WIREDGOV

Health and social care professionals can now access the latest up-to-date prescribing information from the British National Formulary (BNF) at the touch of a button.

The official NICE BNF app is available to download for free for users of Android and iPhone smartphones via the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

The app, which can also run on the iPod touch, will transform the way people access the BNF - the most widely-used medicines information resource within the NHS.

It will enable users to browse and search full content from BNF, receive notifications when new editions and updates are available, bookmark content and even choose their preferred reading settings.

Once downloaded, the app can be run without an internet connection meaning that professionals can access the BNF wherever they are.

Users will need to enter their NHS Athens user name and password to activate the app and download the content.

Eligible health and care professionals in England who do not yet have an NHS Athens password can register for free online or directly from their Smartphone by following the instruction displayed in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Social care staff in England who also meet the NHS Athens eligibility criteria can also download and access the content.

Sir Andrew Dillon Chief Executive of NICE said: "Ensuring staff have access to the latest high quality information to deliver the best possible patient care has always been very important to NICE.

"The growing use of smartphones has created a new culture and means for people to access information while on the move.

"The NICE Guidance app we launched earlier in the year has been phenomenally successful and we believe that health and care professionals will love our BNF app too.

"It looks great and is easy to use. And because you don't need internet access once the app is downloaded, it means that professionals can be reassured they can get access to the BNF wherever they may be delivering care."

The NICE BNF app is the first of our medicines and prescribing apps. An app for the British National Formulary for Children (BNFC) is in the late stages of development and will be released soon.

To download the app on Android, users will require the minimum operating system: 2.3.3 and up. Iphone and Ipod touch users will require the minimum operating system: iOS 4.3 or later.