often better informed and are in a better position to use health services more appropriately."
The 2010 NHS Choices annual report also found that:
- There were on average 200 000 visits a day to NHS Choices;
- 19 million people turned to NHS Choices to find information on swine flu;
- Over 40 000 patients posted comments about hospitals and GP practices;
- NHS Choices is partnered with over 170 external organisations, such as patientopinion.org.uk and mumsnet, which enabled 25 million people to view information from NHS Choices on partner websites.
The Government recently launched a consultation regarding how information and technology can help people take more control of their health and make the best choices for themselves and their families.
Background Information
NHS Choices is the official website of the NHS. In addition to providing thousands of pages of NHS-accredited content on conditions, treatments and healthy living, it allows the public to compare and comment on the performance of hospitals, GPs and many other NHS services. The site is now the biggest health information site in Europe, regularly attracting 9 million users a month.
Note: Crown copyright material reproduced with the permission of the Controller of HMSO.
Further information:
- Original Press Release - Department of Health
- NHS Choices website
- NHS Choices annual report and the Imperial College research
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