Bob Gann

Bob is Head of Strategy and Engagement for NHS Choices (www.nhs.uk) at the Department of Health. He joined the Department of Health from NHS Direct, where he was Director of New Media. In his career Bob has worked in NHS public affairs, healthcare librarianship, as chief executive of a not-for-profit organisation, and as a freelance medical writer. He is a Fellow of CILIP and Visiting Professor in Health Informatics at Plymouth University.

Libraries opening doors to health

The digital revolution is transforming healthcare. People can now compare and choose hospitals and GPs just like TripAdvisor. They can communicate, network and give support to others with shared experiences. They can book appointments and access health records. But there is a risk that those with the greatest need for health and care services are just those people who lack digital access. The Department of Health and NHS are seeing public libraries as crucial partners and intermediaries to extend access to healthcare. Innovations include information prescriptions, Choose & Book appointments, bibliotherapy, and NHS Choices online training package for librarians. This commitment to cooperation is now being captured in a memorandum of understanding between Department of Health & Society of Chief Librarians.