Evidence Support Services
Services we can offer
OpenAthens

OpenAthens is a username and password system that enables authorised access to e-resources. You will need an OpenAthens account to access e-journals, databases, and other electronic resources purchased locally and nationally by the NHS.
Training

Group or 1:1 training on how to make the most of information resources using learning tools and techniques. Training sessions include:
Basic Literature Searching
Advanced Database Searching
Finding the Evidence
Health Literacy Awareness
Evidence searches

Evidence searches can help to:
Support patient care / to answer a clinical question
Support a project
Find out what research is already out there if you are planning some research of your own, or to write for publication
Inform a training session
Current awareness

Tailored current awareness service
Receive emails whenever we find high impact evidence in your area/s of interest via KnowledgeShare
Other offers

Guidance on using OpenAthens
Guidance on using BMJ Best Practice
Updates on the latest, trusted research and news tailored to your interests
Free access to journals, reports, and e-books
Access to the physical library at King’s Mill
Get in touch

Our Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Knowledge and Library Specialist is Sarah Thomas.
NHS Library and Knowledge Hub

The new NHS England funded NHS Knowledge and Library Hub is a ‘one-stop’ gateway which, for the first time nationally, connects NHS staff and learners seamlessly to a significant range of free, high-quality knowledge and evidence resources, services, tools and databases, all in one place.
Content of the easy-to-use platform includes over 7,000 journals, e-books including OUP handbooks, clinical decision support tools such as BMJ Best Practice, NICE pathways and guidelines and clinical and medical databases.
Accessed via OpenAthens, users will be able to tap into the same system wherever their career takes them.
Clinical point of care tools
BMJ Best Practice

Fast access to clinical decision support anytime, anywhere. BMJ Best Practice uses the latest evidence-based research, guidelines, and expert opinion to offer step-by-step guidance on diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and prevention. A personal account allows you to download CME/CPD certificates, as activity and time spent on the website is automatically tracked.
BMJ Best Practice is also available to download as an App for mobile devices:
Clinical Knowledge Summaries (CKS)

Clinical Knowledge Summaries provides primary care staff with easily accessible evidence-based summaries and practical guidance on best practice.
Meet the Role: Primary Care Evidence Support Specialist
Sarah Thomas is a Primary Care Evidence Support Specialist and has recently started working within the Nottinghamshire Alliance Training Hub (NATH). This forms part of a national pilot from NHS England to support Primary Care Workforce Training Hubs in sixteen regions across the country. The aim is to enable primary care staff to access and use evidence from published research and best practice, to underpin decision making.
Hear from Sarah on her role and what support and training she can offer primary care workers within the Integrated Care System.
Video chapters:
Overview of Primary Care Evidence Support Specialist
Sarah’s Background
How Sarah Can Support You
Types of Literature / Evidence Searches
Recent Examples of Evidence Searches
Types of Training Sessions on Offer
Training Overview: Using OpenAthens / Finding the Evidence
Training Overview: Medical Database Searching
Training Overview: Health Literacy Awareness
Training Overview: Critical Appraisal
Training Overview: Knowledge Mobilisation Tools
Library Membership
KnowledgeShare (Current Awareness Tool)
The benefits of working with Librarians and Knowledge Specialists
Librarians and Knowledge Specialists have a real impact on the cost and quality of healthcare services, working with clinicians, service managers and those commissioning healthcare services. This short animation outlines how you can benefit from working with Librarians and Knowledge Specialists to drive change using evidence and knowledge.