Exploring the NHS website

Health information online

Find out how to find the health information you need on the site.

The NHS banner at the top of each page on the NHS website its contains the NHS logo, buttons for each section of the website and the search bar
The NHS banner at the top of each page on the NHS website.

The NHS website is the country's biggest health website and gives all the information you need to make choices about your health.

This banner is at the very top of every NHS.uk page. It gives you a link back to the homepage, buttons for each large section of the site, and a search bar. If you cannot find the information you are looking for on the homepage, try using the search bar and type in what you want to find. 

The top of the NHS homepage with links to Health A-Z and Medicines A-Z
The NHS homepage banner.

This is the front page of the NHS website, the first things you see are the Health A-Z and the Medicines A-Z. Health A-Z is an alphebetised list of the NHS's pages on specific health issues, symptoms, and guidance. Medicines A-Z is an alphebetised list of medicines, how they work, how to take them, and possible side effects. 

Section of the NHS homepage. Title: Help us help you get the treatment you need. Information under title: For help from a GP- use your GP surgery's website, use an online service or app, or call the surgery. For urgent medical help - use the NHS 111 online service or call 111 if you're unable to get help online. For life-threatening emergencies - call 999 for an ambulance. Link: find out how to get medical help.
The help us to help you get the treatment you need page.

As you move further down the page you will find this section which explains where to get medical help, ranging from contacting your GP, to calling 999 for an ambulance in an emergency. Clicking on the arrow below will take you to a webpage with more information on this. 

Title of section: NHS Services. Links: Find a pharmacy, Find a dentist, Find a GP, Find your nearest A&E, Find other urgent care services, Find other NHS services.
The NHS services section of NHS homepage.

This section, further down the page, helps you to find NHS services local to you. This includes all kinds of NHS services such as, GPs, pharmacies, hospitals, and dentists.

Title of section: Focus on.... Links underneath: Diabetes, Cancer, Care and Support, Pregnancy, Mental Health, Health and care video library.
The focus on... section of the NHS homepage.

This "Focus on" section gives you links to specific pages on the website such as diabetes or cancer. This means you can go straight to these pages without searching for them.

Title of section: Healthy living. Links to: Lose weight, Eat well, Help with stress, anxiety and depression, Exercise, and Kickstart your health.
The healthy living section of NHS homepage.

This section of the homepage focusses on healthy living, giving you links to advice pages about losing weight, exercising, eating well, and help with stress, anxiety, and depression. Clicking the arrow underneath will take you to a larger section of the site all about healthy living.

Front page of Health A-Z on NHS homepage which lists webpages on specific health conditions alphabetically
The front page of health A-Z.

This is the 1st of the 5 buttons on the main NHS banner at the top of the page. This section contains information on conditions, treatment options, vaccinations (jabs) and answers to common health questions.

Front page of the Live Well section on NHS website containing advice, tools, and tips to help you make the best choices about your health and wellbeing.
The front page of the live well section on NHS website.

The 2nd of 5 buttons on the main NHS banner at the top of the page. This section contains information on living well including mental wellbeing, exercise, quitting smoking, and other healthy lifestyle information.

Front page of the mental health section of the NHS website where you can find information and support for your mental health
The front page of the mental health section of the NHS website.

This is the 3rd of the 5 buttons on the NHS banner at the top of the page. This section is on social care and support. If you or someone you know needs help with day-to-day living because of illness or disability, this website explains your options and where you can get support.

Front page of the social care and support guide section of the NHS website.If you or someone you know needs help with day-to-day living because of illness or disability, this website explains your options and where you can get support.
The front page of the social care and support guide section of the NHS website.

This is the 4th of 5 buttons on the NHS banner at the top of the page. It is a pregnancy guide with all you need to know about trying for a baby, pregnancy, labour and birth.

Front page of the NHS services section of the NHS website which details the services that the NHS offers such as GPs, prescriptions and pharmacies, hospitals, mental health services, urgent and emergency care services and so on.
The front page of the NHS services section of the NHS website.

This is the 5th of 5 buttons on the NHS banner at the top of the page. This is a section on NHS services such as:

  • how to find local GPs, hospitals, pharmacies, and other locations
  • help with health costs
  • visiting or moving to England
  • NHS online services

During the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, this is the place to find and book a coronavirus vaccination (if you are eligible) and how to get tested for coronavirus.

Page last reviewed: 13 September 2022