Diabetes Online Health Guide Released on N...(rmation source will improve their consul...),Health

Dr Bhupinder Mangat, a GP from Hounslow, who has been using these guides with his patients as part of testing said:

"People come to my surgery with sheets of paper they've printed out from the internet, and they say: 'I want what it says here'.

"I'd much prefer them to come in with sound information from NHS Choices. I may have to explain the advice isn't appropriate to them but at least the discussion will be on a sound footing. That's really positive."

Dr Mangat now advises patients with particular conditions to look at the site's health guides.

"When they come back to me, they seem more positive. Helping patients understand their condition is the first step to treating it."

"Internet sites are neither a replacement or alternative to a doctor. But nothing is more valuable than a good education."

Notes for Editors:

NHS Choices (http://www.nhs.uk) is the digital information service of the NHS - the NHS public website that gives ordinary people the tools to make better, more informed choices about their treatments, health and wellbeing. It includes more than 80,000 pages of content, including video, interactive tools, daily news service and lifestyle features. Users can also check and compare hospital and doctors profiles and performance on-line.

For further information, please contact NHS Choices on: +44(0)207-972-1812