Launch of Information Access Toolkit during Brain Awareness Week 2007
13 March 2007
The launch of a new online resource, the Information Access Toolkit, produced by the Brain and Spine Foundation in association with the Neurological Alliance and LMCA, will be taking place at Spinal Injury Association House on Thursday 15 March 2007, as part of Brain Awareness Week.
The aim of the project was to develop a web-based Toolkit for health and social care professionals to support them in meeting the information needs of people affected by neurological conditions. This supports the implementation of the National Service Framework (NSF) for neurological conditions, which is particularly focused on the information aspects of the NSF and Quality Requirement (QR)1 which requires that:
“People with long-term neurological conditions are offered integrated assessment and planning of their health and social care needs. They are to have the information they need to make informed decisions about their care and treatment and, where appropriate, to support them to manage their condition themselves.”
Nikki Joule, Health Policy Consultant and Information Access Project Officer, says, “The Information Access Toolkitdoes not add new information to the wealth that already exists, but signposts and links to reliable sources. It also provides some examples of good practice, model policies and guidelines. There is a particular focus on the type of information that people with neurological conditions have said that they want more of, and the issues that health and social care professionals said they have problems accessing. There is also guidance about producing local information resources as this is an area highlighted by all as particularly important.”
The launch will be attended by a range of health and social care professionals, PCT managers and voluntary sector organisations. A representative from the Department of Health will address the launch, along with Nikki Joule who developed the Toolkit, and those who have been involved in its development.
While the Toolkit is targeted at health and social care professionals and service commissioners (PCTs), it may also be useful for people affected by neurological conditions.
