Highlights

NOW OUT MONTHLY Issue 12, March 2013 MEET THE BOARD: SEE PAGES 18 & 19 Highlights launches a new series on members of the NHS board. This month, Okain McLennan (left).

LAUNCH: New primary care programme aims to reduce avoidable harm PATIENT SAFETY TO GET A BOOST

MOVES to improve based range of effec- Health Secre- patient safety in NHS tive tools, techniques Highland and else- and learning that will tary Alex Neil where in improve patient safety. pictured dur- have taken a step for- The aim is to de- ing a visit to ward. liver a programme Highland ear- The Scottish Pa- which will reduce the lier this tient Safety in Primary number of events m onth with Care Programme which could cause Gwen Calder, (SPSP-PC) was avoidable harm to launched in NHS High- people from health- charge nurse land, as well as the care delivered in a pri- at the Critical other 13 area NHS mary care setting. Care Unit, boards in Scotland, GPs and their staff Raigm ore earlier this month. will undertake safety Hospital. For SPSP-PC provides surveys and case note details, see a targeted, world- page 2. leading and evidence- Continued on page 2

Pg 12 Join the THE GIFT OF LIFE … ORGAN DONATION register - - Highlights welcom e news from all parts of the organisation but we are particularly keen to hear from colleagues working in the com m unity, care hom es and other staff who have com es across to NHS Highland as part of integration of adult health and social care. Contact com m unications m anager Tom Davison at tom .davison@ nhs.net (tel. 01463 704903).

ARLIER E t h i s month, Alex Neil, the Health Secre- tary, visited Highland. During his whistle-stop tour he sat in a t e le - consultation ABOVE: NHS Highland‘s Scottish from New Patient Safety program m e m an- Craigs to Ab- ager Maryanne Gillies and Stew- beyfield Care art Lam bie, clinical lead for the Home in Ballachulish. The work Raigmore Hospital as part of the SPSP, pictured with Mr Neil. is allowing people with dementia Scottish Patient Safety Pro- RIGHT: Dr Fiona McGibbon, con- to get specialist mental health gramme and met representa- sultant old age pyschiatrist at support without having to travel tives of the ARCHIE Foundation, New Craigs and Richard O'Keeffe, to Inverness. which is raising funds to develop nurse team leader of Clava W ard Mr Neil also saw first hand the children‘s department in at New Craigs, with Mr Neil. some of the leading work in Raigmore. Launch of GP patient safety programme

Continued from page 1 the initial focus on im- patient safety pro- For its assessments, plementation within gen- gramme across the IHI sets challenging ob- reviews to increase staff eral medical services. whole healthcare sys- jectives which require awareness and inte- However, the pro- tem.“ boards to demonstrate grate patient safety into gramme will evolve into NHS Highland is al- sustained improvements their daily work to re- other areas of primary ready leading the way in in patient care. IHI found duce avoidable harm. care. terms of patient safety. that by embracing the The new GP pro- Announcing the Last year, we emerged aims of the Scottish Pa- gramme follows on from launch of SPSP-PC, as one of the top two tient Safety Programme the Scottish Govern- health secretary Alex health boards in Scot- (SPSP) and through the ment‘s successful pa- Neil said: —Regarded as land in a national as- work of its frontline tient safety initiatives in a world leader for our sessment of patient teams, NHS Highland hospitals, in which NHS work on patient safety, safety standards. achieved many exam- Highland has partici- we already have much The board scored 4.0 ples of improved patient pated, which have seen to be proud of in Scot- on a five-point scale set care and demonstrated a 12.4 per cent reduc- land and I am delighted by the American-based that these changes led tion in death rates since that we are now extend- Institute for Healthcare to clear results. 2007. ing this to primary care. Improvement (IHI), in NHS Highland is tar- The programme is —Scotland will be the conjunction with Health- geting a 4.5 rating in the being introduced with a first country in the world care Improvement Scot- next round of assess- phased approach, with to implement a national land. ments. - 2 - PARTNERSHIP: Programme to break new ground R&D courses on statistics organised Asking not telling – STATISTICS will be on the agenda at R&D training how we will support courses to be held in the Centre for Health Science, In- verness, on 14th May and 11th June. young mothers ”Introduction to Statistics‘ is a half- W ORK is under way to set up a Family QUOTE day course de- Nurse Partnership across the Inner Mo- signed to provide a ray Firth area. basic understanding This is an intensive, evidenced- We are really excited of statistics and pre- based programme for first-time teenage liminary data de- mums to give their children the best about what we m ight be scription and analy- possible start in life, and is run by able to do to support sis. It is aimed at highly-trained family nurses. researchers who Jacqui Stevens, the supervisor for these young people have little or no ex- the partnership, said: —This is a ground- perience of data breaking programme which, if we get analysis. right, will make a real and lasting differ- Highland is unique as the partnership ”Hypothesis Test- ence to young people‘s lives. is being managed via the council. ing in Statistics‘ fol- —Young first-time mums are entitled The programme doesn‘t work in iso- lows on from the to take part in the programme œ they lation and has strong links with other first course and as- choose if they want to join and they lead professional staff and agencies. sumes a basic the conversation. It is expected that the first mums will knowledge of de- —As a team we are really excited be recruited onto the programme scriptive statistics. about what we might be able to do to shortly. Joining is entirely voluntary. Students will be support these young people, who have The team is based in the Kinmylies introduced to hy- their whole lives ahead of them.“ Building in Inverness. pothesis testing in Young mums join the programme For further information contact: jac- statistics, with the before they are 28 weeks pregnant and queline.stevens@ highland.gsx.gov.uk course covering chi- they are entitled to stick with it until their or phone 01463 703492 / 07788 squared tests, t- child is two years old. 387608. tests and analysis of variance. Application forms Pictured are available on the from left intranet and should are Anne be returned when Johnstone, completed to Laura Kirsty Fuller, McIlhatton, Re- Lorna search and Devel- MacAskill, opment, Room Jennifer S101, Centre for Stariski and Health Science, Old supervisor Perth Road, Inver- Jacqui ness, IV2 3JH. Stevens - 3 - Training course to help researchers get work published A SHORT training search and develop- devising a title, writing intranet for an applica- course on how to write a ment training course is an abstract, structuring tion form. scientific paper for publi- intended for healthcare the paper and avoiding The completed form cation has been organ- researchers who have common pitfalls. should then be returned ised for healthcare re- not previously had their It will also offer re- to Laura McIlhatton, Re- searchers. work published. searchers tips on clarity search & Development, To be held on The course gives a and style. Room S101, Centre for W ednesday 8th May in brief overview of how to N H S H i g hla n d Health Science, Old the Centre for Health write a scientific paper healthcare researchers Perth Road, Inverness Science, Old Perth for publication and cov- who are interested in (email Road, Inverness, the ers the identification of attending the training laura.mcilhatton@ nhs.n ”W riting a Paper‘ re- an appropriate journal, course should go to the et). NEW CRAIGS: New gallery greets visitors thanks to efforts of school artists Hospital art project is a winner with school pupils

AN art project organised thing for the patients by staff from New and staff to enjoy and Craigs Hospital in Inver- look at it was also good Above: The winning piece and, in the insert, the ness has caught the for the pupils to get in- winning artist and other participants imagination of local volved with their local school pupils. hospital. —After discussing our up with 11 pictures for Patients, staff and She said: —W e were idea with the principal the main corridor.“ visitors are now greeted looking to change the Art teacher, M ar- W ith the help of with an art gallery as artwork that was on the jory Tait, from Charles- ”Picture This‘ the pic- they walk along the hos- main corridors and, as ton Academ y, she tures have been framed pital‘s main corridor and part of the hospital Ac- thought that we could and hung within the they were even able to tivities and Environment involve all the Inverness main corridor of the hos- vote for their favourite group we came up with secondary schools.“ pital. Patient, staff and piece. the idea of contacting —I was really im- visitors were asked to Diane W oodward, our local secondary pressed by how enthusi- vote for their favourite, clinical area manager at school to offer wall astic they were about and the prize-giving was New Craigs, explained space to any art pupil to creating artwork for the held on 6th March at that as well as some- display their work. hospital and we ended New Craigs. - 4 - EDUCATION: Raising awareness of birthing technique Board to pay PVG scheme Highland midwives membership THE Scottish Gov- ernment has con- firmed that the Pro- invited to study day tection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme membership fee for all staff who require to be in it on waterbirths should be paid by health boards. MIDW IVES from across The scheme, the Highlands have been which is managed by invited to attend a W ater- disclosure Scotland, birth Study Day at Robert was introduced in Gordon University (RGU) February 2011 and is to raise their awareness designed to enhance of the labour and birthing the protection avail- technique. able for children and The event will be held other vulnerable at RGU‘s Faculty of groups. Health and Social Care Membership of on Friday, 30th August, the scheme already and is aimed at midwives applied to new staff and student midwives Student m idwives at Robert Gordon University who joined the ser- throughout the north and vice after 28th Febru- north-east. from midwives working in tive experience for ary 2011 and now all The study day, which the Highlands, Grampian women and their part- other staff in post is also supported by NHS and Tayside. ners.“ who meet the defini- Grampian, will be led by She said: —W aterbirth Topics covered at the tion of working with experienced midwife Di- is still a relatively under- study day will include ro- children and vulner- anne Garland, who has utilised technique for bust clinical care, water- able groups, as laid more than 30 years‘ clini- childbirth in Scotland and birth theories and en- down by the scheme, cal, managerial and edu- the study day has been gagement, research, must obtain member- cational experience in the developed to raise teaching and the need to ship by 1st April field. awareness among mid- accentuate waterbirth as 2015. Attendees will learn wives so they can dis- a normal, healthy and The PVG scheme how to promote water- cuss the option with safe way to give birth. membership fee birth as a peaceful and women. The event, which will should be paid by safe option for childbirth —By improving the run from 8.45am to the employing health as well as increase their practitioners‘ skills and 4.30pm, will cost £60 for board, the Scottish own knowledge of the confidence more women midwives, £30 for student Government has technique. will be given the opportu- midwives and includes confirmed, and the Jayne Forrest, mid- nity to discuss labour and refreshments for the day. board should also wifery lecturer practitio- birth in the water as an For more information reimburse any staff ner at RGU and NHS option. about the study day, visit who have already Grampian has organised —The water can reduce the events section of the paid their member- the event and is anticipat- the need for pain relief Robert Gordon Univer- ship fee since taking ing significant interest and often leads to a posi- sity‘s website. up post. - 5 - SCOTTISH PHARMACIST AWARDS … SCOTTISH PHARMACIST AWARDS … SCOTTISH PHARMACIST AWARDS ... Easter Ross pharmacist named best in Scotland

A W OMAN who set up a small community pharmacy in an Easter Ross village has been judged Scotland‘s top pharma- cist. Catherine Vass (62), who opened the Balintore Pharmacy just under five years ago, was named Pharmacist of the Year in the Scottish Pharmacist Awards. Catherine (right) who at- tended the awards ceremony in the Edinburgh International Con- ference Centre on Saturday, said she was —delighted and honoured“ to have won such a prestigious award. Catherine, who now works was due in part to being able to the Rowlands Pharmacy in Cul- part-time as she gradually steps meet the distinct needs of the loden, which won both the Phar- aside from the business, said community. maceutical Public Health Award the success of the pharmacy Another Highland winner was for its work in smoking cessa- tion, and the Clinical Excellence ”Outstanding contribution‘ recognised Award, in recognition of the suc- cess of its asthma clinics. THE award for ”Outstanding Contribution to Pharm acy‘ went to Among the other Highland Stuart Johnstone, an Inverness resident who is currently head finalists were, in the Pharmacy of pharm acy for Boots UK in Scotland. Assistant of the Year category, Stuart (56) is a past-chairm an of the Highland Area Pharm a- Donna Gillespie, of Mitchells ceutical Com m ittee, which gives professional advice to NHS Chemist, , and Alison Highland‘s board, a form er m em ber of the Royal Pharm aceuti- Gibb, of the Co-operative Phar- cal Board in Scotland, and is a m em ber of the Highland Phar- macy, Alness; and, in the Phar- m acy Contractors Com m ittee, which represents com m unity macy of Team of the Year cate- pharm acists. However, he believes he won the award m ore par- gory, the Co-operative Phar- ticularly for his work as one of three contractors who negotiate macy, Thurso. the NHS pharm acy contract in Scotland. And the pharmacy team at Stuart has held various m anagem ent posts with Boots, in- New Craigs Hospital just missed cluding m anager of the firm ‘s Eastgate store in Inverness and out on one of the top awards, area m anager for its other stores in the Highlands. He has also having been shortlisted for the been head of pharm acy for Boots in Ireland, London and the Hospital Pharmacy Team of the North of England. Year category.

- 6 - Education course on diabetes completed IN Oban, diabetes dietician Les- insulin dose adjustment and so- ley Bakos-Hodge and diabetes cial aspects. nurse Fiona Thomson have run Day 4: Complications, exer- their first diabetes structured edu- cise, review carbohydrate count- cation course, called BERTIE, for ing and evaluation. patients with Type 1 diabetes. Participants collect information The four-day course, run over on food intake, blood glucose four weeks, covers the following: readings and doses of insulin for Day 2: Hyperglycaemia, keto- Day 1: Defining personal four days prior to attending each acidosis, nutritional requirements, goals and goal setting; what is week. This information is used to carbohydrate counting, food la- diabetes? Identifying foods con- help develop self-management bels and insulin dose adjustment. taining carbohydrate, counting skills for adjusting background carbohydrates, HbA1c and the Day 3: Hypoglycaemia, alco- insulin, insulin to carbohydrate action of insulin. hol, eating out, takeaway meals, ratios and correction doses.

Orthotics RIGHT: W ith the award are Derek Leslie, Argyll & conference Bute CHP director of op- A MAJOR plat- erations, and Fiona Brod- form to enable erick, administration ser- orthotists to share vices manager for mental health Services) ides and experi- ences will be held next month (April). The Scottish Locality Orthotic Confer- ence, to be held in the Beardmore hits the Hotel, Clydebank, on 27th April, is gold being promoted by the Scottish Post Polio Net- standard work. MID ARGYLL Locality, ing cessation and an Men‘s Health W eek on The main ob- th jective of the con- including staff at Argyll & HW L newsletter produced 14 June 2011. More ference is to pro- Bute Hospital, Mid Argyll to keep staff up to date than 20 men had a health vide a universal Hospital and Aros are all on events. check that day receiving orthotics service celebrating their own gold Following a W ork Out at a bag of informative leaf- for Scotland. award after achieving W ork Day in June 2012, lets on men‘s health. It‘s hoped the their Healthy W orking stretch and tone classes, Staff and patients are part event will also Lives Gold Award in De- power hoop classes and of the W oodland Squad, lead to an im- cember. gym ball classes are all helping to keep Blarbuie proved service for To achieve the award now run weekly on site. W oodland accessible, users. staff took part in various As part of their commu- attractive, tidy and sus- Booking forms health promotion activi- nity involvement, Mid Ar- tainable. In addition, for the conference ties. Health information gyll Locality provided the shredded paper is recy- c a n b e was provided on various services of local nurses to cled and given to Blarbuie downloaded from topics, such as bowel undertake men‘s health W oodland Project for www.sppn.org. cancer, oral health, smok- checks to local males in turning in to compost. - 7 - ONLINE DEBATE: Employees urged to take part in website initiative Preparing a vision for the future MEMBERS of staff at NHS Scotland about the things that the way NHSScotland manages Highland are being urged to take matter and the changes that will and leads. part in a discussion forum be needed to deliver high-quality, The 2020 W orkforce Vision intended to create the 2020 sustainable health and care. website can be accessed via a W orkforce Vision, which will Among the issues the online dedicated website. address the aims and challenges debate will consider are the The W orkforce Vision is due to facing the future provision of nature of roles and the make-up be launched in June this year, healthcare in Scotland. of the NHSScotland workforce in with an initial implementation plan The forum is the start of a the future; the use of technology scheduled to follow in December conversation with all NHS staff in and new ways of working; and 2013.

Befriending New community pharmacy opens scheme starts in Highland NHS Highland has welcomed the introduction of a new befriending scheme for pa- tients with chronic heart failure. Consultant car- diologist Profes- Left: The sor Steve Leslie pharm acist at believes the pro- Cill Chuim ein ject, run by Chest Phar- Heart and Stroke m acy, Haroon Scotland, plays a Rashid, with crucial role in im- one of his as- proving the lives sistants, Tri- of patients. cia. There is —I think this is another as- an exciting oppor- sistant, tunity for patients Sheila, who is with CHF and not pictured. compliments the NHS HIGHLAND has welcomed the She continued: —Pharmacists have a treatment they opening of a new community pharmacy at key role in providing health education and are receiving from Fort Augustus. promotion, supporting the population with the NHS.“ NHS Highland head of community self-care and self-management of long For further in- pharmaceutical services, Mary Morton, term conditions by using their expertise formation on the said: —Providing a community pharmacy on the best use of medicines.“ service, or to refer will enable patients to access an in- The new pharmacy opened in October a patient, friend or creased range of healthcare services lo- 2012 and the application to open it was relative, contact cally. The skills and experience of the unanimously granted to Cill Chuimein Anna Metzler- pharmacist will complement the existing Dispensing Ltd by the Pharmacy Prac- Murray on 01463 primary care team.“ tices Committee. 701196. - 8 - Employees‘ PARTNERSHIP W ORKING: Early Years Collaborative chance to visit Maggie‘s Aiming high for PROFESSIONAL aware- ness sessions have been organised for any member of NHS Highland staff, re- gardless of grade and pro- young people... fession, who have not had the opportunity to visit MAKING Scotland the best place in —W e will shortly be recruiting a Maggie‘s Highlands at the world for children and young peo- programme manager and we are de- Raigmore Hospital as part ple to grow up may be a tall order but lighted to have senior executive lead- of their staff induction. that is the exciting ambition of the ership involvement through NHS Each session will start Early Years Collaborative œ a com- Highland chief executive Elaine at 9am and will last ap- munity partnership involving a range Mead and Highland Council chief ex- proximately 45 minutes, of planning partners. ecutive Alistair Dodds.“ but anyone attending will Launched in January by Aileen Bill Alexander, the council‘s direc- be invited to stay and join Campbell, Minister for Children & tor of health and social care, will our meditation group at Young People, at a two-day event in chair the collaborative‘s leadership 10am, and our Tai Chi Glasgow, the collaborative is some- group. group at 11am. thing NHS Highland is very enthusi- Sheena is no stranger to NHS The 2013 sessions will astic about. Highland, having worked for us for 12 be held on Thursdays 2nd The work will fit closely with the years before taking up her new post May, 6th June, 1st August, development of the next version of as part of integration of children‘s 5th September, 10th Octo- For Highland‘s Children. services. ber and 14th November. Sheena Macleod, head of health She said: —It is an exciting and Next year, sessions will be for the Highland Council, told High- privileged opportunity to be working held on 16th January, 20th lights: —W e want to reduce inequali- with so many people who are dedi- February, 27th March and ties for all babies, children, mothers, cated to improving services for chil- 8th May. fathers and families across High- dren and young people.“ If you, or anyone you land. For further information contact know, are interested in at- —This will mean taking actions to sheena.macleod@ highland.gsx.gov. tending, phone extension ensure that all children have the best uk or phone 01955 609589 (direct) 6306 or 01463 706306. start in live. 01955 609576 (admin). How you can be a better listener A FOUNDATION course de- nity‘ œ is aimed at encouraging within the NHS. signed to help NHS Highland participants to improve their lis- The cost of participating is staff improve their listening skills tening skills, recognise the impor- £50. To apply, log on to AT- is being held in Inverness. tance of listening for health and Learning or contact Maureen W il- The 12-hour course will run well-being, understand the role of son, NHS Chaplaincy, Raigmore over two days, from 9am-5pm, on listening in the delivery of spiritual Hospital (01463 704463; email 10th and 11th June in Inshes care and develop themselves as Maureen.wilson1@ nhs.net Church, 30th September and 1st a listening person for everyday Application forms are also October at a venue to be con- life. available from the vestibule of the firmed, and on 18th and 19th No- It is also hoped that the course chaplaincy department. vember, again in Inshes Church. will contribute both to the NHS Each course is limited to 14-16 The course œ ”Effective Listen- Scotland Healthcare Quality people, so early application is ing for Life, Health and Commu- Strategy and a listening culture advised. - 9 - Public health director was keynote speaker Highland TEMPERATURE, air pol- aimed at anyone who Every Size‘ was taken by lution and flooding were worked or was interested Dan Jenkins, NHS High- survey into just some of the topics in healthcare or the envi- land‘s healthy weight on the agenda at a ronment. health promotion officer. alcohol ”Green Routes to Feeling Dr Margaret Somer- Alongside the confer- Good‘ Conference and ville, NHS Highland‘s di- ence HEN ran a public availability Showcase staged by the rector of public health, exhibition which included Highland Environmental was the keynote a range of hands-on ses- Network (HEN) in Inver- speaker, giving an ad- sions and demonstra- completed ness earlier this month. dress on the health ef- tions including map read- NHS HIGHLAND and The event, which in- fects of climate change. ing to healthy cooking. the Alcohol and Drug volved a wide range of The workshops in- The event was sup- Partnership and NHS speakers and workshops cluded one run by NHS ported by Co-op Commu- Highland has con- led by health and envi- Highland Health Promo- nity Fund and Inverness cluded a public survey ronmental experts, was tions. ”Feeling Good at Common Good Fund. into the availability and purchase of alco- SUPPORT: Understanding Care Programme Approach hol in Highland. The information gathered will be used to develop a state- ment to the Highland Awareness training Alcohol Licensing Board about the provi- sion of alcohol with a view to bring about sessions planned for changes to the way licenses are granted. NHS Highland‘s director of public staff and volunteers health, Dr Margaret Somerville, said: ——W e AW ARENESS training sessions on vate and public-sector service provid- know that 50 per cent Care Programme Approach (CPA) and ers. of men and 30 per its use across Highland have been ar- The sessions are geared to giving cent of women regu- ranged. staff an understanding of the processes larly drink over the A list of dates, times and venues is involved in Care Programme Approach, sensible drinking available at the announcements sec- its review, etc. guidelines, placing tion of the intranet. The sessions will suit any members them at risk of being Also available on the intranet is a of staff who have not already attended involved in accidents, slip to be used by staff to book a place a CPA awareness training session, experiencing family and a brief information sheet on the new staff and those who need a break-ups, or of devel- Care Programme Approach. —refresher“ (every two to three years for oping cancer or liver The sessions are intended for staff staff working closely with people being disease.“ and volunteers involved in the care of referred for or included on CPA œ W ithin the past 20 people, 16 years and over, with severe nurses at New Craigs Hospital, Inver- years, the cost of al- and enduring mental illness, including ness, and staff within community cohol has decreased dementia, and people with learning dis- teams). and as a result has ability all of whom also have complex A separate CPA awareness session created a number of health and social needs. for your specific team, department or health and social These clients may be living in or are organisation can be arranged; contact problems impacting being discharged into the community, Shirley Ritchie at the CPA office on on individuals, com- with some receiving support from pri- 01463 253611. munities and services. - 10 - SKYE: New, single-site facility may be the best option Dying to Know... W ILLS, power of Group formed to attorney, financial arrangements and bereavement will all be discussed at an event to be held in Nairn Com- plan for future munity Centre on Saturday, 25th May. A NEW steering group has follows ongoing discus- this would be to develop a The event, been formed to look at the sions in the past year with wide range of options. ”Dying to Know‘, is future provision of health local communities, politi- Dr Paul Davidson, clini- being organised by and social care services cians, doctors and other cal director for NHS High- t he H ig hla n d across Skye, Lochalsh staff, and various groups land‘s north and west op- Health and Social and South W est Ross. and agencies. erational unit, said: —W e Care Partnership Neither Portree Com- Emerging from these have a lot of work to do in co-operation munity Hospital nor talks has been the feeling including explaining the with CAB Nairn Mackinnon Memorial Hos- that developing a single- case for change and de- and with the assis- pital in Broadford will be site facility might be the veloping a broad consen- tance of nurse able to meet modern best way to secure mod- sus across the area.“ Kate Clark. healthcare environment ern facilities for the area. The steering group has Local busi- standards in the near fu- At the steering group‘s wide involvement, includ- nesses are being ture, so the new group has inaugural meeting it was ing local elected members, invited to partici- been formed to look at po- highlighted that any poten- Scottish Ambulance Ser- pate in the event, tential options for replace- tial new building must go vice, GPs, public members which will be held ment. through a formal process and staff representatives from 11.30am to Setting up the group and that a starting point for from the hospitals. 4pm. Simple tips to drive down fuel costs INEFFICIENT driving is costing to measure journey length, time Scottish drivers over £570m a taken per journey, average year but the new FuelGood app speed, acceleration and decel- from Energy Saving Trust can eration and average miles per make your transport budget go gallon. miles further with a few simple This then lets drivers know tips. how their average carbon emis- Download the FuelGood app sions stack up, and the potential from the App store and save savings they could make by driv- pounds. ing more efficiently. Car drivers could save an av- For more details on fuel effi- erage of £250 each œ that‘s 21p cient driving, or to book a Fuel- off every litre spent on petrol and Good session, visit Energy Sav- diesel œ by following a range of ing Trust Scotland‘s website or simple fuel efficient driving tips. ming pools or Hampden Park 416 call your local Energy Saving Incredibly, the fuel saved would times over! Scotland advice centre on 0800 fill nearly 200,000 Olympic swim- The app uses GPS satellites 512 012. - 11 -

ORGAN DONATION: NHS Highland employees urged to join register

W ITH around 600 peo- their wish. ple in Scotland needing If your wishes are a life-saving transplant, unclear, or unknown Highland residents then the person closest were this month en- THE GIFT to you in life will be couraged to sign up to asked what they think the Organ Donor Reg- you would have ister as the Organ Do- wanted, so it‘s impor- nation Roadshow vis- tant that you make sure ited Inverness, Fort they‘re aware of your W illiam and Oban. OF LIFE... wishes. Transplants are one Debbie said: —W e of the most miraculous want people to sign up achievements of mod- the register and we ern medicine but they stances where they are to make sure life goes really want them to tell depend entirely on the able to donate their or- on for many others.“ their family and friends generosity of donors gans. Because organs Joining the register that they have done it. and their families who have to be transplanted records your agree- Not only will this help are willing to make this very soon after some- ment to the use of your raise awareness but it life-saving or life- one has died they can organs and tissue for is important that family enhancing gift to oth- only be donated by transplantation after and friends know of ers. someone who has died your death. your views. Debbie Gallagher, in hospital. W hen you register it "If you join the regis- NHS Highland's spe- —One donor can is important that you ter without telling the cialist nurse for organ save the life of several tell those closest to you people closest to you, donation, explained people, restore the about your decision. your wishes may come that the people of the sight of two others and To decide whether as a surprise at a sen- Highlands tended to be improve the quality of or not you wish to be- sitive time when they very supportive of or- life of many more. come a donor after you are trying to deal with gan donation. —The more people have died is something their loss and this could She said: —The latest who pledge to donate very personal and it is result in them not giv- figures show that 43% their organs and tissue important that everyone ing permission for your of the Highland popula- after their death the makes their own deci- organs to be donated. tion are signed up the more people stand to sion. "However, would Organ Donation Regis- benefit. However, in the UK you take an organ if ter but the number of —By choosing to join organs and tissue from you needed one? people needing a trans- the NHS Organ Donor a potential donor will —Most of us, I‘m plant is expected to rise Register you could help only be used if that is sure, would. W hen steeply due to an age- someone dies, it's ing population, an in- QUOTE really hard to accept crease in kidney failure, that they're gone. and scientific advances ”One donor can save the life —But knowing that a which have improved part of their loved one patient care. of several people, restore will help someone else —The number of or- will be a huge help for gans available for the sight of two others and the person grieving." transplant has re- You can join the mained static over the im prove the quality of life of NHS Organ Donor past few years. Only a m any m ore‘ Register by visiting the very small number of Organ Donation Scot- people die in circum- land website. - 12 - EDUCATIONAL AID: Short training films now available electronically W heelchair training being delivered online

NHS Highland W heelchair and Seating Service have launched an electronic educational aid that has been developed in partner- ship with NES Remote and Rural Healthcare and Educational Alli- ance (RRHEAL). The wheelchair service re- ceives approximately 900 new referrals per year from hospital and community-based healthcare workers across the Highlands and the W estern Isles. About 60% of these are for a basic wheelchair; these are then prescribed purely on the informa- tion received on the referral form and are sent to the client directly by courier. It is therefore important that this information is correct. The wheelchair service carried experience in the delivery of ing and can be used by individu- out an audit and found that over training across remote regions, als for eKSF & PDPs. 50% of all referrals received were the wheelchair service developed The topics of the training vid- either incomplete or contained an online training resource con- eos are as follows: sisting of a series of short instruc- inaccurate information. / tional videos. Introduction to the referral This causes considerable de- process lays in issuing equipment and These would demonstrate key / The visit itself and the as- wastes valuable clinical and ad- skills on how to complete a refer- sessment ministration time. ral form, measure accurately and give information about basic / Delivering training to the many Measuring equipment and accessories avail- different healthcare workers / Prescribing equipment able. across an area as large as the / Issuing and demonstrating Highlands and W estern Isles has After the watching the videos a standard wheelchair many challenges, one of these there is the option to complete a / How to fit accessories self-assessment to indicate areas being the availability of staff be- The educational aid is appro- for additional development. ing able to attend training ses- priate for any healthcare worker sions. These scores are then fed involved with wheelchair users After seeking advice from back to the wheelchair service to and is hosted on the RRHEAL RRHEAL, who have invaluable assist in developing future train- website. - 13 - A9 to be NEW SYSTEM: It will be all change as from 1st April closed for overnight An e:eSSy way works on new bridge NHS HIGHLAND staff should note that part of to access data the A9 in Inverness will be closed from 7pm on th FROM 1st April the new, 6 April to 7am the fol- THE new e:ESS system will be the m ain and pre- lowing day. online Electronic Em- ferred way for staff to apply for their annual leave. The closure will al- ployee Support System But until you are issued with your e:ESS log-on low work to start on the (e:ESS) will be rolled out and password details please continue to book your installation of a new to all staff. Here‘s a leave using your usual paper-based m ethods. pedestrian and cycle guide to the new system e:ESS will allow you to apply online for leave. bridge across the A9 to and how it works. The system will calculate your leave autom atically link the new Inverness and allow line m anagers to authorise it quickly and Campus development easily. with Raigmore Hospital What is e:ESS? e:ESS lets you apply online for internal jobs and change or correct NHS-held personal details. and the city beyond. The Electronic Employee The bridge will be Support System (e:ESS) uplifted from the cam- is a new national NHS mation from any NHS details. pus site and trans- system. It will eventually intranet-enabled PC or ò Ability to change or ported along the A9 to replace all paper-based laptop. correct your NHS-held the installation position human resource proc- When will we be able personal details. - an operation which esses such as leave ap- to use it? ò Calculates your an- will take several hours, plications or change re- e:ESS will go live from nual leave and allows The road will be re- quests. 1st April but staff will you to apply for leave opened once the bridge Why are we getting it? only be able to access on-line. is secure and all clean- It forms part of a national the system once they ò Line managers can ing works have been strategy to make NHS have received their indi- see (electronically) who completed. human resource proc- vidual log-on and pass- is on leave and can also For northbound traf- esses more efficient and word details. Staff do not authorise leave. fic the A9 will be closed reliable. It will improve have to request these as ò View or update your immediately north of staff access to their per- they will be issued learning history and ap- the Inshes slip road. sonal data, reduce waste through line managers in ply for training on-line. For southbound traffic it by removing paper- due course. Until you ò Apply for NHS jobs will be closed immedi- based personnel admini- have received on-line. ately south of the Raig- stration and be more reli- your e:ESS log-on and Do I have to use eESS? more interchange. Traf- able because the data password details, please Yes. Paper-based proc- fic will be diverted will be held electroni- continue to use the cur- esses such as leave ap- around the closure. cally. rent methods of request- plications and change Som e tem porary How will we access it? ing leave or changing request forms, will be- works will be required e:ESS will be found on personal details. come obsolete as de- in run-up which will re- the NHS intranet home What benefits does partments transfer onto quire traffic manage- page, so all NHS em- e:ESS give to m e? e:ESS. On-line guides ment around this sec- ployees will have direct ò Immediate access to will be provided to help tion of the A9. access to their own infor- your NHS-held personal you use e:ESS. - 14 - New model agreed for rural Lochaber GP services AN INNOVATIVE new tion of out-of-hours ser- Government on and the practices under a approach to delivering vices as well as the full which will be evaluated formal agreement with GP services in rural range of routine care as part of the action re- NHS Highland from 1st Lochaber has been and treatment. search approach that is April, with our ongoing agreed. The practice will con- planned. support, and with a view This follows a long tinue to work closely Dr Iain Gartshore will to going live with the period of working with with the community lead the development of new model in October.“ local clinicians and com- nursing team. a multi-practice model of Dr Gartshore said he munities, representa- The process of re- primary care services in would like to thank NHS tives of which were part cruiting doctors to the W est Lochaber which Highland for their sup- of the interview process. team will begin in April. comprises the existing port and vision through- This model will see The new model being Mallaig/Arisaig, Achara- out the development of the linkage of three developed will be part of cle and the Small Isles this new model. practices and a team of the wider work on the practices. He added: —I look for- eight doctors working in sustainability of remote Gill McVicar, director ward to implementing a two sub-teams, one and rural health and of operations for North sustainable 21st century based in Mallaig and the care services which and W est Highland, primary care medical other in Acharacle, and NHS Highland is work- said: —Dr Gartshore will service to the W est will ensure the continua- ing with the Scottish take over the running of Lochaber area.“

AWARD: Claire gets prize for best individual quality improvement project M idwife honoured for work setting up unit A COMMUNITY mid- ity through Midwifery Highland management, —I thought it was a wife with NHS Highland Leadership‘ course. helps to implement na- good idea œ and clearly has won a national The course, run by tional maternity policy so too did the course‘s award for her role in es- NHS Education for Scot- and the health board‘s organisers. I am de- tablishing a new service land, was attended by own maternity services lighted that my project for pregnant woman. members of staff from strategy. was chosen for the all Scotland‘s area Claire, who is based prize.“ Claire Armstrong‘s health boards. in the Lawson Memorial Claire, who lives in work in setting up the The new Invergordon Hospital, Golspie, said: Rearquhar near Dor- new Community Mater- unit, which opened on —The course I attended noch but grew up in nity Assessment Unit, 11th March as a pilot involved attending two Saltburn, moved back to based at Invergordon project, will reduce the national events, in Dun- the Highlands from County Community Hos- need for pregnant dee and Glasgow, and a Glasgow two and a half pital, was recognised at women from East Suth- lot of individual develop- years ago. She has a ceremony at Dynamic erland and Ross-shire ment work. been a midwife for 13 Earth in Edinburgh, who require increased —Everyone taking part years. where she was awarded monitoring to have to had to choose a quality —It‘s my dream job,“ a prize for the best indi- travel long distances to improvement project she said. —I thoroughly vidual quality improve- Inverness. and mine was the com- enjoy what I do and I ment project in a na- The initiative, which munity maternity as- love working in East tional ”Developing Qual- is supported by NHS sessment unit. .“ - 15 - Learning NHS Highland set to be lessons from the past well represented at event USING history to in- THANKS to collective 12th June and NHS work being presented form the future of re- efforts NHS Highland Highland will be well and I want to thank mote and rural health- submitted more than 40 represented. everyone for their con- care will be the subject abstracts to the show- Chief executive tribution. of the latest work being case event of the Elaine Mead said: —W ith —W e will know in the organised by the De- NHSScotland calen- so much going on I am next couple of weeks war Centenary Group. dar. delighted to see col- which abstracts will go The Dewar 2013 The NHSScotland leagues willing to find forward to have a Conference will be Event will be held in the time to share their poster presented at the held on 19th April, with Scottish Exhibition and work. event. Through High- a wide range of topics Conference Centre in —Yet again we have lights we will keep eve- to be covered. Glasgow on 11th and a fantastic range of ryone up to date.“ Among the subjects on the agenda are ”Emergency services in MID ARGYLL: New room for delivering treatments remote communities‘, ”Health professional education for remote and rural communities‘, ”Technology, transport, W ork to start recruitment and reten- tion‘, ”Rural transport‘, ”Telehealth œ what works and is it worth the investment‘, ”First on new unit for responder schemes‘, ”Social and community care integration‘ and ”Social capital and community enterprise‘. The free confer- cancer patients ence, to be held in Kil- mallie Free Church and Community Centre A NEW unit dedicated to delivering stage care. It will be a comfortable in Caol, Fort W illiam, treatments including some chemo- room with provision to make drinks aims to address the therapy regimes and supportive and overnight sleeping facilities with ”non-NHS factors‘ in therapies for cancer patients is being en-suite shower/bathroom provision. remote health care built within Mid Argyll Hospital, Loch- The service is being developed in provision and the sus- gilpead. collaboration with specialist col- tainability of remote The unit will be located just out- leagues in Glasgow. communities. side Glenaray W ard, and will have The service is primarily funded To find out more, three day beds with fully adapted en- from Macmillan with the additional contact Dr Annie suite shower room. It will also incor- monies being provided from signifi- Tindley by email Anne- porate a treatment area and relatives cant local fundraising. marie.Tindley@ gcu.ac. room. W ork is scheduled to start next uk or phone 0141 331 The room will be for any patient month and is expected to take 12 8434. who is palliative and at end-of-life weeks. - 16 - ALL CHANGE: NHS Highland board gives approval for PAS replacement Implementation of new patient management system gets green light

THE NHS Highland board has what is called order communica- aBed Managem ent functional- given formal approval for the im- tions. This will allow a clinician to ity will be introduced from plementation of the national Pa- request a diagnostic test and re- Novem ber 2013 tient Management System (PMS) ceive the results electronically. aOrder com m unications func- called TrakCare, which is sup- The PMS complements the tionality will be introduced plied by a company called Inter- investment already made by NHS from April 2014 Systems. Highland in the GP community The PMS programme will en- The PMS will replace the ex- with the introduction of the Vision sure communication with all staff isting Patient Administration Sys- clinical system. and will be doing this via emails, tems (PAS) in use in NHS High- newsletters, website and meet- land (iSoft and Helix). Key dates ings at Inverness, W ick, Fort W il- The new system will replace The keys dates for the imple- liam and Lochgilphead. the existing functionality of the mentation are as follows. More information will be avail- PAS systems plus, more impor- aThe program m e of work will able on the PMS website which tantly, allow functionality to sup- start form ally on 1st April can be found from the home port clinical practices to be intro- 2013 page of the Intranet under pro- duced to NHS Highland. For ex- aPAS functionality will go live jects and eHealth and then click ample, the system comes with during Novem ber 2013 on the PMS link.

Community approaches to health improvement TW O free training events on health activity across the NHS, The morning session at this community development ap- the local authority and the third day workshop will be led by proaches to health improvement sector in Highland. Trevor Hopkins, co-author of ”A are to be held in Inverness. The second, ”Taking an As- Glass Half Full: how an asset The first, ”An Introduction to set-based Approach to Health approach can improve commu- Community Development and Improvement‘, is a workshop to nity health and wellbeing.‘ Health‘, will take place on 22nd be held on 1st May. NHS Highland staff who in- April. It will provide an opportunity terested in taking part in these It will be the first of a number for community health workers events are being encouraged to of related training opportunities and health improvement practi- apply electronically through the aimed at a range of staff in- tioners to meet and consider Intranet using the AT-Learning volved in health improvement, practical approaches to health booking system which is linked public health and community at a community level. to eKSF.

- 17 - MEET THE BOARD Highlights launches a new series on m em b ers of the N HS Highland b oard . T his m onth, O k ain M cL ennan Health service is OK for Okain

HAVING been told in 1996 that glance‘, page 19). probably a major factor in being he had terminal cancer, Okain —I like to keep busy,“ said the given the all-clear in 2002.“ McLennan is probably more sen- Fortrose resident, who retired Okain‘s long journey with the sitive than most to health matters. from the civil service on health medical profession began even But that‘s by no means his grounds two years after his can- before he was born: his mother only qualification for membership cer diagnosis. was rushed by ambulance from of NHS Highland‘s board. —After I was diagnosed with her Black Isle home to Glasgow, Okain œ it‘s a family name œ Non-Hodgkin‘s lymphoma, I was where she gave premature birth has been a non-executive board advised to retire, which I did. I to 1lb 6ozs Okain. member since 2007, and brings moved from my home in Leeds to More recently, though, 64- to the organisation a wealth of the Black Isle but, really, I didn‘t year-old Okain has had further experience, principally as a sen- care about the diagnosis. As far personal experience of the health ior civil servant but also as a as I was concerned, I wanted to service, having undergone the dedicated public servant in a get on with life. I was told that my latest of several major operations range of organisations (see ”At a positive mental outlook was Continued on page 19 - 18 - MEET THE BOARD Continued from page 18 Okain McLennan at a glance at Raigmore Hospital. —I can truly say that the stan- ü Non-executive m em ber of NHS Highland‘s board dard of care I received was ex- ü Chair of Easter Ross District Partnership emplary,“ he said. —And the staff ü Chair of NHS Highland‘s infection control com m ittee didn‘t know until my very last day in hospital that I was chair of ü Chair of NHS Highland‘s form ulary sub-com m ittee NHS Highland‘s infection control ü Chair of NHS Highland pharm acy practices com m ittee committee. W hat I observed ü Mem ber of NHS Highland‘s audit com m ittee when I was in hospital was first- ü Mem ber of NHS Highland‘s endowm ents com m ittee class standards of cleaning, and ü NHS Highland hand hygiene cham pion all the patients being treated ü NHS Highland counter fraud cham pion very, very well. I was honestly ü Form er chairm an of Mid Highland CHP impressed.“ ü Form er m em ber of the Standards Com m ission for Scotland Needless to say, Okain found ü Form er chair of Volunteering Highland his experience in hospital useful ü Mem ber of Crom arty Firth Fisheries Board in his infection control role. ü Mem ber of Highlands and Islands Transport Authority He said: —I see that we are do- ü Secretary of Fortrose and Rosem arkie Com m unity Council ing great work in infection control ü Secretary of Loch Achonachie Angling Club œ we are far better performers than other boards in Scotland œ but I want us to do even better. commissioning and disposing of Okain, whose mother, sister Yes, there will be glitches along them. and first wife were all nurses, the way, but we have to learn He then joined the Employ- reckons he now spends at least from them. ment Service, becoming its es- three days a week on NHS High- —W e can‘t afford to let slip be- tates manager, and in 1991 land matters, and is particularly cause patients‘ lives are at stake. moved within the service to be enthusiastic about his role as People should not be coming to head of its fraud department, chair of the new Easter Ross Dis- hospital to get sick.“ based in Sheffield. Five years trict Partnership, which is made later, he was appointed head of up of representatives of a wide Okain‘s CV may be dominated operational support for the Bene- range of agencies. by the civil service, but that was- fit Fraud Investigation Service, n‘t where he started work. After —As I see it, the partnership responsible for major innovative completing his O Levels at Bears- provides a unique opportunity for projects to tackle fraud at work. den Academy he got a job as an the first time to have a joined-up Two years down the line, can- assistant gamekeeper in the approach to tackling local is- cer struck. Trossachs. However, his course sues,“ he said. was set when he entered an Getting the all-clear gave —One of the big issues we are open competition for a job as a Okain a new lease of life. He concerned about is the transition clerical officer with HM Customs started work as a caseworker for from childhood to adulthood. If and Excise. the Soldiers Sailors Airmen and people are not fully prepared for Twelve years later, after work- Families Association, a role he adult life there can be tragic con- ing in all aspects of the depart- still does, in addition to now being sequences, such as mental ill ment‘s work, he moved to the the branch secretary. health, unemployment, isolation Manpower Services Commission, —My link with the military goes and anti-social behaviour. I‘d like ending up as its estates man- back a long way, to my grandfa- to see young people getting the ager, with responsibility for the ther, George Garden, who was a best possible start. At the other design and construction of the Regimental Sergeant Major in the end of the spectrum, we are also UK‘s network of Skill Centres. Seaforth Highlanders and who focused on senior adult care. The And when the government of the won the DCM in W orld W ar One. ageing population is a demo- day decided to close the centres, His medals are now in Inverness graphic time bomb. It‘s something Okain was given the job of de- Museum.“ we have to get to grips with.“ - 19 -