Smiles better - NHS Lanarkshire

Transcription

NEWS FOR NHS LANARKSHIRE STAFF • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012
Pages 10 & 11
Page 4
spotlight
on smoking
eye network
expands
Smiles
better
More than 10,000 Lanarkshire children
have had their teeth varnished in the
first six months of 2012 as part of the
Childsmile programme.
The programme targets all pre-school
and P1-P4 children and emphasises the
importance of tooth brushing, as well as
helping parents establish a healthy diet
from the earliest stage.
It started in NHS Lanarkshire during
2006. Susan Frew, Childsmile
co-ordinator, said: “We continue to work
with general dental practitioners to offer
four applications of fluoride varnish to
all nursery age children in Lanarkshire
during 2012/2013.”
SPARKLING: extended
duty dental nurse Louise
Quinton takes a look at
three-year-old Coleen
Nimmo’s teeth
ideas on show
THE engagement process on the
proposals to build three new
community health centres in
Lanarkshire has started.
A two-day event took place in
Hunter Health Centre in August to
give members of the public and staff
the chance to see a model of the
new Hunter Health Centre in East
Kilbride and ask officials from NHS
Lanarkshire and the architect
questions on the development.
The Hunter Health Centre
development is one of three new
health centres which NHS
Lanarkshire wishes to build after
ALSO INSIDE
Staff and locals see model of proposed Hunter
Health Centre at two-day engagement event
submitting funding bids to the
Scottish Government.
If all bids are successful, it will see
a 6300sqm centre in East Kilbride, a
5500sqm centre in Wishaw and a
2100sqm centre in Kilsyth.
NHS Lanarkshire’s head of
management services Graham
Johnston said: “Both events at
Hunter Health Centre went very
well. People were able to get an idea
of the scale of the development,
how the building will look, and
where it will sit in the landscape.
“They also got a chance to ask
any questions they may have had
on the new development.
“We plan to hold similar
engagement events in Kilsyth and
Wishaw later this year to give
locals and staff there the
opportunity to ask questions.”
If all goes to plan, the three new
community health centres will be
built at a total cost of almost
£60 million with the work will due
to be completed by the end of 2015.
All three will house a variety of
primary care services including
GPs, general dental practitioners
and a range of community facilities.
The proposed new six-storey
Hunter Health Centre will be built
on part of South Lanarkshire
Council’s car park adjacent to the
existing facility.
The proposed new five-storey
Wishaw Centre will be built on the
site of Wishaw Library and will
also incorporate a library, firststop shop and Housing office
Work to finalise the location for
the new Kilsyth health centre is
being taken forward with North
Lanarkshire Council and will be
announced shortly.
NEWS ACROSS THE DIVISIONS • TRAINING UPDATE • YOUR STORIES • YOUR HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE
2 thePulse GENERAL NEWS
September/October 2012
Contents
TOP CLASS: pupils
get a lesson in
organ donation
2-9 GENERAL NEWS
Eye care network expands; volunteers needed to
help dementia patients; agreement to reduce the
risk from fire; multiple sclerosis group in high
demand; fund helps to buy nursery equipment;
pilot scheme to treat elderly at home.
10-11 SMOKING
Survey prompts action on stopping smoking on
hospital grounds, particularly at entrances.
12-14 LOCAL, DISTRICT, PARTNERSHIP NEWS
Change to X-ray provision; former patient raises
money for unit that cared for her so well in the
past; Dalziel Centre lands top national award from
Macmillan for its pleasant environment.
17 COMPETITIONS AND OFFERS
Get the lowdown on your staff benefits, and an
overnight break in Edinburgh is up for grabs.
20 ACHIEVEMENTS
A physiotherapist heads to Barcelona for a
blistering hot triathlon and a podiatrist dives
feet first into marathon challenge.
Editorial policy
As the staff newspaper of NHS Lanarkshire, The Pulse aims to celebrate
the work and achievements of staff and services. It also shares information
about the changes and issues that affect staff at work. We would like to
hear your thoughts and suggestions about the kind of stories you would
like to see in The Pulse. Contact the team (below) with your stories,
comments and ideas.
Got a story?
If you have any ideas, stories
or features you would like to see
included, or would just like to tell us
what you think of The Pulse, please
get in touch with a member of the
editorial team...
Marysia Waters
01698 858105
Michelle Nobes
(Hairmyres)
01355 585325
Christine McNeill
(Monklands)
01236 713065
Yvonne Ross
(Wishaw General)
01698 366558
The deadline for
contributions
to the next issue
of The Pulse
is Friday 5
October.
VIEWS SOUGHT: the PFPI
strategy aims to get more people
involved in health services
get involved
Strategy to gather more public input approved
Providing information and
support; listening and talking
to patients, the public and
communities; and encouraging
views and involvement in
developing healthcare services –
these all form part of NHS
Lanarkshire’s five-year Patient
Focus and Public Involvement
Strategy (PFPI).
The strategy recently received
Board approval and was
accompanied by a one-year PFPI
Improvement Plan, which will be
reviewed regularly.
It provides a framework for
change to deliver services in
Lanarkshire that are designed
for and involve service users,
where people are respected,
treated as individuals and are
involved in their own care.
Rosemary Lyness, executive
lead for PFPI and director of
nurses, midwives and allied
health professionals, said: “PFPI
is as much about how we
do things as what we do. It
needs to be embedded in the
organisational culture.
“The strategy sets out our
participation responsibilities and
need for greater involvement of
patients and the public in their
own care and in the development
of healthcare services.
“Improving people’s
experience and involving people
is about making a difference. It is
We need
patient and
public involvement
to help us improve
health and deliver
modern services
also about us learning lessons so
that future care and treatment
can be improved. We need
patient and public involvement to
help us improve health and
deliver modern services.
“Patient and public
involvement also helps the Board
demonstrate its accountability to
the public. It enables us to show
how patients and the public have
helped to shape and contribute to
future planning and how the
Board has responded to people’s
ideas, needs and concerns,”
added Rosemary.
“We want to encourage more
people to get involved in their
local health services. Gaining
patient experience through
national and local surveys is one
way which is helpful. There
are many other ways to get
involved in order to put forward
your views and help to design
future services.
“For example, local public
partnership forums meet
regularly throughout Lanarkshire
to discuss health service
provision. NHS Lanarkshire’s
website and use of social media
sites, such as Twitter and
Facebook, also encourage further
interaction with the local
community.”
q
Visit www.nhslanarkshire.org.
uk for more details on how to get
involved in your local health services.
Campaign to focus on breast cancer
The next phase of the national Detect
Cancer Early programme will be
launched in September.
The campaign, which aims to raise
awareness of signs and symptoms of
cancer and encourage uptake of
cancer screening programmes will
now focus on specific types of cancer,
beginning with breast cancer.
TV and radio adverts, featuring
Elaine C Smith, will air from
4 September to encourage women to
look for breast cancer’s early signs.
Consultant in public health
medicine Jennifer Darnborough
said: “Detect Cancer Early is all
about improving survival in breast,
bowel and lung cancer by diagnosing
and treating these cancers at an
earlier stage.” The campaign, which precedes
Breast Cancer Awareness month in
October, will run for about five weeks.
It is anticipated that more women
than usual will seek advice from their
GP or from breast clinics around this
time.
GENERAL NEWS
Great taste
all round
thePulse 3
In brief…
Film festival is
ready to roll
Now in its sixth year, the Scottish
Mental Health Arts and Film
Festival has grown to become a
valued cultural event.
The festival takes place in
theatres, cinemas, libraries and
community halls in October each
year to help challenge attitudes
towards mental health through the
arts. This year’s festival has more
than 300 events organised for its
programme with music, literature,
film and theatre events taking
place across Scotland.
q
For further information, visit
www.mhfestival.com or
www.elament.org.uk/promotingwellbeing/mental-health-festival
Job success for
Search graduates
GOOD TASTE: (from left) Christine
Browning, business support
manager, Frances Dodd, associate
director of nursing, Annette
Macdonald, deputy contract
director, serco, Eileen Clark, senior
nurse and lead for nutrition
Margaret McPherson, Serco
NEW patient menus have been
given the thumbs up from staff,
patients and visitors.
The new menus were put to the
test at tasting sessions at
Monklands, Wishaw and Hairmyres
Hospitals, where people were given
the chance to sample the menu
choices now on offer.
The new menu has been
developed using feedback from
patients via the Better Together
Survey as well as direct feedback
from patients at the bedside.
Frances Dodd, associate nurse
director at Hairmyres Hospital,
said: “A lot of work was carried out
looking at food and nutrition across
NHS Lanarkshire. We listened to
patients who said that the meal at
lunchtime was too big.
“We have adjusted the meal at
lunch time to give a lighter option
which gives a choice of soup,
Patients and staff agree that
the new hospital menus
are varied, nutritious and
– best of all – delicious
sandwiches, omelettes, salad and
baked potatoes with a choice
of three fillings, followed by a
hot dessert.”
All food on the menu meets the
NHS Scotland Nutritional Standards
and is designed to be balanced,
nutritional and provide patients
with lots of choices.
Eileen Clark, senior nurse and
lead for nutrition on the Wishaw
General Hospital site, said: “The
feedback on the meals has been
very positive.
“Nutrition is vital to recovery and
this menu ensures that patients
receive the nutrients that they need
and meals that they enjoy.”
Feedback at the tasting sessions
was extremely positive, with
hospital visitors commenting
that the menu was varied – one
person even said the food
“smelled amazing”!
Claire Kerrigan from East
Kilbride went to the tasting session
at Hairmyres. She said: “I have just
tried pasta and some vegetables. It
was all really nice and I especially
enjoyed the sauce on the pasta.”
Claire’s grandmother May said:
“The omelette is lovely and it’s
really easy to eat.”
The new menu has also been a hit
with staff. Dr Chris Evans,
consultant dermatologist at
Hairmyres Hospital, said: “It tastes
really nutritious and not salty. I
have really enjoyed what I have
tasted today.”
The menu was launched in July
a c ro s s all inp atient ar eas in
Monklands, Wishaw and Hairmyres
Hospitals and will be rolled
out to other hospitals within
Lanarkshire.
Seven young people with a
learning disability have graduated
from a pioneering training course
designed to help them into work.
Based at Wishaw General
Hospital, Project Search is run by
North Lanarkshire Council, NHS
Lanarkshire, Serco, North
Lanarkshire’s Working and
Motherwell College and is the first
initiative of its kind in Scotland.
The programme provides each
trainee with classroom studies and
three on-the-job placements in a
variety of settings, including
administration, nursing, mail
services, cleaning and catering. A
job coach from the council’s
Supported Employment scheme
works closely with each trainee to
support them during their
placements.
All of the first eight trainees,
who graduated last year, secured
permanent jobs as a result and
already three of the seven young
people who completed the second
programme are working.
Among the graduates is Stacey
Rogers, who is a domestic
assistant at Monklands Hospital
with NHS Lanarkshire.
In brief…
PEOPLE across Lanarkshire
were given an insight into the
life of a carer, thanks to a series of
information days.
The move coincided with
national carers week in June. The
events recognised the vital work of
Scotland’s 660,000 carers and
raised awareness of the type of
support that is available.
Information stands were hosted
at Monklands, Wishaw and
Hairmyres Hospitals and featured
information from a number of
agencies, including Alzheimer
Scotland, the pension service,
Princes Royal Trust for Carers,
North Lanarkshire Carers Together
and South Lanarkshire Carers
Network. Community roadshows
were also held across Lanarkshire.
e
A NUMBER of new policies
have been launched across
NHS Lanarkshire. These include
the ‘Reclaiming Overpayments’
policy, which states that NHS
Lanarkshire has a duty to correct
any pay discrepancies. Other
policies that were recently
approved are:
q
Protection of Vulnerable People
q
Gender-Based Violence
q
S
taff Interaction with Company
Representatives
q
Staff Rostering
q
Long Service Recognition.
Reviews of the following
policies are currently ongoing:
q
Dignity at Work
q
Whistleblowing
q
Redeployment
q
Car Leasing
q
Sickness and Absence.
All policies are available to
download from FirstPort.
e
Previously, anyone
working with children or
adults at risk was required to
complete an enhanced disclosure
(criminal record check). The
Protecting Vulnerable Groups
Scheme replaces enhanced
disclosures.
It prevents individuals who are
in paid or unpaid work who are
deemed unsuitable working with
children and/or protected adults
and highlights to organisations
those who become unsuitable
during employment.
The PVG Scotland Act 2007
places a legal obligation on
organisations to ensure that all
workers (new and existing)
undertaking regulated work
become PVG Scheme members.
Retrospective checking for
existing staff is due to commence
on 29 October and be completed
within three years. Human
Resources will identify staff who
are undertaking regulated work
and will issue appropriate staff
with an application form.
These staff will be given an
information leaflet that will include
contact numbers for HR/Staff Bank
and direct you to Firstport and the
Disclosure Scotland website for
further information.
e
HEALTH FOCUS: patient Greg
Beveridge gets checked by
optometrist Nicola Connolly
Care through a LENS
MORE patients can now have an eye
problem treated quicker than ever
before thanks to the expansion of
the Lanarkshire Eye-health Network
Service (LENS).
Twenty new optometric practices
have joined the service, which
offers patients an appointment for
any concerns they may have
regarding their eye health or a
minor eye injury. The service aims
to make sure that eye patients see
the most appropriate practitioner.
One of the new practices involved
is Connolly Opticians in Blantyre,
which has seen more than 35
patients in the month since it joined.
Nicola Connolly, partner
Eye health network expands
optometrist at Connolly Opticians,
said: “LENS enables a patient to
come into the practice where they
can have their eye problem
diagnosed and be given the
medication they may need, avoiding
trips to their GP and pharmacy. It’s
a really quick service.
“If their eye problem is a little
more problematic, we can call the
Ophthalmology Clinical Decision
Unit at the hospital, which can give
us advice or book an appointment
for the patient at the eye clinic.
“The service also encourages
Give the
gift of life
It’s now easier for hospital patients in
Lanarkshire to join the Organ Donor
Register and give the gift of life.
Registration boxes have been placed
at the main outpatient departments at
Wishaw General Hospital, Monklands
and Hairmyres Hospitals.
The boxes will encourage patients to
sign up to the Organ Donor Register while
they are waiting for their appointment.
Morag Vickers, specialist nurse for
organ donation, said: “While 96 per
cent or people believe that organ
donation is the right thing to do, only
33 per cent in Lanarkshire have actually
joined the organ donor register.
“Most of these people intend to join
up, but forget or do not have the time
to do so. Patients can fill in their form
while they are waiting for their
appointment and the registration boxes
provide them with a secure place to
leave their information.”
people to come in for regular eye
checks. A lot of people can be
worried about coming in for a
routine appointment. However, if
they visit us for an eye problem,
they won’t be concerned about
coming in for future checks.”
One patient who has taken
advantage of the service is
Greg Beveridge from Motherwell,
who contacted the practice
after noticing that his eye was red
and sore.
Greg said: “I have a reccurring
virus which causes an ulcer in my
eye. Normally, I would visit my GP
and then go to the hospital, which
can take quite a bit of time.
“This time I contacted the
optician. Within an hour of arriving
at the practice, I had my medication
in my hand and I was on my way
home. I didn’t even need to go to
the pharmacy.”
There are now 59 practices and
more than 90 optometrists taking
part in the service, which began in
November 2010.
q
To find out which practices are
involved, call 08453 130 130 or
visit www.nhslanarkshire.org.uk/
services/LENS
Intranet improvements
GIFT: families of donors, including Betty
Davies (left) and Lily Turley, were at the
launch of the bench
The boxes will also encourage hospital
staff to join the register.
With more than 10,000 people waiting
for an organ in the UK, it has never been
more important to sign up. One donor
could donor, you could potentially save
nine lives.
As part of the organ donation
campaign, a memorial bench was
unveiled at Chatelherault Country Park,
Hamilton, featuring the names of
Lanarkshire organ donors since 2009.
q
You can also sign on to the NHS
Organ Donor Register online by
visiting www.organdonation.nhs.uk
Staff will soon have access to a
new and improved intranet.
The finishing touches are being
put to a completely redesigned
version of FirstPort.
It will include more powerful
search options and clearer navigation
to make it easier for staff to find the
information they need to do their job.
Lee McAdams, NHS Lanarkshire’s
FirstPort Lead, said: “We are
currently working on adding relevant
content and information from the
existing FirstPort to the new site.
“Site owners don’t need to do
anything at this stage and, where
required, we will be in touch with
them over the coming weeks.
“The new site will be simple
to edit and update and we are
currently developing training
materials to guide staff through the
new process.”
The new version of FirstPort
will include:
q
search boxes on every
page, allowing staff to access
important areas easier and
quicker
q
improved menus on pages
q
resources area – easy access to
clinical documentation, corporate
library, forms, leaflets, templates,
policies etc
q
enhanced search software –
increases relevance of search
results, supplies new functionality
and improves manageability.
There will also be a dedicated
search bar for each top-level
area that will include an autocomplete function, where the
search bar predicts what the user
is searching for.
q
To find out more about
FirstPort 2, contact Lee on
01698 858083 or email lee.mcadams@
lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk
GENERAL NEWS
thePulse 5
CAN YOU HELP?
Volunteers sought to assist
patients with early dementia
PEOPLE from across Lanarkshire
are being encouraged to sign up
to volunteer to help hospital
patients who are in the first stages
of dementia.
Volunteers are being sought to
visit patients who may need
company and assist at meal times
to support those who need help to
choosing their meal.
The new volunteers will join
400 people who already give their
time, making an invaluable
contribution to the level of care
that patients receive in NHS
Lanarkshire.
Katrina Murray, volunteer
manager for NHS Lanarkshire,
said: “Many people who go into
hospital can be confused. They
are either in the first stages or
dementia or just going into
hospital has confused them.
“Often when people are not well
in hospital, they can get a bit
HELPING HAND:
volunteering can
benefit both patients
and volunteers
unsettled as they are not at home.
Also, if a patient’s family lives far
away, they might not receive
many visitors. We are calling for
people to put these patients at
ease by signing up to volunteer
with the NHS.”
As well as helping others,
volunteering also provides an
opportunity to gain new skills and
experience, such as personal
development, work experience
and meeting new people.
All volunteers are interviewed
to see which area they are best
suited to. They are also provided
with training.
q
A volunteer application form
can be downloaded from the
‘get involved’ section of the NHS
Lanarkshire website: www.
nhslanarkshire.org.uk/INVOLVED/
VOLUNTEERING/Pages/RecruitmentProcess.aspx
Driving home
the message
A café for those worried about their
memory or with a diagnosis of
dementia celebrated its first birthday
with the gift of a car.
NHS Lanarkshire’s living well with
dementia café in Motherwell FC’s Fir
Park celebrated its first anniversary
in August and it will now have the
use of a car, thanks to Peter Vardy.
The car dealer, which has a
branch near Fir Park, offered the
café organisers the use of a sevenseater Vauxhall Zafira to allow them
to transport individuals to the café to
get access to the specialist dementia
support and advice it offers.
Hazel Boyle, NHS Lanarkshire
community nurse who organises the
café, said: “I really can’t thank Peter
New support for carers
BIRTHDAY: Staff and
patients celebrate one year
of the Dementia café
Vardy enough for allowing us to use
this car.
“The dealership has also very
kindly branded the side of the car
with the café details. The café details
on the side of the car will help
publicise it and, of course, the car
can transport those who may
struggle to get there or don’t have a
family member or carer to help.”
Peter Vardy’s managing partner
Scott Reid said: “Dementia is a
condition that is affecting many
more people these days.”
CARERS who look after someone
with dementia now have extra
support and information, thanks to
a leaflet created by dieticians from
NHS Lanarkshire.
Dementia may cause challenges
at meal times due to reduced
hunger, a change in food
preferences or tasks such as
preparing or cooking food
becoming difficult.
The leaflet provides tips on
planning meals and how to make
small changes that can make
mealtimes more enjoyable and
less stressful.
Gillian Banks, specialist
dietician for NHS Lanarkshire,
said: “The way dementia affects
a person’s life is different for
each individual. This is also true
for eating and drinking.
“When someone changes their
eating habits or finds it difficult to
eat, it can be difficult and
distressing for the person and for
those who care for them.
“This leaflet gives advice on
how to tackle the everyday
problems which may occur with
eating and drinking.”
The leaflet provides tips on what
to do if the person’s taste changes
or if they are struggling to complete
meals. It also gives advice for times
when the person forgets that they
have already eaten or become
easily distracted at meal times.
q
A copy of the ‘Dementia care –
support with eating and
drinking’ leaflet can be downloaded
from the NHS Lanarkshire eLament
website at www.elament.org.uk
Contract will help patients rest more easily
From left: Diane Mitchell, tissue viability nurse; Karen McKay, clinical nurse advisor,
Hill-Rom; Mhairi Stewart and Catherine Logan, tissue viability nurses
PATIENTS at risk of pressure sores are
benefiting from therapy mattresses
thanks to a contract with Hill-Rom.
This is the third contract term that
Hill-Rom will provide NHS Lanarkshire
with dynamic air mattresses, which
help redistribute the patient’s weight
and prevent pressure being built up
in areas which are prone to bed sores.
The three-year contract has seen a
Hill-Rom clinical nurse advisor join
the Tissue Viability Team to provide
support to staff.
Karen McKay, clinical nurse advisor
for Hill-Rom, said: “I am employed by
Hill-Rom to provide an extra service to
NHS Lanarkshire staff.
“I provide education to staff on the
appropriate use of the mattresses
to make sure they are being
used on the right patients at the
right time.
“If a member of staff hasn’t used
the mattresses before, I can visit
them and help them out. If anyone is
looking for training or advice they can
give me a call.”
Lessons in organ donation
SCHOOL pupils across Lanarkshire
will have their first lesson in organ
donation at a careers event with a
difference.
The event, which is open to all S6
pupils, will give students who are
considering a career in healthcare the
opportunity to discuss their career
options with someone who already
works in the field.
It will also show how their career
may involve organ donation and
highlight the need to join the organ
donor register.
Morag Vickers, specialist nurse
for organ donation and event
co-ordinator, said: “This event is an
excellent opportunity for pupils to
explore the options that are open to
them and gain an insight into their
chosen career.
“It will also introduce them to the
need to join the organ donor register.
With just over 10,000 people currently
on the UK transplant list, more
medical staff are now treating
patients needing a transplant.”
Pupils will be given the chance to
meet a wide variety of staff who are
involved with organ donation and
transplants, including surgeons,
specialist nurses and anaesthetists as
well as those who work in the
emergency department, intensive care,
paediatrics and physiotherapy.
They will also be given the
opportunity to participate in
workshops on organ donation and
transplantation where they can learn
more about transplantation and the
experience of the families of a donor
and a recipient.
q
The event will be held at the
University of West Scotland on
5 September.
new safety pact
A NEW agreement between NHS
Lanarkshire and Strathclyde Fire
and Rescue will further improve
safety at NHS Lanarkshire’s
premises.
Both bodies signed a partnership
concordat which commits them to
more formal ways of working to
further reduce the risk of fire.
It is the first time in Scotland that
such a formal collaboration has
been agreed between a health board
and Strathclyde Fire and Rescue
and it will result in fire safety being
given even more prominence.
Ian Ross, NHS Lanarkshire acting
chief executive, signed the
concordat on behalf of NHS
Lanarkshire.
He said: “The wellbeing of our
staff and patients is our number one
priority, which means safety is an
First for Scotland as
NHS Lanarkshire
and Strathclyde Fire
and Rescue agree to
formal co-operation
issue which is regularly addressed.
“With more than 100 buildings
within our estate which we have to
manage and maintain, this
concordat formally underpins the
already established partnership
working we have in place with
Strathclyde Fire and Rescue.
“It also commits us to further
developing this, which will help
strengthen the safety procedures we
already have in place.
“Everyone agrees that joint
working is vitally important, but it is
even more so between ourselves
and Strathclyde Fire and Rescue.”
Lewis Ramsey, Strathclyde Fire
and Rescue assistant chief officer,
signed the agreement on behalf of
Strathclyde Fire and Rescue. He
said: “We already have some well
established examples of joint
working between both
organisations which includes,
quarterly meetings to discuss fire
safety compliance and the
development of fire investigation
and report writing training, which
will be rolled out to all NHS Boards.
“But, we’re always looking to
improve things and this concordat
does that.”
Breastfeeding promoted
Roadshows raise awareness
STAFF were reminded of the
importance of anticipating risks
at a series of roadshows that
highlighted the recently updated
risk management guidance.
The roadshows visited eight
locations across NHS Lanarkshire.
Staff who attended discovered how
to access the Datix incident recording
system. They also got a better
understanding of the work that
happens after an incident is reported
and their role in reviewing low and
medium-rated incidents.
Staff found out how to get support
from the risk management team and
how to become more involved.
Those at the roadshows were invited
to take part in a risk management
competition with a prize of £25 Marks
and Spencer vouchers, which were
won by Diane Sleeman, community
staff nurse at Coatbridge Health Centre.
The competition questions were
designed to focus on ‘never events’,
such as retained foreign objects, and
the importance of locally reviewing
and implementing changes following
incidents.
q
More information on ‘never
events’ and the updated
guidance can be found on the Risk
Management page on FirstPort.
HISTORIC: Lewis Ramsey and Ian
Ross shake on it, after signing the
concordat at Monklands Hospital
INFORMATION: staff and
a member of the Wishaw
breastfeeding support
group at Wishaw
General Hospital
TO mark Breastfeeding Awareness
Week at the end of June, a number
of promotional activities were held
across NHS Lanarkshire.
These included a roadshow in
Mothercare, East Kilbride,
where staff and volunteers
spoke to pregnant women,
mothers and their families
about breastfeeding.
Information stands for local
pregnant women were also in
Wishaw General Hospital, Airdrie
Health Centre and Hairmyres
Hospital maternity day assessment
units, attended by staff, volunteers
and local breastfeeding mothers.
As part of the campaign, all
pregnant and breastfeeding women
who attended the information stand
were given a discount voucher for the
hospital’s fruit and vegetable co-op,
to encourage healthy eating. All
customers of the co-op were given a
special ‘breastfeeding bag’ to take
their fruit and vegetables home in.
Following the campaign,
Lanarkshire Breastfeeding Initiative
and NHS Lanarkshire launched a bus
advertising campaign in August to
promote the benefits of breastfeeding
to the general public.
GENERAL NEWS
A helping hand
I was
diagnosed
with MS in
December 2004.
This group has
been a lifeline
balance and co-ordination and
chronic fatigue. There are
approximately 100,000 people
living with MS in the UK.
Carol Murphy, senior charge
nurse for NHS Lanarkshire, said:
“The group provides people with
a place to go for support. It has
been so successful that we now
run two sessions a week.
In brief…
Antibiotics policy:
tabs not jabs
A NEW policy is helping staff to
move patients from IV to oral
antibiotics more quickly.
The policy advises staff on the
circumstances where a patient can
be given antibiotics in tablet form.
Steven McCormick, lead
antimicrobial pharmacist at
Monklands Hospital, said: “Making
the switch from using an IV to
tablets not only reduces the risk of
infection, it helps improve the
patient’s hospital experience and
can result in them being
discharged more quickly.”
The IV to oral antibiotic
assessment section within the new
cardex should be completed daily
by prescribing teams, to ensure no
opportunity to safely switch
therapy is missed.
The ‘Antimicrobial IV to Oral
Switch Therapy Protocol for
Adults’ can be downloaded from
FirstPort.
Walkers raise
£3500 for Rachel
MS support group puts on
extra sessions due to demand
PATIENTS who suffer from
multiple sclerosis (MS) are now
benefitting from a support group
which offers them the chance to
talk to others about their
condition and gain additional help
and advice.
The support group, which is
held at the Dalziel Centre at
Strathclyde Hospital, aims to
provide a relaxed and friendly
atmosphere where sufferers can
meet others with MS.
MS is a disease affecting
nerves in the brain and spinal
cord, causing problems with
muscle movement, balance
and vision.
It can cause a wide range of
symptoms including loss of vision,
muscle stiffness, difficulties with
thePulse 7
Clockwise from top left: group members Gordon Hamilton, George Jardine and
Irene McNeil; Bret Fraser; Jane Cairns, Margaret Jackson and Margo Coleman
“People come along to speak to
others and get verification that
they are not alone.
“They help each other. Those
who have had MS for a long time
often advise the others on what
extra help is on offer.”
The group also provides
patients with counselling,
complementary therapies and
acupuncture as well as financial
advice.
The groups have received great
feedback and most attendees say
that they look forward to going
each week.
Jane Cairns from Airdrie said:
“I was diagnosed with MS in
December 2004. This group has
been a lifeline to me. Everyone is
so helpful and I really look
forward to coming.”
q
The group runs on Thursdays
and Fridays. Patients are
advised to contact the Dalziel Centre on
01698 245026 to see which day has
availability.
A SPONSORED walk has raised
£3500 to help the daughter of an
NHS Lanarkshire staff member
who was severely disabled after
giving birth.
Kate McGhee is a member of
NHS Lanarkshire’s Stop Smoking
Service and her daughter Rachel
suffered an amniotic fluid
embolism – a very rare obstetric
condition – after giving birth to her
son Olly in November 2011.
It has left Rachel, 23, in the
rehab unit of Edinburgh Royal
Infirmary where she requires
constant help and support.
To allow her to return to her
family, Rachel’s home needs to be
adapted and numerous friends and
colleagues of Kate organised the
walk to raise funds.
The event was held in June in
Strathclyde Park and saw friends,
family and colleagues raise money
to help provide a home that meets
Rachel’s needs.
Policy spotlights training and safety
COMMUNICATION:
the policy aims to
ensure that staff are
well informed
An updated policy aims to ensure that
all NHS Lanarkshire staff continue to be
well informed, involved in decisions
and treated fairly and consistently.
The revised Staff Governance
Standard was designed through a
comprehensive engagement process by
the Scottish Government. It
re-emphasises staff training and
development, effective communication
and engagement and providing safe
working environments.
Kenny Small, director of human
resources for NHS Lanarkshire, said: “It
is important that we ensure all staff feel
supported and involved in their
workplace and receive the training and
development they need to continue to
provide high-quality patient care.
“The standard will ensure that staff
are routinely given the opportunity to
influence decisions that affect them and
that they are kept well informed of any
changes proposed.”
The standard also sets out clear
responsibilities for staff, including
keeping up to date with developments
relevant to their job, becoming involved
in discussions on issues that affect
them and treating patients and
colleagues with dignity and respect.
Lilian Macer, employee director for
NHS Lanarkshire, said: “The standard
sets out what staff can expect from NHS
Lanarkshire. However, with rights come
responsibilities.
“All staff are encouraged to
participate in agreeing their annual
Personal Development Plan, comply
with occupational health and safety
requirements and make themselves
aware of NHS Lanarkshire’s policies.”
NHS Lanarkshire funds help community forum buy nursery
A feast
for the
senses
AN Airdrie nursery has new
equipment, thanks to the support
of the Airdrie and Villages
Community Forum.
With funding allocated by NHS
Lanarkshire, the community
forum helped the Richard Stewart
Centre buy a range of sensory toys
and resources designed to help
children’s development. The toys
and aids will be housed in a newly
created multi-purpose room
within the nursery, and will
encourage children to use their
senses of touch, taste, sound,
sight and hearing to explore and
FOR THE KIDS: (from left) Susan Peacock, NHS Lanarkshire health
improvement senior at the Airdrie/North/Coatbridge Unit; Margaret
McCluskey, John Riley and Nancy Pettigrew. The children are (from left)
Georgia McAteer, Zak Muir and Carla Finnigan
“It is also a space which enables
understand life at a level
appropriate to their age and stage child and family engagement and
this equipment will complement
of development.
Head of the nursery Margaret the work we do here.
“I extend my thanks to the
McCluskey said: “These
members of the Airdrie
resources will enable us to
and
Villages
enhance our work with the
Community Forum for
children and their families
their help and support.”
and build on what is
sensory
All health boards are
already a rich multitoys!
required to support
sensory environment.
public involvement and to
“The new room provides
engage with local communities on
a quiet space where staff
c a n w o r k i n d i v i d u a l l y w i t h a range of health issues. In North
children, small groups of children Lanarkshire, community forums
play an important role in this
and with parents and/or carers.
NEW
Campaign to
treat strokes
within the
‘golden hour’
A campaign is under way to reduce
the time it takes to identify and treat
someone who has suffered a stroke.
More than 1000 Lanarkshire people a
year suffer a stroke and the campaign
aims to reduce the time from arrival at
Accident & Emergency (A&E) to
thrombolysis treatment to within one
hour or the ‘golden hour’.
Assessing patients within this time
could make a big difference to their
recovery and subsequently the quality
of their life afterwards.
Campbell Chalmers, NHS Lanarkshire
stroke nurse consultant, explained: “1.9
million brain neurons are lost each
minute in which a stroke is untreated.
“We want to get the message across
that time lost is brain lost and that the
time it takes for someone to arrive at
A&E and be assessed and if appropriate
treated with the clot-busting drug tissue
plasminogen activator (tPA) should be
within the hour.
“This increases the proportion of
equipment
work, supported by NHS
Lanarkshire. Each community
forum develops a community
engagement action plan and they
can access NHS funds to help
address local health issues.
Airdrie and Villages Community
Forum Chairperson John Riley,
and Treasurer Nancy Pettigrew,
visited the nursery to see the
results of the forum’s support.
John said: “One of NHS
Lanarkshire’s aims is to ensure
our children have the best start
in life.
“This was why the forum
decided to support this nursery’s
request for a range of sensory
resources.
“It was fantastic seeing how the
equipment has been put to good
use and a joy seeing the children
enjoy it.”
q
If you would like to find out
more about the work of Airdrie
and Villages Community Forum or
are interested in becoming involved,
contact John Riley on 01236 843482
or email airdrieandvillagescf@
gmail.com
Eat Safe at Wishaw General
TARGET: NHS
Lanarkshire aims to
treat patients within
60 minutes of a stroke
patients who are alive with a
favourable outcome.”
The ‘golden hour’ campaign has been
developed in partnership with Chest,
Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS) and it
builds on the ‘Think FAST – Act Fast’
message by focusing on the recognition
of stroke signs at the earliest
opportunity and taking the necessary
steps to allow for thrombolysis
treatment within the ‘golden hour’.
Katrina Brennan, stroke MCN
manager said: “Ensuring patients
receive the optimum evidence-based
stroke care involves colleagues from
across the whole pathway including
Scottish Ambulance Service, emergency
care, radiology and stroke service staff.
“It involves working collaboratively
to improve our response times in a safe,
efficient and effective way.”
A resource pack has been produced
containing leaflets and posters explaining
how to use the FAST test. The literature
also explains the process to follow for
patients being considered for
thrombolysis treatment – from the
pre-alert by the Scottish Ambulance
Service of a potential stroke patient, to
recognising stroke once the patient arrives
at A&E, contacting the stroke team, having
the patient scanned, to administering tPA.
q
For a free pack call 01236 707724or
visit http://firstport/sites/mcns/
stroke/default.aspx
CATERING services at Wishaw
General Hospital have achieved the
highest standards of food hygiene.
Serco Health, which provides food
for patients, staff and visitors, has
been presented with the Eat Safe
Award by North Lanarkshire Council.
The Eat Safe Award Scheme is run
by Scottish local authorities in
conjunction with the Food Standards
Agency to promote excellence in
food hygiene and food safety
management. It recognises food
businesses which achieve standards
of food hygiene above those
required by current legislation.
Proud moment:
Councillor Helen
McKenna presents the
Eat Safe Award to Serco
chef Keith McCarron
“The Eat Safe award is only given
to food businesses who demonstrate
a consistently high level of hygiene
throughout their operations, so I am
delighted to present this award to
Serco Health in recognition of their
achievements,” said Councillor Helen
McKenna, convener of the
Environmental Services Committee.
Helen Brown, catering manager at
Serco Health, said: “We are delighted
to have been recognised by North
Lanarkshire Council with the Eat
Safe Award. This achievement is
down to our staff’s hard work and
dedication.”
GENERAL NEWS
thePulse 9
Charity
on call
The ‘Teachback’ project helps youngsters use their asthma inhalers more effectively
Families transformed
into ‘inhaler experts’ to
help asthma sufferers
CHILDREN with asthma are now
breathing easier, thanks to a new
project which has transformed their
families into ‘inhaler experts’.
The project sees families being
taught how to use their child’s inhaler
properly before they are discharged
from hospital.
More than 1.1 million children suffer
from asthma in the UK. The most
effective way to control asthma is to
breathe in medicine via an inhaler.
Elaine Anderson, specialist nurse in
respiratory paediatrics and lead for
asthma, said: “In our asthma clinic, one
of the biggest problems we see is that
inhalers are not being used properly
because the parents do not understand
how to use them.
“Inhalers can sometimes be tricky as
there are a few different things that
need to be done to make them work
effectively.
“This project will ensure that parents
fully understand how to use their
child’s inhaler.”
In a project under the Scottish
Patient Safety Paediatric Programme,
Dr Donna Corrigan set up a small group
to address the problem. The group
included paediatric pharmacists
Kate Stock and Lynsay McAulay,
paediatric inpatient ward manager
Pamela Buddy and paediatric
inpatient staff nurses Jacqueline
Johnstone and Jean Hardie.
Elaine said: “The group created the
‘Teachback’ project, which is very
simple. When a child is being
discharged from hospital after having
an asthma complication, a nurse will
explain to the family how to use the
inhaler.
“They will then ask the family to
explain it back to them. This allows the
nurse to cover any areas that have not
been fully understood the first time
round.”
The project has seen a huge rise in
the number of children attending
clinics with eased symptoms as a result
of using their inhalers properly.
By day, she’s
a community
podiatrist but,
after hours,
Hazel Patterson
has a surprising
alter ego…
BIKER GIRL: Hazel is studying
for her advanced driving test
WHILE most staff finish their shift
and go home to relax after work,
Hazel Patterson spends her free
time helping others.
The community specialist
podiatrist spends her evenings
and weekends fielding calls for
the Scottish Emergency Volunteer
Rider Service (ScotsERVS).
ScotsERVS is a voluntary
organisation which provides the
emergency ‘blood bike’ transport
service in Scotland. It transports
items at urgent request of the
NHS, including an out-of-hours
service.
Hazel said: “I have been a
podiatrist in East Kilbride for ten
years. I work between three sites
and am also a
trained smoking
cessation advisor.
However, last year I
had to take five
months off after
being diagnosed
with fibromyalgia.
“During that
time, I saw an advert
on TV for the charity. I
thought it would be a
great way to
combine a love of
biking with charity
work. I have
found it useful to
help other people
as it takes my
mind off my own
health problems.”
ASSET sees patients treated at home
A pilot scheme is allowing older
patients to remain at home rather than
being taken to hospital.
The pilot, which is part of the
Reshaping Care for Older People
programme, allows GPs to refer older
patients to NHS Lanarkshire’s Age
Specialist Service Emergency Team
(ASSET), instead of admitting them to
hospital.
Approximately 80 per cent of
patients who are referred to the
scheme remain at home.
Dr Jim Davie, consultant in medicine
for older care for NHS Lanarkshire,
said: “Most people do not want to be
admitted to hospital. Older people
who have physical illness and/or
confusion are often happier at home
and often recover better in their own
environment.
“When a patient is referred to ASSET,
we aim to visit them within one hour to
see if they can be cared for at home.
“A nurse will examine the patient as
well as carrying out tests such as a
cardiograph and blood tests. So, when
the consultant arrives 30 minutes later,
they can study the test results and
further examine the patient.
“We also have an agreement with
North Lanarkshire Social Work
Department to enable patients to
receive immediate additional home
care if needed.”
The ASSET team is made up of
consultants, nurses, rehabilitation
staff, occupational therapists,
physiotherapists and a trained
psychiatric nurse.
The team can treat a range of
complaints including an increase
in the severity of chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease, pneumonia,
minor heart attacks or patients with
heart failure.
It also provides pain control and can
treat patients who have had falls.
PILOT SCHEME:
some members of
the ASSET team
All drivers are required to pass
an advanced driving test to
protect their own safety and to
ensure their deliveries reach their
destination as quickly as possible.
“A lot of the other ScotsERVS
volunteers are policemen, firemen
and paramedics, who already have
their advanced training
certificate. Until I pass the course,
I am doing control duties. This
means that, after work, all calls
are directed to my phone.
“Drivers carry blood products
such as plasma. We are also the
We raise
every penny
ourselves
back-up system for the donor milk
bank from Yorkhill. The service
means that premature babies
across the whole of Scotland can
be given donor breastmilk as we
provide a doorstep service from
the donor to the neonatal unit.”
Hazel added: “We get no
funding, so we have to raise every
penny ourselves. However, it’s all
worthwhile as it saves
departments money. The money
saved can go back into the
department for patient care.”
q
For more information on
the service, visit
www.scotservs.org.uk
10 thePulse smoking
September/O
let’s clear
The board is examining ways
of stopping smoking on hospital
grounds, particularly entrances
Smoke aggravates conditions
such as asthma in children
Why we
must tackle
second-hand
smoke...
THE decision to tackle the issue
of smoking at hospital entrances
has been influenced by the
feedback from staff and
members of the public who
describe walking through smoke
clouds as unpleasant.
Many are also acutely
aware of the negative health
implications which can result
from being subjected to second
hand smoke.
Dr Catriona Milošević, who
chairs the short-life working
group whose purpose is to
oversee the policy review, said
people are right to be concerned.
She said: “Studies have shown
that tobacco smoke contains
over 4000 chemicals, including
irritants, toxins and more than
50 known carcinogens.
“Over 80 per cent of secondhand smoke is also invisible and
odourless which means that
many people may not realise
that it’s affecting them.”
Second-hand smoke has also
been shown to increase the risk
of cancer and heart disease.
Babies exposed to second-hand
smoke have a higher risk of cot
death while children are more
likely to suffer from ear
infections, respiratory infections
and asthma attacks.
In the UK as a whole, it is
estimated that children
breathing in other people’s
cigarette smoke results in about
300,000 GP visits and 9,500
hospital admissions a year.
Dr Milošević continued:“There
is increasing evidence to show
that second-hand smoke can
have a significant negative
impact on those exposed to it.
“It’s a serious health hazard
that leads to disease and
premature death.”
A SURVEY of patients, staff and the
public has found that 94 per cent of
respondents believe
hospital entrances
should be smoke
free.
It also found
that 89 per cent of
smokers agreed
entrances should
be smoke free.
NHS Lanarkshire
carried out the
survey
over a
s i x -
week period as part of a review
asking staff and the general public
for their views on the NHS
Lanarkshire policy, which bans
smoking on its sites.
A to ta l o f 3 6 2 1 ind iv id u a l s
answered questions designed to
assess support for the policy and
look for ideas on how smoking on
site, and particularly at the
entrances, could be reduced.
Alan Lawrie, interim director for
acute services (pictured), said: “The
response to the survey has been
fantastic. I would like to thank
everyone who completed one.
“It is clear that the vast majority of
respondents feel hospital entrances
should be smoke-free environments.
“I think this is because people are
aware that the smoke at entrances is
harmful to their health and find it
unpleasant when using our services.
“Although the majority of smokers
do follow the policy, and despite our
best efforts since it was introduced,
a hard core of smokers continue to
flout it.
“This is a particular problem at the
entrances of our acute hospitals and
people clearly object to this –
including most people who smoke.”
NHS Lanarkshire introduced its
policy banning smoking on all its
grounds in 2008, two years after the
smoking ban in public places
became law.
The NHS Lanarkshire policy was
implemented in an attempt to build
on the good work of the ban,
improve health by encouraging
smokers to quit and reduce exposure
to second-hand smoke.
However, while smoking on hospital
grounds has reduced since 2008, it
has not been eradicated and people
smoking at acute hospital entrances,
continues to be a problem.
SMOKING
October 2012
s
s
e
s
s
d
,
g
e
l
t
e
,
thePulse 11
the air
Signage makes clear that smoking on hospital grounds in forbidden
The survey results are in...
REVIEW LAUN
CH
helped launch th : Former NHS Lanarkshire chie
f
e
Ann Muir, Dr Ca no smoking policy review surv executive Tim Davison (second
triona Milošević
ey with (from le
left)
ft)
and South PPF re
presentative Mar North PPF representative
garet Moncrieff
SOME key findings from the
survey on NHS Lanarkshire’s No
Smoking policy include:
q
There were a total of 3621
responses
q
62 per cent of the responses
were from staff with 38 per cent
from patients and the public
q
19 per cent of respondents
identified themselves as smokers
while 74 per cent were
non-smokers. Seven per cent did
reveal their smoking status
q
94 per cent of all respondents
believed hospital entrances
should be smoke free. This
included 98 per cent of staff and
89 per cent of smokers
q
66 per cent of respondents
felt that NHS Lanarkshire should
do more to discourage smoking
on its premises
q
Nearly one in four staff
have asked a smoker to comply
with the current policy of not
smoking on hospital grounds.
Four out of five staff did
not rule out doing so in
the future
q
77 per cent of smokers
who admitted to breaching
the current policy said they
would stop smoking near
entrances if there was
somewhere else to smoke, for
example, a smoking shelter.
New babies subjected to
second-hand smoke fumes
Staff in
Wishaw
General have
reported that
smoke from the
entrance sometimes
drifts into the
maternity unit
This has resulted in complaints
from members of the public and staff
who report having to walk through
clouds of smoke while entering or
leaving a hospital.
During the consultation, patients
and relatives made comments
highlighting the distress caused
when they are exposed to smoke
when attending hospital for care,
particularly when their illness is
caused or aggravated by smoke.
Similarly, staff in Wishaw General
Hospital’s maternity unit have
reported that cigarette smoke from
the main entrance sometimes drifts
into the maternity unit, meaning a
new Lanarkshire baby’s first breath
can contain tobacco fumes.
Alan Lawrie continued: “The wider
public, our staff and smokers
themselves have said they expect us to
tackle smoking at hospital entrances.
“We are now in the process of
looking at all the suggestions we have
received and at the broader evidence
in order to decide what would be the
best way to address this problem.
“These suggestions will be put to
the NHS Lanarkshire Board for
consideration.”
A decision is expected this year.
STAFF in Wishaw General
Hospital maternity unit have
explained how they often smell
tobacco smoke in the unit from
smokers who congregate at the
front entrance.
Midwife Annette Cartwright
said it is one that both staff and
patients find distasteful.
Annette said: “It is a fairly
common occurrence.
“When you have windows open
and when the breeze blows a certain
way, it wafts the smoke into the unit.
“It’s not strong, but it is
distinctive and it doesn’t seem
right to me that a new baby’s very
first breath could be tainted with
tobacco fumes in some way.
“Other new parents have told
me how they find it unpleasant
when they have to walk through
smoke clouds at the hospital
entrance when they leave the unit
with their new baby.”
Vice chair of the South Public
Patient Forum (PPF) Margaret
Moncrieff helped launch the policy
review back in April.
She said: “There has been
concern among the public and
carers for years about smoking at
hospital entrances and it’s great
that NHS Lanarkshire is seriously
looking at addressing it.
“The number of responses has
been fantastic. They’ve come from
all quarters – staff, the public, carers
and patients – so it also shows the
survey has been very inclusive.
“It’s also great that people have
given us their views and it’s good
that NHS Lanarkshire is looking at
these to help it inform its policy.”
12 thePulse LOCAL/DISTRICT/PARTNERSHIP
Faith leaders
pledge their
support to
campaign
Great walk for
good cause
ST ANDREW’S Hospice is
organising the fundraising
challenge of a lifetime and is
offering people the chance to
trek the Great Wall of China.
The 10-day trek will see you visit
various sections of the Great Wall.
It will then travel to wilder
sections of the wall and to one of
China’s protected national parks.
q
To book a place on the
challenge, contact the Hospice
with a non-refundable deposit
of £200 or register at
www.st-andrews-hospice.com
You will then be issued with a pack to
help raise a further £3000, minimum.
Eleven Lanarkshire faith
communities have become
the first in the country to
unite together and publicly
pledge their commitment to
work with ‘see me’, Scotland’s
national campaign to tackle
the stigma and discrimination
of mental ill-health.
The faith communities
participating in the pledge
signings include:
q
Baptist Churches of North
and South Lanarkshire
q
Hamilton Presbytery of the
Church of Scotland
q
Lanark Presbytery of the Church
of Scotland
q
Lanarkshire Hindu Welfare
Association
q
Islamic Education Trust
Cumbernauld
q
Central Mosque Lanarkshire,
Mossend
q
Lanarkshire Circuit of the
Methodist Church in Scotland
q
Roman Catholic Diocese of
Motherwell
q
Lanarkshire Regional Council
of the Scottish Episcopal Church
q
The United Reformed Church
in Lanarkshire
q
North Lanarkshire Muslim
Women’s Association.
Suzie Vestri, ‘see me’ campaign
director, said: “We welcome the
commitment of Lanarkshire faith
organisations and look forward to
working with them to break down the
barrier that stands in the way of
people talking about mental ill-health.”
q
For more details on ‘see me’,
visit: www.seemescotland.org
Acute focus
for x-rays
PLAIN film X-rays will no longer be
available at Stonehouse Hospital
from Monday 24 September.
The closure follows NHS
Lanarkshire’s radiology review last
year which set out the need to
move plain film X-rays from
community facilities and re-provide
these services within acute
hospitals.
From January 2012, plain film
X-rays have only been available on
Mondays at Stonehouse Hospital.
This was a temporary arrangement
with services to fully transfer to
Hairmyres Hospital in September
2012. The main benefit for patients
Plain film x-rays to be taken at acute hospitals
is that they will receive their results
in a much shorter timeframe than is
currently possible. They will also be
able to get any further tests
required and start treatment at the
earliest opportunity.
Fiona Gardner, clinical director
for radiology, said: “The use of plain
film imaging has decreased over the
years and has been replaced with
other types of imaging such as MRI
and ultrasound.
“Where a plain film X-ray is needed
we believe we can provide an
improved and safer service for
patients in our acute hospitals.”
Plain film x-rays will no longer be
available at Stonehouse Hospital
after Monday 17 September – the
last day of the service. Patients
referred for plain film x-ray after
Monday 17 September will be
required to attend one of the acute
hospital sites.
This is the final phase of the
changes introduced under the
radiology review following
the transfer of services from
Coatbridge, Cumbernauld and
Kilsyth to Monklands Hospital in
December 2011.
Patients can attend whichever
site is most convenient for them and
can be referred to the open access
clinics at Hairmyres and Monklands
hospitals, Monday to Friday
from 9am to 4.30pm. Wishaw
General Hospital is open until
7.30pm, Monday to Friday.
LOCAL/DISTRICT/PARTNERSHIP
In brief…
THE future of cancer care in
Lanarkshire was the hot topic
at a recent engagement event.
The event saw NHS Lanarkshire
and partner agencies discuss how
cancer services will be shaped.
About 190,000 people currently
live with cancer in Scotland. It is
expected this figure will increase to
more than 360,000 by 2030.
Ian Ross, acting chief executive,
said: “In considering how we
provide services, we want to ensure
that we are working together and
making the best use of our
collective resources to achieve the
best outcomes for service users,
carers and families.”
e
NHS Lanarkshire’s Coronary
Heart Disease Managed
Clinical Network (CHD MCN)
recently held its annual open day
for patients, carers and the public.
The event, which was held at
the GLO Centre, Motherwell
on Friday 22 June, allowed
patients with heart disease, their
family members, carers and
members of the public to find out
the latest developments in
Cardiology and the latest activity
of the CHD MCN.
The main focus of the day was
presentations relating to heart
health.
Organisations represented
included Chest, Heart & Stroke
Scotland, British Heart
Foundation, North Lanarkshire
Benefits Agency, Stop Smoking
Service, North & South
Lanarkshire Carers Together,
Princess Royal Trust Lanarkshire
Carers Centre and Well Informed.
e
IF YOU have a head for
heights, join the team from
St Andrews Hospice who will be
climbing Ben Nevis on Saturday
22 September.
Ben Nevis is the highest
mountain in the United Kingdom
and is located at the western end
of the Grampian mountains in the
Lochaber area of the Scottish
Highlands, close to the town of
Fort William.
e
q
To get involved, contact the
fundraising team on 01236
766951 or email rosaleen.
[email protected]
It’s never too early to get
into the Christmas spirit. So,
why not sign up for St Andrew’s
Hospice’s Santa Dash and
Reindeer Fun Run on Sunday
25 November.
The event is suitable for all
ages, your friends, family or
colleagues. You can run, jog or
walk the 6K route.
On the day, adults will be
provided with a Santa suit and
children will be given flashing
reindeer antlers.
e
q
For further information, visit
www.st-andrews-hospice.com
thePulse 13
‘It’s my way
of giving back’
Former patient
pays tribute to
great care by
raising funds
A WOMAN who had cancer has
raised money in tribute to the
healthcare staff who are nursing
her back to health.
Janice Doyle from Motherwell
donated £1500 to the Oncology
Medical Day Unit at Wishaw
General Hospital after holding
a charity night at her local
miners club.
Janice, who was diagnosed in
August 2011, said: “Being
diagnosed with breast cancer was
a complete shock to me as I had
not felt a lump or experienced any
other symptoms. I was diagnosed
after being invited for a routine
mammogram.
“I always hear women saying
that they are reluctant to have
a mammogram as they have
heard that it can be a little
uncomfortable. But I would urge
anyone to take up the offer. It
only takes a few minutes and can
save your life.”
Breast screening is offered to
women between the ages of 50
and 70. The mammogram can
detect small changes in breast
tissue which may indicate cancers
which are too small to be felt by
the woman herself or by a doctor.
Janice, who has now undergone
an operation and completed
chemotherapy and radiotherapy,
decided to raise money for the
unit after being impressed by the
treatment she received.
She said: “All of the staff at
the hospital have been fantastic
Janice (pictured, centre, with the Oncology Medical Day Unit team) raised £1500 by organising a charity night
The money
raised by
Janice will
be put towards
fans for patients
to use when they
come to the unit
and really put me at ease at a
difficult time.
“Raising money for the unit is
my way of giving something back
to those who have helped me. I
organised a charity night at my
local miners club which involved
singers, bingo and a raffle. The
event raised £1500.”
Julie King, nurse specialist for
NHS Lanarkshire, said: “It is
rewarding when a patient
says that they had a positive
experience.
“The money raised by Janice
will be put towards fans for
patients to use when they come to
the unit.”
Janice has since raised a further
£1200 for the volunteer drivers
who took her to her hospital
appointments.
RECORD IMPROVEMENT at monklands
HEALTH Records staff at Monklands
Hospital are now benefiting from a better
working environment thanks to a re-design
of the department’s storage system.
The new storage solution has
increased the shelving capacity of the
case records library, creating more work
space in the department, and has
improved efficiency.
The mammoth task was undertaken
in three phases to ensure that medical
records were handled securely.
Anne Baker, health records manager at
Monklands Hospital, said: “The
department now holds more than 100,000
patient case records, so it was important
to increase its capacity.
“I am delighted with the new storage
solution, which is a major improvement
on the previous shelving. The working
environment for staff has greatly
improved.”
The department now has 170 shelving
bays, each with seven adjustable shelf
levels and two full height shelf dividers.
As well as increasing capacity, the
number of bays has also been reduced,
providing additional work space.
The shelving also features a unique
BioCote® protective finish to help
reduce the risks bacterial crosscontamination from surfaces by
95 per cent.
14 thePulse LOCAL/DISTRICT/PARTNERSHIP
In brief…
New community
clinic to help
boost wellbeing
People in Airdrie, Coatbridge
and Cumbernauld who are
concerned about their mental
health are to benefit from a new
clinic which aims to improve their
wellbeing.
Having good mental health
means that you are more likely to
lead a fulfilling life, be able to
work, have good relationships and
be physically healthier.
The Community Clinics help
people to access a variety of
services and organisations which
can help with aspects of their daily
life, including physical activity
and fitness, lifelong learning,
volunteering, welfare advice,
employment and training.
Nicola Roberts, occupational
therapist for NHS Lanarkshire,
said: “We all lead busy lives and
sometimes it can be difficult to
balance life’s daily challenges
while still finding time to relax.
“At some point we may have
difficulties coping with issues such
as money worries, housing
problems, relationships or our
ability to work. This can be
stressful and affect how we feel.
“The clinic allows people to
talk to an Occupational Therapist
who can guide them in the right
direction to a healthier life
balance.”
The clinics aim to help people
feel better about themselves while
offering them the opportunity
to meet new people in their
community and take advantage of
local services and supports.
The clinics began in August, and
you can arrange an appointment
by calling 01236 703404.
Clinics are held at:
qAirdrie Health Centre (level 1)
on Wednesday afternoons from
2.30-5.30pm
qBuchanan Health Centre
Coatbridge (level 2) on Thursday
afternoons from 1-4pm
qCumbernauld Health Centre,
Bron Way (ground floor), on
Friday afternoons from 1-4pm.
q
The Community Clinics
are run by Well Connected.
Further information, visit www.
elament.org.uk/self-help-resources/
well-connected-programme
Thumbs up for
top day hospice
Staff, patients and volunteers at
the Dalziel Centre celebrated after
the day hospice was awarded a
prestigious national award.
The centre was awarded the
Macmillan Quality Environment
Mark, which recognises and
rewards good practice and high
standards within a cancer care
building.
The Dalziel Centre is among only
13 sites in Scotland to be given the
award, which has been developed in
Pupils get
the full
tour… and
treatment!
PUPILS from Firpark Secondary
School have been given VIP treatment
at Wishaw General Hospital’s
Emergency Department.
The senior pupils were given an
interactive tour of the department
where they had bandages and slings
applied, had their blood pressure
recorded and were attached to a
cardiac monitor.
The pupils visited the ‘see and treat’
and resuscitation areas as well as
the plaster room where one keen
volunteer had plaster of paris applied
to his arm.
Margaret Quigley, deputy charge
nurse in emergency medicine, said:
“Attending an emergency department
can be an anxious time.
“This visit allowed pupils to
experience what goes on within a
clinical area and hopefully alleviate
any fears or concerns they may have
when attending as a patient or as
a visitor.”
The pupils also had the chance to
Dalziel Centre receives prestigious
national award from Macmillan
collaboration with people living
with cancer and organisations such
as the Department of Health. Carol Murphy, senior charge
nurse, said: “This award means
a great deal to us all at Dalziel
Centre. “It shows that the environment
the patients come into and that
the staff work in is very important
to all and is complemented by
the atmosphere in the unit, the
décor and the ambience and
friendliness. “This makes me very proud of
what has been achieved and how
much work and effort goes in to
keeping the Dalziel Unit a safe and
comfortable environment for not
just patient and carers, but also
for staff.”
The Macmillan Quality
Environment Mark will help to
ensure that people affected by
cancer are treated and supported in
physical environments of uniformly
high quality. VIP: a pupil from
Firpark Secondary
School gets a check up
meet doctors, nurses, porters and
paramedics, also allowing them to
see the uniforms that they wear.
Teacher Anna Clark said: “As usual,
the students thoroughly enjoyed the
visit and learned a lot about the
service that the NHS provides to the
local community. We really appreciate
all the effort and preparation that
went into the visit.”
This is the 15th year that the
school pupils have visited the
hospital – an experience which helps
develop the young people’s knowledge
of first aid.
New pack gives carers extra advice and support
Carers in Lanarkshire are being given
extra support thanks to a new carer’s
information pack.
The pack aims to make a carer’s
experience easier and offers families
and carers signposts for help and
support.
Elizabeth Payne, co-ordinator for
carers at Wishaw General Hospital,
said: “A carer can be of any age who
provides unpaid help and support to a
relative, partner, friend or neighbour.
“Carers play a vital yet challenging
role. This pack aims to inform them of
all the support that is on offer in
Lanarkshire.”
The pack contains sections on
rights as a carer, services in the
community, support services and
financial benefits.
It will replace the home from hospital
packs used in acute hospitals and the
community packs in primary care.
q
A copy of the pack can be
downloaded from FirstPort
(FirstPort/sites/patientinformation/ci/
default.aspx)
LOCAL/DISTRICT/PARTNERSHIP
‘A more open and welcoming environment’
The new Airdrie Community Health
Centre opened at the start of July.
The Pulse asked some staff who
moved to the new centre for their
thoughts on their new place of work.
District nurse
Pauline
Schoneville said:
“It’s certainly a lot
better than my
former base at
Adam Avenue.
“It’s a much
better place to
work in and the all-round
environment is far better.
“All the district nurses in this area
are also now in the one place which
makes it easier for us to
communicate.”
Podiatrist Helen
Macmillan was
formerly based
in Adam Avenue.
She said: “This
new base is built
for purpose,
which makes it
better.
“I think it’s also easier for patients
to get to and there’s now only one
contact point which makes life easier
for them.”
Community
midwife Teresa
Kennedy said: “I
was based at the
old Airdrie
Health Centre.
“This is a far
Clerical officer
Pauline
Campbell, who
works in the
centre’s
reception, was
formerly based in
Adam Avenue.
She said: “I
think it’s a really
nice modern building.
“It’s also a more open and
welcoming environment and patients
really seem to appreciate it.”
Care of older people good, but room for improvement
88%
Media Watch
superior building as it’s more
contained, central and much more
accessible as it’s in the hub of the
community.
“It’s also nice to work in a clean
new facility.”
The Age of
better care
NHS LANARKSHIRE has
welcomed Healthcare
Improvement Scotland’s (HIS)
reports on care for older people in
acute care at Monklands and
Wishaw Hospitals – and announced
detailed improvement plans.
At Wishaw Hospital, the
inspectors reported on the high
standard of care provided to
older people, including the way
in which staff use key personal
information to produce personal
care plans for patients as well as
picture signage on bedroom,
toilet and bathroom doors for
people with dementia or
cognitive impairments.
The inspectors also highlighted
areas for improvement, which Monklands, older patients in the
NHS Lanarkshire is addressing as Emergency Medical Receiving Unit
a priority. The inspectors’ are assessed by an acute care of
feedback will be used to drive the elderly nurse to ensure they
receive the most
higher standards of care for every
appropriate care.
patient and an action plan has
“However, we
been developed to fully
know that there is
address the issues
a lot of work to be
identified.
od
o
g
done.
The Older
Rosemary Lyness,
t
r
o
p
re
e
People in Acute
NHS Lanarkshire’s
r
a
c
y
t
i
l
qua
Care Steering Group
director of nursing,
has been tasked with
midwifery and allied
creating an action plan to
health professions, said:
improve the care of older people in
“Our staff work hard to
ensure that all older people receive hospital.
“This includes a comprehensive
the best care in hospital.
“It is important that staff package of training, audits and
remember that the inspectors awareness raising to ensure that all
noted areas of strength at both older people are treated with
hospitals. For example, at compassion, dignity and respect
thePulse 15
Service focus is
speeding up eye on
treatments
Hamilton Advertiser
NHS
Lanarkshire
offering free
expert advice
East Kilbride News
New menus
at Wishaw
General get
thumbs-up
Wishaw Press
The Motherwell Times reported
that a group of St Aidan’s High
pupils donated £75 to the Living
Well with Dementia cafe for those
with dementia and memory loss.
e
RESPECT: staff
work hard to give
older people the
best care
and to improve the care of
pressure areas.
“The group has also taken
additional steps to make staff
aware of the national guidance on
DNACPR (do not attempt
cardiopulmonary resuscitation)
and to ensure they consistently
put it into practice.
“The group will focus on
improving the care of patients with
cognitive impairment. This includes
introducing a new screening tool to
help identify older people with
cognitive impairment.”
Staff training on moving and
assisting patients will also be
audited to ensure staff skills are
kept up to date and that staff
are aware of the reporting
arrangements for falls.
About 20 new optometric
practices across the county join
LENS which will see patients with
eye problems being treated more
quickly. The story was reported in
the East Kilbride News and the
Cumbernauld News.
e
Patients across Lanarkshire
should now find it easier to give
the gift of life as donor registration
boxes are placed at the main
outpatients departments at Wishaw
General, Monklands and Hairmyres
Hospital. The story was widely
reported in the Hamilton Advertiser,
Wishaw Press, Motherwell Times/
Bellshill Speaker among others.
e
Wishaw Press and East Kilbride
News reported that the new
patient menus at acute hospitals in
Lanarkshire had been given the
thumbs up by staff, patients and
visitors.
e
Russell Gilmartin wrote to
the Airdrie and Coatbridge
Advertiser to praise the new health
centre in Airdrie, commenting on
how smart the new centre looks and
the quick appointments.
e
The Wishaw Press reported that
the Maggie’s Centre at Wishaw
General Hospital is hosting a weekly
drop-in so that the public can see the
wonderful work that goes on.
e
e
The Evening Times reported on
John Hughes from Blantyre who
spoke out in support of the Clear the
Air campaign to encourage addicts to
quit before it kills them.
SHARE YOUR STORIES
q Has a patient or visitor gone out of their way to praise you?
q Is there a new service in your department you are proud of?
Contact the communications department on 01698 858108 and help us
share the good news stories told about NHS Lanarkshire every day.
16 thePulse retirements
In brief…
CHRISTINE O’Hanlon, née
Robertson, retired from her post
as respiratory nurse specialist in
June after more than 35 years’
service with the NHS.
Christine, who was latterly based
in the department of respiratory
medicine at Monklands Hospital,
began training as a nurse at Stobhill
and Hairmyres hospitals. She
thereafter moved to Monklands
Hospital, where she held the post of
staff nurse in medicine, cardiology
and respiratory medicine for
23 years. The latter 10 years involved
the care of patients with respiratory
illness on Ward 17.
She left ward-based nursing
to become the hospital’s first
respiratory nurse specialist in 1999.
In 2003, Christine obtained a BSc
in Health Studies from Glasgow
Caledonian University.
Christine recently remarried and
now lives in Kilsyth with her new
husband Jon.
Dr Lawrence McAlpine, consultant
physician, said: “Christine developed
the asthma nursing service to the
highest level, taking many advanced
professional courses, educating
nursing and other colleagues and
introducing new clinical services for
people with asthma. She has made
herself indispensible to her patients
and her colleagues in the hospital
and in primary care.
“It has been a privilege and a
pleasure to have worked with
Christine.”
STAFF nurse June McLaughlin
has retired after more than
40 years’ service.
June retired from her position
within Ward 5, orthopaedic trauma,
at Hairmyres Hospital in August.
She started her training in 1969 at
the training school in Hairmyres
Hospital, before moving to Glasgow
Royal Infirmary where she trained as
a theatre nurse until 1972.
In 1975, she returned to Hairmyres
Hospital on night duty and has
worked in various wards and
departments since then.
June lives in East Kilbride with
Tony, her husband of 40 years. They
have a daughter, Marie, and two
grandchildren, Nathan and Lucy.
Colleague Margaret Owen said:
“June is highly respected and well
known by everyone.
“She will be missed by friends
and colleagues. We would all like
to wish her a long and happy
retirement.”
AFTER 19 years’ service,
consultant haematologist Dr
Gilla Helenglass retired from NHS
Lanarkshire in March.
Gilla, who was based within
clinical laboratories at Wishaw
General Hospital, worked in the field
of haematology – including prior
positions in London and the USA –
before moving to Law Hospital as
consultant haematologist and latterly
to Wishaw Hospital where she
remained until her retirement.
Gilla, who lives in Glasgow, enjoys
travel, theatre, cinema and music.
Donald Cameron, senior
biomedical scientist said: “Both
for her contribution to the
haematology service and her
inimitable sense of humour, Gilla
will be very much missed by her
colleagues and patients.”
e
e
All the best to Sheona and Marie
e
THE outpatients department at
Wishaw General Hospital bid a fond
farewell to two of its long-standing
members of staff.
Staff nurse Sheona McMillan and
clinical support worker Marie
Williams both retired in July after a
combined 65 years of service.
After training at Law Hospital
from 1975-77, Sheona worked in
orthopaedics before moving to the
outpatients department in 1975
where she has worked ever since.
Sheona is married to Adil
el-Nujumi and lives in Carluke.
Lorna Martin, charge nurse, said
“We are losing two members of
staff together. Both have been an
asset to the department. Sheona
has been a valued member of staff
for many years. Her quick wit and
outlook on life will be missed by all.
We wish her a long, healthy and
happy retirement.”
Marie also began working at Law
Hospital as a domestic in 1984,
becoming an auxiliary nurse in May
1988. She worked in surgical A block
before joining the outpatients
department in the early 1990s,
where she has worked ever since.
Marie lives in Newmains with her
husband and has three daughters.
a prescription
for happiness
Head of prescribing Alastair Thorburn retires after 36 years’ service
COLLEAGUES bid a fond farewell
to Alastair Thorburn, head of
prescribing for NHS Lanarkshire,
who retired in August after more
than 36 years’ service.
Alastair, who was based at
Kirklands Headquarters, joined the
NHS in 1975 when he became a
summer student in the pharmacy at
Woodilee psychiatric hospital,
North Glasgow.
After graduating from Strathclyde
University, he completed one year’s
preregistration experience at
Stobhill hospital, Glasgow, before
moving to the pharmacy in
Monklands hospital in July 1977,
where he remained until January
1993. During this time he was
instrumental in developing an
area-wide drug information service,
as well as specialising in
cardiovascular services and
services for drug addiction.
In the early 1990s, a new concept
of prescribing advisory services for
general practitioners was being
considered and Alastair
was involved at the
beginning.
For more than 20
years he developed the
service and his team
such that it has become
mainstream practice
and essential for the
work of the Board.
In early 2009, Alastair
took over as chair of
the Area Drugs
and Therapeutics
Committee.
He has made big contributions
over many years to the Scottish
Prescribing Advisers Association,
including a period as chair from
2005 to 2010, and as a
representative of NHS Lanarkshire
on the Scottish Medicines
Consortium (SMC).
After sitting on the SMC, he
became a member of
the SMC New Drugs
Committee and took
responsibility as lead
assessor for some
applications.
George Lindsay,
chief pharmacist,
primary care, said
“Without doubt,
Alastair has had the
most profound
influence
on
prescribing practice
w i t h i n
N H S
Lanarkshire for the past 20 years.
“His long track record of
providing sound, professional and
valuable advice explains why he is
held in such a high regard by all of
his colleagues.”
Farewell to ‘a great ambassador’
AFTER 40 years’ service with
NHS Lanarkshire, George
Simpson retired at the end of June.
The deputy charge nurse began his
career in 1972 in medical and the
coronary care unit, C Block at Law
Hospital, before moving to the A&E
department in 1992, where he
remained until its closure.
George thereafter transferred to
accident and emergency at Wishaw
e
General Hospital, where he stayed
for the remainder of his career.
George, who lives in Lanark, is
married with two children and seven
grandchildren.
George said: “I have thoroughly
enjoyed my time here and have met
many friends who I will miss dearly.”
Charge Nurse Tracy Dodd said:
“George is clinically excellent and
will be sorely missed.”
“Lanarkshire has been the best
years of my career,” said Nursing
Chief Paul Wilson on his retiral.
Paul Wilson OBE, Director of
Nurses, Midwives and Allied Health
Professionals, retired in July after
13 years at NHS Lanarkshire.
Paul’s career, which spans more
than 45 years, started in Newcastle.
He initially worked in psychiatric
nursing and then moved into general
nursing, where he specialised in
critical care. He gained diplomas in
Nursing, Management Studies and an
MBA from Henley Management College.
He moved to Kent, London, in 1982
and became Britain’s youngest chief
nursing officer in charge of a health
authority. He later became director of
policy and planning in Kent.
In 1987, Paul moved to Glasgow to
lead the UK’s largest psychiatric unit
and in 1991 he was appointed to
manage NHS Lothian’s seven directly
managed units.
He moved to the
Management
Executive of the
NHS in Scotland
in 1994 before
joining NHS Lanarkshire in 1999.
Paul was awarded an OBE in 2004.
Acting Chief Executive Ian Ross said:
“Paul has been a great ambassador
for nurses, midwives and allied health
professions but mostly for patients.”
STAFF BENEFITS
Relax in luxury
Win a night in
Edinburgh
The Macdonald Holyrood Hotel
is set in Edinburgh’s historic and
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Conveniently located in the city
centre, in close proximity to key
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marble en suite bathrooms, large
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armchairs..
Macdonald Holyrood Hotel
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Scotland’s bustling capital city.
The stylish Steak and Grill
restaurant and the cosy Piano
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Scottish cuisine, sourced from the
surrounding area.
Work out your stresses in the
state-of-the-art gym, unwind with
a swim in the heated pool or melt
away with a luxurious spa
treatment.
Save £££s
with NHS
Staff Benefits
Visit www.nhsstaffbenefits.co.uk
and register for FREE to have full
access to all the fantastic offers
available in your area.
Whether you are enjoying a
meal out, taking a well-earned
break, indulging in some
beauty therapy,
splashing out on
home
This page is
improvements or
by
u
yo
to
t
gh
brou
planning your
dream wedding,
take a look at
the great offers
available at
STAFF BENEFITS NHS Staff
Benefits.
The Christmas
2012 offers have just
been launched – so, if you
are arranging this year’s festivities,
have a look at some great deals
available for group bookings.
On the homepage you will
find the new Monthly Megadeal
Link. Click here for some extra
Lanarkshire Headquarters,
special offers available for a
Kirklands, Fallside Road,
limited time only. Make sure you
Bothwell G71 8BB or email
don’t miss out, check the Monthly
alison.mccutcheon@lanarkshire.
Megadeal now!
NHS
Macdonald Holyrood Hotel is
offering one lucky Pulse reader
the chance to win an overnight
bed and breakfast stay at the
hotel for two. Plus, to take
full advantage of the fantastic
facilities, the winner will
also receive a £100 Macdonald
gift voucher.
To enter the competition,
just answer the following simple
question.
Save on
childcare
If you pay for childcare, you may be
eligible for childcare vouchers, which
save many parents thousands of
pounds every year in tax.
The vouchers are a simple and
hassle-free way to help working
parents reduce the cost of childcare,
saving up to £1196 per parent
each year.
The scheme works through salary
sacrifice, where the cost of the
vouchers is taken off your salary
before it is taxed. For example, if you
give £1000 of your salary towards
childcare vouchers, you would receive
the full £1000 in vouchers. If you
decided not to sacrifice the £1000
from your salary, after tax and
national insurance, you would receive
approximately £700 in your bank
account. So the salary sacrifice makes
you £300 better off.
The vouchers have a long expiry
date and you can start collecting them
from the moment your child is born.
This means you can save them to pay
for childcare when you come back to
thePulse 17
In which
town is the
Macdonald
Holyrood Hotel
located?
?
Please send your competition
answers to Alison McCutcheon,
based in Communications, NHS
Well done
to Karen
and Joyce
work after maternity/paternity leave.
Both parents can apply, meaning
that two working parents can receive
£486 a month in vouchers.
Childcare vouchers can be used in
nurseries, playgroups, nannies,
childminders or au pairs who are
registered and regulated. They can
also be used for after school clubs.
To help you make the decision of
whether you should use childcare
vouchers, you can use the calculator
on the HM Revenue and Customs
website which will calculate if you
will be better off.
q
You can also visit www.
yourstaffbenefits.co.uk for
further information or contact Eleanor
MacKenzie on 0131 537 3627 to find out
if you could save on childcare costs.
Congratulations to our
winners from the last issue. Karen
Donnelly and Joyce Weir, who
each won a dinner for two at
Sapporo Teppanyaki.
Karen, who works as a secretary
in Women’s Services at Wishaw
General Hospital, and Joyce, from
the Day Surgery Unit at Hairmyres,
both correctly answered that the
restaurant is located on Ingram
Street in Glasgow.
Sapporo Teppanyaki is a
Japanese resturuant that offers a
wide range of fantastic food with
something to suit
every taste.
All NHS staff
can benefit
from a 20 per
!
discount
cent discount
on food when
they present
their NHS ID badge.
20%
scot.nhs.uk with “Macdonald
Holyrood Hotel Competition” in
the subject line.
q
For more information about
the Macdonald Holyrood Hotel,
visit: www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk
Deadline for entries is 4 October.
q
For information on the Staff
Lottery, Mortgage and
Financial Advice, online loyalty
shopping and, of course, all the
fantastic local discounts available
throughout Central Scotland,
visit www.nhsstaffbenefits.co.uk
Pulse Sudoku
Enter digits from 1 to 9 into the blank spaces. Every row must contain
one of each digit. So must every column, and every 3x3 square.
Get the solution on FirstPort.
18 thePulse TOP HEALTH ISSUES
Team picks up a prize at big event
GENEROUS HELP: (from left)
Rhona Campbell, Jon Campbell,
Jan Smith and Dr Helen Alexander
Dr Liddell (left) with Grace Allardyce, who manages the Serology Service
at Wishaw General and Ian McCormick, lead biomedical scientist
Whooping cough rise
under lab microscope
The Microbiology Department at
Wishaw General Hospital has been
helping to manage a Scotland-wide
epidemic of whooping cough
(pertussis).
The laboratory is a referral centre
for specimens requesting evidence
of antibodies being produced in
response to whooping cough
infection.
This usually generates about
20 requests per month from other
areas of Scotland (in addition to
requests from within NHS
Lanarkshire) via the local laboratory.
However, last autumn saw a steep
rise in requests, increasing sevenfold in April and May 2012, and
continuing through to July 2012.
Dr Ken Liddell, lead consultant for
microbiology, said: “This is a peak
year in the four-yearly cycle which
whooping cough traditionally shows.
We would expect to see an increase
within the fourth year. However,
2012 has been exceptional in the
sheer number of requests received
here, from the Highlands and Islands
to Dumfries and Galloway.
“Outbreaks have occurred in
Argyll and Tayside and the
laboratory has been part of national
discussions in managing both these
and the wider epidemic beyond.
With financial assistance from the
Scottish Government, we hope to
continue to support diagnosis of
whooping cough across Scotland for
the duration of this episode.”
Dr Liddell also noted that adults
and older children may have milder
symptoms and are less likely to
make the characteristic “whoop”
sound. He underscored the
importance of clinicians considering
the possibility of whooping cough in
adults with a persistent cough.
Across Scotland, 12 per cent of the
confirmed whooping cough cases
were in children aged less than three
months. Most of those children were
not vaccinated and presented with
severe complications, leading to
hospitalisation.
In England and Wales, five
children have died so far in 2012,
compared with a total of seven
deaths due to pertussis in the
whole of 2011.
Vaccination is the most effective
way to protect vulnerable infants
and prevent spread of whooping
cough. Reminders were issued to
public health nurses and general
practitioners to ensure that
vaccination of children begins as
close as possible to about eight
weeks of age.
In brief…
Grant to help keep
hearts healthy
THE Coronary Heart Disease
Managed Clinical Network (CHD
MCN) has been awarded a grant from
the British Heart Foundation.
The grant will allow the MCN to
develop an Atrial Fibrillation Audit
and Education programme across
NHS Lanarkshire.
Atrial Fibrillation (AF) occurs
where disorganised electrical signals
cause the heart’s two upper chambers
to contract very fast and irregularly,
and, if left untreated, can lead to
stroke or heart failure.
The funding will see the creation
of a two year seconded post for an
AF Educator, who will develop two
AF education programmes, one for
specialist staff and another for GP
practice staff.
They will also provide guidance
and support to primary care staff as
they review patients’ therapy.
At the end of the project, the Audit
and Education training packages will
be made available across Scotland.
NHS Lanarkshire staff have won a
top prize for a poster design in the
patient-centred category at a recent
NHSScotland event.
The poster described the
successful roll-out of Just in Case
boxes across Lanarkshire and how
these have improved end of life care.
Just in Case boxes contain an
agreed set of medicines that are
often needed to manage symptoms
at the end of someone’s life.
Since the roll-out, a detailed audit
has shown they have prevented 84
hospital admissions and 114 calls to the
out-of-hours service. More importantly,
they have offered relief of suffering
and reassurance to families.
Jan Smith from the community
Macmillan nursing team said they
were delighted and surprised at
winning the top award.
District nurse Rhona Campbell
added: “Community nurses have
been integral to the success of this
work and are very happy to see
something they asked for being put
into practice.”
Dr Helen Alexander, Palliative Care
MCN manager, said: “This prize is
recognition for everyone who has
worked so hard on Just in Case and for
NHS Lanarkshire’s foresight in
supporting this development.”
Interim head of the South CHP
Craig Cunningham said: “It is great
news that the Palliative Care MCN
and component staff groups have
been recognised.”
Investing in
volunteers
NHS Lanarkshire
accredited for the
support provided
to its volunteers
The army of volunteers who work
tirelessly throughout NHS
Lanarkshire have been rewarded for
their efforts by helping the health
board renew its Investing in
Volunteers (IiV) UK award.
The award renewal, which
recognises the commitment to high
-quality volunteering, makes NHS
Lanarkshire the first board in
Scotland to have the prestigious
accreditation mark extended.
Since the award was first
presented in 2009, the number of
volunteers has doubled, new
volunteer roles have been
introduced and the number of
young people becoming involved
has increased.
Katrina Murray, voluntary
services manager for NHS
VITAL HELP:
volunteers are
provided with a good
working environment
Lanarkshire, said: “We are
delighted to have this award
renewed. The role that volunteers
play is vital.
“We will continue to strive
to create a good working
environment for all our volunteers
and encourage more people to
come on board.”
Assessors from Investing in
Volunteers said that volunteers
spoke highly of the extent and
quality of support they received on
a day-to-day basis.
Volunteers stated that they felt
valued by NHS staff. One said: “I
really look forward to coming here
each week.” Another said: “I think I’ve
learned a lot and I’ve gained so much
– I’m really glad to have this
opportunity to give something back.”
The Investing in Volunteers
Award will be held for another three
years before being re-assessed.
training
thePulse 19
How to keep your
stress in check...
Classes can help manage stress,
anxiety and low confidence
DON’T STRESS:
tackle mental health
issues by learning
coping skills
People struggling with stress
can now attend a series of new
classes which help to develop
skills and techniques to manage
stress, anxiety and low
confidence.
The classes will help to
manage the common mental
health issues that can be caused
by modern-day living.
The classes will cover a range
of issues, including information
about stress, how to control
your body and thoughts,
boosting self-confidence,
controlling panic and
controlling sleep problems.
The programme consists of
six 90 minute classes and will
be deliver ed by the local
psychological therapy teams.
Classes are not a group therapy,
so attendees will not have to
talk about their problems in
front of others.
The stress control classes are
run by Well Connected,
Lanarkshire’s new social
prescribing programme for
mental health. Social
prescribing (sometimes called
community referral) helps to
link people with support within
the community.
Well Connected makes it easy
for people to take part in and
benefit from activities and
services that can improve
wellbeing.
This includes physical activity
and leisure, volunteering,
employment and arts, creativity
and culture.
It also provides welfare and
benefit advice and lifelong
learning and training.
Similar programmes have
shown to help people deal with
the problems that are causing
low wellbeing such as money
worries, loneliness and
unemployment and help them
cope with the challenges in life.
q
For further information,
visit www.elament.org.uk/
self-help-resources/wellconnected-programme
Or contact Kevin O’Neill on 01698
366 750 or at kevin.oneill@
To find your nearest class and to
book a place, call 08458 725 132.
Training Planner
ORGANISATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
q
Training schedules,
nomination forms and more
information is available on the
Training and Development
homepage on FirstPort or
at http://firstport/sites/
odandtraining/trainingand
development/default.aspx
If you have any other enquires,
please contact the training
co-ordinators:
Sue Devine (Law House)
01698 377807
sue.devine@lanarkshire.
scot.nhs.uk
Lorna Galloway (Wishaw
General) 01698 366765
lorna.galloway@
MEDICAL EDUCATION
q
For queries, contact training
co-ordinators on 01698 855510
or [email protected].
nhs.uk
Training co-ordinators will
contact new consultants direct
regarding the Consultant
Induction and Professional
Development programme.
To book any other senior
courses, use the booking
system which is available on
the MEDED website
www.medednhsl.com
PRACTICE DEVELOPMENT
Contacts:
Rita Cloughley 01698 201413
Morag Mulhall 01698 201412
Natalie Snodgrass
01698 201414
For more information, visit
www.lanpdc.scot.nhs.uk
Education programme
q Courses for nurses,
midwives and AHPs
Courses for all NHS Lanarkshire
nurses, midwives, AHPs and
their support workers are
available.
For more information on
the different courses and
dates available, log on to
the PDC website. Visit
www.lanpdc.scot.nhs.uk
HEALTH & SAFETY
q
For training schedules and
nomination forms, access as
follows: Firstport/Staff Support
Services/Occ Health SALUS/
Downloads
For more information, contact:
Sandra Sweeney 01236 707721
or email sandra.sweeney@
LIBRARIES
Contacts: Amanda Minns
(Hairmyres) 01355 585488/7
Lisa McLaren (Wishaw
General) 01698 366316
Paul Herbert (Monklands)
01236 712005
Carol Hallesy (Law House)
01698 377600/01
Grant Donaghy
(Law House)
01698 377602
q
Classes are available in:
The Knowledge Network
RefWorks
Ovid Medline
Ebsco CINAHL
Cochrane Library
MOVING & HANDLING
or email sandra.sweeney@
q
For training schedules and
nomination forms, access as
follows: Firstport/Staff Support
Services/Occ Health SALUS/
Downloads
For more information, contact:
Sandra Sweeney 01236 707721
PaMoVa
(Prevention and Management
of Violence and Aggression)
q
It is essential for all staff to
take care of their personal
Contact your local library for
dates and availability.
safety and be aware of the
safety of others. To reduce
the risk of being a victim of
aggression or violent behaviour,
NHS Lanarkshire provides
PaMoVA training for all staff.
Contact PaMoVA advisors on
01236 707198.
20 thePulse achievements
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012
Claire dives feet first into marathon challenge
A GRATEFUL diabetes patient has
raised £312, in tribute to his podiatrist
who ran the Edinburgh Marathon in
aid of Diabetes UK.
Claire James, diabetes specialist
podiatrist at Wishaw General
Hospital, completed the marathon in
an impressive four hours, 44 minutes.
Claire said: “I have been running
for about six years. I had already
done one marathon and told Mr
Cameron about it. He said that if I did
my next one for Diabetes UK, he
would get me sponsors.
“I raised £620 for Diabetes UK,
£312 of which was from Mr Cameron.
A lot of my other patients also
contributed.”
The money raised will go towards
Diabetes UK’s ‘Putting Feet First’
campaign, which aims to reduce the
number of people needing a lower
limb amputation due to diabetes.
Jim Cameron from Mossend has
been attending the clinic for six years
after having two toes amputated as a
result of diabetes.
Jim said: “When I heard she was
doing the marathon, I took a
sponsorship form to the bowling club
with me where there were 30 people
playing. I told them that whatever
they sponsored, I would double it.
They certainly enjoyed that but I
don’t grudge one penny.”
q
To find out more about the
Diabetes UK ‘Putting Feet First’
campaign, visit www.diabetes.org.uk/
putting-feet-first
Dressed for the occasion: Christine
and husband at Queen-hosted bash
Christine attends
garden party by
Royal invitation
CHRISTINE McCrone from Medical
Records was excited when she was
invited to the Royal Garden Party.
But she couldn’t believe her luck when
she was invited to meet Her Majesty
the Queen.
As well as working at Monklands
Hospital, Christine also volunteered at
the WRVS café at the hospital for 21
years. She also fundraises for various
charities, including the RNLI.
It had been a standing joke among
her colleagues that she would have to
practise her curtsey. She never thought
she would actually have to perform it!
GENEROUS HELP:
patient Jim Cameron
sponsors Claire’s
marathon effort
he’s made of iron
WHILE the country was gripped
with Olympic fever, Brian
McMillan was preparing for his
own challenge of a lifetime.
The physiotherapist is spending
all his available free time training
for the Challenge Barcelona
Triathlon on 30 September.
The challenge will see Brian
swim 8km, cycle 180km then run a
further 42.2km in the blistering
Spanish sun.
Brian said: “Last year I did
the half iron man challenge
and someone bet I couldn’t
do the full one. At that
point in time, my aunt was
diagnosed with leukaemia.
So I thought I would take
on the challenge for her.”
Since signing up for
the challenge, Brian has
emb ar ke d o n a fu l l
Physiotherapist Brian is bound
for Barcelona for ‘hot’ triathlon
training regime which sees him
complete a gruelling routine each
week.
“On Monday nights I do a core
and conditioning gym session
followed by a 4km swim, which is
about 160 lengths. On Tuesday I
do a 14-mile run and on
Wednesday I do two hours of
cycling.
“Thursday is usually an 18-mile
run to Glasgow and back and on
Friday I do conditioning work. On
Saturday, I do open water
swimming in lochs then follow that
up with a 150k cycle. On Sunday, I
do stretching and a light jog.”
Although competitors are given
a maximum timescale of 17 hours,
Brian aims to complete the
triathlon in 12 hours, but admits
that he may struggle in the Spanish
heat.
“I don’t think I will want to do
another triathlon after I have
finished. My girlfriend is a huge
help and has been my cook. The
food bill is crazy. We cook for four;
she has a portion and I eat the rest.
For example, if we were having
chicken breasts, she would have
one and I would have three.
“On a Saturday I am actually
calorie depleted so I can’t eat
enough to keep up with what I am
doing. I am now in the final stages
of training, so I am getting through
a pair of running shoes every two
months.”
Brian’s role at Monklands
Hospital means that he is all too
aware of the damage that he could
to his body.
“I know what can go wrong. I
have read an article about a man
who got his nutrition wrong and
ended up in intensive care for five
days. I have lots of ice baths and
know that I need to de-train after
the event because if I just stopped,
my immune system would drop.”
q
Brian aims to raise £1500 for
Leukaemia and Lymphoma
Research. If you would like to make a
donation, you can visit www.justgiving.
com/brian-mcmillan-ironman

Smiles better - NHS Lanarkshire

Transcription

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