multi-sector networks not only allowing for a more collaborative approach to health information, but also the sharing of ideas and good practice.
With this in mind BHIP was formed and its purpose set out in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which the named parties above signed.
Purpose of the MoU
l To agree to establish a network in order to build understanding and strengthen working relationships
l To identify where each partner can be more impactful, effective and efficient by working together
l To agree to work in partnership to provide health information to patients, public, staff and learners
l To articulate and describe mutual expectations and any agreed commitments for this joint working.
The MoU also includes aims and objec-
tives. For the group as a whole, the aim is to help people in Bolton with their health and wellbeing; the main ways to do this are:
l To promote the importance of health literacy, including functional personal- ised information, which all people can make sense of and act on, to assist them to make informed choices, share in decisions about their care and treatment, take control and improve the quality of their life:
l To share and communicate good practice.
All parties also agree:
l To operate as strategic partners, look- ing for suitable opportunities to promote the aims stated in the MoU
l To work together on an increased evidence base to support these aims and objectives
l To work with partners to share guidance, good practice, expertise, experience and resources
l To facilitate/coordinate mutual training opportunities
l To work on joint projects and events, such as Health Information Week.
l That any formal or detailed arrange- ments developed to implement joint actions through this agreement will be recorded and shared through the respec- tive reporting arrangements to ensure that appropriate governance is established and good practice is cascaded. These will include:
l Development of any structural relationships
l Building the evidence base
l Nominating an alternative contact person if the named lead changes.
October-November 2019 MacMillan Cancer Support event at the Royal Bolton Hospital.
In addition to this we developed clear roles and responsibilities fit for purpose for each of our own organisations and an example of this would be:
Bolton NHS Foundation Trust Library Services agrees to:
l work with local health information providers to share guidance, good practice, expertise, experience and resources
l promote and build the public library profile by encouraging structural relation- ships at a local and regional level
l work with Trust staff to encourage active engagement with public libraries via rela- tionships with local authorities
l facilitate/coordinate mutual training opportunities.
Examples of how this came into force:
Health Information Week 2017 Staff from Library Services, MacMillan Information and University of Bolton Library came together in the Education Centre Library at Royal Bolton Hospital for an event covering:
l Cancer information – attendees could find out more from MacMillan staff by visiting their information stand
l Cancer collection – browse new titles available for Library Services members to borrow
l HeLP@Bolton – chat to the Librarian from the School of Health and Human Sciences at the University of Bolton about the library resources and services availa- ble and the HeLP@Bolton scheme, which enables NHS staff to use library facilities
at the university.
Public library staff were busy all week with a timetable of events including:
l Health agencies including Macmillan Cancer, Diabetes UK, Bolton Public Health, Smoking Cessation, Dementia specialists and Deafway, on hand to pro- vide information and advice to the public
l A mindfulness workshop
l Launch of the new Books on Prescription collection, ‘Reading Well for People with Long Term Conditions’. Titles cover condi- tions such as arthritis, IBS, asthma, COPD, diabetes, stroke, pain management etc
l A smoothie bike event at Central Library which gave staff the opportunity to pro- mote healthy eating and the NHS Live Well five a day campaign.
Working together in practice Our ethos is that working in partnership enables our organisations to use resources more efficiently and by working together we can achieve more than working alone. Networking within the partnership connects any information professionals across Bolton who are working within the health and wellbeing arena and our group membership is open to anyone who meets that criteria. The BHIP hopes to share good practices which could be established in other regions; work together to deliver training by NHS information professionals for public library staff in health information enquiries; redirect queries from members of the public to other organisations to ensure the most appropriate response; co-ordinating reading challenges and sharing resources. A recent example of where we have shared
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