WMLISDU aims to improve the accessibility to health information resources for patients and public via a range of NHS staff, including library staff, PALS, health trainers, pharmacists, and practice staff.

PARTNERSHIP WORKING

Health Information Networks are multi-sector networks in each county area across the West Midlands.  They aim to to enhance partnership working, avoid duplication and share resources and events. In most areas these are co-ordinated by Sarah Greening.

WMLISDU has recently commissioned an evaluation of these networks and new plans for the future of the networks are currently being implemented.

Health Information Week (HIW) is an annual campaign (1st week July) in the West Midlands co-ordinated centrally by Sarah Greening but each area taking on their own responsibility for organising events and displays locally. The aim of HIW is to improve access to quality health information for the public and to enhance partnership working across the sectors.

RESOURCES

EQUIP - Electronic Quality Information for the Public was created in 2000 by WMLISDU and was recently redesigned as part of NHS West Midlands' Investing for Health Programme of work. All of the information on EQUIP has been through an accreditation process and so is good quality information that staff can trust to give out to patients and public in the West Midlands.

EQUIP received a ‘Commended’ award in the 2009 BMA Patient Information Awards - see the BMA site for more information 

CONTACTS

Sarah Greening is the Health Information Co-ordinator for WMLISDU, work which spans to the Public Health Directorate as well.

A Data Quality Officer will soon be in post to assist Sarah with Quality Assurance of the EQUIP website.