Tips on searching the web:
- Searching on Google: knowledge management and health companies (pages from the UK); knowledge management companies support NHS (pages from the UK)
Also have a look at our summary of tips on searching the web and visit the Commissioning Specialist Library - a one-stop shop, providing timely and efficient access to high quality information resources for all those involved in commissioning.
Useful keywords for searching HMIC:
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“Comprehensive NHS library, information and knowledge services are essential for the development and implementation of world class commissioning”
Would a commissioner in your PCT make this statement?
NHS library and knowledge services are operating in an increasingly complex and diverse information sector. They are one of many sources of information and support for the busy NHS commissioner.
To position themselves as viable, relevant and competitive providers of information for commissioners, NHS libraries need to understand where they fit in an increasingly competitive information environment, and be able to articulate the unique selling point of the NHS library compared to its information provider competitors.
NHS libraries need to be aware that PCT commissioners are increasingly bringing in private contractors to assess and deliver their needs relating to knowledge management. This is becoming easier with the Department of Health's Framework for Procuring External Support for Commissioners (FESC), which is designed to complement existing frameworks used by the NHS to procure services. The majority of these will provide consultancy charged on a day-rate basis. FESC, on the other hand, provides the opportunity for PCTs to partner with independent providers who can undertake aspects of the commissioning function with the PCT - whilst remaining accountable to the PCT board throughout. Contractual arrangements are more robust and payment models are designed to incentivise suppliers to deliver the required value. As a result, knowledge and skills are transferred to NHS staff and the PCT gets greater value for money. This process has enabled PCTs a quick and cost effective route to bringing in expertise in relation to knowledge and information management.
The following suppliers (some of whom have links on their own websites to FESC) have all worked with PCTs recently to scope and deliver elements of their knowledge management requirements:
In addition, companies like PubMed are expanding their remit beyond electronic journals to include clinical guidelines, and mining and linking facilities.
Read UK PubMed goes beyond Journals.
PCTs are looking for neatly packaged solutions to their many knowledge management problems which can help them to:
- Locally lead the NHS
- Work with community partners
- Engage with public and patients
- Collaborate with clinicians
- Manage knowledge and assess needs
- Prioritise investments
- Stimulate the market
- Promote improvement and innovation
- Secure procurement skills
- Manage the local health system
- Make sound financial investments
- Share data & information with key partner organisations
To achieve these outcomes, PCTs need to organise and manage their knowledge and information much more robustly than is currently the case.
To be seen as a resource that can provide competitive help to PCTs in achieving these outcomes, libraries need to map their activities against PCT knowledge & information needs and highlight the areas of work and expertise they can offer to deliver added value to the work of World Class Commissioning, perhaps developing information and knowledge maangement packages specifically targeted at points of the commissioning cycle.
[TT 131008]
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