National Knowledge Week on Bipolar Disorder: 10-14 December 2007

The 2007 Bipolar Disorder Annual Evidence Update is a collection of the latest research on developments in bipolar disorder that has arisen over the past year. The Annual Evidence Update follows on from our Bipolar Disorder Knowledge Week 2006, which in its turn was an update of the evidence appraised in the July 2006 NICE guideline.

Topics will include updated evidence on: pharmacological and psychosocial interventions for acute depression, acute mania and maintenance treatment; self-harm and suicide; substance misuse; and children and adolescents. We are also introducing four new areas covered by evidence published in 2007: later life; genetics; mood disorders and migration; and psychosocial issues.

All mental health professionals will find something of relevance and interest during the Week. The Mental Health Specialist Library encourages users to feedback via the ‘contact us’ form on the website.

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

Launch of Stroke Specialist Library

The Stroke Specialist Library was launched this week at the UK Stroke Forum in December to coincide with the publication of the Department of Health's National Stroke Strategy.

Stroke is the third commonest cause of death and biggest single cause of disability in the UK. The National Audit Office reported on the state of stroke care in the NHS two years ago and highlighted areas for improvement, including public and professional knowledge of this potentially devastating condition, and improved access to care by specialist stroke teams. Professor Roger Boyle was subsequently asked to add stroke to his existing responsibilities as National Director for Heart Disease.

The Stroke Specialist Library team has drawn on the expertise of a steering group comprising representatives from a wide range of stakeholders including the Department of Health, Stroke Association, British Association of Stroke Physicians, UK Stroke Nurses' Forum and NHS Institute, together with colleagues from the Neurological Conditions and Later Life Specialist Libraries, to produce a detailed collection development strategy to bring together key, high quality resources that will help NHS staff and patients work together to improve care, complementing the new Stroke Strategy.

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