Resources and references

Health libraries, public libraries and the NHS can move closer to important targets and policy objectives by working together.

There are so many shared priorities: reducing inequalities, promoting public health and giving local people a voice. Across public services, the emphasis is on joint working to meet locally agreed goals. Here are links to Health Link resources and just a few of the relevant policies to help exploit this potential.

Health Link resources

Partnership for Patients Project Report Summary (Health Link 2008)
Patient Choice Evaluation Summary (Loughborough University 2008)
Information and Support for Patient Choice in the Public Library Service – Feasibility Study (DH and HL 2005)
Executive Summary Feasibility Study Patients Choice in the Public Library Service (DH and HL 2005)
Health Link Literature Review on cCBT in Libraries (HL 2008)

NHS

Choice Matters - Working with Libraries (Department of Health 2008)

NHS Next Stage Review DH 2008

Joint Strategic Needs Assessment PCTs & Local Government (DH 2007)

Delivering Choosing Health (DH 2005)

Guidance on Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (DH 2007)

Public libraries

Briefing to Chief Librarians on support for Patient Choice (Museums Libraries & Archives Council 2008)

Audit of Bibliotherapy and Books on Prescription Activity in England (Reading Agency and Arts Council 2006)

Blueprint for Excellence (MLA 2007)

Generic Social Outcomes Framework (MLA 2008)

Framework for the future (Department for Culture, Media and Sport, 2003).

Libraries Impact Report Laser Foundation (2005)

Health libraries

National Review of health libraries in England (National Library for Health 2008)

National Service Framework for Service Improvement National Library for Health (2008)

Additional Resources

Health Link’s work on libraries includes research, policy development and pilot projects. Have a look at the Partnership for Patients pages on our main site.

To find out what other professionals are doing, or get an update in your own field you may find these websites which offer good overviews, contacts or news.

NHS Choices - http://www.nhs.uk
Information about health, how the NHS works, and patient choice

National Library for Health - http://www.library.nhs.uk
Includes a special section for librarians, packed with useful features

Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals - http://www.cilip.org.uk
Special interest groups for public and health libraries

Health Library and Information Services Directory - http://www.hlisd.org
Get in touch with hundreds of specialist health libraries