How Knowledge Services supported health and care in the past year
The Knowledge Network continues to provide a digital library service on a ‘once for Scotland’ basis to all health and social care staff in the NHS and Scottish local authorities, as well as those working with them in the third and independent sectors in Scotland.
It has been an extremely busy year with our team working with NHSS Library Services to support COVID-19 services.
Impact survey
We conducted an impact survey which will influence next year’s tender for subscription services (covering journals, books, databases, evidence summaries). You can read more on the summary report and infographic.
The impact survey demonstrated how resources available on the Knowledge Network contribute to patient care, CPD, research and study and education for health and care staff in Scotland. As well as their importance for evidence-based practice - particularly during the pandemic - equity of access and keeping up to date is vital, especially when evidence is changing all the time.
As well as reviewing our current services, we are also looking to collate and review requests from end-users for resources we currently do not subscribe to. If you would like to be involved in this work, contact knowledge@nes.scot.nhs.uk.
Health Librarians add Value campaign
We also contributed case studies to the Health Librarians Add Value campaign to showcase the work of health library services across Scotland - and supported librarians in NHS Scotland with CPD opportunities to develop their skills so they can continue providing services in the future.
Partnership working
Our work over the past year has involved lots of partnership working with, among others, NHS Scotland Library Services, General Nursing Council, NES colleagues, IRISS, Care Inspectorate and the Scottish Government.
It has been rewarding to build on relationships established over many years of providing access to resources as well as digital information literacy and health literacy training and eLearning.
Reflecting on the developments of the past year, Katie Edwards of the Knowledge Network, said:
It’s been a tumultuous year for everyone in and around the health and social care sector in Scotland.
We hope that some of the positive changes and developments that have emerged from the pandemic will impact ways of working for the better going forward.
Access the Knowledge Network
Access is via the the Knowledge Network and SSKS with an NHSScotland OpenAthens username
Contact the Knowledge Services Help Desk for help or to find out more about how we can support you.
Contact: katie.edwards@nhs.scot
September, 21 2021