Wirral Public Libraries enquiry service
Wirral Public Libraries enquiry service
Introduction
Submitting your enquiry
Our service standards
Information sources
Choice Matters – working with libraries
Introduction
To support Wirral Public Library staff with enquiries about sources of health information Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (WUTH) Integrated Library Service (ILS) offers an enquiry service for Wirral Public Library staff.
ILS Librarians will answer any basic enquiries about sources of information but cannot answer detailed or specific clinical questions.
This service is available to Wirral Public Library staff only. Enquiries cannot be taken from members of the public.
Submitting your enquiry
You may submit your enquiry using our online form.
If your enquiry is urgent please contact us by telephone.
We have compiled a list of information sources below that may help you to find the information you require.
Our service standards
We will endeavour to answer enquiries within two working days.
Information Sources
Below is a selection of local and national websites that may be useful sources of information.
This is not an exhaustive list, but sites have been selected if they contain information for Wirral NHS patients about local NHS services or are recognised as an authoritative national source of health information.
Local Health Information
North West NHS portals
Local patient information websites
National health information
National portals
National patient information sites
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
Local Health Information
North West NHS portals
The Wirral Health Portal
www.wirralhealth.org.uk
This is the Wirral Health Portal which has links to a huge store of information about local health services in the Wirral Peninsula, Ellesmere Port and Neston.
NHS North West
www.northwest.nhs.uk
This website gives information about the role and vision of NHS North West for health care in the North West. It explains some of the different developments that are happening in the health care sector and highlights some of the work that is being done by health care staff. Key documents that outline policy and strategy are available and you will be able to find copies of the reports and papers.
Local patient information websites
Cheshire and Merseyside Cardiac network
www.cmcsn.nhs.uk
This is the website of the Cheshire & Merseyside Cardiac Network (CMCN) Website. This site has been set up to share information across the local cardiac community. The Network serves a population of just over two million people and works in partnership with patients and clinical staff.
Cheshire and Merseyside Sexual Health Network
www.cmshn.nhs.uk
This is the website of the Cheshire and Merseyside Sexual Health Network. The Network will support and guide all sexual health provision and promotion across Cheshire and Merseyside.
Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
www.cwp.nhs.uk
Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust provides specialist healthcare services and support to individuals, families and communities affected by mental illness, learning disability or drug and alcohol related problems.
Claire House Children’s Hospice
www.claire-house.org.uk
Claire House provides 24 hour respite, palliative and terminal care for children and young people from 0 – 23 years of age with a life threatening or life limiting illness. This site provides information for their families, relatives and hospice volunteers.
Clatterbridge Cancer Centre
www.ccotrust.nhs.uk
Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, an NHS Foundation Trust, in Bebington on the Wirral is one of the largest cancer centres in the UK. Their website has information for patients, visitors and health professionals.
Neonatal Unit of Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
www.whnt.nhs.uk/womenandchildrens1/neonatal/
Information for parents and relatives using the Neonatal Unit of Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. The unit exists to provide intensive and specialist care to the preterm and the sick neonate and to give emotional and psychological support required by their families.
St Johns Hospice in Wirral
http://www.stjohnshospice.org
St Johns hospice provides care for people with progressive illness which has failed to respond to curative treatment. This site provides information for patients, their relatives and volunteers.
Wirral and Chester Kidney
www.wirralchesterkidney.nhs.uk
The Wirral and Chester information and resource site for kidney patients and their carers.
Wirral Heart Support Centre
www.wirralheartbeat.org.uk/
The Wirral Heart Support Centre is one of the United Kingdom's leading Cardiac Rehabilitation Units providing specialist support for local people who have suffered heart attacks, heart surgery, or who may have heart related health problems. Currently the Centre has a variety of staff members - including Cardiac Nurses, Exercise Physiologist, and Dieticians.
Wirral Primary Care Trust (PCT)
www.wirral.nhs.uk
Wirral PCT manages primary care services across the Wirral. This site provides information about the PCT and its services. Future plans and past performance are also detailed.
Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust ( WUTH)
www.whnt.nhs.uk
WUTH Is the organisation which runs the Arrowe Park and Clatterbridge Hospitals. It provides acute healthcare services to around 400,000 people across the Wirral peninsula, Ellesmere Port and Neston, operating from four separate sites: On this website you will find information for patients, visitors and staff.
Wirral Public Health Intelligence
www.wirral.nhs.uk/yourhealth/performanceandpublichealthintelligence
This site contains a range of information and data on the state of the health of the Wirral population in an easily accessible electronic format. In addition, you will find information on the demography of the Wirral population, the leading causes of ill health and inequalities locally, and information or links to information regarding the wider determinants of health, such as employment, education and housing. The site is aimed at people who require public health data for use in their work but may also be of interest or use to students and members of the public.
Wirral Stroke
www.wirralstroke.nhs.uk
This web site is produced by the NHS in Wirral, North West England, to provide information and support for our stroke patients, their carers and those who want to know more about stroke.
National health information
National portals
NHS Choices
www.nhs.uk
Information about local NHS services such as GP practices and clinics can be found using this site. It has been developed to help you make choices about your health, from lifestyle decisions about things like smoking, drinking and exercise, through to the practical aspects of finding and using NHS services when you need them.
NHS Choose and Book
www.chooseandbook.nhs.uk
Choose and Book is a national electronic referral service which gives patients a choice of place, date and time for their first outpatient appointment in a hospital or clinic. Patients can choose their hospital or clinic, and then book their appointment to see a specialist with a member of the practice team at the GP surgery, or at home by telephone or over the internet at a time more convenient to them. This website is designed for both patients and NHS staff and provides information to help understand and use the system.
NHS Direct
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
This is the website of NHS Direct that provides health information direct to the public via this site and by phone 24 hours a day.
NHS Evidence (formerly National Library for Health)
www.evidence.nhs.uk
NHS Evidence comprises a comprehensive web resource for health professionals and patients giving access to the best evidence and information to support their clinical, educational and information needs.
This site also links to over 100 websites accredited by NHS Direct online. These resources are selected for their value to patient and non-clinicians. Click on the For Patients link on the homepage.
National patient information sites
Birds Bees and Teens
www.birdsbeesandteens.nhs.uk
Birds Bees and Teens is aimed at introducing young people and teenagers to the best health related sites aimed at the younger person. It covers a range of diagnoses from acne to drugs to sexual health to diabetes
Contact a Family
www.cafamily.org.uk
Contact a Family is a UK-wide charity providing advice, information and support to the parents of all disabled children - no matter what their disability or health condition. They also enable parents to get in contact with other families, both on a local and national basis.
Database of Individual Patient Experiences (DIPEX)
www.dipex.org
Dipex shows you a wide variety of personal experiences of health and illness. You can watch, listen to or read their interviews, find reliable information on treatment choices and where to find support.
Electronic Quality Information for Patients (EQUIP)
www.equip.nhs.uk
This gateway links to quality health and social care information for UK patients, their families and carers. It is a site based in the Midlands but has many useful national links.
Intute - Medicine
www.intute.ac.uk/healthandlifesciences/medicine
Intute is a free online service providing access to the very best web resources for education and research, evaluated and selected by a network of subject specialists. This link takes you to the medical section.
Patient UK
www.patient.co.uk
This site holds the Prodigy patient information leaflets given out by GPs as well as links to patient support groups and an interactive patient experience forum.
Your Child's Health
www.yourchildshealth.nhs.uk
Your Child's Health is aimed at introducing you to the best web page on any particular child health related topic. It is aimed at parents, patients and doctors.
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
PALS is a confidential service that exists to provide support or to listen to any comments or concerns you or your family may have about any aspect of care you are receiving. Each NHS trust has its own PALS service.
Patient Advice and Liaison Services (PALS)
www.pals.nhs.uk
This site provides information about the Patient Advice and Liaison Services throughout England and how they can be contacted.
These links below provides information on the PALS services for Wirral NHS and how to contact them.
PALS - Cheshire West PCT
www.wcheshirepct.nhs.uk/default.asp?page=How_can_we_help_you/pals.asp
PALS - Cheshire and Wirral Partnership Trust
www.cwp.nhs.uk/supportingyou/Pages/pals.aspx
PALS - Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology
www.ccotrust.nhs.uk/patients/rights/pals.html
PALS – Wirral Primary Care Trust ( PCT)
www.wirralhealth.nhs.uk/services/pals.aspx
PALS – Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
www.whnt.nhs.uk/quicklinks/patients/patient_advice_liaison_service_pals.html
Choice Matters – Working With Libraries
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/
PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_083956
This document describes the progress of a pilot scheme to help implement patient choice. Focusing on work with Public Libraries where the staff enable the public to access choice in the NHS by helping them to use the websites to decide on their choice of care options.