Resources
NHS Athens
What is NHS Athens?
What if I already have a University Athens account?
Am I entitled to a Wirral NHS Athens account?
Why do I need an NHS Athens account?
What NHS resources are available?
How do I register for an NHS Athens account?
How do I change my password?
What if I forget my password?
How do I change my e-mail address?
How do I access and use my NHS Athens resources once I have registered?
What is NHS Athens?
Large organisations like universities and the NHS need a way to manage access to the electronic resources they have purchased. Athens is a service that authenticates the users of web-based electronic resources like databases and e-journals. Members of an organisation that uses Athens can get an Athens account to access the organisation’s resources. Your NHS Athens account will provide you with a username and password which you can use to log in to NHS resources on the Internet.
What if I already have a University Athens account?
You may already have a University Athens account if you have recently been registered on a course with a University. However, there are many different versions of Athens. So to access NHS resources, you will need to register for an NHS Athens account in addition to the one you have obtained from your University. Your NHS Athens username will always begin with ‘nhs’, e.g. nhsexample001.
Am I entitled to a Wirral NHS Athens account?
To register for a Wirral NHS Athens username and password you need to be working for or on placement within Wirral NHS. If you move to a different Trust within the NHS you must re-register for a new NHS Athens password; please contact your local NHS library when you start a new contract. If your current Athens account is still active you will be able to change your employing organisation without re-registering. For instructions on changing your organisation see below.
Why do I need an NHS Athens account?
You will need a NHS Athens password to access electronic resources purchased for you by the NHS. These resources are all accessible via NHS Evidence portal at www.evidence.nhs.uk.
What NHS resources are available?
NHS Evidence Health Information Resources include e-journals, health related databases, e-books and images. Visit the NHS Evidence Health Information Resources to find out more.
How do I register for an NHS Athens account?
To register for a NHS Athens account, go to NHS Evidence and select 'Specialist Resources' then ‘Register for Athens’.
Once you have registered you will receive an email telling you your username and password. You must open this email and follow the instructions to activate your Athens account.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Remember, if want to use your Athens acount immediately after registering, you must supply an e-mail address that you can access immediately. For instance, if you are registering from work, don't supply your home e-mail address as you may not be able to activate your account.
For instructions on how to register online, please download Library Helpsheet No. 1: Creating and using an NHS Athens account.
How do I change my password?
1. Go to http://www.athensams.net/myathens
2. Enter your existing username and password, then click ‘Login’.
3. Click on the ‘My Account’ tab.
4. Enter your current password, then enter the new password in the appropriate boxes and click on ‘Submit’.
You cannot change your username, but if your username reflects a misspelling of your name, please contact us. Your Athens Administrator will create a new account for you.
What if I forget my password?
Please contact us by phone or e-mail and we will direct you to the appropriate Athens Administrator.
How do I change my email address?
1. Go to NHS Evidence Health Information Resources at www.library.nhs.uk.
2. Select the link to My Account (top right hand corner of screen).
3. Select the link to change your email address.
4. An email will be sent to your new address with a link and the activation code.
5. You will need to click on the link and enter the activation code along with your username to confirm your new address within 2 days.
How do I access and use my NHS Athens resources once I have registered?
1. Use the NHS Evidence portal to perform a basic search or hover on the 'Specialist Resources' link to access e-books, e-journals, databases and specialist collections.
2. There are also links to further resources at the NHS Evidence Health Information Resources page.
3. When prompted, enter your NHS Athens account details.
You can also access your NHS Athens account details (including resources) via the 'My Athens' pages.
1. Go to http://www.athensams.net/myathens.
2. Enter your existing username and password, then click ‘Login’.
3. Select the 'Resources' tab and all your resources will be listed.
We provide training on accessing NHS Athens resources as part of our Information Literacy and Skills Training Programme. Please link here to find out what sessions are available and to book your place.
You can also refer to our series of Library Helpsheets for quick reference help. Please link here to see what Library Helpsheets are available.
Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Arrowe Park Hospital, Arrowe Park Road, Upton, Wirral, Merseyside CH49 5PE
Switchboard: (0151) 678 5111