Editorial

Abstract

It is often said that opportunity is being in the right place at the right time and seizing the chance to make the most of that, ‘to make hay while the sun shines’ or ‘to strike while the iron is hot’. Perhaps a translation from the 19th century rural and domestic setting is required, as in the 21st century health information arena these old fashioned proverbs can be judged to mean ‘well-timed initiatives’. This Special Edition highlights a selection of the many well-timed initiatives that have been taken by Health Library and Information professionals. To make the most of an opportunity often demands change in practice; in user expectations or behaviour. It is widely acknowledged that change is not always easily embraced, as the status quo often seems far preferable. Making change is risky, it requires a great deal of commitment and determination, it is fraught with difficulties and not for the timid, above all else it needs enthusiasm and belief. The opportunities and changes in practice explored by this collection of papers contain contributions from the UK in primary and secondary care, and from international colleagues facing greater challenges. What is particularly encouraging about this Special Edition is that the energy and enthusiasm expressed by the authors is undaunted, despite working in services constantly at the forefront of the political agenda and always fighting to maintain services let alone change them. The papers presented here are from committed, determined individuals who have a passion for what they do and can clearly see a way forward for the Health Library and Information professional; the following are not for the faint-hearted! The article of Amanda Brookman et al. (‘What do clinicians want from us? An evaluation of Brighton and Sussex University NHS Trust clinical librarian services and its implications for developing future working patterns’) really goes to the heart of the Clinical Librarian role to ask the very question that is at the extreme of the risky scale: what do ‘they’ want and can ‘we’ provide the answer? One aspect on this theme, with an approach developed in Higher Education is from Mala Mann ‘Signposting best evidence: a role for information professionals’. Another central requirement for the NHS is that of Clinical Governance. The article of Mary Publicover et al. entitled ‘Listening to our clinical colleagues’, provides the insight into an approach used to investigate this. A clear indication is provided by these three papers that the role of the Library and Information professional is fundamental to providing best evidence to support clinical decision making and improve health care. To add to the breadth of this Special Edition, work carried out in areas outside the traditional, acute/university NHS trust setting have been included. In his paper ‘Workplace-based information skills outreach training to primary care staff’, Stephen Ayre challenges the received wisdom. Margery Sidell et al. provide a first-hand experience of a specialist Knowledge and Library service in a Mental Health Trust in Wales ‘Development of a Knowledge and Library Service in a newly configured special mental health teaching trust—the first year’. Too often, the training aspect of implementing new resources is an afterthought. Maclean et al. showed how the two work in tandem in ‘Opportunity for change in future roles for the health library and information professional: meeting the challenges in NHS Scotland’. In complete contrast, and perhaps as a definitive message that change does take time and opportunities are often hard won, ‘Health check for Latvia’ is the Latvian experience given by Inese Smith and Velta Poznaka. It is yet another perspective of the health information arena. It is an undisputable fact that, in 2006, providing any type of library and information service demands an element of E being incorporated into it. Therefore, this Special Edition contains papers that explore the experiences of this. Anna O’Neill and Siobahn Whitby provide a bird's eye view in their paper ‘Stepping out: the changing role of an E-Resources Librarian’. The rolling out of online learning is described and evaluated by Rachel Bury et al. in ‘Achieving change through mutual development: supported online learning and the evolving role of health and information professionals’. In all of the papers in this Special Edition describing opportunities for change, the professionals have successfully met those challenges. The development of new national strategic objectives will inevitably mean more and different challenges for the Health Library and Information professionals; the evidence here suggests that these professionals are astute, confident and ready to meet these challenges. Carpe diem!