NHS doctors and nurses will continue to have instant access to vital clinical guidance and training resources after BMJ Group confirmed a three-year extension to its partnership with NHS England. The renewed agreement means healthcare professionals across England can access evidence-based decision support tools designed to improve patient care when they need them most – at the bedside.
The partnership centres on two key resources: BMJ Best Practice and BMJ Learning. BMJ Best Practice provides clinicians with evidence-based guidance on diagnosing, treating and preventing medical conditions, accessible directly at the point of care. Meanwhile, BMJ Learning offers comprehensive online training modules covering various medical specialties and practical skills for continuing professional development.
This collaboration comes at a crucial time for the NHS, which faces ongoing workforce pressures and the constant challenge of keeping pace with medical advances. By ensuring doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals have ready access to reliable clinical guidance and educational materials, the partnership aims to support better patient outcomes whilst boosting efficiency across the health service. The resources are available to all NHS staff, from GP surgeries to hospital specialist units.
The original partnership launched in 2018 with the goal of democratising access to essential medical knowledge throughout the NHS. Its continuation reflects the proven value these digital tools provide in today's rapidly evolving healthcare environment. Such resources are considered vital for maintaining clinical excellence and supporting professional development, particularly as new treatments emerge and clinical guidelines are regularly updated.
For patients, this means the healthcare professionals treating them will continue to have evidence-based information readily available during consultations. This could lead to more accurate diagnoses, more effective treatment plans, and more consistent standards of care across different NHS trusts and regions. For the NHS, the partnership represents a strategic investment in its workforce, helping address ongoing challenges around training, professional development, and staff retention.
The initiative supports broader NHS strategies to harness digital technologies for improving healthcare delivery and supporting staff. Access to these resources can also help reduce variations in clinical practice by promoting adherence to the latest evidence-based guidelines. The continued availability of BMJ Learning modules will help medical professionals meet their revalidation requirements, ensuring they remain competent and current in their fields.
Source: BMJ Group