Drive to beat TB - NHS Lanarkshire

NEWS FOR NHS LANARKSHIRE STAFF • MAY/JUNE 2011
Page 7
Page 5
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
2 thePulse GENERAL NEWS
MAY/JUNE 2011
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
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the work and achievements of staff and services. It also shares
information about the changes and issues that affect staff at work. We
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Martin Stirling
01698 245069
Michelle Nobes
(Hairmyres)
01355 585325
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(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.
MAY/JUNE 2011
GENERAL NEWS
thePulse
3
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.
4 thePulse GENERAL NEWS
MAY/JUNE 2011
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.”
MAY/JUNE 2011
GENERAL NEWS
thePulse
5
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
6 thePulse GENERAL NEWS
MAY/JUNE 2011
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.
MAY/JUNE 2011
GENERAL NEWS
7
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
thePulse
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.
macdonald@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk
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,
linda@slcn.co.uk 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
service@southlanarkshire.gov.uk 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.
price@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk and
natalie.snodgrass@lanarkshire.
scot.nhs.uk or 01698 366590.
GENERAL NEWS
thePulse
9
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.
thePulse 11
“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
thePulse 13
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
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o
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o
s
t
r
a
t
Work s
e
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it
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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
pollee69@gmail.com
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 mail@mpmhotels.com
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
martin.stirling@lanarkshire.scot.
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.
9
4
7
3
2
5
6
6
7
4
5
1
9
8
9
1
3
7
2
5
8
3
6
4
1
6
7
6
2
1
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
fiona.ewart@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk or
call 01236 707582.
thePulse 19
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.