Guides and databases: LibrarySkills@UCL for NHS staff: Accessing resources

Accessing resources

There are several ways in which NHS staff at UCL's associated NHS Trusts can access information and resources such as electronic articles, electronic books and databases.

NHS OpenAthens - registration is free and available to all NHS staff in England. For information about additional resources available at your local Trust, please contact your nearest UCL home library.
UCL-procured electronic resources supporting the NHS - A significant number of resources licensed through UCL Library Services are accessible using a personal NHS OpenAthens account, directly from the desktop at your workplace or at home.
In-library access to UCL's electronic resources - NHS library members can access the full range of licensed UCL Library Services electronic journals from dedicated computers (Explore Access Points) located within UCL libraries.
Interlending and document supply - If unable to visit the library, NHS library members can request electronic copies of journal articles and book chapters which are normally only available onsite via the UCL Library Explore Access Points, to be emailed directly to them. If required items are not available within the UCL collections NHS library members can use our Interlending and Document Supply service to request them.

For more information on NHS library services at UCL, please see

Resources and Services for NHS Staff
Information from UCL Library Services.
Additional NHS Support
Additional services for NHS staff from UCL Library Services.

Setting up an NHS OpenAthens account

Setting up an NHS OpenAthens account
This video tutorial explains how to set up an NHS OpenAthens account and how to transfer an existing NHS OpenAthens account from one NHS Trust to another. The example used is for the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, but the process applies for all NHS staff from Trusts affiliated to UCL. (4 min 18)

Using LibKey Nomad to link to full-text

LibKey Nomad is a browser extension that you can install to give one-click access to full-text articles. You can find out more and download it on the Third Iron website. The video below (2 min 04) shows you how to use LibKey Nomad, the video uses UCLH as an example but LibKey Nomad can also be used by staff working at other Trusts.