This page targets the exact high-intent problem clinicians have: you ‘should have access’, but login loops, institutional selection is confusing, and app access fails because a personal profile was never created. This is the clean route.
First-time access (NHS England route)
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Step 1 — Confirm you have an NHS OpenAthens account
If you don’t have one, register through your local library/organisation route. (The key is: you need working OpenAthens credentials before you start.)
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Step 2 — Go to BMJ Best Practice and choose institutional access
On the BMJ Best Practice login page, select “Access through your institution” (wording varies slightly by region).
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Step 3 — Select the correct institution entry
Search and select “NHS in England” (this is the common failure point if you pick the wrong institution or the wrong region).
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Step 4 — Log in with OpenAthens
Use your NHS OpenAthens username/password. If you have trouble, try a password reset via your OpenAthens route.
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Step 5 — Create a BMJ Best Practice personal profile
Once inside via OpenAthens, create a personal account/profile. This matters for continuity (and often for app use and saved content).
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Step 6 — Bookmark the correct login path
Use the BMJ Group NHS access page as your ‘source of truth’ pathway rather than relying on old bookmarks.
Why the personal profile matters
Many users can access on-network via OpenAthens, but lose app access or saved content because they never created a BMJ Best Practice personal account after the first institutional login.
Mobile app setup (so it works reliably)
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Step 1 — Download the official app
Install the BMJ Best Practice app on iOS/Android.
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Step 2 — Use the personal profile login
Log in using the personal BMJ Best Practice profile you created (not raw OpenAthens) unless your institution specifies otherwise.
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Step 3 — If prompted, re-auth through OpenAthens
Some flows require you to confirm access via your institution. Use “NHS in England” again.
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Step 4 — Test outside the workplace network
Verify that access works off-site (home/4G). This catches broken setups early.
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Step 5 — Save one item and check it syncs
A quick sanity check that your profile is functioning properly across devices.
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