SINC

The Strategic Inter-Network Collaboration Group (SINC) has oversight of inter-lending and document supply (ILDS) in NHS Knowledge and Library Services (KLS) in England.

Its role is to:

  • ensure ILDS processes and infrastructure is as streamlined as it can be for both KLS staff and end users 
  • monitor, review and evaluate ILDS systems and processes, and make recommendations for improvement and standardisation 
  • set national policy and develop guidance 
  • oversee ILDS developments, and contribute to the design, testing, implementation and evaluation 
  • ensure effective communication, engagement and collaboration with KLS, end-users and other stakeholders 
  • identify trends and developments 
  • ensure that document supply considerations are included in NHS England’s Knowledge for Healthcare Resource Discovery work.  
  • represent the needs of the ILDS network and end-users 

Governance

Meetings are held quarterly.

The SINC Group Chair reports to the NHS England Knowledge for Healthcare leads responsible for Resource Discovery, and as appropriate, the Change Advisory Board.

See SINC’s terms of reference.

Membership

  • chair: an NHS England Knowledge for Healthcare Team representative 
  • one representative from each of the geographical document supply networks/NHS region to represent that region 
  • up to 5 members of NHS KLS staff with an interest in ILDS and its development 
  • one representative from the NHS Copyright First Responders 

Current membership

  • Richard Bridgen (Chair)
  • Beverley Walsh and Rebecca Bradshaw (EDEN)
  • Helene Gorring and Kaye Bagshaw (LENDS)
  • Julie Stoppani and Cecelia Schwartzman (KSS)
  • Peter Waters and Amy Dolby (MIDS)
  • Bethan Morgan (PANDDA)
  • Claire O'Connor and Barb Pierce (SWIMS)
  • Paul Lee (Copyright First Responders)
  • Lotty Summers, Hayley Clark, Jorden McNally, Claire Pogonowski and Samuel Stormont

Members will:

  • represent the needs of the network, region, wider KLS staff and end-users
  • regional or network representatives should keep library staff in their regions informed of group activity / decisions / discussions as appropriate

Latest news from the SINC Group

Information:

INC codes and INCDocs requests

We are planning to commission Third Iron to include INC codes on INCDocs requests, but as INCDocs works at the organisation level, it won’t be possible to include INC codes for individual libraries in multi-site organisations. 

If you need to record which library handles the INCDocs requests you receive, this needs to be recorded separately.  If you are using an LMS to process requests, add it to the request in a field which can be included in an ILL report.

British Library and Reprints Desk

The latest indications are that the British Library will take some time to fix the issues arising from last October’s ransomware attack.

Normally, you should only place requests from Reprints Desk if the article is not available from within the NHS and the requestor needs to share or copy obtained from outside the NHS under ‘library privilege.’

Until the British Library resumes document supply, please use Reprints Desk to obtain articles which cannot be obtained from the NHS and any other source.

National Union List of Print Journals 

A more streamlined process for checking print holdings is needed given the number of ILL requests still being satisfied from print journal holdings.  The aim is to have one place to search for electronic holdings (INCDocs) and another place for print holdings (National Union List of Print Journals).

A task and finish group is currently evaluating platforms to host the national list of print holdings. A decision on the best option will be made in March / April with a start date for the new site pencilled in for Autumn 2024. 

Affiliates will be able to add their holdings too, but will need to supply to all NHS libraries in England.

Page last reviewed: 2 February 2024

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