Information and Research Services
2010/11 was the year of Well Aware in information services. The Care Forum’s new, open access database launched in May 2010 and soon grew exponentially to reach a five-figure audience each month through its dedicated website and freephone line. The new database is accessible from anywhere, completely free to use and/or be listed on and contains 1000s of detailed records of health, wellbeing and community services in Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Bath & North East Somerset.
2010/11 also saw the team’s title and remit expanded to become Information and Research Services, reflecting the addition of a research capacity to the team to make use of the wealth of existing skills within it. The first project completed was a successful review for NHS Bristol of perceptions of end-of-life care need in the south of the city. The project, which directly gathered the views of service users, carers and health and social care professionals, as well as other interested parties, drew on the wider research skills across The Care Forum to provide a wealth of new primary evidence on the subject.
The close of the 2010/11 financial year saw the team preparing to add a further string to their bow in the form of the ability to act as The Care Forum’s central point for signposting advocacy referrals. Overall, appetite for information and research looks set to grow and grow as personalisation and choice continue to expand in health and social care, and there seems little doubt that 2011/12 will be just as busy a year for Information and Research Services as the one that has just raced past!
