Cookies and the law

A cookie is a small file downloaded onto a user’s computer, laptop etc when they visit certain websites. They are then sent back to the originating website on subsequent visits and help to identify user preferences. They are also vital for the process of online purchasing and (anonymously) in gathering information for statistics, such as number of visits/visitors and pages visited - most of the cookies collecting statistical information are not stored on the user's computer.

In May last year new legislation was introduced which prevented companies from using cookies to gather information about their users’ online activities without having to ask permission from the users. From 26 May 2012, organisations must actively inform people that they use cookies and obtain visitors’ consent to do so or face receiving a large fine.

As a result of this, you will probably visit websites which have popups or a banner at the top of the page asking you whether or not you are happy to accept cookies.

Further reading

ICC UK cookie guide
International Chamber of Commerce UK
https://www.bt.com/static/includes/globalheader/cookies/more-about-cookies.html

Guidance on the new cookies regulations
Information Commissioner's Office
http://www.ico.gov.uk/for_organisations/privacy_and_electronic_communications/the_guide/cookies.aspx

Point of care evidence-based information resources.

Worcestershire Health Libraries are keen to discover from clinical staff working for the NHS in Worcestershire the existing level of use and preferences for ‘point of care’ evidence-based online resources such as UpToDate and BMJ’s Best Practice.

We are planning to set up free trials over the summer of 2012 to give staff the opportunity to use these resources in clinical settings and give us feedback.  Resources being considered for trial include UpToDate, Dynamed, BMJ Best Practice/Clinical Evidence, OvidMD, MDConsult, Essential Evidence Plus but these will be decided based on feedback from staff.

If this is an area of interest to you please contact lucy.vaux-harvey@worcsacute.nhs.uk with your preferred choice of resources to trial (max. 2 from the list above or alternatives) and brief reasons for recommending them.  It would also be useful to know whether you are willing to be involved in providing some feedback on the resources following the trials.

FY1s - free 12 month subscription to BMJ BestPractice

BMJ Publishing are offering a 12 month free subscription to Best Practice to all FY1s.  To sign up go to
http://bestpractice.bmj.com/best-practice/marketing/f1-sub.html

According to their website,  Best Practice combines "the latest research evidence, guidelines and expert opinion – presented in a step-by-step approach, covering prevention, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. Best Practice provides a second opinion in an instant, without the need for checking multiple resources". more information can be found at http://bestpractice.bmj.com/best-practice/welcome.html.

Latest Newsletter

Click on the image on the left to access the May 2012 Worcestershire Health Libraries Newsletter.
In this edition you will find...

• Information on QR codes and how to use them
• NHS Local Learning demonstrations
• Trial of Point-of-care resources
• Feedback on how we did last year

Osteoporosis Pathway for Worcestershire

Worcestershire's Osteoporosis pathway gets a mention in the latest Map of Medicine newsletter (see below). To find out more about the Map of Medicine in Worcestershire, including how to access it, click HERE.

Library Contact details on your Smartphone

We are currently experimenting with QR codes so you may see a few more popping up around our libraries.


If you have a QR (Quick Response) code reader on your Smartphones then you can scan the image to the left and get Worcestershire Health Libraries contact details on your phone. You can save this page as a bookmark and always have our contact details close to hand.

QR codes can easily link to content on your smartphones, saving you having to enter cumbersome web addresses or having to search for information.

After a good read?

A member of Worcestershire Health Libraries strongly recommends 'How Doctors think' by Jerome Groopman.

So if you fancy learning more about the physician / patient relationship, or the processes behind the decisions doctors make, then pop into your nearest health library and get your hands on a copy.