A collaborative approach to Health Information Week in Bradford

A collaborative approach to Health Information Week in Bradford

The idea

Having shared a library management system for many years, the Bradford and Airedale NHS Libraries (Airedale, Bradford District, and Bradford Teaching Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trusts) have worked together to some extent; most often by supporting one another with using the LMS. Collaboration increased in 2023 when a coordinated approach for the transition to YorCat was required. Since that mostly smooth move to the Koha system, we have continued to meet regularly to share updates and discuss opportunities for collaboration. In September last year, we decided that we would work together to organise a series of events for Health Information Week 2025 .

Planning

When the themes were announced, five of us chose a day each to plan events for based on our interests, expertise and contacts. We decided on a one-hour slot each day during Health Information Week that was relevant to the day’s theme and relevant to staff across the three Trusts. It was decided that holding the events over Microsoft Teams, from 12-1pm might attract the largest audience. We then had several weeks to think about what we might like, or might be able to, include in the time available.

We met several times over the next few months to update each other on our progress in terms of securing speakers. Three members of the group also offered to create their own presentations to include as part of the programme.

The FutureNHS platform was used to aid our preparations; to share a document that we could all edit and populate with descriptions of the sessions and with contact details for the speakers. By the start of December, we had most of the Health Information Week programme confirmed. A sixth member of the group created all the Microsoft Teams links and sent invites to the speakers and hosts.

Promotion

With many staff returning from leave on 6^th January, we only had two weeks to promote our events which didn’t feel very long, but we did our best to make people aware it was happening. We utilised internal communication channels such as organisational updates and newsletters that are emailed to all staff. We placed posters in the library and on noticeboards within the hospitals. Knowledge & Library staff added details and the sign-up link in our email signatures, and we emailed registered library users. Some of the speakers also promoted the event through their own newsletters and distributed the poster.

Details of the week and the registration links were placed on the Bradford District and Craven Health and Care Partnership website. Brief details of the individual sessions were included in the emails, newsletters and posters, and more information was included on the website. During the week itself, we promoted the remaining events at the end of each day’s presentations – informing attendees of the rest of the programme and providing registration links in the MS Teams chat.

Health Information Week Programme

Monday 20^th January – Winter Health

• Self-coaching as part of self-care (NHS Leadership Academy North East and Yorkshire)
• Ways to keep well during the winter months (Bradford District NHS KLS)

Tuesday 21^st January – Mental Health

• Supporting your mental health and services available to everyone living in Bradford District and Craven (Mind in Bradford)
• Mindfulness session involving tension release, effective breathing and guided relaxation (Occupational Therapist at Bradford Teaching Hospitals)

Wednesday 22^nd January – Wellbeing

• Living Well’s campaigns, services and resources (Public Health)
• The Wellbeing Network – Bradford District & Craven
• Staff Networks supporting staff with disabilities and neurodiversity (Airedale and Bradford Teaching)

Thursday 23^rd January – Health Literacy

• Improving health equity by focusing on health literacy (Reducing Inequalities Alliance)
• Health literacy training session (Bradford Teaching NHS KLS)

Friday 24^th January – Digital Literacy

• Bradford Digital Inclusion (Bradford Council)
• Digital skills support and resources available in Bradford Libraries (Bradford Council)
• Microsoft Excel tips and tricks (Bradford Teaching NHS KLS)

Library staff from all three of the NHS Knowledge & Library services were involved during the week itself; hosting, presenting, and continuing to promote the programme of events. The member of the planning group who created the MS Teams links, liaised with the speakers regarding presentation files and provided technical support during the sessions.

Evaluation

There was a healthy interest in our local Health Information Week programme with 168 registrations, from 86 individuals (not including the speakers or organisers), and an average of 34 attendees at each session.

Here are some comments from attendees:

“Very useful reminders around health literacy and the importance of considered thought for the written information we share with our patients.”

“The one-hour presentation on Health Literacy was highly informative and thought-provoking. It highlighted how a lack of understanding of health advice and information significantly impacts individuals and the wider NHS. I found it particularly eye-opening to learn how low health literacy can lead to mismanagement of health conditions, increased hospital admissions, and longer NHS waiting lists, which ultimately places a strain on resources and funding.”

“I found them all useful – engaging speakers, informative presentations, and a nice reminder to take time for selfcare as well.”

“All staff should be aware of this. I actually think it should be mandatory training as it is so relevant to practice.” (Commenting on Digital Literacy session)

“Really useful to hear what is being done in Bradford libraries to support digital literacy.”

“Very useful reminders around health literacy and the importance of considered thought for the written information we share with our patients.”

“Really useful event – liked that it was themed over the week, and timed so I could join over lunch time. I’ve got a real appreciation of the importance of health/digital literacy now, and a useful oversight of what’s going on locally to support people.”

There were a few comments which expressed a wish to explore the topics in more depth. We could consider adding more sessions to the schedule next year, but we don’t necessarily need to wait until then. There are already plans afoot to deliver an expanded health literacy training session, and the librarian who shared Excel tips and tricks has been responding to individual queries regarding the software.

A couple of comments referred to the fact that Wednesday’s session overran. On this day there were more speakers involved than on any of the other days and, when most went over their allotted time, it extended the session by approximately 25 minutes. Next year we will have a cap on the number of speakers and will remember to include time for questions, and for introducing and concluding the sessions.

What worked well was having a dedicated member of the team to be on hand for technical support including the sharing of presentation slides. The five members of the planning group who assembled the programme also hosted an event each, but this meant that those who were also presenting had double duties. We have decided that next year, we will have separate hosts to alleviate some of the pressure.

Overall, we consider our collaborative efforts to have been a success. The feedback was gratifying, and we assembled a programme of events that would have been unmanageable for just one of the three services alone. Promoting the programme across the three Trusts meant that we reached more people than we would have individually. We are looking forward to Health Information Week 2026 and will continue to work together when opportunities arise.

Martyn Greenwood, Assistant Librarian at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust

Poster created by Maria Zaheer and Federica Bianchini (Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust)