Working TogetherSummer 2016

That’s the message behind a bold new campaign to encourage more Scots to join the NHS Organ Donor Register.

People of all ages, shapes, sizes and ethnicities have stripped off and bared almost all to highlight that anyone can be an organ donor.

The We Need Everybody call has been issued as latest figures reveal that one person dies every day in the UK waiting on an organ transplant.

Currently 43 per cent of Scots are on the Register, but with 540 people in Scotland still waiting for a life-saving transplant, the more people that join,

the more lives can be saved.

The face of the campaign is Gordon Hutchison, 26, from East Kilbride, who underwent a transplant aged just 13 after being born with a congenital heart defect.

Gordon, who stripped off for the advert to reveal his transplant scar on screen, delivers the message that organ donation saves lives, as someone who knows first-hand.

Gordon said:

“Because of my donor, I was able to grow into a teenager, play football, pass my driving test, get my first job

and marry my wife Catriona. Things I’m grateful for every day.

“Stripping for a TV advert was certainly not an average day at the office, but it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. I genuinely would do almost anything to make people realise how life changing organ donation is.”

So don’t put it off. Wrinkly ones, lean ones, spare tyre ones, pretty ones, big ones – we need everybody to join the NHS Organ Donor Register now.

Visit www.weneedeverybody.org to register now.

Everybody can save a life – including you

In an attempt to reduce the number of all-user emails you receive the Communications Team is testing a new way of broadcasting the important – but not urgent – information you need to know in one weekly CORE briefing.

The first of these briefings was emailed to all users on Thursday 28 July and the last one will be issued on Thursday 1 September. So if you have any information you want to share with your colleagues but you don’t think it needs to be sent as an all-user email please send the details to DGCommunications@nhs.net.

If this test is successful we will explore the possibility of making the CORE briefing permanent so please let us know what you think by email to DGCommunications@nhs.net.

Help test a new communications tool

News

When they were asked to think about how to raise community awareness of dementia as part of a training day, Dementia Champions Lindsay Johnston and Linda Shaw had no idea that it would lead to them organising the region’s first ever Dementia Awareness Night.

But that’s what happened and on Friday 20 May people gathered at Easterbook Hall to find out more about this set of symptoms that affect up to 10% of older people.

Deputy charge nurse Linda said: “As Dementia Champions we made a commitment to improve the experience, care, treatment and outcomes for people with dementia their families and Carers. When we were on the training course last year Lindsay and I started talking about how we could get the local community more involved and more aware of dementia and how it affects people.

“An event seemed like a good way to catch people’s attention so we started exploring how that would

work. It was lovely to see how much goodwill there is and how many local businesses were willing to help.

“Easterbrook gave us the venue for free and Tantrum provided beautiful centre pieces for the tables. We had raffle prizes from the Casa Mia, Mary Jeffries and Anderson’s in Dumfries. Iris McKie donated a painting which sold for £350.”

Nursing auxiliary Lindsay said: “We also found that people were willing to come along and talk about their professional and personal experiences of dementia. Anna Waugh and Jo Oliver from UWS, Kenny Degnan from Alzheimer Scotland and Helen Moores from the IDEAS team gave really interesting talks.

“Jim Thomson from Queen of the South shared the story of his mother-in-law’s diagnosis and Iris McKie spoke about the recent loss of her husband Halford. It was very moving to hear their stories and they were so brave to share their experiences.”

By organising the event Linda and

Lindsay aimed to raise awareness of dementia in the community. In the end they also raised £550 which was donated to Alzheimer Scotland for local projects.

They haven’t decided whether or not to run the Dementia Awareness Night but it was so successful that we hope to see the second annual event in 2017.

Dementia Awareness Night

Midpark Awareness DayTwo final placement mental health student nurses, Stacey Kempson-Hopkins and Marita Higgins, hosted a health promotion day at Midpark on Friday 17th June.

Marita said: "Our aim was to host a health promotion event highlighting the cross over between Dementia, Depression and Delirium. With Dementia Awareness week recently taking place we felt these were suitable topics to focus on."

Stacey added: "The event was a great success, and we would like to thank everyone in Nithsdale Ward, all other wards and to staff at the Hub for all their kind donations and support.

Exciting times lie ahead for Maternity Services with the arrival of a new electronic record on Wednesday 5 October 2016.

Project Midwife Angie Reilly said: “The Maternity Badger System supports the management of maternity and neonatal information and provides a health record when women are admitted or referred into Maternity Services.

“It will line up with other systems which manage maternity information and provide shared electronic health records to support the delivery of care. It also allows women to have online access to their maternity information.

“There is a real need for change from the way that we currently work for three main reasons.”

• We provide more complex care • Paperbased systems do not support information sharing• Women want greater involvement in decisions about their care

Angie added: “Women have growing expectations about choice, convenience, quality and responsiveness. Treatment can be delivered by maternity staff based in different buildings across primary and secondary care or out in the community.”

Badger Maternity System

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Benefits for Women• Support for the provision of quality driven care• Faster, safer diagnosis and treatment• Improved choice and convenience

Benefits for Staff• Secure, easy access to comprehensive, up to date

information• 24/7 fast reliable means of sending and receiving

information• Immediate access to information on the move or in

an emergency• Support for the provision of quality care• Reduced paperwork and bureaucracy• Less repetitive entering of information• Reduction in errors due to illegible handwriting• Less time spent chasing missing notes, xrays and

referrals

• More time – to focus on person centred care• Online decision support tools• Guidance on referral procedures• Warning and alerts inbuilt into system• Faster access to specialist opinions and diagnosis• Support for multi-disciplinary and agency team

working

Benefits for NHS Dumfries and Galloway• Support for quality driven care and improved patient

outcomes• Better service management information • Further savings over lifetime of Badger contract

Over the coming weeks and months Maternity Services will be working towards paperless processes in preparation for the move to the new hospital in 2017.

News

Brian Carruthers and Laura White were both recognised for their achievements in the Celebrating Excellence Awards in 2015. Brian is part of the specialist Drug and Alcohol team who were praised for the work they did to deliver training about the use of naloxone to over 100 staff working with vulnerable people. Laura was nominated because of how she and her team reacted following a difficult HEI inspection. Defiant, the team pulled together and took on the challenge of overhauling the entire ICU and encouraged the inspectors to come back and see the results.

As a result of these achievements Laura and Brian were invited to attend the Daily Record Our Heroes Awards in Glasgow in March as guests of the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport, Shona Robison MSP.

Laura said: “It was lovely to be invited to such a prestigious event and I had a really good time. I wish I could have taken the whole team with me because its thanks to their hard work that I was chosen to attend.”

Brian added: “I had a good time and it was great to get the chance to go to an event like this. The people who got awards were real heroes and it was quite inspiring to hear their stories. The music was excellent too, especially Simple Minds. I even managed to get a picture with KT Tunstall.”

Guests of the Cabinet Secretary

PICTURE SHOWS: (left to right) Professor Jason Leitch (Scottish Government), Jennifer Borthwick (NHS Forth Valley), Brian Carruthers (Community Addictions Nurse, Specialist, NHS Dumfries And Galloway), Gillian Clarke (NHS Lothian), Veronica Moffat and Laura Drummond (Scottish Government) Laura White (ICU Senior Charge Nurse, NHS Dumfries And Galloway) and Tom Houston (NHS Forth Valley)

Doctors, nurses and other care specialists in Scotland are being provided with innovative new resources, including animations, to help them deal with one of the most difficult situations they will experience in their careers – death and bereavement.

A series of animations, a new website, information posters and links to a host of other resources have been developed by NHS Education for Scotland (NES).

The resources include animations supporting staff to discuss dying, talking to children who are bereaved and understanding the processes following a sudden or unexplained death. A sample video can be seen here http://bit.ly/1XS1egZ

The video helping professionals care for bereaved children was voiced by child actors and scripted by Edinburgh

charity Richmond’s Hope.

Dr Clare Tucker who has been leading the development of the resources said: “Support around expected and sudden deaths by healthcare professionals is an important part of improving bereavement care in Scotland.

Animations to support Scotland’s doctors, nurses and carers deal with death

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The craft group at St George’s Church, Dumfries has had a busy six months of activity. They started the year by committing to knit squares to make blankets for covering the incubators in the Neonatal Unit at Cresswell Maternity Wing. Each blanket consists of thirty-six squares of alternative patterns and colours and, with a great team effort, they managed to complete ten.

These were recently presented to Head of Midwifery, Joyce Reekie, along with a selection of baby hats for premature babies.

Joyce said “We use the blankets to emulate a womb-like environment so that tiny premature babies can be nurtured to grow and develop. The blanket then belongs to the baby and when they leave Cresswell, they take their blanket home to be used as a cot blanket or a play blanket. We are so grateful to the craft group for this very kind donation. They really are works of art.”

Blanket Donation for Neonatal Unit

In March guest speaker Mary Smith – author, poet and DGLife journalist – entertained the group with her reflections on her ten years as an aid worker in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Mary shared slides and anecdotes to illustrate her work with women and children living with leprosy and her attempts to improve health and prevent the spread of the disease.

David Bryson addressed the group in April when he delivered an update on the new hospital. He covered the whole process from planning through to how the facility will look when it opens in December 2017.

The group held its annual general meeting and enjoyed an interesting talk on traybakes given by Helen Muirhead at the Aberdour in May. The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 13 September and everyone is welcome to attend.

NHS Retirement Fellowship Update

For further information on how occupational therapy can help people with Alzheimer’s please email the team at Dumf-uhb.OTreferrals-mentalhealth@nhs.net or follow @OTMH_DG on Twitter.

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Speech and Language Therapist, Christine Hickey was one of 150 people to be awarded a Winston Churchill Travelling Fellowship last year.

The Churchill Fellowship is an opportunity for UK citizens to travel abroad to acquire new and innovative ideas within their field of interest or profession, allowing them to enhance their learning and expertise. They are then to share what they have learned when they return home.

Christine, who works as part of the Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy team at The Willows (Children, Young People and Family Centre) Dumfries, returned from her five week Fellowship to Ontario, Canada in October 2015. She spent her time in Canada investigating early intervention programmes in Simcoe County.

She said: “These programmes rely heavily on the successful partnership of parental engagement and involvement. I was keen to find out

more about the services offered and how they are provided to promote health, wellbeing and early education.

“Over the course of the five weeks I worked with other specialists on the team to support children and their families. I was particularly interested in a solution-focussed parent coaching approach that is designed to educate parents and families on how to support their child’s communication skills at home.

“The parent coaching model is a practical hands-on system to educate parents in early interaction and play. These skills empower them to have a significant impact on their child’s communication skills.

“The Travelling Fellowship was an incredible opportunity for further development, both personally and professionally. I would really encourage others to take advantage of this learning experience and I’m excited about using the knowledge and skills I learned to shape my practice.”

Since her return, Christine has shared her experiences and learning with the Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy team who work to support children and families across the region.

To read Christine’s full Fellowship report please visit

http://www.wcmt.org.uk/fellows/reports/supporting-speech-and-language-development-within-early-years-settings

Winston Churchill Fellowship

As part of Dementia Awareness Week 2016, the Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Occupational Therapy Team took part in the Dementia Awareness Event at the Old Baker’s Oven in Dumfries on Monday 30 May.

Shona Brown, Occupational Therapist said: “This was a great opportunity to share information on the role of occupational therapy with people with memory difficulties, including the Home Based Memory Rehabilitation and Tailored Activity Programme.”

Michelle Weems, Occupational Therapy Assistant added: “We learned more about the resources that are available such as the library’s Let’s Talk service and it was a great way to network with partner organisations like Alzheimer Scotland and Building Healthy Communities.”

Dementia Awareness Week 2016

PICTURE SHOWS: Michelle Weems, Alison McKean Shona Brown with some of the members of the Occupational Therapy Team

Preventing Infection in CareNHS Scotland recently launched new digital resources designed to promote infection prevention to people who work with older people. The DVDs and CD ROMs, entitled Preventing Infection in Care, have been sent to every care home in Scotland.

Health Protection Nurse Specialist Justine McCuaig and her colleagues from the NHS Dumfries and Galloway Health Protection Team are delighted with these new resources. Justine said: “The DVD and CD provide gold standard infection prevention and control education and monitoring tools for all Scottish care homes.

“They contain all the information necessary to help prevent and control the risk of infection and to provide a safe, clean environment in all care settings including care homes, home environments, residential housing and day care services for adults.

“The induction module and full learning programme on the disks come with a variety of supporting tools including multiple choice assessment questions and a workbook.

“There’s also an excellent A3 poster and step-by-step guide designed to show care staff how to troubleshoot common problems related to urinary catheters. This includes alerting staff to the early symptoms of urinary tract infections, guiding them through the measures they should take and highlighting procedures for changing leg bags and removing night drainage bags.

“NHS Scotland plan to distribute hard copies again in 2017 and in the meantime there are a number of linked, online, free resources.”

View and download the preventing infections resources at:

http://www.nes.scot.nhs.uk/education-and-training/by-theme-initiative/healthcare-associated-infections/training-resources/preventing-infection-in-care.aspx

Further information on urinary catheter maintenance is available at:

www.nes.scot.nhs.uk/education-and-training/by-theme-initiative/healthcare-associated-infections/training-resources/indwelling-urinary-catheter-maintenance.aspx

For more information about communicable disease prevention in the community please contact the Health Protection Team by phone on 01387 272 724 or by email at dumf-uhb.hpt@nhs.net.

Alternatively visit the website www.dghps.org.

The Oral Health Team are delighted that their wayward bear returned to them after going missing in action between Lockerbie Health Centre and Crichton Hall in May.

The bear was found at the Dental Centre in Dumfries where he’d been making sure the team were keeping up to date with the latest oral health messages.

No Bear Left Behind

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Eddie Docherty has been NHS Dumfries and Galloway’s Executive Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions since February and, five months in, he has some observations to make on how the organisation works.He brought an impressive skill set and a wide range of experience gained working in Boards across Scotland including Ayrshire and Arran, Orkney and Lanarkshire. He also spent a year as lead nurse on the Integrated Joint Board for East Ayrshire.Reflecting on his first few months in the region Eddie said: “I’ve been supported by truly inspirational people throughout my career and until recently I managed to maintain direct contact with patients. Working on the ground with colleagues and patients has always been a key priority for me – it’s why I started nursing.“Since coming to Dumfries and Galloway I have met even more dedicated and motivated people

working for this Board. As part of her recent Twitter conversation the Chief Nursing Officer Professor Fiona McQueen asked those taking part what they are most proud of. For me that was easy to answer. “I spoke of the compassion I see and hear about every day from all staff in NHS Dumfries and Galloway. The value of compassion is clearly embedded in our systems, from the Board to the staff delivering direct care to our patients. Of course we’re not perfect but, on the whole, I see compassion displayed consistently. “What I would ask everyone is - are we compassionate with each other? Are you compassionate towards yourself? The organisation is in a period of unprecedented change as we join an integrated world and build a new hospital. “The financial challenge is more acute than ever as we try to do the same, or more, with less. If we are not compassionate with ourselves and each other we may find ourselves

overwhelmed and begin to lose touch with the reasons we all came into health care.“I feel honoured to be the Executive Director for Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions for NHS Dumfries and Galloway. Everywhere I look I see staff members who are committed to the care and wellbeing of their patients, who place the person at the heart of everything they do. “While we have challenges and opportunities ahead of us I’m absolutely convinced we can shape the future of services together to meet the needs of patients and improve the health of the region’s communities.”

Reflections from our newest Director

Denise Moffat took the post of Interim General Manager for Mental Health, Psychology, Learning Disability, Specialist Drug and Alcohol Service Directorate in May this year. Since joining the nursing profession in 1984 Denise has enjoyed a varied career, the last two years of which have been spent as our lead nurse in Mental Health. Her career began in Glasgow in a range of acute admission units before she moved here in 1988. Denise has extensive experience across a number of inpatient and community settings. In the mid-90s she accepted a managerial post with a community mental health team. This enabled her to develop expertise in health and social care policy, legislation and change management.

Denise said: “The decision to move into a managerial position was a huge one. I loved working as a community mental health nurse, the people I worked with and the way the post stretched me. I also relish change.“I have been fortunate to be surrounded by people who have shared their time, knowledge, experience and have given me invaluable support and guidance.“Until this opportunity, being the Mental Health Lead Nurse was one of my proudest achievements. It took considerable hard work and academic study to secure. I feel privileged that I have held this post, particularly in such a highly respected NHS Board area.Denise enjoys spending time with

family and friends - usually eating great food and enjoying good wine. She is a (reluctant) cyclist and a huge music fan citing Bruce Springsteen as her therapy. She tries to spend her holidays with her husband in Mallorca whenever she can.Denise intends to push herself out of her comfort zone until she is told to stop...those who know her know she is unlikely to listen to that advice.

Welcoming the new Interim General Manager

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In March this year Joan Pollard returned to Allied Health Professions when she accepted the appointment as the Associate Director of AHPs. Joan has had a varied career since training as a physiotherapist at Queens’ College in Glasgow between 1977 and 1980.She spent the early years of her career in Lanarkshire and Glasgow including working as a senior physiotherapist in the Cardiothoracic Unit in Glasgow Royal Infirmary. A spell in Gartnavel General followed, heading up the team in surgical with a special interest in amputee rehabilitation. While working in these senior positions in Glasgow, Joan supported student training both as a practice educator in the clinical environment and more formally in the college.Family reasons drove a move from the city to Dumfries and Galloway where Joan continued to work as a physiotherapist in many roles despite having a young family. Her most recent clinical role was as the Head of Service for Annandale and Eskdale

with a keen focus upon neurological rehabilitation.In addition to her extensive clinical experience Joan has a Masters degree in Leading Sustainable Organisational Change from Glasgow University and has undertaken the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Improvement Advisors Course. As well as being an accomplished professional Joan is a mother of two daughters who are currently at University. Joan is now using her free time to paint, walk and indulge her passion for eating and her love of cooking. She is currently also investigating meditation.Joan said: “I have an interest in service and quality improvement which resulted in a move from the clinical environment to the role of Service Improvement Manager. This gave me the opportunity to lead local implementation of a wide range of improvement agenda.“Until I started in this new role I was NHS Dumfries and Galloway’s Deputy General Manager for Acute Services which allowed me to be directly

involved in the day to day management and support of all members in the acute multidisciplinary team.“My background in formal and informal education means I am totally committed to supporting the development of teams and individuals. One of the greatest achievements in my career so far was supporting a team of team of physiotherapists to achieve their potential and become a leading service.“I have also mentored a number of students from many backgrounds including physiotherapists and management trainees and used coaching conversations to work with colleagues in the NHS and partner agencies.”

New Associate Director of Allied Health Professionals

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Tracey Saunderson was appointed to the role of Corporate Communications Manager in June and she wants to know what’s going on around the organisation. Her training as a tabloid journalist with the News of the World means she has great news sense and the talent to tell a good tale. Since jumping the fence into PR in the late 90’s Tracey has held a number of high profile roles in country sports, education, the police, tourism, local and national government.Tracey said: “I’ve been with NHS Dumfries and Galloway for nearly four years and in that time I have learned a lot about how the

organisation works but I still have a long way to go. I do know that as well as working hard to make sure we deliver the best possible care to patients, staff are doing all sorts of interesting things.“There’s groundbreaking research being undertaken, new approaches to care being tested and people are developing new skills all the time. On top of that people are taking the time to raise funds for good causes like Marie Curie and Blood Bikes and to raise awareness about conditions like dementia and diabetes.“I really want to help people get publicity for their professional achievements, the causes they

believe in and the charities they support so please get in touch and let me know what you are doing.”To contact Tracey for advice on any communications issues please email traceysaunderson@nhs.net or call 01387 244 064 (34064).

New Corporate Communications Manager

Supporting Carers in the Workplace

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Carers Week 2016 took place in June and this year two of the region’s biggest employers took an innovative approach. For the first time NHS Dumfries and Galloway and the Council have teamed up to support Carers in the workplace.

Both organisations are recognised as Engaged Carer Positive employers and they hosted a number of information sessions designed to help staff who are juggling work and caring responsibilities.

Commissioning Officer for the Carers Strategy Larel Currie and Health and Wellbeing Specialist Philip Myers have been working with partner organisations to make sure Carers don’t feel isolated or overwhelmed.

Larel said: “Carers Week is an important annual campaign and there were a number of events held across the region to let Carers know where they can turn for support.

“We recognise that many people will be struggling to balance work with caring responsibilities and we want to make sure they know that the NHS and Council actively support employees in this situation.

“There are an estimated 13,955 of Carers in the region; however we know this number is likely to be significantly higher. Over 50% of these Carers work and many may be NHS or Council employees. It is vital that Carers know what support is available and how to access that support when they need it.”

NHS Dumfries and Galloway is celebrating its status as the first organisation in Scotland to achieve not one but two prestigious LGBT Gold Charter Mark Award thanks to the efforts of the Sexual Health team.The Sexual Health team received their charter mark from Melinda Dolan, a Trustee for LGBT Youth Scotland, on Monday 16 May; just 18 months after the Public Health team got theirs. Dr Maggie Gurney, Director of Sexual Health Dumfries and Galloway, said: “We are delighted to have achieved this award which recognises that we are committed to making our services are welcoming and inclusive. “We will continue to promote the health, wellbeing and equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people because it is important that the LGBT community can be confident that Sexual Health Dumfries and Galloway is

Gold LGBT Award for Sexual Health Team

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a place where they will receive the highest quality of NHS care.’’Kerry Riddell, Partnerships Manager (South) for LGBT Youth Scotland, added: “This is a fantastic achievement. The NHS Sexual Health Dumfries and Galloway team has demonstrated to staff, service users and external stakeholders that they take LGBT equality seriously. “They have made significant progress in ensuring discrimination will be challenged and diversity will be welcomed. Their work to promote their Charter Journey has been exemplary and we look forward to continued partnership working to promote LGBT equality.”

Alzheimer Scotland’s Memory WalkWho will you walk for?Whether you’re walking for your mum, dad, gran, grandpa, partner or friend, join Alzheimer Scotland this autumn and walk to help raise much-needed funds for dementia support services.With walks taking place from the Borders to the Highlands, join thousands of others walking to support the 90,000 people in Scotland with dementia. Wigtownshire The Wigtownshire Memory Walk offers the opportunity to raise funds for the new resource centre in Stranraer. It takes place on Sunday 18 September 2016 from 1pm, at the Dunskey Estate, Portpatrick, Stranraer, Wigtownshire. Come and enjoy the hidden gems of the estate including a walled garden, manicured grounds, woodlands and lochs. There will be entertainment for all the family on the day. To register for this event go to: http://memorywalksscotland.org/our-walks/wigtownshire-memory-walk/DumfriesThe Dumfries 5K Memory Walk and family fun day takes place on Sunday 25 September 2016 from 1pm, at the Easterbrook Hall, The Crichton, Dumfries.The event offers the opportunity to enjoy the grounds of the Crichton, show your support, fundraise and take part in the fun activities for all the family, with face painting, entertainment and refreshments on the day.To register for this event go to: http://memorywalksscotland.org/our-walks/dumfries-memory-walk/

PICTURE SHOWS: Members of the NHS Dumfries and Galloway Sexual Health Team with Melinda Dolan from LGBT Youth Scotland.

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Nominations sought for Scottish Health Awards 2016People in Dumfries and Galloway are being urged to nominate their local healthcare heroes as the hunt for Scotland’s top health workers begins. Every year, the Scottish Health Awards recognise and reward dedicated NHS staff, support workers, volunteers and specialist teams who go the extra mile to provide outstanding patient care. Nominations are being sought from those who want to acknowledge the quality of treatment they have received, either for themselves or a loved one.This is an opportunity to reward the people who help the NHS provide world-class care to the people of Scotland, whether in hospital, at a GP surgery, at the dentist, or in the community. Shona Robison, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport, said:“Every year the Scottish Health Awards provide an opportunity to show our appreciation for the dedicated individuals and teams delivering high quality health and care services to the people of Scotland.“As the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport, I regularly get to see the energy, commitment and compassion shown by people working in our NHSScotland and across our partners.“These awards recognise the contribution of frontline health and social care workers but also celebrate those who work so hard behind the scenes in support roles to ensure we have the kind of health and care services that are so crucial to the success of NHSScotland and its partners.“I hope that during the 10 week nomination period, patients, the public and staff will take the opportunity to

nominate the people who deserve to be recognised for their contribution to the delivery of consistent, reliable and responsive health and care services in Scotland.” There are 16 award categories, including the Nurse Award, Volunteer Award, and Doctor Award. Finalists will be invited to attend a prestigious awards ceremony at the Corn Exchange in Edinburgh on Thursday 3 November 2016. To nominate your local healthcare hero go to www.scottishhealthawards.com. The closing date for nominations is Thursday 1 September The Scottish Health Awards 2016 is managed by the Scottish Government and the Daily Record. A specially selected panel of judges will select a group of finalists in every category. The categories for nominations are outlined below:• Support Worker Award • Innovation Award • Volunteers Award • Midwife Award • Therapist Award • Care for Long-Term Illness Award • Young Achiever Award • Unsung Hero Award • Care for Mental Health Award • Integrated Care for Older People Award • Healthier Lifestyle Award • Leader of the Year Award • Dentist Award • Nurse Award • Doctor Award • Top Team Award

A team of hardy souls from NHS Dumfries and Galloway’s Out of Hours Service conquered the local three peaks challenge on Saturday (25 June) climbing Criffel, Screel and Merrick in under 13 hours. And they raised £775 for local charity Sports Driving Unlimited in the process.Starting at the uncivilised hour of 5.40am the core team of seven – Sue Kirkpatrick, Anne and Arron Scott, Finlay McLintock, Gordon Watson, Emma Neale and Dr Robin Park – were joined by Sue’s husband Mick for the climb up Criffel. By 8.20am they were back on flat ground but Screel beckoned and they set off again at 8.40am, joined by Dr Sebastian Pflanz. The descent of Screel was over by 10.20am and, after a short rest and dash to the next destination, they met up with teammates Paul Candlish and Dr John Smith to tackle Merrick at 1.05pm.The weather was kind right up to the last 250 metres on Merrick when the heavens opened and the whole crew was soaked to the skin. Drenched and exhausted but delighted and exhilarated they retreated to their tents at the Glentrool campsite to dry out before heading to the House o’ Hill Hotel for some welcome refreshments.Sue said: “I can’t quite believe that it’s done. After all the planning, the extra publicity and the support we had in the week before the challenge it’s a strange feeling now it’s over. We had a fabulous day and the weather was almost perfect right up until the end. Even the midgies weren’t too awful.“I really want to thank everyone who supported us with financial donations and helped up raise more than our target. We’re also really grateful to Fran and Jen at Glentrool campsite who gave us free pitches and to Karen and Helen at House o’ Hill who provided sandwiches and drinks when we came off Merrick.“I am so proud of the team who remained in good spirits and were really supportive when some of us had to dig a little deeper on the steeper parts of the climbs. We laughed a lot, none of us cried and we all had a really nice chilled out evening with some liquid refreshments and a BBQ back around our wee huddle of tents at the campsite. It’s an experience I won’t forget and feel quite privileged to have been a part of it.”The distances, heights and times are as follows: Criffel - 3.2 miles and 1750 ft (5.40am - 8.20am)Screel - 3.4 miles and 1200 ft (8.40am - 10.20am)Merrick - 8.6 miles and 2900 ft (1.05pm - 5.58pm)

Dumfries and Galloway Three Peaks Challenge Conquered

Top of Merrick

Merrick Bothy

Top of Criffel

Top of Screel

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Researchers from NHS Dumfries and Galloway and the University of Edinburgh are seeking older adults to take part in a new psychological study of depression.The study will be run by psychologists based at Crichton Hall and aims to examine the effects of personality, mood and social factors on low mood.Trainee Psychologist Shri Cameron said: “We are inviting people from across Dumfries and Galloway, who are aged over 65 to complete four tick-box questionnaires which cover personality type, mood, social relationships and beliefs. The questions are designed to gather data about a wide range of experiences and their potential to affect mood.“Depression is acknowledged as a common occurrence in older adults but it is certainly not a normal part of aging. There are a number of reasons why older people may experience depression including ill health and loneliness. We hope the results of this study will help our understanding of how often and why older adults experience low moods which can cause a great deal of distress.”For details on how to take part in the study please contact Shri Cameron by phone on 01387 244 495 or by email at shri.cameron@nhs.net.

Study into Depression in Older Adults

Dementia is an illness that affects the brain and as we live longer we are likely to see more people living with this condition. It causes a number of symptoms including memory loss, communication difficulties and changes to mood.

Playlist for Life is a Registered Charity founded by Sally Magnuson in 2013 after witnessing the effect of music on her late mother’s dementia.

Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Nurse Consultant Julie Garton said: “Playlist for Life is a wonderful charity that provides training for family members and health professionals who work with people living with dementia.

“We know from research that music has the potential to evoke memories, prompt conversation and improve mood.

“Playing music that has personal meaning can unlock precious memories, restore a sense of self and can strengthen relationships with family and friends.”

Now 15 staff members from NHS Dumfries and Galloway have taken part in an innovative one day training course designed to help them improve the lives of people with dementia through music

“I am delighted that we have been able to provide training for so many members of staff who work with people living with dementia. The training will be rolled out across NHS Dumfries and Galloway over the coming months. I would also like to thank League of Friends whose generous donation has enabled this project to get off the ground.

Playlist for Life Training

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Margaret McVittie Retires

Friends and colleagues gathered to celebrate and send good wishes to Residencies Manager, Margaret McVittie for her service to the Health Board. Margaret joined the NHS in 1979, initially in Domestic Services before becoming Acting Home Warden at the residencies, a position that became permanent in 1991. Margaret was presented with a cake model of herself holding a set of keys at the Residencies at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary.

Letter of Thanks

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Letter of Thanks

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