Reductions in health inequalities

These case studies illustrate how health libraries across the capital are addressing the key issues identified by the Darzi London review.

Improved access

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.

Improved healthcare

CARES - Clinical and Research Enquiry Service
Targeted at time-poor, information hungry community-based staff in South West London, CARES supports informed clinical and management decision-making. Colleagues ‘post’ their information requests to expert librarian searchers, via an interactive website.

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.

Physiotherapy following total knee replacement
Bromley Hospitals NHS Trust Library conducted a comprehensive literature review to support an RCT. Following this study all patients are offered group therapy (enabling peer support) and a combination of hydrotherapy and land-based therapy is used.

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