The Bottom Line
- Mobile access is a workflow problem: set up a default “home screen” of trusted links so you don’t search from scratch.
- CKS can be used efficiently on mobile via browser-first patterns; many clinicians treat it like an app by pinning it.
- Your goal is a 10-second launch: open → jump to the right section → capture link/date if needed.
This is a non-clinical setup guide. It is designed for clinicians who use NICE CKS in real-time settings (ward cover, acute GP clinics, on-call, community). The best mobile experience comes from a simple configuration: bookmarks + pinning + a repeatable navigation habit.
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Step 1 — Decide your default entry point
Use one default entry point on mobile: CKS Topics A–Z (or a frequently used topic you can jump from). The cost of ‘starting with Google’ is variability and distraction.
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Step 2 — Pin CKS to your home screen (PWA-style behaviour where available)
Many clinicians treat the CKS website like an app by pinning it to the home screen. On compatible browsers, a ‘download/install’ prompt may appear for supported web apps; otherwise use “Add to Home Screen”.
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Step 3 — Build a 4-link home screen set
Pin: (1) CKS Topics, (2) NICE guidance hub, (3) BNF/BNFC access point, (4) your local guidelines/formulary gateway. This converts browsing into a stable system.
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Step 4 — Use in-page search, not scrolling
On mobile, scrolling is slow. Use the page contents/anchors and in-page find where possible. The goal is ‘jump to the section’, not ‘read the page’.
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Step 5 — Keep a frictionless ‘copy link’ habit
If you need to hand over or document, copy the link quickly and add “accessed [date]”. This takes seconds and prevents “where did you get that from?” later.
If you work across NHS organisations
A practical approach is to also set up your NHS knowledge access (for resources that require institutional access). Treat access as part of your clinical environment setup, like smartcards and logins.
SourceOxford Health NHS Library: smartphone resources incl. CKS access (context)
Open Link SourceLeeds NHS Libraries: CKS web app / install feature guidance (context)
Open Link SourceCKS Topics A–Z (official)
Open Link SourceNICE: OpenAthens (NHS knowledge access) (official)
Open Link SourceNHS Knowledge & Library Hub (official)
Open Link