South Cheshire Local Multi-disciplinary Evidence Centre: an evaluation

The South Cheshire Local Multidisciplinary Evidence Centre (LMEC) was a two-year project commenced in March 1998 and completed in April 2000. The project aimed to develop an information service to enable all primary and community care staff in South Cheshire to access high-quality evidence and thus to improve patient care. The LMEC gave access from the workplace to both physical and electronic resources to support clinical governance and lifelong learning, with a strong emphasis on evidence-based material. Automation of the library catalogue enabled its inclusion on the website. The project developed enquiry and document delivery services and provided training on using the LMEC and on critical appraisal. An evaluation carried out at the end of the project showed that over 120 primary and community care staff had used the LMEC and were positive about the service. As Clinical Governance, the NHSnet, and plans for continuing professional development are implemented, the LMEC is one model for a Local Health Information Service outlined in the NHS IT strategy.