The National Poisons Information Service (NPIS) is the Department of Health approved, and Health Protection Agency commissioned, National UK service that provides expert advice on all aspects of acute and chronic poisoning.

The Service comprises four individual Units, based in Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Newcastle. Each Unit has its own Specialist Consultant Clinical Toxicology staff and Poisons Information Specialists who work together to provide a seamless National service that has been established for more than 40 years.

In line with Department of Health Policy the NPIS promotes, supports and develops best practice for the management of cases of poisoning in UK health facilities.

All four NPIS Units contribute to TOXBASE, the UK approved clinical toxicology database designed for all UK healthcare professionals. The NPIS also offers a National 24 hour telephone information line (Tel: 0844 892 0111) which provides clinical staff with case specific advice on more complex cases. This telephone line is manned by NPIS Poisons Information Specialists who are science graduates who have received additional training in clinical toxicology. They are supported by a National on-call rota of NPIS Consultant Clinical Toxicologists who collectively have personal experience of managing in excess of 6,000 cases of poisoning per annum, and therefore have extensive clinical experience on which to draw when answering enquiries on severe cases of poisoning. In addition, NPIS consultant staff are able to accept direct clinical referrals from colleagues who require specialist assistance in the management of less common types of poisoning, such as those due to heavy metals.

The NPIS also hosts the UK National Teratology Information Service (NTIS).

The NPIS also conducts surveillance activities on behalf of the HPA, MHRA and other Government Agencies on the toxic effects of products in the United Kingdom.

All NPIS Units contribute to a National clinical governance system, and their staff participate in a National continuing education programme. NPIS Unit staff are heavily involved in teaching and research, both within the United Kingdom and at an international level. Staff contribute annually to the Congresses organised by the European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists and the North American Congress of Clinical Toxicology and are involved closely in the work of the of the World Health Organisation (WHO), the International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS) and the EC.

The NPIS publishes an annual report which is available from the HPA website.