Using other Libraries

Although the Learning Resources Centres should provide most of the information you need to support your course, occasionally you may need specialised books or journal articles which we do not hold. You may need to use the document supply service or visit another library.

NICE Evidence Search

If your course includes placement in a NHS Trust (or you are employed by a Trust attending University part-time), you are entitled to a NHS Athens account (if you are eligible, this will be set up for you by the University when you start your course). This will give you access to a collection of health electronic books, electronic journals and databases through NICE Evidence Search.

Local NHS libraries

The University has reciprocal arrangements with the libraries serving the local Trusts. Some of these are located in hospitals and others are in the community. At the start of your course it is worth identifying which of these might prove useful to you. See the Memorandum of Understanding for Thames Valley NHS Libraries and the Memorandum of Understanding for Bedfordshire NHS Libraries to find out more information about how the University and NHS Libraries are working together. Please note that you can only access NHS libraries for the duration of your placement.  See the Health Education England Library Charter for Students on Placement.

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust have produced a leaflet for students on placement here.

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust libraries have produced a Quick Guide for students on placement here.  You can also find an introductory PowerPoint presentation about the library services here.

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust have produced a library guide for students here.

SCONUL Access

This co-operative scheme allows students of the university to access libraries of other institutions. If you are a University of Bedfordshire student wanting to visit another University, look at their website to find out whether you qualify for the scheme.

M25 Consortium of Academic Libraries

If you live in the M25 area, you may want to use the libraries of other academic institutions. To check which libraries you may visit and what materials they offer have a look at the M25 website.

Other health libraries

The Royal College of Nursing Library (RCN) offers free library access for nursing research online and in its libraries,  with electronic books and journals and a loan service to RCN members.  Student nurses can become members. See the RCN's website for further details.  The RCN library website also offers useful subject guides for student nurses.

The Kings Fund works for 'better health in London'. The Information & Library Service is open to the public. It may be of interest if you are working on your dissertation for your degree. Particular subject strengths of their library collection are community care, NHS management, clinical governance, primary care and public health.