A WEBSITE has been

relaunched allowing Worcestershire residents access to information about a host of illnesses and health conditions.

The website - www.nice.org.uk - has been relaunched by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, which works on behalf of the NHS and patients.

"We make recommendations on treatments and care for people using the best available evidence," said NICE spokeswoman Louise Fish.

"The website allows the public to access our guidance on a range of illnesses and conditions from pregnancy and birth, for example, caesarean section, to infectious diseases such as the flu.

"It has improved search facilities which allow people to look for information relevant to a particular illness or condition, enabling them to understand more about their treatment and care."

NICE was set up five years ago to support the NHS and healthcare professionals in providing the best possible healthcare to patients.

Over the last five years it has become an established part of the health sector, issuing almost 250 recommendations.