The Pulse September / October 2009 - NHS Lanarkshire

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thePulse SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2009 TOP HEALTH ISSUES 15 Media Watch The Pulse takes a look at NHS Lanarkshire in the headlines… REDUCING RISKS YOUR health and safety is a key priority for NHS Lanarkshire – make sure it is a priority for you too. NHS Lanarkshire is looking to build on existing health and safety initiatives to further improve our practices. To do so, it is vital all staff ensure they are aware of the relevant policies and that they occupational health, said: “Health and safety within NHS Lanarkshire has been improved over the last few years and we wish this trend to continue. “The key to ensuring the health and safety of everyone within NHS Lanarkshire is to make sure staff know how to minimise their own and policies, should also be easily available.” Various health and safety policies are on FirstPort. These include policies on moving and handling, Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression (PaMoVA), employee bloodborne virus infection, stress at work and working alone. take advantage of the health patients’ risks.” and safety training opportunities “Details on how to access To assess these policies, go to available. Dr Ewan Macdonald, NHS Lanarkshire’s director of relevant training, and information on the health board’s various health and safety the quick links section of FirstPort and choose Ratified NHSL HR Policies. How to stay safe Violence and aggression Violence and aggression towards any healthcare staff is unacceptable. NHS Lanarkshire has a Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression (PaMoVA) Policy to keep all staff as safe as possible. Under the policy, managers are required to carry out risk assessments in all work areas to identify any risks to staff. Staff are responsible for reporting all incidents, including near misses, to their line manager. Training in the prevention and management of violence and aggression is also available. Visit the PAMOVA page of FirstPort, within the Corporate Services section. Fire safety Fire safety is the responsibility of everyone within NHS Lanarkshire. Every premise must have a Fire Risk Assessment carried out and any hazards identified. Measures must then be taken to remove or minimise the risks identified. All employees should be given relevant information of these risks and sufficient instruction and training on how to ensure their own safety and the safety of others in the building. NHS Lanarkshire’s Fire Policy is available on First Port, under Staff Information/ Miscellaneous Items. For more information on fire safety and training, visit the Fire Safety section within the SALUS page on FirstPort or call 01236 438179. Needlesticks/accidental exposure to blood/body fluids Anyone accidentally exposed to blood or body fluids, including needlestick, should follow the guidelines in Section G of the Control of Infection manual. First Aid should be carried out and appropriate action taken. When using sharps, never leave them lying around; walk about with unguarded sharps; or keep syringes with needles attached in your pocket. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY: our health and safety record is improving Always request assistance with uncooperative patients; and take a sharps’ container to the place you use the sharp and dispose of sharps immediately after use into the approved container. The guidelines are available at the bottom of the Healthcare Associated Infections’ page on FirstPort, which can be found under the links section. Control books The Control Book is the system used within NHS Lanarkshire to control health and safety. The book is maintained by all relevant line managers and should provide information on the risks and control measures associated with work activities. All staff should make themselves aware of the information contained in the Control Book as soon as possible. You have a responsibility to ensure you take reasonable care of yourself and others who may be affected by your actions.Currently, one third of books are audited annually but it is proposed that all books will be audited each year. Pharmacy in award win for speedy service New health centre is in great shape e Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser BBC Radio Scotland was just one of the many media outlets that highlighted NHS Lanarkshire’s innovative bowel screening campaign, launched in August. The health board signed up members of the public to become volunteer champions who will visit local community groups and explain why taking the test is so important. The national radio station broadcast interviews from the launch event, held at a Hamilton Bowling Club. The Evening Times and East Kilbride News were among the newspapers also reporting the campaign. e TWO new policies were launched to improve the public’s experience when contacting NHS Lanarkshire. The Lanarkshire Extra, Wishaw Press, East Kilbride News and Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser were among the newspapers that reported the introduction of the health board’s Customer Care Policy and Standards, and a Guide to Written Communications. SHARE YOUR STORIES Evening Times Cancer support group set up e Wishaw Press NHS Lanarkshire launched a new support group for people with lung cancer. The Evening Times, Wishaw Press, Hamilton Advertiser, Lanarkshire World and the other local newspapers celebrated this new initiative. e The Evening Times, Wishaw Press and The Extra reported that Wishaw General’s pharmacy dispensary won a national award after slashing the time it takes to issue prescriptions. e The progress of Coatbridge’s new health and community centre was celebrated on the pages of the Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser. e The Wishaw Press reported on NHS Lanarkshire’s Wishaw locality’s new anti-smoking initiative. All parents and guardians of primary school pupils will be asked to sign a pledge that they will not smoke around their kids. q Has a patient or visitor gone out of their way to praise you? q Is there a new service in your department you are proud of? Contact the communications department on 01698 245069/245077 and help us reflect the good news stories that happen within NHS Lanarkshire every day.
16 thePulse PEOPLE NEWS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2009 Julian is booking out ALL THE BEST: Carol holding grandson Ollie, and with daughter Julie and husband Jim, right, surrounded by friends and colleagues TRIBUTE TO CAROL AFTER 40 YEARS CHIEF dietitian Carol Anderson has retired after 40 years with the NHS in Lanarkshire. Carol, who began her career at Law Hospital in 1969, played a key role in increasing the role of dietetics in mental health services within Lanarkshire. Colleagues wished her good luck at a farewell bash in Hartwoodhill Hospital. Carol, chief dietitian in mental health, based at the Wishaw Resource Network, said: “It’s been a privilege to work with so many great people. They’re not just colleagues, they’re my friends and they’ve made my work very enjoyable.” Carol began as a basic grade dietitian at Law before being promoted to senior II dietitian, covering Law and the William Smellie Unit. In 1989, she took up a post at Hartwood Hospital to develop a specialist dietetic service for mental health. During this time she became involved in the Getting Better Together and Huntington’s Association Advisory and Carers groups. In 2000, Carol moved to Wishaw, when mental health services were further expanded into the community. She has had many successes with her clients and particularly enjoyed her role working with eating disorders. Lis Lawson, service development manager mental health, Bellshill locality, said: “Carol has played a major part in increasing the profile of dietetics in mental health and developing the service. “Those of us who know her will be well aware of her dedication and enthusiasm for her patients, her profession, mental health, NHS Lanarkshire and life in general. It has been a privilege to work with Carol and we wish her all the best.” Carol will be spending more time with her family, including grandson Ollie, daughter Julie and husband Jim, as well as cooking, gardening and socialising. She will certainly not be stuck for things to do in her spare time with plans to build an eco-house. FAREWELL: from left, Maureen Graham, Amanda Minns, Julian Hodgson, Grant Donaghy, Jim Rae and Lisa Mclaren LIBRARIAN Julian Hodgson will be sadly missed by colleagues following his retirement after 27 years with NHS Lanarkshire. Having joined the health service in 1982 as a part-time medical librarian, covering Law and Hartwood, Julian’s most recent post was at the Alistair MacKenzie Library at Wishaw General. Amanda Minns, library services manager, said: “Julian is synonymous with the library service in Lanarkshire. “Many staff, past and present, automatically link Julian’s friendly Mike shall have music CONSULTANT Anaesthetist Dr Mike Inglis is retiring from Monklands Hospital on 1 November. To celebrate his time with NHS Lanarkshire, and to wish him well for the future, a dinner is being held on Saturday 24 October in the private dining room at the Abode Hotel in Bath Street, Glasgow. A drinks reception at 7pm will be followed by dinner at 8pm, and face and excellent service with the library department.” Prior to joining the health service, Julian, from Lesmahagow, worked in librarian posts in Westminster Council, London School of Economics and Lambeth Council. In his most recent post, one of Julian’s major achievements was his contribution to the implementation of the NHSScotland unified library management system. Julian, married to Pat with two daughters, thanked everyone for their kind wishes. then musical entertainment will be provided. The cost for the evening will be £50 per person with partners very welcome. Tickets must be paid for by 8 October. For more details, contact Linda Cameron, anaesthetic secretary or Vimty Muir, consultant anaesthetist, on 01236 712000. The world awaits... SPEECH and language therapy specialist Morag McDade is off to see the world after retiring from NHS Lanarkshire. The mum of four daughters, three stepdaughters and grandmother to 14, will be visiting family in California and Australia. Morag, who was the clinical lead in learning impairment for Lanarkshire since 2000, retired after 16 years at Motherwell Health Centre. The Motherwell woman, who is married to Brian, said: “I’ve very mixed feelings about retiring. “I’m looking forward to having more time to spend with my family but I’ll also miss my colleagues and friends here at the health centre hugely. It never fails to amaze me that so many lovely and genuine people work in the same place. “I’ll be dropping back in as often as I can to see them all.” Everyone in the speech and language therapy department wishes Morag good luck for the future. She is pictured cutting her celebratory cake next to husband Brian and friends and colleagues. It never fails to amaze me that so many lovely and genuine people work in the same place. I’ll be dropping back in to see them all” The garden beckons for Roger ROGER Reid brought 37 years with the NHS in Lanarkshire to an end when he took early retirement. Based at Coathill Hospital, Roger, a property and support services department (PSSD) porter/driver, enjoyed a farewell tea on 30 June. He had worked at Law Hospital for 19 years, followed by 14 years at Strathclyde Hospital, before moving to Coathill. Roger, pictured above fourth from right with his colleagues, is married with two girls and will be looking to spend more time enjoying his favourite hobby – gardening. Bert McNaughton, transport manager at Law Hospital, said: “We all wish Roger and his family a long and happy retirement.”
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The Pulse September / October 2009 - NHS Lanarkshire

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