NHS OpenAthens

NHS staff

Register: valid users can register for an NHS OpenAthens username.

• Check which NHS OpenAthens organisation you should register with.
• Register by completing this online form. Please follow the instructions on the form.
• Use an NHS-network computer if possible.
• You must use an NHS, academic or work-based email address.

Access resources: You can access all the online content available from our NHS Resources page.

Password reset: You can reset your password if you forget it. 

[Passwords are case sensitive, between 10 and 100 characters long, and need to contain a mix of letters and non-letters. They cannot be the same as your username, contain ascending or descending series of characters or common patterns. It is often best to include numbers within the body of the password, rather than at the end. Try 3 to 4 short words with numbers interspersed if you are struggling to get something accepted.]

Accessing your account details: login to your account.

Keeping your OpenAthens account up-to-date:

• Make sure your email address is valid and you monitor it.
• Check OpenAthens / Eduserv email are not interpreted as spam.
• To change your details, login to your account.

Changing your NHS organisation:

• If you are moving to or from another NHS organisation then you can take your NHS OpenAthens account with you.
• To change your NHS organisation login to your account.
• Select the "Change Organisation" option and follow the instructions.
• If you know that your OpenAthens account will terminate as you change organisations it may be worth asking your OpenAthens administrator for a short extension so that you can complete the transfer, likewise let your new OpenAthens administrator know your new contract end-date.

Other problems: if you have any other problems or need any help contact the e-Resources librarian.

Keele students

Keele students on NHS-funded courses (medicine, midwifery, nursing and physiotherapy) are eligible for an NHS-HE OpenAthens username and password. This will be available for the duration of your course and will provide you with access to NHS core content only.

Using your NHS-HE OpenAthens account will give you:

• Access to NHS Core Content resources, including ebooks, ejournals and databases that may not be available to you through your Keele resources
• Experience of using NHS resources prior to starting work as a professional

To request an NHS-HE OpenAthens account please email library.eresources@keele.ac.uk with your request and copy your Liaison Librarian Steve Parton, at s.parton@keele.ac.uk, into the email. You cannot make this request via the NHS online form

Please note that these accounts are managed by Campus Library and any queries should be directed there.

Research and Phd students

Researchers and Phd students who are NOT connected to an NHS organisation may be eligible for an NHS OpenAthens account. This would be dependent on the funding for your research or whether it involves NHS patients. These accounts are managed regionally. 

When you complete the online form select Other eligible staff in the Midlands and East of England in the organisation box. Use your Keele-based email address. The regional administrators will then assess and validate your request.

Non-Keele Students on NHS placement

Non-Keele students on placement with the NHS are eligible to apply for an NHS OpenAthens username and password in order to access NHS-subscribed resources for the organisation that they are on placement with. This is only available for the duration of your placement. This is known as an NHS Trust OpenAthens account.

Completing the online form:

1. You must register for the NHS organisation where you are on placement.
2. If you have an NHS-based email account use this and you will be verified automatically. Note that you must monitor this email account. You will be sent an email to complete the registration process and update emails are also sent on a regular basis.
3. Otherwise, if you have a university email account use this. Note that you will NOT be automatically verified but will be placed in a queue. This queue is processed on a regular basis.
4. Accounts registered with personal email accounts eg hotmail and google mail will be rejected.
5. You MUST complete the address for the NHS organisation where you are on placement; include the department, hospital or clinic name and the NHS Trust name. Home, university or school addresses are not acceptable.
6. You should select Position Duration as temporary and enter the end date of your placement.
7. You can register online here.

If you already have an NHS-HE Athens account with your university you may not be able to register for an NHS Trust OpenAthens account using the email address linked to your NHS-HE OpenAthens account. Your NHS-HE OpenAthens account will give you access to NHS Core Content resources.