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The Digital Library
Challenges and solutions for the new millenium
Bologna, June 17-18, 1999

Practical Case Studies


The new NHS: developing the National Electronic Library for Health (NeLH) / Veronica Fraser [*]

Abstract

'The challenge for the NHS is to harness the information revolution and use it to benefit patients'

Rt Hon Tony Blair

A programme of modernisation for the National Health Service was unveiled in the Government White Paper The new NHS in December 1997. In September 1998 the NHS launched its new information strategy Information for health. The aims of Information for health are to ensure that information is used to help patients receive the best possible care. This will be achieved by making it easy for NHS staff to find the information they need to provide good healthcare, and, to improve the public's health, and ensuring that patients, carers and the public have the information necessary to make decisions about their own care and to influence the shape of health services.

This challenge will be met by developing a National electronic Library for Health (NeLH)

There are several major issues to resolve before NeLH is launched as promised in Autumn 1999. These include co-ordinating the NHS' own research and other knowledge and purchase of commercially produced electronic information; the resolution of copyright, user authentication and access issues; links between JANET (the higher education network) and NHSnet; developing access and content for the Social Care sector. There is a temptation to assume that existing NHS library services will be replaced by a national electronic service. One key task to ensure that NHS librarians play a key part in developing the new library. Other early tasks include developing NeLH architecture and search terms and establishing agreement on evaluating the quality of information.

As work on NeLH gets underway the NHS itself is undergoing great change. The NHS information management directorate is being restructured; work is starting on developing the Electronic Patient Record; and all GP Practices are to be connected to NHSnet. NHS Direct - a 24-hour telephone advice service is to be extended nation-wide. Work on these projects will be carried out by a newly established NHS Information Authority and in partnership with public and private sector bodies. In addition, the electronic library will be introduced at the same time that the NHS completes its programme for Y2K compliance and manages the biggest reform of primary care organisation for 20 years.

This context provides an exciting and challenging context to the creation of a new electronic library for health in the UK.



* Veronica Fraser - Department of Health, UK


N.B. An Italian abstract is also available.

Copyright AIB 1999-06-03, a cura di Serafina Spinelli
URL: https://www.aib.it/aib/commiss/cnur/dlefrase.htm

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