Sign up for BMJ Learning!

Are you looking for up-to-date, evidence-based learning resources?
Then BMJ Learning is for you!

What is BMJ Learning?
BMJ Learning is an online learning resource for healthcare professionals. It contains over 400 clinical and non-clinical modules written specifically for hospital doctors, GP’s, nurses and healthcare professionals.

How do I access BMJ Learning?
1. Go to http://www.bmjlearning.com/
2. Register in the most appropriate professional group
3. Once registered, log-in with your NHS Athens username and password Wirral NHS staff and students on placement can register for an NHS Athens username and password at http://www.library.nhs.uk./

For more information, please contact us.

Specialist software available in the library

Did you know that the Integrated Library Service provides access to a range of specialist software and information systems to support you in your clinical practice and research?

• BoardMaker: A computer software program used to make communication boards, picture schedules, instruction sheets and more. Available at: McArdle Library.
• NVIVO: Qualitative analysis software designed to aid users in managing, organising and supporting research in qualitative data analysis projects. Available at: McArdle Library.
• PCIS: Patient Care Information System, access from the Library Services the Trust’s Electronic Patient Record (EPR) system. Available at: McArdle Library & John A. Aitken Library.
• Reference Manager: Software for managing bibliographies. Available at: McArdle Library.
• SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences): A software system for data management and analysis. Available at: McArdle Library.

Please speak to library staff for more information.

Clinical Knowledge Summaries (CKS)

The Clinical Knowledge Summaries (CKS) service is an NHS funded resource that provides access to reliable clinical knowledge about many common conditions (formerly PRODIGY).

CKS provides concise summaries on how to manage almost 500 clinical situations (scenarios) commonly encountered in primary and first contact care. These Clinical Summaries are underpinned by detailed up-to-date clinical knowledge on common acute and chronic diseases, and disease prevention.

CKS can be accessed through the National Library for Health website at http://www.library.nhs.uk/. The conditions covered are indexed alphabetically and by clinical specialty.

Also available through CKS is the Dynamed clinical reference tool summaries for nearly 2000 topics. Dynamed is updated daily and monitors the content of over 500 medical journals and systematic evidence review databases. Each publication is reviewed and articles are evaluated for clinical relevance and scientific validity. The new evidence is then integrated with existing content.

McArdle Library photocopy card dispenser

Please note that the photocopy card dispenser is now in operation in the McArdle Library, Arrowe Park. You can buy £1.00 photocopy cards only, which will provide 20 photocopies using the McArdle Library photocopier. This now means that you obtain photocopy card credits 24 hours a day.

Shared Library Service officially open!

Thursday 6th September 2007 saw the latest development in the delivery of library services within the Trust. This day marked the official opening of the shared library service between Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Chester, Faculty of Health and Social Care.

All members of staff have worked hard over the past eighteen months to ensure this process was a success. The official opening of the shared library service provided an opportunity for staff and guests from both organisations to celebrate these efforts.

The opening ceremony was conducted by Dr. David Galvani, Director of Learning and Development from Wirral University Teaching Hospital and Dr.Chris Haslam, Provost of the
Warrington Campus and Dean of Corporate Planning and Development from the University of Chester. After speeches a "virtual ribbon" was cut to mark the actual opening.

A beautifully iced (real!) cake decorated with the logos of both organisations was cut to celebrate the occasion. Big thanks to Ian McKay, a member of the library staff at the main university campus at Chester, for making the cake. Guests were invited to the dining room for a buffet lunch and an opportunity to socialise with each other as well as tour the library. Many thanks to everyone who contributed towards the opening ceremony!

Library fines for overdue books

From 1st of September 2007 fines for overdue books will be charged as follows:
Standard loans (3 and 4 week loans) = 5p a day per item (Up to maximum of £3.00)
One week loans = 50p a day per item (Up to a maximum of £3.00 )

Fines are charged from the first day that the item is overdue.
If you owe more than £10.00 in fines, any further loans will be stopped.
Books can be renewed in person or by telephone at either site library.

Please visit the Borrowing, Renewing and Reserving page of the Integrated Library Service website for more information.

Library closure

The McArdle Library will be closed on Wednesday 4th, Thursday 5th and Friday 6th July 2007 (inclusive), to allow a physical merge of stock to take place safely between the Trust Library Service and University of Chester, Wirral Education Centre Library, (currently based on the ground floor at Arrowe Park Hospital).

The McArdle Library IT Suite will remain open during staffed hours (9am - 5pm), however, access will be from the corridor by Room 6A and 6B in the Education Centre. (This will be signposted from the Education Centre Reception Desk).

All members of the library team will be involved in the physical move, so therefore, will be contactable in emergencies only, Ext. 4404 . We apologise for any inconvenience caused, however, we are sure this amalgamation will be positive for not only our current users but future users alike.

Our carbon footprint

What is the carbon footprint?

The carbon footprint is a representation of the effect human activities have on the climate in terms of the total amount of greenhouse gases produced (measured in units of carbon dioxide). The Trust is committed to reduce the overall carbon footprint of the organisation. Along with the efforts of the wider organisation, the library service is supporting this initiative and as a result all unnecessary electrical equipment will be switched off during unstaffed hours.

What does this mean in practical terms?

In practical terms, this means that the PC's in the IT Suite in the McArdle Library, (Education Centre, Arrowe Park site) will be switched off each evening before the library switches to out-of-hours access at 5.00pm, with exception to the following machines:

The PC with Patient Care Information System (PCIS)
The middle bank of 6 PC's in the IT Suite

If you find that these machines are all being used and you have to access a PC, please log one of the switched off machines back on (the user name and password is listed on each individual machine). When you have completed your work could we ask that you switch the PC off again.

What about printers and photocopiers?

The printers and photocopier will still be operational as usual during out-of-hours.

Thank you for supporting the library service in helping to not only to protect the environment, but also reduce the cost to the organisation.

Eileen Hume
Head of Trust Library Services

Shared Location for Health Information

‘A shared location for health information’ We are pleased to announce that very shortly, University of Chester, Wirral Education Centre Library, (currently based on the ground floor at Arrowe Park Hospital) will join the Wirral Hospital NHS Trust (WHNT) Library Services to provide a shared library service. We are sure this amalgamation will be positive for not only our current users but future users alike.