Team Update Issue 32 November 2006 www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk N orth East Floods—A M ajor incident for N H S H ighland

A multi-agency major incident was called in High- land in response to the storm and flooding on 26 October in East . Management Teams and staff in Ross and Cro- marty and and co-ordinated actions and interventions for the continuity for ser- vices in these areas and support for other agen- cies. The level of risk was assessed with regard to po- tential flooding and loss of sanitation at Ross Me- morial Hospital. Staff liased throughout with Scot- tish Ambulance Service and with Raigmore Hospi- tal over the possible need to evacuate patients. The situation with regard to hospital services at Dingwall was under constant assessment and re- Picture: Anne Macleod, Senior Radiographer and Tina assessment and the high tide passed without inci- Rae, Enrolled Nurse, Ross Memorial Hospital. dent. Management also kept in touch with the OOH hub Service Continuity Group, which has been set up to ensure there was appropriate OOH doctor cov- to review and harmonise NHS Highland’s Major erage in light of the road closures and worsening Incident Plan and Service Continuity arrange- weather expected. ments. Highland Council contacted Ross Memorial Hospi- tal for the supply of blankets and towels for several evacuated people. Public Holiday Dates are on “Everyone was superb, calm and supportive of oth- ers, all pulling together, considered in their re- p ag e 5 sponses and going that extra little bit that makes these things easier to manage. Thanks all those involved. “ said Alison Phimister, Assistant General Manager, Mid Highland CHP Inside ... Roger Gibbins, Chief Executive, says: “I would like to express my thanks and appreciation to all staff who have worked above and beyond the Page call of duty during the bad weather affecting the 2 Smoking Ban Proposals Mid-Highland and North CHPs. 3 Medical Director Staff in NHS Highland have shown their initiative in 3 December Pay responding to the staffing and clinical issues which 4 Agenda for Change Update occurred due to the weather. I know many staff 5 Public Holidays have gone to extra lengths to ensure they got in to 6 Acute Medical Assessment Unit work and that shifts were covered, and that those 6 Caithness Laboratory Investment who needed help and assistance were supported. 7 Translated Materials Once again, many thanks to all staff for all their 8 Syringe Pump Changeover Programme hard work and effort.” 9 Letters The major incident came just a couple of days after the first meeting of the Emergency Planning and 10 Staff Flu Jab 10 Events

Page 1 Working with you to make Highland the healthy place to be M oving tow ards a site w ide smoking ban The Board is consulting staff and patient groups This would mean that Smoking would not on aspirations to ban smoking on all sites permitted in all NHS Highland buildings and across NHS Highland and has asked the To- their grounds (whether owned or leased), bacco Working Group, which reports to the Area vehicles, and areas, which ventilate into Partnership Forum, to identify and recommend buildings. There would be no exceptions to solutions to the implementation of a site wide the ban in any of NHS Highland’s facilities. smoking ban. The Board recognises the substantial Changes to the Tobacco Policy are being pro- change and the challenges involved in im- posed, which strengthen NHS Highland’s com- plementing such a complete ban, but feels mitment to providing a safe and healthy environ- that this is an important strategic step to- ment for all staff, patients and visitors. In line wards a healthier population. with this changes are being proposed to our No If you wish to comment on the proposed Smoking Policy to reflect our move to have changes to the Tobacco policy, please write smoke-free sites for the delivery and support of to Douglas Seago, , Old all NHS Highland activity. Perth Road, .

Appointments: Dr Alison Graham will be leaving her post as Medical Director for NHS Highland at the end of January 2007. Alison will be taking up a new post as Medical Director of NHS Lanarkshire. This is a great loss to NHS Highland. Alison has made a valuable and significant contribution to the NHS in the Highlands over the last eight years and she will be very difficult to replace. We will miss her wise advice at the NHS Board. I am sure that you will join me in wishing Alison well in her new post. We are arranging for recruitment of Alison's successor immediately. Inevitably, there is likely to be a gap between Alison leaving and her successor taking up post and we will need to review how her responsi- bilities will be covered. We will let you know when this has been agreed. Roger Gibbins, Chief Executive, NHS Highland

From the editor ... agenda for change etc. I do appreciate this is du- plication for a number of staff, but the over-riding view was that this was, for a relatively small print- Some staff have raised concerns about the ex- ing cost, (some 9p per staff), a worthwhile thing to pense of sending out last month’s Team Update to do. all staff. As Anne Gent, Director of HR, has ex- plained, we had to post a pension leaflet to all If you would like to write an article or submit in- staff and we decided to take advantage of this nec- formation or photographs for the Team Update or essary expense to enclose a special edition of the Staff Magazine, in-touch., please write in to Team Update. We always make sure this is avail- me or email the Corporate Team via the email ad- able electronically, however, many staff still do not dress on the NHS Highland Website: staff@haht. have electronic access to read this or print it off. scot.nhs.uk They may work remotely, where it is often difficult to If you would like a copy of this or a previous download documents, or in a ward situation, a clini- edition of the Team Update, please contact Erin cian may not in the course of her/his day have ac- Greig on 01463 705771 or myself on 01463 cess or time to see the Intranet. Also, we have a 704781. Remember, your news and views large number of facilities staff who don't have elec- are important! tronic access. This was a one-off opportunity where Ruth Cleland we could circulate the Team Update to bring every- H ead of Internal Com m unications, one, regardless of their role or electronic access, up N H S H ighland, A ssynt H ouse, B eechw ood Park, to the same speed with regard to news about NHS Highland and raise awareness about where to get Inverness IV 2 3H G information. We also have staff governance obliga- Email: ruth.cleland@ haht.scot.nhs.uk tions to ensure all staff are kept informed about the organisation and important information about Page 2 A PF to take a lead role in tackling D ignity at W ork issues October’s Team Update reported on the initial findings of the staff survey, which were discussed at length at the Area Partnership Forum (APF) meeting in September and the Board meeting in October.

Bullying and harassment has been highlighted as a priority for the organi- sation to tackle, with the APF taking a lead role. Early discussions are tak- ing place as to what has been achieved so far and what can make an ad- ditional difference.

A staff governance action group, chaired by Anne Gent, Director of HR, and reporting to the APF, has been meeting to analyse and develop a co- ordinated response to the key themes identified in the survey. The report analysis is broken down by area and each of the operational units is identifying local themes, which can be tackled locally.

N ew R ights for Expectant M others Expectant mothers with babies due on or after 1 gering a return to work or affecting SMP; April 2007 have new rights to maternity leave and • The start of the Maternity Pay period has been pay. Babies with a due date prior to 1 April 2007 brought into line with the start of Maternity will not qualify for these new provisions even if they Leave. SMP or MA will start on the same day are born on or after 1 April 2007. Changes to the as your Maternity Leave, i.e. the day stated in rules affecting adoption leave, adoption pay, and your notice or, if applicable, the day after your return to work, where adoption placement is due first day of pregnancy related absence (in the on or after 1 April 2007 will also come into effect at four weeks immediately prior to your due date) this time. These changes mirror statutory mater- or the day after the birth. nity provisions. • Employers can maintain "reasonable contact" Employees should be aware that we are still await- with women on maternity leave. ing HDL direction with regards to how this will im- Future Changes pact on contractual maternity provisions. Our Ma- Further changes to maternity provisions are ex- ternity Packs will be updated with this information pected by 2010. The government intends to in- as soon as this becomes available. crease maternity pay to 52 weeks by 2010 and to Under the new regulations: introduce additional Paternity Leave (APL) and Ad- • Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) increases from ditional Statutory Paternity Pay which can be taken 26 to 39 weeks; in the second six months of the child’s life. Indica- • All women qualify for 26 weeks' additional tions are that some of the APL could be paid if the leave following 26 weeks' ordinary maternity mother has returned to work and has had some of leave regardless of length of service; her entitlement to SMP or MA left at the time of re- • The notification period for an early return to turn. work rises from 28 days to eight weeks; If you have any queries regarding your entitle- • Employees may work up to 10 "keeping in ments please contact your Personnel Officer for touch" days during maternity leave without trig- further advice.

December Pay

Monthly paid staff will receive their December pay on Thursday 21st December. Weekly paid staff will receive their pay on Thursdays as normal.

Page 3 A genda for Change - Progress Update All staff will have received a detailed update on pro- sation that we can only pay arrears to them if gress in the last edition of Team Update which was they write to the Pay Unit or Personnel, prefera- posted to your home address, so this month we’re bly quoting their former pay number. taking the chance to remind you of some of the proc- esses which are essential if we’re to successfully o Managers also need to submit KSF Outlines by conclude implementation as early as possible. But email to the KSF mailbox by 31 December. we do have some updates too: Where outlines have already been submitted, managers and staff should be familiarising o We now have more jobs back from Scottish level themselves with the PDP&R process and aim- following consistency checking there. We hope ing to submit this paperwork in line with the to be able to assimilate staff in these jobs in De- guidance on the Intranet and by no later than 31 cember. Managers and staff representatives for March 2007. these groups will be invited to a Briefing Session in early January. KS F—Key Points for M anagers o Briefing sessions are also underway in Paisley for managers and staff reps in Argyll & Bute. De- tails of these have been circulated. Please re- · All e-mails to the KSF Mailbox must include the post reference number in the "Subject" member that the order in which staff groups are of the e-mail assimilated is different in Argyll & Bute compared to the remainder of NHS Highland, and queries · ( Outlines should indicate on this should be referred to the AfC Team in "A&B" in the "Subject" of the e-mail) Paisley. · Only one outline per e-mail (remember to o We plan to pay arrears to a further group of include the post reference number). about 450 staff in November. This will mean that over 50% of staff assimilated will have their ar- · Foundation and Fully Developed outlines in rears by Christmas. We have to fit in payment of the same e-mail is fine. arrears as best we can with the assimilation timetable, which means we action the straight- · Resubmissions should be indicated by in- forward calculations first. We recognise this can cluding "Resubmission of..." in the "Subject" be frustrating for staff who have been waiting for of the e-mail. (Remember to also include arrears for some time, but we feel on balance the post reference number) this is the best way forward. · Please complete all the following informa- o Responsibilities of Managers tion (found in the WORD templates of the Core 1 Dimension): There is detailed advice for managers on the Intra- net, but we need to emphasise a few points: · Title of post, who created the outline, confir- mation that the outline is agreed between o We need all outstanding job descriptions NOW. postholder and manager, who the post is to We send out updates to managers on a regular be assigned to (include all names if more basis but we still have almost 80 job descriptions than one), who the postholder reports to outstanding. (and what their position is) and a description of the Job Purpose. All this information is o We need managers to provide the employee required before it can be put forward for data we request in full and by the deadline given, consistency checking. otherwise we can’t assimilate all staff at the · Please avoid submitting an outline more same time. Please note that this information is than once unless it has been changed and NOT available from the pay unit and must be is being "resubmitted". sourced from employees’ personal files. This can be a major task so please ensure sufficient ad- ministrative and clerical resource is allocated to allow you to meet the deadline set. o Managers should advise staff leaving the organi- Page 4 Highland HealthVOICES H ighland H ealthV O ICES N etw ork – Public Partnership Forum Highland HealthVOICES Network (HHVN) – the colleagues in Argyll and Bute on the Public Partnership Forum for NHS Highland, is a development process for the Public G U T H S l à i n t e n a group of individuals with an interest in health mat- Partnership Forum for their area. G a i d h e a l t a c h d ters who are keen to get involved with the work of NHS Highland. Membership now stands at nearly If your department is considering service review, 230 and there are members located throughout the change or development, remember you have to whole area. involve patients and carers in that process. The HHVN is only one of a range of methods of involv- The members of the network join by completing a ing the public. For example, there are many exist- simple registration form on which they note their ing patient/carer/voluntary groups with specific fo- interests, which range from alcohol services to vis- cus and expertise. The HHVN coordinating staff ual impairment, and tell us how they would like to can provide information on the most appropriate be involved. Some members are happy simply be- ways of involvement and contact information. ing kept up to date with service developments, but others are involved in a range of projects and If you would like to find out more about how mem- working groups, reference groups and focus bers of the Network could help you or if you want groups, including participating in the CHP and SSU to involve the public in a project, please contact committees. A regular newsletter has been devel- the co-ordinating office. A template for use in ask- oped and articles of interest to members are al- ing for involvement of members for use by staff is ways welcome from staff. also available from the Intranet. Remember the Highland HealthVOICES Network is a resource for Registration forms are available from NHS High- everyone in NHS Highland, please make use of it. land’s website in the http://www.show.scot.nhs.uk/ nhshighland/ in the ‘Getting involved’ section and For more information please contact Joyce from libraries, service points, GP surgeries and Thompson at Assynt House, tel: 01463 704702, or hospitals. Anyone can be a member – providing email [email protected] they live or have a substantial interest in Highland region. Since April we have been working with our Public H olidays for 2007-8 The Area Partnership Forum have agreed the fol- The dates for NHS Highland (excl Argyll and lowing designated set of dates for public holidays. Bute CHP) are to be: Differences in patient flow patterns and school holi- Friday 6 April 2007 days between the Argyll and Bute and Highland Monday 7 May 2007 areas have been taken into account and mean that Monday 6 August 2007 there is a variation between the two areas of two of Friday 12 October 2007 the dates. Tuesday 25 December 2007 This differential approach was considered the best Wednesday 26 December 2007 way forward for staff in the coming year and further Tuesday 1 January 2008 discussions will take place later next year on the Wednesday 2 January 2008 approach for future years. GP Surgeries share only the Christmas and New The dates for Argyll and Bute CHP are to be: Year dates, therefore operational managers will Friday 6 April 2007 need to assess service requirements, such as rou- Monday 9 April 2007 tine laboratory services. Monday 7 May 2007 Monday 24 September 2007 The NHS Highland Modernising Medical Ca- Tuesday 25 December 2007 reers website is now live. Wednesday 26 December 2007 It contains useful background reading as well Tuesday 1 January 2008 as up to date information on MMC issues relat- Wednesday 2 January 2008 ing to NHS Highland. It can be accessed via the intranet, the SHOW site or by clicking on the following link; http://www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/Careers% 20and%20Staff/mmc/ Page 5 Community Services “Stramash” scored Gold Excellence A w ards again in the Health Improvement Category of the Excellence Awards, with its “Expeditions” project. In less than three years their summer programme has taken Argyll and Bute Council from being in the position of not providing an outdoor education programme to the status of being the leading pro- vider of a summer outdoor programme in Scot- land. Dr Viv Shelley, from sponsors NHS Highland, said, “This project was implemented in a creative way to ensure that no children were excluded from the programme. It has made a positive contribu- tion towards improving the health and well-being Picture—Picking up the award for Health Improvement - of hundreds of children across Argyll and Bute.” Stramash Expeditions - from left to right Sharon MacKechnie, Niall Urquhart, Jennifer Matheson, Muriel Kupris and Elaine Garman from NHS Highland A cute M edical A ssessment Unit D evelopment

A new development will see a number of referred for immediate medical assessment of- changes being introduced to the current ten had to be admitted to facilitate rapid investi- medical admissions ward (6a Raigmore). To gation and assessment. Now, we will have mark the changes the Ward will be re-named more options available which will allow us to as the Acute Medical Assessment Unit work with GPs and patients to reduce the need [AMAU]. to admit some patients.” Benefits to the Unit will include increased The new services will sit alongside other ex- facility for next day assessment in an outpa- isting rapid access services in Raigmore, in- tient clinic. GPs will also be able to get ad- cluding the Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinic and vice from a consultant over the phone when the Neurovascular Clinic. they make a referral. These developments Chief Operating Officer - Elaine Mead added; will be supported by the appointment of a new “This development is about delivering care for Acute Care Physician, Dr Martin Wilson. The patients in the most appropriate environment post is initially for 5 months, but is likely to be for their needs. We are constantly trying to re- extended if the anticipated benefits are con- duce delays and provide appropriate alterna- firmed. tives to people having to be admitted to an Commenting on the benefits of the Unit, Dr acute setting.” Wilson said: “In the past patients who were Investment in Caithness Laboratory The North Highland CHP is investing around before a re-inspection in the New Year. £50,000 to improve and modernise laboratory Sheen Craig explained, “An internal investiga- facilities in Caithness General’s bloodbank, tion has begun into what has gone wrong so with the aim of getting it re-opened as soon that something like this can never happen as possible. The money is being targeted at again. We have developed an action plan to a number of structural changes, including address every issue raised by the inspection new equipment and fittings, a new ventilation and the investment we are putting into the system and modern floor coverings. laboratory will help us to meet national stan- The recent inspection, which led to the clo- dards. We are also examining systems and sure of the laboratory, identified a number of protocols to ensure that we are providing a issues, which are now all being addressed, safe and high quality service in the future.”

Page 6 N H S H ighland W ebsite and Intranet new s www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk

Earlier this year new Content Management soft- Helpdesk. For example, you will be able to publish ware was purchased for our web pages. We are minutes of meetings directly onto the website, and now at the stage of appointing a Consultancy to im- training will be provided to enable departments to plement the necessary changes to our public web- develop their own webpages, within agreed pa- site and our Intranet. The changes will mean that rameters and standards, and maintain them. The we will have a more manageable site with a search software will have built in reminders, archive and engine and better accessibility for disabled groups. delete functions, which will mean out webpages A key difference for staff across the organisation, will be more up to date and more easily main- is that departments will be able to publish and up- tained. date their own information, without going through IT We will keep you informed as this project pro- gresses.

ager said: “If we are to give equity of service, it’s Translated M aterials so important to be able to access information in A new page, listing information leaflets currently other languages and also to have the English ver- available in alternative languages, has been added sions so we know what we’re giving people.” to NHS Highland’s SHOW website {insert website address}. This webpage contains leaflets and We are keen to add items to the page so as to booklets which can be downloaded by staff and share them as widely as possible. If staff find any members of the public. English language versions useful documents in other languages or have are also available here. Items on the page are items translated locally, please email them and those which we have received from national organi- their English language equivalents to Natalie Mo- sations, such as NHS Health , and those rel, Policy Development Manager, Community & which staff in NHS Highland have sourced else- Health Improvement Planning Team – natalie. where or have had translated. [email protected] Cathy Steer, Joint Acting Health Promotion Man-

went on to say, “We want as many people as pos- N H S 24 Translation S ervices sible to use this resource in case they need to ac- NHS 24 and NHS Highland are working in partner- cess NHS 24. We therefore have asked all our ship to reach out to people who do not speak Eng- partners in local NHS Boards, along with all local lish as a first language. NHS 24 has produced an authorities throughout Scotland to offer the materi- information sheet, which has been translated into als to non- English speaking individuals and fami- several languages explaining the patient journey, lies who they may come into contact with.” during the out-of-hours period, and how callers, All the foreign translations can be downloaded who do not speak English, can request a translator. and printed from either www.nhs24.com or www. Tom Greatrex, Director of Corporate Affairs for nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/language. NHS 24 said: “For people who do not speak Eng- lish, NHS 24 provides telephone interpreters for We have a link direct to this from our external 120 different languages, through language line.” He website under Hot Topics.

S cottish Liasison and D ischarge Planning N urses Forum

The purpose of this forum is to bring together Scotland travelled to Inverness, where the forum nurses whose role is primarily concerned with man- was hosted in the RNI. aging the discharge of patients with complex needs Two members of the Unscheduled Care Project from hospital care from hospital care. The forum is came to talk to the group about the work that has used to share good practice and discuss innovative been done in NHS Highland, focussing on Raig- solutions to the complex issue of good discharge more, in our medical directorate, specifically in 6a management. and A/E Previously the group have met in the central belt, however, in September colleagues from across

Page 7 S yringe Pump Changeover Programme

A training programme to support the planned sy- for ringe pump changeover programme has been run- Louise Shakespeare - MacMillan Nurse, Caith- ning throughout Highland. Information about the ness General Hospital for Caithness new McKinley T34 syringe pump is available on the Marion MacKay - MacMillan Nurse, Lawson Me- NHS Highland intranet - under Resources for Clini- morial Hospital, Golspie for East and North West cal Staff - Equipment Changeover for Syringe Driv- Sutherland ers or at http://intranet2.nhsh.scot.nhs.uk/clinical/ Wilma Halley - MacMillan Nurse, Highland Hos- default.asp. pice, Inverness for South East CHP Trainers have been identified from each of the Chris Magee - MacMillan Nurse, Ross Lodge, North, South East and Mid Highland Community Dingwall for Ross-shire Health Partnerships. Care homes, Marie Curie and Specialist Services Unit have also been invited to The new pumps will be in place from 15th Novem- send nominated trainers. A list of trainers will be ber and this will be facilitated by the local trainers. added to the intranet site once training is complete The return of pumps will be co-ordinated by local- and circulated to clinical managers. ity management. All Graseby MS26 syringe drivers ( and any Roll-out training took place in October and Novem- MS16a syringe drivers) must be returned to John ber. Crossley at the Medical Physics Department, Locality training leads are Lis Phillips - MacMillan Raigmore Hospital, Inverness by 20th November Nurse, Broadford for Skye and Lochalsh 2006. Kathryn McCall - MacMillan Nurse, Community N etw ork TV Initiative The community network TV initiative has placed variety of health information is broadcast, and can nine 42” plasma TV screens at various locations tie this in with our health campaigns. around Inverness, including Raigmore Hospital, and The system allows us to add ‘For Your Informa- one in the health centre in Tain. The TVs broadcast tion’ static messages which will appear between a 30 minute loop of ‘infomercials’ including commu- the video ads, and the initiative could prove to be nity safety messages, emergency messages and a valuable tool in encouraging healthy lifestyles local information. and engaging the community in consultation. Al- The project is led by Inverness City Partnership, and though the TVs are only placed in Inverness and a multi agency steering group has overseen its de- Tain at the moment, it is hoped that the network velopment. We have been involved with the project can be expanded to include additional localities to ensure that there is a range of health information across Highland. included in the play list, and currently the system is If you would like more information about the sys- running ‘infomercials’ promoting the smoking cessa- tem or have any ideas about information or mes- tion service, positive mental health, physical activity sages we would like to see appear in the loop, and healthy eating. We can change the ads broad- please let me know. cast in the play list at regular intervals to ensure a Cathy Steer [email protected] Audrey Macdonald

Audrey Macdonald, Medical Secretary to Mr Paul Fisher, died suddenly on 25 Oc- tober. Audrey, who was 28,had worked at Caithness General Hospital for 11 years and was held in high regard by all those who knew her. Her work was done with quiet efficiency and she will be sadly missed by friends and colleagues, whose thoughts are now with Audrey's Contact Jennifer Lobban, 01463 706915/706880 family. Page 8 Letters to N H S H ighland "The staff in A&E and in ITU My husband had a slight heart Having been in gave the most superb care to attack while on holiday and more than once we are most my husband. They also sup- from the paramedics, the doc- impressed by the surgical ported me and appreciated tor on the scene, the doctors team and anaesthetists, the the shock and distress that I and nurses in CCU, and every- nursing staff, the care assis- was experiencing. Thankfully, one on the ward - and the re- tants - in fact everyone in- after several weeks my hus- ceptionist - the care and kind- volved with the patients. band is now in rehabilitation ness could not have been bet- The atmosphere in the wards and is making good progress. ter. Also the people of Inver- was professional but very I have already congratulated ness were fantastic - from the friendly, the staff had time for and thanked your team in ITU young man who drove me to their patients and the excel- but I do hope that you will the hospital to the young lady lence of their teamwork was recognise not only their exper- who insisted in showing me apparent. tise but their most excellent the bus train station." All in all the hospital is a credit teamwork." Patient‘s Relative from to the National Health Service. Patients Relative from ”Angus Please pass on our thanks to Edinburgh everyone concerned." "We are writing to tell you Patient from Isle of Islay "These days when most of the how much we appreciate the remarks about the NHS are care and expertise we have criticisms, may I thank every- experienced during our recent one in Raigmore Hospital for stay at Lorn & Islands District their expertise and their help. Hospital.

M ake N H S H ighland a G reetings Card Free Z one this year! • Save Money on Seasonal cards and gifts! • Prevent waste paper/card! • Cut stress levels – who to send a card to! in aid of Oxfam • Help children and families in third world countries!

NHS Highland staff are being asked to support the Oxfam Un- wrapped scheme to give worthwhile gifts to third world countries SHOCKING FACTS ABOUT instead of giving traditional seasonal cards (or even gifts). ENERGY WASTAGE Last year some departments took part. For example, eHealth asked staff to sign a giant Christmas card and saved enough An open office window loses money to buy 7 goats for African families. enough energy in a day to pro- This year, the aim is to raise enough money across NHS High- duce 250 fleece jackets. land, to buy a classroom (costs £1700) and a number of goats (cost £24 each). A photocopier left on overnight wastes enough energy to make How can you help? 800 A4 copies. • Don’t buy or send Christmas cards for friends or

colleagues A PC monitor left on overnight • Sign a local “Departmental Card” or leave a message on wastes enough energy to print our Intranet “Season’s Greeting Bulletin Board” 800 A4 pages. • Make a donation and Sign a gift aid form Gift aid donation forms have been distributed to most sites and Lighting an empty office over- you will be able to download them from our Intranet page. (see night wastes enough energy to Hot Topics) heat enough water for 1,000 cups of tea. Oxfam Website http://www.oxfam.org.uk •All proceeds/profits will go to Oxfam. Page 9 •Oxfam GB is a registered charity (no 202918). •Oxfam works with others to find lasting solutions to poverty and suffering.” S taff Flu J ab Forthcoming Events: The staff influenza campaign will be starting in January, a little later than usual due to the un- NHS Highland Board Meetings 2006 foreseen circumstances surrounding the co- 5 December (North Highland) ordination and distribution of vaccine nationally. Dates and locations of clinics are as follows: National One Day Learning Workshops for Unscheduled Care 8 Jan Invergordon clinic (OPD) & Raigmore Tuesday 27th February 2007 – Dunblane Hydro 9 Jan Nairn OPD & Raigmore Hotel 10 Jan Glospie & Raigmore For further information or to reserve a place, con- 11 Jan Wick OH room &Raigmore tact: [email protected] 12 Jan Dingwall & Raigmore 15 Jan Portree & Raigmore 01463 706229 16 Jan Broadford & Raigmore 17 Jan Raigmore & Fort William (Belford) Get WISE Staff Briefings 18 Jan Wick & Grantown & Raigmore If you would like a session in your area contact 19 Jan Raigmore & Thurso & RNI [email protected] or phone 01463 22 Jan Invergordon & Raigmore 704781 23 Jan Raigmore & Fort William (Glen Nevis) 24 Jan Nairn & Raigmore 25 Jan Wick & Raigmore & Kingussie Raffle Draw and Auction 26 Jan Raigmore 15 December 29 Jan Raigmore & Fort William (Belford) Supporting Friends of Raigmore Hospital 30 Jan Raigmore & Dingwall Contact Florence Munro 01463 704463 for details 31 Jan Grantown If you would like to advertise your event here, (Check the Intranet (Staff Section) for times please contact Ruth Cleland on Tel: 01463 or contact the Occupational Health Team. 704781 or Erin Greig on Tel: 01463 705771

A further series of Workshops on the Free- dom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 has been arranged for 2007. They run from 2pm to 5pm and are usually at Assynt House in Inverness. The dates are: 8th January; 11th June; 12th February; 13th August; 26th March; 15th October; 16th April; and 17th De- cember 2007. eLibrary w w w .elib.scot.nhs.uk Contact Chris Meecham on chris. H ave you registered yet? [email protected] or on 01463 704857 to book a place. VSO Opportunities Further training sessions outwith Assynt Sharing Skills and Changing lives House can be arranged on request. Do you have the skills and want to help in Copies of the slides used in the event, Africa? If so then read on. In an exciting new partnership between Voluntary along with other information on the Free- Service Overseas (VSO), the international develop- dom Of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, ment charity, and NHSScotland, Scottish healthcare are available on the NHS Highland website professionals can for the first time volunteer overseas at http://www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/ for up to two years without losing out on their pen- Publications/FoI/index.htm sions and employment benefits. To kick-start the partnership, VSO needs to recruit a T he next T eam U pdate w ill be issued on 12 small number of Scottish healthcare professionals to D ec S ubmissions by deadline 5 D ec work in Malawi…. To find out more look in the Staff section on the Intranet.

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