Background In 2020, Health Education England, now NHS Knowledge and Library Services (NHS KLS) unveiled plans to consolidate 91 local NHS library management systems (LMS) and create efficient regional networks. Koha was selected as the LMS platform ‘to provide NHS staff with a single, coherent national gateway to their trusted library and knowledge service’ (NHS England. Moving to regional library management systems: the journey begins [internet]. 2020). Our hospice library requested participation and agreed NHS KLS funding and collaboration with subsequent membership of our local NHS consortium.

Aims To benefit and improve the library experience for staff whereby members can access and borrow items from the substantial regional NHS book collection and download eBooks purchased by the NHS; to allow NHS colleagues access to our specialist palliative care library collection; to reflect a drive towards collaboration with healthcare partners and workforce education in hospices (Hospice UK. Hospice UK Future Vision Programme – Discovery Phase [Internet]. 2020).

Methods The project commenced in May 2023 involving the hospice Librarian, regional NHS representatives and PTFS Europe (Koha administrators) with online and face-to-face training. Hospice library book records were uploaded to Koha with extensive testing of uploaded data. Over 2,700 books were barcoded, scanned and digitally linked to Koha with considerable assistance from hospice library volunteers.

Results Anticipated benefits are: increased use of and satisfaction with the hospice library resources; online access to manage accounts and view the regional book collection from electronic devices; increased communication with members via automatic book renewal and due-date email notification for tracking of the collection; targeted budgeting by audit and identification of more popular resources.

Conclusions Rollout of the LMS at our hospice is due in July 2024 following delays due to implementation lags in the London region and rollout of other hospice projects. This project has forged closer communication between the NHS KLS and the hospice library, with opportunities for the Librarian to become involved in various NHS KLS Communities of Practice.