NHS local is a range of digital services for NHS staff and the public in the West Midlands.

Sometimes, it can be confusing to know where to find the information you need on local health services  so NHS local aims to connect citizens and staff to the best available online resources and information and, importantly, to each other. It brings together local health news, information, services and support from across the NHS and from other trusted organisations and individuals. 

NHS local provides access to information on health conditions to help people manage their health better and prevent future health problems. There is a great selection of  high quality videos, social media tools, games and applications to show the information in an interesting, informative and imaginative way.

You can share experiences, information, views and ideas to help you manage your health and if you work for the NHS help it can help with planning and developing your career. And you also can gain access to networks and support groups for your local area.

We would like the service to be shaped by the people who use it. So whether you are a member of the public, work for the NHS or another health service provider, we would welcome your feedback.

About EQUIP – Electronic Quality Information for the Public

EQUIP is an NHS gateway to quality health and social care information for the West Midlands public.

EQUIP links to websites that have been checked for the quality of their information, including links to information resources in almost 100 languages. Also, there is a directory of over 4000 national and local support groups and services which are checked regularly by the EQUIP team. The website was developed with the involvement of medical staff and members of the public. EQUIP received a ‘Commended’ award in the 2009 BMA Patient Information Awards. EQUIP has been a well-used website for over 10 years and in 2011 was integrated into NHS local where users can now access the EQUIP approved links, Support groups and services directory, the EQUIP Events calendar and the EQUIP information for staff (including staff monthly newsletters).  The same quality standards will be maintained to regularly review and update the information.

Quality Criteria for Evaluation of Websites:

EQUIP approved links – These are links to external websites that have valuable information for the public on appropriate health and social care topics. Each website is evaluated by the EQUIP manager using recognised quality criteria and each site is regularly reviewed. However, individual content pages are not evaluated and EQUIP cannot accept responsibility for the sites linked to from EQUIP.  Websites on the Near Me support groups and services directory are not necessarily checked for quality of their content. A link does not imply endorsement of a site, and lack of a link does not imply lack of endorsement. 

Quality Criteria:

• Relevance - content should be suitable for the public audience


• Design and navigability - ease of use, speed and appropriate use of graphics is assessed


• Authorship - authors and those who were involved in creation (ie: if patients were involved) and level of expertise of authors and reputation of the organisation should be identified. Contact details should be available.


• Sponsorship - sponsors should be clearly stated and suitable - it is important that there is no bias in the information given


• Readability - appropriate level of language for the audience


• Currency - date of update should be clear and content still valid and regularly reviewed


• Legibility - sites ideally should adhere to RNIB (Royal National Institute for the Blind) guidelines etc.


• Accessibility - there should be no registration, cost or special software required to enter the site and sites should be viewable in most browsers and ideally fully accessible to those with a visual impairment


• Copyright - the information should be in the public domain 


• Evidence-based - where relevant sites should use current and reliable clinical evidence