ICSM and the NHS collaborate in Library Service Agreement

An interim Library Service Agreement between Imperial College School of Medicine and its associated NHS Trusts and Consortia was officially launched on 14 January. This Agreement establishes a unique partnership based on the provision of library resources.

The interim Agreement will operate from now until 31 March 1999, pending the full agreement to be developed for the period 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2001.

As a result of policy guidance on library and information services for NHS staff (see Notes to editors), representatives from NHS Trusts and the Inner and West London Consortia worked closely with Imperial College to integrate several separate library service agreements.

The launch was jointly hosted by Dr John Green, Secretary of Imperial College School of Medicine and Stuart Dimmock, Director of Human Resources at Hammersmith Hospitals NHS trust and Chair of the NHS Working Group.

Dr John Green said: "This interim Agreement will ensure access to the extensive library resources of the College for all categories of NHS staff for the first time. In our partnership with the NHS we shall explore new areas of collaboration, especially in user support for the exploitation of electronic information resources. The Agreement is a new and powerful link between the NHS and higher education, which will mutually benefit the teaching and research on the hospital sites and in the College".

Stuart Dimmock said: "It is important to recognise that this Agreement is not just about money - it is about joining the skills and expertise of all parties involved and working together in a flexible, responsive way to ensure that the needs of NHS users, in a rapidly changing service, are met effectively. The need for library and information services to underpin the delivery of high quality healthcare has never been greater and we are pleased to be working in close partnership with Imperial College".

For further information:

Susie Renshaw
Media Liaison Officer
0171-594-6701