What matters most to me when I am feeling stressed or under pressure, is the ability to escape into the countryside to exercise. Gyms and treadmills do not work – it must be the open air, seeing, enjoying and experiencing nature. I am fortunate to have hills to climb, trails to run and great cycle…
In Forth Valley, we are always looking for new and interesting ways to share Realistic Medicine and build our Realistic Medicine network. Just like everyone else, we have had to think differently about how we do this in the post-pandemic era. Inspired by Kaleidoscope, a health and care consultancy , we embarked on a series…
The pandemic created an understandable feeling of fear and uncertainty across NHS Scotland staff while all areas prepared for the unknown. NHSWI was no different to any other area in this regard. Being on an island chain the ability to meet had always been an issue both within primary care and across the primary/secondary care…
At our recent Realistic Medicine Teams Networking session on 31 March, updates and learning was shared between Health Boards across Scotland. Dr Alastair Ireland, Realistic Medicine Clinical Lead for NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, updated the network on progress within GG&C, including on Treatment Escalation Plan resources and implementation, the development of communication training, and…
NHS Ayrshire & Arran Acute Care Specialty Effective Prescribing Reviews NHS Ayrshire & Arran has established an Acute Care Effective Prescribing Group (ACEPG). The group has been tasked with reviewing quality and effectiveness of all areas of prescribing within Acute Care in NHS Ayrshire & Arran. To support this work the ACEPG has carried…
Bringing the back office to the front lines of health care By Gordon Oates, National Procurement’s Technology Enhancement Programme Manager (NHS National Services Scotland) Data is fast becoming the world’s most valuable commodity. Over recent years, the insight and knowledge extracted from data has opened up new opportunities for people, businesses and governments. It’s helped…
The Care Home Continence Improvement Project Applying the principles of Realistic Medicine at NSS – continence care case study The Care Home Continence Improvement project, developed by NHS National Procurement, part of NHS National Services Scotland, is a great example of a project which used the principles of Realistic Medicine to improve outcomes for not…
“Realistic Medicine” has prompted and supported changes to the way NHS Orkney deliver maternity care for women with diabetes in a remote setting The aim is to provide as much care locally as is safely possible, reducing unnecessary and costly travel and disruption for women and families and avoiding taking up unnecessary appointment times…
NHS libraries supporting healthcare professionals in shared decision making Healthcare libraries have a different role to public libraries. Whilst they do hold books on healthcare topics to support staff professional development, they also provide valuable support to staff in their day-to-day work with patients. NHS librarians may be asked by health professionals to look for…
Summary of “Please ask” posters It is important to us all that our patients, their families and carers are fully involved in every aspect of their care from admission through to discharge. The “Please ask” posters were developed in NHS Ayrshire and Arran to encourage patients, relatives and carers to ask 4 important question about…
My Clinical Outcomes (MCO) & the Cancer Innovation Challenge at NHS Ayrshire & Arran We have been working on the My Clinical Outcomes project which allows chemotherapy to be adjusted according to toxicity experienced by patients My Clinical Outcomes (MCO) and the Cancer Innovation Challenge Website link: https://www.myclinicaloutcomes.com/case-study/cic YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFK7JpkNCno
NHS Ayrshire and Arran have developed a hub service designed for health improvement. The Better Health model aims to empower people to improve their health and wellbeing, reduce inequalities and ensure people can access the right information at the right time relevant to the individual and their family circumstances. Improving health and reducing inequalities through…