The MKN portals for cancer, coronary heart disease and mental health have been available from the NHS Scotland e-Library since May 2004.   There are 3 objectives to the project:

knowledge portals
mapping services
developing networks

Mapping of Services

Using information gathered from libraries and information providers in the West of Scotland we have created maps of services available for each subject and each health board.  Maps include details of NHS libraries, social care, public libraries, HE/FE, and the voluntary sector. 

Outreach and Developing Networks

The availability of the portals has allowed the project team to move into the outreach phase.  In conjunction with the local NHS librarians introductory meetings and demonstrations are being held in each health board.  Some of the possibilities considered so far are:

using public libraries for training community staff
informing the public librarians of services available to NHS staff
NHS Librarians providing back up for complicated searching

The sustainability, services and usefullness of the portals depend on the input from both library and healthcare staff.  There is a need for greater co-operation and development of knowledge networks to better support and meet the needs of clinical networks.  Part of the knowledge networks activity will be to provide editorial input on any content included on the knowledge portals, particularly in the area of patient information.  Anyone who would like to become an editor for their subject specific portal in invited to get in touch.

The contact for the project is:
Annette Thain
MKN Project Manager
2 Central Quay
Glasgow G3 8BW
0141 223 1553