Catherine Jenkins' presentation: Improving health literacy levels can enhance treatment outcomes, save time and cut costs. At NELFT, we are undertaking a pilot project to improve the health literacy of staff, patients and the wider communities we serve. We have partnered with local libraries and the Reading Agency to run high-street health information drop-ins. These events raise awareness of the evidence-based Reading Well book collections and signpost members of the public to accessible, peer-reviewed digital resources like the NHS app and the NHS ‘Behind the Headlines’ health news analysis. Future aims of the project include a health literacy e-learning module and reflective workshops.

1. Health Literacy at NELFT
Catherine Jenkins
Health Literacy Project Manager
Aubrey Keep Library
catherine.jenkins@nelft.nhs.uk
@nelft_library

2. Roadmap
Overview of health literacy and why it matters
Health literacy at NELFT
Project strands
Next steps

3. What is health literacy?
‘The personal characteristics and social resources
needed for individuals and communities to access,
understand, appraise and use information and services
to make decisions about health’
World Health Organisation (WHO), ‘Health literacy toolkit for low- and middle-income
countries: a series of information sheets to empower communities and strengthen
health systems’ (2015)
http://www.searo.who.int/entity/healthpromotion/documents/hl_tookit/en/

4. The size of the problem
Up to 61 per cent of the working age population in
England finds it difficult to understand health information
– especially when numbers are involved.
Rowlands, G. et al., ‘A mismatch between population health literacy and the
complexity of health information: an observational study’ (2015)
https:/doi.org/10.3399/bjgp15X685285

5. Why it matters
Low levels of health literacy impact
significantly upon a person’s ability
to:
• manage long-term conditions
• engage with preventative
programmes
This leads to worse health
outcomes, increased health
inequalities and increased costs.
BBC,Gavin&Stacey

6. What we’re doing at NELFT
• Funding for one full-time Health Literacy Project
Manager embedded in Aubrey Keep Library
(November 2018–November 2019)
• Evidence-based approach to measuring impact of
project
• Developing case studies using the Health Literacy
Toolkit
• Exploring collaborations with GP surgeries, Patient
Participation Groups, Expert Patient Programmes and
schools
• Delivering health literacy awareness training to staff

7. Promoting health literacy awareness
at NELFT
• Baseline survey to measure awareness of health
literacy (to be repeated at project end)
• Relationship-building with:
 Communications
 Children’s and young people’s mental health
 Memory services
 Patient experience
 Medical education
 Equality and diversity
 Social prescribing

8. Health information guide

9. Public library drop-ins
• Collaboration with existing
contact at Redbridge Libraries
• Weekly two-hour manned
health information stand
• Promoted via social media
and local guides
• Emphasis on information only,
with recommendation to
discuss further with a
healthcare professional

10. NHS App
• Symptoms checker
• Signposting to local services
• Additional features if the user’s
GP practice is connected
https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-
services/the-nhs-app/

11. NHS.uk: Behind the Headlines
‘In conclusion, this observational study
can't tell us why poor smell and
mortality could be linked.’

12. NHS Apps Library
https://www.nhs.uk/apps-library/

13. Ask us anything! (health-related)
Is it safe to feed
mashed potatoes to
a baby under three
months old?
I’d like to find out about
managing food allergies
in children
How do I sign up to
the Start4Life baby
emails?
Can you recommend
an app to help manage
diabetes? Can I register with a
GP if I’m homeless?
How can I access
sexual health
services locally?
Any advice on bottle
feeding, rather than
breastfeeding?
Can I get help
from the NHS to
buy an electric
wheelchair?

14. Reading Well
https://reading-well.org.uk/about

15. Shelf Help reading groups
@katrinatwice on Twitter: Shelf Help noticeboard and
covers wall, Thurrock peer participation group

16. Feedback so far

17. Future plans
• Case studies to evidence impact
of the project
• Health literacy e-learning
module for NELFT staff
• Delivering hands-on health
literacy training to public library
staff and patrons
• Sourcing funding to secure the
future of the project
Graphic novel on pain from the ‘Reading Well for
people with long term conditions’ booklist

18. Questions and contacts
Get in touch
Contact us: library@nelft.nhs.uk
Follow us: @nelft_library
Visit us: https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/health-literacy
Further reading
The Benefits of Collaborative Effort: A New Health Information Initiative (blog):
https://ciliplondon.wordpress.com/2019/02/15/the-benefits-of-collaborate-effort-a-
new-health-information-initiative/
Health Literacy Toolkit: https://www.hee.nhs.uk/our-work/health-literacy
Digital Inclusion in Health and Care in Wales:
https://www.carnegieuktrust.org.uk/publications/digital-inclusion-in-health-and-
care-in-wales/