FREE
YOUR LINK TO HEALTHCARE IN YOUR COMMUNITY AUTUMN 2013
NEW HEALTHY LIVING
CENTRE OPENS EARLY
Wester Hailes
gets state-ofthe-art centre
A NEW healthy living centre for an
Edinburgh community has opened
its doors early.
The Wester Hailes Healthy Living
Centre welcomed its first patients
in August, three months ahead of
schedule.
The £12 million centre is a
joint development between NHS
Lothian and the City of Edinburgh
Council, and incorporates the
Wester Hailes Medical Practice, a
range of community health services,
including podiatry, midwifery,
paediatrics, mental health and
learning disability care, as well as
a physiotherapy gym and five
dental rooms.
A range of council services
are also delivered by teams
based in the centre, including
home care, occupational therapy,
criminal justice, mental health and
social work.
The Wester Hailes Medical
Practice provides eight GP
consulting rooms, one training
consulting room and five nurse
consulting and treatment rooms.
Brian Houston, the chair of NHS
Lothian, said: “I’m delighted that we
•
UNDER ONE ROOF: the centre houses a range of services, including a GP practice. Above right: Ricky
Henderson, Paul McGirk, chief executive, Hub South East Scotland and Brian Houston outside the centre
were in a position to provide this
first-class service to patients several
months early.
“I’m confident that patients and
members of the local community will
enjoy the many benefits that a new,
modern healthcare facility on their
doorstep can offer.”
Councillor Ricky Henderson,
health and social care convener
for the City of Edinburgh Council,
said: “This is an excellent, stateof-the-art facility that will be of
real benefit to the people of
Wester Hailes and surrounding
communities.
“The completion of this project
also marks a significant step in the
ongoing regeneration of the area,
which will also deliver much-needed
affordable housing and help create a
thriving community for many years
to come.”
The three-storey development has
been delivered in partnership with
Hub South East Scotland Ltd.
No smoking zone at Western General given green light
AN innovative ‘no smoking zone’ in
front of the Royal Victoria Building
at the Western General Hospital is
helping NHS Lothian move closer
to stamping out smoking on its
premises.
Smoking is presently only allowed
in specially designated smoking
shelters for people who wish to
smoke at each hospital site.
However, smokers would regularly
congregate outside the main
entrance to the building, creating an
unpleasant environment for patients
and employees.
NHS Lothian
is currently
developing an
action plan to
tackle smoking
on hospital sites
Staff on site devised the idea of
painting bright green cross hatching
on the pavement outside the Royal
Victoria Building to help deter
smokers.
Helena Connelly, smoking
cessation co-ordinator, NHS Lothian,
said: “We are very pleased that
the majority of smokers have now
stopped smoking outside the Royal
Victoria Building.
“NHS Lothian is currently
developing an action plan to tackle
smoking on hospital sites.
“The plan will take into account
the use of the marking at the
Royal Victoria Building and will
help us achieve the Scottish
Government’s aim of smoke-free
grounds by 2015.”
INSIDE: Temporary ward helps the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh make a big entrance - turn to page 3 for the full story
2
NEWS
Autumn 2013 Health link
New appointments to help services work better together
HEALTH and social care services
across Lothian are set to work
even more closely together in the
coming years.
NHS Lothian and its four local
authority partners are preparing
for the integration of adult and
older people’s health and social
care services, in response to
the plans set out in the Scottish
Government’s The Public Bodies
Board meetings
LOTHIAN NHS board
meetings are open to the
public. The next dates are:
■■23 October
■■27 November.
Please note that the board
meetings will start at 9.30am
in the boardroom at Waverley
Gate.​
Get in touch
LET us know what you
think about Health link
by getting in touch. You can
give us your feedback on
Twitter (to follow us, search
for NHS Lothian) or on
Facebook by searching
for NHS Lothian.
Do you want to write to
the editor? Send us your
letters to let us know what
you think of Health link.
Write to: Health link,
NHS Lothian, Waverley
Gate, 2-4 Waterloo Place,
Edinburgh EH1 3EG, email
lothian.communications@
nhs.net or call 0131 465
5645. Visit www.nhslothian.
scot.nhs.uk
editorial
advisory board
FREE
YOUR LINK TO HEALTHCARE IN YOUR COMMUNITY
AUTUMN 2013
NEW HEALTHY LIVING
CENTRE OPENS EARLY
Wester Hailes
gets state-ofthe-art centre
A NEW healthy living centre for an
Edinburgh community has opened
its doors early.
The Wester Hailes Healthy Living
Centre welcomed its first patients
in August, three months ahead of
schedule.
The £12 million centre is a
joint development between NHS
Lothian and the City of Edinburgh
Council, and incorporates the
Wester Hailes Medical Practice, a
range of community health services,
including podiatry, midwifery,
paediatrics, mental health and
learning disability care, as well as
a physiotherapy gym and five
dental rooms.
A range of council services
are also delivered by teams
based in the centre, including
home care, occupational therapy,
criminal justice, mental health and
social work.
The Wester Hailes Medical
Practice provides eight GP
consulting rooms, one training
consulting room and five nurse
consulting and treatment rooms.
Brian Houston, the chair of NHS
Lothian, said: “I’m delighted that we
•
UNDER ONE ROOF: the centre houses a range of services, including a GP practice. Above right: Ricky
Henderson, Paul McGirk, chief executive, Hub South East Scotland and Brian Houston outside the centre
were in a position to provide this
first-class service to patients several
months early.
“I’m confident that patients and
members of the local community will
enjoy the many benefits that a new,
modern healthcare facility on their
doorstep can offer.”
Councillor Ricky Henderson,
health and social care convener
for the City of Edinburgh Council,
said: “This is an excellent, stateof-the-art facility that will be of
real benefit to the people of
Wester Hailes and surrounding
communities.
“The completion of this project
also marks a significant step in the
ongoing regeneration of the area,
which will also deliver much-needed
affordable housing and help create a
thriving community for many years
to come.”
The three-storey development has
been delivered in partnership with
Hub South East Scotland Ltd.
No smoking zone at Western General given green light
AN innovative ‘no smoking zone’ in
front of the Royal Victoria Building
at the Western General Hospital is
helping NHS Lothian move closer
to stamping out smoking on its
premises.
Smoking is presently only allowed
in specially designated smoking
shelters for people who wish to
smoke at each hospital site.
However, smokers would regularly
congregate outside the main
entrance to the building, creating an
unpleasant environment for patients
and employees.
NHS Lothian
is currently
developing an
action plan to
tackle smoking
on hospital sites
Staff on site devised the idea of
painting bright green cross hatching
on the pavement outside the Royal
Victoria Building to help deter
smokers.
Helena Connelly, smoking
cessation co-ordinator, NHS Lothian,
said: “We are very pleased that
the majority of smokers have now
stopped smoking outside the Royal
Victoria Building.
“NHS Lothian is currently
developing an action plan to tackle
smoking on hospital sites.
“The plan will take into account
the use of the marking at the
Royal Victoria Building and will
help us achieve the Scottish
Government’s aim of smoke-free
grounds by 2015.”
INSIDE: Temporary ward helps the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh make a big entrance - turn to page 3 for the full story
■■Editor: Stuart Wilson
■■David Ridd
■■John Richardson
■■Irene Garden
■■Billy Peacock
■■Joe Lamb
■■Julie Cassidy
■■Meriel Deans
■■Lesley Baxter
■■Stuart Smith
■■Catherine Evans
■■Phil Horne
■■Lisa Falconer
■■Anne Marie Comber
■■Catherine Morrow
(Joint Working) (Scotland) Bill,
which was published on 28 May.
NHS Lothian already works
with the four local authorities
and joint directors of health and
social care have been in place
in West Lothian and the City of
Edinburgh for some time. The new
appointments, David Small as
joint director in East Lothian and
Eibhlin McHugh, joint director in
Midlothian, mean that there is a
shared NHS local authority post
leading the developments in all
four partnerships.
In addition, shadow health and
social care boards are also being
set up in each area. The boards
will be responsible for reviewing
the progress towards integration
and will include representation
from the public.
The move towards integration
has a key role in helping NHS
Lothian deliver the aims of the
strategic clinical framework
‘Our Health, Our Future’ which
include prioritising prevention and
providing the right care at the right
time in the right place.
Professor Alex McMahon,
director of strategic planning for
NHS Lothian, said: “Bringing
health and social care services
together will improve our ability
to provide care for the people of
Lothian in and out of hospital.
“Although our work to date has
predominantly focused on adult
and older people’s care, we are
also looking at children’s services
which are already within the remit
of the joint director of health and
social care in West Lothian.”
HAND UNIT OPENING
AT ST JOHN’S IS A
‘DREAM COME TRUE’
Facility to be
a one-stop
expert clinic
PATIENTS across the south east of
Scotland are set to benefit from a
new dedicated hand unit at St John’s
Hospital in Livingston.
The Hooper Hand Unit was
officially opened on Friday 30
August by retired hand surgeon
Mr Geoffrey Hooper, an expert in
the field of modern hand surgery,
having spent 10 years as a consultant
orthopaedic and hand surgeon at
St John’s Hospital, before retiring
in 2006.
This regional facility provides a
new base for the hand team who
carry out planned surgery and
ongoing treatment for various hand
injuries and conditions.
The service is unique in Scotland
and brings together the skills and
expertise of plastic and orthopaedic
surgeons under one umbrella, as
well as specialist physiotherapy and
nursing staff providing a one-stop
clinic for the population of Lothian
and beyond.
About 3,500 patients from across
the region are expected to attend
appointments in the new unit each
year and an additional orthopaedic
hand surgeon has recently been
added to the team to lead the carpal
tunnel service.
Mr Hooper, former president
of the British Society for Surgery
“This facility will
allow us to provide
patients with fast
and more effective
access to the care
they need”
•
HANDY: Geoffrey Hooper makes his mark on centre named after him
of the Hand, said: “This is an
excellent facility, and to see it is
like a dream come true for me. I
commend all those whose efforts
brought it about.
“I am sure that the staff working
in this unit will provide the highest
level of service to those with hand
disorders and injuries.”
NHS Lothian has invested about
£110,000 in creating and equipping
the unit.
Mrs Dominique Davidson,
consultant hand surgeon, NHS
Lothian, said: “This is a tremendous
facility which will allow us to
provide a one-stop clinic for patients
ensuring fast and more effective
access to the care they need.
“We are delighted to be able to
recognise Mr Hooper’s contribution
to hand surgery and to St John’s
Hospital by naming this unit after
him and are thrilled that he was able
to join us for the opening.”
Dr David Farquharson, medical
director, NHS Lothian, said:
“The opening of this unit further
demonstrates NHS Lothian’s
commitment to the hospital and to
providing high-quality care for the
patients of West Lothian and the
wider area.”
Travel by public transport to NHS Lothian hospitals
PUBLIC BUSES
Buses that reach the following
NHS Lothian hospitals include:
■■Western General Hospital:
Lothian Buses – 19, 24, 29/X29,
37/X37, 38, 47, 113
■■Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh:
Lothian Buses – 7, 8, 18, 21, 24,
33, 38, 49
First Buses – X95
E&M Horsburgh – 40/X40
■■St John’s Hospital:
First Buses – 21/X21/21A,
22/X22, 26, 27/X27, 28/X28, 800
E&M Horsburgh – 7, 22, 26,
31, 32
■■Royal Hospital for Sick Children:
Lothian Buses – 41.
LINKS BETWEEN NHS
LOTHIAN SITES
The services 40 and X40 run
by E&M Horsburgh run between
St John’s and the Royal
Infirmary. Lothian Bus service
38 runs between the Western
General Hospital and the Royal
Infirmary.
PARK & RIDE
Around the edges of the city are
Park & Ride facilities at Ingliston,
Hermiston, Sheriffhall, Straiton
and Wallyford.
NEWS
Health link Autumn 2013
3
TEMPORARY WARD HELPS
RIE MAKE BIG ENTRANCE
Move frees
up space for
emergency
unit revamp
A SPECIALIST temporary ward
has been connected to the Royal
Infirmary of Edinburgh as part of the
work to prepare the site for the new
Royal Hospital for Sick Children and
department of clinical neuroscienes.
The six-bed ward is being used by
the surgical observation unit on the
ground floor of the infirmary, next to
the emergency department.
This relocation will free up space
inside the building to allow for the
construction of a new entrance to
the emergency department.
The temporary unit provides a
high-quality, clinical environment
for patients and staff while the
work takes place. The new entrance
and improved facilities within the
emergency department are part of a
package of work around the site to
prepare for the new Royal Hospital
for Sick Children and department
of clinical neurosciences.
Work has also commenced on
creating new wards within the Royal
Infirmary of Edinburgh, adding
an additional 31 beds within the
hospital. This work, on the first
and second floors, is expected to be
completed in the new year.
Lyn MacDonald, site director at
the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh,
said: “Over the coming years, there
will be a significant amount of
development work taking place as we
prepare for the building of the new
Royal Hospital for Sick Children
•
ROOM TO GROW: setting up a temporary observation ward has created more space for hospital renovations
“Over the coming years, there will be a
significant amount of development work
taking place… the temporary ward provides
a quality and clinical environment and the
space and flexibility to carry out this work”
temporary ward provides a quality
clinical environment and the space
and flexibility to carry out this work.
“We are doing everything possible
to ensure the impact of this work on
patients, visitors and staff is kept to
a minimum.”
Players score thank you
gifts for team at St John’s
Valve implant
gets to heart
of matter at
cardiac centre
A GROUNDBREAKING procedure
for patients who are too ill to have
open heart surgery has celebrated
one year in Lothian.
The Transcatheter Aortic Valve
Implantation (TAVI) is only available
in Scotland at the world-renowned
Edinburgh heart centre, based at the
Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
Since the service opened in
October 2012, more than 50
patients from across Scotland have
undergone the pioneering surgery.
David MacDonald, 82, from
Kirkcaldy in Fife, underwent the
TAVI procedure in April 2013, and
admits that the surgery has helped
to transform his life.
David said: “Before I underwent
the procedure I couldn’t walk very
far without feeling breathless and
and the department of clinical
neurosciences.
“This also provides us with the
opportunity to upgrade some of the
facilities within the Royal Infirmary,
particularly in the emergency
department. The installation of the
•
FIGHTING FIT: David MacDonald and wife Eileen with the heart
centre’s Kirsty Stewart and public health minister Michael Matheson
was falling asleep all the time. I’m
back playing bowls again now and
enjoy an occasional round of golf.”
Dr Neal Uren, clinical director for
cardiology and cardiac surgery, said:
“The keyhole surgery is less invasive
than more traditional treatment, as a
replacement valve is passed through
a hole in the groin and advanced up
to the ascending aorta of the patient.
“This means that we are able
to provide life-changing surgery
to patients who may otherwise
have been unable to undergo a
conventional open heart operation.”
Minister for public health, Michael
Matheson, visited the TAVI centre as
part of NHS Lothian’s annual review.
He said: “Within the first year,
this dedicated specialist service
has improved the lives of more than
50 patients and the team at the Royal
Infirmary of Edinburgh are doing a
fantastic job.”
THE dedication and compassion
of staff in the intensive care unit
at St John’s Hospital has been
recognised in a visit by the team
at Livingston Football Club.
Players from the club and their
chairman, Gordon McDougall,
came into the hospital recently
to present gifts to the intensive
care staff, after hearing about the
work and support the department
provides on a recent trip to Wick.
At the game against Wick,
the team was approached by
local woman Karen Dunn, who
explained her story and asked
if they would take gifts from her
back to the hospital in Livingston.
Her husband David had been
transferred to St John’s Hospital
from Raigmore Hospital in
Inverness in July last year. Aged
40, he had a serious skin infection
that eventually claimed his life.
Karen said: “The staff were
•
UNITED IN PRAISE:
Livingston FC’s Stefan
Scougall, chairman Gordon
McDougall and Keaghan
Jacobs hand gifts to charge
nurse Elaine McGranaghan
amazing, nothing was ever a
problem, they helped make David
and all of my family comfortable
when we were down.
“I can’t thank them enough.
They have some very special
people working in the unit.”
4 WINTER HEALTH
Autumn 2013
Grants
scheme aims
to stub out
tobacco’s
influence on
young Scots
YOUNG people in the Lothians are
being offered the chance to develop
innovative projects to help prevent
children from taking up smoking.
The Youth Tobacco Action Grants
Scheme is being offered throughout
Lothian and is aimed at encouraging
more youth groups to become
involved in smoking prevention
activities.
The project, a partnership between
NHS Lothian and the Lothian
Association of Youth Clubs (LAYC),
is part of the Scottish Government’s
‘Scotland’s future is smoke
free’ plan.
Now into its second year, the
scheme supported 12 community
projects across Edinburgh, East
Lothian, Midlothian and West
Lothian in 2012.
Colin Lumsdaine, senior health
promotion specialist, NHS Lothian,
said: “We were delighted with the
success of the grants scheme last
year and received great feedback
from the 12 community groups
involved in developing projects.
“The variety of the projects
produced has been fantastic, ranging
from the creation of board games to
songs and videos.
“The reasons why young people
take up smoking are complex and
we feel that having young people
involved in this process means we
are more likely to achieve success
in reducing the uptake of smoking.”
Ian Boardman, director, Lothian
Association of Youth Clubs, said:
“The creativity and quality of the
projects undertaken by the young
people involved has been fantastic
and demonstrates how seriously
they view the issue of smoking and
tobacco use.
“The staff of the youth projects
and groups also played a huge
role in making this unique small
grant scheme such a success and
supporting the young people so well.
“The whole scheme is based
around a series of partnerships which
highlighted what could be done with
a little funds, real commitment and
lots of enthusiasm.”
Community groups wishing to
apply for a grant in 2013 should
consider a project that has strong
smoking prevention messages
and is planned and organised by
young people.
Successful applicants of this
year’s scheme will receive a grant
of £750 to enable them to carry
out their tobacco prevention
projects. Application forms can be
downloaded from www.layc.org.uk
How to apply: five easy stages:
■■Stage 1: get together with other
young people and share ideas
■■Stage 2: speak to a youth worker
about applying for a grant
■■Stage 3: produce a brief plan of
how the project will be delivered
■■Stage 4: fill in an application form
(remember to get a youth worker
to sign it)
■■Stage 5: send off your application.
The deadline for applications is
Friday 22 November.
STAMP OUT WIN
Upgraded immunisation programme will protect communities ac
SCOTLAND is upgrading its
immunisation and vaccination
programme. This year has seen
new vaccines introduced to protect
babies from rotarvirus, and older
people from shingles, as well as
an extension of the annual flu
programme.
DON’T LET FLU GET TO YOU
THE annual flu season is here
again and those most at risk
are being encouraged to protect
themselves sooner rather than
later.
Seasonal flu is a highly-infectious
and potentially serious respiratory
illness, which spreads rapidly on
droplets dispersed by the coughs
and sneezes of infected people.
NHS Lothian offers the flu
jab free to people suffering from
a range of health conditions,
including respiratory disease such
as asthma, heart disease, kidney
or liver disease, stroke and other
neurological disease, diabetes and
lowered immunity.
You are also entitled to a free flu
jab if you are a carer, are pregnant
or are over 65 years of age.
The flu virus is an unpleasant
illness, which may in some cases
require hospital treatment and
result in further complications,
especially for children and those
with a compromised immune
system.
From this year, children who are
aged between two and three years
on 1 September 2013 are to be
offered a new nasal spray flu vaccine
in Scotland. They will get this at
their GP surgery. This age group has
been deemed most vulnerable for
catching the flu and young children
are more likely to require hospital
treatment if they suffer from it.
The new flu vaccine is given as a
nasal spray into each nostril, rather
“The flu virus is an unpleasant illness, which
may in some cases require hospital treatment
and result in further complications”
than an injection. It’s quick and
painless. There’s no need to sniff
or inhale the vaccine, only a tiny
amount is sprayed into each nostril.
The vaccine helps to prevent
children from catching flu.
If you have a child who was two
or three on 1 September 2013 you
should have received a letter about
the vaccination.
If you have not, please contact
your GP to make arrangements
for your child. Most children will
be immunised during October and
November.
Future plans are to give this nasal
flu vaccine to all children between
two and 17 years old.
Some primary school children will
also be vaccinated with the nasal
WINTER HEALTH 5
3 Health link
New initiative to tackle
early signs of sepsis
SEPSIS claims over 37,000 lives
per year in the UK, which is
more than breast and bowel
cancer combined.
NHS Lothian is working to
increase awareness of sepsis
among staff and the public.
Sepsis can be life
threatening, and is one of
the most common but least
recognised illnesses.
Early detection is key to
treatment, and staff and the
public are being encouraged to
download a sepsis screening
tool app, created by NHS
Scotland, which will help them
to gain more information about
the signs and treatment of the
illness.
Tracey Gillies, associate
medical director, NHS Lothian,
said: “Early treatment of sepsis
saves lives, reduces the time
patients spend in hospital and
helps lower admissions to
intensive care units.
“We are currently testing a
new initiative that will help to
more quickly identify patients
who have developed sepsis.
“This focuses on early
identification and intervention
of deteriorating patients
to ensure they are treated
appropriately within one hour.”
“Early treatment
saves lives, reduces
time patients
spend in hospital
and helps lower
admissions to
intensive care”
All wards participating
in the initiative have set
up sepsis boxes or sepsis
trolleys to ensure easy access
to equipment for the quick
treatment of patients
with this illness.
NTER BUGS
across Lothian against flu, rotavirus and shingles
flu vaccine this year as part of a
pilot.The nasal vaccine is licensed
for use on those up to the age of
18, and we would advise anyone
over 18 who is also part of the
‘at-risk’ group to contact your
local GP and arrange to get your
free flu jab.
ROTAVIRUS IMMUNISATION
All babies born in Scotland after
1 May 2013 are now being offered
a vaccination against rotavirus.
The virus, which causes severe
diarrhoea and vomiting in babies,
can lead to dehydration requiring
hospital treatment. In Scotland
alone, around 1,200 babies have
to be admitted to hospital each
year as a result.
Rotavirus is most commonly
spread when infected areas come
into contact with the mouth, but
can also be spread through tiny
droplets in the air from coughing.
One of the most effective ways
to protect your baby from the
rotavirus is immunisation, which
is normally given with your
baby’s other routine immunisations
at two months and again at
three months of age. It is not an
injection, but is instead taken
orally as a liquid.
SHINGLES VACCINE
In Scotland, about 7,000 people
aged 70 and over get shingles
each year, 600 of whom require
hospital treatment.
The most common symptom
of shingles is a rash with painful
fluid-filled blisters, usually found
on the front of the chest, but can
also appear on the head, face
and eyelids.
While these blisters may last for
around a week, the pain can last
for years.
The shingles vaccine boosts the
body’s immunity and reduces the
risk of developing shingles or, if
you do get shingles, reduces the
severity of symptoms.
The shingles vaccine will be
offered to everyone throughout
Scotland aged 70. This year,
all 79 year olds are also being
offered the vaccine as part of a
catch-up programme.
•
BIN THE KNOW: patient Baillie Lothian with nurse
Diane Brown
NHS Lothian backs plan
for ‘zero waste’ Scotland
SPECIALLY designed recycling
waste bins have been installed
on sites throughout NHS
Lothian.
Staff at St John’s Hospital
and the Astley Ainslie Hospital
held events to launch the Zero
Waste Scotland “recycling on
the go” project.
Karen Oates, lead in waste
for NHS Lothian, said: “It is
important that all staff, patients
and visitors recycle as much
waste as possible. The more we
recycle, the more beneficial it
will be.”
Zero Waste Scotland has
provided the support training
and funding for the 300
recycling bins for our public
areas.
EE
For more information on
all Zero Waste Scotland’s
programmes, visit www.
zerowastescotland.org.uk
6
News from
East Lothian
NEWS
Autumn 2013 Health link
News from West Lothian
Community
hospital plan
gathers pace
for Initial
Agreement
THE planning of the new East
Lothian Community Hospital
continues apace.
An all-day engagement event
was held in August, involving staff
and stakeholders in the future
planning of the hospital.
The meeting heard a
presentation on the capacity
needed in the community hospital
to relocate existing services in
modern, fit-for-purpose facilities
and on the potential to increase
capacity for more care to be
provided locally.
There were also discussions
around a range of options for
the hospital. These will now be
developed in more detail in the
Initial Agreement.
David Small, joint director, East
Lothian Health and Social Care
Partnership, said: “The Initial
Agreement will set out the need
for a new community hospital
and the strategic direction for the
services to be provided in it based
on the discussions held.
“The Initial Agreement should
be presented to the Lothian NHS
Board in December 2013.”
News from
Midlothian
New garden
is on show
at Dalkeith
Health Centre
A NEW community garden is
open to the public in the grounds
of Dalkeith Health Centre.
The older people’s welfare
community garden was designed
and constructed by the Midlothian
garden services, an arm of the
Y2K project which helps support
young people to socialise and try
new activities.
Councillor Margot Russell said
Mrs Mulley, in her golden 102nd
year, cut the ribbon “with great
gusto” at the grand opening. The
grey skies quickly disappeared
revealing the fantastic job done
in getting the garden ready.
Local minister, Rev Keith
Marks, the local council and
residents were all there to
celebrate the opening.
Councillor Margot Russell,
Dalkeith, said: “The event went
extremely well. The garden
will provide a lovely outdoor
facility for all the groups that
use the hall.
“It has been a long process
from the time of discussion for the
garden to come to what it is now.”
Specialist family
nurses home in to
help teenage mums
EXPECTANT first-time mothers in
West Lothian are set to benefit from
an award-winning service, which is
being rolled out across the region.
The Family Nurse Partnership
(FNP) offers mothers under the age
of 20 and their family an intensive
and structured home visiting service
from early pregnancy until their
child is two years old.
Highly-trained, specialist nurses,
– including 16 family nurses and
three family nurse supervisors –
will help first-time teenage parents,
providing frequent, personal home
visits during pregnancy and for the
first two years of the baby’s life.
Pamela Murray, family nurse
supervisor for West Lothian, NHS
Lothian, said: “We are excited at
the prospect of this project being
undertaken in West Lothian.
“The Family Nurse Partnership
has worked well so far elsewhere
and the benefits of the FNP are
beginning to be seen and felt by
those involved in the programme
in Edinburgh.
“We know that all mums and
dads want to be the best parents
they can. The programme is about
helping to build on the strengths of
young mums, encouraging them to
focus on their own wellbeing and
that of their child.”
FNP concentrates on building
strong, therapeutic relationships
between the client and the family
nurse, benefiting those receiving
the service.
All eligible mothers are now
being given the chance to join the
programme in West Lothian, with
future plans to include both East
Lothian and Midlothian.
Garden of
remembrance
to be created
at St John’s
Hospital
A NEW garden of
remembrance is to be
created in the courtyard
opposite outpatient
department 4 at St John’s
Hospital.
The Friends of St
John’s Hospital and the
hospital chaplain have
been involved in agreeing
the proposals for the
new, larger and improved
garden, which is expected
to have a positive impact
on the wellbeing of
patients and families.
The site of the existing
garden will be used for a
new MRI facility.
News from Edinburgh
Celebrating a big LEAP forward in treating people with addictions
STAFF and former participants
came together recently to celebrate
six years of LEAP (Lothians and
Edinburgh Abstinence Programme).
The community-based programme
has now treated over 600 people with
three months of intensive assistance.
The programme offers an
alternative choice and opportunity
for addicts and alcoholics who want
to achieve a substance-free recovery.
LEAP ensures participants receive
medical and therapeutic help, backed
up by support with accommodation,
education, training and employment
opportunities.
Dr David McCartney, Clinical Lead,
LEAP, NHS Lothian, said. “It takes a
great deal of commitment from our
patients and is hugely rewarding to
see them continue to improve the
quality of their lives.
“Many of them are now back in
education, training or employment
and moving on to the next stage in
their recovery journey.
“It’s a privilege for the team here
to be part of that journey.”
Friends of LEAP, which was
launched last year, raises funds to
provide for identified strategies,
events and items to increase the
effectiveness of the patient’s journey
through their treatment.
•
UNITED: David McCartney with former Lothian & Borders deputy
Photograph: Edinburgh Photographic
chief constable Tom Wood
NEWS
Health link Autumn 2013
7
SMART WAY FORWARD FOR
OUR MILITARY AMPUTEES
State-of-the-art
prosthetics
limb and rehab
centre opens
in Edinburgh
Kids, don’t
forget your
passport
YOUNG patients at the
Royal Hospital for Sick
Children are being given
the chance to take part in a
new passport programme
to help them cope with coming
to hospital.
The Hospital Passport
initiative is used to help reduce
any anxiety and distress which
children may associate with
visits.
Children of primary school
age who come to the hospital
for regular appointments or
treatment will be given their
own Hospital Passport.
The passport prompts
children to think about ways
they might cope in hospital
and contains sections which
they can fill in themselves, for
example their likes and dislikes
and any other questions they
may have.
Carolyn Wesson, a consultant
clinical psychologist at the
Royal Hospital for Sick Children,
said: “The passport is a great
idea which encourages children
to think about how they want
to manage their hospital
treatments.
“After procedures, hospital
staff will give children a sticker
or stamp for their passport by
way of reward for their chosen
coping mechanism.
“The first families to try it at
the hospital have declared it to
be a great success.”
The passport was originally
created by psychologists at
Yorkhill Children’s Hospital in
Glasgow and is now being rolled
out across Scotland.
The initiative is funded
by NHS Education for
Scotland and the Sick Kids
Friends Foundation.
A NEW national prosthetics service
has been launched in Edinburgh
to meet the needs of Scotland’s
military amputees.
The service will offer veterans
improved support and a dedicated
point of access to healthcare
services through limb fitting and
rehabilitation centres in Edinburgh,
at the SMART Centre, and at a
centre in Glasgow.
It will provide veterans from the
armed forces advanced prosthetics
that can anticipate movements and
adapt instantly in order to function
as close to a natural limb as possible.
David Gow, head of SMART
Services, said: “The launch of a
veteran’s service based here in
Edinburgh and in Glasgow gives us
a huge opportunity to ensure that
modern state-of-the-art prostheses
are maintained and replaced as
required for veterans when they are
discharged from military service.
“Scotland is at the forefront of
this type of service development and
work is underway with colleagues
in Government to ensure that the
prosthetics service to the public
at large also benefits from the
knowledge and advancements made
possible by this new technology.
“NHS Lothian can be rightly
proud of being at the heart of this
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Health secretary, Alex Neil, said:
“It is only right that our veterans,
who have risked their lives for this
country, receive world-class services
through our NHS. Scotland is
already leading the way in prosthetic
care and this new specialist service is
a fantastic example of the NHS using
innovative technologies to deliver
21st century healthcare.
“Veteran amputees often have
complex health needs so it is vital
they have continued access to the
modern technology now available
to enable them to have a lifestyle
that suits them.
“This is one of a range of actions
we are taking to deliver a better deal
for our military amputees.”
Lothian Mental Health Arts and Film Festival
THIS October, the Lothian Mental
Health Arts and Film Festival returned
for its seventh consecutive year,
presenting a programme of theatre,
film, music, art and literature which
aims to turn the spotlight firmly on
mental health.
Created in association with the
Mental Health Foundation, the
Festival aimed to raise awareness
and tackle stigma in a way that is
thought-provoking, challenging and
entertaining.
Edinburgh and Lothian’s
programme alone presented over
50 events during the month.
Linda Irvine, strategic programme
manager for Mental Health and
Wellbeing, said: “We are delighted to
be a part of the 2013 Scottish Mental
Health and Arts Film Festival.
“Over the last seven years, our local
festival has gone from strength to
strength. In collaboration with a range
of arts and voluntary organisations,
Edinburgh and Lothians had a wealth
of events taking place, including
exhibitions, film, storytelling, drama,
theatre and poetry.
“We were excited to continue our
local and national partnership and
it was encouraging to see so many
get involved and enjoy taking part.”
•
ROCKING
OUT: Rod
Jones from
Idlewild, who
are involved
in the Mental
Health Arts
and Film
Festival
8
COMPETITION
Competition Wordsearch
Generous
donation
in memory
of Michelle
Your chance
to win a free
leisure pass!
FORMER Rangers star
Willie Henderson donates
Scotland’s first SonoScape
ultrasound machine to
consultant clinical oncologist
Dr Mark Zahra and the
oncology team at the Western
General Hospital. Willie’s
daughter Michelle was
treated by Mark for cervical
cancer before she sadly
passed away in October
last year.
NEW LEASE OF LIFE
FOR MARATHON MAN
Pioneering transplant gives Keith back his independence
A FIFE man has had his life
transformed after undergoing a
revolutionary transplant at the Royal
Infirmary of Edinburgh.
Keith Bailey (54), from Kelty,
had to battle back from a fractured
skull and prostate cancer before
undergoing the islet cell transplant
last year. He was diagnosed with
type 1 diabetes in 2004 and in 2011
developed “impaired awareness”,
meaning he was unable to tell when
his blood sugar levels were dropping
dangerously low.
Following a number of seizures
and one in particular which resulted
in him fracturing his skull, Keith
found himself at his lowest ebb.
He said: “I would often collapse
suddenly without warning. I was
frightened to go anywhere. I had no
independence.”
Keith was referred for a specialist
islet cell transplant by NHS Fife.
John Casey, consultant transplant
surgeon, said: “Islets are the cells
in the pancreas which produce
chemicals to control blood sugar
levels in the body.
“They are extracted from the
donor pancreas at the Scottish
National Blood Transfusion Service
laboratories then infused into the
patient’s liver at the Royal Infirmary
of Edinburgh, one of only three
Autumn 2013 Health link
With 11 swimming pools, 16
gyms and more than 450 classes
per week, there’s plenty to
choose from.
Midlothian: ToneZone is offering
one lucky reader three months’
free platinum fitness membership.
Choose from four swimming
pools, seven gyms and more than
140 fitness classes per week.
West Lothian: West Lothian
Leisure is offering a six-month
Gold Membership for all its Xcite
venues. With eight Xcite venues
throughout West Lothian, you
can choose from many services
within fitness, swim, sports and
N-R-G Kids – there has never
been a better time to get Xcited
about your health.
DO you want to keep fit? Here is
your chance to win a fantastic
fitness prize. Simply tell us which
word from the list below is missing
from the wordsearch and which area
you are from (one winner will be
picked from each area).
East Lothian: We’ve teamed up
with enjoyleisure to offer one
lucky reader three family swim
vouchers. With five pools in
East Lothian to choose from, it’s
a great way to kick-start your
exercise regime. The vouchers
will admit a family of four
(minimum of two children) for
one swimming session.
Edinburgh: Edinburgh Leisure
is offering one lucky reader 12
months’ free fitness membership.
C A
F
O U N
B H N D M R
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S N N E
B T A N R N F
L
B
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W U U
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E M E
B S
E W
B N R
I
E
Y
E
R N M
I
I
G
E
B R M B T H
I
EE
To join the organ donor register,
text ODSCOT to 61611, visit
www.organdonationscotland.
org to call 0300 123 23 23
I
F
E O T
I
S S
E
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K E
T C T
S O E
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D N A P U M P K
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N C C R S O
T A
Now Keith has resumed his love
of running. He joined three teams of
staff from the Edinburgh Transplant
Unit for the Wild Hairy Haggis Relay
Race at the Edinburgh Marathon
and has signed up to run next year’s
London Marathon.
S
I
R H P T R
centres in the UK where this service
is available.”
Before his transplant, Keith
was rocked by the news he had
developed prostate cancer. He had
a full prostatectomy in June 2012
before being added to the transplant
list. Just 17 days later, a donor
was found.
Keith said: “I’ve got my
independence again. I can’t thank
everyone enough.”
E
N F R T
G O R M S
K E R A
O O T N L
•
I
F D V B T N E
F R O S T S B U R E
RACE FOR LIFE: Keith with transplant co-ordinator Kirsty
Duncan after crossing the finish line at the Relay Race
R G G D Y
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E
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F
A D T
C K O R T R E
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A R A H A R V
T O O T T
S
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S R A S R C D
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E
E
S T O B R A
A N N N H T O S O
E R N A T
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O N S W
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E THANKSGIVING E APPLEBOBBING E TRICK OR
TREAT E HIBERNATION E HARVEST E GUY FAWKES E
FIREWORKS E SCARECROW E BONFIRE E PUMPKIN E
COBWEB E LEAVES E GHOST E FROST E AUTUMN
THE MISSING WORD IS…
Name
Address
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
WE want you to help us to plan,
develop and improve services
by sharing your views and
experiences.
What does getting involved
mean? You may want to join a
forum, participate in consultation
focus groups to discuss specific
issues or take part in surveys that
are relevant to you. What ways can you get
involved? You can get involved
through hospital forums,
community forums and groups
and by volunteering. If you prefer
to get involved from home,
consultation and engagement
information is posted on
www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk
You can register your areas
of interest on our participation
database by going to our internet
page and clicking on “Working
with Us” then the “Get Involved”
tab on the right. To find out more,
visit our website or contact:
■■Hospital Forums and
Volunteering Opportunities,
contact – Diane Loughlin,
volunteering, information
Contact telephone number
and involvement lead, diane.
[email protected].
uk or 01506 523589
■■Community based forums and
involvement opportunities:
Edinburgh – Lesley Baxter:
[email protected].
nhs.uk; East Lothian – Meriel
Deans: meriel.deans@nhs or
0131 446 4822; Midlothian –
Catherine Evans: catherine.
[email protected]
or 01968 671365; West Lothian
– Julie Cassidy: juliecassidy@
nhs.net or 01506 771883.
Please indicate your preferred area:
EastMidlothian Edinburgh
West
Send your answer to Communications Department, NHS Lothian,
Waverley Gate, 2-4 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh EH1 3EG by
19 November 2013. The first correct entry drawn out of the hat will win.
Competition winners
E THE winners for the Summer issue competition were: Edinburgh –
Jason Brown; West Lothian – Gillian Kizis; East Lothian – Ursula
J Fearn; Midlothian – Pauline Lennie Cat.