Highlights

MONTHLY August 2013

MEET THE BOARD: Robin Creelman The non-executive director who used to be paid to keep midges away from movie stars! Pages 22&23

AN intensive, five-day re- view of the way one of NHS Highland's community mental health teams oper- ates has resulted in meas- ures which will lead to sig- nificant improvements in service delivery. The Mid Argyll team, based in Lochgilphead, is the latest part of NHS Highland to have been involved in a Rapid Process Improvement Workshop (RPIW). In Mid Argyll, the team and its leader and process owner Douglas Philand analyse the way the team functions (the current state) and explore and examine ways of becom- ing more efficient and effec- tive (the future state). YRIGHT: The results promise to be Team “remarkable”, according to members senior quality improvement pictured practitioner Gavin Hookway, during who supported and facilitated their the process. RPIW The exerciseContinued showed on that page 2 the average wait for a patient Continued on page 2

Dental Nurse of the Year: Pg 3 -- Community mental health team’s RPIW Continued from front page to get a first appointment with the team was 34 weeks; as a result of the RPIW the target will be set, realistically, at 12 weeks. Similarly, the patients' lead time – from receipt of referral to discharge – was an average of 53 weeks. A target was set of reducing that by 50 per cent; however, the team has managed to reduce the lead time to 22 weeks. It is hoped that what has been achieved as a result of the Mid -Do-Study-Act (PDSA) method, Toyota. Argyll RPIW will be spun out to RPIWs empower people to find Gavin said: “Before we started other community mental health ways of enhancing value for pa- in Mid Argyll some people were teams throughout NHS Highland, tients by eliminating waste and naturally sceptical about applying starting with those in Argyll & reducing the burden of work to something used in an American Bute. improve the experience for both hospital and developed by a car It’s not just community mental patients and staff. manufacturer to a community health teams that will benefit from Gavin, who was partnered in mental health team in Scotland. the RPIW approach. One has the Mid Argyll RPIW by the How would that work? been held within Raigmore Hos- CHP's director of operations, “By the end of the week, the pital's radiotherapy team, with Derek Leslie, spent considerable team found the process to be of startling results, including reduc- time in the run-up to the week value and that it did indeed work ing the time from referral to the familiarising himself with the way – and is now looking forward to start of treatment has been re- the team worked – including putting in place the improvements duced from 98 to 33 days. shadowing members of the team that they themselves identified NHS Highland is now planning in their everyday setting. and of which have taken owner- an RPIW for the South and Mid He said: “The aim was to look ship. Operational Unit's care at home at the team’s activities with a “The team was enthusiastic team. Other RPIWs planned for fresh pair of eyes, without being and unstinting in its commitment this year are for primary care ser- in any way judgemental or intru- and endeavour throughout the vices in Argyll & Bute, COPD at sive. We were not there to tell the week and really embraced the Raigmore and in South and Mid, team that they were doing any- whole process.” chronic pain services in Caith- thing wrong – we simply sup- Douglas Philand added: “The ness General and Lawson Me- ported the team in examining for team found the whole process morial hospitals and stroke ser- themselves how they might func- challenging but ultimately reward- vices and microbiology in Raig- tion better. ing and the final 15-minute report more. “The consequence is likely to -out, contributed to by the whole Being introduced under the be a better, quicker and more team, inspirational. Highland Quality Approach ban- responsive service for patients.” The progress the team makes ner, RPIWs employ techniques NHS Highland adapted its will be considered at a 30-day such as “waste wheels” and RPIW template from that oper- report-out to be held on 10th Sep- value stream maps to identify ated by the Virginia Mason Medi- tember. Subsequent 60 and 90- how each step in the process of cal Centre in Seattle, a health- day report-outs are scheduled. enhancing the service for patients care provider that uses a quality  Rapid Process Improve- and determine if it functions well improvement system developed ment Weeks explained: Pages or not. Designed around the Plan by Japanese car manufacturers 7 & 8. - 2 - AWARD: Enthusiastic ‘obvious candidate’ collects honour after SVC training Karen thrilled to be named dental nurse of the year

NHS HIGHLAND dental nurse Karen Mackay has different people every day, really does add to your been judged Dental Nurse of the Year following day.” completion of the SVQ Level 3 in Dental Nursing. Karen's SVQ assessor, Alison MacLeod, is de- Karen, who is 26 and from the Isle of Lewis, lighted that Karen’s hard work has been recognised completed her training in the NHS Highland dental in this way. clinic based at the Ian Charles Dental Unit in Gran- She said: “Karen was an obvious candidate. She town. She now works at the Culloden Dental Clinic. was outstanding in all aspects of the SVQ level 3 in She said: “I thoroughly enjoyed my training in Dental Nursing. She came across as a very enthusi- Grantown. I worked with a really great team. They astic student, highly organised, with great people were very welcoming and so friendly, I learned so skills and showed an exceptionally high quality of much during my time there. clinical skills.” “I’m surprised but absolutely thrilled at the award. Karen was presented with a quaich by Hazel I really enjoy my job not only the clinical side of Carroll from Dental Directory, who sponsor the an- what I do, which is so rewarding, but getting to meet nual award. - 3 - Argyll & Bute public holiday date changed FOLLOWING approaches from This brings the CHP into line nise with the local authority holi- staff and consultation across Ar- with Argyll and Bute Council and day. gyll and Bute Community Health NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Those members of staff who Partnership with operational man- who already have their public have already made formal ar- agers, senior managers and staff holiday scheduled for that date. rangements to be off work on side a decision has been taken to This change therefore mini- 23rd September should discuss move the public holiday next mises the impact on patient ser- with their line manager how best month from 23rd to 30th Septem- vices, such as outreach clinics this should be managed so they ber. from NHS GG&C, and will harmo- are not disadvantaged.

IMMUNISATION: Staff reminded of professional duty not to endanger patients Are you protected against measles?

NHS HIGHLAND has reminded have not received two doses of employees that, at a time when MMR vaccine and have direct there is likely to be an increasing Call 01463 704698 patient contact are strongly ad- number of measles cases and vised to contact NHS Highland local outbreaks in Scotland, it is before 30th Sep- Occupational Health Service to essential to ensure their protec- discuss their measles immunity tion and reduce risks to patients. tember to take up and decide whether measles im- Measles is a highly conta- munisation is required. gious infection with a significant offer of immuni- This is especially important for complication rate. staff in contact with immunosup- Hospitals and other healthcare sation or to con- pressed, paediatric and obstetric settings present an increased risk patients. of transmission and, given the firm your measles A dedicated telephone an- nature of the patient population, swer phone service has been set there is likely to be greater impact immunity up by the Occupational Health on patient health if spread oc- department for staff wishing to curs. take up the offer of immunisation Healthcare staff have a profes- or to confirm your measles immu- sional duty to ensure they do not high prevalence of the infection nity. The number to call is 01463 put patients at risk and NHS that existed at that time. How- 704698; this will be available until Highland as an employer has a ever, the immunity of staff born Monday 30th September. legal duty to ensure staff are pro- after 1970 will depend mostly on This does not apply to social tected. whether or not they have re- care staff, for whom a separate It can be reasonably assumed ceived MMR immunisation. immunisation programme is be- that staff born before 1970 will In accordance with national ing rolled out over the coming have natural immunity due to the policy, staff born after 1970 who year. - 4 - YELLOW CARD SCHEME: Learning support tools for healthcare professionals Staff urged to report adverse drug reactions

HEALTHCARE professionals a major public health concern password. within NHS Highland are being worldwide, and are among the In addition to the MHRA/BMJ encouraged to report adverse leading causes of death in many package, YellowCard Scotland – drug reactions in patients through countries. a joint venture between the YellowCard Centre (YCC) Scot- Yet while no drug is com- MHRA and the Scottish Govern- land. pletely risk-free, it has been esti- ment – and NHS Education Scot- And new learning support mated that at least 60% of ad- land are to launch six e-learning tools have been launched to help verse drug reactions worldwide modules on adverse drug reac- them do so. are preventable. In the UK, stud- tions. Yellow Card reports are es- ies have suggested they are re- These modules will be in- sential in detecting adverse drug sponsible for up to 6.5% of new tended for all healthcare profes- reactions and interactions and hospital admissions. sionals who have an obligation to identifying any unknown potential Doctors, nurses and pharma- report adverse drug reactions via safety risks to patients. cists all stand to benefit from a the Yellow Card scheme and will However, there is concern that new learning package on phar- raise awareness of the harms some adverse drug reactions are macovigilance that has been that can be caused by medicines, not being reported through the launched by BMJ Learning and such as admissions to hospital scheme. Between 2009 and the Medicines and Healthcare and longer hospital stays. They 2011, the number of Yellow Card products Regulatory Agency will also look at how these prob- reports made in Scotland fell by (MHRA). lems can be identified and nine per cent. Designed to help to make avoided. Effective reporting of drug re- healthcare professionals more Reporting adverse drug reac- actions is an important way for aware of their role in protecting tions via the Yellow Card scheme healthcare professionals to con- patients from preventable harm, is a quick and easy process, and tribute to the safer use of medi- the module is short and simple can be done online at cines. It is clearly an important and can be accessed by all staff www.yellowcard.gov.uk or by issue. Adverse drug reactions are members who have an Athens post. Highland Research Seminar speakers

WHAT can GPs do to diagnose and management of cancers in exploring what constitutes quality cancer more quickly? primary care. in healthcare from the patient’s That’s the subject of a talk to There will be a second perspective. She has a particular be given at the Highland Re- speaker, Michelle Beattie, whose interest in burns and plastics, search Seminar, to be held in In- talk is called ‘Compassion or trauma and intensive care. verness next month, Speed? Which is a More Accu- The Highland Research Semi- The speaker will be Professor rate Indicator of Health Care nar will be held on Monday 9th Richard Neal, of the North West Quality in A&E’. September, starting at 3.30pm, in Centre for Primary Care Re- Michelle is a lecturer in the the Multi-purpose Room, Phase search, whose particular re- School of Nursing, Midwifery and 1, First Floor, in the Centre for search interest is the diagnosis Health. As a PhD student she is Health Sciences. - 5 - HQA: Director of quality improvement’s key role Quality counts in new appointment

NHS HIGHLAND has made a chorage, has developed what it in another of the proposals key appointment to drive calls the Nuka System of Care. Linda will put to the board – the through the ground-breaking It’s a whole healthcare system development of physician/staff new management system it’s aimed at achieving physical, compacts. introducing. mental, emotional and spiritual Linda explained: “It is very Linda Kirkland, who was pre- wellness, with the foundation’s important that staff are engaged viously the board’s head of busi- ‘customers’ driving through all in quality improvement work and ness transformation, has been aspects of improving health and that we nurture staff who can appointed director of quality im- wellbeing. lead it, and influence views, provement and will play a lead One of the foundation’s top hence the Fellowships proposal. role in embedding the Highland team, Michelle Tierney, will be “As for the physician com- Quality Approach (HQA). meeting key NHS Highland pact, we have found that these In her first paper to NHS managers when she comes to are common in high-performing Highland’s board on 13th Au- the UK for a holiday later this healthcare organisations, and gust, Linda outlined some of the year. we see value on engaging with steps being taken to make the Linda said: “It may be that the our clinical staff to produce them HQA work, and made some pro- Nuka System of Care simply here. posals on taking the system for- isn’t relevant to what we are do- “Basically, these documents ward. ing but it will do no harm to find are agreements that state what And they include taking a out. We are particularly inter- doctors can expect of the or- close look at what’s been de- ested because the Southcentral ganisation in which they work, scribed as one of the most inno- Foundation has been getting and what expectations the or- vative healthcare systems in the rave reviews for its work in a ganisation has of them.” United States. very remote and rural commu- Linda, who is also chairper- NHS Highland has already nity – and we in Highland have son of Highlife Highland, has been learning from the Virginia many challenges in delivering been with NHS Highland since Mason Medical Centre in Seat- care to our remote and rural 2005, when she joined as can- tle, where the management sys- communities, not least because cer network co-ordinator. She tem is based on one used by car of difficulties in recruiting and has also served as directorate firm Toyota. retaining staff.” general manager in Raigmore. Now, the board has been Linda also outlined to the She has trained as both a biolo- drawn to what has been de- NHS Highland board proposals gist and an accountant. scribed as one of the most inno- to introduce four quality im- Garry Coutts, chair of NHS vative healthcare systems of provement fellowships. Highland, said: “We are commit- care in the United States. These posts will be for two ted to the Highland Quality Ap- Southcentral Foundation, days a week and will last for be- proach because we know it will which provides healthcare ser- tween one and two years. help us to provide better care vices to some 60,000 Alaskan The Fellows will lead im- and better experience of care. native and American Indian peo- provements within NHS High- “Linda’s appointment is key ple in an around the town of An- land and will also play a key role to that work.”

- 6 - MAKING THINGS BETTER: Rapid Process Improvement Weeks explained Radiotherapy Pathway for Breast Patients CANCER services were identified Inch wide as an organisational priority, with an increasing number of patient complaints and some important targets being breached. Through discussion with staff it was agreed to initially focus on the breast pathway looking from the mile deep receipt of referral to the start of first radical radiotherapy treat- ‘INCH wide mile deep’ de- Rapid Process Improvement ment. scribes the need to look in Weeks (RPIW). An RPIW The RPIW took place on the detail at small sections of takes place over five days week beginning 13th May and the way services are organ- with staff coming together was led by chief executive Elaine ised. to review and improve a Mead and Nigel Small, director of This is to make sure that particular part of a process operations for South and Mid. the detail is fully under- in real time. It is designed They held their 90-day report out stood and improvements around the Plan Do Study on 20th August reporting on tested and implemented in a Act (PDSA) improvement some of the work including: continuous way. This phi- cycles. But it is supported  Implementation of a new losophy is being applied as by a detailed planning breast protocol part of the roll out of one phase, testing changes dur-  New ways of working to facili- element of the Highland ing the RPIW week plus tate option of same day CT scan Quality Approach utilising regular reporting at 30, 60  Better information for patients LEAN methodology to re- and 90 days and beyond. (based on their feed-back) duce waste and improve pa- A number of RPIWs are  Lead time reduced from 98 to tient flow. under way in Highland and 33 days. And one of the ways staff are at differing stages. Here, Diane Brawn said: “I see this will be trained and sup- and on page 8, Highlights as an ongoing process. It has ported to make the changes caught up with how the been so good to see staff in their is by being involved in work is progressing. day-to-day workings looking to kicked off in February this year “Although the process was a find better ways of doing things. with the aim of re-designing ser- bit slow to begin with we are now We are on track to deliver further vice provided by the Royal North- beginning to take positive steps improvements. ern Infirmary Community Hospi- and the integrated service is tak- “I applaud everyone who has tal, York Day Hospital and the ing shape. worked so hard. There have been Mackenzie Day Services, into a “New ways of working have lots of improvements and it’s not single integrated service. Al- freed up nursing time (15 hours all been down to the RPIW. But though the services are co- per week), speeded up the proc- this shows that it is the collective located or in close proximity, the ess to get an occupational ther- efforts which is making such a staff agreed that they functioned apy assessment (from seven to difference.” as isolated units. two days), reduced average District manager Frances Gair length of stay (24 to 19 days), said: “There been real commit- reduced waiting list in York Day Redesign of ment from all of the staff to make supported by increased use of Community sure we organise our services the Mackenzie Centre.” around our patients and clients. Freeing up nursing time has Services, Inverness To do this we must all work to- Continued on page 8 NHS HIGHLAND’S first full RPIW gether. - 7 - Inch wide mile deep

Continued from page 7 have had more time to support Frances Gair added: “We can our nursing auxiliaries to get see improvements on some of had some direct benefits for pa- more training to prevent pressure our performance measures but I tients and staff. ulcers and they have been really feel the real success is that we Alyson Harrison, the charge proud to do this.” are changing the culture. nurse, explained: “We found we “The barriers have really come “What I am seeing is really were constantly interrupted by down” said Frances McLeod, close working, better communica- the phones taking us way from manager of the Mackenzie Day tions, reduced duplication and a patients. Centre. much more supportive environ- “We have changed this now “We feel comfortable in work- ment for everyone. All of this is and the patients immediately no- ing with everyone. It’s all positive leading to better and more flexi- ticed that nurses weren’t con- for the people we are caring for ble use of resources enabling stantly leaving them. and at the end of the day that’s more people to access services “Another benefit has been I why we are here.” quicker.” Endoscopy Services, Endoscopy,Endoscopy, 60 90 Days Days Raigmore

THIS is a service which has been under pres- sure for many years, so it was probably an obvi- ous choice for NHS Highland’s first three senior LEAN leaders (Linda Kirkland, Gill

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The team focused on 2400 2011 2012 2013 getting the planning Year right before the patient even gets to the unit, Other big challenges mix better, and in par- way on Monday 15th making sure that pa- identified by the team- ticular elective and April and some impres- tients are booked appro- were a perceived lack of emergency. sive results were re- priately to ensure no storage space and the The Endoscopy Ser- ported at the team’s 90- wasted capacity. need to manage case vices’ RPIW got under day report out.

To hear more from staff, carers and clients go to NHS Highland You Tube channel: http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqkN3RIwxJ4 For further information about RPIWs and the Highland Quality Approach, contact head of quality improvement [email protected] - 8 - Enabling person-centred care

A SERIES of workshops took disabilities face in accessing place during the first few timely, appropriate and effective months of this year at The Bel- healthcare. ford in Fort William to enable Successful communication is hospital staff to look at contem- critical to overcome these barri- porary issues in learning dis- ers. In Highland the “Pink Box” abilities. has been developed to help with The workshops were a col- this. laboration between a service Pink boxes have been given user, a carer and NHS Highland to different units and depart- staff, and the contribution of ments within all hospitals in people who have had the oppor- Highland. They are a resource tunity to use health services  The Tackling Indifference for NHS staff and contain a was the most powerful part of agenda (Scotland’s action plan range of useful items such as the event. after a report by Mencap follow- Pain Charts, Easy Read leaf- John Skimming (pictured) ing avoidable hospital deaths in lets, Choice Boards and infor- was able to explain about peo- England) mation about learning disabili- ple and activities that are impor-  The role of various health ties. Some staff have reported tant to him in his life in Fort Wil- staff with people with learning that the Pink Boxes have also liam and the support that he disabilities (e.g. GP, community been useful for enhancing com- needed to make that happen. learning disability nurse). munication with other groups of He was also able to discuss the  Enhancing Communication people in hospital. types of support and issues that – the Pink Box (pictured below). The team of people that might be important if he were Particular health conditions worked together to organise and being admitted to hospital. John (eg, epilepsy) are more com- facilitate these workshops were continues to work alongside ser- mon in people with learning dis- very pleased with the engage- vices and is currently involved in abilities. People with learning ment, warm reception and posi- the preparation of a DVD teach- disabilities generally have tive feedback from the Belford ing resource. poorer health than the majority Hospital staff that attended. Equally powerful was a re- of the population and to a large This team includes John corded DVD interview that was extent these health problems Skimming; Christine Norman; given by Christine Norman to are avoidable. These health ine- Morag Hughes, community local GP Jim Douglas. Christine qualities are compounded by learning disability nurse, had cared for many years for barriers people with learning Lochaber; James Douglas, Fort her brother Nigel. She strongly William GP; Anne Boyd- emphasised the importance of MacKay, lead practice educa- NHS staff being able to adjust tion facilitator/charge nurse, their communication so that Lochaber, Skye, Lochalsh and care could be explained in a Wester Ross; Claire Savage, way that could be easily under- learning & development facilita- stood. Christine is passionate tor (North Highland Operational about the uniqueness of each Units); Teresa Kirk, community person and the need for profes- learning disability nurse, sionals to adjust rather than ex- Lochaber; Marie Law, RGH pecting people with a learning manager, Belford Hospital; disability to “fit the system”. Dave Holloway, lead learning The staff who attended were disability nurse, West opera- also able to participate in ses- tional area/clinical specialist in sions about: challenging behaviour. Continued on page 8 - 9 - Free R&D Cardiac training training NHS HIGHLAND healthcare profes- Unit 2: Cardiac conditions – Defini- available sionals who work with cardiac patients tion, signs and symptoms, diagnoses, have until 31st August to register for a treatment of acute coronary symp- to NHS free cardiac education training pro- toms, cardiac arrhythmias, angina, gramme. heart failure, cardiac revascularisation Highland The aim of the programme is to pro- and surgery and pharmacology. vide people with the minimum skills Unit 3: Cardiac assessment – Clini- employees and knowledge required to care effec- cal skills and history taking, cardiac tively for cardiac patients. investigations, documentation and re- THE NHS Highland The web-based programme offers cording of data. Research & Develop- flexible learning with a focus on the Unit 4: Principles of communication ment Training Pro- development of theory to underpin – Patient empowerment, principles of gramme for 2013- practice to help in delivering evidence- self-care, goal setting and pacing of 2014 can now be ac- based care that is person-centred, health behaviour change. cessed on the R&D safe and effective. Unit 5: Cardiac risk reduction, reha- page of the intranet or The programme aims to build on bilitation and care delivery – Cardiac by following the links existing knowledge and skills to enable risk reduction interventions, cardiac below. the practitioner to become more confi- rehabilitation, role of cardiac specialist The training is pro- dent and effective within their role in nurses, case management and antici- vided free to NHS cardiac care. patory care approaches. Highland staff and its The self-directed programme con- At the end of the online units a mul- partner institutions. sists of five online learning units: tiple choice assessment will be carried In addition, there is Unit 1: Underpinning knowledge – out and a certificate of completion is- also the opportunity Cardiac pathophysiology, cardiac epi- sued. to provide research demiology, cardiac risk factors and To register, email contact details to training on the follow- impact, resources and information and [email protected] no later than ing topics: patient pathways, guidelines and poli- 31st August to start the course after  Using inter- cies. 15th September. views as a research method  Community Briefing session on using interpreters engagement in ser- vice design IN order to support people who do not  Be able to explain the differ- The theory and have English as a first language, in- ence between interpreting and trans- practice of services cluding British Sign Language (BSL) lation co-production users, NHS Highland and Highland  Know where to go to book an If you are inter- Council have adopted a partnership interpreter ested in any of these, approach to the provision of interpre-  Be aware of communication register your interest tation. support available to help people who by 30th August with To support the commitment to this are deaf or hard of hearing the R&D office by work, staff from either organisation  Be aware of up-to-date infor- emailing are being offered the opportunity to mation in each partner agency with laura.mcilhatton@nhs attend a half-day briefing session on regards to the interpreting service and .net the use of interpreters. know where to look to find the latest th If enough interest The briefing sessions on 16 Au- developments th is received arrange- gust (2-4.30pm), 13 September Apply best practice when work- th ments will be made to (10am-12.30pm) and 26 November ing with a client who needs an inter- add these courses to (2-4.30pm) will cover: preter the existing pro-  Understand why we use pro- For further information, contact gramme. fessional interpreters Isabel McLellan on 01463 703018. - 10 - Highland Health Science Library — a resource goldmine

THE quality approach being taken by NHS Proctor (W 20.5 BRO); something on qualita- Highland is based on LEAN methodologies. tive methods - Qualitative Health Research: The library holds a number of works on Creating a New Discipline, by Janice M. Morse LEAN in healthcare: for example, Healthcare (W 20.5 MOR); writing a paper – How to Write Kaizen: Engaging Front-line Staff in Sustainable and Publish a Scientific Paper, by Robert A. Continuous Improvements, by Mark Graban Day and Barbara Gastel (T 11 DAY); statistics - and Joseph Swartz (WA 540 GRA), about the Starting Statistics: a Short, Clear Guide, by two main centres where the techniques have Neil Burdess (QA 200 BUR). been developed; Transforming Health Care: The NHS Highland/Highland Council initia- Virginia Mason Medical Center's pursuit of the tives on British Sign Language (BSL) highlight a perfect patient experience, by Charles Kenney really underused part of our collection. The li- (WA 540 KEN); and On the Mend: Revolutioniz- brary has a small range of books on BSL, in- ing Healthcare to Save Lives and Transform the cluding British Sign Language for Dummies Industry, BY John Toussaint and Roger A. (WV 270 CIT) and Let's Sign family topics: BSL Gerard (WA 540 TOU). for Children and their Carers, by Cath Smith Patient safety is an important element in and Fran Stuart (WV 270 SMI). quality healthcare and the following resources Finance and budgeting are key components may be of interest: Medicines Management for of health care. Check out Brilliant Budgets and Nursing Practice: Pharmacology, Patient Safety Forecasts: Your Practical Guide to Peparing and Procedures, by Graham Brack, Penny and Presenting Financial Information, by Mal- Franklin and Jill Caldwell (QV 748 BRA); Inno- colm Secrett (HG 4028 SEC), and Planning and vating for Patient Safety in Medicine, edited by Budgeting Skills for Health and Social Work Rebecca Lawton and Gerry Armitage (WX 157 Managers, by Richard Field (WA 546 FIE). if LAW), and Safety at the Sharp End: A Guide to you have responsibilities in these areas. Non-technical Skills, by Rhona Flin, Paul Please remember that the library exists to O'Connor, and Margaret Crichton (WA 250 help you and your patients. Be aware of the FLI). “10-minute rule” – if you cannot find the infor- With the launch of the research and develop- mation you are looking for within a 10-minute ment training programme for 2013-2014 the period then it is maybe time to give the library a library can support you with any of the courses ring to assist. running. The library can be contacted on: 01463- Looking at research in general, try Dissemi- 255607 or internally on extension 7600. nation and Implementation Research in Health: Rob Polson ([email protected]), Translating Science to practice, edited by Ross Subject Librarian, C. Brownson, Graham A. Colditz and Enola K. Highland Health Sciences Library

- 11 - Pharmacies pick up prizes NHS HIGHLAND staff from Community Pharmacy Services ran an audit of all minimum dataset forms returned to them from community pharma- cies between 1st January and 31st March. These forms are input into a national database and so are important in recording accuracy of pro- vision of the service and following clients up after a lapse. The audit looked specifically at the speed of Moira Beaton with Neil Robinson, of Connel return of the forms, accuracy of forms quit rate Pharmacy and whether or not a carbon monoxide monitor was used in follow up. Prizes have been presented to the three phar- macies which were tops with their forms. The first prize of £100 Marks & Spencer vouch- ers was presented to the pharmacist and staff of Connel Pharmacy, Connel, by Oban. The second prize of £70 Marks & Spencer vouchers was won by the Co-Operative Pharmacy, Dunoon. The third prize of £50 Marks & Spencer vouchers was presented to pharmacist Helen McClure and her staff at Lloydspharmacy, Grantown-on-Spey. Pictured from left at the Co-operative Phar- Uptake of the provision of smoking cessation macy, Dunoon, are Karen Macarthur, Sandra services provided through the NHS Highland com- Macdougall, pharmacist manager Joan Pow, munity pharmacy outlet has grown from 20 per Kelly Dineley and Laura Fairgreave cent in 2009 to 48 per cent in 2012, as an overall percentage of all NHS Highland smoking services. Helen MacDonald, community pharmacy busi- ness manager, said: “We have worked very hard to enable and improve the delivery of high-quality smoking cessation services through the commu- nity pharmacy network for the benefit of our cli- ents into the long-term future. “We have done this by working collaboratively to spread the knowledge, good practice and ex- pertise already within our organisation to support the community pharmacy network in the provision of training, advice and equipment”. Smoking cessation services are provided free of charge in Scotland through the NHS. They in- clude the provision of nicotine replacement ther- Pictured from left at Lloydspharmacy, Gran- apy and are available through clinics run by smok- town-on-Spey are Debbie MacDonald, Fiona ing cessation advisers, GP practices and from MacLeod, Jackie Allan, Julie McLean, pharma- community pharmacies. cist Helen McLure and Viv Anderson

- 12 - AWARDS: 3A at Raigmore recognised in national scheme for Beacon project Ward’s dementia work shortlisted A GROUND-BREAKING initia- proving their overall experience. sage and simply spending time tive by NHS Highland to improve The original Beacon wards with the person, helping to intro- the experience of people with were developed for compassion- duce some calm. dementia while they are in hos- ate care in NHS Lothian, and  Purchasing games and mem- pital has been shortlisted for a NHS Highland staff had previ- ory books for one-to-one sup- national award. ously visited these wards to port, and facilitating various ac- Work is ongoing to develop learn from their experience. tivities on the ward. the orthopaedic ward (3A) in They also met the Alzheimer The ward was also the first Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, Scotland dementia nurse con- area in NHS Highland to intro- as the first Beacon Ward of Ex- sultant in Highland and the de- duce the Butterfly Scheme, cellence for Dementia Care in mentia nurse practitioner to de- which offers an opt-in to use a NHS Highland. termine the best way forward. discreet symbol which signals And the project has been put The three dementia champi- that the person has a requested on the shortlist for the best acute ons among the staff on the ward a specific care response. care initiative category of the play a key role in implementing The submission points out: Scotland’s Dementia Awards changes and making life as “Working towards becoming a competition, the winners of comfortable as possible for peo- Beacon Ward has helped the which will be announced on 19th ple with dementia. ward to develop an environment September. Among the initiatives intro- where people with dementia and In its submission for the duced are: their families feel safer and sup- awards scheme, the team be-  Purchasing coloured drinks ported during their stay. Staff hind the initiative recognises that glasses which are easier for also feel more supported and people in general healthcare people with dementia to see and confident in their ability to sup- services do not always under- hold. port people with dementia. More stand how to respond well to  Introducing the ‘This is Me’ significantly, people with demen- people with dementia and their document, which is kept by the tia and their families have re- families. However, staff in the patient’s bedside to help inform ported increased satisfaction orthopaedic ward acknowledged the person’s care. levels.” the potential difficulties faced by  Role-modelling positive inter- Elaine Mead, chief executive patients with dementia, and are actions with people with demen- of NHS Highland, said the determined to find ways of im- tia, including simple hand mas- ward’s work on dementia re- flected the high priority the QUOTE board gave to dementia care. She added: “The work to- wards making Ward 3A a Bea- The work towards making Ward 3A con Ward has resulted in signifi- a Beacon Ward has resulted in cant changes which are contrib- uting to a better experience for significant changes people with dementia while they are in the ward.” - 13 - SCOTTISH HEALTH AWARDS: More NHS Highland nominations wanted Let’s get some recognition for our unsung heroes! NHS HIGHLAND is well repre- However, with the closing date sure that they get the recognition sented among the nominations for nominations being 6th Sep- they deserve.” for this year’s Scottish Health tember, there is still time to put The awards ceremony for the Awards – but more nominations names forward. Scottish Health Awards will take are being sought from this area. Maimie Thompson, NHS High- place on Thursday 7th November No fewer than 10 of the 33 land’s Head of PR and Engage- in The Corn Exchange, Edin- NHS nominations received as at ment, said: “The Scottish Health burgh, and will be hosted by co- 2nd August came from within NHS Awards are a great way to show- median Fred MacAulay. Highland. The only board area case the very best in health and There are sixteen award cate- with more – 26 – was NHS social care, and some of the best gories - whether it's the local doc- Greater Glasgow & Clyde. examples of both are most defi- tor's or dental practice, the sup- Of NHS Highland’s 10, three nitely to be found in our area. port workers, the nursing teams, were for nurses, two were for the “I would urge all employees to paramedics or a volunteer. No ‘healthier lifestyle’ category, and look around their workplace and matter what their title, or where one each were received for ser- consider who, or what initiative or they are based, if they have vices to women and children, in- service, deserved to be recog- made a difference, the scheme’s novation, top team, unsung hero nises in this year’s awards, in- organisers want to know about it. and quality champion of the year. cluding our vlunteers. We have To make a nomination, visit: Public nominations put the to- no shortage of unsung heroes in http:// tal received by 2nd August to 79. NHS Highlands, so let’s try to en- www.scottishhealthawards.com/ Free discussion on virtual healthcare THE next free discussion event in Rural Health, leads a discussion informally and get refreshments. the cafeMED series, which brings about virtual healthcare. There will then be a chaired, together the public and leading The discussion will consider open discussion involving the figures in medicine and biosci- how digital tools are enhancing speaker and the audience. ences, will be held at Wa- healthcare services for remote CafeMED is an initiative of the terstones in Eastgate Shopping and rural communities across the Public Engagement with Re- Centre, Inverness, on Tuesday Highlands and Europe, yet are search Unit at the University of 10th September. still not commonplace. Aberdeen and the Centre for Ru- The event, which will start at After a short presentation by ral Health in Inverness. The se- 7pm, will see David Heaney, as- the speaker there will be an inter- ries is supported by the Scottish sociate director of the Centre for val, giving the opportunity to chat Government. - 14 - PANEL VACANCIES: NHS Highland urged to consider joining team Agenda for Change job matchers wanted

THE Agenda for Change team is representatives – the Job Evalua- tion scheme, that may change in keen to recruit and train more job tion Handbook specifically re- future, and the team is keen that matchers. The team needs addi- quires that matching panels in- adult social care staff are in- tional staff and managers from clude one or more staff side rep- volved with the NHS job evalua- across NHS Highland to help en- resentatives. tion scheme. sure that the matching panels are The Agenda for Change team The commitment is as great or as representative as possible. is particularly keen to include small as you want, but typically Anyone can be a matcher – all adult social care colleagues who would involve sitting on a match- you need is the ability to go into have transferred to NHS High- ing panel once a month for either the process without preconceived land as part of the Integrating a half or full day. ideas and the ability to work as Care in the Highlands Initiative. You will have to discuss with part of a team. Panel members Although adult social care jobs your manager whether you could come from a variety of back- are currently mainly graded using be released to do this work, and grounds, including trade union the local government job evalua- unfortunately the team is unable to provide money to backfill staff released to work as matchers. However, the existing match- Something to smile about ers have managed to reach GIVING away free toothbrushes and paste made it easy for Caroline agreement with their managers to Glen to put a smile on the customers’ faces at Campbeltown's Tesco be released without backfill, and store. they have found it gives them a The NHS oral health improvement practitioner had a serious mes- new set of skills and knowledge sage to get across as she stressed the importance of not only a they have been able to take back healthy mouth but a healthy body. to the workplace. Tesco provided free samples for Caroline to give out to help pro- All panels currently take place mote the benefits of fresh fruit and vegetables instead of sugary in Inverness. snacks that contribute to tooth decay. If you are interested, contact Caroline has also been around the area's schools and nurseries John Macdonald, the Agenda for as part of National Smile Month. Change co-ordinator, on [email protected] or by phone on 01463 704688, al- though John will be unavailable Thanks for donation between 26th August and 6th HELEN SAMBOREK, senior charge nurse for dementia services at September inclusive. the Mid-Argyll Hospital, recently thanked the Lochgair Association for A two-day training course will its very kind and generous donation to the hospital sensory garden. be held in Inverness on 28th and Members of the association, a local organisation, wanted to ex- 31st October 2013, and staff press their appreciation for the support provided by staff, to them, coming forward must be able to while caring for relatives suffering from dementia. attend on both days. The association provided benches, picnic table and flowers to en- The closing date for expres- hance the garden for the benefit of patients, families and members of sions of interest is Friday 4th Oc- staff. tober. - 15 - Meet our very own cartoonist in residence

IAN THOMSON, a social worker with NHS High- land’s change support team, has long had an inter- est in art. Abstract, portraiture, landscape, theatre sets … you name it, he’s done it. But in the past few months Ian’s added another string to his bow, as Highlights’ resident cartoonist! “In the past I’ve exhibited and sold my work, but this is by far the most prestigious commission I’ve ever undertaken,” Ian didn’t tell Highlights. Ian has often put his artistic talents to good use in the course of his job. As a social worker whose clients were people with learning disabilities, he regularly produced minutes of meetings in pictorial Our cartoonist hard at work form, so that they could be more easily understood. him along to the next board meeting!” Board services assistant Lorraine Power, who Ian, who works in John Dewar House, Inverness, produces the minutes of NHS Highland’s board told Highlights that “in a world with too much Power- meetings, said: “Minute taking is an art, but detailed Point”, he occasionally employs his cartoon-drawing and accurate minute drawing would be the work of skills on presentations. genius. “I did just that for my LEAN accreditation presen- “Ian’s heavily involved in quality improvement tation,” he said. “It seemed to go down well.” work in adult social care, and producing minutes in Next month: We’ll report on how NHS Highland’s cartoon form could well represent a significant piece executive directors have been using Ian to produce of quality improvement work. I must see if I can get their reports for the board. Or maybe not. Courses on Good Clinical Practice INDUCTION and update courses Practice) Training, and ensure obligation for some members of on Good Clinical Practice are that their GCP knowledge is up- staff on some trials. to be held on Thursday 26th Sep- dated every two years. Where it is not, staff are still tember in the Centre for Health GCP is an international ethical strongly recommend to complete Science, Inverness. and scientific quality standard for the training. The induction course will run designing, conducting, recording Anyone attending the event from 9.15-10.45am and the up- and reporting trials involving the should contact Laura Mcilhatton, date, which is designed for those participation of human subjects, R&D Secretary, at the NHS High- refreshing their knowledge, from and compliance with this stan- land R&D Office, Centre for 11am-12 noon. dard provides public assurance All members of NHS High- that the rights, safety and wellbe- Health Science, Inverness land’s staff who are involved in ing of trial subjects are protected ([email protected] Tel clinical trials are recommended to and that the clinical trial data is 01463 255087). undertake Good Clinical Practice credible. (also known as Good Research GCP training is a contractual - 16 - Guidance SPSP: Manager quizzed on peak-time news show on e:ESS BBC listeners told issued NHS HIGHLAND has is- sued further guidance on of NHS Highland’s the new workforce informa- tion system, e:ESS (electronic employee sup- port system). work on patient Members of staff will be receiving their e:ESS pass- word and log-on details from the start of Sept, and safety programme are asked to access the live NHS HIGHLAND’S Scottish Patient site and check their per- QUOTE sonal information for com- Safety Programme (SPSP) man- pleteness and accuracy. ager, Maryanne Gillies, has given In most cases, employ- national radio listeners an impas- We want to ees will be able to amend sioned account of the programme their personal details on- and its benefits. continue to set line, if required. Maryanne was interviewed at For further information length for the lead story in BBC about e:ESS, visit the NHS Radio 4’s PM programme earlier ambitious tar- Highland intranet home this month. page and click on the The news item related to a root- gets that we e:ESS icon on the right. and-branch review of English hos- pitals by US expert Professor Don firmly believe BSL class details Berwick which concluded that safety should “permeate every ac- we can achieve announced tion and level in the NHS”. DETAILS have been an- Reporting that, north of the bor- nounced of the 2013-14 der, the Scottish Safety Patient Maryanne also described the timetable for British Sign Council was working to achieve “surgical pause”, a check list car- Language classes run by precisely that aim, the BBC invited ried out in theatre during which the the Deaf Communication NHS Highland – which has re- whole team would pause and con- Project, part of NHS High- corded some significant improve- duct a range of checks, similar to land. ments in patient safety as a result those carried out by airline pilots. A range of modules has of its SPSP work – to talk about its She said the risk of ventilator been lined up at the Deaf role and some of its outcomes. associated pneumonia had been Centre in Inverness. Questioned by presenter Eddie virtually eradicated through reliable For further information, Mair, Maryanne told listeners that care processes. timetable details, prices, Raigmore Hospital had far sur- And she talked of the benefits of and an application form, passed the national target of a 15 encouraging a culture of providing contact The Deaf Centre, per cent reduction in mortality – open and honest data 16 Kenneth Street, Inver- equating to 100 lives saved – Maryanne concluded: “We are ness, IV3 5NR (tel. 01463 through culture change and a raft five years in, we recognise we 248102; email of individual measures. have still a long way to go and we [email protected]. She said gathering data on how want to continue to set ambitious uk reliable care processes were had targets that we firmly believe we made a big difference. can achieve.” - 17 - Relatives’ room in hospital upgraded

THE relatives’ room at Lorn & Islands Hospital has re- cently been upgraded through the use of funds donated by Oban Hospice Ltd. It has also been ex- tended and in addition to a bed and television it now also has a shower. The room is well used by the relatives of patients who are receiving palliative care or are in the high depend- ency unit. Margaret MacLean, vice- chair of Oban Hospice Ltd, said she was delighted to see the room completely upgraded and extended and that the charity was happy to be able to tell their sup- porters how their money was being spent. Veronica Kennedy, act- ing locality manager for Oban, Lorn & Isles, said the Photo courtesy of Oban Times room looked great and was Pictured behind Anne May (seated) are, from left, Veronica Kennedy, really useful for relatives Margaret MacLean, Catherine MacKechnie and Mary Black. All of them especially those coming are from Oban Hospice apart from Veronica from the islands. Committee welcomes bursary applications THE NHS Highland Endowment Fund Committee activities in the following areas: has allocated funding for staff to use in support of Certificates / Diplomas personal or career development learning activities Conferences that are not a core requirement of their role but will Degrees (degree modules) be of benefit to patients / staff and / or the delivery Occupational Qualifications or improvement of services. Post Graduate studies Further applications for bursaries during Standard Grade / Higher 2013/2014 are now being welcomed. Any other learning opportunities Applicants should consider all other sources of Applications will require you to attach a current funding prior to applying to the Non-Core Endow- Personal Development Plan (PDP) containing the ment Fund. Alternative sources of funding include learning activity for which you are requesting fund- managers training budgets, local endowment funds, ing Information on the study leave policy can be sponsorship and Individual Learning Accounts. found on the intranet at: Applications are limited to one per applicant in http://intranet.nhsh.scot.nhs.uk/PoliciesLibrary/ any round of funding. Documents/Study%20Leave%20Policy%20and% Applications have previously been supported for 20Procedure.pdf - 18 - Members COPYRIGHT: Summary of national policy, August 2011 of the Copying print materials public given protected by copyright PUBLISHED information costs health improvement, and why a copy money, and it is protected by copy- is essential. Where copies are re- update right law. quired for education or research with In the current climate of economic an external institution, staff should on falls restraint, NHSScotland needs to obtain items via those institutions. make full use of the electronic re- The volume of requests from individu- support sources already licensed for national als and from each health board will use. We should pay the full copyright be monitored. THE Pavilion in Rothe- fees for photocopies of print re- Delivery time from the British Li- say was the venue for sources only when essential. brary for copyright cleared items is on a public update on 1. “Do not photocopy” rule average 24 hours during the working support available for In order to remain strictly within week, and can be by post or email. members of the com- the law, as a general rule staff should Urgent copies may be obtained with munity who suffer not photocopy from print publications two-hour deliver at higher cost in falls and frailty at protected by copyright – eg, from cases of critical need. home. books, journals, reports, etc. 4. Exceptions to the “no pho- The meeting was 2. Use electronic resources via tography” rule well attended with The Knowledge Network There are a few specific situations around 45 people Journal articles and books should in which it is safe to photocopy: hearing how local ser- be sourced in electronic form from  For judicial proceedings, statu- vices such as NHS The Knowledge Network tory inquires and Royal Commis- Highland, the Scottish (www.knowledge.scot.nhs.uk) when- sions, as permitted by copyright law. Ambulance Service ever possible. These online re-  For Crown Copyright material, and Argyll and Bute sources are licensed for use in where a free licence is normally avail- Council are co- NHSScotland. able – Government publications will ordinating resources 3. Obtain photocopies with a often be covered by Crown Copyright quickly in order to copyright fee, is essential so copying can be undertaken within prevent unnecessary If an item is not available electroni- the relevant terms. hospital admissions. cally, and a photocopy is essential,  Where the owner has explicitly The meeting was staff should place a request via their given copyright permission, waived opened by Cath library service. Forms are available copyright, or given a Creative Com- McLoone, team leader on The Knowledge Network and the mons or similar free licence – eg, for older people, and Scottish Health Libraries catalogue Open Access repositories. updates followed from (www.shelcat.org) for this purpose,  For publications where your representatives from and many boards also have their lo- NHS board owns the copyright. NHS Highland and cal requesting arrangements. The 5 More information Scottish Ambulance library service will then source the Contact knowl- Service. item with copyright clearance from [email protected] with any Participants at the the British Library. questions. meeting felt that the Copyright fees are expensive. It is More detailed information on the opportunity for an therefore essential to confirm that background to this guidance and an- open discussion of copies are genuinely needed. Staff swers to common questions are ideas with all service will be asked whether they need the available on request from your library providers was ex- item for purposes of their employ- service or from NHS Education for tremely valuable. ment and delivery of patient care/ Scotland at the email address above.

- 19 - We catch up with Ailsa Gordon, oral health educator/ extended duties dental nurse

Tell us about your job. I provide oral health education to all age groups, but mainly I support the Childsmile Pro- gramme & Caring for Smiles film? ily, friends and charity. training. I’m based in Inverness I love sci-fi, so there’s quite a What about a smaller sum, but cover Beauly, Dingwall, the few – Star Wars, the Matrix, say £1,000? Black Isle and Wester Ross. Harry Potter – but my all-time, Family holiday. just-for-laughs favourite would Describe yourself. have to be Blazing Saddles. If you could have dinner with Cheeky, cheery, sociable. three people, dead or alive, And TV programme? who they be and what would Hobbies and interests? Again, I love sci-fi so I like the you cook them? Reading novels (Jo Nesbo a fa- Star Trek franchise, Stargate Stephen Fry, Harrison Ford and vourite), watching movies and SG1, etc, but will sit down to Sean Connery. I’d cook them socialising with friends. watch The Big Bang Theory sit- roast chicken and the trimmings com. I somehow relate to them. because it’s my favourite. What was the first single you Oh, and Family Guy. ever bought? There can’t be many people Blondie, “Island of Lost Souls” (I Finally, what’s your favourite who can say they’ve cleaned really had to think about that book? a kangaroo’s teeth. one). The Millennium Trilogy by Steig You’re talking about Bungee. Larson. He’s one of my closest compan- What is your favourite food? ions. Being from Australia, he Roast chicken and all the trim- If you won £10 million in the likes to look after himself – and mings. lottery, what would you spend especially his teeth. Bungee is a it on? big advocate of regular brush- And how about your favourite Holiday, house and give to fam- ing.

- 20 - SPSP: Manaidsear ga ceasnachadh air prìomh phrògram naidheachdan Luchd-èisteachd a’ BhBC a’ cluinntinn mu obair NHS na Gàidhealtachd air prògram sàbhailteachd easlaintich

Tha Màiri Anna NicIllÌosa, QUOTE manaidsear Prògram Sàb- hailteachd Easlaintich NHS na Tha sinn airson leantainn oirnn a’ suidheachadh Gàidhealtachd ann an Alba, air cunntas dùrachdach mun targaidean adhartach a tha sinn a’ creidsinn a prògram agus a bhuannachdan a gheibh sinn air sa thoirt gu buil. thoirt dha luchd-èisteachd rèidio nàiseanta. Chaidh agallamh fada a thoradh air obair SPSP – a thigh- an sgioba gu lèir a’ stad greis dhèanamh le Màiri Anna airson inn a bhruidhinn mun obair aca agus a’ dèanamh measadh caran prìomh sgeulachd an fheasgair agus mu cuid de na toraidhean. coltach ris a’ mheasadh a bhios air prògram Radio 4 na bu tràithe Air a ceasnachadh leis an ri- paidhleatan plèana a’ dèanamh. air a’ mhìos. ochdaire, Eddie Mair, dh’inns Thuirt i gun robhar an ìre Bha an naidheachd co- Màiri Anna dhan luchd-èisteachd mhath air cur às dhan chunnart cheangailte ri sgrùdadh gun robh Ospadal an Rathaig bho teasach-sgamhain co- mionaideach a rinn an t-eòlaiche Mhòir air a dhol gu math fada cheangailte ri dìth analachaidh bho na Stàitean Aonaichte, an seachad air an targaid de lùghda- tro chùram cunbhalach. Ard Ollamh Don Berwick, air chadh 15% ann am bàsan – co- ospadalan ann an Sasainn. ionann ri 100 beatha air a shàb- Agus bhruidhinn i mu na buan- Thàinig e gun cho-dhùnadh gum haladh – tro atharrachadh cultair nachdan a tha an lùib a bhith a’ bu chòir sàbhailteachd “ruith tro agus measgachadh de dhòig- brosnachadh cultar de dh’fhios- gach gnìomh is ìre san NHS”. hean-obrach. rachadh fosgailte is fìrinneach. Ag aithris gun robh, tuath air Thuirt i gun robh a bhith a’ cru- Chrìochnaich Màiri Anna le na crìochan, Comhairle Sàb- inneachadh fiosrachadh mu cho bhith ag ràdh: “Tha sinn air a hailteachd Easlaintich na h-Alba earbsach ‘s a bha dòighean bhith ri seo bho chionn còig bliad- ag obair a dh’ionnsaigh an cùraim air diofar mòr a hna; tha fios againn gu bheil tuil- dearbh nì sin, thug am BBC dhèanamh. leadh ri choileanadh agus tha cuireadh dha NHS na Gàidheal- Thug Màiri Anna cunntas sinn airson a bhith a’ suid- tachd – a tha air leasachaidhean cuideachd air “dàil lannsa”, liosta heachadh targaidean adhartach a mòra ann an sàbhailteachd sgrùdaidh a thathas a’ gabhail os tha sinn a’ creidsinn a gheibh easlaintich a chlàradh mar làimh san lann-lannsa far am bi sinn air a thoirt gu buil.”

What’s your story? Keep Highlights informed

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. - 21 - MEET THE BOARD : ROBIN CREELMAN

HERE'S a sentence on Robin elected chair of Argyll and Bute Creelman taken from the NSH Highlights chats to Community Health Partnership. Highland website: “Throughout In 2008 he chaired the current his career he has enjoyed many Robin Creelman, version of the Healthcare Associ- senior positions in the civil engi- ated Infection (HAI) Standards. neering, construction, service and one of the 11 He currently chairs the HAI Pro- leisure industries.” gramme board at Health Protec- That says a lot – and not very non-executive tion Scotland and has recently much. stepped down as an Associate How much more telling would members of NHS Inspector, Patient Focus with the it have been if Robin had listed Healthcare Environment Inspec- perhaps the wackiest jobs of his Highland’s board torate. – or just about anybody's – ca- It's an impressive list of public reer? the old Argyll and Clyde Health service, and one that's not easy Robin was once paid for keep- Council. to associate with his many day ing the midges away from Emily Public involvement and the jobs – not least the one which Watson, an Oscar-nominated ac- control and prevention of infec- involved midges and movies. tress during a Holywood film tion have been his two principal Born and educated in Green- shoot in deepest Argyll. And he interests. Robin became a mem- ock, Robin Creelman left school followed that up by being midge- ber of the Healthcare Associated to become a civil engineer – his buster to the stars of a series of Infection taskforce in 2004, and father was in that line of work and made-for-TV German movies. chaired its public involvement it was something he always We could let Robin explain all, and communications team until wanted to do. but we can't resist just leaving it 2010. He has been a member of After working on various pro- at that. Let's just assure you that the National Patient Safety Advi- jects in Scotland, Robin took he once made a business out of sory Board and chaired, on be- what he considered the brave controlling midges. To find out half of NHS QIS, the health tech- step of moving to the United Arab more, see the foot of this article. nology assessment into the clini- Emirates (Dingwall to Dubai) to Robin became a non- cal and cost effectiveness of work on the design and construc- executive member of the NHS screening for MRSA. In 2007 he tion of foundations for multi- Highland board in April 2011, was elected chair of Argyll and storey buildings. It was the late having been involved in health- Bute Public Partnership Forum 70s, and the Middle East oil care since 2000, when he joined and last year he became the first Continued on page 23 - 22 - MEET THE BOARD: ROBIN CREELMAN Continued from page 22 spired his interest in healthcare, but Robin also looks back to his 70s, and the Middle East oil experience in the Gulf: “When I boom was only just beginning to was there I could access the very manifest itself in some of the best treatment in military hospi- most over-the-top construction tals, while the people we em- projects seen anywhere. He even ployed on site had nothing. worked on the construction of a “That certainly reinforced the dry dock in the garden of a mem- value I put on the National Health ber of the local royal family. Service.” Robin recalls: “I had a great And yet he readily acknowl- time there.I had a good lifestyle edges that the NHS isn't perfect – with few of the restrictions appli- as the tragedy of Mid Staffs at- cable in Saudi. I got married a tests. couple of years before I went to Robin refers to that low point the Gulf and I was there for 18 First off, Robin bought a haul- to underline one of his particular months before my wife (Moyra, age contractor's yard where a passions: the importance of en- from Elgin) joined me. I stayed for small calor gas business hap- gaging with people. five years. I remember thinking pened to be based. It was a retail He explained: “I have an abid- that if I didn't go home then I business, with customers living ing belief in the high quality of our never would. There was some- within an eight-mile radius. Robin staff, but I really don't think we – thing about Scotland that pulled quickly expanded it, developing it and I mean management, and me back. Working in a foreign into a wholesale business and the board – don't talk to our staff culture also lets you assess the serving places as far away as enough. We don't ask them often values you place on your own Campbeltown and Fort William. enough if they think things are country and truly value our insti- At the time, he was still doing being done as they should be tutions like the NHS.” some civil engineering work, done. Robin returned to work as a serving local business contrac- “When you look at all the dis- site agent in charge of a con- tors. That led him to his next asters there have been in the struction project – building ware- business venture: he bought and NHS down south, one consistent houses for the drinks industry – in hired out plant. theme emerges – the criticism the East End of Glasgow. The midge control work – don't that management don't know, or Later, despite never having ask! – came next, and was fol- fully appreciate, what the staff are been self-employed, he took the lowed by an even more unlikely doing and the pressures that they unlikely step of buying a nine- move when he got out of the gas are under.” bedroom hotel in Glendaruel, on and insect trades and set up a And that brings us to where the south side of Loch Fyne, and self-catering business. we started. Robin began his chat moved there from his parents' Currently he has his eyes on with Highlights with what we home in Wemyss Bay. turning an 80ft barn in his garden might call a positive criticism. “It was a bold step,” I suppose. – his property was once part of “These articles are headed “Looking back, I realise that I the home of the Fletcher clan – 'Meet the board', he pointed out, failed to appreciate the difference into self-catering units. “and yet nowhere in them do you between being a hotel owner and “It would make a splendid holi- give the contact details of the non a guest. It attracted a lot of trade day venue,” he said. -execs you interview.” from people who were into fish- The odd DIY renovation job We'll correct that. ing, and I did make a success of apart, Robin's key focus these If you have an NHS Highland- it. But the return from the busi- days is on the health service. related issue you wish to contact ness wasn't proportionate to the His story about why he be- to Robin about, he can be amount of stress and effort it in- came interested in the subject emailed at volved. I liked the challenge of requires some editing. What [email protected] running a hotel, but after four would now be termed a signifi- He might even tell you about years I sold the hotel and started cant adverse event caused him how he once came to keep a variety of businesses.” some suffering and certainly in- midges away from film stars. - 23 - Work continues on new PMS BACKGROUND The preliminary work to com-  1st wave was the validation plete NHS Highland’s new PMS sys- training – this was undertaken by IN December 2012 the NHS High- tem and environment is now com- InterSystems to train those required land board approved the implemen- pleted. That means the ‘Base Sys- to check or validate the application tation of the National Patient Man- tem’ has now been built. as well as to train the NHS Highland agement System for NHS Highland. The ‘Base System’ has gone training staff nd The PMS system is named Trak- through initial validation (or check-  2 wave will be the super Care and is supplied by a company ing) to make sure that it looks right user training – this will be under- called InterSystems. and it does what it should. taken by our own NHS Highland The PMS will replace the iSoft The programme can now begin trainers rd and Helix Patient Administration Sys- work on: 3 wave will be the training to tems (PAS) currently used in NHS constructing actual clinics to all users – this will be undertaken by Highland. be used in the new PMS the super users and our trainers and The new system will initially re- constructing the actual letters will take place six to eight weeks place the existing functions of the to be used in the new PMS before go live. This training will hap- PAS systems. ensuring that the data to be pen across NHS Highland and will Once that is done additional func- migrated is accurate and correct be a mixture of face to face as well tionality will be introduced to support creating Standard Operating as training via WebEx (on-line train- clinical practices. This will take the Procedures (SOPS) for how we will ing). form of real-time bed management use the new PMS in line with the and order communications (now Highland Quality Approach CLINICAL known as request reporting). Re- Once the SOPS are produced quest reporting will allow a clinician then training material (including The Clinical Project Board is due to to request a diagnostic test and re- video clips) will be produced to aid meet on 2nd September. The work ceive the results electronically. staff. of the Clinical Project Board will re- flect the outputs from the former WHAT IS HAPPENING? DATA MIGRATION Clinical Focus Group and will con- centrate in the first instance on real- time bed management and request Since the implementation started on Migrating the patient data from the reporting. 1st April 2013 there has been an existing PAS systems to the PMS is incredible amount of work com- a major and complex task. pleted. COMMUNICATIONS An implementation team has This element of the programme is been formed using staff from across key to ensuring patient safety as any Presentations on progress with the the service missing patient data will lead to pa- implementation continue on a New central hardware for the tient care being compromised. monthly basis at Inverness, Wick, PMS has been purchased, installed To ensure that the programme Fort William and Lochgilphead (video and tested delivers a successful migration exer- conferencing is available at most Performance tests of the new cise external experts (who have ex- sites). Please attend if you can. system have started on sites across perience of migration with NHS The eHealth Department has cre- NHS Highland Greater Glasgow & Clyde) have ated a number of recorded demon- Core work around data migra- been engaged within the pro- strations so that staff can review the tion, interfacing to existing systems, gramme. new PMS. These are available on building the PMS environment and This will ensure that NHS High- the PMS website which is housed on reporting has started land builds on the experiences and the NHS Highland intranet under  Discrete projects within the successes of other PMS boards. eHealth projects. For ease you can programme have been created to click on the link below. cover: TRAINING http://intranet.nhsh.scot.nhs.uk/  Technical Projects/eHealth/  Core PAS Training on the new PMS will take PatientManagementSystem/Pages/  Clinical place in phases: Default.aspx

If you have any questions about any aspect of the PMS programme please get in touch via the PMS mailbox [email protected]

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