Cabinet Secretary: I Pledge to Help Fight Loneliness

THE NHS HIGHLAND STAFF NEWSPAPER May 2016 HighNOVEMBERlights 2015

LONELINESS Cabinet Secretary: I pledge to help fight loneliness too THE Cabinet Secretary for Health and Well- being has endorsed NHS Highland’s campaign against loneliness and social isolation. ‘Reach Out – make a difference to someone who’s lonely’ was officially launched in Inverness on 20th May. And, speaking on the day of the launch, Shona Robison said she welcomed the initiative, explaining: “These days people in Scotland are living longer, healthier and more independent lives thanks to improvements in health and social care. However, this means that loneliness and social isolation has become an increasingly important issue and we must work together to tackle this problem. “As NHS Highland’s new campaign rightly points out, loneliness can have a significant impact on a person’s health and wellbeing, as well as being dis- tressing for those who feel isolated from their communities. “That is why I welcome this new initiative and have personally made a pledge today to do what I can to tackle loneliness in my community.” Members of staff at Assynt House in Inverness and NHS Highland chief executive Elaine Mead (front centre) pictured with a giant Continued on page 2 pledge form on the day of the launch of Reach Out - - Reach Out launched and social isolation can have a major Continued from front impact on people’s mental and physi- She added that tackling loneliness cal health and wellbeing. For exam- was also a priority for the Scottish ple, loneliness increases the risk of Government, which earlier this year dying earlier by 10 per cent, and it Contents announced an additional £200,000 to can have the same impact on health go to community groups to test in- as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. 8 Highland Quality Award novative approaches to try to tackle “We hope that, faced with facts 10 BBC probiotics trial loneliness and isolation in their areas. like that, people throughout the “It forms part of a total of Highlands and Argyll and Bute will 13 Hand Hygiene Day £500,000 that has been invested by embrace our campaign and further 14 Commuters’ Corner the Scottish Government to address enhance the area’s already strong 16 Gambia/Zambia project this important issue,” the Cabinet reputation for friendliness.” 20 At Your Service Secretary said. In the campaign, members of the 22 Department profile ‘Reach Out’ was launched not by public, companies and various organi- 25 International Nurses’ Day NHS Highland but by pupils of sations are invited to complete a Drakies Primary School. ‘pledge’ form in which they will un- Appointments 31 Four children played the role of dertake to carry out a task of their 35 Veterans First Point probing journalists in a mock press choosing to address loneliness. 44 Other Lives: David Ross conference in which they quizzed These tasks can include anything 45 Q&A: Sandra O’Driscoll NHS Highland’s director of adult from chatting to a neighbour twice a social care, Joanna Macdonald, and week to organising a social event for the board’s head of health improve- lonely people. Keep us informed ment, Cathy Steer, on the campaign. The pledge form is published on The event was concluded by line – on the board’s website, and on Do you know of something you Drew Hendry, MP for Inverness, social media platforms such as Twit- think should be featured in High- Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey, ter and a dedicated Facebook page – lights? An award, an achievement, who told pupils and around 100 and is being made available to a wide a piece of research, an appoint- guests that he believed Reach Out range of organisations in print form. ment, a retiral … you name it, would make a “big difference” for A particular focus of the cam- Highlights has a place for it. Please people who felt lonely, and he paign will be on NHS Highland staff, send your articles to praised the school and for its partici- and they are being invited to sign up [email protected] (01463 pation in the campaign. to the pledge either on a personal 704903) or visit the Staff Dropbox “I think it is a fantastic venture,” basis or in a professional capacity. he said, adding that he pledged to Entire teams and services are being on the NHS Highland intranet hold one of his surgeries at a subse- invited to consider ways in which home page. quent Reach Out event, and to take they could contribute to lessening forward the issue of loneliness “to the problem of loneliness. You can follow deliver as much change as we can to The Highland Community Plan- NHS Highland on... improve people’s lives”. ning Partnership has agreed to adopt

The campaign launch was held to the campaign as its ‘breakthrough WEBSITE coincide with Drakies Primary’s achievement for community plan- www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk weekly community café, a new initia- ning’, with the aim that member or-

FACEBOOK tive in which the school opens its ganisations commit themselves to doors to neighbouring residents, attaining designated pledge targets. https://www.facebook.com/ giving them an opportunity to meet NHS Highland plans to organise NHSHighland up for a chat and a cuppa. similar events in other parts of its TWITTER Joanna Macdonald said: “The vast area over the next few months. www.twitter.com/NHSHighland or community café is a great idea, and Joanna Macdonald said: “We @NHSHighland its aims chime with those of our would like to think that, as word of Reach Out campaign. It’s about mak- Reach Out spreads, more and more ing friends, being good neighbours people will embrace its sentiments and perhaps helping people in the and help us to improve people’s lives community who may be lonely.” – and ultimately their health – if only Cathy Steer added: “There is by the simple gesture of asking them very strong evidence that loneliness ‘Are you OK’?” - 2 - LONELINESS

Above: Pupils of Drakies Primary School on song at the launch of the Reach Out campaign on 20th May

Right: NHS Highland chair David Alston chats to guests at the Reach Out launch

Below: NHS Highland’s head of health improvement, Cathy Steer (second left) and director of adult social care Joanna Mac- donald are quizzed by a panel of four Drakies Pri- mary School pupils on Reach Out and the impact of loneliness

- 3 - LONELINESS Some pupils of Drakies Primary School, Inverness, share their views on loneliness and how to tackle it...

- 4 - LONELINESS

Above: One of the Reach Out posters

Right: Drew Hendry MP addresses the audience at the launch of the Reach Out campaign

Bottom right: NHS Highland chair David Alston with Drakies primary school pupils Isla Jones and Angus White, along with Angus’s grandmother, Mary White, with a Reach Out pledge form

Below: NHS Highland’s chief executive, Elaine Mead, signs a pledge form

- 5 - MIDWIFERY Birthing programme set to be extended NHS HIGHLAND is set to become Brenda Irving the first health authority in the UK (left), a Sutherland to provide an innovative birthing community midwife programme throughout its area. and a Wise Hippo The Wise Hippo programme uses trainer, with self-hypnosis, relaxation and massage colleague Claire Armstrong techniques to help take the fear and anxiety out of giving birth so that couples actually look forward to the experience. Couples in Caithness and Sutherland have benefited from the Wise Hippo over the past two years, and NHS High- land feels the programme has been such a success that it’s decided to make it available across its area. Last month, 29 maternity professionals from across NHS Highland’s area attended a Wise Hippo training session in Inverness, with a view to making the programme available to all expectant couples. Helen Bryers, NHS Highland’s head of midwifery, said: “Our experience of the Wise Hippo programme has been extremely encouraging, with couples are taught relaxation techniques to use smiling in labour. They look absolutely reporting that it’s made the process of in labour, helping to reduce fear by re- over the moon!” being in labour and giving birth a more leasing endorphins. Another of the benefits of this re- positive experience. Claire explained that fear can cause laxed approach to childbirth is what the “Our birth statistics show us very the ‘fight or flight’ response to kick in programme calls the ‘right birth on the positive results from women who at- which results in adrenaline being re- day’. tended the Wise Hippo programme in leased which can be unhelpful during Claire said: “Things on the day might Sutherland. The number of straightfor- labour. deviate from what was planned, but the ward births increased and this means The techniques help women to feel programme gives the pregnant mum and that fewer women had caesarean sec- in control of their bodies. her partner the tools to be able to ask tions and assisted births. Mums on the “Relaxation is the key,” Claire said. questions and feel involved in any deci- programme tell us that they are sleeping “For labour, mums are taught to count- sions.” better and feel their anxiety levels are down to their ‘relaxing place’, whether The tools taught on the course can greatly reduced.” it’s a beach, granny’s sitting room or be carried forward into normal every- Claire Armstrong, community mid- wherever brings back positive memo- day life, whether that might be a trip to wife based in Lawson Memorial Hospi- ries. And some mums can become so the dentist or soothing children when tal, Golspie, “The key to the Wise deeply relaxed they often look like they they are upset. Hippo programme is relaxation, and this are asleep. Training in the programme was de- is brought about by a variety of tools to “We show birth videos during the livered to NHS Highland professionals help birthing be less stressful.” course and people are blown away be- on Saturday by Wise Hippo founders Mothers-to-be and their partners cause the mums in them are actually Dany Griffiths and Tamara Cianfine. - 6 - HEROIC EFFORT

Shout out to everyone at Larachan House in Dingwall who embraced their inner superheroes last month and raised some money for MFR’s Cash for Kids. Costumes, baking and some fun yielded £240 for a great cause.

LEARNING DISABILITIES Highland event to showcase jobs and training opportunities NHS HIGHLAND is to host an to showcase the wonderful talent we “And it’s vitally important that NHS event encouraging businesses in have in the north of Scotland, and to Highland and our partner organisations the north of Scotland to provide encourage business leaders to support make every effort to support people to training and employment opportu- people with learning disabilities into enter and remain in employment where nities for people with learning dis- training and employment. their skills are valued and developed.” abilities. “We will have a presentation from The conference will take place on The conference, entitled “Gie’s a ENABLE Scotland performance man- Thursday, 16th June at Smithton Free Job”, will address some of the barriers ager, Jamie Rutherford, who plays a key Church, Inverness. in place for people with learning disabili- role in influencing national policy on Representatives of NHS Highland, ties to find work, and encourage organi- supported business opportunities. the Highland Council, High Life Highland sations to make a pledge to remove “It’s crucial that businesses under- and a host of other public, private and such obstacles. stand that, with the right support in third-sector organisations will be on- NHS Highland self-directed support place, people with learning disabilities hand to answer questions and discuss team manager Jennifer Campbell said: can make as valuable a contribution to any employment and training opportuni- “This is an exciting opportunity for us their workplace as any other employee. ties that are available. - 7 - HIGHLAND QUALITY AWARD Raigmore’s renal team are the All Blacks of nursing!

DEMONSTRATING a high level of care, kindness and compassion to patients on a daily basis is just one of the reasons why staff in Raig- more Hospital’s renal unit have won a Highland Quality Award. The nurses in the unit have been praised for striving to improve patient care and engage in quality improvement projects. Patient-centred care is always evi- dent and the nurses put a lot of effort into newsletters, remembrance services and patient involvement. As a unit it is one of the best in Scotland in terms of access and survival. There are many reasons why this is the case but one is the excellent nursing care delivered to the patients attending the unit. The team’s nomination also highlights what happened in the unit during a particularly busy afternoon. Staff had patients going on and coming off dialysis when it soon became apparent to staff in attendance that one Board chair David Alston with some members of ‘Team Renal’ of their patients had become acutely unwell. that no other patients were aware of to reassure all the other patients Staff in the unit immediately stepped the events unfolding to the extent they around. up to care for the patient, making the may have been distressed. Anne Allan, clinical ward manager, person comfortable and arranging an What was witnessed was “the best who accepted the award from board urgent medical review. care and compassion from a group of chair David Alston on behalf of the The patient’s family was called and nursing staff at all levels who pulled to- team, said: “We put our patients at the space was made within the unit where gether in a team worthy of the All heart of everything we do. they could wait privately and be kept up Blacks at Twickenham”. “Both our nursing and medical teams to date on what was happening with The team worked together to look are fantastic and I’m delighted to accept their loved one, all the while ensuring after the sickest patient while managing this on behalf of the whole team.” - 8 - HIGHLAND QUALITY AWARD … 2 NHS Highland needs more employees like Wendy!

ONE of the latest winners of a Highland Quality Award is a member of the board’s pharmacy team in Badenoch and Strathspey who has been praised for improving the quality of patient care and making the service much more efficient. Wendy Laing, a prescribing support pharmacist in the area, has been in post for over 10 years, covering GP surgeries, community hospitals and out-of- hours provision and dealing directly with all staff groups. Wendy has endeavoured to carry out the same work in all parts of Bade- noch and Strathspey to attain the equi- table, cost-effective and safe storage, use and prescribing of medicines. Thanks to her work, there are clear audits and monitoring in place for medi- Board chair David Alston presents a Highland Quality Award to Wendy Laing cines, and protocols are in place allow- with a diagnosis of hypertension or a medicine reviews for patients where a ing patients to have certain drugs ad- blood pressure target. patient has been referred to them or ministered in a community hospital set- She has initiated working with dieti- has been identified by them as a falls risk ting, allowing them to be treated closer cians to carry out joint reviews of nutri- and, along with a practice nurse practi- to home. tional supplements of patients at the tioner, she has started going into a local Wendy has also been responsible for area’s practices and in care homes nursing home to carry out clinical re- innovative work relating to the correct which has improved care for patients views on residents. use and dose of antibiotics, which links and has resulted in huge savings and led The nomination was made on behalf in with patient and drug safety. to a specific dietician post for NHS of the Badenoch and Strathspey locality. She also works with patients and set Highland being funded for a period. It described Wendy as “unique” and up a blood pressure clinic in one of the Wendy also works with physiothera- stated that NHS Highland needed more practices, where she will see patients pists and occupational therapists on ‘Wendys’.

VISION Support service being launched for people with sight loss A NEW service, based in Raigmore ment to allow people to come to terms statutory and voluntary services such as Hospital will offer emotional and with losing their vision Sight Action and provide relevant infor- practical support to people across Jan Baird, director of adult care at mation for family, friends and carers." all the Highlands who have been NHS Highland, said: "The Vision Sup- The Vision Support Service is avail- diagnosed with sight loss. port Service will offer a dedicated and able on Mondays and Wednesdays at The Vision Support Service, estab- sympathetic service for those newly the Ophthalmology Out-patients De- lished by sight loss charity RNIB Scot- diagnosed with sight loss. It will help partment, Raigmore Hospital. Contact land in partnership with NHS Highland, people maintain independence and well Mark Forsbury on 07540 800 990 or will provide vital help and encourage- being; refer them where appropriate to email [email protected] - 9 - RESEARCH Board takes part in BBC probiotics trial

NHS HIGHLAND’S growing reputation as a research and development organisation has been underlined by the BBC’s decision to work with the health board on an “exacting” scientific study. The board has helped to organise a month-long trial into the effectiveness of probiotic yoghurt-style drinks for the BBC TV series ‘Trust Me I’m a Doctor’. It sourced 30 healthy volunteers – not patients – to take part in the study, which may determine if drinking such products actually brings about health benefits. It is planned to feature the study and its results in a programme to be broadcast in the au- tumn. Frances Hines, NHS Highland’s research, development and innovation manager, said the board had no particular views on the use of such prod- NHS Highland clinical research nurse Fiona Barratt samples one of the probi- ucts, but was delighted to be able to otic yoghurt-style drinks that will be used in the trial contribute to a clearer understanding of their impact. the feasibility of LymeMap, a proposed NHS Highland recently sent an She said: “Research, development phone app and web-based system that email to all its staff in Raigmore Hospi- and innovation are increasingly impor- will help to establish common patterns tal and the Centre for Health Science tant to NHS Highland, and our profile of ticks and to provide advice on how in Inverness asking for volunteers to as an organisation at the cutting edge to prevent being bitten and how to help with the probiotics drinks study. of new developments appears to be manage bites once they have occurred. The board was looking for people growing by the day. The health board also recently at- aged 18 to 65 who do not have any “It’s a real feather in our cap to be tracted consider media interest for its bowel problems, who do not take pro- asked to work on a study like this, work with a hi-tech company to de- biotics at present, and have not been which will be conducted using exacting velop healthcare applications for lead- on any antibiotics for the past two scientific standards, and which will ing-edge ‘smart glasses’ –internet- weeks. further enhance our reputation for connected ‘wearable computers’ with In addition to studying the effects excellence.” a range of mobile apps that could have of probiotic drinks, the study is looking That reputation is being built on a various uses in clinical settings. at the effects of eating foods naturally number of high-profile projects, such Frances Hines said: “It is precisely containing prebiotic properties – that as one designed to identify Lyme dis- this sort of work that is earning us a can selectively stimulate the growth of ease hot-spots. NHS Highland is work- reputation that stretches far beyond specific health-promoting bacteria in ing with several organisations, includ- the Highlands – even as far as the the colon – such as leeks, garlic and ing the European Space Agency, to test BBC!” asparagus.

- 10 - CHARITABLE EFFORT

Some of the midwives taking part on the day in their ‘LetsMUCIn’ t-shirts Raigmore midwives set lofty goal A GROUP of midwives from Raig- been training which has been a lot of enough to be sponsored by Sydney more Hospital’s labour suite will fun. House B&B in Cromarty which has en- be climbing Ben Nevis next month “We know the actual climb itself will abled us to get our ‘LetsMUCIn’ t-shirts to raise money for cancer care in be tough but it’s nothing compared to to wear on the day. the Highlands. what our friends have been and are go- “We’ve raised £1000 online so far The group’s members have all ing through. We’re all looking forward but that doesn’t include individual spon- known someone, including colleagues, to it.” sorships that I know many of the group who have been affected by cancer in the Yvonne and the rest of the group have. past year and this has inspired them to will make their ascent on 19th June and “We really hope that what we raise take on the challenge. they’re hoping for a favourable day that will make a difference locally. Senior charge midwife Yvonne at least remains dry. “If anyone is interested in supporting Mckenzie explained: “There are 30 of us Yvonne said: “Everyone has been us donations can be given in at the la- making the climb in June and we’ve all very supportive and we’ve been lucky bour suite in the hospital.”

KEEPACTIVE.NET Online directory planned A NEW directory of activities for available in the area. “Check out KeepActive.net – it’s older people in and around Inver- A spokesman explained: “Being ac- your chance to try something new, find ness is set to be launched. tive means different things to everyone and socialise with like-minded people, KeepActive.net is created and man- so the aim of the Inverness Men’s Shed improve and maintain your health and aged by Inverness Men’s Shed, a club project is to develop, increase and im- wellbeing or simply have a cuppa while where people can socialise and take prove awareness of leisure activity, ex- keeping active and meeting people. part in a range of activities. ercise and learning opportunities for all “Inactivity, not ageing is the enemy The new resource will feature de- people over 50 living in and around In- of us all so we wish to increase aware- tails of leisure activities for the over-50s verness. ness of the full range of leisure activities including clubs, keep-fit, hobbies, sports, “It may be that you are new to the available near to where you live. lunch and friendship clubs and lots of area or that your friends have moved “We hope this will provide you with other organised social activities. away and you are looking to develop new socialising and friendship opportu- The aim is that it will help people to new interests and friendships – then nities, a healthier lifestyle and most im- easily find out what opportunities are Keepactive .net is for you! portantly, great fun!” - 11 - FESTIVAL BAGS

Pupils from Fortrose Academy with Wanda MacKay (far left, wearing sky blue jumper) and Joan Smith (fourth from left wearing pink jumper) Helping teenagers to enjoy summer safely SENIOR pupils at two Ross-shire “We know that young people are a £50 iTunes voucher, as all of the com- secondary schools are being en- attracted to these festivals and we hope pleted forms will be entered into a prize couraged to make informed that the information and the materials draw. choices about alcohol and drugs provided in the bags help to keep them “We feel this is an ideal opportunity this summer. safe.” to provide young people with enough The north of Scotland will play host The cost of the materials has been information to make sensible choices to a series of gigs and concerts over the covered by the Ross and Cromarty around the use of alcohol and drugs at summer months, and a local charity will Drug and Alcohol Forum, and the col- these music festivals and in a wider con- distribute ‘festival bags’ to fifth and sixth ourful drawstring bags were supplied by text.” -year students at Fortrose and Tain the Highland Alcohol and Drug Partner- Joan Smith added: “The bags are also Academies. ship. designed to encourage discussion The Ross and Cromarty Drug and Wanda MacKay, youth worker with around topics such as safe sex and the Alcohol Forum has produced the bags, High-Life Highland, said: “The bags were dangers of sunburn. which include condoms, sunscreen and organised by third year pupils at For- “We want young people to enjoy information on the dangers of drugs and trose Academy, who generously gave themselves at the music festivals that alcohol. their time to make sure all of the bags are taking place across Highland this “We want to give young people the were equipped with essential items such summer, but it’s important that they do opportunity to make informed choices as water, condoms, and toothpaste and so safely. about alcohol and drugs,” said NHS a toothbrush. “There will be welfare tents and Highland community psychiatric nurse “It also includes an evaluation form emergency services at all of the events; for addictions and harm reduction, Joan which gives young people the opportu- however we think it’s important to raise Smith, who is also the chair of Ross and nity to share their thoughts on the festi- awareness of how to protect yourself Cromarty Drug and Alcohol Forum. val bags. There is also the chance to win and your friends from harm.” - 12 - PeCS HAND HYGIENE

Solution Spreading the helps to word about not cut costs spreading bugs NHS HIGHLAND has invested in a solution called the Patient eCom- AS organisations across the world munication Service (PeCS) in order marked Hand Hygiene Day this to reduce costs and provide addi- Did you know? tional non-financial benefits. month, NHS Highland’s infection prevention and control team wel- This project is being managed in  comed the Infection Prevention It is estimated that eight out of three phases: integration with Win- 10 infectious diseases are spread by Voice Pro; integration with Trak- Society’s hand hygiene torch at touch Care PMS; and Patient Portal. the start of its tour around the UK  95 out of 100 of people claim to In Phase 1, when a GP letter is and Ireland. have washed their hands after using created using WinVoice Pro and a The Infection Prevention Society is the toilet, the reality is only 65 of the patient copy has been selected, the using the torch tour to ‘spread the 100 actually do wash their hands patient copy letter will be sent elec- message, not the bugs’ as part of a hand  It is estimated that washing tronically to a distribution centre in hands with soap and water could re- Edinburgh, where it will be printed hygiene campaign and the torch joined NHS Highland staff at their local duce diarrhoea infections by almost and distributed by post with antici- half pated delivery within 48 hours. ‘Infection Control Matters’ conference in Inverness at the beginning The integration of the WinVoice Digital Dictation System with the of May. and healthcare associated new Patient eCommunication Ser- Catherine Stokoe, head infections being passed from vice (PeCS) will greatly reduce NHS of infection control for NHS person to person. Highland’s current letter production Highland, explained: “It is “Our conference looked by up to 63p per letter, with a yearly estimated that eight out of at a number of different saving of approximately £22,000. The second phase of the project 10 infectious diseases are aspects of infection control is to integrate the eCommunica- spread by touch, which is including hand hygiene, pa- tions solution with TrakCare why washing your hands tient stories, public health PMS. This phase will be split into properly is one of the most and the Scottish Patient two parts: the first will look at let- important things you can do Safety Programme. “ ters which do not have attachments/ to help prevent and control A hand hygiene Catherine added: “We’re torch leaflets and the second will look at the spread of many illnesses. delighted to have welcomed letters which do have attachments/ “Good hand hygiene will reduce the the torch at the start of its hand hy- leaflets. These are mainly our ap- risk of things like flu, food poisoning giene relay.” pointment and inpatient letters. The ultimate aim of the project will involve sending letters electronically to a patient portal. The patient will receive an email informing them of an unread letter. The patient will then log on to a secure site to read their letter. If the patient fails to read the letter within a pre-defined time, the letter will be printed and posted to the patient. For more information, visit the the intranet: http:// intranet.nhsh.scot.nhs.uk/Projects/ eHealth/eCommunicationsProject/ Pages/Default.aspx NHS Highland infection control and prevention staff with the hand hygiene torch - 13 - COMMUTERS’ CORNER

We continue our regular series about how our staff travel to work. This month, Highland Alco- hol and Drugs Partnership co- ordinator Debbie Stewart talks about her daily drive alongside Loch Ness.

THOUSANDS of tourists flock “Even when the weather isn’t so front of you. I consider myself very to Loch Ness each year in search good, which can often be the case in fortunate to live and work in such a of its most famous inhabitant. this part of the world; there is some- beautiful part of Scotland.” People come from every country thing magical about the whole place. Originally from the south side of on earth to catch a glimpse of the It’s little wonder that people come Glasgow, Debbie relocated to Drum- fabled monster that lurks in the from all over to visit Loch Ness.” nadrochit 13 years ago, having previ- depths of the largest stretch of fresh- Debbie works as co-ordinator for ously found that travelling to work water in the UK. the Highland Alcohol and Drugs Part- was not always enjoyable. And monster hunting is part of nership and is based at Assynt House “Living in such a big city meant Debbie Stewart’s daily routine. in Inverness. that I was always stuck in traffic, and I “I live in Drumnadrochit and I “I call my car my ‘serenity bubble’ found that as frustrating as anyone drive alongside Loch Ness on my daily as I am able to switch off from the else would,” she said. “However, I commute to work,” she said. “I look pressures of my work when I’m in it,” always took pride in my ability to for Nessie every day, because you she explained. “I listen to Radio 4 in reverse and parallel park, which is an have to believe, don’t you? between trying to spot Nessie and essential skill when you live in Glas- “I have always said that I have one admiring the wonderful scenery. gow. of the most scenic daily commutes in “I find cruising along listening to “I’m ashamed to say that I’m a the whole world. Loch Ness is simply the radio on a nice sunny day to be little bit rusty when it comes to that stunning, and it looks different every therapeutic, even more so when you now – it’s true when they say if you day. have the Great Glen sprawled out in don’t use it you’ll lose it!

- 14 - VOLUNTEERING Hospital’s helpers take on new role VOLUNTEERS at Raigmore Hos- volunteers” in place for about a year. assist them to eat,” said Kay. “I believe pital in Inverness are stepping up However, they have only recently they are gaining a lot of pleasure from to support patients and staff during taken on a new set of duties – helping being able to help patients at meal- mealtimes in an extension of their patients at mealtimes. times.” previous role. “They clean their tables before She added that training was com- Ward 3A, an orthopaedic ward, has meals, ask patients if they’d like their pleted and all policies and procedures had what senior charge nurse Kay Mac- hands washed before eating, help dis- were in place to allow the volunteers to gregor described as “a fabulous set of tribute the meals and, if required, also take on these extra tasks. “They’ve become such an integrated part of the team I’m not sure the pa- AWARD SUCCESSES tients really differentiate between them and the nursing staff,” Kay continued. “I’m delighted that it’s working so well.” Highland teams come up Edie Dingwall (70), from Culloden, has been a volunteer at the ward for over a year. She visits the ward twice a trumps in NES competition week and loves the time she spends there. TWO NHS Highland-based teams at NHS Highland’s Centre for Health “The staff are lovely and you really have been recognised at the NHS Edu- Science, offers students who have ex- cation for Scotland annual awards in pressed an interest in remote and ru- feel like you are part of the ward,” she Edinburgh. ral working to attend placements at said. “I just love it in there. The event, held earlier this month community hospitals and GP practices Edie explained that assisting patients in the Edinburgh International Confer- across the Highlands and Islands. This with eating was an option that they ence Centre, highlights innovative provides them with an opportunity to could take up if they wanted. work that has taken place to support experience working in such a setting She added: “I’ve assisted three or the education and lifelong learning of and learn about managing patients four patients now and I see it as an add- all NHSScotland staff. away from tertiary medical centres. Awards were handed out to the “We have faced a number of chal- on to the role I already had. Highland Medical Education Centre’s lenges in relation to recruitment and “I wish more people of my age Remote and Rural programme and the retention of healthcare professionals in would do this. It is such a help to the Scottish surgical boot camp team, remote and rural settings in the north staff and some of the patients like a bit both of which are based in the High- of Scotland, and this programme is a of banter, and I enjoy it. I just think it’s land capital. great example of nurturing talent to one of the best things I have ever Professor John Duncan, a retired address these issues.” done..” NHS Highland surgeon and director of The Scottish Surgical Boot Camp undergraduate teaching at the Univer- collected the award for “innovation in Ian McConnell, volunteer services sity of Aberdeen’s Inverness campus, training” at the event. Based at the manager for NHS Highland, credits the said: “Our Remote and Rural pro- Inverness campus of the University of staff and the volunteers in Ward 3A for gramme was delighted to receive the the Highland’s and Islands, the course how well this is working. ‘team award’. It is wonderful to re- is organised by NHS Highland, the He said: “We have a very strong ceive recognition from NHS Education Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh group of volunteers in 3A and thanks to for Scotland for the work we have and the Royal College of Surgeons, how well they have taken on the role been doing to plan and implement Glasgow. we have been able to expand on what innovative ways to tackle the chal- The intensive training programme lenges we face in remote and rural aims to accelerate the acquisition of they do. However, I also want to praise healthcare. key technical and non-technical skills the staff for how helpful they have been “The programme, which is based at the start of a career in surgery. and for really embracing this.” - 15 - NHS HIGHLAND GAMBIA/ZAMBIA PROJECT Just like Dingwall … but with heat and humidity! A VISIT was made to Ghana between 19th March and 7th May. Four people were involved in the visit – Anne Mason, Lesley Hill, Kay Urquhart and David Leadbetter, supported by Sanda Kodimah, who works for NHS Highland, together with partners from Zambia, Mr Moyo and Mr Mugala. While in Ghana the team met a wide range of colleagues and local and national dignitaries, including the Ghanaian vice-president and the minister for health. The visit launched the second phase of a community engagement project. In this phase the focus was on safety issues from the capital Accra in the south and temperature and humidity were very affecting local communities and people travelled north to Wa via Kumasi - note high with even the local people strug- with mental illnesses within these. The the travel times and distances on the gling with the heat. From Wa the team group provided training in safety and map below. travelled north to two communities: project management to country co- According to Anne, the Upper Lawra and Bugabelle on the border with ordinators. Western Region of Ghana reminds her Burkina Faso. The group covered a huge area of of the Highlands with Wa being like As well as the training in project ground during the visit. They started Dingwall. Unlike the Highlands, the management and patient safety, community visits took place. These visits were very special with the communities meeting to perform and discuss a drama production relating to mental health. These discussions explored traditional atti- tudes to mental illness and ways to help people who are restrained. Art was used to explore emotions with the children of the communities. The result of the visit means that communities will be visited by local agents over the coming year to help facilitate change. Also, the Ghanaian mental health authority plans to use the project model for use in other areas of Ghana. The project has a Facebook page and you can keep up with the project on this. The project team would very much like your ideas for fundraising and donations. Rob Polson ([email protected]), Anne Mason ([email protected]) and Anna Skene ([email protected]) - 16 - FEATURE Girlguiding makes me better at work! GIRLGUIDING is the leading charity for girls and young women in the UK. Thanks to the dedication and support of 100,000 volunteers, they are active across the country and provide girls and young women a space where they can have fun and build life-long friendships. NHS Highland’s business process manager, Helen MacDonald, is one of those volunteers, and she was recently appointed as a guiding ambassador for the Inverness-shire branch of the charity. “It’s a cause very close to my heart as I am a natural advocate for ensuring people are enabled to reach their full potential, whatever their background,” Helen explained. “My role with Girlguiding Inverness-shire is very fulfilling and allows me to be a better professional manager in the workplace, as I feel I can help the wider community by impacting my actions on the environment and society around all me.” Helen pictured at Helen has volunteered for six years bottom of the Scott Monument in Edin- and held a number of positions within burgh with Eilidh that time. Prior to her appointment as MacDonald and Ellie guiding ambassador she was a leader at MacDougall both of the 4th Inverness Methodist Guides – a 4th Inverness position that enabled her to travel (Methodist) Guides, around the world and encourage girls who had just made and young women to discover their their Guiding Prom- potential. ise at the top of the She said: “In July last year I took a monument group of senior section girls (aged be-  If you would like to volunteer great way to socialise and meet new tween 14 and 26) to a four night festival with Girlguiding, go to people, and being in the outdoors is -style event in Ayrshire – aptly named www.girlguiding.org.uk and en- great for both my physical and mental ‘G in the Park’ – which was attended by ter the Get Involved section. wellbeing. 400 girls from across Scotland.  If you wish to register your “There is also room for educational “I have also travelled to Switzerland daughter for a Guiding Unit, go development as there are various quali- in my role and presented to an audience to www.girlguiding.org.uk and fications available to all the girls and the of 300 people at a Girlguiding Scotland enter the Parents section. volunteers, which may be transferred Annual Event about my experience as a into the workplace. guider. the way from the Highland capital to “There are a number of other NHS “I always say that it’s just as much Bristol. According to Helen, being part Highland and Highland Council employ- fun for the adults as it is for the girls!” of such a huge organisation has many ees who also volunteer their services on The organisation has around benefits. a weekly basis. 450,000 members aged between four She continued: “I would recommend “So, if you’re interested in making and 99 – enough to fill the largest foot- volunteering as a Guide leader to any- new friends, learning new skills and im- ball stadium in Scotland eight times. one. I have built some wonderful friend- pacting positive change in your local And, if all of the girls involved held ships over the years thanks to my in- community, please get in touch – you hands in a straight line, it would stretch volvement with the organisation. It’s a won’t regret it!” - 17 - CAITHNESS Builders help to clear the way for garden redesign PLANS for the redesign of the garden space at the Town and County Hospital in Wick have taken a step forward after Morrison Construc- tion cleared a large central bed area which had become overgrown. The Friends of Town and County Hospital Garden had appealed for help in making the garden space at the hospital a RIGHT: Town and t h e r a p e u t i c , County staff with enjoyable, acces- staff from Morrison sible space for Construction patients, their BELOW: The area of ground before it relatives and was cleared by friends. Morrison At the same, Construction staff time Morrison Construction were in the area building approached them asking if they would on projects and have already done so in the new Wick High School, one of the help. Caithness. largest projects in the area, and Iain He said: “Morrison Construction has “They very kindly agreed to provide McHardy, acting senior charge nurse a history of contributing to the local a day’s labour, which has cleared a large and project lead for the garden project communities where they are working area which had been overgrown with shrubs, and they have also offered to provide materials which will help with the construction of the summer house we are planning. “They have been very supportive of what we are trying to achieve in our garden at the Town and County and we are delighted with their support. Their help with our Memory Garden project will allow us to improve the care to patients and relatives in the hospital and will also be a significant asset to the wider community.” Sally Cooper, CSR manager for Mor- rison Construction, said: “When the team were asked if they could assist, they took time out of their site tasks to help. “They are very hands-on in their daily work so they felt they could make a practical difference and were glad to help get the job done by devoting a bit of their time, effort and machinery.” - 18 - MENTAL HEALTH ORAL HEALTH Apply now for place at conference

APPLICATIONS are being invited from people to attend the eighth annual NHS Highland Mental Health Conference, to be held in The Dru- mossie Hotel, Inverness, on 30th June. The conference will include presentations by Dr Richard Stevenson and Sergeant Alan Heath, Police Scotland, and workshops covering topics such as eating disorders in young males, best index assessment, harm reduction and Schema therapy. It is primarily aimed at mental health professionals; however, applications are also welcome from anyone with an interest in mental health care. To apply for a place at the con- f e r e n c e e - m a i l H i g h - UHB.MentalHealthConference10@n hs.net (remember to include your contact details) no later than 14th June. Confirmation of your place will Smile, please! be sent by e-mail on or before 21st June. NATIONAL Smile Month came to athlete’s smile’ and ‘How much sugar Inveraray and Mid Argyll, as Argyll does your favourite drink contain?’” Open afternoon and Bute Health and Social Care The team has also been working Partnership’s oral health improve- alongside Ardrishaig Early Learning and YOUNG people in Oban were in- ment team held special events to Childcare Centre and Inveraray Pre5 vited to an open afternoon during back the UK’s biggest oral health Unit in May, promoting toothbrushing, Mental Health Awareness Week campaign. healthy snacks and drinks with pre5 chil- (16th-22nd May) to give them a Taking place from 16th May to 16th dren. taste of some of the courses that are June, National Smile Month aims to pro- Their puppets, Dotty the Dragon and running in the area. mote and raise awareness of good oral Leo the Lion, joined nursery children for Argyll and Bute Third Sector health, and Argyll and Bute’s Mid Argyll two weeks, and the children kept a diary Interface, in partnership with Argyll oral health improvement team is getting of all their fun activities, along with and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership, ran the event which involved in doing just that. drawing pictures of healthy smiles to be takes place on at Oban Fire Station. Margaret Morrison and Cheryl displayed in local chemist windows. Louise Devlin, guided self-help Naisby encouraged runners taking part Liz Peat, oral health improvement worker for Argyll and Bute Third in the Inveraray Jail Break Run on 1st manager for NHS Highland in Argyll and Sector Interface, led the event along May to hydrate by drinking water during Bute, said: “Good oral health is vital for with colleague Yvonne Brown. their run. Energy drinks contain lots of healthy smiles as well as our overall The event provided an opportu- sugar which can damage teeth and this health and wellbeing and we’ll be spread- nity for young people aged 16 to 20 can affect an athlete’s performance. ing that message at our events. years old who have left school to The oral health team provided free “This was an ideal opportunity to find out about self-development and goal-setting courses Steps and Living water bottles to everyone taking part, support individuals and families in estab- Life to the Full. along with offering some fun activities lishing positive oral health behaviours in for people to try – ‘Guess the famous Argyll and Bute.” - 19 - AT YOUR SERVICE Ewen Pearson: General practitioner in Caithness

Several local newspapers have been running a series of articles by NHS High- land which puts the spotlight on people who work in healthcare. Here, Dr Ewen Pearson (39), GP at the Riverside Practice in Wick, answers questions for an article produced for North of Scotland Newspapers. Q. How many general practitioners are in your attending appointments on your practice? practice? A. It has a huge impact on a practice such as A. Just the one – me! We have 2,200 patients, ours with only one GP. We have implemented full-time nurse practitioner Mahri Swanson, a policy that if patients’ miss two appointments practice manager Pat Niwa and part-time re- without letting us know, they are given a warn- ceptionists Cath Sinclair and Janet Sutherland. ing. However, if they miss another, they will be removed from the practice list. One person Q. What other health professionals can help missing an appointment can cause a backlog of take some of the pressure off you as a general work for me and could lead to patients not practitioner? being seen when they are unwell. We have to A. The nurse practitioner has expanded her work together as a practice to ensure that our role and is taking on more work. She is very time is used efficiently. skilled and has experience dealing with minor illness. This has taken some of the pressure off. Q. What is your background? In recent years there has been a shift in focus A. I’m originally from Wick and studied at the within the NHS towards primary care – pre- University of Aberdeen for five years before venting people from becoming unwell and en- heading to work in Kilmarnock and Wishaw. I couraging a healthier lifestyle. This helps keep then completed my GP training in Aberdeen, people out of hospital and in their homes and I love the which took three years, before returning home communities for longer. There is no doubt that to Caithness in 2003. prevention is better than cure, and district quality of life nurses play a huge part in this. They work with in the far Q. What brought you back to Caithness to patients who are housebound and who have ‘ practice? chronic conditions, but they also have clinics in north of A. Wick is my home, and I love living here. I am Wick Medical Centre, where they help patients able to build relationships with my patients and with ulcers and vascular disease with dressings Scotland. patient demands and expectations are more and personal care. As the incidence of diabetes There is a manageable in Caithness in my opinion. I love increases in the future, the number of patients the quality of life on offer in the far north of presenting with diabetic foot care will no real sense of Scotland. There is a real sense of community doubt increase as well. To that end, chiropo- and the pace of life suits me and my family. I dists play a crucial role in taking some pressures community have three children, and the quality of the edu- off GPs. Living in a remote and rural community and the pace cation system in Caithness is second to none. such as Caithness, it is crucial that we make the best use of what we have. Using different clini- of life suits Q. How do you manage to switch off from the cians enables us to provide high-quality patient me and my pressures of your job? care in the far north of Scotland. By directing A. My children are aged 13, 11 and nine – so patients to the right service for what their need family they keep me busy! They have a lot of varied is, it frees-up my clinical time, and that of my interests such as Highland dancing and football, other GP colleagues in the area. so my wife and I are constantly ferrying them around. When I’m not acting as a taxi driver, I Q. What is the knock-on effect of patients not love to keep fit and run regularly.

- 20 - ’ AT YOUR SERVICE Heather Webb: Advanced pharmacist practitioner

Here, Heather Webb, an advanced pharmacist practitioner at the Riverbank Practice in Thurso, answers questions on her life and work for an article which has been published by the Caithness Courier. Q: Not many people will have heard of an ad- homes. On top of that, I am working with the vanced pharmacist practitioner before. What three community pharmacists in Thurso to en- exactly is your role, Heather? sure the success of the NHSScotland’s chronic A: The role is totally new and is being intro- medication service. This service is offered by all duced across the whole of the UK. The funding pharmacies in Scotland for patients who have for what are called ‘patient-facing pharmacists’ long-term medical conditions. working in GP practices in the NHS was announced last year. It’s really quite exciting what Q: What is going to happen next? we are doing in Caithness. We are one of the A: Next year, I will take on additional roles as first GP practices, not just in Scotland but in the an advanced pharmacist practitioner. I’m going whole of the UK, to take this forward. In to see more patients such as supporting the Thurso, my role is to support patients to make medication needs of patients coming out of sure they get the most out of their medicines hospital to make sure they receive continuity of and relieve pressure on the GPs so that they care once they get home. I am also studying at can focus on the medical needs of patients. Robert Gordon University, doing a post- graduate certificate in Therapeutics and Inde- Q: How is the role going to develop? pendent Prescribing. A: It will evolve over the next few years. What I am doing this year is to ensure that for all the Q: Tell us more about yourself, Heather? patients on regular medical treatment I have a A: I’m from Cheshire and I studied Pharmacy at review of their medicines. What I am looking Nottingham University. I did my pre- for in these reviews is mainly that the medicines This new registration training in Tayside, where I qualified the patients take are safe and effective: for ex- role … gives in 1995. I then worked in hospital and commu- ample, that the medicines are for the right con- ‘me the op- nity pharmacies in England and Scotland and I ditions, and whether they are safe, the right worked in pharmaceutical marketing for several dosages, any interactions, etc. But I also want to portunity to years. In 2007, I came to Thurso with my hus- know how the patients feel about their medi- band, who is an Art teacher at the high school. cines, and whether they understand why and be more in- For the last eight years, I co-managed the Well how they have to take them. pharmacy in the High Street, Thurso. But this volved in the new role is totally different to what I have done Q: You’ll also be working with other pharma- clinical care in the past. It gives me the opportunity to be cists and other healthcare professionals in the more involved in the clinical care of patients in community. How will you do that? of patients a practice setting. A: I work closely with the GPs and nurses in in a practice the practice to make sure that patients are get- Q: What do you do outside work,? ting the safest and most effective medicine indi- setting A: I am married and have a little girl. I love liv- cated for their medical conditions. Aside from ing in Caithness. It is a beautiful county. In my working as part of the multi-disciplinary team in free time I like to cycle, walk, and garden. I love our practice, I will also work with a wider team being outside in the space and openness. And I of pharmacists in the community including area like that while you get a slower pace of live specialist pharmacists who look after patients here, you still get the professional opportunities with specific medical needs, for example in care to progress your career.

- 21 - ’ DEPARTMENT PROFILE: The clinical coding team Meet the team that deals with just about everything...

THERE is a department within Members NHS Highland that deals with of the every single admission, operation medical and discharge that takes place at clinical coding Raigmore Hospital. team at It provides information that can Raigmore influence policy at a national level and Hospital dictate where crucial funding is directed. Despite all this, very few people are aware of the work that takes place in the clinical coding department. “There are nine coders in the department, including four trainees, and we are split into teams that focus on medical, surgical and obstetrics and are applied to each condition from the But where do the clinical coding gynaecology,” said clinical coder San- International Classification of Diseases team collect their information from? dra O’Driscoll. handbook and the OPCS Classification “We collect it from a number of “When someone comes into hospi- of Interventions and Procedures. sources including electronically from tal, which is known as an admission, it These books cover all operative pro- consultants letters, immediate dis- has to be coded in terms of diagnoses cedures and interventions that patients charge letters (IDLs), final discharge and if appropriate how many proce- have undergone during their stay in letters (FDLs) and patients notes,” said dures were carried out. hospital. Sandra. “A single admission can last for “The codes that are applied to “We work to strict six-week dead- days, weeks or months and we must each condition, procedure or opera- lines and have to rely on the letters cover all of these. Within admissions, tion are then sent to the Information being completed correctly, with the there can be one or multiple episodes Services Division (ISD) Scotland, who admission and discharge dates clearly which are generated every time a pa- uses the data to produce statistics that stated. Without that information, our tient moves ward or changes consult- can shape government and or local job becomes extremely difficult.” ant. policy,” Sandra explained. The Raigmore team is only one “As you can imagine, this can be a “In addition, consultants are able to section of NHS Highland’s coding de- lot of work when you consider the request figures for a study or to moni- partment. There are some 46 coders volume of patients that come through tor their own workload of conditions spread across the board’s rural general the doors at Raigmore each day.” treated and operations/procedures and community hospitals in the Inner With over 43,000 admissions the performed that take place in Raigmore. Moray Firth, North and West and Ar- hospital in 2015, it’s fair to say team All the statistics that form the basis of gyll and Bute Operational Units. members are kept on their toes. many news reports are derived from  Clinical coding team’s RPIW: They take guidance on which codes data like this.” See next page.

- 22 - DEPARTMENT PROFILE AST month the department L underwent a Rapid Process Improvement Workshop (RPIW) which looked at ways of improv- RPIW puts team ing the way in which information is collected and shared between NHS Highland’s clinical coding department and those who rely in the spotlight... on their work. The RPIW, which is being sponsored by medical director Dr Rod period eight per cent of patients left the week I was glad to have played a Harvey and chief executive Elaine hospital with no IDL, 30 per cent with part in the RPIW. Mead, is crucial to supporting timely no FDL and often the multi-disciplinary “I think we all see this as a positive flow of information. Currently there is team were not all aware of what the start to moving forward in both im- a six-month back log for medical and working diagnosis was. proving our work streams and raising surgical specialities in Raigmore which From the coder’s perspective all the profile of clinical coding through- has an impact on key returns such as these things together make the coding out NHS Highland.” for hospital Standardised Mortality process inefficient; the coders have to During the week, Holli and Marga- Rates (SMR). go to multiple sources of information ret worked with junior doctors, nurse An RPIW is a five-day workshop to find all of the required data. practitioners, consultants and secretar- with staff coming together to review Clinical coder Margaret Henderson ies to ensure they understood the and improve a particular part of a said: “At the beginning of the Rapid processes from the clinicians and sec- process in real time. It is designed Process Improvement Workshop I retaries’ perspective. This was to en- around the Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) think we all felt nervous, but optimistic sure any possible solutions could be improvement cycles but it is supported about the whole process. tested. The team identified a simple by a detailed planning phase with regu- “As the week went on, the nerves check-list to guide dictation which was lar reporting built in at 60, 90 days and settled and the group become closer tested in cardiology before being re- beyond. and worked well as a team. fined and rolled out. The workshop was co-led by head “It’s important that we work to- Nurse practitioner Helen Lyons, of eHealth Iain Ross and head of PR gether to improve our method of who was one of the RPIW team mem- and engagement Maimie Thompson working, and we hope that the work bers, said: “I thought the week was with service manage Margaret Beattie, we carried out during this RPIW will very structured. I personally feel that the process owner. do that.” as a clinician I did not feel I had enough During the in-depth planning stage Clinical coder Holli Monteith said: awareness of what is going on in the it was revealed that there was signifi- “I was unsure what to expect at the organisation. cant variation by clinicians in the infor- start, as I had never been involved in “The week has motivated me to mation they dictated with no standard an RPIW before. make improvements in my area of process to structure the content of “I felt that we worked well as a work to raise standards of our prac- letters. team, and identified clear guidelines to tice regarding different issues including Moreover, during the sampling improve how we work. By the end of coding and completion of IDLs.”

AWARD RAMA Amy is best student Unit gets new name AMY SMYTH, employment services RAMA has been given a name officer for NHS Highland, has been change. awarded best student from the With immediate effect the Rapid Chartered Institute of Personnel and Acute Medical Assessment unit at Raig- Development, Highland and Islands more Hospital in Inverness will now be Group. known as Ambulatory Emergency Care Amy was praised for being knowledge- Unit or the AEC unit. able, attentive and intuitive and for partici- The nature of the work carried out pating fully in workshops and chat ses- in the AEC unit remains the same but sions. She was also commended for being the name change will bring the unit in extremely personable and performing par- line with similar ones across the coun- ticularly well in role-play situations. try. - 23 - NEW TECHNOLOGY Why people are fast becoming Flo fans ARGYLL and Bute Health and So- known. Flo is a telehealth text monitor- and Flo will provide advice, motivational cial Care Partnership, through its ing system which is already assisting messages and information to your Technology Enabled Care (TEC) people to understand how to better phone via text. team, has been introducing a manage a range of conditions such as Your clinician can also remotely re- range of new technology to help Diabetes, Hypertension and COPD. view and monitor the information you assist with the support and care of Flo can also provide support for have sent. patients and service users. smoking cessation, patients experiencing The service is free of charge to pa- One of the most recent develop- depression and many other areas. tients and there is no need for a smart ments has been the introduction of Wherever you are you can text phone – all you need is access to an Florence, or Flo as she is commonly readings to Flo about your condition ordinary mobile phone. Fiona Thompson, diabetes specialist nurse at Lorn & Islands Hospital in Oban, was one of the first clinicians in the HSCP area to sign up people for Flo and both the service users and Fiona are now ‘Flo fans’. Fiona said: “We are using the Flor- ence monitoring system to help those who have diabetes to check their blood glucose level and so far I have been greatly impressed by the feedback from people who have found that Flo can really help them manage their diabetes. “I really believe that in the long term this technology will help reduce the number of people with diabetes who are admitted to hospital.” Some of the people using the service have even got in touch to say how much help it has been, with one saying: ‘This is the best thing that could have happened, my diabetes control is so much better’.”

Diabetes specialist Fiona Thompson and Flo - 24 - INTERNATIONAL NURSES’ DAY Care and compassion are the key for custody nurses THURSDAY 12th May, the anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birth, was Interna- tional Nurses' Day – a worldwide celebra- tion of the contribution nurses make to society. But while nurses who work in hospitals or in the community were the focus of attention on the day, there's one group of dedicated professionals who largely slipped under the radar: custody nurses. Burnett Road Police Station in Inverness has 42 cells where people are held after being ar- rested, and is the principal place of work for a team of nurses whose job is to look after those in custody. Jane MacPhee admits that when she em- barked on her career in nursing the last place she thought would end up is in a police cell. “I absolutely love working here,” said Jane. However, the NHS Highland senior charge “I have an amazing nursing team and we have a nurse views Burnett Road's custody suite very great relationship with the police. much as her “ward”, a place where she does “As for the job itself, there are obviously what nurses the world over do: tends to people People don’t some things about working here that are differ- with care and compassion. ent to what nurses might do in, say, Raigmore “Not everyone would want to do this job come here to Hospital.” Fiona added: “People don't come here to but it's essentially the same as nursing in a hos- get better pital environment. There are people here who ‘ get better. They come because they're brought need care and medical attention, and that's here. Some of them will have done some bad what we give them – without prejudice.” Jane's colleague, nurse practitioner Fiona Continued on next page Bradley, picked up that last point, explaining: “It is no business of ours what people are in here for. We're here simply to nurse them, and their care is our priority.” A nurse since 1994, Jane did a variety of jobs before starting work with Medacs Health- ’ care, the company which provided nursing services in the custody suite. At the time, that involved Jane and a GP being called to the police station whenever their services where needed. However, in 2012 the NHS took over from Medacs and a nurse-led model, with staff based permanently at the station, was introduced. Today, Jane works with a team of four full- time nurses and several 'bank' nurses – who provide temporary staffing cover – at the station, with one nurse being on hand at any one time, 24 hours a day.

- 25 - INTERNATIONAL NURSES’ DAY

Continued from previous page Given the nature of those the team works with, their safety, and that of the nurses, is things, not all are charged, but very few of them paramount. There are panic strips throughout will actually want to be here.” the custody suite, which are used to sound And the majority of them will have drug Working alerts if needed. Nurses never enter a cell unat- and/or alcohol dependence. Some – a growing here, more tended, and to protect themselves they never number – will be using new psychoactive sub- approach a cell door hatch head-on. stances, or 'legal highs'. Some will be violent and The nurses' daily routine is geared largely than abusive. Some will have a history of self- ‘ towards ensuring that those in custody are as harming, or have suicidal tendencies. Many will anywhere well as can be, and certainly well enough to go have health issues associated with a disfunc- else I have to court. They may be asked by police to re- tional lifestyle. Some, perhaps those in a cell for view someone who is in alcohol withdrawal, the first time, can suffer panic attacks. Others been, has and medicate as necessary. They may be asked will feign illness in the hope that they will be made me to see someone complaining of feeling unwell, transferred from their cell to a more comfort- or patch up someone who has minor injuries; able hospital ward. appreciate those with more significant injuries may have to “There are a lot of vulnerable people in the go to hospital. They may have to call in one of Highlands, and many of them turn up here,” what I have. the GPs who cover the custody suite on a rota said Jane. “The police have to be very tolerant We really do basis. and respectful, and we do too. We cannot be “There's always plenty to do here,” said judgemental.” see a side Jane. “And we have to make decisions quickly. Fiona Bradley has worked as a staff nurse of life not This isn't like being in a ward, where you get to and a community nurse on Skye, spent some spend a lot of time with your patients. Here, time working as a midwife in Australia and for a everyone people may come in overnight and be out the year was a medic on the North Sea rigs. next morning. “Working here, more than anywhere else I encounters “Basically, we try to turn what is often a have been, has made me appreciate what I horrendous situation for some people into one have,” she said. “We really do see a side of life that is tolerable for them. But that's what other not everyone encounters.” nurses do too.”

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’ INTERNATIONAL NURSES’ DAY Nursing behind bars THERE is a team of dedicated healthcare professionals who work in a place many people wouldn’t associate with nursing – Inverness Prison. The prison is home to 120 individuals, all of whom have access to a team of healthcare professionals including doctors, nurses, dentists, opticians, podiatrists and a range of other specialist health and social care professionals. Clinical nurse manager Sandy Hamilton leads a team of nurses who provide day-to-day care, and he says they play a crucial role in helping inmates reintegrate back into society. “Typically people are in here for only a short period of time, so rehabilitation is vital,” he said. “We offer care and medical attention Above: Clinical not in prison for a long period. Some people without prejudice, and work with individuals to nurse manager are only with us for weeks or a number of maximise their health and well being and to Sandy Hamilton months. address any concerns they have with physical, (far right) is “The service is well used, because people in flanked by addic- addiction or mental health issues. prison know we are here to help them turn “We have a knowledgeable team of general tions nurse Andy Gray and a stu- their lives around, and provide healthcare as adult, mental health and addiction nurses who dent nurse from and when required.” work in partnership with individuals and Scot- the University of Sandy admits his career has never followed tish Prison Service colleagues to address the Stirling Continued on next page health complaints of people whilst they are in prison.” He continued: “One of our roles is crisis interaction. It can be really challenging for people when they realise where they are, and that Everyone responds they’re separated from their family. “Everyone responds differently in a crisis, and my colleagues and I work with each individ- differently in a crisis, ual on a one-to-one basis to help them adapt to their surroundings and overcome any issues. and my colleagues and “Ultimately, our aim is to build a therapeutic ‘ relationship with individuals and we often find I work with each that people open up to us and discuss things that they wouldn’t talk about with anyone else. individual on a It’s a very privileged position to be in, and I absolutely love my job.” one-to-one basis to According to Sandy, the relationships the nurses build with their patients is based on respect. “I’ve been working in the prison for 28 help them adapt to years now and I have seen a lot of people come and go in that time,” he said. “The prison is just their surroundings and an extension of the community with all the associated health related challenges having to be overcome any issues addressed within a secure environment. “HMP Inverness is a local short term prison and as such most of the people that we see are

- 27 - ’ INTERNATIONAL NURSES’ DAY The stress of being apart from their families, Nursing behind bars coupled with boredom and mental health issues, can lead to increasing anxiety among Continued from previous page those in custody. According to Sandy, a job within the prison a straightforward path. Originally from Fife, he can play a crucial role in keeping people busy trained as a car mechanic before beginning his and create a good atmosphere. career in mental health nursing. Addictions nurse Andy Gray agrees: “There “I never would have imagined working in a are a number of jobs for prisoner in the estab- prison, then again I don’t think many people lishment and that helps keep them occupied,” would,” he said. he said. “It’s certainly not the first thing people think “Part of our role is observing the people on of when they begin a career in nursing. a daily basis, and noticing any change in their “However, we all get into this profession to mood or behaviours. help people, and there are many people in here “We have regular interactions with individu- who require some type of support..” als under our care the same as we would if Sandy continued: “I would recommend this working in the community. as a career to anyone who is starting out in “There is also a gym where they can work nursing. out, as exercise increases your mood and “There is a huge variety within this role, and makes you feel better about yourself. no two days are ever the same. “All these things contribute to maintaining a “I look at the service we provide as an ex- positive outlook when in prison.” tension of what is available in the community, as The nursing team is supplemented by a host we are working with individuals to improve of healthcare professionals from NHS Highland, their behaviours so that they can be reinte- including a GP and a dentist. grated into society.” “The GP comes in between 9am and 11am Mental health nurse Donna Stephen, who Monday to Friday,” Sandy explained. “The den- has worked in the prison for 11 years, also en- tist comes in twice a week, too. Things have couraged nurses who are looking for a new come a long way since I started working in challenge to think about a career in prison here. healthcare. “We now have a strong team of nurses with “I previously worked in New Craigs, and I experience in mental health, addiction and gen- fancied something different,” Donna said. eral nursing, and we are helped by clinicians “My job has so much variety, from working arriving to do regular clinics. When I began with individuals with addiction issues to ad- working here, we had three nurses that deliv- dressing their psychological and emotional ered all the healthcare requirements to the needs. I prison population. “’ve never felt intimated or threatened, and “We hope that the work we do can help I’ve built great relationships with the patients in break the cycle of reoffending that many pa- my care.” tients find themselves in. Prison life inevitably requires an element of “We, along with the prison staff and other routine, with a repetitive daily pattern. agencies try to ensure they have the tools re- Everything is done at the same time, every- quired to make positive changes in their lives day. on their return back into the community.” I look at the service we provide as an extension of what is available in the community, as we are working with individuals to improve their behaviours so that ‘ they can be reintegrated into society

- 28 - ’ INTERNATIONAL NURSES’ DAY Tackling substance addiction NHS HIGHLAND employs nurses thise with the situation they are in is the most appropriate service for them to work in a variety of role in hos- vital, as it helps them to see that they to work with. We then tailor a recov- pitals and in the community, but are not alone and that recovery is pos- ery plan specific to them to support not all nurses apply dressings or sible.” them to overcome their addiction.” take blood from patients. Originally from Essex, Bev moved The team works with clients to Bev Horton is one such example. to Caithness in 2004 and says the help them overcome addictions to She has recently been appointed as the sense of community that attracted her alcohol and drugs. The rise in the use service lead/advanced practitioner for to the area plays a key role in the suc- of new psychoactive substances has the substance misuse service in north cess of these innovative programmes. presented a new challenge for Leslie Highland, helping people who are con- “The reaction from the community, and her team. cerned about their use of substances especially to the peer support group, “We have a number of services with their recovery journey. has been overwhelming,” Bev said. that we can offer people including psy- Despite being in post for only a few “We work very closely with a number chological support, coping skills and months, Bev already has plans for in- of partners such as the Vocational Sup- residential rehabilitation,” Leslie ex- novative and creative ways to tackle port Team, Caithness Drug and Alco- plained. “When people are referred to alcohol and drug addiction in Caith- hol Forum and Highland Alcohol and us with drug or alcohol addiction, we ness and Sutherland. Drug Partnership, and their support have an established process of detoxifi- She said: “I have worked as a com- has been invaluable.” cation and understand the signs and munity mental health nurse in Caith- Similar work is going on in other symptoms to look out for. ness Alcohol and Drug Service “However, the rise in new for 12 years, and I became psychoactive substances has aware that some people don’t posed problems for us, as we can want to access services via re- never be sure what they have ferrals from their GP. Although taken, or what it contains. We we have come a long way, some know how to work with things people still feel there is stigma like heroin or alcohol, but we are attached to using substances, determined to establish ways to particularly in a remote and ru- help people beat their addiction ral community. to these so-called legal highs.” “We have set up a service Leslie’s role covers Oban, Mid where people in Caithness who -Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands, are concerned about their use BEV HORTON LESLIE MACKAY and the geography of her patch of substances including new psy- presents its own challenge. choactive substances, or so-called legal parts of NHS Highland’s huge area. She said: “Being so isolated from highs, can contact our service anony- Take, for example, the Argyll and other parts of the country can make mously if they wish. These drop-in Bute Addiction Team (ABAT), whose partnership working difficult, but we clinics enable people to access help, team leader, Leslie Mackay, said: “We always find a way to cope. support and guidance without having work with adults from the age of 16 “I have a dedicated, hard-working to give any personal details to staff who are having problems with sub- team who are great to work with. We unless they want to.” stance misuse. learn so much from one another and Bev continued: “We also offer the “The team consists of 17 nurses, we have a passion to help people. It’s service to family members or friends four social workers, two support an absolute privilege to be a part of a who may be concerned about their workers and a consultant psychiatrist. person’s recovery journey, and it is loved ones use of substances. One of our nurses specialises in harm extremely satisfying to see someone “We have three clinics every week, reduction, and they work alongside the turn a corner in relation to their ad- with one in Wick, one in Thurso and consultant across the whole patch, diction issues. an evening drop in within Caithness whereas the rest of the team work in “Such inner strength can be hard to General Hospital. smaller group dedicated to each area find when someone is battling addic- “We have also developed addi- of Argyll and Bute. tion to alcohol, drugs or new psy- tional peer support groups in the area, “Individuals are referred to our choactive substances, and it is very which has been very well received by service by their GP, and we conduct a rewarding to know that you played a the community. Their ability to empa- comprehensive assessment to identify part in their recovery.”

- 29 - DONATION Maternity unit gets supplies to Ghana A HEALTH clinic in the Volta region of Ghana in West Africa is to benefit from supplies that have been donated from the maternity unit at Raigmore Hospital. The Adaklu Health Centre, which is being built by the local people, has been supported by the Inverness District Scouts. One of the Scout leaders is retired consultant Dr Russell Lees, who approached the maternity unit at the hospital to ask if they could help. Caron Cruickshank, nursing and Dr Russell Lees with the donation midwifery manager for woman and child, explained that staff in the unit that the Adaklu Health Centre could clinic is being built had no access to were more than happy to help. use and we were delighted that they can medical care. They are building the She added: “There are supplies that still be used by people who really need health centre themselves with the men we use here such as swabs or bandages them. It is hoped that we can continue doing the building and the women are which, once a box has been opened, to support the centre and I’m looking carrying the cement and water – every- cannot be used again and need to be forward to building up a relationship one is involved. disposed of. There is nothing wrong with them.” “They will be so grateful to receive with these items but we are unable to Jo Busby, also a Scout leader for these donations, which also include a use them as we have to follow regula- Inverness District, is delighted at the number of knitted outfits for newborns, tions. support received. and I’m delighted to accept them on “These are exactly the kind of items She said: “The area in which the their behalf.” EPILEPSY Spreading the word on misunderstood condition OVER one in 200 people in the UK She said: "Women with epilepsy are take high-dose folic acid pre- have epilepsy and, with 400 women just as likely to get pregnant as those conceptually and for at least the first 12 in Scotland with the condition giv- without. We know that if women with weeks of pregnancy. This can help to ing birth each year, NHS Highland epilepsy are given advice about contra- prevent some congenital abnormalities. used National Epilepsy Week (15th- ception and pregnancy, they are likely to “We also advise that women stop 121st May) to ask women with epi- have more reliable contraception, bet- smoking as we now know that women lepsy who are thinking about start- ter health during pregnancy and im- with epilepsy who smoke have a higher ing a family to get in touch and to proved pregnancy outcomes. risk of premature contractions, pre- raise awareness of this much mis- “We therefore encourage all women term labour and delivery compared to understood condition. of child-bearing potential to seek pre- women who do not smoke.” Elaine Collard, advance practice pregnancy counselling to ensure their She continued: "Our specialist staff nurse for epilepsy, explained that epi- antiepileptic drug treatment is rational- are here to talk with women about lepsy was the commonest neurological ised, as well as giving them an opportu- these issues. However, it is much more disorder seen in pregnant women but nity to discuss their diagnosis, pregnancy difficult for us to reach the women who the majority of women with the condi- and epilepsy-related issues. do not attend either primary or secon- tion will have a normal pregnancy and “The majority of women with epi- dary care for management of their epi- delivery, and a healthy baby. lepsy who try for a baby are advised to lepsy." - 30 - APPOINTMENTS

Board’s new north area manager New lead AHP in Argyll and Bute to start soon LINDA CURRIE has recently NHS HIGHLAND has appointed a Sutherland and Caithness to identify been appointed the Lead Allied new area manager for Caithness ways in which we can continue to deliver Health Professional for the Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care and Sutherland. high-quality healthcare.” Partnership (HSCP). Michelle Johnstone, who will take up Originally from Dundee, Mrs Johns- Linda has been a qualified th the post on 7 June, has vast experience tone qualified as a registered nurse in occupational therapist for 23 in a variety of roles within healthcare. 1990 and worked in both the NHS and years and has worked in a mix- “I can’t wait to get started,” said Mrs the independent sector in Tayside and ture of in-patient, community Johnstone, who will take over as north Angus. She spent her last seven years in and upper limb rehabilitation area manager from Bob Silverwood, who the area working as a matron in an acute settings. She became OT team retired last month. independent hospital. lead in Oban in 2008 and lead OT “It’s a great opportunity to have a She relocated to Lincolnshire with for Argyll and Bute in 2013. In her new role, Linda she positive impact on how services are de- her husband in 2002 and worked in both says she will be providing profes- livered in the area. acute and community settings within the sional leadership and assurance “There are a number of challenges NHS in various senior roles, including to the AHP professions across that lie ahead and I will work closely head of safeguarding. Argyll and Bute. with my colleagues and the people of Within this role, she was regularly She added: “In addition, as invited to national conferences that fo- the HSCP only recently went live cused on safeguarding adults. Mrs Johns- I will be supporting the AHP pro- tone was also part of a working group fessionals in that transition and from the UK Department of Health in working with the new integrated management team to utilise and developing guidelines for implementation benefit from the wide range of of Section 14: Safeguarding, of the Care skills that are available.” Act 2014. Linda continued: “My role is Mrs Johnstone holds a Bachelor of wide and varied as it encom- Science degree from Abertay University passes adults, children and men- in Dundee and a Master in Public Ad- tal health services. I have also ministration from the University of Not- recently started training to be a tingham. certified Lean leader so there are Until Mrs Johnstone commences her interesting times ahead.” Linda is married to Will and post, NHS Highland’s deputy director of has a nine-year-old daughter, In operations for its north and west opera- her spare time she is a keen cy- tional unit, Tract Ligema, is covering for clist. her on day-to-day issues and queries. - 31 - APPOINTMENTS … 2 Meet the Belford’s new rural general hospital manager...

NHS HIGHLAND has appointed a an ideal opportunity to contribute and own unique challenges and benefits. The new rural general hospital man- influence the development of services distance from specialist centres requires ager for the Belford Hospital in delivered within a rural general hospital. us to provide quality core services. We Fort William. I have had fantastic support from my need to be able to provide initial treat- Anne Boyd-MacKay, who has started colleagues and I’m looking forward to ment for any eventuality which requires work in her new role, has significant the challenges ahead.” the ability to plan ahead and ensure that experience in clinical education, nursing One colleague who was quick to resources are available.” and clinical services and is enjoying the lend her support is Anne’s predecessor, It’s an exciting time for healthcare in challenges of her new job. Marie Law, who spent nine years as Lochaber, as plans are being made for a “I’m really enjoying it, every day rural general hospital manager at the new Belford Hospital in the near future. brings a new challenge” she said. “It’s Belford, before being appointed as dis- And Anne is delighted to be playing her vitally important to think on your feet trict manager for Lochaber earlier this part in the process. and make quick decisions. year. She said: “One of the main reasons I “I have worked in clinical education “I have worked with Marie for a was keen to take on this role was to be and nursing for most of my career, and number of years and have we a strong able to participate in the planning of the have spent the last 14 months working working relationship,” Anne said. new hospital for Lochaber. It’s a won- as clinical services manager at Belford “Having her expertise to call on will derful opportunity to influence how the Hospital, which has given me valuable prove to be beneficial for me in my new hospital is designed and to ensure that it insight into the role. role. fits the ever changing healthcare needs “My post is for a year, and gives me “Rural general hospitals have their of the population of Lochaber”. New Macmillan advanced nurse for Caithness sets goals

MACMILLAN Cancer Support has the delivery of these services across a Glasgow funded by Cancer Research appointed an experienced nurse whole range of different applications, UK. These cancer trials – run by the and clinical researcher to be its from financial and clinical support to University of Edinburgh – saw him in- new Macmillan advanced nurse for practical guidance and support for the volved in research about the psychologi- Caithness. day-to-day problems, so that people cal impact the diagnosis and treatment Michael Loynd, who will be based at coping with cancer don’t feel they are of cancer can have on people. Caithness General Hospital, spent the facing it alone.” As part of the Symptom Monitoring last seven years conducting research Michael, 36, whose wife is from and Randomised Trials (SMART), the into cancer and chronic diseases in Wick, also wants to develop strong research was designed to provide evi- Glasgow and Oxford. links with other service providers and dence based treatment to manage the Now Michael wants use this exper- professionals with Macmillan Cancer high burden of associated psychological tise gained to provide practical support Support in the area. illness that can come hand in hand with and help for cancer patients and also “I’m looking forward to working a diagnosis of cancer. further develop services across the with the different organisations and Michael said: “It was ‘light touch North Highland area. health care professionals providing ser- psychological treatment’ with a three- He said: “I am interested in the prac- vices for cancer patients in Caithness,” pronged approach, involving the use of tical applications of the job. The biggest he explained. “Community organisations anti-depressants, encouraging and challenge is the rural aspect of the area like Highland Hospice and the North scheduling activity, and the use of prob- and ensuring the equal access of pa- Highland Cancer and Information Cen- lem-solving strategies. Results from this tients to cancer services across the tre and, of course, NHS Highland.” treatment when compared with usual Highlands.” Between 2009 and 2012, Michael care treatments showed a significant “Macmillan Cancer Support helps was involved in large research trials in sustained benefit to patients” - 32 - APPOINTMENTS … 3 Marie moves to district manager role

MARIE LAW has been appointed with local people as I am a service user as NHS Highland’s district man- as well as an employee. We are looking ager for Lochaber. at ideas such as Men’s Shed and Knit Having worked as the rural general and Natter to provide older members hospital manager at the Belford Hospital of our communities with an opportunity opportunities to our young people to in Fort William for nine years, Mrs Law to socialise with their peers and chal- discover how rewarding it can be work- is acutely aware of the challenges she lenge social isolation. ing in the NHS. faces in her new one-year role and she “It is well recognised that the NHS “We have to preserve our future, has plans in place on how to tackle across the country is working with lim- and the best way to that is by growing them. ited resources, as we must use the re- our own talent. We have offered a “My ethos as district manager is that sources we have in innovative and crea- number of taster sessions for children our services belong to the community tive ways to ensure we can continue to and young people to dip their toe into here in Lochaber,” she explained. “I provide quality services that are be- the world of health and social care, and want to engage with the public to iden- spoke to the needs of local people, and we hope these seeds bear fruit in the tify volunteers and champions to work that they feel engaged with.” near future.” across our area to deliver services that Recruitment and retention of staff A registered nurse for over 35 will have a positive impact on the peo- has been a burning issue facing NHS years, Mrs Law’s career worked in an ple that use them. Highland over the last few years. The environment not usually associated with “My role requires me to ensure all board has run a number of campaigns nursing before she moved to Lochaber. services within Lochaber are given sup- to tempt health professionals to live and “I worked as nursing officer for port and guidance on how best to use work in the north of Scotland, although P&O cruises for a few years, which isn’t resources to continue to deliver high- Mrs Law says we must also look at ways the first thing that springs to mind when quality care in the area. I firmly believe to develop our own talent. you think of nursing,” she explained. “I that one of the best ways of doing so is She said: “One of the key things we then moved into a more traditional through community engagement.” must do in a remote and rural area is route and worked as a modern matron She continued: “I want to engage keep a hold of our local talent, and offer and a bed manager at a hospital in Man- chester. Respiratory medicine “Working in such varied roles has equipped me with an ability to think of consultant joins team my feet and adapt quickly to different

DR DAVID ROSS joined NHS Highland as situations, which proved to be vital in consultant in respiratory medicine at the my previous role as rural general hospi- beginning of April. tal manager. Dr Ross had been working as a consultant “I really enjoyed working in a large in the Western Sussex Hospitals Trust for 15 team in an exciting hospital like the Bel- years. ford. However, I always wanted to He is looking forward to working in the Highlands and Western Isles and the new work in a district team and this job pro- challenges and opportunities that this will vides me with an opportunity to work bring. in a highly motivated team here in Lochaber.” - 33 - PRESENTATION Teso donates baby goods to maternity unit

TESCO Inverness Ness Side have donated a range of baby items, such as nappies, sterilis- ers, toiletries and dummies, to Raigmore Hospital’s maternity unit. Not only is the unit able to use some of these items but it’s also allowed members of staff to make up small gift bags for some families to take away with them when they are discharged. Raigmore staff midwife Ali Felce (left) and midwifery sister Caron Cruickshank are pictured with Diane Campbell, the store’s community champion.

LOW PAY Agenda for Change Band 1 review AS part of a national initiative, responsibilities and develop new Band 2 need to have one to one meetings with NHS Highland has been asked to job descriptions. The team will also take their line manager. undertake a review of the roles the opportunity, where appropriate, to The director of human resources for and responsibilities of all staff on review how services are provided based NHS Highland, Anne Gent, was de- Agenda for Change Band 1 with a on the new job descriptions. Staff side lighted at the announcement of this ini- view to advancing the low pay representatives are part of the project tiative, adding, “The senior leadership agenda in NHS Scotland. The aim team and will feed into the process. team and I are really pleased to be able is to remove Band 1 posts from The initial focus of the project team to support Band 1 employees through the structure wherever possible. will be on developing existing Agenda this initiative and are looking forward to This means providing employees on for Change Band 1 roles giving them seeing how this exciting review pro- the lowest pay grade with the opportu- more responsibility and creating more gresses over the next six months. “ nity to develop their existing roles into engaging Band 2 roles. A newsletter has been issued to more fulfilling jobs with better pay. A series of employee engagement Band 1 employees through the manage- Training will be provided, where re- meetings will be held in June to which all ment structures. In addition, a web page quired, to ensure Band 1 employees are Band 1 employees will be invited. This has been set up to act as an information confident in carrying out new roles, will allow employees to feed into the source for employees and managers, again showing our commitment to your work of the project team and the devel- providing further information as the career and development. opment of new job roles, as well as pro- project develops. The web address is The review will be overseen by the viding them with the opportunity to ask http://www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/ Highland Partnership Forum, a body questions and raise any concerns they Careers/Pages/AgendaforChange - jointly chaired by NHS Highland chief may have. Band1review.aspx. executive Elaine Mead and employee It is anticipated that new Band 2 A generic mailbox has also been set director Adam Palmer. roles will be taken up from October up for questions, comments and con- A project team has been set up to 2016, although timescales are tight, par- cerns to be raised. The email address is review the existing Band 1 roles and ticularly as all Band 1 employees will [email protected]. - 34 - VETERANS FIRST POINT HIGHLAND New mental health service for veterans opens in Inverness

VETERANS First Point Highland, a mental health service for veterans, was officially launched on 20th May at Poppyscotland Inverness. The service is new to the Highlands and is the result of an initiative between Poppyscotland, NHS Highland and Vet- erans First Point Scotland. Based on the successful model established in the Lothians, Veterans First Point Highland joins a network of eight regional services across Scotland and will be situated in Poppyscotland’s Strothers Lane centre, offering a range of mental health support, information and signposting. The team is comprised of a project lead, psychological therapist and two veteran peer support workers, who will work alongside the existing Poppyscot- land team. The peer support element is David Alston, chair of NHS Highland; Sarah Muir, Veterans First Point Highland a critical component – these individuals project lead; Eric Fraser, veterans commissioner; Kim Haines, Veterans First are ex-servicemen and women who Point Highland peer support worker; Nina Semple, Poppyscotland welfare ser- understand the unique nature of military vices manager; Roy Harrison, Veterans First Point Highland peer support life and the difficulties that can arise as a worker; and Gary Gray, Poppyscotland head of welfare services result. They will be the first point of con- executive, said: “We are delighted to ship, bringing skills together for veter- tact for veterans accessing Veterans welcome Veterans First Point to Inver- ans. This is integration in practice and First Point and will guide them through ness. I am confident that by working we look forward to seeing this project the support, helping to identify addi- together and learning from each other grow from strength to strength.” tional health and wellbeing opportuni- the service will go from strength to Peer support worker Kim Haines ties. strength, resulting in an enhanced and said: “I am delighted that this service has Poppyscotland, which opened its holistic welfare offering to those in our come to the Highlands and that I am doors in Inverness three years ago, is a armed forces community who are in able to play a part in it.” vital source of information, advice and need of support.” People wishing to access Poppyscot- support. The charity believes that this David Alston, chair of NHS High- land or Veterans First Point can do so new partnership will be hugely beneficial land, said: “I am delighted to see the by visiting the centre at Strothers Lane, for veterans. H i g h l a n d project for veter- Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm. Tel Mark Bibbey, Poppyscotland’s chief ans developing such a strong partner- 01463 710300. - 35 - - 36 - PROSTHETICS It’s the Next Generation of artificial legs

A KEEN Star Trek fan has had his episode of the Next Generation series. I prosthetic leg specially adjusted so watched the original Star Trek series he can wear his Star Trek – The growing up, but there was something Next Generation uniform at the about the Next Generation that I really hugely popular Comic con event in liked. Commander Riker, Data, and London. Deanna Troi, I liked them all.” Eddy McGurty, 41, from Merkinch in Now Eddy is delighted that he can Inverness, had critical adjustments made go to the conference – and look the to his prosthetic leg to allow him to part. Eddy McGurty (right) and Raigmore wear the cowboy boots that are an in- He said: “It just shows that if you prosthetic services manager, Elaine tegral part of his Star Trek officer’s uni- put your mind to something you can McCurrach form to the event on at the end of this really do it.” month. Elaine McCurrach, Raigmore’s pros- allow him to walk properly with a much This proved a special challenge for thetics service manager, is delighted that higher heel than he had used previously. staff at the prosthetic department at she and her team could help Eddy Something as seemingly simple as chang- Raigmore Hospital in Inverness because achieve his goal. ing to a higher heel can have a detri- the boots had higher heels that the ones She said: “Prosthetics is all about mental impact on someone’s ability to Eddy normally wore. rehabilitation. We believe in helping walk, so it’s important that our patients But the team took his two-inch heels people fulfil their potential and achieve communicate their wishes to allow us in their stride, making the required the goals that are important to them. to set the prosthesis up correctly. alignments to the prosthetic leg to allow “Getting to know patients and what “In the event, he was fine. He him to walk safely. is important to them is an integral part adapted to it very quickly. And he is And Eddy has adapted to it so well of this process. now able to walk safely. Safety is always that he will now be able to spend three “It helps us to set appropriate goals, a key factor.” full days walking around with the other and part of the rehabilitation process is Elaine pointed out that because Eddy 130,000 people expected to enjoy the helping them to find the best way to had been using a prosthetic leg since conference. reach their goals.” December 2014, it was easy for him to It was really important to Eddy that Part of this process includes seeing adapt. his uniform was just right. the whole person, rather than just fo- “For a new amputee we might set a “I didn’t want to go without my cusing on their limb loss alone. different goal,” she explained. cowboy boots,” he said. “I’ve been to Elaine said: “In Eddy’s case, he “Goal-setting can mean different half a dozen Comic cons and I’ve always wanted to have his prosthetic adapted things to different people. It could be worn my Next Generation Star fleet specifically for the cowboy boots that being able to complete a three-mile uniform. were part of the uniform. The heels circuit around a forest trail that was “I’ve even got a ‘skinhead’ like Pat- were quite high, and that was the chal- important before the amputation, or it rick Stewart who plays Captain Picard in lenge. But Eddy had identified what he could be being able to walk your daugh- the series.” wanted. ter down the aisle. Eddy, who used to work as a chef “So when setting up his new pros- “It doesn’t matter what the goals before losing his right leg because of thetic leg, we had to keep in mind that are, my team and I have a great job, blocked arteries, added: “I’ve seen every the leg had to be correctly aligned to helping people achieve them.” - 37 - - 38 - PROCUREMENT Team improves online presence

NHS HIGHLAND’S procurement YOU can access the procure- ance on procurement.” department is the first port of call ment section of the NHS High- In addition to their efforts in making for any contracts or purchases, land website at http:// vital information to all NHS Highland ranging from £100 to £1million- www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/ staff, some of the biggest changes to plus, within the board. AboutUs/Procurement/Pages/ public procurement in Scotland came th The department follows the Scottish Welcome.aspx . into force on 18 April this year. Government public procurement guide- The implementation of the new EU The NHS Highland procure- lines and utilises a suit of over 250 na- public procurement directives and the ment Knowledge Hub page is tional contracts provided by National Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act available at: https://khub.net/web/ Procurement and other contracting 2014 (through a series of new Scottish nhs-highland-procurement organisations. regulations) have placed new duties on The department has made it even The NHS Highland procure- public bodies’ procurement activity with easier for staff ordering equipment and ment page on the intranet can be a total contract value above £50,000. medical supplies to ensure they are fol- f o u n d a t : h t t p : / / Neil explained: “To maintain a fair lowing protocol by increasing its online intranet.nhsh.scot.nhs.uk/Org/ and transparent market environment, presence – with a new section on the CorpServ/ProcurementNew/ we are required to advertise contract NHS Highland website, updated intranet Pages/Defa requirements in excess of £50,000 on pages and a Knowledge Hub webpage. the Public Contracts Scotland website. “The switch to a more user-friendly Highland contracts and procedures All contracts above the relevant EU website will make life easier for staff,” throughout the whole of NHS Highland threshold are advertised in the Official head of procurement Neil Stewart ex- – including locations with no access to Journal of the European Union. plained. “We hope that the information, the NHS Highland intranet. “As a result of the changes, Sections guidance and updates provided in the Neil said: “There is still a number of 10 and 11 of the Standing Financial In- pages on the NHS Highland website will staff who have no access to the intranet, structions (SFI) have been updated. prove to be an invaluable source of sup- and we knew this had to be addressed. These will be available from 1st June and port for colleagues across NHS High- Our intranet page contains vital infor- we have included the board’s SFIs on land and our external stakeholders. mation such as our procurement hand- the procurement section of the NHS “And our page on the Knowledge book, guidance on e-procurement, Highland website. These will apply to all Hub website will enable all staff to ac- stores (including complaints processes) purchases made within NHS Highland. cess information that is on our intranet and contracting information such as “We would encourage staff to famil- page. We know that some of our col- contract announcement notices and iarise themselves with the revised SFIs leagues were unable to access the NHS process guidance. and to contact our department for any Highland intranet page, and so we have “We have updated both our intranet further guidance. If they are to take made the information more accessible.” and Knowledge Hub pages to include anything from the updates, it would be The internet and intranet pages pro- guidance on how to raise a contract to understand the thresholds applicable vide guidance on other policies and pro- complaint, and we have a specialised to any purchase on behalf of NHS High- cedures, an introduction to the pro- section on our stores department. land, and that the appropriate procure- curement team and access to the NHS “We have been working hard over ment procedure applies.” Highland contract register. the last few months and I am delighted  Department rolls out PECOS The Knowledge Hub website en- to say that all NHS Highland staff can to north Highland practices: See next ables the publishing and sharing of NHS now access vital information and guid- page - 39 - PROCUREMENT PECOS being rolled out to north Highland practices A RECENT project the NHS High- form off the intranet, completed it and enable the practices to order these land’s procurement department faxed it to the stores department, who forms directly from a smart phone or has been working on is rolling out then keyed the request into the eFin tablet”. PECOS to opticians, dentists, stock control system to issue the forms. The opticians went live earlier this pharmacies and GPs across north “We have now linked eFin andPE- month, with the remainder to follow Highland. COS so that the orders raised go di- over the next few months. “This is being done to enable the rectly into the stock control system. David continued: “We have also practices staff to order the national pri- “I believe we are the first board in provided a user guide for the practices, mary care forms online,” explained e- Scotland to put this process in place.” and uploaded a YouTube video into our Procurement and projects manager David added: “As a further develop- NHS Highland procurement channel, David Johnston. ment, over the next few weeks we are which shows how to order under the “Previously the practices printed a looking to test the functionality that will new arrangements.”

INVITATION Board seeking artwork to celebrate organ donation

NHS HIGHLAND is inviting ex- great emotional distress. But donating remembered ourselves, and our con- pressions of interest from artists to organs after death can not only bring an nections with each other. help the board acknowledge the element of solace to the families of the “As well as being an aesthetically life-changing gift of organ donation donors but the lives of desperately ill absorbing and engaging piece — to be that people from the Highlands people can be saved, helped and trans- enjoyed by patients, staff and visitors — have made. formed. in its own right, it also needs to be a The board’s organ donation commit- “In Highland, we are keen to recog- point of interest that raises awareness tee is looking for artwork that will be- nise organ donation as the gift that it is. of the value of donation.” come a permanent installation at Raig- Last year, 22 patients in the UK re- The total budget for the piece is more Hospital in Inverness to celebrate ceived a life-saving organ transplant as a £2,500, which is fixed and will cover those in Highland who have given the direct result of the kindness given by everything including design, develop- greatest gift of all by donating their or- Highland families and we want to thank ment and build/fabrication through to gans. them for this extraordinary gift.” transport and installation. Dr Kevin Holliday, clinical lead for Dr Holliday explained that as the Expressions of interest can be organ donation for NHS Highland, ex- artwork will be installed in a busy public emailed to Morag Ritchie on plained that there were about 7000 space, health and safety was an impor- [email protected] and should in- patients in the UK waiting on the na- tant consideration. Thought needed to clude: tional transplant waiting list. be given to the weight of the materials  A brief covering letter telling us Between April 2014 and March and the way in which the piece will be why you should be considered 2015, thanks to the generosity of 1,281 anchored, as will any ongoing cleaning  A draft concept and brief over- donors, 3,341 organ transplants were and maintenance. view of your approach to the commis- carried out with patients’ lives being He said: “To be selected, artists will sion, no more than one side of A4 dramatically improved. need to demonstrate their technical Examples of previous work He said: “Organ transplantation is proficiency, experience and an under- A current CV one of medicine’s great success stories, standing of what is achievable. The closing date for submissions is transforming thousands of lives each “It is important that the message 4pm on 11th July. Shortlisted candidates year. And yet, tragically, on average ‘The Gift of Life’ is integrated into the will be informed the following week three people a day die in the UK be- art piece. Additional themes artists may with the intention of agreeing a commis- cause not enough organs are available. wish to consider are the concept of a sion by 25th July. The installation is “Organ donation occurs at a time of legacy, including how we wish to be planned for completion in September. - 40 - PRESENTATIONS Geriatrician set to deliver workshops on dementia

A WORLD-RENOWNED geriatrician and bestselling author is to hold a series of workshops on dementia in Highland next month. Dr Allen Power is clinical associate professor of medicine at the University of Rochester, a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and International Educator on transformational models of care for older adults, particularly those living with dementia. He will spend three days in the north of Scotland, beginning with a presentation to the Dementia Action Net- work, a local partnership between NHS Highland and Alzheimer Scotland, on Tuesday, 7th June. NHS Highland’s Alzheimer Scotland dementia nurse consultant, Ruth Mantle, said: “We are delighted to welcome Dr Power to NHS Highland during his trip to Scotland, starting with a presentation to the Dementia Action Network at the Centre for Health Science in Inverness. “The next day he will deliver a Term Living magazine’s ‘Five Leaders of the Highlands.” workshop aimed predominantly at staff Tomorrow’ in 2013. Dr Power featured He will finish his tour of the High- working within care homes and hospital in the inspirational documentary film lands on Thursday, 9th June at the DCaff settings, with the aim of exploring ways ‘Alive Inside’, which was the winner of Dementia Cafe in Avoch on the Black to enhance the wellbeing of people with the 2014 Sundance Film Festival Audi- Isle, where he will meet NHS Highland dementia, and examine the seven do- ence Award. geriatricians and board nurse director mains of wellbeing and current care It is Dr Power’s first visit to Scot- Heidi May. practices that erode them. Dr Power land, and the trip is the direct result of a “It is great to see the significant will also discuss the transformative ap- relationship that has developed since amount of interest generated around his proaches that can help to restore Mrs Mantle first met him in Australia visit, so much so that we have had to them.” during the first leg of her Winston swap rooms to accommodate the de- Dr Power’s book ‘Dementia Beyond Churchill Travel Scholarship in April last mand for places,” added Ruth. “This is Drugs: Changing the Culture of Care’ year. extremely encouraging, as it shows the won a 2010 Book of the Year Award Both Dr Power and Kate Swaffer, level of engagement and desire from from the American Journal of Nursing another award-winning author and ac- NHS Highland staff to continue to de- and a Merit Award from the 2011 Na- tivist for aged and dementia care, will velop innovative ways to support people tional Mature Media Awards. speak at Alzheimer Scotland’s national living with dementia. His talk and workshop will be based conference on Friday, 3rd June. “I’m sure that Dr Power will be im- on the work detailed in his latest book Mrs Mantle continued: “It’s a real pressed by the work we are doing here ‘Dementia Beyond Disease: Enhancing coup to attract such a well known and in Highland to support people living Wellbeing in Dementia’. respected geriatrician, author and edu- with dementia, and we look forward to He has co-produced two DVDs on cator to the north of Scotland and I sharing learning with him during his dementia and was named one of Long- look forward to showing him around visit.” - 41 - - 42 - HIGHLAND HEALTH SCIENCES LIBRARY Department of Clinical Dilemmas: Insomnia and to sit or to stand NORMALLY, the librarian is of ruddy the idea and has brought these into the experi- face and (mostly) cheery disposition. mental redesign mentioned above. Spaces are However, of late he has been coming into now provided where people can stand and work shoulders slouched and pale of face. work rather than sit. The extent of this has troubled the assis- The benefits of standing and not sitting are tants. Like Oliver Twist asking Mr Bumble for legion and include preventing diseases such as more, one of the assistants plucked up the cancer, and back and mental health problems. courage to Note also in the photo the cup of coffee. enter the Vic- The librarian perhaps conscious of the contrast torian splen- between his in house wine cellar and supply of dour of the caviar, shortbread and the like has decided that inner sanctum. consumption of light snacks and drinks is now Here they allowed in the library. found the li- To add to our appeal to getting our old lov- brarian in a bit able librarian back – why not get up, get out of of a state. your office and take a healthy walk over to the Garnering fur- library and give us your opinions? If you are out ther courage of town – stand up, take a walk round your User availing them- the minion office or ward, and then give us a standing selves of new design. queried: “What’s wrong?” The librarian turned Photo courtesy of phone call. It would be great to meet/hear a doleful, teary eye on the employee and the Ellen-Ann Novak from you. following story unfolded. and David Hender- Rob Polson, Subject Librarian It turns out that the librarian has been suf- son. ([email protected]) fering insomnia over a workplace dilemma. As regular readers will know, the library has entered an experimental phase with relation to its space and facilities. On his mind are questions such as:

Do you want quiet spaces in the library? Do you want spaces you can discuss things? Do you want spaces you can present in? The benefits of standing Are you bothered?

Please can readers please help us get our and not sitting are legion old librarian back? Send your comments sug- gestions into [email protected] ‘

On a more positive note, regular readers and include preventing ‘ will know that despite his predilection for spir- its and artisan beers the librarian is a bit of a diseases such as cancer, health promotion freak. One of his current obsessions is the NHS and back and mental Highland Beware the Chair initiative. As a long-term opponent of capital punish- health problems ment the librarian initially got interested in this and we thought his enthusiasm would wane once he found out what the campaign was really about. However, no, he has embraced

Remember, whatever your needs the Highland Health Sciences Library exists to help you. Save time and money. Don’t spend more than 10 minutes on a problem you may be having – contact the library instead. To find out more about the library call 01463 255600 (x7600). - 43 - Ever wondered what our staff do in their spare time? OTHER LIVES ‘Other Lives’ reports on colleagues’ outside interests

Boats, bikes and kayaks ‘ IT is always amazing to discover the interests and hobbies that staff across NHS I am really luck as to where I Highland take part in when they are not at work. live and work and wouldn’t David Ross, estates manager for the Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership, is have it any other way a good example of someone who has not one but numerous interests which he takes part in during his spare time. “The beauty of a motorbike is not only the David has worked in the NHS for nearly 30 enjoyment you get from driving and the crack- years in a variety of different locations and roles ‘ ing scenery but it has the added bonus that you and in his current role he says that there is don’t really get stuck behind tractors or cara- nothing more satisfying than seeing a new pro- vans like you would in a car. ject actually turn into something tangible for “It is important though that there is respect patients and staff. for the bike and the conditions of the roads and David lives in Balloch in West Dunbarton- because you are significantly more vulnerable shire, which is pretty much on the edge of the you really have to have your wits about you at Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, and all times. There’s also the added benefit of mak- it comes as no surprise that many of his inter- ing you a better car driver through raised ests revolve around the water and the out- awareness on two wheels.” doors. Living so close to Loch Lomond, David says As David put it: “I love boats, bikes and kay- that one of his other passions is going out on aks – but not necessarily in that order.” the loch on either his boat or one of his kayaks. Many of us go out for a wee cycle now and He said: “I have had all sizes of boats over then or hire bikes for the day but for David a the years and currently I have three: a sailing “wee” cycle is a 40-plus mile trip round the boat, a cruising boat and speedboat. The good roads in Argyll and Bute. thing about where I live is that I am close to the Further afield, he has toured in Spain, slipway and also moor a boat in the river close France and Italy with a few more long distance to my house so it’s really easy just to pop down tours in the pipeline. and go for a cruise on the loch.” “I have always loved the outdoors,” says Kayaking is a more recently discovered David, “and you just can’t beat going out for a pleasure and although it’s at a much slower few hours on your bike. The weather or time pace than the boat David says that being so of year is not that important as long as you close to the water is truly therapeutic not to have the right gear on and I always try to plan mention being good for keeping you fit and my route so that there is a tearoom or a café healthy. halfway along. You can’t beat a wee bowl of “The views are also absolutely amazing and soup or a coffee and scone to give you that it’s much easier to get to those difficult to ac- added boost for the rest of the journey.” cess beaches that you find on the loch,” he said. David added: “In the summer I love nothing David added: “You just can’t beat being out- better than motorcycling and I travel all over doors, whether on the boat, bike or kayak, and Scotland meeting really interesting people along I am really lucky as to where I live and work the way. and wouldn’t have it any other way.”

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Q &A Sandra O’Driscoll, medical coder based at Raigmore Hospital

What do you do, Sandra? the lottery, what would I code medical things. you spend it on? A cottage in Durness and a How would you describe property in France or Spain yourself? for friends and family to use Happy. for holidays. The rest I would use to fund my life while not Do you have any hobbies working! and interests? I love to run and I love gar- What about a smaller dening. sum, say £1,000? I would put it towards a What was the first single camper van so that my part- you ever bought? ner and I could go off on a My Sweet Lord by George few adventures. Harrison. What are you pet hates? What is your favourite I can’t bear people who drop food? Fruit. litter.

How about your favourite If you could have dinner film? with three people, dead The Fellowship of the Ring. or alive, who they be and what would you cook Do you have a favourite them? TV programme? Florence Welch, Mark Beau- No, I don’t watch much TV. mont and Jamie Oliver. I would get Jamie to cook for What about your favour- us. ite book? International Statistical Classi- What are the best and fication of Diseases and Re- worst parts of your job? lated Health Problems Best – my work colleagues. Worst – having to sit at a If you won £10 million in desk all day.

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