Wessex Classification Scheme

A classification and subject indexing scheme for print and online resources, designed for healthcare library and knowledge services in the UK.

About  the scheme

The Wessex Classification Scheme is a classification scheme covering all subject areas that might be found in UK healthcare libraries, and is suitable for use for print and online resources as an aid to resource discovery. 

The scheme also provides a subject headings index that can be used within a library management system (LMS) or institutional repository to act as an authority file for subject headings.

While based on the National Library of Medicine’s medical subject headings (MeSH) scheme, the subject headings use British spellings, and there are a number of additional or amended headings to reflect differences in UK healthcare practice, and more recently there have been changes to improve inclusivity. 

The complete set of classification schedules and subject indexes can be accessed on the SWIMS Network website, and are freely available for any UK healthcare library to use. 

Management of the scheme 

The Wessex Classification Scheme is managed by an Oversight Group with representatives from many NHS regions in England. The Oversight Group has a workspace on FutureNHS, and the lead for the group is Jason Curtis. The work of the group is supported as part of the Resource Discovery workstream. 

In addition to oversight meetings around every six weeks, there are a number of separate sub-groups looking at specific areas.  

New members of the Oversight Group and the sub-groups are always welcome, from all grades of library staff. Membership of the Oversight Group or the sub-groups can be helpful for meeting CILIP PKSB criteria 05.3 (Information architecture) and 05.5 (Classification schemes and taxonomies).

Please contact Jason Curtis on [email protected] if you are interested in finding out more. 

Updates to the scheme 

Updates to the scheme are made on a regular basis, and details are published in the Resource Discovery Digest newsletter. If you’re not already subscribed to the newsletter, please sign up. 

Suggesting changes to the scheme 

Suggestions are always welcome and there is an online suggestions form, or you can contact Jason Curtis on [email protected] directly. 

There is a sub-group that meets regularly to consider suggestions, and this will then make recommendations to the Oversight Group before the changes are made to the scheme.