A health and social care knowledge management project will be launched next month. The National Knowledge Service is viewed by the Department of Health as a significant tool in delivering the ten year NHS Plan. Its aim is to exploit the different types of knowledge available from a variety of sources to fight disease and improve patient care. The key tasks of the Service will be to bring consistency to the sources of knowledge, provide better access and integrate the knowledge streams.The NKS, which will meet the needs of professionals and the public, will bring together all organizations that currently provide knowledge. The partnership will also include the NHS Library Service and the National Patient Safety Agency.

The Service will be delivered through the Internet, call centres (NHS Direct) and digital TV. A website will describe the aims and progress of the NKS, and ultimately provide tools and access to knowledge.

The NKS will commission new content for knowledge services including decision support systems. It will also implement “mobilization” pilots to ensure that the NKS is embedded in local delivery systems to improve patient care.

Further is available information from NKS.enquiries@doh.gsi.gov.uk