MEDIA RELEASE
Monday 3 March 2003
For immediate release (Please copy to online discussion lists)
CILIP PRAISES HEALTH UNIVERSITY VISION
Response calls for role of library and information professionals to be acknowledged.
CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals shares in the dream of a National Health Service University (NHSU) and would like to contribute to its realisation. However, in its response to the NHS consultation document A Development Plan for the NHSU: learning for everyone, CILIP expresses concern at a "lack of awareness, or explicit recognition, of the role of library and information services and their staff in supporting learners."
"We would like to see the NHSU Learners' Charter make access to libraries and learning materials a requirement for the proposed local learning centres," says CILIP's Principal Policy Adviser Guy Daines, who drafted the response. "The NHSU will need to address the issue of information literacy, ensuring that it is seen as an essential part of learning to learn, and it should also recognise the potential for library staff to undertake other roles in the learning process, such as designing courses, developing learning materials, teaching information skills or acting as mentors."
With around 600 libraries operating within the NHS, and the development of high profile electronic services such as the National Electronic Libraries for health and Social Care, and NHS Direct Online, many CILIP members are already contributing to learning opportunities
within the NHS. But the active involvement of library and information services outside the
health service will also be vital to the success of the NHSU, since as many NHS staff work in the community rather than in a hospital.
"The NHSU needs to recognise and exploit the information and learning support mechanisms that already exist within and outside the NHS," the response continues. Praising its proposal that informatics should be one of the first areas of learning provision, CILIP points out that it is currently reviewing its own qualifications and continuing professional development (CPD) structure, so the NHSU proposals are particularly timely. Commenting on the document's pledge to develop "learning champions" in the NHS, CILIP also points out that it already has a very active Health Libraries Group, which provides many CPD opportunities for staff in the sector.
Knowledge management and its application within the health care sector is another of the consultation document's concerns. Drawing attention to the recent report CILIP in the Knowledge Economy, CILIP's response refers to the growth of evidence based medicine and the idea of the expert patient, and to its own role in bringing together all interested parties to focus and co-ordinate effort. "It is good to know that the NHSU can be regarded as an interested party," CILIP says.
The NHSU consultation document A Development Plan for the NHSU: learning for everyone is available on the Web via www.nhsuniversity.nhs.uk/. CILIP's response can be found at www.cilip.org.uk/advocacy/responses/030303.html.
Contact: Tim Owen, Head of External Relations.
Tel: 020 7255 0652. Email: [log in to unmask]
Notes to Editors
CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals is the leading professional body for librarians, information specialists and knowledge managers, with around 23,000 members working in all sectors, including business and industry, science and technology, further and higher education, schools, local and central government, the health service, the voluntary sector, national and public libraries.
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<<030226NHSU.DOC>>
Tim Owen, Head of External Relations
CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals
7 Ridgmount St, London WC1E 7AE.
Direct line: +44 (0)20 7255 0652
Email: [log in to unmask]
Umbrella 2003 ~ 3 - 5 July ~ UMIST, Manchester
The one event for information professionals you can't afford to miss - sessions, exhibition, plenaries, social events - see www.umbrella2003.org.uk. Register before 15 April to take advantage of the earlybird rates. Email <mailto:[log in to unmask]> for a brochure and registration form.
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