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The United Kingdom library system has a two‐tier resource sharing network, with the regional library services operating at local level and the BLDSC at national level. Taking the National Health Service libraries as a basis, the author discusses regional co‐operation from the organizational, service and economic viewpoints. Interlibrary resource sharing is valuable not only for its tangible benefits, but also (provided it is reliable and economically sound) because it provides a basis for the sharing of specialist subject knowledge, searching skills and ideas, and it also permits more general professional interaction, thus frequently bearing unexpected fruit. Several ideas have been put forward for the extension of inter‐regional co‐operation, but the importance of cost‐benefit analysis when evaluating any such scheme cannot be over‐stressed. The true cost of staff time is an item often overlooked: an appendix here gives a method of calculating the economic benefit of a resource sharing scheme by comparing the cost of co‐operative interlibrary photocopying using a union list of serials with that of using prepaid BLDSC forms.

This paper provides an overview of the range and development of health informatics, with examples from the literature world wide covering the types of information involved, the areas of application, the impact of evidence based medicine and other professional issues, integrated information systems, and the needs of the public, patients and their carers. While medical informatics certainly comprises a major part of health informatics it is not the main focus of this paper. Medical informatics is the older term and involves the use of information technology and computing specifically for medical science research, and the diagnosis and treatment of disease involving, for example, X‐rays, imaging, resonance, and magnetic scanning techniques. Rather, the scope of this review is the literature relating to the wider concept of the management of information through the interdisciplinary application of information science and technology for the benefit of patients, scientists, managers, staff, and carers involved in the whole range of healthcare activity.

After a long slide, organized labor is back waving some high‐flying numbers—and demanding a higher profile in the lives of workers and management. Here's a look at what this means for corporate strategists, especially those determined to dodge the old game of “us versus them.”

People with intellectual disabilities are high users of acute hospital care. Given their varied and often complex health-care needs, they often experience health inequalities and inequities, contributing to poorer health outcomes. As nurses are the largest health-care workforce with a patient-facing role, they have an important responsibility in meeting this populations health needs. The purpose of this paper is to explore key issues relating to the role nurses play in providing equitable health care for people with intellectual disabilities.

This service feature draws upon relevant literature to examine key contextual issues highlighting the importance of nurses in providing equitable health care for people with intellectual disabilities.

The findings from this service feature highlight the importance of nurses taking a leadership role in advocating for, and actively supporting the health needs of people with intellectual disabilities. Nurses’ leadership role, along with implementing reasonable adjustments, should be underpinned by education and training relating to the bespoke health needs of people with intellectual disabilities. This should help nurses promote the health and well-being of this population.

Addressing this populations health needs is a collective responsibility of all nurses. There are many examples of how nurses can be supported through policy, education, training and advocacy and this needs to be considered by key stakeholders and addressed as a matter of priority.