Frequently Asked Questions about Books on Prescription
I’ve heard about something called “Books on Prescription”, but what is it?
It’s a partnership project between the Libraries & Information Service (part of Gloucestershire County Council) and the three NHS Primary Care Trusts (representing GP’s) in Gloucestershire. The project will be available across the county, and will be launched in April 2005.
“Books on Prescription” is where GP’s, and other health professionals, can offer their patients a recommended book – which patients can get from their local library – that may help them to learn more about, and therefore manage, their health problem.
What sort of health problems?
Mild to moderate mental health problems, commonly experienced by some adults: stress, anxiety, phobias, anger, mood swings and so on.
So will all patients have access to “Books on Prescription”?
Patients will be given a book on prescription only if:
• Their GP surgery is participating in the project
• It is felt that the book would benefit the patient
• They are seen by a member of the primary mental health service such as a triage nurse or a graduate mental health worker
Does a book on prescription mean that the patient will not be given a regular prescription for medication?
No. Books on prescription do not replace other sorts of prescriptions, and are not used instead of drugs. A patient’s treatment will be a clinical decision made by the GP.
How do we know “Books on Prescription” actually works?
The scheme was originally thought up around 2 years ago, in Cardiff, and piloted there. It has proved to be very popular, both with doctors and with patients. The books were not selected at random, but chosen by a highly qualified team of mental health professionals, and use evidence based techniques to help understand and learn to manage commonly experienced mental health problems. Feedback from patients is that the scheme has been very useful, and now we’d like to try it here in Gloucestershire.
How do I know that a book on prescription will work for me?
You don’t. But it could well be something that your doctor suggests, and asks you to consider. Your GP will recommend the length of time the book will be on loan to you, and s/he will probably want to see you, after that period of time, to review your treatment to date.
Health will be monitoring the effectiveness of the scheme, and you may be asked for your views on it (all information will be anonymous, and used for statistical purposes only).
Once I have my prescription, for a book, what do I do with it?
You simply take it to the library, and hand it over at the counter. You will then be given the book by library staff.
If you do not want to use your local library, you may go to any library in Gloucestershire. The book can also be returned to any library in the county.
There are 39 public libraries in the county, so you’re never far away from one. Your GP’s surgery will have a list of opening times for all of these libraries; many are open in the evenings, and nearly all are open on Saturdays.
What if the library doesn’t have the book that I need?
Don’t worry. We’ll post it to you at home (this is a free service). Or we could post it to your work address, or a friend’s address – in fact, any address in Gloucestershire.
What if I can’t get to a library, but am able to use a mobile library service?
Unfortunately, the mobile libraries will be unable to carry the Books on Prescription titles, owing to a lack of space. But if you give your book prescription to the mobile library staff they will reserve the item for you, and the Libraries & Information Service will post the book to your address.
Will library staff be able to suggest alternative books that may help me?
No. Remember libraries just supply and stock the books; they do not choose them, and they’re not experts in health issues.
What else can I expect from the library?
We hope that you enjoy the experience of visiting the library, and that you will consider joining. As well as loaning books, libraries have music CD’s, videos and DVD’s that can be loaned. There is also free access to computers, including the Internet, in all libraries.
Library staff can answer information queries, and libraries stock a wide range of leaflets and local information. Some libraries have tea and coffee facilities. The Libraries & Information Service is also aware of the needs of customers with disabilities, and all libraries have user-friendly aids and adaptations if you have a mobility problem, disability or sensory impairment – please ask library staff for details.
Where can I get further information?
From this website, and also why not try visiting:
