This paper discusses the formation of the NHS-HE Forum by Professor Roland Rosner in 2001. It looks at the aims and objectives of the Forum and maps current progress. The second part of the paper looks particularly at the NHS-HE Procurement Group and the later JISC NHS-HE Procurement Group, which are part of the Forum. These groupings have been partially successful in conducting joint procurement activity across the NHS and HE sectors. The publication of Dr Ian Gibson?s Parliamentary Report Scientific Publications: Free for All? is seminal in progressing this joint activity. As of 1 February 2006, joint membership of the Public Library of Science has been achieved, but one joint procurement activity of commercial content has failed. Further joint procurement is planned, along with a mapping study of procurement activities and work on an Athens Account Linking Project. The library and informatics research components are coming to the fore with the use of a community-wide survey to establish the current situation and future plans for NHS-HE network connectivity and similarly the Mapping Study of Procurement Practices in the NHS and HE for content such as e-journals. This is moving to a more systematic approach than previously. The attempted joint procurement of selected journals has two joint aims: to support both research and clinical practice in the NHS and HE. This paper discusses the formation of the NHS-HE Forum by Professor Roland Rosner in 2001. It looks at the aims and objectives of the Forum and maps current progress. The second part of the paper looks particularly at the NHS-HE Procurement Group and the later JISC NHS-HE Procurement Group, which are part of the Forum. These groupings have been partially successful in conducting joint procurement activity across the NHS and HE sectors. The publication of Dr Ian Gibson?s Parliamentary Report Scientific Publications: Free for All? is seminal in progressing this joint activity. As of 1 February 2006, joint membership of the Public Library of Science has been achieved, but one joint procurement activity of commercial content has failed. Further joint procurement is planned, along with a mapping study of procurement activities and work on an Athens Account Linking Project. The library and informatics research components are coming to the fore with the use of a community-wide survey to establish the current situation and future plans for NHS-HE network connectivity and similarly the Mapping Study of Procurement Practices in the NHS and HE for content such as e-journals. This is moving to a more systematic approach than previously. The attempted joint procurement of selected journals has two joint aims: to support both research and clinical practice in the NHS and HE
