Library
The D. M. Alloway Health Resource Centre for Patients and Families offers a dedicated quiet place to access reliable health information. The online health resources on this website offer quick access to key links on health and wellness information.
The Centre is located at North York General Hospital’s General site (4001 Leslie Street) and is accessible to all patients, families 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Centre is equipped with two computers to aid you in your information search with access to the internet. The Centre also houses a collection of brochures and pamphlets related to your health in the community.
Please note: health information presented in the space has been vetted by the NYGH clinical teams but should not be taken as medical advice or be used as a substitute for consultation with a health care professional.
Location:
Ground floor, General site, 4001 Leslie Street
Hours:
24 hours a day, seven days a week
For more information about our services contact us at library@nygh.on.ca
Our online resource centre provides links to recognized websites, catalogued by topic.
Medical Information Digital Library
Access reliable and trusted online articles, images and short videos on over 5,000 medical topics through the iMD Digital Health library.
The library is powered by iMD Health, Canada’s largest digital patient education platform with more than 110,000 trusted resources from over 75 established health institutions.
Medline Plus
Access the Medline Plus, the National Institutes of Health’s website for patients and loved ones. Produced by the National Library of Medicine, the world’s largest medical library, it brings you information about diseases, conditions, and wellness issues in language you can understand.
UpToDate
Learn more about a medical condition and explore treatment options using UpToDate®, the same resource trusted by more than 850,000 clinicians around the world. These patient education materials will provide you with the tools and confidence to ask the right questions and have important conversations with your health care professionals.
Enter your descriptor in the UpToDate window and click the search icon.
Resources by topics
Our online centre also features completely updated resources by topic as well as Medline Plus, a trusted site operated by the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) that offers extensive information about drugs, an illustrated medical encyclopedia, interactive patient tutorials, and the latest health news.
Browse by topic or access Medline Plus:
- Health Care Providers
- Health and Wellness
- Diseases and Conditions
- Diagnosis and Treatment
- Medline Plus
- Comprehensive Directory of Local Health Services — Just enter your postal code
Disclaimer: These resources provide the public with access to a wide range of health and medical subjects and should not be construed as medical advice or be used as a substitute for consultation with a health care professional.
Medical imaging
Radiology Info
Information on radiology/medical imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT, ultrasound, and others) from the American College of Radiology and the Radiological Society of North America
Surgery
Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society
Information on anesthesia from the Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society
Labs
Lab Tests Online
Provides information on many clinical lab tests
Emergencies
Mayo Clinic First Aid Guide
First-Aid Guide produced by the Mayo Clinic
Medications/Drugs
Drugs, Supplements, and Herbal Information by MedlinePlus
From the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Health Canada
Drug product database contains product specific information on drugs approved for use in Canada
Health Canada – Med Effect
Health product safety database
Health product safety database
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Medication guides with FDA-approved information
Herbs and Supplements
Health Canada
Licensed Natural Health Products Database is managed by Health Canada
Medline Plus: Drugs, Supplements and Herbal Medications
Information from the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institute of Health
Addictions
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Information from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health on a variety of topics and resources in the Greater Toronto Area
Addictions & Mental Health Ontario
Information from Addictions & Mental Health Ontario, formerly The Alcohol and Drug Recovery Association of Ontario, a non-profit, charitable organization representing individuals and facilities to address substance misuse and mental health issues.
Allergies
Canadian Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Foundation
Information from this registered charity dedicated to educating patients and the public.
Food Allergy Canada
Includes information for people living with life-threatening allergies
Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer Society of Canada
Support, information and education for people with Alzheimer’s disease, families, physicians and health care providers
Alzheimer Society of Toronto
Support, information and education for persons with dementia, families and caregivers
Alzheimer’s Association
Alzheimer research and support. The first and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to finding prevention methods, treatments and an eventual cure for Alzheimer’s
ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosi or Lou Gherig’s Disease)
The ALS Society of Canada
Provides medical information and advocacy throughout Canada
Arthritis
The Arthritis Society
The website includes information on treatment and management of all types of arthritis, including email contact with specialists in arthritis care
Asthma
Canadian Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Foundation
Information from the Canadian Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Foundation, a registered charity dedicated to educating patients and the public.
Breathe – The Lung Association
Information on lung diseases including asthma and COPD
Asthma Society of Canada
Provides support and information to people living with asthma
Brain Cancer
The Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada
Provides interactive tutorials and links for researchers, patients and families, including support groups
Brain Injury/disease
The Ontario Brain Injury Association
Includes links and contact information for community associations that provide support, information, education and advocacy programs and services to those affected by acquired brain injury in local communities
The Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada
Provides interactive tutorials and links for researchers, patients and families, including support groups
Breast Cancer
The Breast Cancer Society of Canada
A charity to assist patients and their families with information, support and social services
Cancer (General Information)
The Canadian Cancer Society
A Canadian organization that provides information on prevention and management of cancer
The American Cancer Society
Information on cancer from the American Cancer Society
Ontario Cancer Trials
Information on clinical cancer trials and where to find them in Ontario, by the Ontario Research Cancer Network
Wellspring
A network of community centres that provide free emotional and psychological support to individuals and families living with cancer. Includes details on support groups and programs being offered
The Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care
Includes links to Canadian and Ontario palliative care resources
Cerebral Palsy
Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy
Non-profit, charitable organization with a mandate to address the changing needs of people in Ontario with cerebral palsy
Crohn’s and Colitis
Crohn’s and Colitis Canada
Information from the Canadian chapter of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation
Canadian Society of Intestinal Research
Includes information on research into Crohn’s disease and colitis and other intestinal diseases and conditions
Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal Cancer Canada
Includes information, news and community for patients and patients’ families
Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic Fibrosis Canada
Information and resources on cystic fibrosis
Diabetes
The Canadian Diabetes Association
Provides information about diabetes and diabetes care and research across Canada
Dementia
Baycrest
This webpage provides access to a selection of the best available senior friendly web resources on dementia from around the world.
The Toronto Dementia Network
Includes a list of dementia services in Toronto and a list of organizations in Toronto that provide dementia-specific or dementia-friendly services
Epilepsy
Epilepsy Ontario
Information on seizure disorders from an Ontario non-profit health organization
Epilepsy Canada
National non-profit organization whose mission is to enhance the quality of life for persons affected by epilepsy through promotion and support of research and facilitation of education and awareness initiatives
Fractures
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Information from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, including information on fractures and recovery
Osteoporosis Canada
Includes information on fractures
Heart Disease
The Heart and Stroke Foundation
Provides information on heart disease, heart health (weight, blood pressure and cholesterol control) as well links to provincial resources
Hemophilia
The Canadian Hemophilia Society
Provides information on a variety of blood-related disorders
HIV/AIDS
Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE)
Provides up-to-date information on all aspects of HIV and hepatitis C care in French and English, including a list of social and medical services and tips for health living for persons with HIV and hepatitis C.
Influenza
Toronto Public Health
Information on flu prevention and treatment from Toronto Public Health
Toronto Public Health — Epidemiology and Surveillance
Information on reporting of communicable diseases to the Toronto Health Unit by physicians, laboratories, administrators of hospitals, schools, and institutions
Center for Disease Control (CDC)
Information on flu from the American public health agency
Kidney Disease
The Kidney Foundation of Canada
Includes information about kidney disease and health
Liver Disease
Canadian Liver Foundation
Information on liver health and liver disease
Lung Cancer
Breathe — The Lung Association
Includes information and news on lung cancer
Lymphoma
The Lymphoma Foundation of Canada
Offers support to individuals with lymphoma, including Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Mental Health
Canadian Mental Health Association
The Canadian Mental Health Association is a nation-wide, charitable organization that promotes mental health and supports people experiencing mental illness.
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Information from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health on a variety of topics and resources in the Greater Toronto Area
National Institute for Mental Health
Information from the American National Institute for Mental Health, a group working to reduce the burden of mental illness and behaviour disorders
Ontario Mental Health Helpline
Find drug and alcohol treatment in Ontario using the online registry and information the Mental Health Service Information Line
Multiple Sclerosis
The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada
Includes information on multiple sclerosis and links to provincial MS organizations and resources
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis Canada
Includes information on osteoporosis and programs and resources, including local contacts
Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson Society of Canada
Information on Parkinson’s disease, support, and links to further resources
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
Dedicated to the development of a cure for Parkinson’s disease and includes information on Parkinson’s Disease
Pneumonia
The Lung Association
Includes information and news on pneumonia
Prostate Cancer
Prostate Cancer Canada
Includes information, research, and news
Respiratory Diseases
The Lung Association
Includes information and news on respiratory diseases, including asthma, tuberculosis and others
Tuberculosis
Centers for Disease Control
Patient education materials cover six topics related to tuberculosis
The Lung Association
Includes information and news on tuberculosis
Women’s Health Resources
Women’s College Hospital
Information about women’s health from Women’s College Hospital
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
Find information here about all family doctors and specialists, including practice addresses, telephone numbers and qualifications
The Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors
Find a naturopathic doctor by name or location
The College of Chiropodists of Ontario
Find chiropodists and podiatrists in Ontario by city
The College of Dietitians of Ontario
Find a dietitian in Ontario by name, location or language of service in the ‘Online Register of Dietitians’
The Canadian Chiropractic Association
Find a chiropractor by postal code
Dietitians of Canada
Find a dietitian by postal code.
Health Care Connect
Health Care Connect helps Ontarians who are without a family health care provider (family doctor or nurse practitioner) to find one.
The Ontario Dental Association
Find a dentist in Ontario by name, location or specialty
Active Living
HealthyChoices
Ontario Government health information website listing services and advice for healthier living
Injury Prevention
Parachute
This website is dedicated to preventing injuries and saving lives.
Children’s Health
Caring for Kids
Child health information from the Canadian Paediatric Society
AboutKidsHealth
Trusted answers from The Hospital for Sick Children
KidsHealth
Information for kids, teens, and parents in plain language
Food and Nutrition
EatRight Ontario
Easy-to-use nutrition information by registered dietitians to help you make healthier food choices
Healthy Choices
Ontario Government health information website listing services and advice for healthier living
Health and Safety
Healthy Canadians
Reliable, easy-to-understand health and safety information for Canadians and health professionals
Healthy Lifestyle
HealthLinkBC
Medically-approved information on more than 5,000 health topics, symptoms, medications, and tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle
Seniors’ Health
Active Living Coalition for Older Adults (ALCOA)
Strives to promote a society where all older Canadians are leading active lifestyle
Canadian Virtual Hospice
Support and personalized information about palliative and end-of-life care to patients, family members, health care providers, researchers and educators
50plus.com
Information on health and other issues for older Canadians from the Canadian Association for the Fifty Plus
Smoke Free
Government of Ontario
Information on the Smoke-Free Ontario Act
Government of Ontario
Support to quit smoking.
Toronto Public Health
Information on smoking cessation from Toronto Public Health
Women’s Health
Women’s College Hospital
Health information for women from the Women’s College Hospital in Toronto
North American Menopause Society
Nonprofit scientific organization devoted to promoting women’s health and quality of life through an understanding of menopause