“NeL-CAM”: a scoping meeting organised by the Research Council for Complementary Medicine RCCM with the National electronic Library for Health (NeLH), 3rd November 2003

Abstract

A scoping meeting was held at the University of Westminster, London on 3 November 2003 to discuss the development of a National electronic Library for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). Thirty representatives were present from a range of CAM research, practice and education groups and professional bodies, as well as representatives from NHS Direct Online and the Department of Health. The meeting was organised by the Research Council for Complementary Medicine at the request of the National electronic Library for Health (NeLH). NeLH is working to develop a digital library for NHS staff patients and the public with the aim of providing fast access to the best current know-how and knowledge to support healthcare-related decisions. Resources currently available on the general NeLH website are organised into a number of sections including Know-how, Knowledge, Specialist libraries, What’s new, Hitting the headlines, Focus from Bandolier, and Documents of the week. More detail on content, etc. can be found by accessing the site direct at: www.nelh.nhs.uk. Dr. Janet Richardson (Research Director, RCCM) introduced the meeting. This was followed by a brief presentation on the features of the NeLH and the Specialist Libraries, and an overview of NHS Direct Online. The remainder of the meeting focused