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The official Bluesky account for Portsmouth Hospitals University Trust's Library and Knowledge Services! Ask a question here or email us at pho-tr.libraryqah@nhs.net #ProudtobePHU
Today's LGBT+ Pioneer: Ethel Collins Dunham!
Ethel Collins Dunham was a sapphic American paediatrician who standardised infant care in US hospitals.
In 1948, Dunham published national guidelines for infant care. Later, she received the John Howland Award - the first female paediatrician to do so.
#ResourceOfTheWeek: KnowledgeHub!
The NHS Knowledge and Library Hub connects NHS staff and students to high quality resources in one place. Go to library.nhs.uk/phu to find or request books and full-text articles.
Free access to all NHS staff and learners with an NHS OpenAthens account.
LGBT+ Pioneer of the Day: Oliver Sacks!
Oliver Sacks was a gay British neurologist and writer known for his neurological case studies.
From 1966, Sacks worked with survivors of the 1920s encephalitis lethargica epidemic in New York. His experiences became the book 'Awakenings'.
Need an article but we don't subscribe to the journal? We'll get a copy for you!
Simply fill out the article request form buff.ly/HwFZFQy with as much information as you can, and we'll do the rest.
You must be a library member to request an article. Email pho-tr.libraryqah@nhs.net to learn more.
Today's LGBT+ Pioneer: Patrick Trevor-Roper!
Patrick Trevor-Roper was a gay British ophthalmologist known for helping to decriminalise homosexuality.
In 1955, he appeared as a witness before the Wolfenden Committee. His testimony helped lead to the decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1967.
LGBT+ Pioneer of the Day: Louisa Martindale!
Louisa Martindale was a sapphic English physician known for being Brighton's first female GP.
Martindale helped found the New Sussex Hospital for Women. She later became a specialist in cervical cancer.
In 1931, Martindale was awarded a CBE.
LGBT+ Pioneer of the Day: Michael Dillon!
Michael Dillon was a transgender British doctor known for being the first recorded trans man to undergo phalloplasty.
In 1946, plastic surgeon Harold Gillies used skin from Dillon's legs to create a penis, using techniques developed for WWI soldiers.
Need a book or article that we don't have? We'll get it for you!
We work with our partner NHS libraries across England to source items you need. Just ask a librarian about interlibrary loans.
Request an article at buff.ly/QnPrHaG or email pho-tr.libraryqah@nhs.net to see what we can do for you.
LGBT+ Pioneer of the Day: Alice Hamilton!
Alice Hamilton was a sapphic physician known for reducing lead poisoning.
In 1910, she led the Illinois Survey, and uncovered over 70 industrial processes that exposed workers to lead poisoning.
In 1956, Hamilton was TIME magazine's ‘Woman of the Year’.
LGBT+ Pioneer of the Day: Ewan Forbes!
Ewan Forbes was a transgender British GP.
Forbes inherited a baronetcy from his brother in 1965. This led to a legal challenge by a cousin as Forbes was assigned female at birth. The Home Secretary ultimately ruled in Forbes' favour.
All PHU staff and students on placement can join the library. At PHU Library, you can:
- Borrow up to 12 items
- Loan items up to 28 days
- Renew items 3 times
- Request articles & books through interlibrary loan
- Get assistance with literature searches
Join today: buff.ly/lfPmc2M
Have you met the Knowledge & Evidence Librarians?
They can:
- Find evidence for research (including systematic reviews).
- Create bespoke monthly department evidence updates.
- Guide learners to find research and reference their work.
Email pho-tr.clinicallibrarian@nhs.net to learn more.
LGBT+ Pioneer of the Day: Margaret Todd!
Margaret Todd was a sapphic Scottish doctor and writer known for the novel 'Mona MacLean'.
Todd was one of the first students at the Edinburgh School of Medicine for Women. In 1894, she became Assistant Medical Officer at Edinburgh Hospital for Women.
Today is #EpilepsyDay!
International Epilepsy Day falls on the second Monday in February. It seeks to educate the general public on the condition and advocate for better treatment.
Epilepsy resources are shelved under WL460. Ask a librarian for help accessing e-resources.
LGBT+ Pioneer of the Day: Meg Stacey!
Meg Stacey was a bisexual sociologist known for her work in medical sociology.
In the 1960s, children in hospital were often separated from family. Stacey led a study on parents having unlimited visiting hours and being actively involved in their child's care.
We’re Hiring! E-Learning Clerical Support Apprentice
Join the library team and kick start your NHS career in digital learning!
📍 Portsmouth | 💼 Full time Apprenticeship
💙 Open to current PHU & IWT staff only
Click for more: www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jo....
#ResourceOfTheWeek: BMJ Case Reports!
BMJ Case Reports is the world’s largest online collection of peer-reviewed clinical case reports, featuring over 27,000 cases across all medical specialties.
If you'd like to publish your own case report, please email pho-tr.clinicallibrarian@nhs.net
LGBT+ Pioneer of the Day: Emily Blackwell!
Emily Blackwell was a lesbian physician known for founding the New York Infirmary for Indigent Women and Children (now the New York-Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital).
Blackwell managed the hospital for 40 years, retiring in 1897.
LGBT+ Pioneer of the Day: Alan L. Hart!
Alan L. Hart was a transgender American radiologist and tuberculosis researcher. He is known for pioneering the use of X-rays in TB detection.
X-rays are still used as a gold standard today in TB screening today.
Today is #WorldCancerDay!
In the UK, someone is diagnosed with cancer every 75 seconds. The theme for World Cancer Day 2026 is 'United by Unique'. Every experience of cancer is different.
General cancer resources are shelved under QZ. Ask a librarian for help finding resources on specific cancers.
LGBT+ Pioneer of the Day: Sophia Jex-Blake!
Sophia Jex-Blake was a sapphic English physician who led the ‘Edinburgh Seven’.
In 1869, she and six other women began studying medicine at the University of Edinburgh - the first female undergraduates at any British university.
LGBT+ Pioneer of the Day: Cecil Belfield Clarke!
Cecil Belfield Clarke was a gay Barbadian GP known for inventing ‘Clark’s Rule’ in paediatric medicine.
In 1931, Belfield Clarke co-founded the League for Coloured People to address racism in Britain, now considered the UK's first pressure group.
February is Heart Health Month!
The library are celebrating all things cardiac this month with our heart health display in the QuAD. Come take a look and take a book (or 12!) and see what we can do for you.
Cardiology resources are shelved under WG. Ask a member of staff for further assistance.
LGBT+ Pioneer of the Day: James Barry!
James Barry was a transgender Irish surgeon known for performing the first successful Caesarean section in the British Empire.
In 1857, he became the Inspector General of military hospitals. He fought for proper sanitation, including handwashing and vaccines.
February is LGBT+ History Month!
LGBT+ History Month is an annual month-long observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender history. The theme in 2026 is ‘Science and Innovation’.
This month, PHU Library are sharing 20 LGBT+ pioneers in medicine. Come to the QuAD to learn more.
First #FeedbackFriday of the Year!
Here are some of the lovely things people have said about us this January.
Your feedback is important to us in creating a library that meets your needs. If you'd like to share your thoughts, please fill out a quick survey online: forms.office.com/e/ZDHnSKsUJY.
#ResourceOfTheWeek: LibKey Nomad!
LibKey Nomad is a free browser extension that instantly connects you to full-text academic articles available through PHU. LibKey Nomad acts as an assistant, checking for access and giving you a quick way to the PDFs you need.
Download LibKey at libkeynomad.com
All PHU staff can join the library. At PHU Library, you can:
- Borrow up to 12 items including games and laptops
- Loan items up to 28 days
- Renew items 3 times
- Request articles & books through interlibrary loan
- Get assistance with literature searches
- and more!
Join today: buff.ly/lfPmc2M
Today's #HIW26 theme is Winter Health!
Colds, flu, heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia, and depression are more common in winter, especially for those over 65 or with long-term conditions like lung disease. Staying warm is key to staying healthy.
Find resources on winter health at library.nhs.uk/phu
Today's #HIW26 is Mental Health!
Every mind matters. We all experience times of feeling low or stressed and finding ways to feel better isn't always straightforward. In the UK, 75% of all mental health problems are established by the age of 24.
Mental health resources are shelved at WM and WLM.
