Thanks for keeping TrakCare on track ...... To post a policy on the system email ...... Auxiliary Air Force; Robert Litt
NEWS FOR NHS LANARKSHIRE STAFF • MAY/JUNE 2011
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WASTED MEDICINE IS COSTING MILLIONS
STUBBING OUT YOUTH SMOKING
Drive to beat TB FOUR-week-old-baby Zaki Ibrahim was one of the first patients at NHS Lanarkshire’s new Neonatal BCG clinic. The clinic, which opened in April at Douglas Street Community Health Clinic in Hamilton, is part of the health board’s drive to improve tuberculosis (TB) services. The clinic offers immunisations to infants where there is a family history of TB, to infants whose parents or grandparents were born in a country with a high prevalence of TB or when extended travel to a high-risk country is planned.
JAB: from left – Christine Weir, TB lead nurse; Victoria Douglas with baby Zaki; and Lesley Ritchie, TB nurse
MORE ON PAGE 2
NEW APPROACH Opening of new facilities heralds a modern era in mental healthcare A NEW era in mental healthcare continued with the official opening of the £4.8 million Glencairn facility at Coathill Hospital in March. This followed the completion of the new £8.14m Beckford Lodge and refurbishment of Caird House. Together, these developments mark a major step forward in the modernisation of mental health services in Lanarkshire. While the new era gathered pace,
ALSO INSIDE
the old era came to an end with the closing of Hartwoodhill Hospital at the end of February. At an informal event, about 100 guests heard speakers pay tributes to staff as well as recount some fond memories of the hospital. Executive director of the North Community Health Partnership Colin Sloey began his career in 1978 in mental health care at Hartwood Hospital, which closed in 1998. He
said: “We now know that community care for many patients is the best model of treatment as it allows them to be independent and lead as normal a life as possible. “There will always be those who require inpatient care at some point, but the facilities now encourage and support independence and are a massive improvement. “The closure of Hartwoodhill allowed us to celebrate the efforts and
care of those in the past. But it has also allowed us to look to the future.” Colin continued: “The opening of Glencairn, Beckford Lodge and the refurbishment of Caird House are a huge step forward for mental health services in Lanarkshire. “It marks the final move away from the institutions of the past and will allow us to provide the very best care to people with mental health needs in high-quality accommo-
dation that supports their recovery and rehabilitation.” The Glencairn facility, for adults with complex mental health needs, was officially opened at Coathill Hospital in March. Beckford Lodge and Caird House jointly provide a total of 37 inpatient beds for people with mental health needs in Caird Street, Hamilton. MORE ON GLENCAIRN PAGE 3,
NEWS ACROSS THE DIVISIONS • TRAINING UPDATE • YOUR STORIES • YOUR GREAT ACHIEVEMENTS
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Contents
New BCG unit for newborns Clinic is part of action plan to lower TB rate
DEAR GREEN PLACE: You could be teeing up at The Carrick golf course. See page 17
2-9 GENERAL NEWS Chronic pain outpatient services relocate; climate change competition winners revealed; aiming to cut down on wasted medicine; LEAN scheme to enhance efficiency; and young carers celebrated.
10-11 WISHAW AND HAIRMYRES ANNIVERSARY State-of-the-art facilities celebrate first decade of providing first-class health service.
12-14 LOCAL, DISTRICT AND PARTNERSHIP NEWS Hypnotherapy sessions now available; Nurse Anne Scott remembered; Mother tackles misunderstanding surrounding Tourette’s Syndrome.
17 COMPETITIONS Win De Vere Group membership worth £295 to be used at their golf and spa facilities.
20 ACHIEVEMENTS Armed Forces volunteers honoured.
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 ... Martin Stirling 01698 245069 Michelle Nobes (Hairmyres) 01355 585325
Christine McNeill (Monklands) 01236 713065 Yvonne Ross (Wishaw General) 01698 366558
The deadline for contributions to the next issue Friday 10 June.
A NEW Neonatal BCG clinic has opened at Douglas Street Community Health Clinic as part of NHS Lanarkshire’s drive to improve the control and management of tuberculosis (TB). The number of cases of TB in the UK has increased in recent years. In March, the Scottish Government published the TB Action Plan for Scotland to help reverse this trend and help health professionals tackle TB. The action plan aims to increase the effectiveness of Scotland’s: qlaborator y ser vices and diagnostic tests q clinical services q surveillance and contact tracing qpublic health services, including neonatal immunisation. Dr Harpreet Kohli, director of public health, NHS Lanarkshire, said: “Here in Lanarkshire, steps are being implemented to improve the control and management of TB through joint working, communications, resource management, audits and research. “In addition, a new central neonatal BCG immunisation clinic is being launched at Douglas Street Community Health Clinic in Hamilton.” Christine Weir, lead nurse with the TB service, said: “Neonatal BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) immunisations are recommended when there is a family history of TB, for infants whose parents or grandparents were born in a country with a high prevalence of
PROTECTION: Christine Weir, TB lead nurse and Victoria Douglas with baby Zaki at the new centre TB or when extended travel to a high-risk country is planned. “The BCG vaccine is effective and offers 70 to 80 per cent protection against TB meningitis in childhood and reduces the risk of TB in all forms by 50 per cent. “By having a centralised neonatal BCG clinic, we can provide a consistent approach to the provision of neonatal BCG throughout NHS Lanarkshire, improve the identification of highrisk infants, provide training and improve awareness among parents and healthcare providers.
“It will also help us to overcome language and communication barriers.” The new Neonatal BCG Clinic at Douglas Street Community Health Centre, will be held on the third Wednesday of every month from 1.30pm to 3.30pm. Due to the new clinic, all former BCG clinics throughout NHS Lanarkshire will no longer be held. For appointments, referrals or advice, contact the TB Service on 01698 206 333.
Thanks for keeping TrakCare on track ALAN Lawrie would like to thank staff for supporting the implementation of TrakCare, NHS Lanarkshire’s new patient management system (PMS). Alan, PMS board chairman, said: “A lot of staff worked very hard to put everything in place in time for the go live date. Each and every one played an important role in making this possible. “Generally, the implementation was successful although, as would be expected with implementing a new system on this scale, a small number of teething problems have been encountered.
“The problems that have been raised are being addressed with local experts, from information, management and technology, clinical and support staff and staff from InterSystems, who supplied the system, working together on solutions. “We are grateful to everyone for their hard work, patience and support.” The new TrakCare system was implemented in March. The system stores full electronic records for patients attending hospital, from referral or unscheduled admission through their inpatient and outpatient care and eventual discharge. It also allows
information to be shared securely between staff providing patient care. Planning is under way for phase two of the implementation including: q linkage with the Laboratory Information Management System q diagnostic test ordering and reporting q the use of the electronic record capabilities of the system. The TrakCare implementation team are currently working with clinical staff, managers and Intersystems to improve reporting facilities and the useability of the emergency department element of the system.
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Colin Sloey, Frank Fallan and John Anning open the new facility
Current members of NHS Lanarkshire’s mental health team joined former staff. The special event was organised by Margaret Serrells (front right), Lis Lawson (front third from right), Caroline Brown (back left) and Fiona Gairns (third row, third left)
END OF AN ERA Bright future for mental health in Lanarkshire STAFF, service users and carers past and present gathered at Hartwoodhill Hospital at the end of February to mark its official closure. It saw the end of an era for mental health in Lanarkshire, but also pointed to a bright new future. One individual well placed to look both backwards and forwards was North Community Health Partnership director Colin Sloey. Colin is currently overseeing the ongoing modernisation of NHS Lanarkshire’s mental health service. This has resulted in significant ser vice improvements in the community and new state-of-the-art facilities such as Caird House, Beckford Lodge and Glencairn.
The facilities now encourage and support independence and are a massive improvement on the previous era The foundations of these changes can be traced back to Hartwood Hospital in November 1978 when Colin’s NHS career began. He said: “I remember 15b was the first ward I worked on and I can honestly say I loved it. “I met some great people – both
patients and staff – and it was an experience which helped shape my views on how the service should best meet the needs of patients. “There were almost 2000 beds in the hospital – one ward had more than 100 patients. “ With no bed screens and communal baths, it wasn’t always the most dignified of environments. “However, what always impressed me was the staff commitment to delivering the best possible quality of care. “It wasn’t only the physical and medical care but also facilitating the residents’ social and emotional needs. The staff really made the effort to create a caring community for patients by organising things like
A history of care dating back to 1886 THE history of Hartwoodhill hospital dates back to 1886, when an annexe housing 30 patients was opened in Shotts Parish. However, as demand for mental health services increased, it was decided to build an “asylum” on the Hartwood Estate in 1895. Hartwood’s twin towers became the most recognisable landmark in the area as the hospital grew in size. In the late 1930s, an extension was erected which became known as the “Hill Hospital” and later Hartwoodhill. By the mid-1950s around 2,500
patients were based in both Hartwood and Hartwoodhill hospitals. The 1980s saw a shift in mental health treatment, and the first Mental Health Rehabilitation Service was set up, along with three inpatient community sites at Law Hospital, Airbles Road Centre and Monklands Hospital. During this time, the first community psychiatric team was also established. It had four staff. By the 1990s, community mental health
teams expanded; community sites increased to include Hairmyres, Udston, Cleland and Coathill hospitals; and the first programme for group home living took place. As a result, Hartwood closed in 1998, with 289 patients remaining in Hartwoodhill. With the further development of new mental health facilities in Wishaw General and Cleland Hospitals, as well as further expansion of community services, yet more patients were able to be discharged and only 29 remained by 2010. On 28 February, these patients were relocated to the new Beckford Lodge site in Hamilton.
social clubs, outings and events. “While this was all done with the best of intentions and was genuinely appreciated by patients and their families, there was always part of me which felt we had an over-emphasis on institutionally based care models which inadvertently created a dependence on care services to help meet people’s needs.” Today there is an acceptance that people with mental health problems recover best when they are supported to live in their own communities. This has driven new ways of working and consigned large-scale mental health hospitals to history. Colin continued: “When I started there were no community mental health nurses, but we now know that community care for many patients is the best model of treatment as it allows them to be independent and lead as normal a life as possible. “There’s little doubt there will always be those who require inpatient care at some point, but the facilities now – with, in many cases, single ensuite rooms with cooking facilities and leisure areas – encourage and support independence, and are a massive improvement on the previous era. “The closure of Hartwoodhill has allowed us to quite rightly celebrate the efforts and care of those in the past – as it’s well deserved. “But it has also allowed us to look to the future. “Given what has been achieved and what’s still to be completed, I think it’s one staff, patients and the wider community can look to with a great deal of confidence.”
Glencairn facility opened GLENCAIRN – a new facility for adults with complex mental health needs – was officially opened at Coathill Hospital in March. The joint opening was performed by Mr John Anning, chair of the North Lanarkshire Community Health Partnership (CHP) and Mr Frank Fallan, chair of the mental health service user and carer-led organisation Lanarkshire Links. The £4.89m development provides high-quality, modern accommodation – including 12 single-bedded rooms with en-suite bathrooms – in surroundings specially designed to help promote recovery. It also provides psychology and occupational therapy support. Work on the facility began in April 2009 and was completed in July 2010. Colin Sloey, director of NHS Lanarkshire’s North Community Health Partnership, pictured below, said: “A lot of thought has gone into the design of Glencairn so we can provide the best possible care to people with complex needs and help support their recovery and rehabilitation. “It is another important step forward with the continuing modernisation of mental health services in Lanarkshire, and demonstrates that we are delivering on our commitment through the Lanarkshire Mental Health Strategy, to provide highquality services in the most appropriate setting.” Glencairn is one of the key developments that will replace existing facilities for adults with complex needs at Airbles Road Centre, Motherwell. It has also allowed for the closure of Hartwoodhill Hospital in Shotts. An additional mental health facility for patients with complex mental health needs at Caird Street, Hamilton was completed in December 2010. Both developments are part of NHS Lanarkshire’s strategy to provide mental health services in small, purpose-built, communitybased units.
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NEW PSYCHOLOGICAL THERAPY SERVICE LAUNCHES NHS Lanarkshire’s modernised psychological therapy service began on 1 April 2011. The new, improved service has a streamlined referral route which means GPs only have one point of contact to refer adults with mental health issues who require treatment. The restructured service model has an emphasis on locality-based teams
Top marks for child protection CHILD protection services in North Lanarkshire received one of the best ratings in Scotland in a report published by HM Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) in March. Inspectors visited North Lanarkshire in November and December last year to review the child protection services provided by NHS Lanarkshire and its partners, including North Lanarkshire Council, Strathclyde Police and the Children’s Reporter. They also spoke to children, parents and carers about the services they received. Colin Sloey, director of NHS Lanarkshire’s North Community Health Partnership, said: “It’s very
and will deliver evidence-based interventions to patients depending on their psychological requirements. The core measurement for the service improvement will be reduced waiting times. Norma Cruickshank, nurse consultant for psychological interventions, who is involved in the modernisation, said: “The aim is to
pleasing that child protection services in North Lanarkshire have been rated so highly. “This report reflects the commitment, professionalism and dedication of staff across Lanarkshire in making sure children are safe. “We will continue to work closely with our partners to ensure children are protected from harm and that we are providing the best services possible.” Child protection services in North Lanarkshire were rated “very good” – the second highest level in all six areas of assessment: q children are listened to and respected q children are helped to keep safe q response to immediate concerns q meeting needs and reducing long-term harm q self-evaluation q improvements in performance. A copy of the report is available at www.hmie.gov.uk
ensure that NHS Lanarkshire offers equitable, effective and timely access to appropriate psychological therapies, delivered by appropriately trained and supervised staff in appropriate locality-based settings.” Outlining the reasons for change Norma continued: “The current demand for psychological therapies outstrips supply.
“Recognising this challenge, we wanted to develop a workforce in sufficient numbers and with the competence and organisational systems to deliver safe, effective and appropriate treatment with good supervisory support within a clinical governance framework. “The new model will provide a well considered direction of stepped care in the service user’s journey.
“This will help ensure timely access to a range of evidence-based psychological interventions. The revised skill mix of practitioners will improve existing capacity, which in turn will reduce waiting times.” For more information and a GP reference sheet, visit http://firstport/ sites/cid/ default.aspx
New copyright guidelines in force COPYRIGHT governs the copying we do on photocopiers, scanners and how we store materials from external sources online. Amanda Minns, library services manager, said: “The copyright regulations changed on 1 April 2011 and we now have greater restrictions to copying material.” This is a complex area of law but there are some general guidelines staff should follow. It is an offence to copy a published work in any format without the permission of the owner. However, the 1988 Act permits copying within the terms of ‘fair dealing’ and ‘library privilege’.
Fair dealing There is no precise definition of ‘fair dealing’ in law, but it essentially allows limited copying provided it is ‘fair’. The amount that may be copied is normally interpreted as being no more than 5 per cent provided it is
Library privilege
Amanda Minns: ‘regulations change’ for one of the following purposes: q Private study and research for non-commercial aims q Criticism and news reporting q Supporting royal commissions, statutory enquiries, judicial proceedings and parliamentary purposes q You must acknowledge the copyright owner in all copies q If you need to make multiple copies contact the copyright holder to request permission. Or your NHS library service may be able to help.
Librarians and users of prescribed library services may make or supply a single copy of an article or of a ‘reasonable proportion’ of a literary work for the purposes of private study or research. Users should complete and sign a copyright declaration form for each item to confirm that the extent and purpose of copying complies with ‘fair dealing’. Regarding electronic journals via The Knowledge Network, staff should consult the licence terms for each journal but authorised users may usually: q print or download a copy of an article for personal use q send a copy of an article to another authorised user q create documents with live links to electronic journal articles q save links to electronic journal articles in Shared Spaces and community websites.
Services relocated Single centre for chronic pain
CONVENIENT: The Buchanan Centre has excellent public transport links
NHS Lanarkshire’s chronic pain outpatient services have relocated to the Buchanan Centre in Coatbridge. This service was previously delivered across Monklands Hospital and Wishaw General Hospital. Dr Rory MacKenzie, specialty c l i n i c a l d i r e c t o r, s a i d : “Concentrating the service in the Buchanan Centre, means patients will have access to a quality clinical service and a range of healthcare professionals in one consistent location which has good access to parking and public transport.” Rory added: “Being in a ‘nonhospital’ environment helps patients to be less apprehensive and enables the service to be brought closer to the community. In addition, consultants and nurses no longer have to travel between the two hospital sites. This will help to free up consultants’ and nurses’ time to see more complex patients and make best use of the new, dedicated resources.” Being in a single location enables
the team members to meet on a regular basis to discuss and plan management of complex patients in a multi-disciplinary set up. Secretarial services are available locally, which enables better co-ordination of the services. The ample rooms facilitate the training of
Patients will have access to a quality clinical service primary care staff, including GPs, as well as junior hospital doctors interested in chronic pain. Judith Park, general manager for surgery and critical care, added: “The team have worked extremely hard to bring this important service on to a single location, and, in doing this, existing outpatient accommodation at Monklands and Wishaw is available for use by other services.”
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STUBBING IT OUT Scott and Hannah are ready to reduce youth smoking AN innovative new teaching tool has been launched in Lanarkshire to help reduce the number of young smokers. In Lanarkshire, a shameful 20 per cent of 15-year-olds smoke. ‘Smoke in your Eyes: A Teaching Resource Exploring Tobacco Issues’ aims to tackle this alarmingly high rate. The new resource, developed by NHS Lanarkshire in partnership with North and South Lanarkshire Councils in consultation with young people and parents, is aimed at three to 18-year-olds. Written by two local teachers, Danielle Timmons and Graham Parry, Smoke in your Eyes uses a comic strip format and links closely to the new Curriculum for Excellence framework. Pupils follow the stories of Scott and Hannah, who experience various situations where smoking is an issue – from a grandparent who smokes coming to stay, to dealing with peer pressure as a teenager. S a r a h L i n d s a y, s m o k i n g prevention and education programme manager with NHS Lanarkshire, said: “Around a quarter of all deaths in Scotland are attributable to smoking and it is implicated as a factor in cancer, coronary heart disease and stroke. “If we want to improve the health of our young people, we need to reduce the number of smokers. “We hope Smoke in Your Eyes will be used by schools as part of their curriculum to help make a significant impact in reducing the
numbers of young smokers and increasing their health.” Danielle, a teacher at St Vincent’s Primary, East Kilbride, described how Smoke in Your Eyes works. She said: “In order to make the lessons more engaging, we decided to build in a fictional context with two characters, Scott and Hannah, best friends who have a number of life experiences relating to smoking. “Using a comic strip format, pupils follow stories about Scott and Hannah growing up, mirroring the age of the pupils in each year group. “The story begins in primary four with Scott and Hannah aged eight and in the same class together. “Each year, the story progresses, as does the character age in line with the pupils using the pack. “We believed that the pupils would relate more to characters the same age as them and would better identify with their experiences.” Graham, a teacher with Hamilton Grammar, said: “Smoke in Your Eyes closely follows the Curriculum for Excellence and comes in a pack with clear lesson plans and all the necessary resources. “As pupils learn about Scott and Hannah’s experiences, it promotes discussions around the issues of smoking relevant for their age group.” Smoke in your Eyes will be available on teachers’ GLOW intranet site and on disc. For more information on Smoke in your Eyes, call Sarah on 01698 245171 or email sarah.lindsay@ lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk
Smoke in your eyes: Sarah Lindsay, front, third from right, is pictured with teachers and staff from NHS Lanarkshire and the two local authorities
SAFETY SLOGAN ON ENGINES
THE Lanarkshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership (LADP) teamed up with Strathclyde Fire and Rescue (SFR) to promote the message ‘Don’t fuel fire with alcohol and drugs’. The LADP has funded the cost of displaying magnetic signs bearing the slogan on the sides of all North Lanarkshire fire appliances. The move is the latest in a long line of initiatives which highlight home
Sarah (left) and Claire with their winning smoking cessation poster design, which will be displayed across Lanarkshire
Pupils get the message TWO pupils from Uddingston Grammar School gave NHS Lanarkshire’s new youth stop smoking service a colourful launch. Sarah Rae and Claire Harvey, both 17, designed a poster that comes in four different colours promoting the new service which aims to encourage under-18s who have taken up smoking to ‘Just Quit’. The pair came up with the simple message after NHS Lanarkshire and Landed peer education service invited school pupils to design a promotion idea to highlight the new youth service. Claire and Sarah chose four different coloured posters – blue, green, yellow and pink – as they thought each colour would appeal to different sections of young people. Titled ‘No Catchphrase – Just
fire safety and the fire-related dangers of alcohol abuse. Dr Gary Tanner, NHS Lanarkshire’s clinical director for addiction services, said: “Strathclyde Fire and Rescue has told us that alcohol is a key reason for house fires. “Over the last festive season, there were a spate of house fires in Strathclyde which tragically led to the deaths of seven people and another
It is important to have a youth-friendly support service for those who are already addicted to smoking and want help to quit Quit’ it appealed to smoking cessation professionals and they now hope it will have the same impact on all under-18s as the posters will be used across Lanarkshire. To reward their efforts NHS Lanarkshire and Landed presented the pupils with a framed plaque with one of their posters. Sarah Lindsay, NHS Lanarkshire
68 suffering from smoke inhalation or other injuries. Substance misuse has also been identified as a contributory factor in house fires. “Combating alcohol and drugrelated fire deaths requires a collaborative, multi-agency approach and that’s why we were more than happy to support SFR get this potentially life saving message out into the community.”
smoking prevention and education programme manager, said: “It’s a simple design and message, but both Claire and Sarah showed great originality in coming up with it. We know that smokers under 18 are keen to quit smoking, but we also know the approach used with those over 18 is not appropriate with this age group. Harpreet Kohli, NHS Lanarkshire director of public health, said: “The new youth stop smoking service is part of NHS Lanarkshire’s wider programme of work aiming to prevent children and young people from starting to smoke and helping them to stop if they have started. “As smoking prevention and awareness raising activities increase across the region, it is important to have a youth-friendly support service for those who are already addicted to smoking and want help to quit.”
The poster will appear on the sides of all North Lanarkshire fire appliances
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GREEN IS GOOD Making a difference STAFF in NHS Lanarkshire demonstrated their green credentials during Climate Change Week by doing their bit to protect the planet. As well as cutting energy consumption during the awareness week in March, staff also provided some great suggestions on how NHS Lanarkshire could cut carbon emissions in the future. A host of entries and some fantastic ideas for saving energy were received for the Dales Cycle and Total Swimming competitions held to mark Climate Week. NHS Lanarkshire’s head of sustainability and environment Marie Porteous said: “A lot of work has been carried out to reduce NHS Lanarkshire’s energy consumption and our staff are playing their part by switching off their PCs, monitors and printers at the end of every day, turning the heating down or off and switching off lights.
“The ideas that were received through the Climate Week competitions demonstrate that staff are on the ball with regards to energy efficiency. We will now be looking at putting some of these ideas into action.” Winner of the £100 voucher for Dales Cycles was Katy Mavor, clinical governance co-ordinator, maternal and infant nutrition. Winners of the Total Swimming courses, worth £60 each, were: Darren Mullen, counterweight healthcare support worker, Wester Moffat Hospital; Claire Tiernan,
health promotion, Blantyre; Moira Agnew, Coatbridge Health Centre; Donald Cameron, haematology, Wishaw General Hospital; and Francesca Aaen, clinical pharmacist, Monklands Hospital. In addition to answering the competition questions, entries had to include an idea for how NHS Lanarkshire can save energy. Ideas entered included: q Install light sensors to rooms that are rarely used, such as toilets and cupboards q Use posters in air-conditioned rooms to remind staff to keep doors and windows closed and save energy by only air conditioning the space needed
q Remind staff about the benefits of switching off lights q Provide lockers and showers for staff who want to cycle to work q Have regular events to promote the cycle to work scheme including maintenance classes and cycle-towork days q Increase the recycling of paper and other materials q Practice greater efficiency with heating to save energy and allow the heating to be controlled locally q Encourage staff to switch PC monitors off when leaving their desk for meetings or over lunch q Encourage more video conferencing facilities to reduce travel for meetings q Establish which paper-based procedures could be digitised. Find out more about the cycle to work scheme visit www.cyclescheme.co.uk and click on the ‘employees’ tab
Bereavement support group recognised A PROJECT in South Lanarkshire to help young people cope with loss and bereavement has scooped a top national award. The COSLA Excellence Awards showcase the very best of Scottish local government. Winning an award for best team was the Give Us A Break! programme supported by NHS Lanarkshire staff. The award celebrates an outstanding team effort in a programme which helps change the lives of many youngsters who are faced with loss and bereavement. Give Us A Break! offers young people help and support in a therapeutic way. It also enables them to understand their own and others’ strengths. The programme was developed by South Lanarkshire Council Psychological Service, in collaboration with Macmillan Cancer Care and with support from NHS Lanarkshire. NHS Lanarkshire staff involved in the team are Tracy Stephen, clinical
A gap for a service like this in South Lanarkshire was identified by a multi-agency group
COSLA president Pat Watters presents the Give Us A Break! team and their award team manager, Primary Mental Health Team; Anne Murphy, education psychologist; and Lisa Cunningham, education psychologist. The awards ceremony took place on
10 March at the Fairmont Hotel in St Andrews. Tracy said: “A gap for a service like this in South Lanarkshire was identified by a multi-agency group. A
joint commitment was made and a training course was put together over five years.” Training has allowed staff to work together as a group so that young people can access this service. It helps young people aged 10 to 14 years who are finding it hard to cope with loss and bereavement or any negative change in their lives. It allows young people to understand their experiences in a supportive environment, with other young people who are going through the same thing. Tracy added: “What the team has achieved is down to their approach as a group.”
In brief… are being reminded e STAFF that new applications for funding for further and higher education will only be considered if the course forms an essential part of your role. Support for further and Higher education is funded from a central fund held by organisational development on behalf of NHS Lanarkshire. Morag MacDermid, organisational development manager, said: “NHS Lanarkshire will honour commitments to staff already undertaking further or higher education which is funded via this route and continues into academic year 2011/2012. “These staff will soon be asked to provide a progress report and to confirm details of their study in 2011/2012. “There is no need to submit another application form. “This year, new applications will be restricted solely to those for whom a course of further or higher education is an essential part of their role or contract.” Application forms are available on the training and development section of FirstPort or from a training co-ordinator. The closing date for applications is Friday 27 May. Advice is available to anyone who would otherwise have applied for support by contacting Morag on 01698 37 7791 or Agnes Robb, training manager, on 01698 377790.
Food and Nutrition e THE Task Force has set nursing and catering staff the challenge of improving patient’s experience at mealtimes. Staff in two wards at each acute hospital will work together, using the Scottish Patient Safety methodology of testing out small changes to their day-to-day practice, to improve mealtimes for their patients. Nursing and catering staff are meeting to discuss which changes could be made and are talking to patients on their wards to find out what they think of the food they are served and how their experience could be improved. Anne Armstrong, who chairs the task and finish group, said: “The way in which meals are served is different at each of our hospitals which is why we need to look at local solutions to improving the patient experience at mealtimes. Good team working between nursing and catering staff is essential.” The wards which are involved in the pilot programme are the coronary care unit (CCU) and Ward 14 at Wishaw, CCU and Ward 11 at Hairmyres and CCU and Ward 17 at Monklands. They are due to report back to the task and finish group in May with a view to developing a set of recommendations for approval by NHS Lanarkshire Board in June.
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NEW POLICY SYSTEM
Engage with PPF
A SYSTEM launched last year to help manage NHS Lanarkshire’s policies has been highlighted as an area of good practice by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education (HMIe). But this is only one of the successes of the new Corporate Policies System – which makes finding policies and developing new ones much easier. Between the launch of the website in June 2010 and March 2011 there were more than 40,000 “hits” – which shows how popular the site is proving to be. And a staff survey found that people who were using the system rated it positively. Carol McGhee, corporate risk manager, said: “The site was designed to improve the management and monitoring of policies and make it easier and quicker to find them. Judging by feedback we’ve achieved these aims. “From feedback received we’re changing all polices to pdf format and have updated the website. “Having the system highlighted
“GETTING engaged” in your local health services was the aim of an event held by the North and South Lanarkshire Public Partnership Forums (PPFs) in February. PPFs are made up of volunteer representatives and they are involved in monitoring NHS performance and in key issues such as raising public awareness of health issues, cleanliness of hospitals and the quality of patients’ food. Chair of South Lanarkshire PPF Irene Miller said: “By getting both PPFs and interested parties together at this event we were able to discuss how best to achieve our goals.” Chair of North Lanarkshire PPF Felix Mulholland said: “We want to develop a strategy to better engage with the NHS and the general public and we want to look at new ways of doing this. “In particular, we hope to increase public participation and encourage people to get engaged in the design and delivery of NHS services.” For more information about the PPFs visit www.nhs lanarkshire.org.uk/involved/ppf
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osteoporosis awareness e AN day was held at Hairmyres
Pictured, from left, PPF members Jack Ferguson, Elvin Bailey, Irene Miller, Stephen Kerr and Felix Mulholland
Hospital in March. Wendy Feeney, lead nurse specialist for fractures and osteoporosis at NHS Lanarkshire, said: “Osteoporosis is a silent condition. One in two women and one in five men over the age of 50 will break a bone primarily as a result of osteoporosis.
during the HMIe visit as an area of good practice was a fantastic compliment to everyone who helped develop the site.” In addition to providing easy access to NHS Lanarkshire policies, there is an electronic policy template to help you develop new policies and a policy on developing policies. When you post a policy on the new system, Library Services will check it to ensure it has the required contact details and review date before posting it onto the site in PDF format. Library Services will also contact you before the review date to help you ensure your policies are up to date. To access the Corporate Policies System click on the “Policies” link on the FirstPort home page. To post a policy on the system email corporatepolicies@lanarkshire .scot.nhs.uk and for more information on the system, or if you can’t find a specific policy contact Carol on 01698 258785.
“However, there are ways to minimise the risk of osteoporotic fractures such as a healthy diet, ensuring you get enough calcium and vitamin D each day, weightbearing exercise, stopping smoking and moderating your alcohol intake. “Steps can also be taken to reduce the risk of falls in the older age groups such as moving objects that you could trip over.”
Millions of reasons to cut medicine waste Collections bins and leaflets distributed in new drive to tackle drugs wastage MEDICINE waste costs NHS Lanarkshire £2 million – enough to pay for 180 coronary bypass operations – every year. To reduce this waste, the health board, supported by local pharmacies and GPs, wishes to raise awareness of the problem so this money can be used to improve other healthcare services. Dr Philip McMenemy, NHS Lanarkshire’s associate medical director for primary care, said: “The biggest problem comes from repeat prescriptions that people no longer need or use. “But people don’t realise how much medicine wastage actually occurs. “The spend for Lanarkshire for waste is estimated to be about £2m a year. “We believe that we can reduce that and hope to improve services
for patients by re-routing that money for other things. “The key thing is for people, when they are taking their repeat prescriptions from their GPs, to think about the process and if they are not using a medicine or getting too much of a medicine or too frequently, to discuss that with their doctor or with their pharmacist.” To help people order the correct type and amount of medicines, GPs and pharmacists are now distributing leaflets patients can use to cancel any medicines they no longer need when ordering their repeat prescriptions. Tony Hanlon, pharmacist at Cairns Chemist in Market Place, Carluke, said: “We now have yellow bins for people to bring back medicines they don’t need but many people still tend to keep medicines ‘just in case’ or order medicines they don’t need.
“They don’t realise how big a problem this is or how much its costing the NHS. “I think this is a message we need to keep reinforcing – it’s up to the individual to take responsibility for their own medication.” NHS Lanarkshire’s head of prescribing management, Alastair Thorburn, added: “The feedback we’ve been receiving from GPs and pharmacists is that the message is being heard and that people are filling in the new leaflets to cancel any medicines they don’t need.” For more information on how to reduce medical waste, call NHS Lanarkshire’s General Enquiry Line on 08453 130 130. Leaflets are available at www.nhs lanarkshire.org.uk under the Our Services/Pharmacy section
WASTE NOT WANT NOT: Customer Steven Jackson, from Carluke, pharmacist Tony Hanlon and chemist supervisor Anne-Marie Connell
8 thePulse GENERAL NEWS
MAY/JUNE 2011
RAISING AWARENESS
Work under way CONSTRUCTION work has started on the new state-of-the-art Airdrie Community Health Centre. When complete in summer 2012, the new development will be one of the largest health centres of its kind in Scotland. Incorporating the new health centre along with new retail properties on Graham Street, and new office accommodation for North Lanarkshire Council, the new £27 million building will have more than 100,000 square feet of floor space over five levels and provide a major boost to the regeneration of Airdrie town centre. The facility will bring together a range of primary care and other community-based services which are intended to significantly improve patient access to healthcare and
serve about 50,000 patients across Airdrie. Services based at the centre will include dental, podiatry, dietetics, paediatric, and physiotherapy as well as nine GP practices. Ian Ross, NHS Lanarkshire’s director of performance and planning, said: “It’s great to see work get under way on this fantastic new community health centre which will create a first-class environment for patient care that will significantly improve how we deliver community health services in the area. “Its location, in the heart of Airdrie, will not only ensure people have easier access to primary care and community-based services, it will also provide a boost to the development of the town centre.”
STEPHANIE Doody would like to thank everyone who attended the Healthcare Science events at Monklands and Wishaw in March. The Lanarkshire healthcare science development lead said: “These events were organised to help raise awareness to the important roles healthcare scientists have within NHS Lanarkshire. “Feedback from the days were
very positive with over 90 per cent of attendees happy with the events, and the HCS staff involved were noted as being very friendly, informed and helpful. “I would like to thank everyone who attended the events, particularly the staff from microbiology, haematology, biochemistry and cardiology who helped with the running of the days.”
THANKFUL: Irene Winning, head of microbiology at Monklands, and Stephanie Doody, right
Ian Ross, NHS Lanarkshire director of performance and planning, with Colin Sloey, NHS Lanarkshire director of the North Community Health Partnership, at the new Airdrie Health Centre site
Helping youths help loved ones Shining the spotlight on the young people who make a difference every day BEING young can be tough at times – being a young carer with the added responsibility of looking after a loved one can make it even more challenging. However, help is available. An event hosted by NHS Lanarkshire in March aimed to raise awareness of young carers and how they can be supported. Linda Craig, co-ordinator for the NHS Lanarkshire Carer Support Team, said: “Many young carers don’t see themselves as carers, they just see it as looking after a brother or sister, for example, who has additional needs. “But the duties they perform go far and beyond the normal household chores and can involve feeding, washing, clothing and administering medication. “Young people also don’t want to be viewed as different to their peers. “All this can have big impact on their life and make it difficult to socialise with their friends, keep up with their schoolwork and live their own lives. “This event, which was the first ever event for all young carers in North and South Lanarkshire, shined the spotlight on them and highlighted what the health service,
PROVIDING SUPPORT: Young carers and staff at the Young Carers Event
social work and education can do to help and support them.” The Young Carer Information Event, held in the South Lanarkshire Council headquarters in Hamilton, included a range of information stands and workshops. A number of young carers also
delivered talks on their own experiences and how young carer support groups had helped them. Jordan McKenzie, 19, is the chair of the South Lanarkshire Young Carers’ Forum and helps care for one of her younger sisters, who was born with a disability.
She said: “I never considered myself as a carer until I was 14 and my guidance teacher at school brought the subject up. “I’d been struggling with homework and beginning to fall behind. My own health was being affected as I wasn’t getting enough
sleep and I was low in confidence. When I realised I was a carer and there was help available, it made a huge difference. “It’s important that other young people know support exists and they get the help they need and deserve.” If you wish to discuss a carer issue, or are looking for more information on the support available for carers, the contacts are: q Hairmyres Hospital – elaine.harrow @lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk or 01355 585522 q Monklands Hospital – lesley.callan @lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk or 01236 748748 q Wishaw General – elizabeth.
[email protected] or 01698 361100 qNorth Community Health Partnership (CHP), North Lanarkshire Carers Together – cst@carers together.org or 01698 404055 q South CHP, South Lanarkshire Carers Network – Linda Craig,
[email protected] or 01698 285163 q North Lanarkshire Young Carers – Allison Smith, allison.smith@ actionforchildren.org.uk or 01698 258801 q South Lanarkshire Young Carers – Barbara McAuley, youngcarer
[email protected] or 01698 455455.
MAY/JUNE 2011
In brief… across Lanarkshire e PEOPLE are being urged to return any unused health or disability equipment. An equipment amnesty is being held to encourage people to arrange for items that are no longer being used to be collected, including wheelchairs, zimmer frames, crutches, toilet frames and shower chairs. Graham Johnston, head of management services, said: “In addition to having the option to redistribute equipment in good condition, it is important that equipment that isn’t currently used is returned, so that broken, old or damaged equipment can be taken out of use.” Every year, thousands of pounds worth of equipment is not returned by patients when they no longer need it. This puts a strain on hospital resources and, in some cases, can delay patients getting the most suitable pieces of equipment for their recovery. Any returned equipment will boost stocks and help ensure that future patients get the right piece of equipment and resources won’t need to be spent on replacing items that are sitting around in garages, sheds and attics. Graham added: “Given the current economic climate and the tough choices ahead for public services, I strongly encourage people to help their community and arrange collection of any unused equipment, which can then be recycled and used again.” For more information, email graham.johnston@ lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk
COURSE which prepares e Anurses, midwives and allied health professionals (NMAHPs) to prescribe from the British National Formulary is available. The Non Medical Prescribing (NMP) course is available to practitioners from a NMAHP background with two years post-registration experience in the clinical area that they wish to prescribe. Approval from a line manager/ senior nurse/associate director of nursing is also required. The course is available at level nine (degree level) and level 11 (masters level). The course consists of 26 theoretical days, usually delivered as one week on campus every third week, and 12 practice days, in the student’s own workplace – supported by arrangement with a designated medical practitioner over six months. The next course begins in September 2011 and closing date for applications is 29 July. More details and an application pack are available from ann.
[email protected] and natalie.snodgrass@lanarkshire. scot.nhs.uk or 01698 366590.
GENERAL NEWS
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IMPROVING CARE QUALITY LEAN system is improving efficiency For three years, LEAN working has been improving the quality of care for patients and enhancing the efficiency of many of our services in Lanarkshire. LEAN is about improving flow, eliminating waste and being open to change. Colin Blair, LEAN programme manager, said: “LEAN offers a proven set of tools and techniques with the aim of achieving patientfocused improvements to services. It also gives staff the opportunities and skills to deliver more effective and efficient processes.” GE Healthcare was appointed to support NHS Lanarkshire to build on the significant work already carried out through a range of initiatives and take forward service redesign to deliver top-quality health services across acute, primary care and mental health. Colin said: “The proof of concept work demonstrated that LEAN methodology could be successfully applied to the clinical environment to improve quality, efficiency and productivity. The NHS Lanarkshire Board fully supported the continuation of the programme and its further progress towards becoming a mainstream approach to how services are delivered and reviewed.”
PRIME EXAMPLE (from left): Colin Blair, Linda Bascells-Bush, US consultant from GE Performance Solutions, Dorothy Goulard, director of performance improvement and clinical excellence at Harvard Medical School and Veronica Devlin saw the success of LEAN last year
Lean offers a proven set of tools and techniques with the aim of achieving patient-focused improvements Over the past three years a total of 23 individual projects have been undertaken across Lanarkshire, including the three acute hospitals, and within various departments – ranging from orthopaedic, surgery
and pharmacy to emergency medical flow, care of the elderly and acute adult mental health. The programme also focused on developing the skills of staff to continuously improve the services while delivering efficiency and productivity gains. During phase two, the programme NHS Lanarkshire has developed eight LEAN Leaders who are now in the advanced stage of CMAP (Change Management Accreditation Process) accreditation provided by GE Healthcare in partnership with the Lean Enterprise Research Centre based in Cardiff University.
A further 280 staff have received two-day basic training in LEAN, Change Acceleration Process and Workout tools and techniques before going on to participate in the 11 redesign initiatives in phase two. Colin said: “The projects have delivered a significant immediate impact on staff and patient experience in terms of improved efficiency, greater responsiveness and reliability and improvements in patient safety and quality of service. “Although the support from GE is coming to an end, we have built up the skills to ensure that LEAN working is at the heart of service development.”
EARLY ACCESS FOR PREGNANT WOMEN PREGNANT women are being encouraged to contact a midwife as soon as they find out they are pregnant. This early contact will ensure that women have their care throughout the pregnancy tailored to their own specific needs. It will also allow them to have greater choice and access to all the improved screening services now offered by NHS Lanarkshire, some of which are carried out relatively early in pregnancy. Women are advised to either contact their GP surgery and ask for an appointment with the midwife, or contact the midwife directly at their
local health centre. This should be done as soon as they find out they are pregnant. Women will have all screening options explained to them by their midwife and will be given the opportunity to ask questions to the most appropriate professional who will ensure that they have a clear understanding of the screening options they may choose in their pregnancy. The majority of women experience a normal, healthy pregnancy and will have their care delivered by a midwife who is the professional expert in normal pregnancy and birth.
Some women may also receive additional support from their GPs, other specialists and healthcare professionals if required, to ensure the ongoing health and wellbeing of both the mum and baby. More information regarding screening options for pregnant mums and new babies can be found in the new leaflets ‘Your guide to screening tests during pregnancy’ and ‘Your guide to newborn screening tests’. These are available from midwives, GPs, healthcare settings and also online at www.healthscotland.com/ pregnancynewborn
10 thePulse FEATURE
MAY/JUNE 2011
FEATURE
LIGHT AND AIR: the magnificent atrium at Hairmyres Hospital lifts the spirits of patients and staff alike
A decade ago, Hairmyres Hospital and Wishaw General welcomed their first patients. Here The Pulse celebrates the success of these two hospitals
Staff say… Elaine Blackwood, secretary to the senior nurse and service manager for the emergency medical services division at Hairmyres, has worked at the hospital for six years. She said: “My first impression when I walked through the atrium was: ‘Wow, what a great place to work.’ “It is so bright and relaxing and totally different to any hospital I’d been in before. “You need a bright environment to help you stay positive and Hairmyres has that.”
STATE OF THE ART: patients and their families can rest assured that everything is on site at Wishaw, should they need intensive care
10 YEARS OF TOP-CLASS CARE
On 25 March 2001, the new £67.5m Hairmyres Hospital opened. Just two months later, the new £100m Wishaw General gave a second huge boost to healthcare in Lanarkshire WHEN the new Hairmyres Hospital opened its doors to patients on 25 March 2001, it provided 353 acute inpatient beds – since increased to 492 – an MRI scanner and Lanarkshire’s only cardiac catheterisation centre. David Hume was the general manager of the hospital from its opening in 2001 until his role changed on 1 April 2011. He said: “It’s hard to believe that 10 years have now passed since the opening of the new hospital. “I feel very privileged to have been associated with the move to the new hospital and to have been here for its first 10 years.
Did you know? From April 2009 to March 2010, Hairmyres treated: q 23,670 inpatients q 16,138 day case patients q 351,905 outpatient appointments q 60,386 attendances at A&E.
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“I think that Hairmyres has stood up to the challenges of the past 10 years very well indeed and, in that time, will have seen a total of: q 250,000 inpatients q more than three million outpatients q more than half a million accident and emergency attendances q nearly 200,000 day cases. “The hospital continues to provide first-class facilities and environment for providing the best possible level of healthcare,” said David. “But it is the professionalism and dedication of our staff that is the most important factor in ensuring our patients receive the best care. David added: “I would like to thank all our staff, past and present, who have worked so hard to provide our patients with the highest possible standard of healthcare.” The new Hairmryes building was the first PFI hospital to open in Scotland. It was built by a consortium of Kier Group Ltd and ISS Mediclean Ltd at a cost of £67.5 million.
Earlier hospital was built by prisoners HOSPITAL services have been provided on the Hairmyres site in East Kilbride since 1904, when it was known as the Lanarkshire Inebriate Reformatory. During the First World War, work began on a tuberculosis sanatorium and working farm colony on the site. The work continued throughout the war, with help from German prisoners, and the sanatorium and colony opened in June 1919. In the mid-1930s, new services
were added, such as an orthopaedic department. During the Second World War, the hospital offered an emergency medical service to soldiers from Britain, France, Poland, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
Services at the hospital include:
q a full range of inpatient,
outpatient, diagnostic and clinical support services q Lanarkshire’s only cardiac catheterisation centre, which consists of two new state-of-theart catheterisation laboratories for diagnosis and treatment of blood vessel blockages around the heart q MRI and CT scanners q psychiatric beds.
SPECIAL VISIT: HRH The Princess Royal visited Hairmyres Hospital in February 2009 to see a new service for heart patients
Hairmyres’ most famous patient was George Orwell, who was writing his now classic novel 1984 when he was admitted with tuberculosis. The hospital continued to grow throughout the 1970s and, in 1999, work began on the new building.
ON 29 May 2001, Wishaw General Hospital treated its first patients. The new hospital provided 605 inpatient beds – since increased to 626 – with a 24-hour accident and emergency department. Lanarkshire’s maternity unit, the second-largest in Scotland, is also based at the hospital, delivering about 5,500 babies each year. The unit opened with 79 beds, seven high-risk delivery beds, plus 20 cots in the neonatal unit. Marion Mark, general manager for women’s and diagnostic services, said: “The services and facilities at Wishaw General are among the best in the country and allow us to provide the best possible level of care for our patients. “Having state-of-the-art equipment and facilities is vital to provide our patients with the care they deserve. “It means we can provide the most modern services and provide a firstclass Lanarkshire health service from first-class facilities. “But the key to our success will always be the quality of our staff and they deserve great praise for their professionalism and dedication which they demonstrate every day in caring for our patients.”
A replacement for an ‘army barracks’ ALTHOUGH Wishaw General was a completely new hospital, it replaced the healthcare services which had been provided at Law Hospital and the Bellshill Maternity Hospital. The “Law” as it was affectionately known, was the first of six Emergency Medical Service Hospitals built in Scotland to accommodate casualties from the Second World War. Located near Carluke, the site was chosen as it was isolated from builtup areas, was near a rail junction Like the new Hairmyres Hospital building, Wishaw General is a PFI hospital. Other services at Wishaw General include: q paediatric neonatal unit q MRI scanner q elderly care and psychiatric day hospitals q emergency care unit containing an integrated accident and emergency unit with a 36-bed ward.
and incorporated a design layout to minimise wholesale destruction in the event of an air attack. In fact, Law Hospital looked so much like army barracks, complete with air raid shelters, that it was officially described as such on an aerial photograph discovered in Germany after the war. The William Smellie Maternity Unit moved to Law Hospital in 1992 and, along with the Bellshill Maternity Hospital, the two centres
provided maternity services for the whole of Lanarkshire until the opening of Wishaw General. The Bellshill Maternity Hospital was built in 1962 and officially opened by HM The Queen on 2 July that year. However, there had been a maternity hospital on the site since 1919. There were 60 wards, six highdependency unit beds, 28 special care cots and six intensive care cots, and in 2000 there were more than 3,500 babies born in the hospital.
Did you know?
FIRST ONE IN: Megan Grew was the first baby born at Wishaw General
From April 2009 to March 2010, Wishaw treated: q 47,512 inpatients; q 21,224 day case patients q 276,174 outpatient appointments q 69,798 attendances at A&E.
Margaret Barbour, senior nurse for surgical, was involved in the final plans for transferring to the new building. She said: “It was a really exciting time. I’d been involved in dealing with newly refurbished wards, but nothing on the scale of moving to an entirely new hospital. “It was such a positive change for us to be moving from the old 24-bed ‘Nightingale’ wards. “The wards are more relaxing, they increase the opportunity for a restful night’s sleep and patients have much more privacy. “Not only is it a nice environment to work in but the surroundings, facilities and state-of-the-art equipment at Hairmyres make such a difference to patients.” Isabel Kirk is a midwife at Wishaw General. She said: “I started in the old Bellshill Maternity Unit. Wishaw General has everything on the one site, should the mother or baby need a more intensive level of care. “It is certainly beneficial to the patients and the families knowing that their loved ones are in the best place possible.” Kirsteen Hyslop is charge midwife at Wishaw General. She said: “Coming from the William Smellie Maternity Unit, initially everyone was a bit daunted by the sheer size of Wishaw General. “However it has given us opportunities to work more efficiently, to extend our roles and keep our skills up-to-date.”
12 thePulse LOCAL/DISTRICT/PARTNERSHIP
MAY/JUNE 2011
Koreans arrive at Monklands to see telemedicine A TV crew from Korea visited Monklands Hospital to film a TV documentary about a new technique for treating stroke patients. The team from the Korea Broadcast System (KBS), the Korean equivalent of the BBC, visited the Airdrie hospital to see how the telemedicine service works. This service, which is being piloted in the three stroke units in Lanarkshire at Monklands, Wishaw and Hairmyres hospitals, allows a specialist consultant to assess a patient via a live television link to determine whether they need further treatment. It removes the need for the consultant to rush to the location where a stroke patient is being treated, allowing for more efficient use of the consultant’s time and, of course, the patient being seen quicker. Sunghoon Kang, a producer with KBS, explained that they wanted to show Koreans how well technology was being utilised within healthcare in other countries. He said: “South Korea is one of the leading countries in the world for developing new technologies but we can still learn from others on how to adopt these technologies for the
A mesmerising new health service is on offer at Dalziel Centre Day Hospital HYPNOTHERAPY can now be offered to people affected by cancer and other life-limiting illnesses at the Dalziel Centre Day Hospice. Three staff members, Carol Murphy, Valerie Orsie and Janice Slater, all completed a diploma in clinical hypnosis. And they are now using their new skills to help patients and their carers. Carol, the nursing sister at the Dalziel Centre, which is based at Strathclyde Hospital, Airbles Road, Motherwell, said: “Hypnotherapy sessions can benefit both patients and their carers to deal with a range of issues, from pain to diet and smoking – anything which is affecting their health. “It can help them cope with issues they have managing pain, help them control their symptoms and help relieve stress.”
The government in Korea is very interested in this type of project, where patients can be seen by a doctor who may be miles away benefit of healthcare. The use of telemedicine at Monklands was of great interest to us. “The government in Korea is very interested in this type of project, where patients can be seen by a doctor who may be many miles away. “Although the technology is important, the most important aspect is the healthcare professionals who use it – such as consultants being able to examine patients very quickly from any location without having to travel. “By making this documentary we hope people in Korea will find it a very useful learning experience to see how this technology benefits patients in Lanarkshire and in Scotland, and how we can improve our own healthcare services.”
HOSPITAL DRAMA: Patient Jayne Brown discusses her experience of telemedcine with a South Korean TV crew
‘It was brilliant … and very reassuring for me’ JAYNE Brown, from Hamilton, has first-hand experience of how the technology benefits patients. The 46-year-old court officer, at Hamilton Sheriff Court, was rushed into Hairmyres after her husband Andrew, who is a paramedic, recognised the symptoms of a stroke. Jayne was taken to the stroke unit and assessed by consultant Mark Barber, lead clinician with NHS Lanarkshire’s stroke managed clinical network (MCN). She said: “It was really impressive. When we got to Hairmyres the stroke team were waiting for me. “They gave me a scan, then I was taken through to the telemedicine room where the consultant was on the screen.
“He asked me a few questions and very quickly he could tell me I’d had a transient ischaemic attack, sometimes known as a mini stroke, there was no clot on the brain so no need to thrombolysis me and that I’d make a full recovery. “The whole thing only took about 40 to 50 minutes from the stroke happening to being given an answer. “It was brilliant to know so quickly that I hadn’t had a full stroke and very reassuring for me. “I want to shout from the rooftops how great the care was. It was fantastic and, although I hadn’t had a full stroke, to get that reassurance so quickly made a world of difference to me.” Stroke is the greatest single
cause of severe disability in Scotland and the third most common cause of death. Early treatment can greatly improve a victim’s chance of recovery. Katrina Brennan, manager for the stroke MCN, said: “Telemedicine is increasingly being used around the world as a method of providing acute stroke care decisions “You can see and speak to the patient via the link and you have access to other information such as their brain scan results. “If the patient did require further treatment, such as thrombolysis (clotbusting drugs), then this could be given, based on the telemedicine assessment, and followed up with a face-to-face visit.”
HYPNOTHERAPY NOW AVAILABLE For the hypnotherapy sessions Carol, Valerie or Janice first relax the patient, ask them to close their eyes and then speak slowly and soothingly to encourage them to concentrate on their breathing and help them into a trance-like state. They then make suggestions for coping with their particular issues. Valerie said: “We might, for example, ask them to see their pain as a dial which they can turn down to a level which they can control better. “The patient is still aware of what is happening and can open their eyes at any time. “It’s a bit like daydreaming. We are relaxing people, making suggestions to their subconscious minds about changing the way they look at their pain. “It’s then up to the subconscious mind to do the work.”
Janice said: “We’ve had some very positive feedback so far. It doesn’t work for everyone and you have to be in the right frame of mind. “But people who are affected by cancer or life-limiting illnesses, both patients and carers, are under enormous levels of stress and anxiety and hypnotherapy is excellent in promoting feelings of relaxation.” Hypnotherapy sessions are currently held on Monday and Friday afternoons. A Wellbeing and Relaxation Group is also now being held at the Dalziel Centre every Monday from 11am to noon for people with life-limiting illnesses.
For more information on hypnotherapy sessions or the Wellbeing and Relaxation Group, contact the Dalziel Centre on 01698 245076.
SOOTHING SESSIONS: The hypnotherapy team, from left, Valerie, Janice and Carol
MAY/JUNE 2011
LOCAL/DISTRICT/PARTNERSHIP
‘We miss her but she still brings a smile to our faces’ Friends and family pay tribute to nurse Anne Scott COLLEAGUES and family of Monklands nurse Anne Scott, who died suddenly in February, have spoken of the “big hole” her death has left in their lives. The 46-year-old mum of two from Coatbridge worked in the coronary care ward 18. A hugely popular member of the Airdrie hospital team, she died from hypertensive heart disease. Geraldine Ruddy, senior charge nurse in ward 18, said: “We all miss Anne terribly and it was such a shock to us. “Everyone knew her in the hospital as she was such a strong character. “She was an extremely valued member of our team, very experienced and loved by her colleagues and patients – but not only do we miss her as a nurse, she also left a big hole in our lives which will be very difficult to fill. “She was a great laugh, very fond of football and especially Celtic, and loved bingo. “Anne was always kidding people on, joking and singing in the wards. “Although we miss her terribly, every time you think about her she still manages to bring a smile to your face.” Anne, who qualified as a staff nurse in 1998, worked initially in the accident and emergency department and ward 10 for a couple of years, before moving to ward 18, in 2001. She was mum to Ryan, 23, and
Dr Mustafa Mulla, Dr Donna Corrigan and Mohammed Aslam
Fantastic donations THE Bellshill Mosque has donated almost £3000 to the children’s wards in Wishaw General Hospital. The mosque raised £2500 from a collection taken during Friday prayers, while £300 was raised by Humjolie, the South Asian Women’s support group at a multicultural event. Humjolie used its funds to buy games consoles which it donated to the children’s wards and a cheque for £2500 was presented to consultant paediatrician Dr Donna Corrigan. Anila Ansari, community health educator at NHS Lanarkshire, said: “I want to thank everyone who attended the mosque for their fantastic generosity and helping Humjolie raise these funds. “It’s a fantastic sum and it’s also a tribute to the work of Humjolie, which is about bringing communities together.”
MISSED: Nurse Anne Scott died suddenly in February 22-year-old Jenna, who both miss her terribly. Jenna said: “Mum was just an amazing person who touched the hearts of everyone who knew her. “She would always try to help anyone she could and as a mum she was just the best. Thanks mum.” Anne, who was brought up in the Shawhead area of Coatbridge and went to St Bernard’s Primary and Columba High School, has one brother William, 48, and two sisters Marie, 47, and Theresa, 44.
On behalf of the family, Marie said: “In her short life Anne created an abundance of happy memories, which we will always reflect on. She was a real character and would always make you laugh. “She would always want to help people and as well as being a dedicated nurse she was also a leader with the Guides. “Anne loved her work and, as well as working night shift, she would also do extra shifts through the nursing bank and do any
training courses she could to improve her skills. She was great with her patients. “But her number one priority was to her family – and especially to Ryan and Jenna. “She was a very happy character and was at a very contented and happy period of her life.” Anne’s mum Rita added: “Anne was also a tremendous carer outwith her job as a nurse. She offered a high level of support to me and also her dad, Tosh.”
MOUSTACHIOED MEN RAISE £2200 FOR KIDS MOTHER Jackie McGrory and daughter Jenna recently gifted five TVs and two activity tables to the children’s ward in Wishaw General. Jenna, aged five from Airdrie, spent some time in the ward when she was younger. Jenna’s dad and 11 friends raised £2200 in sponsorship by growing moustaches. Jackie, who is a staff nurse at
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Monklands Hospital, said: “We were very appreciative of the care Jenna received during her time in ward 20. “It is a difficult time for anyone being in hospital but children are probably more prone to boredom. The staff are wonderful with the kids. We hope that the TVs and activity tables help them entertain the children during their stay.”
Jackie McGory and daughter Jenna left with Ellie Louise McDermott and Eileen Gibb, play leader, test out one of the new activity tables bought through fundraising
Volunteers end training THIRTY-ONE new Community Mother volunteers have successfully completed their training. At an event in Burnbank Burgh Hall, NHS Lanarkshire chairman Ken Corsar presented certificates to the class. Community Mothers is a breastfeeding peer support programme that offers information and support to breastfeeding women. Volunteers speak to women at breastfeeding workshops, in Wishaw General’s maternity unit, in their own home or over the telephone, and keep in contact with new mothers until their baby is six weeks old. The Tackling Poverty and Inequality Action Plan for Blantyre and Hamilton identified improving breastfeeding rates is a key priority. Community Mothers in South Lanarkshire are now working with Community Links, South Lanarkshire Council staff and NHS Lanarkshire staff to promote the benefits of breastfeeding within Blantyre and Burbank. For more information on Community Mothers call 01698 377655.
14 thePulse LOCAL/DISTRICT/PARTNERSHIP
From left, Sadie Shields, dialysis patient Pauline Burton, and Tom Cameron and daughter Lyndsay
Dad gives gift of life BRAVE dad Tom Cameron transformed his daughter’s life by donating his kidney to her – then raised £1400 by climbing Ben Nevis to help others requiring dialysis at Monklands Hospital. The Airdrie man went under the knife for Lyndsay, 28, who had been receiving dialysis at the renal unit at Monklands for twoand-a-half years. Tom, 50, said: “Lyndsay’s two brothers and step-mum had tests to see who was a possible match for a transplant. “Although her brother Stuart and step-mum Mary were possible matches, I was determined to do it as I’m her dad. “I was very ill after the operation but it’s been worth it to see the difference to Lyndsay’s life. “I also wanted to do something to help others who are waiting for transplants and to thank everyone at the Monklands Renal unit so I’m delighted we raised so much money.” Lyndsay explained how her life had been transformed by her dad’s decision. She said: “Since I was born I’ve had kidney problems. I can’t thank my dad enough for what he did. I’ll need to take medication for the rest of my life to keep my new kidney working but it’s a small price to pay. “Last year I went on my first holiday. I can now enjoy myself on nights out and I feel as if I’ve got my life back.” Prior to Lyndsay’s transplant, she required regular dialysis at Monklands Hospital and she was delighted to be able to hand over a cheque and thank all the staff. She said: “Everyone in the renal unit at Monklands was great and tried to keep our spirits up, which is really important. “The Lanarkshire Kidney Patients’ Association play a huge part and would take us away for day trips where you could go and forget about dialysis. “By my dad climbing Ben Nevis and the support from his friends, donating this money to them we hope to help them keep up their great work.” Sadie Shields, committee member of the Lanarkshire Kidney Patients’ Association, said: “This £1400 is a massive boost for us and can be assured that it is the patients who will benefit from this.”
MAY/JUNE 2011
Showing thanks
In brief…
Positive results from OOH audit THE recent audit on nurse prescribing in the Out of Hours (OOH) Service has provided some very positive results. Carol Lamb, senior charge nurse with the OOH service, said: “This audit, which was carried out by Dr Gill Guthrie, gave very positive results. “Nurse prescribing is still a relatively new role for nurses and I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the staff on all their hard work and continuing development in this role that produced these audit results.”
Top award for top centre DELIGHTED: Anne, left, presents Valerie with bracelets made by her father, Thomas McCafferty, pictured below with his granddaughter Fiona in 1994.
Tokens of appreciation reach rightful recipients HAIRMYRES Hospital’s Valerie Brown was thrilled to receive a beautiful bracelet made for her by a former patient – 15 years after she had treated him. Thomas McCafferty, who lived in Hamilton, made three bracelets to thank Valerie, head orthoptist, and clinical support workers Margaret Wootan and Elaine Tannoch, for the care they provided him following a massive stroke in 1996. Sadly Thomas died in 1999 without being able to hand over the stunning silver bracelets himself. However, when Thomas’s wife died last year his daughter Anne Douglas, from Falkirk, come across three boxes with Valerie, Margaret and Elaine’s names on them containing the jewellery and decided to fulfill her dad’s wishes by tracking down the staff. Anne, who also has a similar bracelet from her father, said: “My dad was a teacher in technical studies at Trinity High School in Cambuslang, and had a keen hobby in making things, including jewellery. “In 1996, he was
admitted to Hairmyres Stroke Unit following a massive stroke. “Thankfully he made a remarkable recovery, including learning to walk again, but he had problems with double vision and reduced mobility. “Valerie helped improve his sight with a prism on his glasses. “He was very appreciative of the care he received from all staff but wanted to thank Valerie, Margaret and Elaine, in particular. “I knew about the bracelets and for 12 years after he died I kept transferring their names from diary to diary but it was only when my mum died last year and I came across the boxes again that I thought I really need to find out where they are. “I was pleasantly surprised to learn they were still in Hairmyres and I’m delighted to be able to hand them over.” Anne added: “My dad was quite a quiet person and was not one to just give gifts out for the sake of it.” “He must have really thought a lot about the quality of care he received to have made these bracelets so I’m happy that I
Thomas was appreciative of the care he recieved from all staff but wanted to thank Valerie, Margaret and Elaine in particular have managed to finally get them to the people who deserve them.” Valerie was shocked when Anne first told her about the gorgeous gifts. She said: “I was speechless when Anne first arrived in Hairmyres to hand over the bracelets. “As soon as I saw the photo of her dad I remembered him. I also remember him asking me to hold out my wrist and measuring it with a piece of string. “He had told me he made jewellery but I didn’t think anything of it. “It’s nice to know that the care you have given is appreciated and that you have made a difference to someone. “It’s always nice to be thanked but the bracelets are stunning and because they were handmade, especially for us, makes them even more precious.”
THE Dalziel Day Unit has achieved a prestigious national award for their services to cancer patients. A Macmillan Cancer Support external assessor recently visited the centre, based at Strathclyde Hospital, to determine if it qualified for the Macmillan Quality Environment Mark (MQEM). The Dalziel Centre was assessed in the areas of: q design and use of space q the person’s journey q service experience q user involvement. Ann Muir, the Macmillan external assessor, said: “The MQEM identifies the very best that health and social care has to offer people who have a cancer diagnosis, giving them confidence in the cancer facility they are attending. “This prestigious award is not given lightly, and a stringent assessment is done. “The unit manager, Carol Murphy, had to compile evidence and then submit a request for an assessment visit. “Each area of the inspection has a score rating and is a very detailed process, with an overall score for all criteria being the deciding factor. “The Dalziel Day Unit passed, with the highest score achievable. “This is in no small part due to the manager, her staff and volunteers and the caring environment they provide.” Later this year, Macmillan will officially present the award to the Dalziel Centre.
MAY/JUNE 2011
LOCAL/DISTRICT/PARTNERSHIP
thePulse 15
Media Watch
SURPRISED: Pauline learned that her daughter Aimee suffers from Tourette’s last year
ions t a d n u o f n o s t r a t Work s e r t n e c h lt a e h y it n of commu ge Advertiser Airdrie and Coatbrid
Fighting Tourette’s Syndrome is widely misunderstood THE mother of a Tourette’s sufferer is trying to raise awareness of the disorder. Wishaw General’s Pauline Hamilton was shocked when her daughter Aimee was diagnosed with the condition last year. The medical secretary with the orthopaedics department, said: “Aimee had various symptoms from the age of about two but I never even thought about Tourette’s Syndrome. “When you think of Tourette’s the first thing you think about is someone swearing but it is a misunderstood condition which has been tagged as ‘the swearing disease’ when only a minority of people do swear. “There are many behaviours that go with Tourette’s, including vocal and motor tics, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and other conditions.” Pauline continued: “When Aimee was about two I noticed her shrugging her shoulders now and again, but didn’t think anything of it. “At three to four she started to
Aimee had various symptoms from the age of two but I never even thought about Tourette’s Syndrome show signs of OCD, had “rage” attacks and was very combative and hyper. “At age five to six she started to sniff all the time. We took her to the GP thinking she had allergies and was given a nasal spray. “When she was seven she was still sniffing but now throat clearing too. “By January the following year I was given the news that Aimee had Tourette’s Syndrome.” Tourette’s Scotland is a charity that supports everyone affected by the condition in Scotland. It provides help and information about Torrette’s via help lines and support groups. Ruth Smith, project co-ordinator for Tourette’s Scotland
said: “Tourette’s Syndrome is very misunderstood, being projected in the media as a ‘swearing disease’. “Those who live with this condition day by day often suffer prejudice and isolation and much of our work is to bring them confidence and to increase their self worth.” Tourette Scotland raises awareness through training sessions, seminars and research. They rely on grants, donations and fundraising to run the charity. Ruth added: “Events include spring and autumn meetings where members meet to share their experiences.” Pauline is also a co-ordinator for West of Scotland’s Tourette Scotland Support Group. She is trying to raise money to take the children that attend her group to Edinburgh Zoo during the summer. To find out more about the West of Scotland group, or to make a donation, email Pauline at
[email protected]
Dentists pull them in
East Kilbride News
that the foundations for the e News new £27million Airdrie Community Health Centre were being laid were announced in the Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser and Evening Times.
Child protection services praised Motherwell Times
Baby class for grandparents The Sun
hypnotherapy to people affected by cancer.
released revealed an extra e Figures 127,127 people in Lanarkshire have grandparents in Lanarkshire e New registered with an NHS dentist since were invited to a class at Wishaw March 2007. This article appeared in the East Kilbride News, Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser, Hamilton Advertiser and Wishaw Press. HM Inspectorate of Education e AN report reveals child protection services in North Lanarkshire are among the best in Scotland following inspection of the service provided by the council and partner agencies including NHS Lanarkshire. This story was covered in the Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser, Motherwell Times and Bellshill Speaker. The Hamilton Advertiser reported e the events being held throughout Lanarkshire to mark World Tuberculosis Day on Thursday 24 March.
Daily Express, Evening Times, e The Wishaw Press and Hamilton Advertiser were among the newspapers that highlighted that the Dalziel Centre Hospice could now offer
General maternity unit to find out how they can best support their families following the arrival of a new baby. Newspapers highlighting this class included the Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser, Evening Times, Wishaw Press and East Kilbride News. support group for people in e ALanarkshire affected by lung cancer launched a new range of sessions. The Hamilton Advertiser, Wishaw Press, Motherwell Times and Evening Times all covered this story and provided details of the sessions being held. in Lanarkshire were e Smokers encouraged to quit smoking with help from NHS Lanarkshire’s Stop Smoking Service. Information about the service, including contact details, were highlighted in the local press, including the Hamilton Advertiser, East Kilbride News, Bellshill Speaker, Wishaw Press and Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser.
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 245069/245077 and help us reflect the good news stories that happen within NHS Lanarkshire every day.
16 thePulse RETIREMENTS
MAY/JUNE 2011
No rest for Dr Russell… he’s off to Guinea! VIEWPARK Health Centre’s Doctor Kenneth Russell retired in March after 23 years’ service. However, while Dr Russell, from Bothwell, says he is looking forward to taking it easy, he revealed that he and his wife, Maureen, are planning to spend three months in Guinea, West Africa, doing volunteer work. He said: “After practising for 41 years, I’m looking forward to more relaxation and not having to be somewhere at a specific time. “Before I started work at Viewpark, I worked for eight years in the Congo with Maureen.
“We’re now planning to spend three months in Guinea later this year doing volunteer work. “I’ve enjoyed my time at Viewpark and have been through all the stages of general practice. “We have a strong team here that helped me through all the changes during my career and I wish them good luck for the future.” Colleague Marie Jeffrey, practice manager for The Russell Practice, said: “Dr Russell will be sadly missed by GP colleagues and all his staff. “It has been a pleasure and honour to have worked with such a
gentleman. He has always commanded respect and loyalty from staff and patients alike.” Dr Russell and Maureen, a social worker who worked at Monklands Hospital before her retirement, are moving to a new home in rural Perthshire. Dr Russell was well known throughout
Lanarkshire and, in addition to general practice, performed minor surgery and vasectomies at the health centre for the past 15 years. His many hobbies include watercolour painting, photography and gardening. The Russell Practice is to be renamed the Willow Practice following Dr Russell’s retirement.
A dynamic duo Theatre pair had served for 77 years TWO of the Wishaw General theatre team’s most colourful characters retired at the end of March. Charge nurse Lottie Hunter, from Law, and clinical support worker Peter Fallon, from Carluke, left after 77 years’ service between them. Colleague Fiona O’Brien, theatre manager, said: “We will all miss Lottie and Peter terribly. “Lottie has dedicated her life to nursing. She loved to teach and organised seminars for her colleagues. “She will be a great loss to the department, leaving a void that will be impossible to fill, and will be sadly missed.” Fiona continued: “Peter has extensive experience in theatre and worked in all specialties.
BEST WISHES: Peter (wearing the striped jumper) and Lottie (holding flowers), pictured with their friends and colleagues at Wishaw General “He had 35 years’ service in theatre, having started in 1976 as an orderly, progressing to operating department auxillary. “Peter is a real practical joker and no-one was safe from his pranks. We wish him a long and happy retirement.” Lottie trained in nursing at Law Hospital from 1969 to 1973 and then in midwifery from 1973 to 1975 at the William Smellie Memorial Hospital.
Following a career break to have her family, she returned to Law Hospital in 1980 and worked in the surgical pool for the intensive therapy unit from 1980 until moving to theatre in 1983. Lottie and her husband, John, who was head of medical illustration at Wishaw General and Law Hospital before he retired two years ago, have three daughters – Fiona, Emma and Laura – and twin granddaughters, aged four.
She plans to spend her retirement with her family and teaching piano. Peter, in addition to his extensive experience in theatre, was also the branch secretary – and latterly the chair – for the National Union of Public Employees. He and his wife, Ann, are now planning to spend more time at their cottage at Loch Awe and in the south of Portugal.
Bill bids goodbye VICE-CHAIRMAN Bill Sutherland retired from NHS Lanarkshire in March. Bill, who stays near Lanark, joined the Health Board in 2004 as a non-executive director. Board chairman Ken Corsar said: “In Bill’s seven years in office, he has served the board with dedication and commitment. “He served with distinction as chair of the Audit Committee and as chair of the Pharmacy Practices Committee, where his grasp of strategy, attention to detail and talent for reason proved invaluable. “On behalf of all board members, I would like to thank Bill for his help, support and advice during his seven years with NHS Lanarkshire.” Bill said: “It has given me enormous pleasure to work with NHS Lanarkshire for the past seven years, and there have been some significant achievements during that time. “I believe the board is in good shape to face its current and future significant challenges, with its key focus on service delivery, quality improvement and value for money for taxpayers.” In addition to Bill’s roles as vice-chairman and chair of both the Audit Committee and the Pharmacy Practices Committee, he was also a member of the Equality, Diversity and Spirituality Committee. For most of his time with NHS Lanarkshire, he was also director of Human Resources at Strathclyde University, a position he retired from in 2009 having held it for 20 years.
Farewell to three ladies of Strathclyde
From left: Myra, Kathleen and Sandra said their farewells at a celebration lunch
STRATHCLYDE Hospital colleagues have bid a sad farewell to three popular members of staff. Sandra Smith, receptionist; Myra Philip, administration support; and Kathleen McShane, management team secretary, received gifts at a lunch celebration in March. Sandra joined NHS Lanarkshire 28 years ago as a nursing auxiliary with the Marie Curie Service. She said: “I’ll miss everyone here, but it’s the right time for me to be leaving, so I’m happy to be moving on.” Sandra, who is from Mossend, Bellshill, also worked with the
evening nursing service and district nursing service in Shotts. She was redeployed to administration in 2001, taking up a post in Wishaw Health Centre then in reception at Strathclyde Hospital. Myra, from Motherwell, had 20 years’ service with NHS Lanarkshire in various administration and clerical posts within the Dalziel Centre and Strathclyde Hospital. She said: “I can’t believe that I won’t need to come into work every day. “I’d like to thank everyone at Strathclyde for their generous gifts and I wish them well for the future.”
Kathleen, from Uddingston, had worked with NHS Lanarkshire since she joined as a temporary clerical officer at Kirklands in 1989. For most of her time she worked within estates and hotel services before moving to the Pathways to Work Condition Management Programme and then her current role in October 2010. She said: “It all feels a bit odd to be leaving and I think it will take a few months to sink in. But I’m looking forward to doing what I want without rushing about, and to spending more time with my family.”
MAY/JUNE 2011
COMPETITIONS
thePulse 17
Well done to the winners! Brownlie will e AILSA enjoy a mouth-watering curry at the Pink Turban Tandoori restaurant after winning the Pulse competition in the March-April issue. The receptionist with the Community Mental Health Team in East Kilbride correctly answered that it costs only £10.99 for the evening buffet at the Pink Turban on a Saturday night. Based at 157 Wishaw Road, Waterloo, Wishaw, the Indian restaurant is also offering NHS Lanarkshire staff a 25 per cent discount on its evening buffet and à la carte menu from Monday to Thursday. Just show your NHS ID.
A year of fun at the Carrick YOU could be playing glorious golf in the stunning surroundings of Loch Lomond courtesy of a fantastic competition. The Pulse has teamed up with the De Vere Group to offer a golf membership worth £295. The De Vere Club membership provides the chance to play 16 courses across the UK – including The Carrick, the 71-par course on the banks of Loch Lomond, designed by the acclaimed golf course designer Doug Carrick. The winner – or anyone taking out a membership – will receive 100 points on a membership card to use for games of golf where and when they want. They can play in members’ competitions, get a handicap, sign on guests and receive discounts in the members’ bar, the spa and the
Win a golf membership or take advantage of these great offers golf shop. Points can also be used for the spa, pull trolleys and the driving range. Points can be topped up at any time during the year’s membership. Games “cost” between six and 10 points, depending on the course and the time you play.
For a chance to win a De Vere Club golf membership, just tell us: who designed The Carrick?
NHS Lanarkshire staff who take advantage of the membership can further benefit from an exclusive offer, receiving a free nine-hole playing lesson with European Tour coach Spencer Edwards. The De Vere Group is offering NHS Lanarkshire staff some additional exclusive offers, including: q Golf with a group of friends at the preferential rate of £39 per person (summer green fees are usually £125) q Spa escape for only £99 (£20 supplement Friday to Sunday) including a two-hour spa experience, champagne lunch, refresher
Win £100 with
facial and relaxing massage and exclusive spa gift q Cameron Club NHS Membership – 10 per cent discount on membership fees with no joining fee and one month free. Send your answer, no later than Friday 10 June, to Martin Stirling at: Communications Department, Kirklands Corporate HQ, Fallside Road, Bothwell G71 8BB. Or email martin.stirling@ lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk with “De Vere Group Competition” in the subject field. Include your job title, place of work and a contact phone number.
For more information on the restaurant, visit its website at www.pinkturban.com or make a booking on 01698 375566 or 375835.
Sharon Ritchie is e DR looking forward to a two-night stay, for two, including B&B at the Acarsaid Hotel after she won a competition in The Pulse. The Wishaw Health Centre GP knew that you can get more details about the Pitlochry hotel online at www.acarsaidhotel.com The Acarsaid Hotel also offers great discounts to NHS Lanarkshire staff.
To find out more, visit www.nhsstaffbenefits.co.uk For more information on the Carrick and the De Vere Group membership, visit www.devere.co.uk/golf
To book, call the Acarsaid Hotel direct on 0845 263 6855 or email
[email protected]
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.
NOT only does the NHS Credit Union provide some fantastic financial services – they are also offering one lucky Pulse reader a £100 deposit in one of their savings accounts. The NHS Credit Union has been serving its members for 13 years and now offers services to all NHS staff in Scotland and North England, including NHS Lanarkshire. Members can pay into their accounts direct from their salary, making it easier than ever to save and borrow. Credit unions are owned and controlled by a group of members who share a common bond. Members pool their savings and make loans to each other at low rates of interest. The credit union in turn pays out a regular dividend on savings, and offers a unique and flexible range of financial services to members. They are also concerned about the financial welfare of members, rather than purely making a profit. The team over at the NHS Credit Union have put together a list of tips to help you control your finances:
q Get organised – Don’t just open and throw away your bills and statements. Keep them organised somewhere you can easily access and see them when you need to. q Budget – calculate how much money is coming in and going out each month. If you have funds left over, try to save some of it. If you have no money left, check your list again to see what you can cut. q Review your utility bills – shop around, you could save money on your gas, electricity, TV subscriptions etc. q Set financial goals – save for Christmas or a holiday, clear off an outstanding credit card or loan. To give you a helping hand sprucing up your finances, the NHS Credit
For a chance to win, just tell us: when was the NHS Credit Union founded?
Union would like to give you a chance to win £100 in an NHS Credit Union savings account. Send your answers, no later than Friday 10 June, to Martin Stirling at: Communications Department, Kirklands Corporate HQ, Fallside Road, Bothwell G71 8BB. Alternatively, email
[email protected]. nhs.uk with “Credit Union Competition” in the subject field. Remember to include your job title, place of work and a contact telephone number. Terms & conditions apply, available on request from the Credit Union. All entrants will receive communications from the NHS Credit Union. For more information on your NHS Credit Union, visit www.nhscredit union.com or call on 0141 445 0022.
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18 thePulse PATIENT FOCUS
MAY/JUNE 2011
Surveying patients A SECOND national survey of people who have been an inpatient in hospital is now under way. The survey is being sent to people who were in hospital between October 2009 and September 2010 and asks them to report on their experiences right through from admission through to discharge. The results are due to be published by the Scottish Government in August 2011. If a patient asks you about the survey, please encourage them to complete it as the results are
being used to make improvements for the future. Meanwhile, an improvement plan has been developed following the first national survey and was approved by NHS Lanarkshire Board at its meeting in February 2011. The improvement plan is available on the Board Papers section of NHS Lanarkshire’s website at www.nhslanarkshire.org.uk/boards For further information contact Shona Welton, head of patient affairs, on 01698 245197.
Patients from across the entire Hairmyres Hospital site will benefit from the Patient Transport Service
Moving forward Patient Transport Service pilot to be extended THE pilot of the Patient Transport Service (PTS) is to be extended to the entire Hairmyres Hospital site before rolling out across Lanarkshire. The joint decision was taken by NHS Lanarkshire and the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) directors following a successful joint pilot to test a central booking service for patients within five outpatient departments within Hairmyres Hospital. The eight-month pilot provided all patients with a Patient Information Leaflet along with their appointment letter. The leaflet explained ambulance transport eligibility and how to book it directly by calling the central booking service. The extension follows consistent positive results as well as positive feedback from patient engagement questionnaires and events as well regular reviews with staff and patient representatives which
The new approach in joint working has been a very rewarding experience have consistently demonstrated efficiencies. Among the main benefits identified are: q The central booking allows patients to directly speak to staff when booking q Central booking staff get better quality information q There is a more effective application of the eligibility criteria q There is less paperwork and a reduction in time spent booking ambulances by NHS Lanarkshire staff q Less SAS staff time wasted on unnecessary journeys.
Kate Bell, change and innovation manager who is leading the service change, said: “In the first two months we recorded a 45 per cent reduction in wasted journeys and a 61 per cent decrease in overall demand. “An increase in proactive cancellations by the public and staff can now be reused in terms of planning of other journeys. “The new approach in joint working has been a very rewarding experience for both organisations and has seen clear benefits to patients and staff as well as joint working. “I think patients appreciate the benefits such as a single number to call and fewer wasted journeys. This frees up SAS vehicles to be in the right place to transport patients to their appointments.” For more background information on the PTS pilot, visit the Change and Innovation section on FirstPort at http://firstport/sites/cid/default.aspx
PRAISE WHERE PRAISE IS DUE EVERYONE enjoys it when they feel their efforts have been appreciated – healthcare professionals enjoy it especially when that appreciation comes from in the form of positive feedback from patients and their relatives for the care that has been provided. It is sometimes too easy to focus on negative remarks, however, from the positive comments that NHS Lanarkshire staff receive about the care they provide they know that, in the majority of occasions, they get things right. Practice development practitioner Maxine Kinnoch wants to emphasise how important patient-centred compassionate care is to patients. She said: “It is often a challenge for our practice to remain compassionate and genuinely caring. “We often try to address these challenges in relation to caring for our patients in the manner that we would want our loved ones to be cared for. “Taking note of feedback for our patients and relatives guides our practices in a positive way that can define how we practice in future. “We want to highlight the caring and compassionate practices which have been appreciated by the people that are most important to us, our patients and their relatives.”
The following comments are from patients who were keen to have their praise passed on: q “My father suffers from Alzheimer’s disease and was admitted to Ward 15, Monklands. “The staff dealt with him in a good-natured and unfailingly considerate manner. They displayed high levels of professionalism and care.” q “Every single member of staff was totally professional, caring and considerate and an absolute credit to all attached to Monklands Hospital.” q “Donald Trump would be hard pressed to better this service,” one patient said of their journey through Hairmyres from Colorectal to Intensive Care to Ward 6 to outpatients. “Nothing was a problem to any member of staff, work was carried out with a smile which gives a patient a boost. “ q “After being an emergency admission on Wishaw General’s Ward 13, my mother was shown nothing but care, compassion and love. “The staff treated her as an individual by establishing the fact that they could call her by her first name and as such she relaxed into their care.”
MAY/JUNE 2011
TRAINING
SIM-PLE IDEA A high-tech simulator is being used to help staff diagnose when someone has had a stroke ACCURATE assessment of a stroke can be crucial to a patient’s recovery and improving these diagnostic skills was the aim of an innovative training programme held in Lanarkshire. STAT (Stroke and TIA Assessment Tr a i n i n g ) , d e v e l o p e d b y Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, uses a high-tech simulator to show staff what to look for when treating someone suspected of suffering a stroke. By diagnosing quickly whether the person is having a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) – a ministroke or stroke-like symptoms – staff can ensure their patient makes the best possible recovery. The two consultants who developed the training, Chris Price and Mark Garside, took the NHS Lanarkshire stroke staff though the STAT course. Chris said: “By using a life-like simulator that talks, breathes and has a pulse, we can demonstrate the different symptoms of a stroke so staff know what to look out for when they are in a real-life situation. “Staff then get individual feedback on how they have done, so that they can learn where they can improve.” Fiona Ewart, NHS Lanarkshire’s stroke practice development
DO YOU FOLLOW ME? Katrina Brennan checks the “patient’s” vision as part of a role playing exercise during the STAT training
The new NHS Lanarkshire STAT trainers are… q Fiona Ewart q Jim Harrison, professional development educator, Scottish Ambulance Service q Dr Wendy Russell, clinical teaching fellow, Monklands q Katrina Brennan, stroke managed clinical network (MCN) manager facilitator, said: “This training is invaluable to any nursing or junior medical staff who are involved in the assessment of patients experiencing a stroke or TIA. “The staff who attended the STAT training session are now qualified to
q Dr Mark Barber, lead clinician, stroke MCN q Carolann O’Donnell, charge nurse, A&E Monklands q Dr Brian MacInnes, consultant, Hairmyres q Shirley-Anne O’Hare, charge nurse, A&E Monklands offer this training to nursing and medical staff working in emergency care and acute stroke units. “We can now help to improve the ability of our staff to accurately and quickly diagnose strokes and improve recovery.”
q Dr Gillian Kerr, consultant, Wishaw q Fiona Torrance, charge nurse, A&E Wishaw q Campbell Chalmers, stroke nurse consultant q Catie Paton, acting clinical skills development specialist.
For more information on the STAT training course, visit www.stroke sim.nhs.uk or to learn about stroke training within NHS Lanarkshire, email
[email protected] or call 01236 707582.
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Knowledge and skills training A NEW training programme will provide staff with the essential skills to meet the core dimensions of the knowledge and skills framework (KSF). Skill Builder is a one-day training course, which will help you achieve levels one and two of the core dimensions. Elaine McGuinness, training and development officer, said: “Many useful topics will be covered and tried-and-tested theory will be shared. “It will also be lots of fun with plenty of opportunities to learn from each other.” Dates and venues are: q Thursday 13 May, 9.15am to 4.30pm (pilot programme), Syndicate Room 3, Education and Training Centre, Wishaw General q Tuesday 24 May, 9.15am to 4.30pm, Training Room, Education and Training Centre, Hairmyres Hospital q Tuesday 21 June, 9.15am to 4.30pm, Syndicate Room 3, Education and Training Centre, Wishaw General q Monday 13 June, 9.15am to 4.30pm; Training Room 1, Learning Centre, Law House. For further information, email elaine.mcguinness@ lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk or call 01698 377817 or visit http://firstport/sites/ odandtraining/trainingand development/default.aspx Course nomination forms can be obtained from lorna.galloway@ lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk or by calling 01698 366765.
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@ lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk
MEDICAL EDUCATION
q For queries, contact training co-ordinators on 01698 366521 or meded@lanarkshire. scot.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 366581 Morag Downie 01698 366575 Anne Halavage 01698 366582 Natalie Snodgrass 01698 366590
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@ lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk
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@ lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk
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 PEOPLE
MAY/JUNE 2011
Honours due Our reservists
From left: Jane Thomson, squadron leader Royal Auxiliary Air Force; Robert Littlejohn, Lowland SaBRE campaign director; Colonel David McArthur, 205 Field Hospital, Territorial Army (TA); Jacqueline Templeton; Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Platt, 6 SCOTS TA; Ken Corsar; Samantha Wadelik; Ewan Macdonald; Peter McKinlay and David Clough FIVE NHS Lanarkshire staff who volunteer for the Territorial Army and Royal Auxiliary Air Force were honoured by the health board at a special event. David Clough, Jacqueline Templeton, Samantha Wadelik, Peter McKinlay and Jennifer Wyper have all been posted overseas – including in Afghanistan and Iraq – over the past decade, caring for wounded servicemen and civilians. NHS Lanarkshire’s chairman Ken Corsar and Ewan Macdonald, deputy director of HR and
NHS Lanarkshire paid tribute to five brave members of staff who use their skills to serve our country overseas Honorary Colonel 225 Medical Regiment (Volunteers), paid tribute to their efforts. Ewan said: “ We’re hugely impressed by the contribution these individuals make and we wanted to celebrate not only what they do for the country but also what they bring to the NHS. “Reservists are highly skilled and
the training and experience they receive, working alongside regular forces, helps to improve their management, leadership and problem-solving skills – which has benefits for us when they return to work.” Ken added: “As an organisation, we’re more than happy to support employees who want to offer their
services for the good of the country. “It’s a tremendous sacrifice on their part and this event was a way of recognising and showing our appreciation of the work they do.” Reservists support the regular forces as and when required. This can involve reservists taking part in operations in conflict
q David Clough, a consultant anaesthetist based at Monklands Hospital and a lieutenant colonel in the Territorial Army. q Jacqueline Templeton, an accident and emergency staff nurse at Monklands Hospital and a corporal in the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. q Samantha Wadelik, a radiographer in Wishaw Hospital and a sergeant in the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. q Peter McKinlay, a catering supervisor at Hartwoodhill Hospital and a sergeant in the Territorial Army. q Jennifer Wyper, based at Larkhall Health Clinic and a corporal with the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. (Jennifer was unable to attend the event.)
zones such as Afghanistan, where they currently make up around nine percent of Britain’s forces in that country. Jacqueline, an accident and emergency staff nurse at Monklands Hospital and corporal in the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, said: “It’s a two-way process. There are attributes I’ve developed while on duty which I can use in my day-to-day work. “However, the forces have also benefited from some of the skills I learn as a health worker.”
Wishaw wins Hospital Pharmacy Team of the Year for second time A PHARMACY team at Wishaw General Hospital scooped a top award at the Scottish Pharmacist Awards ceremony in Edinburgh. The team, from paediatrics and neonates, fought off tough competition from throughout Scotland to scoop the prestigious Hospital Pharmacy Team of the Year Award. This is the second time the team has won the award. Gail Richardson, head of pharmacy at Wishaw General, said: “I am
delighted to see the team recognised in such a way and congratulate every one of them on the award. “It shows how important communication is among such a small and specialised team. “The team works well because of the individual members who are all dedicated staff, and ensure that before leaving the workplace all issues have been adequately dealt with and communicated to clinical staff. “Each member willingly helps other members of the team and will
CELEBRATIONS: The team was delighted to win the award
regularly answer specific inquiries out of hours when junior staff are providing weekend or emergency duty service.” The team specialises in clinical pharmacy services to women and children, with pharmacists providing
advice to the multidisciplinary team and carers within paediatrics, neonates and maternity. Senior pharmacists Hazel Fisher and Lynsay McAulay lead the team, in addition to providing on the job training for junior pharmacists.
The Awards, held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, recognise the enthusiasm and innovative approach to healthcare by the pharmacy team which ensures patients receive the very best pharmaceutical care.
