South West Strategic Health Authority
Action notes of the South West Library Managers’ meeting at Lyngford House, Taunton on
Thursday 23rd October 2014 11am – 3.30pm
Notes
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Present:
Welcome and Apologies
Jackie Webb
(JW) WOT
Linda Foote
(LF) YDH
Tricia Ellis
(TE) HESW (chair)
Ginny Newton
(GN) EXE
Jane Villa
(JV) NBT
Jenny Toller
(JT) HESW
Nicki Healey
(NH) WSM
John Loy
(JL) AWP
Jason Ovens
(JO) W14
Sarah Johns
(SJ) PLY
Lisa Riddington
(LR) CGH/GRH
Alison Housley
(AH) NDH
Dorothy Curtis
(DC) CGH/GRH
Sue Ap Thomas
(SAT) RCHT
Laura Coysh
(LC) PLY
Carol Ann Regan
(CAR) TST
Bennett Jones
(BJ) UHB
Roxanne Hart
(RH) WSM
Apologies:
Sam Burgess
Liz Jordan
Claire O’Conner
Mary Smith
Imelda Winn
(SB) W01
(LJ) UHB
(CO) CGH/GRH
(MS) EXE
(IW) W01
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Welcome, apologies and introductions. TE welcomed everyone to
the meeting and particularly CAR in her new acting Library Manager
role at TST, BJ on behalf of LJ at UHB, and RH, the new librarian at
WSM. Since the last meeting, Annette Giles has retired and Helen
Wharam begins a post with East Devon Council. All wished them both
well for the future.
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Knowledge for Healthcare: a development framework for NHS
library and knowledge services in England – TE had shared the
draft Knowledge for Healthcare; a development framework for NHS
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library and knowledge services in England prior to the meeting and led
a discussion on the responses of the group to the draft Framework
following the year-long strategic review of NHS Library and Knowledge
Services. The discussions included an overview of the document, how
it had been created with the support of all library teams in the South
West and a range of stakeholders, and the timescale for the publication
of the document once it has been ratified by the Executive Board of
Health Education England before its implementation into practice
across England. TE asked all for their responses to the strategy and for
their considerations of the impact of the document on the library and
knowledge services in the South West. The discussions were captured
and there was general agreement that Knowledge for Healthcare was
very welcome; it offered a common-sense and practical approach to
the development of current library and knowledge services and a plan
for the future service provision.
The full responses will be collated and shared with the group
separately. Action: TE.
Implications of the Framework for the South West
TE discussed with the Library Managers what the implications of the
Framework could be for the South West. It was considered that the
South West library and knowledge services had a very well established
network and that partnership activities advocated by the Framework
were in place already, which will enhance the implementation in the
South West. Discussions ensued about the pooling of regional budgets
to optimise the available funding for purchasing resources and services
nationally. Reassurances were given that this would not impact upon
the printed stock purchases that meet locally determined library service
needs. There were discussions on the outcome of the reprocurement
of the National Core Content portfolio Phase 1 and the preparation for
Phase 2 which will begin on Monday 27th October with pooled regional
funding. LC was thanked for her support for the reprocurement
discussions and tender evaluations. LC requested feedback from the
group on the preferred resources within the Phase 2 with regard to the
South West which was captured during the discussions.
It was agreed that all would continue to contribute their responses to
the Knowledge for Health Framework and that this would be a standing
agenda item for each of the SW Library Managers’ meeting in 2015. SJ
recommended that there should be a South West response to the
Framework based on the slide in the Framework, “ Delivering the vision
– the changes you will see” together with an evidence base of how the
South West library and knowledge services are addressing these
issues. Action: TE to devise a template to capture the evidence from
the South West of how library services are addressing the work
streams of the Framework.
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The HEE Research and Innovation Strategy – discussions on the
implications and opportunities for the South West
TE had shared the new HEE Research and Innovation Strategy prior to
the meeting. The Strategy provides a strong steer for evidence based
practice for which the South West library services will be able to
engage. The discussions ensued regarding the Strategy. The issue of
library services’ support for systematic reviews was considered. Whilst
there is agreement that library staff have the ability to support research
through systematic reviews, there are capacity and financial
implications which impact upon library and knowledge services.
It was agreed that there is a need to work with ClaHRCs, Academic
Health Science Networks, and National Institute for Health Research to
support systematic reviews. Following discussions, it was agreed that
there would be a South West response to the Research and Innovation
Strategy which would include an investigation of the general cost of
systematic reviews which could be used to support request made upon
library services. It was also agreed that there would be an investigation
of whether there was a pool/bank of staff who would be able to support
systematic reviews and whether there could be a funding source to
enable the use of these staff who can provide this skill. The issue of the
inclusion of the recommendations of the Finch report on access for
NHS staff to higher education resources was discussed but it was
recognised that the Strategy did not recognise the Finch
recommendations. Action: TE to begin a paper and costings to share
with the group for their comments and additions.
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LQAF performance monitoring of South West Library and
Knowledge Services 2014-15. An update and implications for
performance management
TE thanked the library managers for their submissions of the 2014
LQAF baseline assessments and also for the Innovations submissions
for 2014. DC fed back to the library managers that she was reviewing
their LQAF submissions for 2014 and attempting to align them with the
Framework with regard to the provision of evidence of partnership
activities and impact assessment. The issue of Peer Review visits was
discussed and library managers wishing to receive a visit could contact
TE and DC to arrange. TE also confirmed that letters to Trust CEOs on
their library services compliance to the LQAF would be sent in January
2015. In the meantime, certificates for LQAF compliance will be sent to
Library Services for 2013 as quickly as possible. Action: TE to send
certificates for 2013
The issue of key performance indicators for the South West will be
deferred until further outcomes of the Knowledge for Healthcare
Framework are available.
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Library Managers’ open feedback session. Key issues for
discussion
NH asked about the number of Band 2 library assistants within the
South West. The library managers agreed that there were many
examples of Band 2 library assistants within their libraries who
supported clerical activities. Band 3 staff provided more enquiry and
desk management support.
JO raised the issue of telephone support for Athens Access
Management for situations that required immediate responses to
ensure the integrity of the library service, for example when a booked
training session for a user cannot proceed because an Athens log-in is
not available. NH considered that other having self-system
administration access within each library service may ensure that there
could be a speedier resolution for Athens access issues. It was agreed
that this could be investigated further, possibly with a pilot arrangement
in 2015. (Post-meeting note; the Athens Access Management Team at
Torbay Hospital are now piloting a telephone helpline service for
librarians, which should alleviate this issue).
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Notes and actions of SWRLIN Library Managers’ business
meeting of 17th July 2014
The notes and actions of the last meeting were agreed and all actions
completed.
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Feedback from Patch Library Managers meetings.
The AGW Patch Library Managers had met in September and had
included in their discussions, the HSJ renewal, finance, the movement
of library users between libraries, a CPD update and the sharing of eresource statistics. The SDC Patch Library Managers had not met
since the last Library Managers’ meeting but had met with the
University of Plymouth Librarians during that time.
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CPD update
JL explained that the two Train the Trainers’ Critical Appraisal
workshops run by Michelle Madden have been very well received by
attendees. UHB library staff had been inspired to run their own critical
appraisal skills training sessions as a result of attending one. Library
services are required to market and organise the sessions that are to
be held in their organisations. Some spaces are available for the
remaining sessions. Further sessions could be set up in 2015 if there is
sufficient demand. JL will investigate this with Michelle. JL can provide
blank certificates of attendance for library services that are running
sessions.
The new Folio course on Synthesising has four recruits from the South
West and all were congratulated on the quality of their applications to
attend which had achieved these available places. There is a possibility
that this course may run again in 2015.
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The Current Awareness workshop is to take place in Taunton on 5 th
November. It will feature support from Ben Skinner from Brighton and
Sussex NHSFT, Andre Tomlins from Minervations. The workshop will
explore all the options for current awareness services within the South
West.
The SWRLIN Xmas meeting is planned for Thursday 11th December in
Exeter. Presentations will include LC’s report on Patron Driven
Acquisitions at Plymouth Hospitals NHST Library Service, BJ from
UHB on Open Access publications, Exeter Public Library, and a Day in
the Life… from one of the specialists in the Royal Devon & Exeter
NHFT.
In Spring 2015 it is intended to run a Library Assistant’s Away Day,
possibly in Bristol and Exeter. It was regarded that this would be an
opportunity to share ideas and best practice for library assistants.
In January 2015 the national TNA will be run again.
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Any other business
NH raised the issue of the public health discussions to which she had
been invited and will share these details in case others are attending
as well.
JT raised the issue of the currency of print stock on SWIMS and is
compiling the annual list of stock that is over ten years of age and
designated for weeding. This spreadsheet is sent to TE and Helen
Bingham in Wessex and Thames Valley and will be shared with Library
Managers.
The issue of Point of Care resources was raised by SJ and the
potential for sharing details of those library services about to renew
subscriptions and whether there is potential for driving improved
negotiated prices through collaboration across the South West.
JL is part of a task and finish group on the weeding of the national ebook collection with Helen Gorring
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Proposed dates of meetings for 2015
Tues 20th January 2015
Tues 28th April 2015
Thurs 16th July 2015
Thurs 22nd October 2015
The meeting closed at 3.30pm
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