Easier access to research, evidence and practice support materials

Have you noticed a change in how NHS Scotland staff can log into their OpenAthens account? 

From Tuesday 27th September 2022 NHS Scotland staff can sign-in to OpenAthens using their NHS Scotland work email address and password. They will still get access to the full range of library services they have been used to, including e-journals, articles, eBooks, databases and evidence summary resources.

The change means that NHS Scotland staff who already have an NHS Scotland OpenAthens account will no longer have to use their old efs details and new NHS Scotland registrants will no longer have to self-register for an account.  

Staff who do not have an NHS Scotland work email and password will continue to sign-in using their existing OpenAthens account details, or when applying for a new account use the self-register system. 

What will users see? 

When users first sign-into a service requiring an OpenAthens account they will be presented with the following options: 

• Sign in with your NHS Scotland email address and password
• OpenAthens

NHS Scotland staff should select the 1st option. This will authenticate access regardless of whether they are a new or current user of our services. 

Other users should use the 2nd option and continue to authenticate with their previous NHS Scotland OpenAthens account (username starts with efs and includes name and a number. e.g. efsaname001). 

There are further details on our OpenAthens Update page. 

For information about OpenAthens accounts eligibility and resources visit our help pages. 

If there any questions on this change or staff experience any issues contact the Knowledge Services Helpdesk.