Do NHS libraries have a role in providing information for patient care?

Brettle, A; Ormandy, P

Abstract

Given that one of the main roles of an NHS library is the provision of access and training to health information for NHS staff and that health librarians are skilled in accessing, using and to some extent understanding health care information, to some it may seem a logical step for NHS libraries to be involved in the provision of health information to patients. This may not necessarily mean opening up the library to patients, but supporting other NHS staff to provide information to patients. However there are also issues about duplication, appropriateness and implementation that should be taken into consideration when examining the role of the NHS library in providing information for patient care. This report describes a project that aimed to explore these issues by asking:

• What public sector based information services are currently provided to patients and carers in the North West and by whom?
• What are the views of key stakeholders regarding:
o Whether NHS libraries should provide information to patients and carers?
o Whether NHS libraries could provide information to patients and carers?
o What type of services could be offered?
o What roles could NHS libraries play?
• If NHS libraries were to provide information to patients and carers, what would be needed to facilitate and/or support them?

Citation

Brettle, A., & Ormandy, P. (2008). Do NHS libraries have a role in providing information for patient care?

• Report Type: Project Report
• Publication Date: Jun 1, 2008
• Deposit Date: Mar 3, 2010
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 5, 2016
• ISBN: 9781905732500
• Keywords: libraries; health libraries; patient information; consumer health information; NHS libraries
• Additional Information: Funders : North West Health Care Libraries Unit