The LA & HLG responded to the Department of Health's 'A first class
service,' highlighting the importance of effective library services in
underpinning the documents proposals.  This is the full text of the lette=
r
from the LA to the Department


Mike Roddham
Marketing & Membership, HLG
_________________________


A first class service

Dear Sir,

We would like to take up your invitation to comment on the issues and
concepts raised in "A first class service: quality in the new NHS".
Although not mentioned directly in "A first class service...", much of th=
e
success of the policy initiatives outlined therein depend upon library
skills and expertise.  National work already in progress in response to H=
SG
(97)47, Library & Information Services Strategies should provide the soun=
d
information foundation required for "A first class service..."

The Library Association is the professional body for library and
information personnel. It has 26,000 members working in all sectors of th=
e
economy. Under the terms of our Royal Charter, awarded in 1898, The Libra=
ry
Association has, amongst other duties, responsibilities to:

Promote and encourage the maintenance of adequate and appropriate provisi=
on
of library and information services of various kinds throughout the UK

Promote the better management of library and information services

Promote the knowledge, skills, position and qualifications of librarians
and information personnel

Maintain a register of Chartered members, qualified to practise as
professional librarians and information personnel

Represent and act as the professional body for persons working in or
interested in library and information services

It achieves the above by awarding professional qualifications, promoting
continuing professional development, supporting a network of geographical
branches and subject specialist groups, and advocating the cause of
libraries and librarians to government and other bodies.


The Health Libraries Group is the Association's special interest group fo=
r
health information professionals, representing over 800 librarians inside=
,
and outside, the NHS.

Delivering quality standards

Library services underpin much of clinical governance.  Effective access =
to
the evidence-base is impossible without a library service.  Furthermore,
effective access for all clinical professions requires a multi-profession=
al
library: a medical library can only serve doctors effectively.

Where national standards do not exist, creation of local guidelines and
standards that are truly evidence-based is impossible without an HA or
Trust library service.  Internet-accessible databases and NHSNet resource=
s
can show some of what is available, but high-quality information searchin=
g
and appraisal skills, coupled with the document delivery services of a
library, are required to support effective guideline-creation.

Once guidelines are agreed and published, their dissemination depends, no=
t
upon the publication and distribution of material by organisations at
national level, but on the capture and organisation of this material at a
local level and upon the timely introduction of this material into Trust
and HA corporate processes.  Dissemination at this level is already being
done in many Trusts and HAs by their librarians. They act as corporate
memories and have the skills to trace, appraise, filter and summarise the
evidence, to disseminate it around their organisations and alert key staf=
f
to new material. Much of NICE's proposed role can be made more effective
through active partnership with NHS libraries.

Lifelong Learning

CPD and lifelong learning require Trusts and HAs to provide development
plans.  We hope that these will encompass not only people's training need=
s
but their learning needs as well.  To be most effective, CPD should be
attuned to staff's different learning styles and permit non-classroom and
self-directed learning to be recognised and accredited.  Trusts and HAs
should encourage their staff to be lifelong learners by developing and
supporting facilities for independent study and investigation.  Again, on=
ly
a multi-professional library can do this for all staff: a medical library
can only support doctors.

Use of libraries

Although information skills and access to the clinical knowledge base are
essential elements in the success of "A first class service...", we note
that the development of these skills and services does not form part of t=
he
document.  We are concerned that, without this being made explicit, Trust=
s
and HAs will attempt to introduce the new policies without the necessary
infrastructure and that this will seriously handicap the thoroughness and
success of the proposals at local level.

With these concerns in mind, we look forward to assisting the Department =
in
achieving the best implementation of the objectives set out in "A first
class service...". We stand ready to discuss ways and means in which we c=
an
contribute.

Yours faithfully,







Ross Shimmon
Chief Executive, The Library Association

Tel: 0171 636 7543
Fax 0171 323 1842
Email: [log in to unmask]