Local Outcome 6: Health Information Hubs now available in local libraries
East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture Trust teamed up with the local Health and Social Care Partnership to establish Health Information Hubs in local libraries.
This created a designated space in every library in East Dunbartonshire which has a range of materials on various health and wellbeing issues, as well as details on local services and community groups.
Each month the Hubs have a different focus with specialist charities and organisations being featured so that visitors can access information to learn more about the support available to them.
The ‘Growing Well with Bookbug’ pilot is an example of the partnership approach in practice. Working collaboratively with library colleagues and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde dietitians, East Dunbartonshire Health Improvement (ED HI) brought weaning and early nutrition support directly into two existing Bookbug sessions for over 100 parents/carers and babies.
By bringing health expertise into a familiar community setting where families were already engaging, the pilot created an accessible opportunity for parents to receive trusted advice, ask questions and connect with support without the need to attend a separate health service.
All library employees undertook health literacy training provided by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, alongside Digital Champions training delivered by the Mhor Collective, an organisation which promotes digital inclusion.
East Dunbartonshire HSCP’s Health Improvement Team delivered a series of staff workshops to support the wider Culture of Health approach. These explored local population health profiles and the health and wellbeing needs of East Dunbartonshire communities, as well as helping staff understand common primary care language associated with long-term conditions and the types of health concerns people may bring to the Health Information Hubs.
Together, this development programme aimed to build staff knowledge and confidence to help people navigate health and wellbeing information and connect them with appropriate local services and third sector partners. Information available through the Hubs is NHS quality-assured, providing reassurance that people are accessing trusted and reliable health information.
Karin Jackson, General Manager of EDLCT, said, “Our libraries are welcoming, calm spaces where people can spend some quiet time at their leisure. This makes libraries the perfect place for people to seek out additional information on health and wellbeing issues.
“The Health Information Hubs are not intended to be a substitute for the way people traditionally access medical advice but are a valuable additional resource – it’s important to be clear about that.
“They are a way for people to learn more about an issue or condition at their own pace and in a relaxed and informal environment. The Hubs will also signpost people to local groups and charities which do invaluable work in the community to offer support to those dealing with various health or wellbeing issues.”
The long term aim of the project is to promote health and wellbeing, prevent ill health and to direct people to the best advice on how to self-manage chronic conditions.
Derrick Pearce, Chief Officer of East Dunbartonshire HSCP, said,
This initiative complements the important and impactful work our local GPs and primary care teams are carrying out across East Dunbartonshire every day.
“The Health Information Hubs in our libraries are an additional way to help people access health and wellbeing materials in their local communities at a time and place that suits them."
“There is a wealth of information available that people can access outwith a traditional health care setting. By enabling people to access health information in a comfortable, relaxed library setting, we hope it allows people to feel empowered to take control of their health and wellbeing.”