Imperial Library Services for NHS staff offers a free evidence search service to staff from the following trusts who are Imperial Library members: 

  • Central & North West London NHS Foundation Trust 
  • Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust 
  • Chelsea & Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 
  • Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust 
  • West London NHS Trust 

You must submit your Evidence Search request using KnowledgeShare. To enter your request, log in to KnowledgeShare with your OpenAthens account, go to the 'Evidence' tab and select 'Request an Evidence Search'. Then complete the online form. Contact your NHS Support Librarian if you are unable to place a request. 

This service provides expert searches to inform patient care, clinical teaching, service improvement and research activities. If your search is suitable for our Evidence Summarising and Synthesis service, your librarian will contact you.

If your search request relates to assessed academic work as part of a course, or forms part of a systematic review that you intend to publish, don’t use this service. Instead, contact your NHS Support Librarian for training and guidance on the evidence searching process. You can check to see if your request can be accepted by using the diagram below. 

Evidence search flowchart

Terms and conditions

  • When completing the form please give the date by which you require the results. We will try to complete searches within the deadline but cannot guarantee that results will be received by this date and may contact you to establish a more realistic timeframe. We advise you to provide as much detail as possible in your search request and to respond quickly to queries from your librarian to help prevent delays.
  • Whilst care will be taken in the selection of the materials included in results, Library Services are not responsible for the content or accuracy of the information provided. Library Services will not be held responsible or liable for any omissions to pertinent research information not included as part of the results of any evidence search.
  • You must acknowledge the work of the librarian who produced the results in any resulting work or publication and you must inform the librarian of any resulting publications.
  • NHS staff who receive a search should complete the feedback form within KnowledgeShare.

Accessible description of Evidence Search Flowchart

Are you NHS staff or a placement student?

If staff, go to 2.

If student, contact your home university.

2. Is the search for assessed academic work? If yes, book a training session with your NHS Support Librarian.

If no, go to 3.

3. Do you have a KnowledgeShare account? If yes, request an evidence search through KnowledgeShare.

If no, contact your NHS Support Librarian to request a search.