GP Notebook vs NICE CKS (2025): The GP's Brain vs The Official Rulebook
At a Glance
Who is it for?
GP Notebook:GPs / Primary Care
NICE CKS:GPs / Primary Care
Why choose GP Notebook?
- Hyperlinked network of topics (Wikipedia-style)
- Includes 'grey areas' not covered by NICE
- Written in 'medical shorthand' for speed
Why choose NICE CKS?
- The definitive medico-legal defence
- Free and open access (no paywall)
- Strict structure: Diagnosis -> Management -> Prescribing
Feature Comparison
| Capability | GP Notebook | NICE CKS |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Subscription (often funded by CCGs/ICBs) | Free (NHS Funded) |
| Access | Web (Login required for full history) | Open Web |
| Primary Strength | Breadth & Interconnectivity | Authority & Protocol |
| Updates | Continuous / Dynamic | Scheduled / Periodic |
| Style | Note-form / Bullet points | Structured Prose |
In-Depth Analysis
Overview
GP Notebook mimics the way a General Practitioner thinks. It is a vast spiderweb of knowledge, where looking up "Anaemia" links you immediately to "Coeliac disease" and "Ferritin". It is written in quick, dense shorthand, making it a favourite for experienced GPs who just need a memory jog.
NICE CKS (Clinical Knowledge Summaries) is the official rulebook. It covers fewer topics but covers them with absolute authority. It is structured rigidly to guide a consultation from assessment to prescribing. It is less of an "encyclopaedia" and more of a "protocol library."
Key Differences
Use NICE CKS when you need to play it straight—managing common conditions like Hypertension, Asthma, or Diabetes where adherence to national guidance is mandatory. Use GP Notebook when the patient doesn't fit the box, or when you are looking up a condition that is too rare or specific to warrant a CKS topic page.
Looking for a faster way?
While GP Notebook and NICE CKS are powerful tools, iatroX offers a free, AI-driven alternative focused specifically on rapid UK guideline retrieval and exam prep.
Use-Cases
Medico-Legal Check
When to choose GP Notebook
- Good for background, but not a legal shield.
When to choose NICE CKS
- Essential. 'I followed CKS guidance' is a robust defence in primary care complaints.
Rare/Obscure Query
When to choose GP Notebook
- Excellent. Likely has a page on obscure syndromes that CKS ignores.
When to choose NICE CKS
- Limited. Only covers the ~370 most common primary care presentations.