******apologies for cross posting*******

The National Library for Health (NLH) Specialist Libraries have been 
developed to identify and meet the information needs of particular 
communities of practice. They are web-based collections containing 
clinical and non-clinical information on the major health priority areas. 
Each NLH Specialist Library identifies and provides access to quality 
assessed information of relevance to the community that it serves. An 
aspect of this involves the production of Annual Evidence Updates and 
National Knowledge Weeks (NKWs). National Knowledge Weeks aim to highlight 
the best current evidence for selected healthcare topics - they consist of 
the good quality evidence from an Annual Evidence Update (a search of 
research evidence on a particular topic over a 12 month period), plus user-
friendly summaries written by relevant experts, and links to guidelines, 
secondary research and primary research, if applicable. All information 
included in National Knowledge Weeks has been subject to rigorous 
selection criteria.

The National Library for Health is now part of the NHS Institute for 
Innovation and Improvement, based at the University of Warwick. The NHS 
Institute supports the NHS to transform healthcare for patients and the 
public by rapidly developing and spreading new ways of working, new 
technology and world class leadership. 

The following National Knowledge Weeks are scheduled for November:

5th

National Knowledge Week on Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (Skin 
Disorders Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/skin

The NLH Skin Disorders Specialist Library is holding its first National 
Knowledge Week on Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis from Monday 5 November 
until Friday 9 November 2007. This event is being arranged to correspond 
with Psoriasis Awareness Week. The National Knowledge Week is particularly 
aimed at NHS health professionals, and will highlight sources of 
information and guidance on psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Included 
will be the Library's first Annual Evidence Update on Psoriasis and 
Psoriatic Arthritis, with the results of a comprehensive search for 
systematic reviews on these conditions and their management since 2000. 
There will also be commentaries from a range of invited experts.

The National Knowledge Week pages will be available from Monday 5 November 
2007 via the home page of the Skin Disorders Specialist Library, 
www.library.nhs.uk/skin.

12th

National Knowledge Week on COPD (Respiratory Specialist Library)       
http://www.library.nhs.uk/respiratory
 
The Respiratory Specialist Library will be presenting the latest evidence 
and information in the 2nd National Knowledge Week for COPD. Working with 
the team from the COPD NSF, this will incorporate the first Annual 
Evidence Update for COPD providing links to systematic reviews. Further 
information on developments, organisations and patient information will be 
provided, along with the latest news from the NSF. The invited 
commentaries written for the 2006 NKW will be updated by the authors, 
where they feel it is necessary.

National Knowledge Week on Oral Cancer (Oral Health Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/oralhealth

The Oral Cancer Knowledge week provides a review of the evidence base on 
this topic produced by the NLH Oral Health Specialist Library.  It is 
timed to coincide with Mouth Cancer Awareness Week. Evidence will be 
presented in a range of summaries linked to up-to-date high quality 
systematic reviews and guidance on the following topics:

* risk factors
* prevention
* diagnosis
* treatment and management

In addition, a comprehensive resource page will provide quick links to 
relevant sites including patient information and organisations working in 
this area. 

19th

National Knowledge Week on Lung Cancer (Cancer Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/cancer

The second Lung Cancer NKW will be launched on 19 November and this update 
will feature a number of new topics as well as updating the literature on 
others including:

* Second line chemotherapy in Small Cell Lung Cancer
* Prophylactic cranial radiotherapy in extensive stage Small Cell Lung 
Cancer
* PET scanning & multi-slice CT
* Symptomatic detection in primary care. 
* Neo-adjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy in NSCLC
* Biological and targeted agents
* Screening

The contents for NKWs are developed on the basis of ‘hot topics’ suggested 
by members of an Advisory Panel who provide high quality summaries which 
are linked to the latest published evidence. Summaries and resources are 
organised by topic area and links provided to the relevant guidance, 
systematic reviews and clinical trials. Full information about 
contributors is provided, together with a comprehensive resources page 
with quick links to information about statistics, epidemiology, databases, 
appraisal tools, clinical trial portals and lung cancer charities. 

The Cancer Specialist Library encourages users and contributors to 
feedback via the ‘contact us’ form on the website. 

National Knowledge Week on Glaucoma (Eyes and Vision Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/eyes/

The Glaucoma National Knowledge Week provides an opportunity to bring 
together a collection of up-to-date evidence and information on 
developments in glaucoma clinical care that has arisen over the past year. 
Topics will include epidemiology, screening, current trends in medical 
management, optic disc imaging, assessment of visual field progression, 
patient education, living with glaucoma and low vision services. Any 
specialist or generalist health professional involved in eye care should 
find something of relevance.  

The term “glaucoma” for the purposes of the knowledge week is used to 
cover primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and normal tension glaucoma 
(NTG). Ocular hypertension is also included as it is a strong risk factor 
for developing glaucoma. 

26th

National Knowledge Week on Patient Safety (Patient and Public Involvement 
Specialist Library)  
http://www.library.nhs.uk/ppi

The National Knowledge Week considers the issue of patient and public 
involvement in patient safety. Firstly it reviews how involvement is 
defined. It then looks at the way patients, their families and carers, and 
the community could be involved. It seeks to identify current initiatives 
which encourage involvement and if there is evidence that these have 
succeeded. During our National Knowledge Week the PPI Specialist Library 
will be exhibiting at the NHS Centre for Involvement Conference.

Also new on the ENT and Audiology Specialist Library: the annual evidence 
update on hyperthyroidism at:

http://www.library.nhs.uk/ent/ViewResource.aspx?
resID=269591&tabID=289&summaries=true&resultsPerPage=10&sort=PUBLICATION_DA
TE&catID=7712