Below you will find some of the more common acronyms used in the health service. You may also find this link to the NHS Information Centre's comprehensive Jargon Buster useful:
www.ic.nhs.uk/jargon-buster
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A&E
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Accident and Emergency
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A&C
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Admin and Clerical
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AFC
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Agenda for Change
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BMJ
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British Medical Journal
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BNF
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British National Formulary
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CCU
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Coronary Care Unit / Critical Care Unit
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CNST
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Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts
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CPPIH
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Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health
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CT Scan
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Computerised Tomography
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DGH
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District General Hospital
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DH
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Department of Health
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DNA
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Did Not Attend
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DR
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Digital Radiography
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ENT
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Ear, Nose and Throat
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FM
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Facilities Management
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FOI
|
Freedom of Information
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GMC
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General Medical Council
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GP
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General Practitioner
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GUM
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Genito-urinary Medicine
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HAI
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Hospital Acquired Infection
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HC
|
Health Commission
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HDU
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High Dependency Unit
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HO
|
House Officer
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HPA
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Health Protection Agency
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HR
|
Human Resources
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HSJ
|
Health Service Journal
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ICT
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Information Computer Technology
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ICU
|
Intensive Care Unit
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IM&T
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Information Management & Technology
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ITU
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Intensive Treatment / Therapy Unit
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KSF
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Knowledge & Skills Framework
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LAS
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London Ambulance Service
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LHB
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Local Health Board
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LOS
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Length of Stay
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MAU
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Medical Assessment Unit
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MMR
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Measles Mumps and Rubella
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MRI
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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MRSA
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Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus
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OPD
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Outpatient Department
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NHS
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National Health Service
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NICE
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National Institute for Clinical Excellence
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NPfIT
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National Programme for IT
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NPSA
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National Patient Safety Organisation
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NSF
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National Service Framework
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OH
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Occupational Health
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PACS
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Picture Archiving and Communications System
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PALS
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Patient Advice and Liaison Service
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