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NHS ATHENS passwords

 
 

Registering for an NHS ATHENS password

An NHS ATHENS username and password gives you access to databases, online journals, e-books and many other resources purchased by NHS libraries. These are all listed on this website - see the Databases and Online books and journals pages.
 
To get an NHS ATHENS password, you need to register yourself online. This is easy to do and takes a few minutes. 
Click on the "Register for a password" button below and follow the instructions.
 
 
Please note:
  • It's best to register from an NHSnet connected computer. 
    You can register from a non-NHSnet computer, but you may have to wait up to 15 days for your credentials to be checked. Registration on an NHSnet computer is immediate.
    (Generally, any computer on an NHS site which is connected to the Internet is on NHSnet. You can test to see if your computer is on NHSnet by visiting this site: http://nww.nhs.uk/ - if it won't open, you are not on NHSnet.) 
  • You will need to enter a valid email address. It doesn't have to be an NHS email address - any will do. 

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Changing your ATHENS password

You can change your ATHENS password by going to MyAthens (http://auth.athensams.net/my/), logging on with your current username and password and selecting the Change Password tab.

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Forgotten passwords

If you've forgotten your password and / or username, you can find instructions for resetting them here: https://register.athensams.net/nhs/forgotten_password.php. You'll need to be on an NHS computer.

Alternatively, you can contact your local library for help.

If you need access in a hurry and your library is closed, you can register again for a new username and password. If you do this, please let your ATHENS administrator know so they can delete your old account. You can find their name under the Account Details tab in MyAthens (http://auth.athensams.net/my/), when you're logged in with your new password - or just contact your local library. Please be aware that any alerts or saved searches you may have created won't be transferred to your new account.

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Ovid, KA24 and other ATHENS passwords.

You may have had an ATHENS password when you were working or studying in another part of the country. In London, this is sometimes called a KA24 password. Different NHS organisations have different resources available to them, so you need a password which shows where you are currently based. You can re-register by following the process above.

You may be eligible for more than one ATHENS password - e.g. if you are doing a university course and your university library uses ATHENS to subscribe to databases and journals. It's best to register for both, so you can get access to all the resources you're entitled to.

Alternatively, you may previously have accessed databases and electronic journals through a search interface called Ovid Online. Your Ovid password will no longer give you access to databases and journals. You should get an NHS ATHENS password as shown above, and access the databases via this website. 

If you have any questions about passwords, or about the changeover from Ovid to the new interface, please contact your local library, who can help with queries or provide details of local training courses.

 

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This page was last updated on 21 August 2007.