Decision-making on commissioning and health policy

These case studies how health librarians support commissioning and policy development, which is one of the four purposes for libraries identified by the Hill Review.

18 week referral to treatment time
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.

Clicke here to see a powerpoint presentation on this case study from the launch event

Business Case for Prevention
The costs of preventable ill health are significant. Islington PCT library helped Public Health strategists research where investment is most likely to reduce health inequalities and yield a good return. These programmes were approved and monies allocated.

Clinical policies and procedures
Supporting a culture of evidence-based practice, new policies are examined by the library manager at Newham University Hospital NHS Trust prior to their approval.  The aim is to ensure that policy draws on best evidence; a search is provided wherever appropriate.

Compression stockings to reduce risk of DVT
The Clinical Librarian and Lead Research Nurse at the Whittington Hospital critically appraised the evidence for the relative effectiveness of compression stockings above and below the knee. The adoption of a policy to use knee-length stockings saved c£90,000.

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.

Improving end of life care
The Acute strategy and commissioning directorate in Islington requested evidence on best practice in end of life care. This is being used to inform a new strategy and support service redesign.

Mental Health Services for Irish Residents
Further resources are being allocated to mental health services for Irish residents of Islington following a literature review requested by the Public Health Department. The work will inform future service planning, recognizing the needs of the community.

Clicke here to see a powerpoint presentation on this case study from the launch event.

NICE Guidance compliance
Allowing more efficient management of compliance, the Library at West Middlesex University Hospital Trust has developed linked databases. The new system provides automated notifications, reminders and reports on compliance.

PCT Clinical Exceptions Reviews
Several PCTs have agreed to share the evidence they compile for their respective Clinical Exceptions Panels using a common template. Coordinated by the London Health Observatory Knowledge Management service.