The Handbook – past, present and future

1. The Handbook – past, present and future Anne Gray London 18 October 2013

2. World Class Commissioning 2007 WCC is “built on the international evidence base of commissioning best practice” Review of NHS Library services 2008 (Hill Review) “health library and knowledge services should be part of (PCT) core business” “use and application of best available evidence” NLH Primary Care workshops 2006/7 Recurrent themes emerged - How do we know we are delivering ‘best practice’ of our own, as librarians in the commissioning field? How should we navigate the resources we have available to us when answering enquiries, providing current awareness and undertaking literature searches? How can we be sure we are not missing vital resources? The Past…

3. What was available? • Bibliographic databases • NLH Specialist Collections (Commissioning / Health Management) • Primary care google list Librarians got together - pooling their working knowledge, experience, ideas and ‘favourites’ lists Handbook was launched June 2009 The Commissioning Handbook: dynamic collaboration by Alison Price Inform, the Newsletter of IFM Healthcare, 2010;20(2) p14-18

4. Wiki based collaborative tool (free and freely available) • Initial development included Kings Fund • Augment NLH Specialist Collections • Repository for growing knowledge, experience and best practice - “do once and share” • Based on commissioning cycle

5. Behind the scenes • Virtual Steering Group incl Regional Champions, admin support and Commissioning Librarian, financial support from Quality MK. • New items suggested by anyone • Handbook Newsletter – all recent new items and editorial (140 subscribers) • Library press articles • HLG conference presentation • Champions asked to publicise at local events etc

6. Some analytics… June 2009 to June 2013 (4years): • 7.8k unique visitors, • 3.8k (33%) returning visitors • 2.5k visiting >9 times • > 39k unique pageviews • Ave visit duration 3m22s Unique pageviews June 2009-May 2013

7. Feedback about the Handbook • Two surveys: • October 2010 (70 responses) • May 2012 (27 responses) • Results were similar: • Valuable tool • we need to keep it current and relevant • Support for it to continue as the organisational landscape continues to change • we need to convert support to active involvement • Many librarians don’t know about it • publicity is key

8. The Present… • NLH Specialist collections closed • Primary care library service changes • Public Health services moved and links to library services disrupted • New commissioning landscape • New governmental policies • QIPP challenges

9. Developing CCGs: “Towards Authorisation” NHS Commissioning Board, 2011 ‘The organisation and its leaders (should be) equipped with the knowledge they need or an understanding of where they can find that knowledge.’ Essential Skills for All Clinicians, RCGP, 2011 “as a member of your practice team, you should …develop a critical, evidence-based approach that extends beyond your practice into your local commissioning discussions” The need is still there..

10. The Future… • http://www.knowledge4commissioning.nhs.uk - LKS showcase to commissioners • commissioning@libraryservices.nhs.uk mailing list - a discussion forum for LKS staff supporting commissioners • AND

11. Officially launched!! http://commissioning.libraryservices.nhs.uk/

12. Going forward… • Initial feedback and comments • How do we keep the Handbook up to date? • How do we ensure LKS know about it and are engaged? • How do we measure its impact?

13. Over to you… • Feedback • Collaborative tools - what works that we can borrow? • How do we keep it up to date? • What else do you need and how do you tell us? • How do we tell other librarians about it?