Highlights

MONTHLY October 2013

MEET THE BOARD: Adam Palmer New employee director looks forward to his new role after years as Unison branch secretary CREDIT UNION LINK-UP

FORGEDWEDNESDAY 9th October HI-Scot among staff mem- was International Credit Un- bers through its internal; ion Day 2013. communications systems, And NHS Highland used and is encouraging them to the day to announce that it consider using the organi- has linked up with HI-Scot sation – a financial co- Credit Union, which covers operative run by the people the Highlands and Islands, for the people – to access a to encourage health board range of financial products. Tarus Elly (right) wasn’t the only winner employees to save what Ray Stewart, NHS High- in the recent Loch Ness Marathon and they can and borrow only land’s former employee di- 10k. John Docherty had plenty to smile what they can afford. rector, explained: “The about too, as we explain on page 3. The board is promoting Continued on page 2

Amazonian adventure: Pages 4 & 5

- - CONGRATULATIONS to John Do- cherty, our double lung transplant patient from Inverness, who com- pleted the Loch Ness 10k last month in just over two hours. He did the 10k to raise money for the Freeman Heart and Lung Transplant Association as a thank- you for all the help and support they gave following his transplant last year. So far over £1500 has been raised. Accompanying him on his trek were Corinne Clark, NHS Highland respiratory nurse specialist, and Judith Colligan, senior chest physiotherapist, and he couldn’t be more grateful for their support. John said: “I would never have made it if it wasn’t for them and their great support. We also had a blast!” NHS Highland in credit union link-up Continued from front out that credit unions already used to make loans for other financial wellbeing of our employ- serve 327,000 people across the members. ees is important to us and we country, and that the most suc- Only members can apply for a recognise the valuable role that cessful credit union movements loan through HI-Scot. The loans credit unions can play in enabling in the world have strong links with have no hidden fees or transac- people to help themselves in employers who promote member- tion charges, and interest rates money matters. ship to their staff, as NHS High- are affordable and are calculated “We are delighted to be able to land is now doing. on the reduced balance of the endorse HI-Scot to our employ- David Mackay, general man- loan, which means that interest ees and would urge those who ager of HI-Scot Credit Union, payments gets smaller as the feel they would benefit from the said: “Having this link with NHS loan is paid back. Loans are cus- services a credit union offers to Highland fits well with us. It’s tomised to suit individual mem- consider becoming a member of been acknowledged that improv- bers’ needs, and can be repaid it.” ing money management skills early with no penalty – and a sav- The role played by credit un- can positively impact on people’s ing of interest. ions was underlined in the Scot- health and wellbeing, so what Ray Stewart told Highlights: tish Parliament building on 9th can be more appropriate than “Credit unions are an easy way to October when Inverness and having a health board promote save and a cheap way to borrow, Nairn MSP Fergus Ewing, the our work to its staff?” with profits returning to the mem- Minister for Energy, Enterprise With a philosophy of mutual bers. and Tourism, was the guest self-help, credit unions are not-for “NHS Highland employees speaker at a celebration of Inter- -profit organisations controlled by who are interested in joining or national Credit Union Day. its own members. Members hav- finding out more about this The event was organised by ing savings called shares in the should contact HI-Scot on 01851 the Association of British Credit credit union, on which dividends 701865 or access the link on the Unions Scotland, which points are paid. Shares can then be intranet.”

- 2 - IMMUNISATION: Chief executive issues plea to all employees Call to staff: get your flu vaccine NHS HIGHLAND chief executive at fixed sites by occupational is urging all staff, especially those QUOTE health at various locations across who have direct patient contact, the whole area. These started on to take up the offer of seasonal We are doing 16th October and a full timetable flu vaccination. This will help to is on the intranet. In addition, protect patients, staff members everything that we vaccine is also available from lo- and their families. can to make it as cally delivered mobile vaccination The three flu strains most sessions in October and through- likely to be circulating this winter easy and convenient out November. These ‘trolleys’ are incorporated within the sea- as possible for you to will visit wards, departments and sonal flu vaccine. The vaccine clinics to make it easier for staff will give a high degree of protec- get the vaccinations to access the vaccine. Details of tion and side effects are very un- these will be available from your common and trivial. The vaccine team leaders nearer the time. does not contain live flu virus and quences and can require hospi- Elaine continued: “Before you cannot give you flu. talisation. Nobody wants to take go for your vaccine it would be Staff suffering from flu, or even infection home to family mem- really helpful if you could get a just incubating flu, can uninten- bers. consent form from the intranet or tionally pass this on to patients If large numbers of staff re- from your team leader. they are looking after. If the pa- quire a week off work with flu, the “Please complete this in ad- tients are ill, elderly or suffering service’s ability to keep looking vance and take it with you to the from a variety of chronic condi- after ill patients is severely cur- vaccination session. This will tions this can lead to serious ill- tailed with the likelihood of ward minimise the delays at the ses- ness and even death. Patients in closures, cancelled operations sion itself. However don’t, worry if clinical high risk groups are at and cancelled clinics. you can’t do this, you can still get least 10 times more likely to die “For all of the these reasons,” a consent form at the vaccination from flu than healthy people. said Elaine, “I am asking you, session and complete it then.” NHS Highland should be doing particularly if you are working in a She added: “We are doing everything possible to prevent job that brings you into direct everything that we can to make it healthcare workers infecting vul- contact with patients, to please as easy and convenient as possi- nerable patients. respond to this invitation.” ble for you to get the vaccinations Influenza is not a minor illness More information on where and to ensure a healthy and trou- even in normally fit people. It and when you can obtain flu vac- ble-free winter.” makes people feel extremely un- cine is available from your line More information on flu vacci- well for two to three days and full manager or on the intranet. See nation is available on the Immuni- recovery normally takes a the NHS Highland intranet home sation Scotland website. week. Even fit, healthy people page under staff announcements. Be prepared for winter: can develop more serious conse- Vaccination clinics are running See page 22. - 3 -

Safety first for daredevil rafter Emil

HIS work with NHS Highland day, 411-mile expedition through with the risk of flash floods. may involve safety but some folk what’s been described as the But it’s not just the water and might think that there’s some- ‘Grand Canyon of South Amer- the canyon walls that the team thing inherently unsafe about his ica’. will have to negotiate: they will favourite leisure activity – rafting Emil (32), who has taken part be rafting through areas occu- down some of the world’s most in rafting exhibitions in places as pied by tribes known to be hos- remote and dangerous rivers. far afield as Costa Rica, Nepal, tile to visitors. But Raigmore-based fire Morocco, Uganda and the Emil, who will guide one of safety trainer Emil Carlsson in- United States’ Grand Canyon, in the four rafts on the expedition, sists that safety is the theme that Colorado, will be heading for explained: “There are tribes links his work and his hobby. Peru on 16th January to join a 20 along the river who have been “Most people might perceive -member team on an expedition violent to people who don’t have rafting to be unsafe but actually down the Rio Maranon, the larg- permission to travel through. there is a great deal of safety est tributary of the River Ama- “However, we will have that involved in rafting,” he said. zon. permission and we will be taking “There’s a lot of training and It will be the biggest expedi- a member of the tribe with us on skills involved, just as there is in tion Emil’s been on, and it prom- that part of the exhibition. my job.” ises to be one of the most chal- “I don’t imagine they will be a And all that training and skills lenging. problem.” will surely be put to the test It will be held during the rainy While it promises to be a when Emil undertakes his next season, and the upper section of never-to-be-forgotten adventure, big daredevil adventure – a 30- the trip will be on faster water, Continued on page 5

- 4 - Rafter planning Amazonian adventure

Continued from page 4 the expedition has a more serious purpose: to raise awareness of environmental concerns relating to the con- struction of massive dams on the Rio Maranon. “These dams will have major ecological and geo- graphical implications for the whole of the Amazon,” said Emil. “Huge areas will be flooded and many people will have to be relocated as a result.” Emil, who is from the Swedish island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea, came to Scot- land four years ago and worked as a rafting guide in Aberfeldy. Before he left Sweden, Emil was studying to be a firefighter, and he continued those studies re- motely when working in Perthshire. And as part of that train- ing, he secured a 10-week internship with NHS High- land, and it was as a result of that experience that he was offered his present job in De- cember last year. Emil, who lives in Clachnaharry, came to the Highlands when his girlfriend Ruth, whom he met in Aber- feldy, got a job in Inverness. She may well join him on the less challenging lower sec- tion of the Rio Maranon ex- pedition. He will be taking unpaid leave to take part in the ex- pedition. “My boss has been bril- liant about this,” said Emil. “He understands that it’s an opportunity I just can’t miss.”

- 5 - RETIRAL: Infection control manager Liz McClurg reflects on her career Monday morning blues? Not me! LIZ McCLURG has worked for now! When there were smashes able to travel across Highland the NHS for over four decades – on the road, they tended to be and meet so many fantastic and claims to have never had a very serious. I gained a lot of people, both patients and staff. dose of the Monday morning experience in neurosurgery as “Having said that, I can’t say blues! they had intensive care dealing that I have enjoyed any of my Liz, NHS Highland’s infection with head and back injuries to jobs better than others – it’s control manager, has a career everything in between. what you make of it. There have spanning 46 years – including “I really enjoyed my post and been some lows along the way, spells in Glasgow and Dundee – as consequence of leaving, I but the good times outweigh the before settling in Inverness, became a staff nurse in Ward 9 bad.” where she has spent 39 years in at the old Raigmore.” Liz will continue in her role a variety of jobs. Spells as nursing officer at until her successor arrives in “I can honestly say that, in all Culduthel Hospital and clinical January and thereafter, plans to that time, I’ve never woken up nurse manager in specialties spend quality time with her fam- on a Monday and dreaded going ensured Liz oversaw the com- ily and friends. into work,” she said. missioning of the new Raigmore She added: “I’ve got one or “The reason I got out of bed opening in 1985. two things lined up that I am in- each and every day, the reason Ward 5 at Culduthel became terested in doing, but in the I believe anyone working for the Ward 11 in Raigmore with Liz main, spending time with my NHS should do so, is the pa- and her colleague Jane Wilson family will take up most of my tient. The patient has to be at fundraising to build the conser- time. the centre of everything and if vatory which serves as the day “We have a small patch of they aren’t, then it doesn’t work.” room on the ward. land with Dexter cattle, pigs, Hailing from Dalbeattie in Liz’s job title continued to dogs and hens and it will be nice Kirkcudbrightshire, Liz began take on different forms after to spend time with them as well. her training in the Victoria Infir- Raigmore was opened: staff “I might be retiring from NHS mary in Glasgow before moving manager became nurse man- Highland – and they have onto work in the neurosurgical ager for the surgical directory, probably seen much more of me unit at Dundee Royal Infirmary before in 2009 she first contem- than my husband over the years where she got a sisters post plated retirement. – but that doesn’t mean I’m retir- aged just 22. Liz continued: “There were a ing from life. Liz said: “I originally qualified few things going on at home and “ I intend to enjoy the time I as a general nurse and my first I thought long and hard about it, have to the fullest – everyone post was as a staff nurse in but I decided that I didn’t want to has their own life and you only January 1971 before I got my retire; I felt I had so much more get one!” sisters post the following year. to give. Everyone at NHS Highland “The neurosurgical unit was “When I was offered my cur- would like to wish Liz all the best the only one for the whole of the rent post, I jumped at the for her retirement and thank her Highlands and, in those days, chance and I have loved it. I for 39 years of service in High- the A9 was even worse than it is have thoroughly enjoyed being land.

- 6 - STUDY DAY: Healthcare professionals invited Mental health Event puts the A TWO-PART workshop has been organised to raise awareness and under- standing of mental health and wellbeing. spotlight on The ‘Mainstreaming Mental Health’ course, be- ing held in the Poulteney Centre, Wick, on 30th and 31st October and Broadford organ donation Village Hall, Skye, on 4th and 5th December, is aimed A FREE North Scotland organ do- of the donation situation in Scot- at people who can influ- nation study day event is to take land, donation following brain stem ence staff and effect place in the Centre for Health Sci- and cardiac death, paediatric dona- change in their organisation ences, Inverness, on Tuesday 12th tion, corneal donation, multi- and team. This could in- November. disciplinary team donor optimisa- clude supervisors, manag- Organised by NHS Blood and tion, the perspective of the retrieval ers and trade union reps, Transplant, the event will be open surgeon and the perspective of the who need not have previ- to all doctors, nurses, physiothera- recipient. ous knowledge of mental pists and other professionals allied For more information on the or- health and wellbeing. to healthcare who are either in- gan donation study day or to regis- For details contact Imran volved in or interested in organ do- ter for it, email Deb- Arain at Im- nation. [email protected] or [email protected] (tel. The day will cover an overview phone 01463 706029. 01463 704943).

Telehealth Tips on delivering ITTS, a transnational pro- ject working to implement telehealth solutions across the Northern Periphery better training area of Europe, is to hold its final conference on 11th A COURSE designed to help peo- dynamics, presentation and confi- and 12th March in the Dru- ple to deliver better training is to be dence building. Specific trainer de- held in Drumossie Hotel, Inver- velopment skills include delivery mossie Hotel, Inverness. rd th The project encom- ness, on 3 -5 December. and facilitation, how to design passes teams from across Developed by NHS Health Scot- “brain-friendly” training interven- the area working towards land, the Creating Imaginative tions and how to effectively evalu- improving accessibility and Learning course will be of help to ate the success of a course. situating health services in people who are new to training, The trainers will be Public local communities or in the haven’t trained for some time or Health Network co-ordinator Jane patient’s own home. are experienced but want to re- Groves and learning and develop- Visit www.transnational- energise their programmes. ment facilitator Michelle Jeans. telemedicine.eu for news It will help participants to de- The course is subsidised on ITTS’s latest activity. velop skills such as inter-personal, though there will be a cost of £70 communication, managing group per participant. - 7 - On air for 43 years

RAIGMORE Hospital Radio has the door and have a speaker been on air for over 43 years sitting playing music. and can count two celebrities “We tend to see the staff among their fans: Lorraine Kelly change over at nine o’clock and and Her Majesty the Queen! people walk in and say, ‘Oh, I Set up in 1970 by good didn’t know you were here and friends Donnie Aird and Alistair I’ve been here for 10 years’. Gardner, the dedicated team of That is something that we are volunteers who run the hospi- missing. We’ve got to get the tal’s entertainment were re- staff to point the patients in our cently recognised with the direction.” Queen’s Award for Service – The Hospital Radio has the equivalent to an MBE. come a long way since two With 50 per cent of the mem- friends pre-recorded some al- bers having given at least 15 only get down at the weekends bums in their front room and years’ service to the station, one – he was absolutely delighted played them over the wireless. can only imagine the amount of when we visited him; you could Fundraising has enabled hours sacrificed for the patient’s see his whole face light up. them to build a state-of-the-art listening pleasure. “That is where the satisfac- facility capable of playing music Donnie said: “Alistair and I tion comes from. We are always round the clock – opened by got together all those years ago looking for new volunteers for patron Lorraine Kelly in 1998. and noticed that there were sev- both the Hospital Radio and the Donnie continued: “I could eral hospital radio stations in ward visiting: anyone who might never have envisaged this in my other towns and cities, so we be interested can contact the wildest dreams. It makes me thought, ‘Why couldn’t we have station and get involved.” really proud of what we have one in Inverness’? It can only be described as a achieved. “We had broadcasting and labour of love for Donnie and “The changes in technology radio experience between us his team of volunteers who sac- over the years have been re- and as soon as we got going, rifice their evenings and week- markable – I can still remember we had other people who volun- ends to play songs without ever laughing at my boss when he teered and helped us with ward knowing if anyone is listening. said there would be a computer visiting.” Chairman David Robertson on every desk in 20 years’ time! Ward visiting is a huge part said: “We are playing to one or “But the spirit of helping peo- of the radio’s remit and Secre- 100 – we don’t know our audi- ple has been underlying tary Christine McKenzie, a vet- ence or if there is one at all! throughout all those years and it eran with over 34 years’ volun- “It doesn’t make any differ- remains as strong now as ever tary service, said: “I’ve done it ence to us as we are here to – and I’m more proud of that for a long time and it’s very re- entertain anyone who is listen- than anything else.” warding. ing. We are all huge music fans “It can be very humbling at as well, so there is a huge To volunteer for the ward times as well. You get to know amount of enjoyment listening visiting service, get in touch the people very well and they to all the different songs and with the team at are always so pleased to see artists. www.invernesshospitalradio. you. “Reaching the staff is, for us, co.uk Patients and staff can “One gentleman in particular the most important thing. The request a song by dialling sticks in my mind: he was from staff will point the patients to us. *800 and there is an extensive up North and his family could On Saturday evenings we open songs list on the website.

- 8 - BELFORD: Feedback from Healthcare Environment Inspectorate welcomed ‘Positive’ inspection report for hospital NHS Highland has welcomed the Environment Inspectorate (HEI). And the inspection report, just publication of what’s been de- An HEI team inspected the issued, described the patient en- scribed as an “extremely positive” hospital on 22nd August, speaking vironment and equipment as report on an unannounced in- to patients, relatives and visitors clean and communication with spection of the Belford Hospital in and receiving completed ques- the public as good. Fort William by the Healthcare tionnaires from patients. Marie Law, NHS Highland ru- ral general hospital manager, said: “Inspections by the HIE are always welcomed and the feed- Conference shines a light back we receive is invaluable in helping us to continue to improve standards of care and of infection on palliative care services prevention and control. “This latest report was ex- AN EDUCATIONAL conference Barnabas Hospice, Lincoln; tremely positive in that it found aimed at stakeholders involved in Gordon Linklater, palliative care that we are complying with the the development and delivery of consultant, NHS Grampian; majority of healthcare associated palliative care services in Cowal Shaun Maher, Health Care Im- infection standards. was held on 27th September. provement Scotland; and Kate “The inspection resulted in one Chaired by the Rev David Lennon, chief executive officer, requirement, that NHS Highland Mitchell and organised by Mac- St Vincent’s Hospice. must ensure that all infection con- Millan nurse Morag Robertson, Cowal Hospice Trust has sup- trol manual policies outwith their the conference was funded by ported a seconded post from review date are reviewed without Cowal Hospice Trust. Ardgowan Hospice, to lead the delay. It also resulted in a couple Healthcare professionals from development of palliative care of recommendations, one that the across Argyll came together to day services in Cowal. Sharon new protocol for peripheral vas- explore the integration of a pallia- Hendry, who commenced this cular catheter be rolled out in the tive care approach into all as- post on 1st October, brings a hospital to ensure that staff are pects of healthcare. The confer- wealth of experience from recent using the most up-to-date infor- ence sessions focused on putting developments in day services in mation and the other that we the patient at the centre of Ardgowan. should reinforce awareness healthcare services rather than Sharon will be working with among nursing staff of our policy the patient having to fit in to the Cowal Hospice Trust in a recruit- on colour-coded aprons. routines and professional agen- ment drive for more volunteers “We take our responsibilities das of healthcare services. over the coming months, as for infection prevention and con- Three workshops explored more will be needed to support trol extremely seriously and have power of attorney, hypnotherapy the current work of the trust in acted on these points. Members and palliative care in a multi-faith the hospice, the hospice shop, of the public can be reassured society. the volunteer drivers and the new that we are constantly striving to The speakers were: Dr Andy services Sharon will be setting ensure that the Belford is both Kutarski, medical director, St up. safe and clean.” - 9 - SELF DIRECTED SUPPORT: Opportunity may help to open doors It’s just the job for Daniel THE Self Directed Support Team ments. Some of it can be quite in Inverness has welcomed a challenging, but I enjoy it. I’m de- new face with the arrival of 21- lighted to have this opportunity year-old Daniel Windsor. and I intend to make the most of Daniel was selected after ap- it.” plying for the role of part-time Daniel, who moved to the clerical assistant and he saw off a Highlands with his family in 2004 string of highly motivated appli- and attended Culloden Academy, cants to land the job. applied for the position after the DANIEL WINDSOR In partnership with Capability employment advisor at Albion Scotland, this opportunity pro- House, an Autism drop-in centre quite nerve-wracking as I didn’t vides Daniel with valuable paid in Inverness, told him about the know what to expect, but they work experience to enable him programme. said it was very informal and that with the necessary tools to find The post will initially last for six helped me to relax a little.” full-time employment. months with the potential for a Natalie Thomson, Self Di- Daniel, who was born in High longer term position and Daniel, rected Support Social Worker, Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, who lives in Strathpeffer with his said: “Having recently been in- lives with asperger syndrome and parents, was thrilled when he volved with the Young Scotland’s often finds it difficult to socialise found out he had been selected Got Talent Event, promoting sup- with people before getting to for the job. ported employment opportunities know them. “I was at home when I got the in Highland; we concluded that “I hope this job helps improve phone-call,” he said. “I was quite the Self Directed Support team my confidence,” he said. “The surprised, as I wasn’t expecting had a duty to lead by example. team have been very friendly and to find out on the same day as “Our team have a wide range welcoming which has helped me the interview. of skills and experience and can settle in very quickly. “I’m very proud to have been provide a supportive environment “I work Monday through chosen as there were a number enabling Daniel to further develop Wednesday over 16 hours doing of applicants – I think they were his skills and confidence in the all sorts of general administrative impressed by how smartly workplace. duties such as photocopying, dressed I was! “Daniel is friendly, hardworking scanning and booking appoint- “At first, I found the interview and a great asset to our team”. - 10 - DIABETES: NHS team holds inaugural event over forest trails

Gearing up: Participants at the start line Enjoying a well-earned burger after the biking NHS HIGHLAND’S diabetes team held its inaugural diabetes mountain biking event last month, Fun cycling event raises with participants as young as four getting involved in the action. funds for more such days Twenty-eight people donned their helmets and lined up at the there were a few solo riders. youngest managed to complete start line at Abriachan Forest With names like Mia’s Bandits, the 3km course up to three times. Trust’s mountain bike trails ready Head Bangin Billy Goats, Moy After the biking, participants for an hour of mountain biking. Warriors, The Culloden Cranks recharged their batteries with a th The aim of the 8 September and Rapid Racers, the teams burger from a barbecue, and col- event was to encourage young biked around the course as many lected their medals for taking people with diabetes, in particular times as they could over the part. Trophies were presented to young adults, to get involved in course of an hour. Even the the top three teams. Raffle prizes outdoor activities, and to provide were drawn with the top prize be- a novel way of supporting them ing a framed shirt signed by Sir by moving away from the tradi- Chris Hoy and Sir Steve tional clinical setting. Redgrave. Younger participants The diabetes team encour- topped off the day with a treasure aged people with diabetes to get hunt around the forest trails. out and about and live in the real Although the event wasn’t world and the event provided the planned as a fund-raiser, through opportunity for some people with raffle tickets, donations and entry the condition to try out new activi- fees it made a profit of £536 for ties in a fun and safe environ- the diabetes endowment fund. ment, and to meet others who Following the success of the also have diabetes. event it is planned to use the Various healthcare profession- profits raised to assist in organis- als from the team were on hand ing future events for people with to answer any questions that diabetes in Highland. people had about diabetes and Alison Graham, who has Type More photographs of the event exercise. 1 diabetes and who uses an can be found on the team’s Face- Most of the participants were book page: ‘Young Highlanders insulin pump, with the prize in teams of two with one team- discussing diabetes – NHS High- mate under the age of 16, though for coming third land’. - 11 - Working together to improve the care of older people

WITH the vast majority of pa- www.knowledge.scot.nhs.uk/ vent readmissions, reduce the tients in Scotland’s hospitals over improvingcareforolderpeo- length of time patients stay in the age of 65 – and those num- ple.aspx hospitals or the likelihood of them bers continuing to rise – improv- Delirium often affects older being moved between different ing the care of older people is a people who are frail and can be wards, and even save lives. Al- key priority for the NHS. very distressing to individuals, as though this work is at a relatively Healthcare Improvement Scot- well as to family and friends. early stage, there are encourag- land is leading on a two-year im- Again, rapid assessment and ef- ing and exciting results from hos- provement programme and work- fective management as quickly pitals that have started testing ing with NHS boards to ensure as possible can benefit patients. these tools.” older people receive the best Healthcare Improvement Scot- Over 100 NHS staff represent- care possible while in hospital. land is working with colleagues ing every NHS board in Scotland Following consultation with across Scotland to help them test attended a recent improvement older people and their families, changes that will make a positive planning and engagement event and NHS staff, Healthcare Im- difference to patient care. in September. As part of this in- provement Scotland is focusing Every NHS board has identi- teractive day, test site teams from on screening and assessment in fied at least one team to test and every board shared their pro- frailty and recognition and early refine two tools: a frailty screen- gress, challenges and highlights. management of delirium. ing triage tool to ensure individu- Healthcare Improvement Scot- Older people who are frail are als who are identified as frail re- land’s programme aims to im- more at risk of infection, malnutri- ceive a comprehensive assess- prove the care of older people in tion, incontinence, pressure ul- ment within a day of admission, hospitals by March 2014. The cers and falling. Evidence shows and a delirium care bundle that programme complements Health- that a comprehensive assess- focuses on quick diagnosis, un- care Improvement Scotland’s on- ment by a multi-disciplinary team derlying causes and the impor- going programme of inspections as soon as possible after admis- tance of engaging with families. which assess standards of care sion is vital in planning care and Healthcare Improvement Scot- and identify areas of improve- support. A recent publication on land implementation and im- ment in acute hospitals. ‘Staff, patients and families ex- provement support team leader For more information about periences of giving and receiving Penny Bond explains: “By focus- the improvement programme, care during an episode of delir- ing on these two areas we be- contact the improving older peo- ium in an acute hospital care set- lieve that we can deliver real im- ple’s acute care team at ting’ reports on work being car- provements in patient care. Early [email protected] or visit the web- ried out with the University of the screening and assessment of pa- site at West of Scotland to capture the tients for frailty and recognition www.knowledge.scot.nhs.uk/ experience of delirium. The report and early management of delir- improvingcareforolderpeo- is available at ium means that we can help pre- ple.aspx - 12 - MANAGEMENT TRAINEE: Coveted placement with NHS Highland secured Philip gets first foot on the NHS career ladder HE may have first-class degree tomer focus, complaint handling in Latin and Ancient History but and logistical planning. it’s on the future and not the “But the assumption many past that Philip Wilson is fo- people have that the public sec- cused these days. tor is inefficient and full of waste For he has just begun what in comparison to the private sec- he hopes will be a long and tor just isn’t true; in fact, the op- stimulating career in the health posite is often the case.” service by securing a highly- Philip added: “These are cer- PHILIP WILSON coveted general management tainly very challenging times for trainee placement with NHS the NHS. It could be said that relating to procurement. I’ll also Highland. the NHS is always in crisis but I being doing some work on gov- Philip started his work with believe the demographic pres- ernance in catering, and on ca- NHS Highland a couple of sures we are facing will lead to pacity levels in the six commu- months ago and follows in the positive change. nity hospitals in South and Mid.” footsteps of service manager “Hopefully, Nye Bevan will be It’s certainly work that repre- Evan Beswick, who also se- proud of us.” sents something completely dif- cured a trainee placement Philip will be with NHS High- ferent for Philip. through NHS Education for land for two nine-month place- As well as studying for his Scotland. ments, and the management two degrees – he also has a “Evan spoke very highly of training scheme he is on also Masters in Policy Analysis – NHS Highland and of Inver- allows for an elective placement Philip has worked: ness,” said Philip (29), from St outwith the organisation. After in customer service and Andrews, “and everything I’ve that, he hopes to remain within complaints for Sky TV seen since I came here tells me NHS Highland. for a private company that I’ve made the right career His first placement with the contracted to run a contact choice.” organisation sees him working line for prisoners’ families Though he has no back- under Nigel Small, director of in student loans ground in healthcare or health operations for the South and Mid as a plasterer, and management, Philip has tar- Operational Unit, “dealing with teaching English as a foreign geted a career in the NHS. some of the loose ends of inte- language in Romania “I like the patient-centred ap- gration [of adult social care and “I think the experiences I proach there is in Scotland, health]”. have had have served me well,” rather than the market-led one He explained: “I will be doing he said. “I’m now looking for- that exists south of the Border,” some work on equipment and ward to the next stage in my ca- he said. I have worked in the stores, some of which came reer.” private sector and I believe there from the council after integra- Philip, who is due to married are certainly things that the NHS tion: things like inventories, allo- in December, enjoys sport and can learn from it, such as cus- cated budgets, control systems travel. - 13 - Argyll & Bute team spreads the word about diabetes

DIABETIC nurse specialist Fiona Thompson, dieti- may have on the topic. cian Lesley Bakos-Hodge and student dietician Leaflets about diabetes, healthy eating and a Rosie O’Hagan, from Lorn & Islands Hospital, re- healthy lifestyle were also on offer for people along cently spent a morning in the Tesco store in Oban with a display of two shopping baskets, one contain- promoting diabetes awareness. ing ‘’unhealthy’’ food and the other containing From their position at the entrance to the store, healthier alternatives. they provided information to staff and customers on Pictured from left are Lesley Bakos-Hodge, diabetes, as well as answering any questions they Fiona Thompson and Rosie O’Hagan . How to get the best results from questionnaires A COURSE on ‘Questionnaire Design’ is to be held the best results, to select effective questions for in- on Thursday 7th November from 10am to 4pm in the clusion, to use appropriate scales of measurement Centre for Health Science, Inverness. for questions, and to consider how the data gener- The course is designed to help provide medical ated by the questionnaires may be most effectively staff, nurses, pharmacists, allied health profession- processed and analysed. als and health service researchers with the tools to The workshop will be led by Dr Alasdair Mort, identify where the use of questionnaires is appropri- research fellow at the Centre for Rural Health, Uni- ate in research, to design questionnaires to obtain versity of Aberdeen. - 14 - RESPONSES: Key points from what members of staff and public told us Feedback given in Islay services review THE Islay Clinical Services Re- The workshop, supported by view has been running for a few QUOTE Helen Tucker of Kithstone Con- months now and as part of this sulting, was attended by mem- feedback was sought from mem- bers of the Clinical Services Re- bers of the community and staff. It is important that we view Steering Group, Clinical A total of 141 responses were share the outcome of Workforce Sub Group and Com- received which provided us with munication and Engagement Sub some important information. the feedback with the Group. It covered the purpose of The main points made in- the review and how health ser- cluded: community and staff vices are currently provided, and Fear that if three GP prac- participants then began to ex- tices were to integrate with a cen- plore how these services might tral pool of resources, premises ‘pen pushers’ be provided in the future. at Port Ellen and Port Charlotte General lack of informa- On behalf of the Communica- will be lost tion about what services are cur- tions & Engagement Sub Group, Anxiety about losing medi- rently available, how to access Caroline Cecil, planning & public cal cover out of hours and the services, and what to do if there involvement manager for Argyll & impact this will have on patient is no access to a GP after sur- Bute Community Health Partner- care gery hours (out of hours) ship, said: “I would like to thank People are unlikely to Staff would like to see im- everyone for taking the time to use / do not use NHS 24 are provements to facilities in the share their views with us. This more likely to turn up at casualty, hospital has been a key stage in the re- call the hospital or dial 999 Dental service needs to view and it is important that we Support for more services be reviewed; improved facilities share the outcome of the feed- available on Islay, fewer patients The results of the community back with the community and having to travel to the mainland and staff feedback were used at staff on Islay.” Develop a more coherent a review workshop held at in Au- A copy of the “Your Views!” and integrated way of working for gust, ensuring that the feedback Community and Staff Feedback all staff groups not just GPs was considered when looking at Reports are available on the Ar- More investment in front how health services might be or- gyll & Bute CHP webpage at line staff (doctors, nurses), fewer ganised in the future. http://ow.ly/k3ZCT. Helping to understand brain injuries AN interactive workshop, injury and its effects on the survi- ing strategies to enable them to ‘Understanding Brain Injury’, is to vor and their carers and family. communicate and adapt their be held in Inverness on 21st No- It will go through the mecha- working practices. vember. The training course, or- nisms, classifications and causes For further details contact the ganised by Headway Highland, is of brain injury and is designed to training administrator on 0115 intended to give delegates a solid help delegates work more effec- 924 0800 or email train- foundation knowledge of brain tively with survivors by develop- [email protected] - 15 - Tiree Resource Club receives Age Scotland Award

TIREE Resource Club, which is support required to keep them from the club. run by volunteers, had recently more independent in their own Pat Tyrell, lead nurse for Argyll & been nominated in the Age Scot- homes and communities. Bute CHP, described the award land Awards for Improving Ser- Out of all the nominations from as well deserved. vices for Elderly People. across Scotland they were the Pictured from left are: Annette The club was set up to improve runner up and collected an award MacKinnon, Kate MacCallum, the health and wellbeing of older at the Scottish Parliament. The Margaret Worsley and Maureen people on Tiree by delivering award was collected by members McMullen. The Highland Health Sciences Library ... supporting NHS Highland IF you are attending the courses wide range of materials on teach- tation are often hot topics and the being run on questionnaire de- ing and developing and designing library can provide support here sign and delivering training why courses, including using webi- also with works on consent, do- not consider the Highland Health nars. nation and transplantation itself. Sciences Library as a starting Caring for someone with pros- Remember whatever your point for background materials? tate or other cancer? The library needs the Highland Health Sci- Regarding the design of ques- holds materials at various levels ences Library is there to help. tionnaire the library holds a num- – for the patient and for the clini- Don’t spend more than 10 min- ber of works including the classic cian. utes on a problem you may be “Questionnaire design and atti- The care of older people is a having – contact the library. tude measurement” along with key priority for the NHS in Scot- To find out more about the li- other works. land and the library has a number brary’s services, pop in – it is in- Don’t forget also the library’s of resources which could assist side the Centre for Health Sci- collection contains lots of materi- NHS Highland staff in their efforts ence, beside the café. Or give the als on research methods which to meet these aims. These range library a phone on 01463-255600 also have chapters on the topic. from social work aspects through (x7600). Designing a course or doing to medical and nursing care. By Rob Polson, some training? The library has a Organ donation and transplan- Subject Librarian - 16 - SUCCESS: Releasing Time to Care modules completed Progress on staff survey Scottish first THE analysis of the data that emerged in the 2013 NHSScotland staff survey is progressing well. In addition, work is be- for community ing carried out to redesign the survey reports (national report and indi- vidual board reports) to provide a more visually nursing team in appealing and user friendly lay-out. The formats for these reports are currently being finalised and agreed with East Caithness the Scottish Government. The national report is NHS HIGHLAND’S community “It involved us looking at every- due to be published on the nursing team in East Caithness has thing we did and finding ways of Scottish Government web- become the first in Scotland to com- doing things better,” said team site on 19th November. plete a national programme aimed leader Jenny Forbes. NHS board reports, in- at improving the way they work and “As a result,” she added, “we cluding NHS Highland’s, delivering better care for their pa- now operate in a more consistent are due to be released on tients. way across East Caithness, and the same date. Now, the 16-strong team is being that’s helped to make us much asked for advice by healthcare more of a team.” workers elsewhere on how taking Dot Cripps, who supports the Prostate the ‘Releasing Time to Care’ mod- teams in NHS Highland implement- ules can help them to deliver a bet- ing Releasing Time to Care, added: cancer ter service. “Very often, it’s the small changes Mike Flavell, NHS Highland’s taken together that can make a big A COURSE on ‘Living Well district manager for Caithness, said: difference. with Prostate Cancer’ is to “This was a large piece of work by “In East Caithness, for example, be held at the Kingsmills the team and the fact that they are the team standardised the contents Hotel, Inverness, from 29th now seen as an exemplar by other of their car boots, bags and cup- -31st October. teams speaks volumes for their ef- boards so that everyone knows By Penny Brohn Can- forts.” where everything is. cer Care, the course has ‘Releasing Time to Care’ is a UK “The team also vastly improved been specifically designed -wide initiative aimed at helping its referral processes. for men with prostate can- NHS staff to examine how they op- “Patients always got whatever cer and offers a toolkit of erate with a view to making im- time they needed anyway, but the tried and tested techniques provements. changes the team has made ensure that can help support Teams are encouraged to make that it operates more efficiently and physical, emotional and positive changes, eliminating waste effectively.” spiritual health. and efficiencies and releasing more Community nursing teams else- For more information, time to provide direct patient care. where in NHS Nighland — in Argyll visit http:// The East Caithness team, with & Bute, East Ross and Skye — are www.pennybrohncancarca bases in Canisby, Wick, Dunbeath now looking to replicate what the re.org/News/prostate and Lybster, took the modules over team in East Caithness has the course of 18 months. achieved. - 17 - SDS: Helping people to make informed choices on the support they get How self-directed support ‘gives you your life back’

JULIE TREVALIAN, who a Mas- to enable them to enjoy their new ters degree in criminology from found independence. the University of Stirling, has Jennifer Campbell, SDS team been offered the opportunity to manager for the Highland Health study for her PhD in Australia. and Social Care Partnership said: Julie (right) delivers training at “The freedom to choose and healthcare conferences all over make decisions is something we the United Kingdom. take for granted. She also has an active social “Self Directed Support enables life, is a lover of theatre, music people who were previously un- and film and is a trailblazer for able to make decisions around disabled people’s rights. Julie is just one of many peo- their care and support to do so. Yet lives with from cerebral ple in Highland to benefit from “It’s very much a change in palsy and is confined to a wheel- such a system. Local social work- dynamics - a power shift. Every- chair. ers assess the need for support thing is about power and by Julie is able to do all of these on an individual basis before dis- changing the power and dynam- things thanks to an innovative cussing the four options available ics; we change the ethos and new system aimed at giving peo- to them. slowly change people’s beliefs.” ple with illness, disability or men- The options available as part Julie believes that the single tal health problems more control of an outcome focused plans are: biggest difference SDS has made of their lives. SDS direct payment – to her life is that she no longer Self Directed Support (SDS) where the money is paid directly wakes up each morning terrified empowers people to have in- to you or someone on your be- of what the day may bring. formed choices about how their half, so you can buy the support She said: “I now have an ele- social care and support is pro- or services yourself ment of control over what hap- vided to them. Individual service fund – the pens to me each day when I get out of bed. It works by assigning each in- money is held by a service pro- dividual with a personal budget to “Before, that wasn’t the case. I spend on the support they need vider of your choice and you de- would urge anyone who is inter- and prefer in order to live the life cide how you want to spend the ested in finding out what SDS they want. money can do for them to contact Jenni- “It gives you back a life”, Julie Traditional service – you fer and her team. said. “Before I started using SDS select the support you want and “Remember, people are a bit in Highland, I existed, I didn’t live. the Highland Health and Social scared of SDS as nobody has really got underneath the skin of I was living within the constraints Care Partnership make the ar- of the statutory services when I it and taken it apart to see what it rangement on your behalf heard about SDS and how it can actually offer. worked with individual budgets. A combination of options “People haven’t given it the SDS has opened the world to me one, two and three. time it deserves to be understood again and now I can keep my Once service users have de- and looked at properly. The most friendships and relationships cided on their preference, a sup- important thing to remember is open and maintain them.” port plan is agreed and provided this: it puts YOU in control.” - 18 - WANTED: Women to be board members Learn to be a Women’s Aid better listener seeks to recruit

A FOUNDATION course on ‘effective listening for life, health and community’ is to new directors be held in Inshes Church, th th Inverness, on 18 and 19 THREE Women’s Aid groups in the tion at external events; or assisting November. Highlands (Inverness, Lochaber & with fundraising, networking or in- Open to all NHS High- Ross-shire) are seeking to recruit fluencing work. land employees, the course women with the skills, knowledge In return they will receive all rea- has been designed to com- and experience to contribute to sonable expenses, a comprehen- plement NHS KSF (Oct their board of directors. sive training and support pro- 2004) dimensions on com- Candidates do not need to know gramme and the knowledge that munication and promotion everything there is to know about they have helped to increase the of health and wellbeing by domestic abuse but they must be safety and wellbeing of women, encouraging participants to: reliable and committed to Women’s children and young people in High- improve listening skills Aid’s ethos and values. land. recognise the impor- The board of directors plays a Women’s Aid welcomes applica- tance of listening for health critical role in ensuring the strategic tions from women who have previ- and wellbeing development of the organisation ously used Women’s Aid services understand the role of and making sure it is accountable or who have been subject to do- listening in the delivery of for the services it provides to vul- mestic abuse. The organisation spiritual care nerable women and their children. can only accept applications from develop themselves as Directors are required to contrib- women under Schedule 9 (Part 1) a listening person for every- ute to the governance of the or- of the Equality Act 2010. The suc- day life ganisation including attending cessful candidates will be subject contribute both to the board meetings and the annual to PVG checks. NHSScotland Healthcare general meeting. They may be For more information contact Quality Strategy (May 2010) asked to undertake other duties Claire Gillespie, 01349 862 689 or and a listening structure such as representing the organisa- [email protected] within the NHS The course will run from 9.30am-5pm on both days, and it is necessary to attend Promoting AF awareness both sessions to complete the course. THE Atrial Fibrillation Association pulse check event. Participation costs £50. is looking for two medical centres AF Week is from 24th - 30th No- To apply, log on to AT- in the Highlands who might be in- vember. Learning or contact Mau- terested in promoting AF aware- Anyone interested in this oppor- reen Wilson, NHS Chap- ness and opportunistic pulse tunity contact Shona Fraser, a car- laincy, Raigmore Hospital screening. dioversion nurse at Raigmore Hos- (tel. 01463 704463; email A small grant is available pital, by email to [email protected]). to provide information resources to [email protected] or by promote AF awareness and hold a phone (01463 706382). - 19 - PATIENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM ‘Significant’ progress made on getting new system under way THE date for Phase 1 imple- These elements will com- carried out to ensure complete mentation has been necessarily bine to form the core of an Elec- data integrity before the build formally rescheduled to 3rd tronic Patient Record (EPR). process. March 2014. Work is progress- Work is about to commence ing well and significant progress WHAT IS HAPPENING? on the letter templates that need has been achieved to date. to be created for communication Following the agreement of the with patients and this is sched- BACKGROUND NHS Highland PMS Programme uled to be completed in January Board to necessarily reschedule 2014. The PMS implementation was the “go live” date to 3rd March The creation of Standard Op- formally approved by the NHS 2014, extensive data migration erating Procedures (SOPs) for Highland board in December work is being progressed to all the administrative processes 2012 and the programme for- merge the patient data from the that will be undertaken by PMS mally commenced in April 2013. existing PAS systems into the users is at an advanced stage. The system is called TrakCare new and unified PMS. Once signed off, these SOPs and is supplied by a company Work is continuing to rigor- will be located in a specific sec- called InterSystems. ously test all data that will be tion of the intranet so that all transferred from the two existing relevant staff can have full ac- The PMS will replace the PAS. cess. This will also ensure that CSC (formerly iSoft) and Helix This testing will continue in staff are using the correct and Patient Administration Systems phases until February 2014. current NHS Highland agreed (PAS) currently used across The programme team has procedures. NHS Highland. identified “superusers” and other The SOPs are essential to The new system will replace service personnel who will test allow the training packages to the functionality of the current that data migration has been be created in line with how NHS PAS systems. Once the first successful. Highland requires the new PMS phase is complete in March The building of all the outpa- to be utilised. 2014, additional functionality will tient clinics has started. The The training team are creat- be introduced to support clinical process was tested by building ing comprehensive training practice. This functionality in- the most “complex” clinics first packages which will be used to cludes real-time bed manage- on the basis that these would train all our staff. ment and order communications highlight any issues. This phase Training will be delivered which will allow a clinician to re- has been completed success- mostly during January and Feb- quest a diagnostic test, track fully. The focus is now on the ruary 2014 using an innovative that test and receive the results remainder of the clinics. A data electronically. cleansing exercise is also being Continued on page 21

- 20 - PATIENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM ‘Significant progress’ made on implementation Continued from page 20 speed of access to the corded demonstrations so that new system is appropriate on you can review the functionality blend of physical training all sites across NHS High- of new PMS. These demonstra- courses and training via WebEx land. tions are available on the PMS facilities. Dates are in the proc- website which is housed on the ess of being confirmed and COMMUNICATIONS NHS Highland intranet under these will be detailed on the “eHealth Projects”. Alterna- intranet along with booking infor- Regular presentations on the tively, you can click on the link mation. progress being made in relation below. Significant work is also tak- to implementation of the pro- http:// ing place to ensure that all the gramme are being delivered on intranet.nhsh.scot.nhs.uk/ technical components required a monthly basis at the following Projects/eHealth/ by the system are in place. locations: PatientManagementSystem/ These include ensuring that: - Inverness Pages/Default.aspx printing is available in all - Wick appropriate locations; - Fort William rd interfaces to 3 party sys- - Lochgilphead tems e.g. cancer tracking, Dates of these important If you have any questions theatre, etc are in place for presentations are detailed on about any aspect of the PMS the go live date; the PMS intranet page. Please programme please get in all the necessary central make every effort to attend. touch via the PMS mailbox infrastructure is in place and The eHealth Department has nhshigh- tested; also created a number of re- [email protected] Appeal issued for members of staff to be PMS champions AN appeal has gone out for will come from differing clinical Record. These clinical functions NHS Highland employees to backgrounds and geographical include electronic vetting of re- champion the implementation of areas. It is anticipated that these ferral letters, order communica- the new Patient Management posts would be appointed for 50 tions, bed management and System (PMS). per cent of their time on a one- clinical notes. There are also a Medical and nurse manag- year secondment. number of additional modules ers, as well as all clinical staff, The NHS Highland board which can be added, at addi- have been sent a letter asking agreed in December last year to tional cost, to the core function- them to consider being a PMS implement the new PMS. The ality of the PMS. These include champion – a role which would PMS is not just a simple re- Maternity and Neonatal, Hospi- involve them going out to staff placement for the current Pa- tal Electronic Prescribing and groups, doing presentations, tient Administration Systems Medicine Administration, and answering questions and gener- (PAS) used in NHS Highland A&E. ally raising the profile of the new (Isoft Express in the North and Anyone interested should system within the clinical com- Helix in Argyll and Bute) and contact James Docherty, chair munity. introduces a range of clinical of the Clinical Project Board, or Two PMS champions are be- functions as part of the move Iain MacInnes, senior project ing sought, and it is hoped they towards an Electronic Patient manager.

- 21 - Flu: be prepared for this winter AN NHS Highland flu study day, featuring a range of speakers, is to be held in In- shes Church, Inverness, on 28th October. The free event, to run from 9am-4.30pm, has been de- signed to help all healthcare professionals be prepared for this winter. Dr Jonathan Mills will give a talk on the microbiology of flu, Dr Wendy Beadles will talk about the management of pa- tients in the acute setting, the management of patients in the community will be the subject of a talk by Dr James Douglas, the Health Protection Team will focus on immunisation, and infection control nurses will put the spotlight on the use of PPE. Focus on dementia There will also be other speak- ers. A FULL-TIME carer from Glas- held in the main auditorium at the Tea and coffee will be pro- gow will be in Highland in Novem- Centre for Health Science, Inver- vided. ber to raise awareness of the im- ness. pact of dementia on families and The event will be suitable to all the difficult but vital role played by NHS Highland health and social carers. care staff, including those who Coaching … on Tommy Whitelaw, whose work in hospital, community and mother had a diagnosis of cancer, care home settings. how to coach has been talking about the sub- For more information or to con- A ONE-DAY coaching skills ject during his Scotland-wide firm attendance contact Ruth programme is to be held in the ‘Tommy On Tour’ campaign. Mantle, Alzheimer Scotland de- boardroom at the John Dewar NHS Highland will be hosting a mentia nurse practitioner, at Building, Inverness, on 6th De- visit by Tommy from 12th-14th No- [email protected] or Maimie cember. vember, and two open talks have Thompson, head of PR and en- The interactive programme been arranged for 1pm and gagement, at is designed to deliver the core 3.15pm on the 13th. They will be [email protected] skills of coaching and is facili- tated by a coach from the NHS Highland coaching service. Funding boost for chemotherapy unit It requires participants to work in trios for the day, and THE Chemotherapy Unit at the turning up to the public hall in will run between nine and 12 Mid Argyll Community Hospital Ardrishaig to display their collec- staff from all disciplines. has received a boost of £300 tions of boats, trains, trucks, To book or confirm a book- which has been raised through a cranes and model steam engines. ing contact Margaret Wilson raffle and stall fees at the Diecast Alan Ross, from the show, (01463 706880; Marga- Model Show in Ardrishaig. thanked local shops and busi- [email protected]). The annual show proved to be nesses for their generous dona- a huge hit with dozens of people tions to the raffle. - 22 - How to deliver a presentation with confidence CAN you carry out a basic pres- whole experience of giving pres- tive, and participants will be re- entation with confidence? If not, a entations a little less daunting. quired to prepare a five-minute workshop called ‘Panic Free It’s hoped that by the end of presentation in advance. Presentations’ could be for you. the presentation participants will For more information contact To be held in seminar rooms be able to understand the dynam- Michelle Jeans on 01463 706857 3&4 in the Centre for Health Sci- ics of delivering presentations, ([email protected]). ence on 19th November, the prepare and deliver a short pres- To book a place on the work- workshop will be suitable for any- entation and demonstrate the use shop contact Margaret Wilson on one who requires some basic of visual aids. 01463 706880 guidance and tips to make the The workshop will be interac- ([email protected]). Morag tells the board how endowment funds aided her AN NHS Highland employee who more than 30 staff in Soft Facili- stagnating at home. I knew I had has been supported through non- ties Services (reception staff at abilities but I did not apply myself core endowment funding to gain Assynt House, John Dewar Build- at school. As a single mother with academic qualifications has spo- ing as well as the laundry staff), four kids, I got to the stage in my ken of her experiences to the she is assistant to Alistair Wilson, life when I wanted to do some- board’s staff governance commit- professional lead for Soft Facili- thing for myself.” tee. ties Services (catering, domestic, Morag was introduced to the As Highlights reported earlier laundry and transport). She has, August meeting of the staff gov- this year, Morag Drew (63), who with Alistair Wilson, produced the ernance committee by learning works in Linen Services based at Linen Services training workbook, and development facilitator Paul Raigmore Hospital, was given which has now been adapted as Simmons, who outlined the proc- endowment fund support as she a national training pack for use by ess for allocating non-core learn- studies for her Open University Linen Services throughout NHS ing activity funding, which is MBA degree, which she was Scotland, and a local staff hand- made available on an annual ba- awarded in April. book has also been created. She sis from the endowment funds In December 1997 she gradu- is an SVQ assessor within NHS committee. ated BSc (Hons), again through Highland, and is poised to be- Paul explained that one of the the Open University, and has come an internal SVQ verifier. criteria for funding was that learn- also obtained both a Professional It’s been a remarkable exam- ing activity must contribute to per- Certificate and Professional Di- ple of career development which, sonal or career development and ploma in Management and a Di- Morag told Highlights, wouldn’t to the improvement or develop- ploma in Computing. have been possible without non- ment of services for patients and/ And her successes have cer- core learning funding, which is or the public. tainly impacted on her career. administered and allocated by Some 100 awards are made The Inverness resident started NHS Highland’s Learning and each year. her studies in 1992, when she Development team. Paul also told the committee was working as a clerical assis- She explained: “I did have to that there was evidence of indi- tant with the Highland Council. make up some of the funding re- viduals moving up the career lad- Now, she has the grand job quired myself, but I could not der within NHS Highland as a title of assistant facilities support have done all this without the fi- result of studies that had at- manager. As well as delegated nancial support I’ve received. tracted the kind of support Morag management responsibility for “I did not want to feel I was received. - 23 -

Q A What’s your job? I support and set up social ac- tivities for older people, report on gaps in provision, match re- sources with need and seek out and run with enthusiasm of all sorts, in communities and NHS We catch up with And if you won £1,000? work spaces! I am also involved Inverness-based Re-pointing the stonework of my in falls prevention, dementia old house. awareness and intergenera- community tional work via the Generations What are your pet hates? Working Together initiative. I development officer Discrimination of all sorts. Pollu- recently completed the walk Kate Maclean tion, non-native species invad- leader training, and am engaged ing our countryside, nuclear with the HAES (Healthy at Every of ground almonds, honey and power (and its waste), waste of Size) facilitator training, part of argan oil). all sorts, and cruelty to people the Well Now initiative. and animals. How about your favourite Describe yourself. film? If you could have dinner with Multi-talented and full of hu- Don't Look Now. three people, dead or alive, mour. who they be and what would Your favourite TV programme you cook them? Hobbies and interests? is what? Elinor of Aquitaine, Jimi Hendrix I am a runner. The Thick of It. and Johnny Depp. I’d cook veni- son in port. What was the first single you What about your favourite ever bought? book? What are the best and worst Zanadu by Dave Dee, Facebook! parts of your job? Dozy,Beaky Mick and Best: the fantastic enthusiasm Titch....yes, the one with the If you won £10 million in the for change to the good that I en- whip! lottery, what would you spend counter in communities. Worst: it on? the stultifying head-in-the-sand What is your favourite food? Shoes, cars, art and holidays. resistance to change I find in Amlou (a North African mixture and oh, yes, world peace communities.

- 24 - Hospital’s 150 years Training morning marked by tree rings offers THE sound of music drew people to Hugh Fife, of Blarbuie Woodland RPIW Blarbuie Woodland this month to Enterprise, said: “This is 150 years support see the launch of a new project cele- of history and culture which is impor- brating 150 years of Argyll & Bute tant to this area and Argyll & Bute as ADMINISTRATION Hospital. a whole.” support training for The 150 Tree Rings Project will The project will also include the Rapid Process Im- see volunteers research the history building of a wooden shelter in the provement Workshops of the hospital, its staff, patients and woodland and the construction of a (RPIWs) has been surroundings and commemorate pathway, linking the woodland to planned for Thursday that with 150 tree rings. another area of the town. 21st November. These rings will then be consoli- The 150 Tree Rings Project is a The training will dated in a mass plaque and num- partnership between Blarbuie Wood- cover: bered to correspond with a book fea- land Enterprise, Mid Argyll Youth A brief overview of turing 150 stories about the heritage Forum, NHS Highland and Lochgil- the Highland Quality of the hospital. phead Community Council. Approach and the Vir- ginia Mason Produc- tion System Understanding of Overview of research ethics what planning is re- quired for an RPIW THE NHS Research Ethics Process issues that should be addressed in a Standard work to Presentation is to be held on Thurs- research proposal and the process of help support an RPIW. day 21st November from 10am- applying to the NHS Research Ethics The training will be 12.30pm in the Centre for Health Sci- Committee. held in the Ante Room ence, Inverness, and will be led by Dr Anybody who is considering sub- at Assynt House, In- Rachel Venables, from the NHS mitting a study to the NHS Research verness, from 9am-12 North of Scotland Research Ethics Ethics Committee would be advised noon. Service. to attend this course as would any- To book a place, The aim of this course is to pro- body who already does research but email the Quality Im- vide an overview of the NHS research wants clarification on the ethics re- provement Office at ethics process. The course will cover view process. High- the decision on whether a project is Following on from this presenta- [email protected] research or not; issues surrounding tion will be an IRAS drop-in clinic with your details. completion of the IRAS form; ethical which will run from 12.30-2pm.

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Do you know of something you think for it. Please send your articles for should be featured in Highlights? An Highlights to [email protected] award, an achievement, a piece of (01463 704903) or visit the Staff research, an appointment, a retrial … Dropbox on the NHS Highland intra- you name it, Highlights has a place nent home page. - 25 - MEET THE BOARD : ADAM PALMER Adam gets on his bike — to a place on the board! Cartoon by Ian Thomson Highlights catches up with Adam Palmer, NHS Highland’s new employee director

ADAM PALMER’S been an Adam took his place in the “I think I face something of active trade unionist for longer room for the first time as the a balancing act,” he said. “I than many NHS Highland em- board’s employee director, a have to be seen as credible in ployees have lived. position he had coveted for representing the staff side But he’s been known as some time and one he took even if it is at odds with the something else for an even following the decision of the management point of view. I longer period – he’s a dyed-in- former incumbent, Ray Stew- have to be prepared to ask the the-wool biker. art, to move on to pastures awkward questions. But, on He cut a distinctive profile new within NHS Highland. the other side, I will also share aboard his impressive 1,100cc “I enjoyed it,” said Adam, a corporate responsibility.” Honda Super Blackbird as he “but I did found it a (long While he may have found travelled in around Inverness pause) somewhat strange ex- his first board meting a strange on his duties as UNISON’s perience.” experience, he confessed that branch secretary for Highland Like his immediate prede- he was a tad surprised at be- Healthcare. cessor, who also had a back- ing impressed by it. Now, though, his helmet ground of union activism, “I think it showed the and leathers will become a fa- Adam acknowledged that he board’s a bit like a duck swim- miliar sight in a perhaps had wrestled with the fact that ming smoothly over the water unlikely setting: NHS High- some may perceive his move with its legs paddling furiously land’s boardroom in Assynt to the board as being some- underneath,” he said. “I also House, Inverness. thing of a gamekeeper-turned- saw that the board members On Tuesday 1st October, poacher act. are very engagedContinued and on arepage will- 27

- 26 - MEET THE BOARD: ADAM PALMER

Continued from page 26 ion affairs, but will continue to serve on the branch commit- are very engaged and are will- tee. ing to challenge the execu- “Being branch secretary tives, which is obviously the had been a big part of my life,” way it should be. said Adam (51). “but it’s time “The meeting clearly had a to move on.” very wide-ranging agenda, and He came to that conclusion I absolutely accept that I’m go- some time before his appoint- ing to get involved in things I ment as a non-exec. In fact, he have little experience of. As had stood unsuccessfully my colleague Janette says, I against Ray Stewart when the am old enough to have learn- post last became vacant, and ed a lot, but young enough to would have stood again had learn something new!” Ray decided to go for another Clearly, Adam’s primary term on the board. focus will continue to be on “I’ve been involved in part- staff-side issues but he said he nership working for some and was looking forward to working being employee director is the with the Area Clinical Forum – ultimate expression of partner- “I don’t have a clinical back- ship working,” said Adam. ground but I see the absolute “And I don’t just mean partner- importance of clinical staffing where north of Birmingham, ship working between man- and policy” – as well as the though perhaps not as far agement and staff side. I am in audit and endowment commit- north as the Highlands. How- this post as a consequence of tees. ever, I saw a job in Inverness having been a senior activist in “I’m sure they will be a chal- advertised and, having been to a trade union, but I must repre- lenge for me,” he said. Scotland more than once on sent all the trade unions within Adam’s background is as holiday, I thought I would give NHS Highland. It is vital that far removed from matters clini- it a go.” they have a coherent and, if cal as you could get. He was The job was in capital plan- possible, a united view.” brought up and went to school ning project management with But Adam’s still not sure if in Birmingham and had “lots of Highland Health Board, work- there’s such a thing as a jobs”, including working in in- ing on building developments united view on NHS Highland’s dustrial cleaning in car facto- such as New Craigs, new flagship quality improvement ries – “Remember them?”– wards and GP surgeries and policy, the Highland Quality before going to study French the new York Day Hospital at Approach. at what was then Portsmouth the RNI. A move to community “I must say, I think there is Polytechnic. care planning followed, and still a perception in parts of Working in a pet shop for a then into NHS contracts, but NHS Highland that the High- year were among the odd jobs some time later Adam realised land Quality Approach is about that followed before he got his his professional role and his saving money rather than im- first job in the health service, duties as a trade union activist proving quality,” he said. working in capital planning occasionally “collided”. “People feel under pressure, with the regional health author- He became UNISON with more targets and fewer ity in Birmingham. branch secretary, working on a staff, and there is some suspi- Explaining why he left his full-time basis. Now, with his cion about the Highland Qual- home city to move to the High- new role as employee director, ity Approach. There’s some lands in 1988, Adam recalled: he says he will miss his day-to work to do done there, obvi- “I was looking for a job some- -day involvement in trade un- ously.”

- 27 - Boys’ £1,400 boost for Renal Unit

A PAIR of Inverness youngsters have raised over £1,400 for the Renal Unit at Raigmore Hospital. Brothers Shaun (11) and Ryan (8) Macdonald from Drakies were so impressed by the level of care their grandmother received at the hospital, they de- cided to hold an end-of-summer-sale in their front garden to raise funds for the department. It’s not the first time the siblings have chipped in to do their bit for good causes, as two of their previ- ous efforts have helped collect £2,000 for the Archie Foundation. “They just love doing their bit to help people,” said proud mum Iona. “When they visited their granny at Raigmore they were so impressed by the level of care from the staff, they were determined to say thank you in their own special way.” The pair sold their old toys, bric-a-brac and “I loved helping out in the kitchen – and it felt home baking as well as having a raffle, tombola, good raising so much money to help people,” said prize stalls and games to raise the cash. They were Ryan. understandably delighted with their efforts. Their grandmother, Mary Matheson, was admit- “We were really pleased to raise so much ted into the Renal Unit at Raigmore suffering from money,” said Shaun, who attends Drakies Primary the rare Goodpasture’s syndrome; a condition School with his younger brother. “We put a poster which affects the lungs and kidneys. up in our local Church, put flyers through our The 67-year-old’s care was supervised by NHS neighbour’s doors and told all our friends at school. Highland consultant nephrologist Stewart Lambie, “Granny was so well looked after from all the who was presented with a cheque by the boys. doctors and nurses at Raigmore and it was the He said: “I’m delighted to accept this cheque on least we could do to help.” behalf of the Renal Unit here at Raigmore. These The pair even tried their hand in the kitchen and young boys have showed tremendous enthusiasm helped their mum make cakes, biscuits and pan- and hard-work with their efforts. Shaun and Ryan cakes. are a credit to their family and local community.” Raising awareness of sensory loss issues A MAJOR exhibition on the sub- the services and equipment avail- ing devises, will be on display at ject of sensory loss is to be held able in this area. the event. in Inverness on 30th October. The day will provide an oppor- There will be workshops on The exhibition, in Merkinch tunity for people to speak with a lipreading, BLS language, eye Community Centre, is to be range of representatives special- health care, hearing and sight staged by services for the deaf ising in supporting people with loss awareness and sighted and hard of hearing and people sight or hearing loss. guides, and there will also be live who have sight loss. Various items of equipment, stage entertainment, with a sing- It’s a chance for people with a including CCTV technology, a ing signing choir and soloists. sensory loss, members of the means of making newspaper There is no charge to attend public and health and social care print larger, doorbell alerts, talk- the event, which will run from staff to raise their awareness of ing watches and personal listen- 10am-3pm. - 28 - Air an èadhar airson 43 bliadhna Tha Rèidio Ospadal an Rathaig còmhnaidh. luchd-obrach ag atharrachadh Mhòir air a bhith air an èadhar “Tha aon fhear gu sònraichte aig naoi uairean agus thig airson còrr air 43 bliadhna agus a’ fuireach nam inntinn: b’ ann daoine a-steach is canaidh iad: tha dithis gu math ainmeil am bhon cheann a tuath a bha e ‘Oh, cha robh fios agam gun measg a luchd-leantainn: agus cha b’ urrainn dhan teagh- robh sibh ann agus tha mi air a Lorraine Kelly agus A Mòrachd, lach aige ach tadhal air an bhith an seo airson 10 bliadhna A’ Bhànrigh! deireadh-sheachdain – bha e ‘. Sin rud a tha sinn a’ call. Feu- Stèidhichte ann an 1970 le na cho fìor thoilichte nuair a thad- maidh an luchd-obrach innse deagh charaidean, Donaidh Aird haileadh sinn air. Chitheadh tu dha na h-easlaintich gu bheil agus Alasdair Gardner, is o aodainn a’ soilleireadh. sinn ann.” chionn ghoirid fhuair an sgioba “’S ann bhon sin a tha an Tha rèidio an ospadail air dhìcheallach saor-thoileach a riarachadh a’ tighinn. Tha sinn leasachadh mòr a dhèanamh o tha a’ ruith fèisteas an ospadail an-còmhnaidh a’ coimhead air- rinn dà charaid ro-chlàradh aig Duais Seirbheis na Bànrighe – son saor-thoilich ùra airson an taigh is a chluich iad sin air duais a tha co-ionann ris an rèidio an ospadail agus airson an rèidio. MBE. tadhal air na uàrdan. Faodaidh Tha maoineachadh air co- Le 50 sa cheud de a bhuill air neach sam bith aig a bheil ùidh throm a thoirt dhaibh goireas seirbheis de co-dhiù 15 bliadhna ann fios a chur gun stèisean is a spaideil a thogail a chluicheas a thoirt seachad dhan stèisean, dhol an sàs ann. ‘S e fìor sha- ceòl fad an latha – a dh’fhosgail tha e smaoineachail cia-mheud othar ghaoil a th’ ann dha an neach-taice, Lorraine Kelly e uair a thìde a chaidh a thoirt Donaidh is dhan sgioba saor- ann an 1998. seachad airson tlachd a thoirt thoileach aige a tha a’ toirt Lean Donaidh air ag ràdh: dha na h-euslaintich. seachad an cuid fheasgairean is “Cha b’ urrainn dhomh a bhith Thuirt Donaidh: Thàinig Alas- an deireadh-seachdainean air- air smaoineachadh gun tachradh dair is mi fhìn còmhla o chionn son òrain a chluich agus gun fios seo. Tha mi uasal às na iomadh bliadhna agus mhotha- sam bith aca a bheilear gan choilean sinn. ich sinn gun robh grunn stèise- èisteachd. “Tha atharrachaidhean mòra anan rèidio ann an ospadalan Thuirt an neach cathrach, air a bhith ann thairis air na bli- am bailtean eile agus smaoinich Daibhidh Robasdan: “Tha sinn a’ adhnaichean ann an leasachadh sinn, ‘carson nach biodh fear cluich dha aon neach no dha teicneòlais – tha cuimhne agam againne ann an Inbhir Nis’? 100 – chan eil fhios againn dè fhathast a bhith a’ gàireachdainn “Eadarrainne, bha eòlas an luchd-èisteachd a th’ againn nuair thuirt mo cheannard rium againn air craoladh is rèidio no a bheil duin’ idir againn! gum biodh coimpiutair air gach agus cho luath ’s a thòisich sinn, “Chan eil e a’ dèanamh diofar deasc ann an ceann 20 bliad- thàinig daoine eile gar sam bith dhuinne oir tha sinn an hna! Ach tha an spiorad airson cuideachadh gu saor-thoileach seo airson toileachadh a thoirt daoine a chuideachadh air a a’ tadhal air na uàrdan.” dha neach sam bith a tha ag bhith bunaiteach tro na bli- Tha tadhal air uàrdan na èisteachd. Tha sinn uile dèidheil adhnaichean sin agus tha e phàirt mhòr de dhleastanas an air ceòl cuideachd, is mar sin tha fhathast cho làidir ’s a bha e a- rèidio agus thuirt an rùnaire, tlachd mhòr ann a bhith ag riamh– agus tha mi nas moiteile Cairistiona Nic Choinnich, tè le èisteachd ri na h-òrain is an à sin na à nì sam bith eile.” còrr air 34 bliadhna de luchd-ciùil eadar-dhealaichte. Airson obair saor-thoileach a sheirbheis shaor-thoileach: “Tha “’S e a bhith a’ ruighinn an dhèanamh dha seirbheis tadhal mi air a dhèanamh o chionn ùine luchd-obrach as cudromaiche uàrdan cuir fios gun sgioba aig mhòr agus ‘s math as fhiach a dhuinne. Seallaidh an luchd- www.invernesshospitalradio.co.u dhèanamh. Uaireannan bheir e obrach na h-euslaintich dhuinn. k Faodaidh euslaintich is luchd- ort faireachdainn gu math iriosal Air oidhche Shathairne fosglaidh obrach òran iarraidh le bhith a’ cuideachd. Gheibh thu deagh sinn an doras agus bidh òraidi- fònadh *800 agus tha liosta eòlas air daoine agus tha iad che ann a’ cluich ceòl. fhada de dh’òrain air an làraich- cho toilichte d’ fhaicinn an- “Sa chumantas chì sinn an lìn.

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