Highlights AUGUST 2014 Practice nurses lead youths’ work camp adventure in Kenya SEE INSIDE Mum’s gratitude leads to award for Raigmore’s microbiology department THE Microbiology Department hospital last year. The department based at Raigmore Hospital in In- had already received a £2,000 do- verness is this month’s Highland nation as a thank-you from the fam- Quality Approach Award winner. ily which was raised through a num- The department was nominated ber of fundraising activities. by Mrs Rhoda Ross from Invergor- Speaking at the time of the dona- don following the care and treat- tion Mrs Ross commented: “The ment provided to her daughter, Garry Coutts presents the Aimee Kinch, when she was in the Continued on page 2 award to Dr Emma Watson -- Microbiology team gets quality award Continued from front page provided first-class clinical care so much and I am delighted that while having a complete focus on they have won this award.” whole microbiology team was empathy for the patient and her Nominations for the HQA very involved with Aimee’s care family. Awards can be submitted by and without their help the out- “The focus that was given to staff, patients, carers and the come could have been very dif- the outcome for the patient while wider public for an individual or ferent. And they were just ex- also making sure the family was team employed by NHS High- ceedingly nice people. They took fully involved was excellent.” land, or working as part of the an interest and kept visiting to Accepting the award on behalf wider NHS. see how Aimee was getting on. of the department was consultant The award reflects on an indi- “However, it wasn’t just the microbiologist Dr Emma Watson. vidual or team who has demon- clinical side. Even little things like She said: “This was absolutely strated actions and behaviours trying to keep Aimee warm after a team effort from the whole de- which epitomise everything about her temperature dropped, they partment. The care we demon- the Highland Quality Approach. took up a beautiful patchwork strated for Aimee is exactly the While all members of staff quilt for her which not only did the kind of care we aim to give to all strive to do a great job and pro- job but it brought a bit of colour to our patients.” vide outstanding care and com- her room as well. And we got to Aimee’s mum, Rhoda, was passion on a daily basis, the keep it! there for the presentation and award reflects actions and behav- “It seems simple but it meant a explained her reasoning behind iours that demonstrate quality great deal to us and the support nominating the department. improvement, or where individu- and care given was above and She said: “I’ve been Aimee’s als or teams have gone out of beyond what we expected them carer all her life and I have never their way to provide quality care, to do. All staff at every level were seen or experienced such won- in support of the Highland Quality fantastic.” derful care as we had here at Approach. Presenting the award, NHS Raigmore. Nominations should be made Highland chair Garry Coutts said: “Aimee is doing really well. to: Highland Quality Awards, “This is the second HQA Award When she was first admitted she NHS Highland, Assynt House, that we have presented. weighed 5st 3lbs and is now 8st Beechwood Park, Inverness, IV2 “The reasons for the nomina- 4lbs. 3BW, or by e-mail to nhshigh- tion were clear. The department “I would like to thank them all [email protected] Teapots of money! HUGE thanks to Lynda Ris- an amazing amount for our bridger, who has raised the charity. “amazing” amount of £1,840. “Every penny will be used It has been donated to the to provide art therapy for the Teapot Trust to use in Inver- children attending OPD clinic ness, where it will help fund an at Raigmore and enable us to art therapy service for paediat- make their visits to hospital a rics. little more bearable.” Lynda raised the money Lynda is pictured with her after being sponsored to walk granddaughter, Anna, and Dr the West Highland Way. Helen Freeman, consultant Laura Young, founder of paediatrician for NHS High- the Teapot Trust, said: “We land, who accepted the dona- are delighted that Lynda chose tion on behalf of the Teapot to support us and raise such Trust. - 2 - FEEDBACK WANTED: Responses will help us to improve Staff survey: it’s your chance to have a say MEMBERS of staff are being urged to complete the NHSScot- land Staff Survey, which will be launched next week (beginning 25th August) and will remain live until 3rd October. This year the questionnaire is shorter and easier to complete than previously, but most of the questions remain the same. CAPITA’s survey and re- turn to it later. The survey can, search team will be managing the IN the last survey, NHS and should, be completed during 2014 survey and will ensure re- Highland had an overall re- working hours. sponses remain completely confi- sponse rate of 31 per cent, The overall results will be ano- dential. which equated to just under nymised and individual partici- Elaine Mead, NHS Highland’s 3000 staff members. This pants will not be identifiable. chief executive, said: “We are placed NHS Highland above Elaine Mead added: “We ask aware how busy everyone is but the Scottish average of 28 you to please take the time to giving us your feedback is vital so per cent. complete the questionnaire so that we understand how you feel Responses in the main that we get our best ever re- about some of the key issues operational areas were: Ar- sponse this year. working in NHS Highland. It also gyll and Bute – 682; North “This will give us a great steer means we can take action on the and West – 491; South and in making informed decisions for issues that matter most to you as Mid – 606; Raigmore – 683; a successful future working to- a staff member.” Corporate Services – 249; gether.” She added: “As members of Facilities – 75; Pharmacy – You can complete the survey staff, you are the lifeblood of NHS 35; Adult Social Care – 104. using a paper copy and over the Highland and we want every sin- period of the survey NHS High- gle individual to have an opportu- e-mail from CAPITA during the land will be endeavouring to nity to have their say by complet- week commencing 25th August make this available as widely as ing either on-line or using a paper inviting you to participate. The e- possible, especially to those questionnaire. mail will contain a unique pass- groups of staff who do not have “Getting feedback on staff ex- word enabling you to access the readily available access to a perience is every bit as important survey. This means you can com- computer. to us as receiving feedback from plete it in multiple sessions if nec- The e-mail from Capita will service users; both are integral essary. include details of who to address aspects of improving the quality It will automatically save your queries to; in addition, you can of our services under the High- responses as you go, so if you access help and support from land Quality Approach.” want to think further about the NHS Highland’s staff survey co- Those who wish to complete questions or get interrupted while ordinator at 01463 888343 (email the survey on-line will receive an completing it you can easily re- at [email protected]). - 3 - LAUNCH: Collaborative project under way Highland capital set to host E-bikes for hire diabetes symposium in new scheme THE Highland Diabetes A NEW pilot electric bike hire sions and working with partners, Symposium 2014 is to scheme was launched in Inverness stakeholders and the people of the be held in the New Dru- earlier this month. Highlands to reduce the car- mossie Hotel, Inverness, Carbon CLEVER Cycles is a bon footprint of the region through on Friday 14th Novem- collaborative project between The the Carbon CLEVER Highlands ber. Highland Council, Co-wheels car initiative. The biennial sympo- club and SSE which allows users “The Carbon CLEVER Cycles sium, which has been to hire an e-bike from two conven- pilot project is an excellent exam- called ‘Stepping Forward ient locations in Inverness, at Fal- ple of forward thinking and will pro- in Diabetes Manage- con Square and council headquar- mote active travel in Inverness. It ment’, will provide a ters at Glenurquhart Road. is an exciting pilot which has the chance for healthcare An e-bike is a bicycle with an potential to grow and develop.” professionals working in electric motor which provides George Baxter, head of devel- the field of diabetes to power-assistance when pedalling, opment strategy at SSE said: share best practice and providing users with the confidence "We're delighted to be supporting update their knowledge to tackle hills, headwinds and busy the Carbon CLEVER initiative to and skills. junctions with ease. help Inverness reach its goal of The multi-disciplinary The project is part of the coun- becoming carbon neutral. The new event will include pres- cil’s vision and commitment to e-bike lockers have now been in- entations that highlight make Inverness carbon neutral by stalled and the people of Inverness important developments 2025. can now try out these top-of-the- in key management ar- There are 12 e-bikes available range e-bikes.