Highlights

FEBRUARY 2015 LOOK WHAT EBOLA GP THEY FOUND TO LAUNCH ON DRUM SITE CHARITY PAGES 10 & 11 PAGE 9 PENSION CHANGES IMMINENT FOR NHS EMPLOYEES: DETAILS ON PAGES 20 & 21 HIGHLAND HOSPITALS PLAN GETS ALL-CLEAR WORK will now gain pace on Robison, had approved the board’s Runner Rachel plans for two new hospitals in “exciting proposals” for the moderni- Highland. sation of community and hospital really is a good Earlier this month, NHS Highland services in two areas: Badenoch & revealed that the Cabinet Secretary Strathspey and Skye, Lochalsh & Samaritan! for Health and Wellbeing, Shona Continued on page 2 SEE PAGE 7 - - Major service change plans

Photo courtesy of John Paul, are approved Inverness Continued from front page view to preparing the formal busi- Helen’s set for ness case necessary in such pro- & South West Ross. Her decision jects. new challenge follows comprehensive public en- Work will include determining gagement and consultation on the specification for the new build- HELENSBURGH woman what was deemed “major service ing and purchase of the site. Elaine Aranci is keen to put changes” in both area. Explaining her decision with re- her new skills to work after successfully completing a It means that a new hospital and gard to Skye, Lochalsh & South Certificate of Higher Educa- resource centre will be built in West Ross, Ms Robison wrote that tion in Business Manage- Aviemore, both the health centre she believed the plans for the ‘hub’ ment through trade union and the Glen Day Centre in Avie- and ‘spoke’ facilities to be “credible learning. more will be relocated to the new and viable”. Elaine has an admin sup- facility, and the Ian Charles Hospi- She added that, as well as the port role with NHS Highland tal in Grantown-on-Spey and the St provision of new facilities, key to in Helensburgh and was one Vincent’s Hospital in Kingussie. the board’s redesign programme of 15 learners from across The decision will also mean the were the necessary expansion of the Highlands and Islands expansion of care at home and care at home and community ser- who embarked on the two- year qualification. The community services in Badenoch & vices, the further integration of course was aimed at helping Strathspey. health and social care, and some workers gain qualifications In Skye, Lochalsh & South West additional provision of palliative to improve their job pros- Ross, Ms Robison’s decision will and respite care. pects. mean the construction of a new Work on the details of the new Elaine said: “When I hospital – known as a ‘hub’ facility facilities and redesigned services started the course I hoped to – in Broadford and the provision of will now take place and will include prove to myself that I was a smaller, ‘spoke’ facility in Portree. a series of workshops with a range still capable of learning and I The Cabinet Secretary made of health and social care staff, as hoped to further my career. her decisions known in letters to well as partner organisations. It was very daunting at first, but my confidence grew with NHS Highland chair Garry Coutts. This work will take place over each module. On the Badenoch & Strathspey the next few months and will feed Sylvia O’Grady, lifelong plans, she wrote: “These proposals into the production of an ‘initial learning manager for Scot- will bring new, modern facilities to agreement’ document, which is a tish Union Learning, said: the area and I look forward to the key requirement of the process. “This course exemplifies the board taking them forward in close This will go before the NHS High- role of unions in developing consultation with the people of Ba- land board probably in August. the workforce by providing denoch & Strathspey.” NHS Highland will then be re- opportunities for workers to With approval having been quired to prepare an outline busi- enhance their skills and granted, detailed planning for the ness care and then a full business qualifications and conse- quently, improve their career new services and facilities now case. This will see more detail, in- prospects. gets under way in earnest with a cluding costs, being defined. - 2 - IT’S TIME TO GET IN STEP! STAFF across NHS Highland online and then log your daily are being encouraged to get steps. While the steps every- Expert team teams together to join the one took last year were 2015 National Step Count amazing, the personal goals Challenge. achieved, the improvements delivering drug The eight-week pro- made and the challenges sur- gramme was a big success passed are the real success and alcohol across NHS Highland last stories from this programme.” year, as staff marched their NHS Highland staff took recovery support way to a combined 175 mil- the Step Count Challenge to PEOPLE in recovery from drug and alco- lion steps – the equivalent of all four corners of Great Brit- hol problems in Argyll and Bute are walking three times around ain, across mainland Europe benefiting from the Addaction Scotland the earth! and even into South America approach which ensures that they are “This is an excellent in a bid to come out on top in seen quickly and where they are comfort- chance to get a team to- last year’s record breaking able. gether and set your own attempt. Since taking over the contract for drug and alcohol recovery services on goals based on how many However, the eventual 1st January, the charity has built up a list steps you cover each day,” team winners were Kintrye of 87 clients in Argyll and Bute. Its expert said NHS Highland health Pams from Campeltown, who team has been getting out and about in promotion officer Dan Jen- clocked up an incredible local communities, seeing every new cli- kins. 4,370,596 steps. ent within 72 hours and many within 24 “Staff can use pedometers Dan added: “While the hours. – or you can download an competitive edge works for Addaction always puts service user app on your phone – that some people, the health needs first and that includes meeting count all the steps you do, benefits work for everyone. where it suits the client. So far the team whether it’s in or out of work A short walk goes a long in Argyll and Bute has visited people in their homes and met others in places time. It’s not all about doing way.” such as community centres and GP sur- the most steps: the biggest You can sign up for the geries. recognition (and national 2015 Step Count Challenge Christina West, chair of the Argyll and prizes) in this challenge are b y l o g g i n g o n t o Bute Alcohol and Drug Partnership, said: for people who improve the www.stepcount.org.uk . You “The partnership is working closely with steps they cover, for the most can also check which pe- Addaction to ensure that we continue to creative ways to get out walk- dometer Apps work best for meet the needs of service users. I am ing, and for the people who your phone by checking out also pleased that Addaction has already best inspire those around http://www.pathsforall.org.uk/ met with so many clients over the last them. pfa/health-walks/walking- month and that they are committed to meeting with these individuals in the “The process is easy – all apps.html. Registration for most appropriate setting for their you need to do is get a team the Step Count Challenge is needs.” of five together, sign up £5 per person. - 3 - ONE of the Highlands’ best- known pharmacists has retired. David Raeburn took over the Spa Pharmacy in Strathpeffer in September 2001, and has also run two pharmacist prescribing clinics in conjunction with GP practices both in the village and in Dingwall. And while the 61-year-old said he was looking forward to an active retirement – and a family holiday in Australia – he explained that he had mixed feelings about leaving the busi- ness. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the practice,” said Mr Raeburn, who is from Glasgow. David Raeburn and Gail Coburn in the Spa pharmacy “Before I took it over I had been working in Essex as a prescrib- tion, he obtained a Masters de- ing advisor for the health author- gree in Pain Management at Ed- ity there. I wanted a change in Pharmacist inburgh University in 2009. lifestyle and, though I had never He explained: “Around 35-40 been to Strathpeffer before, I David calls per cent of the people who come knew it was ideal for me. to the pharmacy do so because “It's been great to own a prac- they have a pain problem that I tice that's at the very heart of the it a day felt could be better controlled. community, where you know It's a subject I'm interested in your customers and tions between GPs and commu- and may get further involved in can therefore provide a very per- nity pharmacies. now that I've handed over the sonal service. I’'ve been pre- David took his Pharmacy de- pharmacy.” scribing for people who live as gree at Strathclyde University The Spa Pharmacy is being far as 30 miles away, which is and completed his pre- taken over by partners Catriona pretty unusual for a pharmacist. registration year at the Royal Sinclair and Robert Bell. Ca- It’s a busy pharmacy, not least Infirmary in Glasgow. triona is the current chair of the because of the many tourists In what has been a busy and Highland Pharmacy Contractors who pass through Strathpeffer.” diverse career, he spent some Committee and is pharmacist at David, who lives just outside time in the United States, where Brora Pharmacy. Garve, is well known not only in he did post-doctoral research for While David is leaving the his area but in the healthcare the US government and served business, his dispenser, Gail community in Highland. He has as assistant professor in Phar- Coburn, will continue to work served on various NHS Highland macology at Louisiana State there. committees over the years, in- University in New Orleans. Helen MacDonald, NHS cluding as chair of its Area Phar- He was then headhunted Highland's community pharmacy maceutical Committee and of back to the UK to work for a ma- business manager, said: “David the Highland Pharmacy Contrac- jor drugs company, and subse- has been a great servant to tors Committee. quently returned to the United pharmacy and to the community He has recently been in- States to head the firm's inflam- he serves. We wish him well in volved in a pilot initiative with the mation pharmacology pro- his retirement and are sure his Royal College of Physicians and gramme in Philadelphia. successors at the Spa Phar- the Royal Pharmaceutical Soci- As well as holding an inde- macy will continue his good ety to help improve communica- pendent prescribing qualifica- work.”

- 4 - 30 MINUTES of physical activity every day can boost your health

PHYSICAL activity is free and Community Planning to develop can help people to live longer, projects which will encourage have fewer long-term health people to get out and enjoy be- conditions like diabetes and high ing active in Argyll and the blood pressure, have a healthy Isles.” body weight and feel better Christina West, chief officer, emotionally. Argyll and Bute Health and So- And to encourage more peo- cial Care Partnership said, “We ple to be more active, the Argyll are very proud of this strategy and Bute Health and Wellbeing as lots of people have come to- Partnership is launching a physi- gether from the NHS, council cal activity strategy. and the voluntary sector to cre- The strategy was developed ate a shared vision for increas- by Argyll and Bute’s Health and ing rates of physical activity. Wellbeing Partnership following “Argyll and Bute is a vibrant a consultation earlier this year place to live with lots of opportu- involving community and volun- nities for physical activity. How- tary groups. Julie Young, of the ever, some people find it less Argyll and the Isles Coastal and easy to be active and this strat- Countryside Trust, said, “Health egy aims to ensure people are and wellbeing is among our key aware of the benefits of being objectives and we are working active and have the opportuni- closely with our partners in ties to do so.” GPs brush up their skills TWENTY-FOUR GPs recently at- cused on two main elements: the emergencies, cardiac failure, ad- tended a week-long course in Mid skills GPs require to deal with vanced trauma life support and Argyll Community Hospital and patients attending A&E and casu- oncology treatment monitoring. Integrated Care Centre in Loch- alty units and the skills required Dr Adrian Ward, course direc- gilphead. to treat in-patients within the hos- tor and Lochgilphead GP, said: “I The course provided GPs with pital. was delighted that the course an opportunity to refresh and The course was delivered by a went well and I was pleased that build on their already extensive number of specialist health pro- it was well received by many of skills for dealing with patients fessionals, including senior con- my GP colleagues who attended who attend local hospitals. It fo- sultants, and covered paediatric throughout the week.” - 5 - Staggies support scheme DO you have a passion for foot- And they are looking for volun- will also improve. We are looking ball and a desire to help people in teers to help assist these indi- for volunteer drivers or buddies your local community become viduals attend games at the who are willing to attend the socially active? If so, Reshaping Global Energy Stadium. match with those people who are Care for Older People (RCOP) Tray Shaw, RCOP Mid Ross looking to get back to the games. Highland wants to hear from you. community networker, said: “The “Ross County will provide free RCOP Highland are working in aim of the football buddies pro- tickets to both the attendees and partnership with Ross County gramme is to target individuals the buddies, with the Black Isle Football Club and the Black Isle from Dingwall and the Black Isle community car scheme offering Community Care Scheme who have an interest in football transport for a small charge. (BICCS) to help older, isolated but for whatever reason, they are “We are looking to start the individuals in Dingwall and the no longer able to attend games.” pilot on the 28th February and Black Isle attend the Staggies’ “The benefits of social interac- any interested parties, both atten- home matches in a bid to im- tion are well documented and it is dees and helpers, should contact prove their level of social interac- anticipated that the mental health me on 0754950401 or email me tion. and wellbeing of those attending at [email protected].”

WATER LADIES: From left, Grant House resi- dents Eliza- beth (92), carer Mandy Smith, resi- dent Elise Robertson (97), carer Dot Dolan, resi- dent Ella Bul- loch (101) and carer Christine Smith

HREE residents of NHS Highland’s Grant House regularly and one day I mentioned to one of the T care home in Grantown-on-Spey made a splash ladies I was heading to the pool after work. It be- recently – at the hydrotherapy pool in Forres. came clear that she was a keen swimmer when she The trio were treated to a trip to the baths as was younger and the whole thing took off from part of the Scottish Government’s ‘Up and About in there. We decided to take them to the hydrotherapy Care Homes’ initiative – which look at innovative pool as the water is warmer than in a regular swim- ways to prevent falls in a care home setting. ming pool, and it provided easier access for them Staff attreated the care home discussed the pos- to get in and out of the water. sibility of taking residents swimming after they had “They thoroughly enjoyed their trip and we hope expressed an interest in getting into the water. to make it a regular occurrence when the weather Carer Dot Dolan explained: “I go swimming gets better.”

- 6 - Good Samaritan Rachel to tackle her bucket list Raigmore OT plans marathon fund -raiser A RAIGMORE occupational phone calls from all over UK as therapist is taking part in the Ed- well as emails, many of which are inburgh Marathon to raise money from America. I work an early for a charity that’s close to her morning shift and then I head off heart. for my day job here at Raigmore. Rachel Hince (right), specialist “Running a marathon is on my occupational therapist for blue ‘bucket list’ – I’ve always wanted badge & housing, has been work- to do it. I’ve completed a few half ing as a listening volunteer at the marathons and 10K’s over the Inverness Samaritans branch for years, but the opportunity to run a the past 11 months. marathon has never really pre- “It is an incredibly rewarding sented itself until now.” and satisfying role,” she said. “I’m “I figured it was an ideal op- there to listen to people and not portunity to realise a life-long am- to judge. As a listening volunteer bition as well as raise money for you feel you are making a differ- Inverness Samaritans”. ence. The most valued thing is to “I’ve been doing a lot of train- be listened to and when you are ing ahead of the marathon at the feeling down, upset and there end of May. seems to be no hope that is all To donate to Rachel’s effort, you really want. visit https://mydonate.bt.com/ “Inverness Samaritans takes fundraisers/rachee1 Win an iPad Mini in walk challenge AS an opportunity to keep your and surrounding buildings to be iPad Mini. You can complete as walking goals growing (whatever one of the NHS sites. So, if you many personal challenges before they may be) Ramblers Scotland download the app, set some per- 31st March and each challenge are launching a new app linked to sonal challenges and give it a go, completed will gain another entry their ‘Medal Routes’, and de- you could win an iPad mini. into the prize draw. signed for NHS workplaces. To take part in the NHS chal- You must create a challenge The Medal Routes Challenge lenge download the Medal first before walking or your steps will run till 31st March. Anyone Routes app to your phone, regis- will not contribute to your target. can take part – staff, patients or ter and click on the ‘Personal You also must create your target visitors – and can join at any time Challenge’ section in the menu via the ‘PERSONAL Challenge’ (though if you start now, set a bar. Here you will be able to cre- section and not the ‘Personal personal challenge and achieve ate a personal target and monitor Goals’ section of the App it, you can get go back and set how you are doing as you walk. For more information go to more for more chances to win). Once you complete your per- www.medalroutes.org They are piloting this app and sonal challenge you will have one Dan Jenkins, have invited Raigmore Hospital entry into the prize draw to win an health promotion officer - 7 - Sexual health site launched Range of ARGYLL & Bute Community Young people, adults and the Health Partnership is encouraging lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans- the public to visit their new sexual gender (LGBT) community in Ar- activities health website, www.ab-wish.org gyll and Bute helped to inform the The website, aimed at teenag- website, its look and content. ers and adults in Argyll and Bute, For additional information or to help provides online information about any enquiries, contact senior relationships, sexually transmitted health improvement specialist infections, condoms, contracep- Laura Stephenson by telephone tion, local sexual health services on 01436 655076 or email at improve and support. [email protected] health TEAPOT TRUST: Raigmore initiative launched outcomes Art therapy on A NEW initiative has been launched in Ross-shire aimed at developing a range of rec- reational activities and pro- offer for children grammes to benefit the whole community. CHILDREN accessing rheumatol- opportunity to express and work ‘Seaboard Cares’ was re- ogy services at Raigmore will now through any concerns or worries. cently established to address have access to art therapy thanks “We hope this access to early needs in the Seaboard vil- to the Teapot Trust, which was intervention and support within our lages of Balintore, Hilton and launched earlier this month at the wider team will help our patients as Shandwick – particularly con- hospital. they progress along their treatment cerns regarding the care and The Teapot Trust is dedicated pathway.” wellbeing of older people in to providing professional art ther- Linda Cessford, CEO of the the community. apy in a medical environment to Teapot Trust, Laura and John The project will work children coping with chronic illness. Young, who founded the Teapot closely with people throughout In particular, they focus on support- Trust, joined Donald Cameron, Mid and East Ross to help ing children suffering from complex Lord Lieutenant of Inverness-shire improve health outcomes, cre- rheumatological diseases. and artist John Byrne MBE RSA as ate cultural and leisure oppor- Dr Helen Freeman, consultant they met families and members of tunities and aid the develop- paediatrician for NHS Highland, staff at the Birnie Centre and found ment of employment opportu- explained the positive impact art out about how art therapy has nities, care services and trans- therapy can have. helped them. port links through efficient She said: "The Teapot Trust is The Lord Lieutenant said: “I was partnership working. a great addition to our multidiscipli- very impressed by the profession- nary paediatric rheumatology team. alism and sensitivity of the art The project has a board of The use of art therapy has the po- therapist working for the Teapot trustees and is supported and tential to greatly support our chil- Trust in Raigmore Hospital. advised by a range of agen- dren and their families as they “The trust is renowned for its cies including NHS Highland, come to terms with their diagno- work with mostly, but not exclu- The Highland Council, High sis and ongoing treatment. sively, rheumatology paediatric pa- Life Highland and a number of “Many of our children face regu- tients across Scotland and it is of local and regional voluntary lar hospital visits for assessment or great credit that their art therapy, organisations. treatment, and art therapy offers which started in Edinburgh in 2010, Seaboard Cares held an them a fun way to spend their time is now being used successfully in information day in Balintore while at the hospital but also an six hospitals in Scotland.” earlier this month. - 8 - VOLUNTEER’S MISSION: Sutherland GP to follow up Sierra Leone work Ebola doctor to launch medical training charity THE Highland GP who recently Allied Health Sciences, University in the 1970s. worked as a volunteer in an of Sierra Leone, that his idea of Dr Mardel (57) has worked in Ebola treatment centre in West setting up a charity to fund stu- viral haemorrhagic fevers and Africa is set to launch a charity to dents through the college took public healthcare systems for fund medical training there. shape. much of his career. A consultant Dr Chris Mair, who plans to “Dr Samai thought the idea in accident and emergency medi- return to the Kerry Town centre in was an excellent one,” he said. cine currently working in Man- Sierra Leone later this year, is Dr Mair was particularly inter- chester, he worked in about 20 teaming up with a fellow medic, ested to learn that 40 of Dr countries, mainly in emergencies Dr Simon Mardel OBE, to set up Samai’s 60 students last year or outbreaks, with French, Ameri- a programme to support medical had to quit their course because can or British non-governmental education in the country. they had run out of money. organisations, and the World They hope to attract funding “The consequences of a drop- Health Organization. from businesses operating in the out rate like that are devastating He was made an OBE in area and from organisations that for the country,” he said. “An offi- 1993, and his work in humanitar- have a track record in supporting cial told me there are only 130 ian crisis zones has taken him to medical causes. public doctors in Sierra Leone, places such as Afghanistan, Su- Dr Mair (61), a GP at the which has a population of 6.6 mil- dan and Srebrenica. In the past Creich Surgery in Bonar Bridge, lion. decade he has worked on the Sutherland, spent six weeks in “And yet student fees are only Sars and bird flu outbreaks but Kerry Town at the end of last $2,500 a year – a fraction of what he has latterly been working on year. they are in the western world. the Ebola crisis in West Africa. He said: “While I was there it Given that a student’s accommo- “It was great to meet up with was clear to me that many of the dation, books and equipment him after a gap of 20 years while country’s healthcare systems may also cost around $2,500 a I was in Sierra Leone,” said Dr were either failed or stretched far year, and that an undergraduate Mair. “I’m now looking forward to beyond their capability. course is for six years, it would working with him on our new ven- “On Christmas Eve, I visited cost only $30,000 to put a stu- ture.” the hospital adjacent to the medi- dent through medical education. He added that several factors cal school in Freetown, the coun- “I am told that there are had combined to fuel his passion try’s capital. Grim is the only word around 120 students currently for helping to address Sierra to describe Connaught Hospital. unable to complete their course Leone’s healthcare problems. It had virtually no doctors, with because of lack of funding. This While he was at Kerry Town junior doctors being on strike and is a desperate situation in a part he worked with Scots public many of the senior doctors hav- of the world where healthcare health nurse Pauline Cafferkey, ing succumbed to Ebola. Indeed, systems are barely functional who recently recovered from no operations were taking place anyway. The Ebola crisis has Ebola. A previous medical stu- there because of Ebola. magnified the crisis but Sierra dent at Dr Mair’s Sutherland “I knew then that I wanted to Leone’s healthcare provision practice looked after her while do something to help.” would be woefully inadequate she was being treated at the And it was in a conversation even without Ebola.” Royal Free Hospital in London, Dr Mair had with Dr Mohammed Dr Mair’s colleague in planning and another one is currently par- Samai, the Provost of the College the new charity went to St Mary’s ticipating in one of the Ebola vac- of Pharmacology, Medicine and Hospital Medical School with him cine first-wave trials. - 9 -

New health centre site yields Bronze Age finds

A HIGHLAND village’s earliest- known resident, who lived around 4,500 years ago, wore a stone guard on his wrist when using a bow and arrow and fa- voured geometric designs on his kitchenware. Following the discovery last month of a Bronze Age burial cist in Drumnadrochit, archae- ologists have found shards of pottery and a wrist guard on the same site. Now, work is ongoing to glean as much information as possible about the finds, and it’s even hoped to determine the gender of the skeletal remains – though it’s thought the archery equipment may provide a clue. The cist and artefacts were uncovered during works prepar- Some of the decorated shards of the beaker pot ing the site of the NHS High- Picture by AOC Archaeology land’s replacement Drumnadro- chit Health Centre. play on the finds somewhere in “The shards have a distinc- Heather Cameron, senior the new building when it opens tive decoration which may have project manager with the health at the end of the year.” been made on the clay before board, said: “It is perhaps fitting Mary Peteranna, of AOC Ar- firing in a stabbing movement that the site of what will be chaeology Group, has been with something like a feather Drumnadrochit’s newest public working on what she described quill. building should have had the as “significant” finds for NHS “The wrist guard is also par- remains of what may well have Highland. ticularly exciting. It has holes so been the community’s first resi- She said: “The shards are of that it could be tied to the wrist dent. The skeletal remains are around two-thirds of a beaker with a leather strap, and may 4,000-4,500 years old, dating pot which will probably have have been ornamental or func- back to the Early Bronze Age. been around 20-30cm high. tional.” “We are particularly excited What makes them particularly The skeletal remains, which to have uncovered the pottery interesting is that there is some may be of an adult or near adult, and wrist guard in what ap- organic material adhering to the comprise of most of a person’s peared to be a second grave base of the pot, so we may find long bones along with part of the next to the first, and I think we out something about its con- skull and a number of teeth. It is will be looking to mount a dis- tents. Continued on next page

- 10 - Artefacts found on site of new health centre

Continued from previous page

hoped to be able to determine scientifically the sex of the per- son, and perhaps even the cause of death. The artefacts have been pho- tographed, recorded and re- moved and will now be undergo- ing specialist, detailed analysis. A decision will then be taken The Bronze Age wrist guard found on the site

about what to do with them. Picture by AOC Archaeology Archaeologists have investi- gated a 4m x 4m area on the other side of the main road, hanced GP facilities, community site, which lies just off the A82. where houses and retail units services, additional clinical ser- With ground clearance work are to be built, further finds have vices and social work facilities. It having been completed, it is not not been ruled out. has been designed to accom- planned at this stage to carry The new, £1.5 million health modate wider use by the gen- out further archaeological work centre is being built on a eral public out of working hours, there. However, with more con- greenfield site near the existing and will have capacity for future struction work planned on the health centre. It will feature en- expansion if needed. Helping to make care homes more homely A NEW initiative designed to im- pacity. There has been so much an improvement in the quality of prove the way people are sup- interest in this. life for those who are living, dy- ported in care home is under way “My colleagues and I believe ing, visiting and working in care in Highland. that this approach will have a homes.” ‘My Home Life’ is an evidence- massive impact on the way we The following care homes based approach to supporting support individuals in care homes have signed up for the pro- and enabling care home manag- across Highland. There are 10 gramme: ers to create homely environ- NHS lead and five independent Ach an Eas, Inverness; Bal- ments in care homes. care homes on board. lifeary, Inverness; An Acarsaid, Interest in the project is high - “The programme has been Skye; Wade Centre, Kingussie; with 15 care homes signed up – adopted in several authorities Grant House, Grantown-on-Spey; and it has been backed by NHS across the country with evalua- Strathburn House, Gairloch; Highland’s director of adult social tions being very positive. Lochbroom House, Ullapool; Tel- care, Joanna Macdonald, to be a “The main theme of My Home ford Centre, Fort Augustus; In- huge success. Life is one that looks at relation- vernevis House, Fort William; Ms Macdonald said: “There ships within a care home setting Pulteney House, Wick; Bayview has been a lot of positive en- – among residents, staff, visitors House, Thurso; Mains House, gagement around this initiative and the wider community. Grantown-on-Spey; Fodderty and we could have had many “This will be achieved by look- House, Strathpeffer; Kintyre more care home managers on ing at the cultural issues within a House, Invergordon and Abbey- the course if there had been ca- care home setting and facilitating field, Lochaber. - 11 - PROGRESS REPORT: ‘Hard work has made a difference’ Two-year Joint Health Protection Plan a ‘success’ GOOD progress was made in the come into place in April 2015 fol- planning for a major incident, pro- 2012-2014 Joint Health Protec- lowing review. tecting vulnerable people in com- tion Plan (JHPP), it was revealed The chairperson of the com- munities from the impact of cold at Highland Council’s community munity services committee, Gra- calling and rogue traders, radon services committee earlier this ham MacKenzie, said: “I am very protection and food safety priori- month. pleased to see the success of the ties. According to a review of the Joint Health Protection Plan over NHS Highland’s director of plan, developed jointly by High- the last two years, which has public health, Dr Hugo Van Woer- land Council, Argyll and Bute been enabled by effective part- den, said: “Ensuring that we pro- Council and NHS Highland, 91 nership working. tect the health of the public re- per cent of the planned activities “The progress we have made quires continual focus to make were achieved in the statutory will ensure the protection of the sure that we are getting it right two-year period. public’s health in the years to and we should never be compla- The JHPP is a requirement for come and I welcome the pro- cent. health boards and local authori- posed plan for 2015-17. “At the same time staff should ties and ensures that the protec- “We will continue to work to- be commended for the fact that tion of public health is prioritised gether with our partners in NHS their hard work has made a real and carried out appropriately; Highland and neighbouring coun- difference and staff can be proud seeking to protect the public from cils on improving ways in which of the service they have pro- being exposed to hazards which we can prevent health risks and vided.” may damage their health, and keep the public safe.” Dr Ken Oates, NHS Highland when such exposure cannot be The proposed plan includes public health consultant, said: avoided, to minimise its impact actions for national priorities, “The JHPP is a good example of on health. such as addressing health ine- close working between Highland Preparation for potential pan- qualities, reducing vaccine- and Argyll and Bute Councils and demic outbreaks, recovery preventable diseases, monitoring NHS Highland to take forward phases of major incidents, man- and improving drinking water measures which protect public agement of E.coli outbreaks and quality, and minimising the pub- health on a wide range of issues addressing norovirus infection lic’s risk of E.coli contamination. which include infectious diseases were just some of the risks that Meanwhile, local priorities will and environmental hazards. the plan was aimed at address- include effective sea and airport “We look forward to continued ing. plans to provide adequate dis- partnership throughout the imple- Sights are now set on the ease control measures, including mentation of the next two-year JHPP 2015-2017, which will Ebola arrangements, recovery JHPP plan.” - 12 - Consultants appointed

IVAN GUNJACA LUKE REGAN MICHAEL WALKER NHS HIGHLAND has announced the appointment Australia. of three new consultants. Following completion of his training he undertook Dr Ivan Gunjaca joined NHS Highland substan- additional fellowships in Prehospital and Retrieval tively as consultant in Gastroenterology as from 9th Medicine and Medical Education. February. Finally, Mr Michael Walker will be joining NHS Born in Croatia, Dr Gunjaca joined uhe health Highland to take up the position of consultant gen- board from University Hospital Dubrava in June eral surgeon on 2nd March. 2014, working as a locum consultant in Gastroen- Mr Walker, who is originally from Blackpool, has terology at Raigmore Hospital. spent the past three years working as a locum con- Dr Luke Regan will joining NHS Highland as con- sultant general and colorectal surgeon at Warwick sultant in Emergency Medicine from 4th May. Hospital. Born in Newcastle, Australia, Dr Regan has 12 He is looking forward to living and working in the years’ experience working and training in emer- Highlands. In his spare time he enjoys many sports, gency departments across Scotland, Norway and including coaching junior rugby. Making experience work for people with mental health issues ARGYLL & Bute Community knowledged as ‘experts by ex- Offering help and support Health Partnership is to run the perience’ – offer a unique insight as an equal rather than as an ex- Scottish Recovery Network and understanding that can only pert ‘experts by experience’ module be gained through having been Gillian Davies, consultant this spring, in partnership with there yourself. nurse (mental health) said: Argyll College UHI. The role of a peer supporter is "Delivering the ‘experts by experi- The course has been devel- a skilled one and candidates will ence’ module in Argyll and Bute oped to help candidates use their use their knowledge to develop will be an exciting opportunity for own experiences to support other skills in: anyone to access this nationally people who are recovering from Developing relationships recognised education programme mental illness. Sharing personal voyages of with the view upon completion to Peer support workers in the recovery in a way that inspires seek peer support employment mental health sector – often ac- hope opportunities in the future. - 13 - Ian steps out to fund COPD nurse training

A LONG walk along Scotland's north coast will result in two NHS Highland nurses re- ceiving specialist training in dealing with people with breath- ing problems. NHS Highland nurses Kirsty Bain and Lynsay MacDonald are to take a COPD (chronic ob- structive pulmonary disease Di- ploma through the Open Univer- sity, thanks to the fund-raising efforts of Ian Ellis, of Castle- town, Caithness. Ian completed a 150-mile walk from Duncansby Head to Cape Wrath over 13 days last May to raise money in memory of his wife Ros, who had COPD and who died a year earlier. He raised more than £3,000 for the Highland Health Board Endowment Fund. Ian Ellis with endowment support officer Kelly Dallas Ian had originally intended that the money be spent on a and without this generous offer raised, and intends to donate it portable oxygen concentrator, these nurses might not have to Macmillan Cancer Support. which his late wife used, but been able to take this course". Having ticked off one big found that these devices were Kirsty, a staff nurse at Caithness challenge, Ian is now now readily available through- the Rosebank Wing at Caith- working on another one. In a bid out NHS Highland's area. ness General Hospital, and Lyn- to raise awareness of the North After consulting with Michelle say, a community staff nurse Highland Way, he has joined Duffy, senior COPD practitioner based in Thurso, will start work forces with Let's Go North to or- for NHS Highland's north and on the course in April with the ganise a challenge to anyone to west operational unit area, Ian aim of gaining the diploma in walk the way any time between agreed that the money should September. Their studies will be 4th April and 27th September. instead be used to fund COPD done online, with occasional vis- Those who complete with full training for nurses. its to the University of Stirling route will get a certificate, a Kelly Dallas, NHS Highland's and work in hospital and com- medal and be made 'Knights of endowment support officer, said: munity settings. the North Highland Way'. They "Endowment funds are used on Ian (62) has a small sum re- will also be entered into a prize non-core products and services, maining from the money he draw.

- 14 - TV target

Week’s work THE patients’ body linked with the Riverbank Medical Prac- tice in Thurso, which is man- aged by NHS Highland, is or- ganising a fund-raising effort helps to improve to buy a TV for the practice. The Riverbank Patients Participation Group was set up to aid communications be- tween patients and the 5,500- endoscopy care patient, NHS Highland-run practice – and it hopes the new TV will do just that. The screen will enable both the group and the practice to at hospital communicate more effectively with patients, keeping them up to date with developments. PATIENTS and staff have indi- minutes to 96 minutes. After the The group, which has set a cated that they are delighted with week, patients who had attended target of £750, is organising a the improved endoscopy process previously remarked on how dif- quiz night fund-raiser to be held in Thurso Bowling Club in Lorn and Isles Hospital, Oban. ferent and much smoother the at 7.30pm on 11th April. Patients travel considerable process was. Practice manager Trish distances to have this procedure, Patients have more privacy at Bremner said: “We are de- have ferries to consider and can admission and staff are dedicated lighted that the group has spend a great deal of time waiting to the endoscopy patients. All pa- launched this initiative and we during their attendance for endo- tients are within one area of the full support it – we’ll even be scopy. ward and remaining staff are not putting in a team ourselves.” Staff in Ward A and theatres at pulled to support endoscopy care. the hospital were struggling to run Communication between theatre a smooth and quality endoscopy and the ward has improved and Cutting costs process, with only one dedicated patients and relatives are clearer HOME Energy Scotland has bed area, without impacting on about times and what to expect. issued advice for NHS High- staff and patients in a busy surgi- The workshop exceeded all land employees on saving cal ward and combined theatres/ expectations. The patient repre- money on travel costs in 2015. endoscopy. sentative who was involved in the Its top tips are: A request for a Lean Rapid workshop enthused about the Slow down – your fuel Process Improvement Workshop workshop approach, and the atti- costs will increase the faster you drive so keep speeds rea- was made and in October staff tude and commitment of staff to sonable from teams in each area involved improve the service for patients. Could you car-share, cycle worked along with a patient repre- The improvements and staff com- or use public transport? Get sentative for a week with Lean mitment, ownership and enthusi- from A to B using less carbon workshop leaders and a coach. asm for the workshop and its with our expert journey plan- At the end of the week, sub- achievements impressed inspec- ning advice stantial improvements were made tors at the recent unannounced Use Home Energy Scot- and others identified. OPAH (Older People in Acute land’s Buying an efficient car Lots of ideas were generated Hospitals) inspection. Keep up tool to compare different and scope for removing waste the good work team. makes and models to find out which is more efficient. identified. The time patients Sally Munro, For clear and impartial ad- waited during the process had Workforce Development vice call Home Energy Scot- been reduced to 95 minutes and Facilitator, land free on 0808 808 2282 or the overall time at the hospital for Argyll and Bute CHP, visit homeenergyscotland.org the procedure reduced from 186 Cowal Community Hospital - 15 - Dementia nurse consultant makes it 5,000 up for Churchill scheme

NE of the people leading O NHS Highland’s work on dementia has become the 5,000th person to be awarded a Churchill Fellowship. Set up 50 years ago as a trib- ute to Sir Winston Churchill, the Ruth gets fellowships are awarded to peo- ple from all walks of life to travel overseas and bring back knowl- edge for the benefit of others. To mark its 50th anniversary, the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust has just awarded a record number of 150 travelling fellow- landmark ships – and the one awarded to Ruth Mantle, Alzheimer Scotland dementia nurse consultant for NHS Highland, makes her the 5,000th recipient in half a century. “It is a fantastic honour,” said Ruth, who lives in Avoch on the Black Isle. “I was naturally de- fellowship lighted to be awarded a fellow- ship but to be told that mine was something of a landmark in the knowledge gained from this fel- Winston Churchill Memorial lowship will help enhance the Trust’s history makes it extra spe- work already taking place in the cial.” Highlands, Islands and Argyll & Based in Inverness but cover- Bute to support people to live well ing all of NHS Highland’s area, with dementia. Ruth’s key role is to help improve Mother-of-two Ruth, a former the experience of people with de- community psychiatric nurse for mentia and their families if they older adults, was awarded a have been admitted to hospital. Churchill Fellowship after being She will use the £7,500 fellow- shortlisted for interview in London ship to travel to the United States from over 1000 applicants. and Australia to explore innova- She plans to explore opportu- tive ways for staff to connect with nities to reconnect with people people with dementia through with dementia through creative their everyday interactions. arts, music, the physical and so- She explained: “We in High- cial environment and the use of land have been doing some great lationships between staff and mindfulness. work in this field but I know there people with dementia, and would She will also be presenting at is much to be learned from the love to bring some of that knowl- an international conference in experience of health, social care edge back to the UK.” Perth, Australia, for Alzheimer and wider community organisa- Ruth added: “Dementia has Disease International, which is tions in other parts of the world. been identified as a national pri- the worldwide federation of Alz- “I am aware of some fantastic ority for Scotland and is a grow- heimers associations. work both in the States and Down ing challenge not just for health Under which is helping provide and social care providers but for New dementia champions in creative ways to enhance the re- communities as a whole. And the Highland: See page 18. - 16 - IN THE RUNNING: Pilot project nominated Award judges get

food for thought CATHERINE TOSH

A PILOT project which saw the other healthcare staff. They may care home setting, have been very first student dietitian in the also have been involved in pro- championed and recognised by United Kingdom complete a viding education and training op- many more people. placement in a care home setting portunities to care home staff; “I worked in partnership with has been nominated for a na- usually on an ad hoc, request led Emma Pasieka, NHS Highland’s tional award. basis. dietetic placement co-ordinator, The project has been short- “In 2014, NHS Highland took Urray House – which is a part of listed for the Allied Health Profes- the opportunity of becoming the the Parklands care group – sions Federation award for inte- first board area in Scotland to Robert Gordon University and grated care delivery in the Ad- work with NHS Education for NHS Highland AHP practice edu- vancing Healthcare Awards, Scotland (NES) by agreeing to cation lead Kerrie MacLean, who which recognises innovative work pilot the development of a place- advised and supported the streams and practice from all four ment model for student dietitians. group’s work using her experi- corners of Great Britain. “The pilot placement has been ence of other AHP placements Robert Gordon University die- a huge success, delivering much and in linking closely with NES. tetic student Catherine Tosh un- more than anticipated. Stronger “All parties believe that dietetic dertook her placement in Urray cross-sector links have been placements should continue to House in Muir of Ord in last year forged and a greater level of un- evolve and work well in other – and could made history in the derstanding about potential for care home settings. We are ab- process. different levels of dietetic place- solutely delighted to be nomi- NHS Highland nutrition and ments has been achieved.” nated for such a prestigious dietetics advisor for care homes Mrs Newman continued: “The award and we look forward to Evelyn Newman, who is also a general consensus is that it has learning our fate at the awards registered dietitian, explained: been a very positive experience ceremony in April. “Historically, dietitians have pro- for everyone concerned, includ- “The most important lesson to vided clinical input to care home ing the residents themselves. The share is the value and impor- settings based on referrals for profile and value of dietitians’ tance of coming together as a therapeutic advice via GPs and work and nutrition generally, in a multi-agency team to plan and develop a placement that had never been undertaken in the CHP in talks on accommodation United Kingdom before. It is also yet another great example of the THE latest news from the Islay Health Care Review is that Argyll & benefits of integrated health and Bute Community Health Partnership is in discussion with West High- adult social care in Highland. land Housing Association and Argyll Community Housing Associa- tion to try to source accommodation that can be made available for “Catherine organised a key incoming clinicians. themed lunch for residents during GP recruitment is ongoing with confirmed interviews planned to be her placement and the outcomes held. It is anticipated that a new GP will be joining Drs Pickering, Mac- from this have continued to be Taggart, Jackson and Murray later this year. developed by Denise Scott at Ur- To assist with the development of an integrated nursing team a ray House, which is just one staff nurse has started in a permanent post and is working across the practical example of the overall community based services and the in-patient services in the hospital. success of the pilot.” - 17 - Team spreads the word on careers NHS HIGHLAND’S gastroenterol- ogy team was invited to attend a careers evening at Millburn Acad- emy, Inverness — a "street style" event where more than 60 differ- ent careers were represented. The team was able to discuss with pupils and parents their roles and the diverse career pathways that can be achieved in NHS Highland. The event was seen as an ex- ing for themselves and for those Heras; Dr Hazel Younger; Mo cellent opportunity for the team to that they had discussions with. Kerr, lead viral hepatitis nurse engage with young adults and The opportunity also allowed specialist; Lisa Macleman, gas- their parents promoting health- the team to raise awareness of troenterology specialist dietician; care as a career. IBD and gastroenterology care Mairi Fraser, IBD specialist The team felt that the evening among a group of young adults. nurse; and Gordon Macleay, clini- was inspirational and encourag- Pictured are Dr Dara De Las cal nurse specialist. Cabinet Secretary congratulates new batch of dementia champs NHS HIGHLAND’S new dementia over 500. Each champion is dedi- champions were among 100 cated to bringing about improve- health and social services profes- ments in the experiences and sionals from across the country outcomes of care and treatment who graduated last month and for people with dementia. became the latest additions to Improving the care and experi- Scotland’s pioneering Dementia ence of people with dementia in Champions Programme. acute general hospitals was a Congratulating them on their priority area in Scotland’s first achievement, Shona Robison, Programme is one major part of dementia strategy and continues the Cabinet Secretary for Health, the Promoting Excellence work- in the 2013-2016 strategy. Wellbeing and Sport, paid tribute force development programme The Highland graduates are to the time and effort they put into and has made a vital contribution Cynthia Mackay, senior staff the intensive training including to improving the experiences of nurse; Iona McGauran, interim study days and assignments. people with dementia and their lead nurse; Karen Younger, sen- She said: “Providing the high- carers. This group of graduates ior staff nurse; Mammie Carswell, est standards of care to patients join over 400 dementia champi- staff nurse; Roberta Forrester, with dementia is a key priority of ons already making a difference community dietician (now left this government and I am truly in our Scottish hospitals.” NHS Highland); Jacqui Green- impressed with the commitment The graduates are the fifth co- halgh, cccupational therapist; and and dedication they have shown hort to complete the programme Barry Mackay, staff nurse. in enhancing their skills. and will bring the number of de- Pictured are Cynthia Mackay “The Dementia Champions mentia champions in Scotland to and Karen Younger - 18 - UNIVERSITY OF STIRLING: Innovative programme launched Course creates health visiting option for nurses and midwives JANUARY saw the beginning of dren have access to the support teacher to support their progress. an innovative new course aimed and safety they require. Mrs Smith continued: “It is a at training nurses and midwives “As a result, we’ve introduced very challenging course ran at as health visitors. a one-year programme, which the equivalent of a Graduate di- With the refocus of the role of can be taken as a full-time or part ploma or Masters Level of study health visitors and school nurses -time option, at SCQF levels 10 in order to educate the students over the last two years, the Uni- and 11. This is an excellent op- fully on the theoretical, political versity of Stirling worked in part- portunity for experienced nurses and legislative landscape of nership with the Scottish Govern- and midwives to challenge them- health visiting practice. ment and their partner health selves and take a wider role in “For anyone who would be boards and local authorities to working with children and their interested in enrolling in next create an education programme families to promote, support and year’s cohort, we would recom- designed to educate staff to im- safeguard their wellbeing and mend a minimum of two years prove outcomes for children and work in the community to become post registration experience and their families. advanced practitioners.” if they choose to go for the Mas- Programme director Joanna Around 55 students have en- ters; you would require a First Smith explained: “Health visiting rolled in the first year of the level degree. took a journey in a wider direction course, which got under way ear- “The Scottish Government has in recent years towards public lier this month across the univer- committed to funding health visit- health and caring for people from sity’s partner health boards: NHS ing training over the next three the cradle to the grave. Western Isles, Highland, Tayside years. Students will be supernu- “The refocus of health visiting and Forth Valley. merary, so this is an excellent roles means a clearer focus to There are six students en- opportunity to take on an intense support children and their families rolled in the Highland campus of year or academic study and prac- in the early years. Stirling University. On completion tice learning. “Recent legislation has de- they will be able to join the third “The Highland cohort of the tailed health visitors appointed as part of the Nursing and Midwifery programme is delivered in part- a named person for pre-school Council register as specialist nership with the Highland Coun- aged children through ‘Getting it community public health nurses cil’s children services department Right for Every Child’ (Children (health visiting). and students have a high likeli- and Young People (Scotland) Act The course is split between hood of health visitor’s post when 2014). practical learning and theoretical they have completed the pro- “While a health visitor’s role work and is facilitated by qualified gramme.” hasn’t changed dramatically in practice teachers – themselves For more information on the relation to the named person, it experienced health visitors or course, contact the School of gives them extra duties they’re school/public health nurses. Each Health Sciences CPD department required to do to ensure all chil- student is allocated A practice on [email protected] - 19 - NHS Highland pension changes coming soon...

NHS HIGHLAND employees may ing, this may be good news for age of 60 in the (existing) 1995 be aware from previous payslip you if you stay at the same band scheme, (55 for those with Spe- messages and other publicity that throughout your career but less cial Class or Mental Health Offi- pensions will be changing as good news if you have significant cer status) and a normal retire- from 1st April 2015. career progression ment age of 65 in the (existing) Both NHS and Local Govern-  The benefits you have accrued 2008 scheme ment (Highland Council) in the existing scheme are pro-  If you were within 10 years of schemes will be changing. tected, and added (in due course) your normal retirement age on 1st However, this article is about to the benefits you accrue in the April 2012, your membership of changes to the NHS pension, and new scheme. For example, if you the scheme will be protected, and further communications will be have 20 years’ benefit in the old you will NOT transfer to the new circulated setting out the changes scheme come 1st April 2015, and scheme. There will be a further to the local government scheme. then contribute to the pension three-year “taper” of protection The main things to be aware scheme for another 20 years af- after that applying to those within of about NHS pensions from 1st ter that, your benefits will be 50 a period just outside the above April are: per cent what you made in the  There will be an increase in old scheme, and 50 per cent contributions. All rates will be in-  The scheme is changing from what you make in the new creasing by 0.2 per cent over a “final salary” scheme (pension scheme 2014/15 rates (see table below) based on final salary) to a “career  The new scheme has a  The Scottish Public Pensions average” scheme (pensions “normal retirement age” which will Agency (SPPA) – which runs the based on earnings averaged over mirror the state pension age. This Continued on next page whole service). Broadly speak- compares to a normal retirement

CONTRIBUTION TIERS AND RATES IN PLACE IN 2014/15 AND 2015/16

Tier Whole time pen- Contribution Contribution Increases sionable pay (gross) (gross) on 2014/15 2014/15 2015/16 1 £15,828 or below 5.0% 5.2% +0.2% 2 £15,829-£21,601 5.6% 5.8% +0.2% 3 £21,602- £27,089 7.1% 7.3% +0.2% 4 £27,090-£49,967 9.3% 9.5% +0.2% 5 £49,968-£71,337 12.5% 12.7% +0.2% 6 £71,338-£111,376 13.5% 13.7% +0.2%

7 £111,377 or more 14.5% 14.7% +0.2%

This table shows the expected rates. Employees will be notified if these change. - 20 - Changes to NHS Highland pensions

Continued from previous page and which scheme you are cur- vides both additional information, rently a member of (1995, 2008, and links to further sources of NHS pensions – will communi- or none) information and advice, princi- cate direct with every pension  The NHS scheme post-2015 pally the SPPA. scheme member between now will remain a good pension We will be sending out further and 1st April 2016. scheme, with significant contribu- communications on this important  This article does not represent tion from the employer, as well as subject. There will also be spe- a consultation, and changes will the individual scheme member. cific communications about the happen to the scheme irrespec- changes to the local government tive of whether we or you per- A new page has been created scheme. ceive these to be good, bad or on the intranet (http:// indifferent intranet.nhsh.scot.nhs.uk/STAFF/ Adam Palmer,  The degree to which this will PENSIONCHANGES/Pages/ Employee Director, affect you depends on your age, Default.aspxwhich) which pro- and Brian Houston, Know where to turn to... NHS HIGHLAND is encouraging telephone located in our depart- “And the last thing we want to people to use the Emergency De- ment. do is to reduce the pressure in partment at Raigmore for emer- “This will lead to some patients one part of the service but impact gencies only. being re-directed to another, adversely elsewhere. The board is following redirec- more appropriate, source of “By working together we want tion guidance from the Scottish healthcare.” to make sure that people will get Government aimed at ensuring The reminder of the guidance the care that they need, with ap- that all patients are seen in a is part of a range of initiatives that propriate urgency and from the timely manner when they present NHS Highland is promoting to appropriate service and clinician. at the Emergency Department. ensure all services are used ap- “Sometimes this may mean NHS Highland emergency propriately across all settings in- that people may be directed to consultant Dr Andrew Rowlands cluding primary care emergency another service or be seen by a said: “Raigmore Emergency De- centres, GPs and pharmacies. nurse or other health care profes- partment, in common with other Appropriate use of NHS24, Scot- sional and not a doctor. In some emergency departments around tish Ambulance Service, NHS areas it may be that contact via Scotland, is under a lot of pres- Inform and self care are all impor- telephone with a professional is sure from the increasing volume tant parts of the solution to make an option. By using all our ser- of patients presenting. sure people access the right ser- vices appropriately then everyone “To make sure we see and vice in a timely manner. will benefit.” treat all patients, particularly NHS Highland associate medi- NHS Highland is also asking emergencies, as well as we can cal director Dr Ken Proctor “If people to keep a well-stocked we need to be sure that all pa- people become unwell or are in- medicine cabinet to deal with mi- tients go to the most appropriate jured it is really important that nor injury or illness such cuts, form of health care. they choose the right service. grazes, sore throat, coughs, “To help achieve this if pa- “Many of our services some- colds, indigestion and constipa- tients do turn up to the depart- times have to deal with inappro- tion. ment with a minor illness or injury priate or unnecessary presenta- Advice on minor ailments and that is more than three days old tions but we recognise that it is what to stock in your medicines then they will be asked to contact not always easy for people to cabinet can be obtained from any NHS 24 first using the dedicated know where best to present. pharmacy or via NHS Inform. - 21 - Making Highland the best place to be born and grow up in...

NHS HIGHLAND is committed to bringing about a transformational change in children’s outcomes. We can’t make this happen without radically changing the way we do things. A culture of quality improvement is being pro- moted under the banner of the Early Years Col- laborative (EYC). Frontline staff and managers across a range of health and children’s services are using the ‘Model for Improvement’ approach to accelerate change. They are testing new ways of working with the aim of delivering evidence based practices consis- tently and reliably – every child, every time. Here are a few examples of improvements which are changing the way early years services are delivered and building the capacity of families in Highland so that all children have the best start in life and are ready to succeed. By promoting simple, clear messages, mid- wives and scanning teams are helping parents to interact positively with their baby (bump). This ‘Before Words’ activity is building positive relation- ships and good communication from the begin- ning. Midwives are making sure that parents-to- be easily access hands-on in- come maximisation help and ad- vice. Given the cost of food, nap- Early Years Collaborative pies and the likes, new parents need to make sure they are not Community food and parent & child experiences a losing out when their circum- health practitioners are working comprehensive approach to as- stances change. with midwives and health visitors sessment and, if they have any The Childsmile team are to make sure that parents don’t issues, staged intervention at testing new ways to get every miss out on vitamins and vouch- each key age before they start child under three registered with ers through Healthy Start. P1. A new Core Care Plan has a dentist. Making sure that every Continued on next page - 22 - Early Years Collaborative

Continued from previous page opportunity. The licences are lim- ited and only available until the been tested and will now be used end of September. at children’s 27-30 month review. You can find out how to ac- Health visitors in Caithness are cess the Institute for Healthcare also working hard to find the best Improvement (IHI) Open School way to make sure that no child on the Early Years Collaborative misses out on this important re- intranet page or from view. ties are available. Look out for [email protected]. Staff in Highland’s labour these or speak to your manager. This link shows the types of wards are helping parents bond Information on what’s happen- courses available - http:// with their new baby by promoting ing is easily accessible to NHS app.ihi.org/lms/home.aspx? opportunities for valuable skin to Highland staff on the Highland CatalogGUID=c7455d15-43f8- skin contact. Lots more babies Council’s intranet (yes, it’s open 47c7-abe4-8f20069f7717 are benefiting from this! to NHS staff!). Look in the A-Z for Sandra Harrington, midwifery Through activities like these ‘Early Years Collaborative’ (direct development officer is leading on we are focusing on delivering the link: EYC Resources for THC & and involved with several EYC ambitious EYC ‘stretch aims’. A NHS Staff ) Or contact Hilary activities. stretch aim is one that is not Parkey, EYC Programme Man- She’s been helping to raise achievable by hard work alone – ager to find out more (Email: awareness of this approach by it requires a change in the system [email protected]; talking to teams, sharing her for it to be achievable. call 01463 702736) learning and working with them to The EYC Stretch Aims we’re Helen Bryers, head of mid- identify and deliver improvement. working towards are: wifery, told us: “There are lots of She said: “Using improvement  An increase in positive excellent resources for staff look- methodology to make positive pregnancies resulting in the birth ing to make a difference to chil- changes in how we improve the of more healthy babies through a dren lives and gain skills in qual- quality of the services we deliver 15 per cent reduction in stillbirths ity improvement. The online pres- can make a real difference to and infant mortality by 2015 entations and newsletters on the children and their families. The  Eighty-five per cent of chil- intranet are a great way of finding EYC offers us this opportunity dren reaching all their expected out what’s going on. All the re- through testing out ideas in a developmental milestones at their sources are there. It’s a quick small way, gathering real data of 27-30 month child health review and easy way for team to get what works, making adjustments by 2016 hold of the helpful tools. and rolling out new ways of work-  Ninety per cent of children “Many practitioners are also ing.” reaching all expected develop- finding the Institute for Healthcare Elaine Mead, chief executive, mental milestones when starting Improvement open school train- is one of the Early Years Task- Primary 1 by 2017 ing invaluable. They can do these force national Workstream Cham-  Ninety per cent children short on-line sessions at a time pions with a particular focus on reaching all their expected devel- which suits them. And then get what happens from conception opmental milestones and learning one-to-one improvement coach- up to age 1. She is visiting teams outcomes at age eight / end of ing advice to develop their skills to find out how they are improv- Primary 4 by 2021. further.” ing so she can share these excel- These free on-line courses are lent examples with others. How you and your team can also a great way to learn about We’ll have more about these get involved or find out more this improvement language which next time. is new to many. Perhaps you’ve More and more people are heard the phrase ‘PDSA’ but Hilary Parkey, keen to get involved so on-going were afraid to ask what it means. programme manager, training and coaching opportuni- But make sure not to miss this Early Years Collaborative - 23 - Adult Inpatient Nursing Assessment and Care Record GOOD record keeping, whether at an individual, team or organ- isational level, has many impor- tant functions including improving accountability, showing how deci- sions were made, supporting de- livery of services, supporting ef- fective clinical judgements and decisions, and helping to address complaints of legal processes to name but a few. With this in mind a steering group, with representation from across NHS Highland, was set up in 2014 to lead on the develop- ment and introduction of stan- dardised documentation. The agreement was to focus documentation will enable nurses £32.26 per pack . on Adult Nursing Inpatient Docu- to clearly document the care be- WZS128 - Long Term Person mentation with the ultimate aim of ing delivered, meet the Nursing Centred Care Plan - Pack of 100 standardising multi-disciplinary and Midwifery Council’s (2009) @ £4.49 per pack . documentation in the future. Record Keeping Guidance, will WZS129 - Five Must Do's with Over the year initial testing support a standard approach to Me - Pack of 100 @ £5.38 per took place in Raigmore, Invergor- assessment of care needs and pack. don, Broadford, Lorn and Islands, enable person centred care plan- Initial set up costs will be met Belford and Caithness and the ning. centrally for the first order. revised documentation was avail- The documents should be or- Please send a copy of the PE- able for use for all new admis- dered using the following codes: COS order to ei- sions across the organisation WZS127 - Admissions As- [email protected] and hol- from the beginning of this month. sessment and Personal Care Re- [email protected] to receive a Ultimately, the new nursing cord Booklet - Pack of 100 @ refund. Abstracts for NHSScotland Event THE 2015 NHSScotland Event will take place on [email protected] by 13th March Tuesday 23rd and Wednesday 24th June at the The categories are Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in Glas- Securing Value and Sustainability gow. Improving Quality: Safe Full details of the 2015 programme will be avail- Improving Quality: Effective able when registration opens in April via the Improving Quality: Person-centred Event’s website: http://nhsscotlandevent.com/ Improving Quality: Infrastructure Anyone interested in submitting an abstract Improving the Health of the Population should complete the standard from available on the Please discuss your submission of a poster and NHSScotland w e b s i t e o r f r o m possible attendance with your line manager.

- 24 - What’s wrong with your office space?

INFLEXIBLE work spaces, a need to look at this issue and has shortage of areas for informal agreed to work with Scottish Fu- meetings, a lack of private tures Trust (SFT) to look at the Spotlight on spaces and limited beverage feasibility of redesigning office points … these are just some of space and act as a pilot. The SFT fuel poverty the points picked up during an is funding the feasibility study. informal review of office spaces Consultants are now working THE organisation Energy Ac- in NHS Highland. on the way NHS Highland cur- tion Scotland is to hold free Now, work is under way to rently lays out its office spaces ‘Stay Warm, Stay Well’ training in the Loch Fyne Hotel, Inver- continue this audit of office and are looking at what issues th spaces, with a view to modernis- they might be able to help us ary, on 4 March. ing them in the same way NHS solve. The course aims to:  Improve understanding of Highland needs to modernise An initial review has high- domestic energy efficiency and clinical spaces. lighted a number of issues and it the impact of fuel poverty on The Scottish Government has is felt that they are typical of what vulnerable, low-income house- asked all health boards to look at they find in other areas. holds modernising office space in their Head of estates Eric Green  Raise awareness of property portfolio as experience said: “What we do in our offices schemes/grants and other sup- in several key projects has shown and how we do it has changed a port mechanisms for energy that well-designed, modern office lot over the last 20 years but our efficiency improvements, creat- environments can boost produc- offices remain the same. ing an effective means for link- tivity, provide a much better work- “This is an exciting opportunity ing those in need with the help that’s available. ing environment and reduce to provide a fit-for-purpose work To book a place, visit: http:// costs. environment for the next 20 ow.ly/JyFV5 NHS Highland is aware of the years.” Plans in hand to expand scanning service WORK has been under way over the past year by velop local obstetric scanning services. Argyll and Bute Community Health Partnership Lead nurse Pat Tyrrell said: “This is excellent (CHP) to explore the options for delivering an ex- news for women and their families and will signifi- panded scanning service for pregnant women. cantly reduce the number of journeys that women This work has been looking at addressing the will have to make to hospitals in NHS Greater Glas- requirements laid down by the national screening gow and Clyde. programme and also to support the delivery of local “Now that this funding has been made available services as far as possible. we will be setting up a project team to move things The CHP core management team has now forward with the aim of providing a robust, equita- agreed to make funding available to recruit mid- ble, local service. We also hope to establish mater- wives to undergo the required year-long training nity service users groups to work with us in the de- qualification which would then allow the CHP to de- velopment of the new services.” - 25 - MEET THE BOARD: Ann Pascoe She’s been immersed in all things dementia ... but please don’t call her the dementia woman

“I don't want to be known as the dementia woman.” Actually, we can't think of anyone who would – but we can understand why Ann Pascoe wanted to make that clear right from the start. For if Sutherland resident Ann is known for anything in the Highlands, it's for her passionate interest in dementia-related mat- ters. Her husband Andrew was diagnosed with vascular demen- tia in 2006 and she's devoted much of her time since then to caring for him and campaigning on behalf of others affected by dementia. And yet take dementia away from Ann's life and there's still much, much more to talk about: a childhood on a farm in the Portgower. You could talk to board. “As I took my seat I South African bushvelt; a close this sparky 69-year-old for a day couldn't help but think back to friendship with heart-transplant and still only scratch the surface. my childhood on the farm and pioneer Christiaan Barnard, who Ann had elephants, leopards wonder how on earth I got here,” saved her father's life; a brother and cheetahs for neighbours on she reflected. killed in a racially motivated the huge farm she called home. From school, she took what shooting; a succession of busi- Earlier this month, days after was a virtually unbeaten track nesses; a high-profile job at the being appointed a non-executive for a young woman in South Af- Olympic Games and setting up director, she attended her first rica at that time: from school in home in a down-at-heel croft in meeting of NHS Highland's Continued on next page

- 26 - MEET THE BOARD: Ann Pascoe

Continued from previous page Pretoria she went to university in the Eastern Cape to study Com- merce. “I remember my father told me that I could do anything I wanted,” said Ann, “but every- one else told me that I would just end up married, so why go to university? In fact, I had a professor who told me that I was wasting my time and should consider also learning shorthand or typing – and I did.” It may have been a highly- charged time politically in South Africa, but Ann went to Rhodes University – which had a reputa- tion of being a very liberal insti- tution – with barely a political thought in her head. She recalled: “When it finally twigged on me that all people should have equal opportunities my father accused me of being a communist.” Ann was determined to run her own business – “any busi- ness” – but her first job was with Riding high: New board member Ann Pascoe enjoys an Indian the Council for Scientific and summer after a varied business career Industrial Research in her home country. what was then a rare triple valve That's wrong'. Added to this pro- Later, at the age of 21, she replacement operation on Ann's found comment, I could also see emigrated to England, where father – at her request. “It gave the way the country was going. I she worked as an information my father 14 more years of life,” was in a high-profile business officer for the South Africa Em- said Ann. involved in major sporting bassy's scientific office. Getting married, having a events, and with regular bomb It was around that time that family – she has two daughters, threats I realised that I was sud- her family's friendship with one living in the United States denly doing a dangerous job – Dr Christiaan Barnard, then per- and the other in Canada – and so we got out.” haps the world's best-known going into business in South Af- In 1985, Ann bought a one- South African, bore unexpected rica followed. Her sports spon- way ticket to Montreal, Canada fruit. Ann's father had a serious sorship company was hugely – at the time, a visa to work in heart condition, and she was successful but it was something the UK was not an option for a advised that the famous cardiac that her 12-year-old daughter white South African – and surgeon was the person who told her that changed her life. started from scratch. could save him. In 1966, a year Ann explained: “She told me: She recalled: “I had a video before he became the first man 'Mummy, you always said that franchise, putting videos into to perform a heart transplant op- you do not agree with Apartheid shops and garages. To support eration, Dr Barnard carried out yet you enjoy the benefits. Continued on next page

- 27 - MEET THE BOARD: Ann Pascoe

Continued from previous page “Suddenly, I found myself in the secured a travelling fellowship role of senior member of the from the Winston Churchill Me- us I also sold pantyhose for a family, with all the responsibili- morial Trust to travel to India to while, while building up a com- ties that entails.” undertake research on dementia pany dealing in ‘photomugs’ – Ann was keen to return to awareness in rural communities. mugs with pictures of people on South Africa and settle there Also that year, she became a them. It really took off, and I with Andrew, but they withdrew founder director of East Suther- eventually had 80 franchises the offer they had tabled for a land Dementia Friendly Commu- across Canada.” house there when her brother nities. In 2013, she accepted an Ann returned to the UK and died and, in 2000, the couple invitation from the British Coun- retired in the late 90s to a life moved to Scotland from their cil to give presentations on de- that was to become every bit as home in Buckinghamshire. mentia to conferences in Japan full as the one she had enjoyed. The croft they had bought in and to learn about rural group While living in Stoke Poges, Portgower was, in Ann's words, housing there. Last year, she where she busied herself work- “broken down and dilapidated” – completed an MSc in Dementia ing for Age Concern – “I think it though she and Andrew, who at Stirling University. We could was because I missed my was born in Glasgow but raised go on… grandparents so much that I en- in England, knew it would be “Oh, I will never stop work- joyed working with older peo- perfect for them. They renovated ing,” Ann said. “Writing, reading, ple”, she said – she met some- it, turned their garden into an campaigning – it's what I do.” one who told her she had a croft award-winner, and settled down And yet Ann has still found in Helmsdale. Ann didn't know to enjoy life in a rural community time to become a non-executive what a croft was and had never they “absolutely loved”. member of NHS Highland's heard of Helmsdale but later And yet a few years later Ann board. drove to see the place for her- was asked by Kodak, a com- She's been well known to the self. pany that had been one of her board for some time, and in “I remember thinking when I clients in her sports sponsorship 2012 gave a memorable ad- crossed the Kessock Bridge and days, to co-ordinate their spon- dress to NHS Highland's annual saw the yellow gorse: 'Oh my sorship arrangements for the event in Eden Court Theatre, goodness, I've died and gone to Olympic Games in Athens. She Inverness, where she talked Heaven’. I loved the place, and spent two years in Greece, dur- about her personal experience kept coming back.” ing which time she and Andrew of dementia and highlighted the Sutherland was soon to be- flew back and forth to meet up. need to make Scotland's De- come her home, but not before It was, she said, a “wonderful mentia Strategy work for fami- Ann started eight years of stud- time” but there was something lies. ies with the Open University on the horizon that caught them But Ann doesn't want to be which resulted in a degree in both unawares. thought of as “the dementia Ancient History. “At first, Andrew began say- woman”. She's taken places on “I had always been interested ing things that made me con- the board's Audit, Endowment in history, particularly military cerned: things that weren't quite Funds and Control of Infection history” said Ann. “I read right, if you know what I mean,” Committees, and will also serve Mein Kampf when I was 14 – said Ann. “It took me a while to on the Sutherland District Part- and was horrified.” realise that his behaviour was nership. But a succession of family changing and that he was also “I think it will be challenging setbacks was also to play a part forgetting things.” but I am not daunted by it,” said in shaping her life. Her husband Since Andrew's diagnosis, Ann. “I will enjoy getting involved Andrew had suffered a stroke Ann's life has taken her places in parts of the health board's when he was in his 40s, leaving she would never have imagined. work I have little experience of, him disabled, and his subse- In 2011, she became a member and I believe I can make a con- quent dementia diagnosis left of the National Dementia Carers tribution. I really want to make a her “stunned”. As she explained: Action Network. In 2012, she difference”.

- 28 - Highland Health Sciences Library

For the post-internet generation, it’s still a valuable service FOR the consultants and clinical care, health service In the main, e-mail is used health care staff of the pre- management and consumer to send the search results, but internet generation the High- health information. other options are available, in- land Health Sciences Library The library uses the 6S cluding using RefWorks Ref- provided a key clinical resource model to access the evidence share and of course old-style backbone. (DiCenso A., Bayley L., Haynes paper. The current, post-internet R. B. 2009), which means it Remember, whatever your generation appears to be reli- utilises resources such as Up- needs the Highland Health Sci- ant to a great degree on their ToDate, Dynamed, NICE/ ences Library exists to help own personal suites of re- SIGN, HTA and the Cochrane you. sources and rarely consider the Library to provide you with a Don’t spend more than 10 library as a clinical resource. brief evidence based summary minutes on a problem you may Did you know the library pro- along with key references. be having – contact the library. vides a clinical enquiry (aka At present detailed appraisal To find out more about the literature search) service? of the evidence is not under- library and its many services The library team consists of taken. call 01463 255600 (x7600). information professionals who The library team can get the can use their expertise to iden- evidence back to the enquirer Rob Polson tify high quality evidence in a with whatever level of urgency ([email protected]), wide range of fields including: is required. Subject Librarian

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- 29 -

Q &A Answering the questions this month is Lynn MacDonald, Inverness-based private practice and overseas visitor administrator

What’s your job description, And what about your favour- What are you pet hates? Lynn? ite film? Using acronyms. I am administrator for all private Lots of them but probably Love practice work carried out in NHS Actually. If you could have dinner with Highland and I also liaise with three people, dead or alive, all overseas patients to deter- Do you have a favourite TV who they be and what would mine whether or not they need programme? you cook them? to pay for their treatment. Eastenders. Stephen Fry, Mary Queen of Scots and Jeanne Mackenzie. I How would you describe And your favourite book is? would cook them smoked yourself? I will read anything so I don’t salmon terrine, Spanish chicken I am quiet and retiring — until really have favourite. However, I (my signature dish) and ice you get to know me. don’t like to read a book more cream (of course). than once. What are your hobbies and What are the best and worst interests? If you won £10 million in the parts of your job? Scottish and social history, re- lottery, what would you spend The best parts are meeting pa- storing furniture, reading, walk- it on? tients and their families from ing and cycling (when the Do heaps to my house, visit Do- different countries and getting to weather allows). minica and New York, get my know them and assist in allevi- folks a new kitchen and help my ating the stress of being admit- What was the first single you son buy a property where he ted to hospital while on holiday. ever bought? lives in London. The worst parts? The overseas Wigwam Bam by the Sweet. part of the job can be harrowing And I still have it! What would you do if you won at times, cancelled private pa- a about a smaller sum, say tient lists, and being stuck be- What is your favourite £1,000? tween the patient and the con- food? I would pay off my credit sultant when both are unhappy Ice cream card. can be difficult at times.

- 30 - CLUB NEWS

Club’s prize draw winners HE winners of T H i g h l a n d Health and Social Club’s January prize draw were as follows: 1st prize — £50, Helen McKenzie. 2nd prize — £25, Ross Clarke. 3rd prize — £25, Susan Speke. Winners of the February prize draw were: 1st prize — £50, Graham Nelson 2nd prize — £25, Jayne Griffin 3rd prize — £25, Mary Scoular The exercise classes the club has lined up for March are as fol- lows: Monday, 5.30- 6pm, METAFIT with Ewen; £4 (free to members) Tuesday, 5.30- 6.30pm, KET- TLERCISE with Katey; £4 Thursday, 5.30 -6.30pm, YOGA- FIT with Deborah; £5 - 31 -