National Knowledge Week on Seasonal Flu: 29 October - 2 November 2007

The one-stop access point to information on seasonal flu

The National electronic Library of Infection (NeLI, www.neli.org.uk) and the National Resource for Infection Control (NRIC, www.nric.org.uk) in collaboration with the Influenza and Respiratory Virus Programme Board of the Health Protection Agency are running a Seasonal Influenza National Knowledge Week from Monday 29 October to Friday 2 November 2007 (http://www.neli.org.uk/IntegratedCRD.nsf/FluNKW?OpenForm).

This contains the most relevant references and websites in the field of seasonal flu, and aims to provide busy healthcare professionals with quick and easy access to the best and most up-to-date knowledge. The resources have been selected to provide the best evidence of current guidance or information about circulating influenza virus strains, their impact on different population groups, the flu vaccine uptake programme and guidance on the use of antiviral therapy as part of an annually updated list of the most relevant references and websites in the field of seasonal flu.

National Knowledge Week on Heart Failure: 29 October - 2 November 2007

The Cardiovascular Diseases Specialist Library is hosting a National Knowledge Week on Heart Failure from 29 October 2007. Heart failure is common, deadly and preventable, affecting (estimated prevalence) over 800,000 people in the UK. Heart failure accounts for about 5% of admissions to general medical or elderly care hospital beds, and readmission rates can be as high as 50% in the six months following initial hospital stay. Annual mortality ranges from 10-50% depending on initial severity.

The evidence base for heart failure prevention, treatment and care has grown in recent years as our understanding and awareness of the burden of this condition on individuals, their families, the NHS and wider society has risen. In 2003 the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) published guidelines on management of chronic heart failure in primary and secondary care. Our Knowledge Week is designed to update health professionals and patients on significant advances in knowledge about heart failure, taking the NICE guideline as our starting point for searching the literature.

Find out more at http://www.library.nhs.uk/cardiovascular/

Annual Evidence Update on Epilepsy: 29 October - 2 November 2007

An update of the evidence on this topic, produced by the NLH Neurological Conditions Specialist Library.

The Epilepsy Annual Evidence Update will include a selection of all systematic reviews and guidelines published on epilepsy from 2005 onwards. The articles are being reviewed by a group of clinicians to assess their relevance and validity for inclusion.

Find out more at http://www.library.nhs.uk/neurological/