Publications
HST provides free electronic access to over 500 health systems research related reports, publications and papers. Close to 300 of these are publications that have been commissioned and funded by the Trust. Topics include among others district systems development, drug supply management, human resource development, informatics, legislation, finance, environmental health, mental health, lessons learnt, nutrition and sexually transmitted diseases / HIV/AIDS. The main publication of the HST is the annual South African Health Review. From 2005 all HST publications will be available in low resolution only. To explore the range of publications HST offers use the Advanced search to search using a variety of criteria.

Cross-site visit is the term used by ISDS facilitators to describe visits made by health workers from one health district to another health district with the intention of sharing experiences and lessons. In spite of the growing volume of literature that guides people on what health districts should look like, the process of actually transforming to a health district remains unclear. Cross-site visits offer the opportunity to see DHS development in action.

Cross-site visits are undertaken by groups or by individuals. Groups may be large, such as an entire district management team (DMT), or small, such as a specific district task team. Individuals may visit another district or facility on a fact-finding mission.

Cross-site visits can take a variety of forms, including workshops, discussion groups, facility visits, demonstrations, or a mixture of these activities.

Three broad categories of cross-site visits have been identified:

• fact finding or issue specific investigations
  - such as to gather information from a successful site on a specific issue or programme (e.g. TB management, information systems)
• exposure, sharing and bench marking
  - as in DMTs or Programme Coordinators visiting neighbouring districts or regions
• and support, revitalisation and inspiration
  - as in individuals with similar district portfolios getting together to discuss problems and achievements and seeking solutions.

A cross-site visit seldom fits strictly into one or the other category but invariably results in achieving a mixture of objectives, including a feeling of support and inspiration.