Health Promotion Resources

About the Service

What is the Resource Service?

The service is a lending and supply library of health promotion materials.  It is free to anyone in Berkshire involved in health promotion.

i.e. If you are in a position to supply health related information to a group, or groups of people, then we can provide you with materials for free.

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How does the service work?

The service is mail order.  Our catalogue is on-line with photographs, PDF previews of leaflets and video clips, and items can be booked and ordered on-line too.

We deliver and return items via the NHS Internal Post service.   If you do not have the service then there are several collection/return points across Berkshire that you can use.

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Why is there no 'walk-in' library facility any more?

The service is funded by both Berkshire PCTs so must be used equally by clients across the county.  Experience and statistics have shown that a walk-in centre is only used by clients within about four miles of the unit so could not be used by the majority of our clients.  An on-line system is a much more realistic way to make the library available to everyone and statistics show that the service is being used much more equitably now.

We also no longer have room to display items in our offices and store rooms.

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Registration and Membership

I've forgotten my username or password. What do I do?

There is a 'Forgotten Password' link on the log-in page which will email your details to your registered email address.

Alternatively give us a call or send us an email at the office and we can tell you your username, or reset it to something of your choice.  We can also reset your password but not read an existing one.

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Why do clients have to provide home contact details before they can borrow items?

This is purely to give us, and the NHS, some security since some of our items cost hundreds of pounds to replace.  It has been known for clients to have items overdue and to change jobs taking them with them.  If they leave no contact information then the items are lost.

If you always return items on time then we will never need to look at the information.  When you have stopped using the service it will be deleted.

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On-line Catalogue

I'm sure you have a particular resource but I can't find it with the Search page

To find a particular item in the catalogue you need to know it's title/name, or at least some of it.

1. On the Search page click in the box marked TITLE
2. Type just two or three consecutive words from it's title
3. Leave all other boxes as they are, and click the Search button (at the bottom of the page)

If it's still not finding it then try with just one word.  This will produce a longer results list but it's still quite quick to scan down and spot your item.

TIPS

• We don't include words like 'the', 'a', 'an', etc. at the start of titles
• Avoid parts of the title with punctuation - You may type it differently to how it's been entered.
• Choose the more unusual words from the title - This will identify it better than words like 'and', 'in', 'the', etc.

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I'm clicking the Booking Calendar on an item but it's not coming up. What's wrong?

The window has probably come up but is hidden behind the main window with the list of items.  This happens if you double-click the calendar - It only requires a single-click.

Look along the bottom of the screen (next to the 'Start' button). Every open window has a button for it along this bar. Try clicking, in turn, all the Internet Explorer windows (the ones with the blue 'e').  It will be one of them and will come to the front again.

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When booking an item on the calendar, how long should I allow for delivery time?

You do not need to worry about delivery or return times since the system takes that into account automatically.

The dates you click are the dates that you need the item, so it will arrive with you on the first date, and you must send it back to us on the second date.

The system uses the Delivery Method you choose (above the calendar) to calculate when we must send the item out and when we can expect it back.

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Using the Service

I don't have an Internet PC at my place of work, how can I access the service?

The online service is web based so is available on any Internet computer.

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How long can I borrow items for?

You can initially borrow items for up to two weeks.

In the last few days before the return date you have the option to extend the period for up to another two weeks if the item is still free.

You can do this yourself on the on-line system.  Just log in and click the 'Extend Existing Hires' menu option.

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I sometimes need more than the maximum allowed quantity of leaflets or posters.   Is this possible?

If you have a need for larger amounts of items then please give us a call and explain the situation.  We are more than happy to supply large quantities for a special purpose.

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The NHS Internal Mail does not come to my place of work, how can I receive and return items?

We have several collection/return points across Berkshire so you can select to have items delivered to one of them.  Alternatively you could come to an arrangement with a GP surgery near you to act as a collection/return point.

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What if I can't decide about an item just from the photographs and description in the catalogue?

If you need a better look at an item then book it for a day or two to preview it.  It is good practice to review all items properly before you use them.

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If I have something delivered to one of the collection points how will I know when it has arrived to be collected?

If it is a lending item then you can assume it will be ready to collect on the day you booked it for.  Leaflets and posters usually arrive within a week of you placing your order.

Once items leave our warehouse we have virtually no control over delivery and delays can happen. The only way to know for certain is to 'phone the collection point and ask someone to check in the collection box.

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I am not near any of the collection points. What's the best way to get items delivered and returned?

If you work on an NHS site (hospital, surgery, etc.) then you don't need a collection point - the Internal Post can bring items straight to you.

If you work outside the NHS then you could ask your local surgery if they would act as a collection and return point for items.

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I am based a long way from your offices in Maidenhead so am I still able to borrow large items?

Yes, there are virtually no restrictions. The Internal Post system covers almost every NHS site across Berkshire and will transport all but a few of our items.  Longer journeys will take longer, of course.

The exceptions that can't be transported are:

• The larger sized trestle tables
• More than one set of display boards at a time

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Why do I often get an answerphone when I call the Resources office?

We are a fairly small team and most are part-time.  We are the equivalent of 2.5 whole time staff.

We often need to put the answermachine on if we are working in the store rooms or in a meeting.

There is nearly always someone monitoring the calls though and will respond to any urgent messages.  All messages are followed up within a day or two.

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