Dear HLG colleagues
From September 16th I will be taking up a new role for the Department of
Health as Head of Complaints, Knowledge Management and Public Enquiries. My
new post, which is based in Richmond House, is responsible for managing
the DH complaints procedure, the telephone and email response service and
for developing a knowledge management base for the Customer Service Centre.
Of course, as soon as complaints cease I may be out of a job !
Although it feels hard to leave NHS library service development at a time
when there is so much potential for development and growth, I am very
pleased to be moving to a new role that provides some links with current
work areas ie knowledge management but also offers the opportunity to lead
and develop a successful service for the Department. For me the post offers
personal development and the opportunity to return to an operational role in
managing and developing a service - with staff and resources !
My new post is focussed on knowledge about DH work areas rather than the NHS
and there will be no real overlap with my current role as NHS Library
Adviser. I shall miss the wider contacts within the health lis world
particularly but am talking with LKDN, NLH, NHSU and H&SC IC about hand
overs that make sense in ongoing areas of work. LKDN Network members will
continue to be in a position to share their expertise and advise on and
implement the future for NHS libraries.
On a personal note I have felt very privileged to be NHS Library Adviser for
several years (since January 1997) and to have been involved in so much
library service development and change. The role has also enabled me to
make many lasting and important friendships - not something that you get
with every job. However, as with many job, it has been a mixed bag and if
you are in the NHS (or close to it) you will know that the last two years
have brought renewed turbulence and change for most of us. Shifting the
Balance of Power, and the focus on developing the IT infrastructure - at
the expense of developing the information access and knowledge management
agenda - has created as many challenges as opportunities. Now, in the last
half of 2004, the focus on ICT benefits realisations offers a tremendous
opportunity to engage NPfIT, NHSU and SHAs in NHS library service
development and in effective links with external institutions and groups.
In the NHS the Skills for Health Framework, Agenda for Change, and UK CHIP
can all help NHS librarians gain the recognition they deserve for their
skills. Linking this with the CILIP HEAG and the new professional
qualifications should give a powerful impetus to library and
knowledge management professionalism. I wish NLH, LKDN and others
well in stimulating and supporting these developments and that amongst
other areas they will adopt and implement the Users First report. I
hope that HLG, CHILL and other related bodies such as MLA and the NHS / HE
Forum will support library initiatives that serve to unite all sectors
involved in health care information provision.
I hope to see many of you in Belfast at the CILIP Health Libraries Group
conference.
with best wishes
Veronica Fraser
NHS Library Adviser
331B Skipton House
80 London Road
LONDON
SE1 6LH
07867 537890 mobile
0113 254 6047 Leeds
(until September 15th)
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