Mental health help
Oxford University's Centre for Evidence Based Mental Health has teamed up with the Government's NHS Direct initiative to launch a new web-based support system for sufferers of schizophrenia and their carers.
The website, which is available on nhsdirect.nhs.uk/schizophrenia, follows in the footsteps of a previous website on depression, which was launched last year with similar aims in mind.
Both websites are currently available as part of the National Electronic Library for Mental Health (nelmh.org), as part of the Government's 'Information for Health' policy to increase the availability of information for doctors and patients.
Current figures show that one in a hundred people are affected by schizophrenia at some point in their lives, and whilst many types can be treated very successfully, the disease is chronic in some cases.
Mr. Andre Tomlin, Director of Knowledge Services at the Centre for Evidence Based Mental Health said that he hoped the website would "combat the feelings of isolation and stigma experienced by many people with the disease".
Although the library currently only provides information written with the public in mind, sections will soon be added to provide detailed medical sections on mental health diseases which will be available for health care professionals.
The University department has contributed information from the latest clinical trials for doctors to download and will offer "access to the latest evidence-based information on schizophrenia".
Given some of the current difficulties in diagnosing and treating schizophrenia, Mr. Tomlin hopes the website will enable doctors to "share in an international 'pool' of knowledge" which will "ensure the best outcome and management for patients".
24th May 2001