East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture Trust has teamed up with the local Health and Social Care Partnership to set up Health Information Hubs in all local libraries.
Each library in the area now has designated space with a range of materials available on various health and wellbeing issues, local services, and community groups.
There will be a different focus each month with specialist charities and organisations being featured so that visitors can access information to learn more about the support available to them.
There are also plans to host sessions with experts such as community nurses and local mental health services to give people the chance to chat and ask questions.
All Library employees have gone through training in health literacy provided by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Health Improvement team while East Dunbartonshire HSCP’s Health Improvement team delivered Digital Champions training supported by local population health profiling data, and health and wellbeing workshops.
This training helped them to understand what the most pressing local health issues are, what services are available to signpost people to, and how to help people access online resources. The leaflets and books available at the Libraries are quality assured, and NHS approved, giving people reassurance and confidence that the information is accurate.
Councillor Jim Gibbons, Chair of EDLCT said, “Libraries are a welcoming, calm environment where people can spend time quietly and at their leisure. This makes a Library the perfect place for people to seek out additional information on health and wellbeing issues.
“The Health Information Hubs are not a substitute for the way people traditionally access medical advice but an additional resource – it’s important to be clear about that. They are a way for people to learn more about an issue or condition at their own pace and time in an informal, relaxed setting. The Hubs will also signpost people to local groups and charities which do invaluable work in the community to offer support to those dealing with various health or wellbeing issues.”
The ultimate aim of the project is to promote health and wellbeing, prevent ill health and advise on how to self-manage long term, chronic conditions.
Councillor Calum Smith, Chair of East Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership Board said,
This initiative complements the fantastic and lifesaving work our local GPs and medical teams are carrying out across East Dunbartonshire. The Health Information Hubs in our Libraries are an additional way to help people access health and wellbeing materials in their local communities at a time and place that suits them.
“There is a wealth of information available that people can access outwith a medical environment. By accessing this vital knowledge in a comfortable, relaxed library setting, we hope it allows people to feel empowered to take control of their health and wellbeing.”
For more information on the Health Information Hubs and the monthly topics being featured, visit the Health Information Hubs section on EDLC’s website.
