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University of York Library
Library Subject Guides

Health Sciences

NHS/placement information

Welcome to your online guide to library resources for Health Sciences.

NHS library services

Health Sciences students on placement and NHS staff can use NHS hospital library facilities, which include borrowing books, making photocopies, using study spaces, and making enquiries.

York Teaching Hospital

Staffed hours: Monday-Friday, 9am to 5pm (except Bank Holidays)
Trust staff can access the Library anytime using an enabled Trust ID badge.

The library is on the fifth floor of the admin block at York Teaching Hospital. View the online library catalogue or see more information about the library.

The library at York Teaching Hospital

Scarborough Hospital

Staffed hours: Monday-Thursday, 9am to 5pm; Friday 9am to 4:30pm (except Bank Holidays)
Non-staffed hours: out of hours access is available from 6am to 11pm. Please ask library staff for a door code.

The library is situated in the Postgraduate Centre on the hospital site. View the online library catalogue or see more information about the library.

Harrogate Hospital

Open Monday-Friday, 9:30am to 4:30pm (except Bank Holidays)

The library is located in the hospital's Education Centre on the third floor of the Strayside Wing. View the online library catalogue or see more information about the library.

Friarage Hospital, Northallerton

Staffed hours: Monday-Friday, 9am to 5pm
Non-staffed hours: daily from 7am to 10pm using a swipe card.

The library is located in the STRIVE Academic Centre. View the online library catalogue or see more information about the library.

Registering with an NHS library

If you wish to register to use the local hospital libraries listed above, you will need to:

  • Visit the appropriate library during their staffed opening hours

  • Have your University Card with you

  • In addition, if you wish to join York or Scarborough hospital libraries, you will need to provide two passport photographs or your Trust ID badge

  • Health Sciences students can register with Harrogate of Friarage Hospital libraries at any point during their course, not just whilst on placement at either location.

Students on placement with Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust can access the specialist mental health library at Cross Lane Hospital in Scarborough.

Electronic resources via NHS OpenAthens

OpenAthens logoHealth Sciences students and staff on eligible programmes are able to register for an NHS OpenAthens account, which provides access to NHS e-resources. Eligible programmes include BSc Nursing (all fields), MNursing, BA Midwifery and PG Dip Nursing. Contact the Health Sciences Academic Liaison Librarian to check if your programme is eligible.

You can register for an OpenAthens account through this form. It is essential that you register with your University of York email address, and be sure to complete the form accurately. Your details will then be checked and your account approved if you meet the criteria explained above.

Your NHS OpenAthens account enables you to access NHS databases, journals and NICE guidance through the NHS Knowledge and Library Hub. You might also like to read the NHS guide to Knowledge and Library Services for nurses and midwives, which explains many of the resources available to you on placement.

For support with using NHS e-resources, please contact your local hospital librarian.

Returning books

Please note that our hospital returns service is currently suspended. You can instead return your books using our free Royal Mail tracked returns service.

BoxIf you have a problem returning your JB Morrell books, you can return them via the hospital libraries at York, Scarborough, Harrogate and Northallerton.

  • Hand in your JB Morrell books by the due date. The date of return will be taken as the date that you return the books at the hospital. Your books will be removed from your Library Account at this point.

  • Make sure that you give your JB Morrell books to a member of hospital library staff.

  • Keep the receipt that you will be given.

York students should note that JB Morrell Library books can be returned at the King's Manor Library, located in Exhibition Square in the city centre.

If you're not based at any of the hospitals mentioned above, you can return your requested books via post and claim a refund. Please note that you are only eligible for a refund if your returned book has been requested by another Library user.