Resources to support managing knowledge and data, case studies illustrating how the health library can help.

 

Health libraries: Library services and approaches to knowledge management

The Commissioner

A monthly bulletin to keep you up to date with developments in commissioning; produced by the North West Primary Care Librarians Group

 

Decision Support Service

A virtual, multi-disciplinary team brings together the Information and Resource Unit with Health Intelligence and specialists in health inequalities, diversity and clinical governance, to support commissioning and service development in Westminster PCT.

 

Mapping library services to the World Class Commissioning Competencies

This short guide from Lincolnshire Knowledge and Resource service maps areas of library service provision to each of the World Class Commissioning Competencies.  It may be freely adapted for local use.

 

Prioritising the Priorities

In 2008 NLH sponsored two workshops on understand the business priorities and direction of Primary Care Trusts, and how library services might better support them their business priorities.

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The knowledge base: evidence-based practice

Knowledge and library support for the delivery of PCT commissioned evidence-based care pathways ppt

In Milton Keynes two part-time information specialists ensure that service redesign is based on best evidence. Reviewing current service provision and matching it against that recommended by best evidence is an intrinsic part of this process. Find out more about their work on Quality:MK from thier presentations to NHS SW Librarians in May 2008.

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Information skills training for commissioners

View the outline of a 2 hour training session run by the Library Service Manager at Prospect Park Hospital. This was delivered prior to the launch of the Commissioning SL, and therefore needs to be revised for future sessions. This session does not cover how to search the databases; the managee encourages commisisoners to ask the library to do these for them.

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Map of Medicine

The benefits of the Map in achieving key NHS priorities

A 5 minute interview with Sir Muir Gray.   Knowledge is the enemy of disease; and the Map of Medicine is a key tool in making sure that clinicians can access knowledge “on tap”.

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Using the Map of Medicine at the Royal Free Hospital

Focused on achieving the 18 week wait target, the Royal Free Hampstead Hospital NHS Trust is using the Map of Medicine to facilitate pathway redesign. The evidence team in the Royal Free library is playing a key role in localizing the maps.

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Depicting care pathways in Milton Keynes

Quality:MK project groups use the Map to review clinical pathways, editing these to reflect agreed local practice and to ‘signpost’ users to local services, eg. the Map is used to publicise and promote the local smoking cessation service in Milton Keynes.

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DATASETS: sources of information

NHS Data Model and Dictionary

A reference point for assured information standards to support health care activities within the NHS in England . For an overview of the different elements (eg definitions, coding, datasets, forms, diagrams) see here.

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Information Centre search engine for health and social care

A single access point from the Information Centre for health and social care information.

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Local PCT information services can provide systems to provide this information at a local level, e.g. see Leeds PCT Information Service.

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Comparative data

NHS Comparators

Nationally provided resource, based on SUS, showing local activity, costs and outcomes. Login ID needed.

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Demographic data

ONS Neighbourhood statistics

Detailed statistics on specific geographic areas.

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Health profiles

Snapshot of health in each council area.

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Corresponding health areas

National Statistics grouping of health areas using area classification variables. Table presents the 4 most similar health areas for each health area.

[AG 200109]

 

Department of Work and Pensions

Provides statistical data and research about social and economic issues.

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General Practitioners FAQs

Information about the number of GP registrars, overseas trained GPs and average retirement age. Number of patients and daily consultations per GP.

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Episode data

Hospital Episode Statistics

The national statistical data warehouse for England of the care provided by NHS hospitals and for NHS hospital patients treated elsewhere. HES is the data source for a wide range of healthcare analysis for the NHS, government and many other organisations and individuals.

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Financial data

NHS Business Services Authority: Prescription Pricing Division

Five years of prescribing financial and drug information for all prescribers in England and Wales to assist in determining the mose cost effective use of drugs in treating patients within primary care.  Includes the ePACT analysis tool which provides electronic information for Trusts about their prescriptions dispensed within the community.

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Performance data

See sections on Managing provider performance and Benchmarking.