The PIF TICK, the new UK quality mark for health information, has today been awarded to 11 health organisations including Cancer Research UK, Bupa, Mind, Macmillan and the Royal College of Anaesthetists.

The PIF TICK was launched to replace the Information Standards. 

Consumer research by PIF found 80% of the public would look for a quality mark for health information.  

Sue Farrington, Chair of PIF and Chief Executive of Scleroderma and Raynaud’s UK said: "Supporting and driving up quality and trust in health information has always been at the heart of PIF. 

"It has never been more important to signpost the public to trustworthy health information than in the current crisis. 

"I would like to thank the 12 organisations who worked with us to develop and pilot the PIF TICK, which has been well received across all sectors."

Member organisations

Anthony Nolan, Breast Cancer Now, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Talk Health and Multiple System Atrophy Trust are the other organisations, awarded the PIF TICK today.

Elena Fabbrani, Policy and Patient Information Manager, Royal College of Anaesthetists said: "The COVID-19 crisis has shown how easy it is for unreliable and untrustworthy information to make it into mainstream media. 

"By achieving the PIF TICK, we hope to inspire confidence and trust in our resources for the many millions of patients undergoing surgery every year."

Tom Bishop, ​Senior Patient Services and Information Manager, Anthony Nolan said: "The PIF TICK recognises health information has been developed using a production process that prioritises the needs of the reader for authoritative, accurate and up-to-date health information. 

"This is incredibly reassuring for anyone using your information resources, including healthcare professionals who share them with patients."

Helen Thompson, Cancer Research UK, said: "More now than ever, it’s important to have high-quality information standards. 

"People need reliable content, tested with users to make sure it’s presented clearly, so they can make informed decisions and feel supported around their health. 

"At Cancer Research UK we work to these standards so our users know  they are accessing resources that have been assessed and are of high quality. The external assessment provides a new perspective as well as advice and support."

Joanne Sims, The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospital NHS Trust, said: "Going through the process has helped improve the quality of patient information provided in our Trust. 

"Achieving the PIF TICK means patients know what they are reading is well written, evidence-based and approved via a rigorous assurance process."

Nicki Bickford, Patient information Manager, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust said: "This accreditation scheme will give our patients and staff reassurance that our information has been produced to the best possible standard."

More information

The PIF TICK logo can be applied to leaflets, websites, apps and videos or any form of health information that has gone through an organisation’s certified production process. 

To be awarded the PIF TICK an organisation must undergo an assessment to show its production process meets 10 criteria.  

NHS organisations, health charities and companies creating health information can apply for the PIF TICK.  

The scheme is now open to new applications following a six-month pilot scheme funded by BUPA UK.

Graham Pembrey, Head of Health Content, BUPA UK said: "Bupa is a longstanding PIF member, so we were really pleased to be able to support the development of the PIF TICK. 

"Ultimately, it will benefit the millions of people regularly seeking out high-quality information to better understand and improve their health." 

The Follicular Lymphoma Foundation, The Motor Neurone Disease Association, The Macular Society, Scleroderma and Raynaud's UK, Fibromyalgia Action UK,  Independent Age, Monkey Wellbeing, Expert Selfcare and The AKU Society have joined the scheme and are now in the process of assessment.  

For details on how to apply for the scheme visit pifonline.org.uk/pif-tick.