The second edition of the ‘Quality and Improvement Outcomes Framework’ (Outcomes Framework), is part of the wider quality framework for NHS organisations in receipt of funding through the NHS Education Contract.

It forms part of the requirement of placement provider organisations in receipt of funding through the NHS Education Contract to “ensure that there is a proactive, high quality knowledge and library service that is available to all staff and learners” (NHS Education Contract 2021-24).

The Outcomes Framework also enables NHS organisations to demonstrate their commitment to working with and enabling high-quality NHS knowledge and library services to equip the organisation, staff, learners and patients to make decisions informed by evidence from research and knowledge mobilised by knowledge and library specialists

The quality assurance and service improvement dimensions of the Outcomes Framework underpin the strategic framework for NHS-funded knowledge and library services in England, Knowledge for Healthcare 2021-26. The Outcomes Framework will integrate policies for NHS knowledge and library services and updates to ‘Knowledge for Healthcare’ over time.

This is a decorative image of variously sized shapes.
The image on the title page of the second edition of the Outcomes Framework.

Select the outcome in the tabbed section to find more information.

The outcomes

The organisation resources and champions a proactive knowledge and library service for all staff and learners, aligned to organisational priorities and ‘Knowledge for Healthcare’ policies and priorities.

Scope

This covers the organisation’s strategic approach to the provision of knowledge and library services, and how the organisation is supporting their delivery and promoting their services. It also covers how the organisation invests in these business-critical services.

Levels and indicators

Not Met

Established

1.1 The organisation has identified a member of the Board or the Executive to engage with the knowledge and library services team to ensure that the needs of the organisation are met. (essential indicator)

1.2 The organisation has agreed the performance reporting it requires of the knowledge and library service and established routine performance reviews.

1.3 The organisation has an approved and documented strategy for the knowledge and library service that is aligned to the ‘Knowledge for Healthcare’ strategy. (essential indicator)

1.4 The organisation has agreed and implemented a knowledge and library service Improvement Plan that meets organisational goals and priorities and is aligned to ‘Knowledge for Healthcare’.

1.5 The organisation ensures that there is an established identifiable budget to fund knowledge and library services staffing, services and resources for users. It is managed by the knowledge and library services manager. (essential indicator)

Good

1.6 Delivery of the knowledge and library service Improvement Plan is regularly reviewed by the line manager and other senior staff with the knowledge and library service manager. (essential indicator)

1.7 The organisation ensures that service and education leads are consulted about strategic developments in delivery of the knowledge and library service.

Very Good

1.8 A member of the Board, or Executive team, champions the role and value of the knowledge and library service.

1.9 The organisation works with the knowledge and library service manager to realise and articulate the benefits of their services using performance, qualitative, and cost data.

1.10 The organisation encourages the knowledge and library service to take opportunities to bid for funding or resources and supports the preparation of business case.

Excellent

1.11 Champions from across the organisation, including at Board or Executive level, advocate use of knowledge and library services.

1.12 Resources are assigned by the organisation to fully deliver priorities enabling a business-critical knowledge and library service.

Note

Outcomes 2-6 define the indicators of a well-supported, proactive, knowledge and library service.

Page last reviewed: 2 September 2022