We are now a team of 4 people. Administrator (Matt Johnson), Knowledge Specialist:Liaison Lead (Rosalind McNally), Knowledge Specialist:Quality (Laura Jeffreys), Knowledge Specialist:Outreach (Stephen Edwards). Stephen started working with the team in December, 2019. Laura Jeffreys went on maternity leave in May this year. So our staffing is currently reduced. When the pandemic started a number of us also volunteered for the essential work created. At the time of writing we are now all back in our usual roles. In the last 12 months we have also had to respond to the changes at PCFT. The Trust no longer includes community services, and took the decision to become a Mental Health & Learning Disability Trust.…

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Given the significant developments of 2020 it is possible that the NHS Library and Knowledge Services Quality and Improvement Outcomes Framework, the new self-assessment process for how organisations make use of the skills and services of the library and knowledge specialist workforce may well have been moved down the list of priorities for Library and Knowledge staff.…

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The time has come to say my farewell, as I have finally taken the plunge and I am retiring from the NHS on 2nd September!…

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Like other services, we were running at full tilt, and then lockdown happened! However, we have not let this deter us. Here are some details of our activities over the last year:…

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It is challenging thinking back and to be honest it feels a little bit like a luxury. We talk about a ‘new normal’ but in reality, the library has always stumbled from one crisis to another. We have always adapted to the needs of the organisation. It will also continue to do so and what that looks like yet is still an unknown. What has been different for Covid, was despite being well placed; it still blew in and left us topsy turvy.…

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I’m Katie Roper, the newly appointed outreach Librarian for Lancashire and South Cumbria. My role involves supporting all Trust staff, students and service users to efficiently and effectively use resources to support evidence based practice. I have to admit, it’s rather surreal starting a new job in the middle of a pandemic but the support I have already received has been fantastic.…

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Presentations from the virtual LKS Managers meeting - North. Held July 2020…

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Hello everyone, I’m Ramona Naicker and I recently started as a Library and Information Specialist within the Library & Knowledge Service at the Northern Care Alliance.…

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The year has largely been defined by the planning and aftermath of the merger of our LKS’s host Trust, North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust and its partner Cumbria Partnership, together with the moving of mental health services in the north to North Tyne & Wear NHS Trust and in the south to Lancashire Care NHS Trust. From 3rd October the Trust has had a new name and is now North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Trust.…

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On display in the library office is the following quote: “Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” ― Lao Tzu (Philosopher, 6th Century BC.) Salutary advice considering the many changes that have occurred over the past year!…

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