Examples Of Local Information Databases / Tools

These are just a few examples of local information resources that were discovered during the development of this toolkit. These examples illustrate the range of ways that information can be gathered together at a local level. Some of these examples are based in health services, some in local authorities and some in voluntary sector or other organisations. They all provide information across service boundaries and are focused on the information needs of people with neurological, or other long-term conditions. They were all commended by people who used them. Services such as these could be developed, or built upon, to provide the kind of comprehensive service that is required. 

GUiDE is a Gloucester based health and disability database for service users, carers and professionals. It consists of a phone number and website.

CAREdirect is a Somerset based service based in Somerset County Council for older people, their carers, relatives and other adults with care needs.  

Signposts is a phone line funded by Somerset health and social services and linked to Care Direct and NHS Direct. They will provide information and answer queries and also put people in touch with other services including local community and voluntary organisations.

Resource books are held in local offices of social services in Gloucestershire. These have details of local support groups and information about issues such as transport services, which are key in a rural area. They are usually updated and maintained intermittently by someone who has local knowledge.

An Information Coordinator is employed at Sussex Downs and Weald PCT who collects information about local voluntary organisations and other sources of support.

Carer support workers are attached to GP surgeries in some parts of Somerset. They act as information-givers. They are usually based in one surgery and cover a patch of 4-5 surgeries.

The Shropshire Enablement Team, part of Telford and Wrekin NHS PCT have an excellent online directory (“useful links”) as part of their website which includes information about local and national organisations and services that provide support and information on a wide range of issues.

An information booklet is available on the ward at Hope Hospital in Salford. The multidisciplinary neuroradiology team work together to ensure that the leaflet is updated when required. The specialist nurse usually oversees this and makes changes with everyone’s agreement.

A disability information service and a carers service in Torbay worked with the MS Society to enhance the disability information service. The local MS Society now holds sessions focusing on MS within the information service. 

EQUIP (Electronic Quality Information for Patients) is a West Midlands web resource with information on all aspects of health and social care. It has a facility to search for local support groups and has information about local interpreting services and information in other languages. It also refers to some national resources.

Most areas have a Mental Health Directory which was a requirement of the Mental Health NSF. The site from Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland is a good example.

StartHere is a registered charity that provides a service to develop a local database with community signposting information. They charge a fee (e.g. £5,000) for an annual licence for a local organisation (e.g. a PCT) and will compile local information on statutory and voluntary support organisations.

In some areas PCTs have paid to put a supplement in the yellow pages with information about local health and social care services.

Local PALS services may have a database of local support organisations in addition to information about health and social care services.