Knowledge and evidence specialist services

Our Knowledge and Evidence Specialist Service transforms how healthcare professionals access vital research evidence by bringing library expertise directly into clinical settings.

Our service is for all staff across Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells (MTW) and Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust (KMMH).

Whether you’re a consultant making treatment decisions, a nurse seeking best practice guidance, or a manager developing new policies, we’re here to support you with the evidence you need.

  • Save valuable clinical time by providing expert literature reviews and research support
  • Get quality-assured information when you need it
  • Make confident, evidence-based decisions backed by the latest research
  • Enhance patient care by accessing to current best practice.

Transform how your team accesses and uses research evidence. Contact us to discuss how we can support your needs. Email mtw-tr.clinical.librarians@nhs.net.

Our services

Evidence searching

Request a comprehensive evidence search and receive relevant, up-to-date, high-quality results tailored to your specific requirements.

MTW and KMMH staff can request support from the team with your evidence search.

We cannot search for marked assignments but can offer other support in the form of an assisted search session or 1-1 training on how to use the databases effectively.

For systematic reviews, we conduct comprehensive searches across MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central and other relevant databases.

Our online request form will help you frame your question and consider the kind of evidence you require along with when you need it by.

Request an evidence search

We also offer peer review of your search strategies, advising on MeSH/Emtree terms, keywords, Boolean operators, and database settings.

Email strategies for review to mtw-tr.clinical.librarians@nhs.net including details of the databases used and the aspects of the search you would like us to review.

Pop-up library service

Our specialists will visit your department, ward, or team to provide on-site support including:

  • Literature searches and evidence reviews
  • Hands-on training sessions
  • Research and audit project assistance
  • Journal club setup and facilitation
  • Academic study support
  • Nurse revalidation assistance.

Email mtw-tr.clinical.librarians@nhs.net

Journal clubs and reading groups

We can help you:

  • Set up and run effective journal clubs
  • Select and source relevant articles
  • Provide appraisal checklists and frameworks
  • Facilitate critical discussions

Our reflective reading club is designed for nurses and allied health professionals to enhance critical reflection skills and meet professional development requirements.

Email mtw-tr.clinical.librarians@nhs.net

Project and meeting support

We can:

  • Join your departmental meetings to assess information needs
  • Support policy development and practice changes
  • Assist with service evaluations
  • Provide literature reviews for quality improvement projects
  • Help create evidence-based information campaigns
  • Support research projects from inception through completion

Email mtw-tr.clinical.librarians@nhs.net

Current awareness service

Stay informed on:

  • New policies and guidelines
  • Latest health news and research breakthroughs
  • Upcoming events and opportunities
  • Specialty-specific developments

Email mtw-tr.clinical.librarians@nhs.net