The Healthcare Library of Northern Ireland

Evidence, resources and updates for health and social care.

Blog

  • HSC Library resources downtime 12 March 2018

    UPDATE

    Access to e-resources has now been restored.

    Please contact MedicalLibrary@qub.ac.uk if you notice any further problems.

  • Christmas Opening Hours – Medical, Biomedical and HSC Libraries

    The opening hours over the Christmas period for all our branches can be found below.
    Click the image to view a larger version.
    Happy Christmas!

    HSC Library Christmas Opening Poster (2)

     

  • Need to find images for your presentation?

    CK logo

    Finding the right images for your presentation, as part of a teaching role or to share the latest evidence on a clinical topic, can be time consuming. Using ClinicalKey you have access to millions of images and can be sure to quickly find what you need.  Images can be filtered, saved and exported to PowerPoint or Keynote – with image reference and description included automatically.    It just takes a few easy steps.  

    Watch this short video demonstrating Presentation Maker HERE.   Remember HSC Library members need to log in to Clinicalkey via honni and register for an account.

    If you need any further advice please don’t hesitate to contact your subject librarian who will be happy to help.

     

  • Medical and HSC Library Opening Hours Survey – You Said, We Did

    Thank you to everyone who responded to the Medical and HSC Library Opening Hours Survey 2017. The survey ran from 25 April to 19 May and its focus was to gauge opinion about the opening hours and whether they met the needs of our users. The survey attracted a response rate of 5.7%. Comments and feedback received have been analysed by library staff and we have identified some areas where we thought it would be useful to respond:

     

    Access to The McClay Library

    HSC members of the Medical and HSC Library are entitled to use The McClay Library and the Biomedical Library. In order to gain access, you must have your library smartcard with you, scanning this at sentry on the way into the Library. If for some reason your card doesn’t read, please contact a member of Medical and HSC Library staff for assistance.

     

    Access to UpToDate

    UpToDate is not currently available via the HSC Library. HSC staff in the Northern, Western, Southern and South Eastern Trusts can access UpToDate via their Trust intranets. UpToDate is not available to Belfast Trust staff. The HSC Library subscribes to ClinicalKey which features a ‘First Consult’ point-of-care component. For information on accessing First Consult, please contact your Specialist Librarian.

     

    Car Parking

    The Medical and HSC Library is located in the Mulhouse Building on the Royal Victoria Hospital site. It is accessible on foot, by car or by using the free shuttle bus running between the Belfast City Hospital site and the Royal Victoria Hospital site. Use of the car parks, and the cost of car parking is controlled by Car Parking Services on the Royal Victoria Hospital site and is outside of the Library’s control.

     

    Varying Opening Hours

    As a QUB Library, the Medical and HSC Library adopts term-time and vacation opening hours. However, we recognise that the changing opening hours can be confusing for users to keep track of, and as part of this exercise, we aim to make our opening hours more streamlined.

     

    Using Trust logins in the Medical and HSC Library

    As Hospital Trusts process and transmit personal and confidential patient data and commercially sensitive information, access to their networks must be strictly controlled and they are not able to facilitate Trust Logins from the Medical and HSC Library site.   

     

  • NIMDTA said, the HSC Library did

    NIMDTA (Northern Ireland Medical & Dental Training Agency) trainees recently participated in a focus group, during which they were asked about their awareness of, and engagement with, services available from the HSC Library.

    Lots of interesting comments were made by the trainees during the focus group. Below are a selection of them, along with what the HSC Library has done in response to them.

     

    1. Joining the HSC Library

    NIMDTA said: “The HSC Library application forms are not easy to access… It would be easier to have an ‘opt out’ membership system.”

    HSC Library did: We are working to introduce an on-line registration form so that filling in a paper membership form will no longer be necessary. Also, from August 2017, all new NIMDTA trainees will be signed up automatically as members of the HSC Library, with the ability to opt out if they so wish.

     

    2. Facilities on offer

    NIMDTA said: “Awareness of the other facilities on offer might [motivate me to join the HSC Library].”

    HSC Library did: We have produced an on-line guide for NIMDTA trainees, introducing them to the different branches of the HSC Library, and to the range of facilities that are on offer besides traditional books and journals. The guide is viewable at: http://libguides.qub.ac.uk/honni/nimdta  

    NIMDTA have included information in this guide in new leaflets that they have prepared, outlining educational facilities in each Trust, such as simulation facilities, computer access and meeting rooms.

     

    3. Opening hours

    NIMDTA said: “Could opening hours [be] extended and [could the Library be open at] weekends for exam preparation?”

    HSC Library did: We are reviewing our opening hours, and will be surveying our users to gauge the demand for extended opening.

    We are also working to raise awareness of the evening and Saturday opening currently provided by some branches of the HSC Library, and of the extended opening hours of QUB’s main McClay Library (which NIMDTA trainees and other HSC staff can use once they join the HSC Library)

     

    4. Training

    NIMDTA said: “[Trainees] might benefit from training in how to get the most from the Library.”

    HSC Library said: We offer one-to-one and bookable group training sessions on using various HSC Library resources. Email Richard Fallis: r.fallis@qub.ac.uk  

    Regular introductory and database training sessions are run in the HSC Library and various Trusts. View upcoming training sessions at: http://www.honni.qub.ac.uk/ServicesforHSCStaff/TrainingSupport/#UpcomingTraining  

    We are liaising with NIMDTA to increase the number of group training sessions that we offer specifically to NIMDTA trainees.

     

    5. Library log-in

    NIMDTA said: “Is it possible for my on-line Library log-in to be the same as my Trust log-in?”

    HSC Library did: Unfortunately, this is not possible, because the authentication (i.e. log-in) system used by the HSC Library is different from the one used by the Trusts. However, we aim to make it as easy as possible for you to recover your HSC Library log-in details if you forget them.

    If you have forgotten your HSC Library number, simply email medicallibrary@qub.ac.uk for a reminder.

    If you have forgotten your HSC Library password, go to www.honni.qub.ac.uk, click Password Self-Service and follow the instructions.

     

    6. Point-of-care tool

    NIMDTA said: “A point-of-care tool like UpToDate is really important. Is one available via the HSC Library?”

    HSC Library did: No dedicated point-of-care tool is available via the HSC Library.

    The Library does offer access to ClinicalKey, which includes ‘First Consult’ point-of-care summaries. You can access this by going to www.honni.qub.ac.uk > Databases A-Z > C > ClinicalKey.

    A tendering process is ongoing, the outcome of which will hopefully be the delivery of a point-of-care tool via the HSC Library across all Trusts.

    Meanwhile, some Trusts have subscribed to UpToDate (enquire locally for information), and the HSC Library is about to embark on a trial of various point-of-care tools for evaluation purposes. So watch this space!

     

  • Opening Hours over Easter Vacation Period

    The Medical Library and Biomedical Library opening hours over the Easter vacation period are as follows:

    Monday 10th April to Thursday 13th April: 8.30am – 9.30pm
    Friday 14th April to Tuesday 18th April: CLOSED

    Both libraries will reopen on Wednesday 19th April; 8.30am – 9.30pm.

    Please contact your nearest HSC Library for details of their opening hours over the Easter vacation.

     

  • HSC Library Antrim Christmas Opening Hours

    HSC Library Antrim opening hours for the week beginning 19th December are as follows: 

    Mon 19th Tues 20th Wed 21st Thurs 22nd Fri 23rd 
    9am – 4.30pm  9am – 4.45pm  9am – 2.00pmONLY 9am – 2.00pmONLY 9am – 4.30pm 

    Daily lunch 12.30-1.00pm – the library will close periodically during this time.

     Please note that the library will be closed week beginning 26th December and will re-open on Tuesday 3rd January 2017.

  • Medical and Biomedical Libraries Christmas Opening Hours

    Medical and HSC Library

    Monday 19th – Friday 23rd December 2016 8.30am – 5.30pm
    Saturday 24th December 2016 – Monday 2nd January 2017 CLOSED
    Normal opening hours resume:
    Tuesday 3rd January 2017 8.30am – 9.30pm

     

    Biomedical Library 

    Monday 19th – Friday 23rd December 2016 9.00am – 5.00pm
    Saturday 24th December 2016 – Monday 2nd January 2017 CLOSED
    Normal opening hours resume:
    Tuesday 3rd January 2017 8.30am – 9.30pm

     

    Please contact all other HSC libraries directly for details of their opening hours over the Christmas period.

  • All Services Fully Operational

    All library services are fully operational.

  • HSC Library Antrim – Closure

     

    We regret that the HSC Library Antrim will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday 22nd November, due  to unforeseen circumstances. It will reopen at 9am on Wednesday 23rd November.

    We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.