Executive Summary
Library & Knowledge Services (LKS) continues to play a critical role in enabling evidence-based decision-making, service improvement, workforce development, and high-quality patient care across the Trust. The service aligns closely with NHS priorities and the Knowledge for Healthcare 2021–2026 framework, ensuring staff have timely access to trusted evidence, resources, and skills required for safe and effective practice.
Value to the Organisation
LKS directly supports Trust priorities by:
- Enabling evidence-based clinical and managerial decision-making
- Supporting quality improvement, research, and innovation
- Enhancing staff knowledge, skills, and confidence in information use
- Contributing to improved patient outcomes and service effectiveness
The service also promotes equitable access to information and supports multidisciplinary working across all staff groups.
Key Achievements and Impact
During 2025–2026, LKS delivered a comprehensive digital-first service across four sites, supporting clinical and non-clinical staff. Core outputs included:
- 85 evidence searches supporting clinical decision-making, service development, research, and education
- 929 article requests supplied and 1,097 book loans/renewals
- 643 Athens accounts, enabling access to national and subscribed resources
- 330 staff receiving monthly personalised current awareness alerts
- 89 library inductions, supporting workforce capability and engagement
User feedback demonstrates strong impact, with services directly contributing to improved patient care, research outputs, and service development initiatives.
Strategic Developments
- Completion of a comprehensive stock review, improving the quality and accessibility of physical collections
- Contribution to the Trust Culture Framework (HEART) and Managers and Leaders Development Framework (MALD) through evidence support
- Participation in a multi-Trust ICB library service pilot, demonstrating value despite limited uptake due to system-wide constraints
- Integration into the Midlands Evidence Repository (MIDER), now the largest NHS repository, enhancing visibility of Trust research output
- Progress towards a Trust-wide Health Literacy offer, supporting accessibility and patient engagement
Operational Challenges
Service delivery in 2025–2026 was significantly impacted by long-term staff sickness, particularly affecting training and outreach provision. This led to:
- A 66% reduction in training sessions and 72% fall in attendance
- Reduced outreach activity and engagement opportunities
- Declines across KPIs, most significantly evidence searches.
Despite these pressures, core services were maintained, and the team demonstrated resilience and adaptability to ensure continuity of support.
Priorities for 2026–2027
- Full rollout of the Health Literacy programme
- Continued development of MIDER and research visibility
- Exploration and evaluation of AI technologies to enhance service delivery
- Reinstating and strengthening training and outreach provision
- Targeted engagement with non-clinical staff groups
- Alignment with the updated Trust strategy and organisational priorities
Conclusion
Library & Knowledge Services remains a high-value, enabling service within the Trust, underpinning safe, evidence-based care and continuous improvement. While performance has been impacted by workforce challenges, the service has maintained core delivery and is well-positioned to recover, innovate, and expand its strategic impact in 2026–2027.
