Suffering from brilliance.

This blog was first published last May. Is Sandra still suffering from brilliance?

Suffering from brilliance. by Sandra Shafii It is 3.27 in the morning of Friday 3^rd May 2013 and I am suffering from brilliance. AGAIN! Now before you think I am boasting here….I don’t mean I am like Yogi and “smarter than the average bear” … I think probably every one of us suffers from brilliance! It is the “Eureka” that wakes you up in the early hours and you can’t get back to sleep unless you find paper and pen and write down your ingenious thoughts. You know that unless you do this you will have forgotten it all by the morning….. So suffering from brilliance is when you “get it” with blinding clarity.  When your mind creates the solution to the problem that has been eating away at you for hours consciously and subconsciously. A bit of background to this story….I was on Lewis at an AHP event on Wednesday 1^st May and my Alzheimer Scotland Nurse Consultant colleague Anne kindly drove me to see some fabulous places on the island before taking me on to the airport.  I visited the Standing Stones at Callanish and the Black Houses….and was treated to some stunning scenery in between. The next day, Thursday 2^nd May, I spent the morning with mental health AHP colleagues reflecting on Realising Potential and the “where to next” question; our conversation facilitated beautifully by Helen Ross. All good stuff…so why was my brain working overtime trying to put these two things together….then my moment of brilliance on Friday morning!! The Standing Stones are prehistoric, who knows their true function or purpose? There are several theories about them.  But immune to these various interpretations, the Stones silently stand there as they always have done… evocative, primitive and enigmatic. They are enduring, simple, raw…. raised up as a representation of belief, connotation and significance. Anyone who visits them will look, wonder and distil their own meaning. And this was the moment when I put the events of the two days together…. I thought of us!! The AHP Mental Health Leads. As we reflected on Realising Potential on Thursday, we thought about our story, our journey and where Realising Potential has taken us. The Stones to me just sum it up…a pictorial representation of where we are and what we are.  Bear with me….as I try to explain… The Stones are of the earth, founded in the earth but raised up, elevated, standing out. They have presence and lift our eye upwards and out to the horizon. I thought that this is just how it feels to be an AHP right now!!! Our value base as AHPs is founded in humanity and in public service.  We stand for fairness, equality, impartiality and individuality but we remain grounded firmly in a moral, professional and ethical value base that reflects a civil and just society. We are enduring and resilient, weathering the constant storm of change, our strength and endurance rooted deeply in our value system; a value system that is as valid today as it has always been. Like the Stones we retain our simplicity of purpose …. we are passionate about our alliance to the people and communities we serve.  Irrespective of changes in style, structure or trend in the changing organisational world around us…. what we believe in, what grounds us, is still as relevant and powerful today as it has always been. As at Callanish, AHPs now stand together forming a group, not as uniform blocks but individually shaped forms which reflect our range of professions, skills and knowledge; shaping a collective meaning, and bound by our shared beliefs and values. We have always stood out from the landscape we inhabit and we invite our patients, clients and communities to see us, to notice us, to be with us and find hope, inspiration and affirmation and feel able to derive and create their own individual meaning from their contact with us. We are what our individual patients and clients need us to be ….or want us to be. But the Stones at Callanish are a tourist attraction! Their striking image appears on marketing material and tourist brochures, inviting visitors from home and abroad to come and see them. They attract the New Age Travellers at Summer Solstice.  We are moving into a New Age too…. of health and social care integration, with agendae created by our existing and emerging health and social care policies. We stand at a point in time when we should lift up our vision and invite others to come and look at us, see what we have done and are going to do. Could we invite others to offer their understanding, interpretation and reflection on who we are?  And could we add to their understanding and experience by sharing our beliefs and what we stand for with them? I think we now need to look up and look out and feel so proud of what we are.  We do stand out in the health and social care landscape. Why try and fit in if you have been born to stand out? Let’s use this moment in time to have the confidence and self belief to invite partners old and new to come and stand with us and work together to derive new meanings from the world we live in as we gaze at the horizon from our vantage point and dream of what might come.    @AHPRunRideTeddy To read ‘Realising Potential’ click here To read the ‘One Year On’ report click here

Weight or Words. Outcomes in weight management

by Joanna Teece Dietitian-Keep Well NHS Fife

# Outcomes # Nutrition and Dietetic Care Process

New Year, New Start, New resolutions. 

Outcomes? 

What does this mean to you?

How do we show we have achieved the original goal of treatment, that we are successful, we have met our aims? Whose outcome is it? The service user or the service commissioner? What is more powerful? Number crunching such as patient contacts, % of weight lost or the words which tell and report patient experience.

As a Dietitian working in a changing landscape we are increasingly asked to prove our worth and sell our services. I work in weight management. January is traditionally a time of change, new ideas and new resolutions.  2/3 of the adult population are now overweight or obese.   Capturing the desire and motivation to lose weight in January is a key part of the weight management service I provide, but how do I measure this. What is our desired outcome?

As a department we have started to look at the Nutrition and Dietetic Care Process . This has provided a framework to help structure, plan and measure our dietetic consultations. This is a step towards having and using outcomes we can easily measure and report.

So this is my resolution for 2015, a New Year, a new weight management group and a new approach to start consistently measuring and reporting on outcomes.  I’ve decided to go with both words and weight and to start small.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hopefully these outcomes will add weight to the words written in reports used to help plan, review and commission Nutrition and Dietetic Services.

 

 

 

 

 

NEW FROM AHPSCOTBLOG -AHSCOTBLOGPOLL!

HAVE YOUR SAY

Whose responsibility is it to support patients and clients on weight management?

Take one minute to link to our AHPScotPoll by clicking here

Help us to get Scots walking in 2015

 

 

 

Paths for All is Scotland’s national charity promoting everyday walking. We want to create a happier, healthier Scotland, where increased physical activity improves quality of life and wellbeing for all.

 

We know these goals are well aligned with Allied Health Professions. Indeed, in 2012 we welcomed the AHP Director’s Physical Activity Pledge: “We will work with a range of partners to increase the level of physical activity in Scotland”.

 

Like you, we are committed to increasing physical activity in Scotland. We believe that everyday walking can be the key to improving the health and wellbeing of the Scottish people. By encouraging and supporting more people to take their first small step towards enjoying physical activity, we want to help fight some of Scotland’s most pressing health issues: obesity, cancer, heart disease, depression and dementia.

 

The case for promoting walking grows stronger and stronger

In Scotland, it is estimated that low activity contributes to around 2,500 deaths per year and costs the NHS £94 million annually. With the predominance of sedentary jobs, reliance on car travel and ageing population we need to take action to include physical activity into daily life, helping to prevent ill health and its cost.

The Scottish Government launched some important documents in 2014, including the Physical Activity Implementation Plan, National Walking Strategy and the Active Travel Vision. With plans and strategies in place we all need to work together to give us the reality of a more active Scotland.

We can help you to get Scotland walking!

Health professionals have a crucial role to play in promoting physical activity with patients and ensuring patients are offered safe and appropriate options.

Encourage your patients to join a Health Walk

A Paths for All Health Walk is:

• Short (around 30 minutes)
• Easy, low level (no hills)
• Accessible (good quality paths and pavements)
• Safe – all routes have been risk assessed
• Has a friendly walk-leader to show the way
• Is completely free

We have Health Walks in cities, town and villages right across Scotland. We also have walks just for people affected by cancer with Macmillan Cancer Support. Find a health walk here.

Join or hold a Promoting Walking Workshop

• Designed to help Health Professionals promote walking
• We’ll show you resources, support and tools that you can use
• Taking place Stirling on 26 January and Glasgow on 4 Feb
• Contact us for more info or to arrange a course in your area

Walking your way to better strength and balance

• A programme of strength and balance exercises for falls prevention
• Leaflets, tools and training available

Use pedometers to help your patients set and aim for goals 

• We offer packs with diaries, guidance and pedometers
• Proven to affect behaviour change as part of a 12-week supported programme

Get active in your own workplace

• Set up a workplace walking group
• Take part in our team Step Count Challenge in Spring 2015

 

 NEW FROM AHPSCOTBLOG HAVE YOUR SAY WITH AHPSCOTBLOGPOLL!

Whose responsibility is it to support patients and clients on weight management?

Take one minute to link to our AHPScotPoll by clicking here

AHPs In Scotland. Celebrating 2014

AHPScot – A pictorial blog of some of the highlights of our role, our work and our impact

One blog was almost not enough to celebrate AHP successes in Scotland in 2014. A wide selection of AHP stories were submitted. Sit back and enjoy. 

Co-Production

 

 

Heather Hall, AHP lead for LTCs and Co-production at The Alliance sighs, smiles and celebrates success as the first National AHP, Third and Independent conference on “Coproduction, Partnership and Integration” draws to a close.

 

 

 

 

Throughout the day a positive and exciting buzz was created as AHPs showcased their potential as leaders and active travellers in the journey of co-production.  The conference provided a wonderful platform to grow budding relationships between AHP and third sector organisations.

 

 

Age Scotland Conference

 

 

Ask an AHP” was at the Age Scotland Conference

 

 

Health Service Journal Awards

 

 

Sarah Mitchell and MSK work in Scotland made two finals

 

 

 

 

 

Waiting Lists

 

NHS Ayrshire & Arran children’s OT team celebrate improvement work that reduced waiting times from 57 weeks to 8 weeks and delivered a more person centred service.

 

 

 

Mindfulness

Pat Harris, Physiotherapist and Kevan Fulton Clinical Associate in Applied Psychology for NHS Ayrshire and Arran were recognised for their work in establishing the Mindfulness Network. Kevan and Pat have brought together a network of individuals who are passionate about promoting mindfulness within NHS Ayrshire & Arran.

 

NHSScotland event

 

 

John McConway, NHS Ayrshire and Arran showcases personal footcare poster at NHS Scotland event.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Erika Diffenthal and Billy McClean showcase Ayrshire & Arran AHP delivery plan poster

 

 

 

 

 

 

Judith Reid showcases Ayrshire & Arran MSK redesign at NHS Scotland event

 

 

 

 

 

 

Andrea Dick and team showcase Ayrshire & Arran pocket ideas work

 

 

 

Advancing Healthcare Awards

 

 

NHS Ayrshire & Arran AHP team celebrate having three finalists at the awards

 

 

 

 

Lisa Greer AHP National Lead and Jean McQueen AHP Consultant, Forensic Network received the 2014 Advancing Health Care Award for improving quality measuring and demonstrating impact. This award sponsored by the Scottish Government recognises the work undertaken by AHPs around employability, mental health and forensic mental health.

 

Unscheduled Care

 

For the first time AHP  Physiotherapists working as part of NHS 24 Unscheuled Care and are shifting the balance of care from Out of Hours Services towards Self Care

 

 

 

NHS Tayside Front Door (A&E and Admissions Units) AHP Team was successful in getting extra funded staffing resource to support weekend working in this area.

 

 

 

 

Patient Outcomes

 

 

NHS Fife physiotherapy staff from Whitefield Day Hospital, QMH, won the best poster at the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Scottish Board Conference

 

 

 

 

MSK Self Care Resources

 

 

MSK Zone has its half millionth page view

 

 

 

Vocational Rehab

 

 

Jean McQueen AHP Consultant in Vocational Rehabilitation was awarded a PhD following her study into Alcohol Brief Interventions within General Hospital. This formed a mixed methods study and was supported by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Public Health Division, Glasgow Centre for Population Health and the College of Occupational Therapists.

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTs in Dumfries and Galloway “Getting Ahead for Work” in partnership with Support in Mind Scotland, poster presentation at “Work as a Health Outcome” event.

 

 

 

AHP Apps

 

MSK App is updated and relaunched to include an MSK animation

 

 

 

 

‘Apps for AHPs’ poster won the prize for best NMAHP eHealth project at The British Computer Society Conference in September 2014. The project evaluated a trial of ipad usage by Physio’s, OT’s and Pharmacists from a number of community specialties within NHS Fife.

 

Falls

 

 

 

Up and About in Care Homes Project Celebrating Success with NHS Highland and NHS Dumfries & Galloway. The Up and About in Care Homes Project is an AHP lead project with the aim of reducing falls in care homes.

 

 

 

 

 

Scottish Dementia Awards

 

This year has been a real celebration for ‘Pocket Ideas…for a moment in time’ especially as our ‘Activity Team’ won an award at the Scottish Dementia Awards in the category ‘Best Acute Care Initiative’.

 

 

 

The  picture is of the team and left to right is Jean Knox (Technical Instructor), Gillian Agnew (Occupational Therapist), Andrea Boyd (Occupational Therapist), Elaine Tizzard (Technical Instructor) and Darrell Line (Technical Instructor). NHS Ayrshire and Arran.

 

 

 

Scottish Health Awards

 

Jennifer Taggart, an Advanced Practitioner Occupational Therapist from NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde was awarded Quality Champion 2014 at the Scottish Health Awards for her work on dementia training for health care support workers.

 

 

 

 

Best Community Initiative for OT Home Based Memory Rehabilitation program at the Scottish Dementia Awards 2014. NHS Dumfries & Galloway.

 

 

 

 

The multi disciplinary IDEAS Team won the Practice Excellence Award for Dementia and Best Practice of the Year at the Mental Health Nursing Awards 2014 and runner up for Best Education Initiative at the Scottish Dementia Awards 2014.NHS Dumfries & Galloway.

 

 

Mental Health

 

 

Christine Steel AHP Dementia Consultant and Sandra Shields Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Nurse Consultant  meet Ros Moore Chief Nursing Officer at their event to celebrate the success of dementia champions within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

 

 

December 2014 saw the official launch of three new publications for Allied Health Professionals in Scotland: Agents of Change; Living Well with Dementia; and Living Well with Community Support. Published by the Scottish Government and Alzheimer Scotland, these publications highlight the impressive work carried out by AHPs in delivering improvement for people living with dementia and those who care for them, as well as leading change in practice. Elaine Hunter. Further information on the publications here

 

 

Launch of Let’s Talk About Dementia Blog

 

 

 

 

AHP Mental Health Priorities

 

 

 

Seven Day Working

 

Some of the Golden Jubilee National Hospital Rehabilitation team celebrating winning a national award for seven day working

 

 

Appreciative Leadership

 

 

NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde  Forensic Directorate Occupational Therapists  Appreciative Leadership with Fiona MacNeill Associates.

 

 

Pulmonary Rehab

 

The new self care resources for Pulmonary Rehab on NHS inform A-Z [click here to access] have been live one year. There has been a   130% increase in traffic to the new information from 3291 page views in 2012-13 to 7560 in 2013-14.

 

 

Occupational Therapy

 

 

Angela Howard, Band 5 Occupational Therapist Mental Health Occupational Therapy Service, NHS Fife makes her first paper presentation at COT National Conference, Brighton, July 2014.

 

 

 

 

RGU Occupational Therapy in Washington DC. Stephanie Morrison  Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, Robert Gordon University Aberdeen, presented at the 113^th American Anthropological Association  in Washington DC  3^rd  December 2014 ‘Discipline Care and Punish? Anthropological  Approaches to Suffering and Well-Being Along the Carceral  Continuum’.  On her work at HMP Aberdeen  ‘Prisoners’ Narratives’ Re-crafting Lives of Dignity and Hope Through Occupations of Meaning and Purpose

 

An occupational perspective of health,’  for realising prisoners’ potential  to transform their lives and improve their health is now being delivered at HMP & YOI Grampian as the prison has a permanent half time occupational therapy post’

 

 

 

Chronic Pain

 

 

Paul Cameron, Clinical Team Lead Physiotherapist, NHS Fife wins award at National Pain Meeting for Physiotherapist Prescribing pilot work.

 

 

 

 

 

Sheena F McIntyre    Technical Instructor 3, NHS Fife, RIVERS Pain Programme proves to be a hit with patients

 

 

 

 

Dietetics

Thought the Dietitians Week and Trust a Dietitian Picture could be another wee plug for the blog? We could say how this year saw the BDA launch their new campaign “Trust a Dietitian” and the first ever Dietitian’s Week which generated international interest and support. It was also supported by AHP Scot Blog which featured 6 pieces/areas of work by dietitians working in Scotland. To read their blogs click here:

• Trust a Dietitian
• AHPs and Social Media
• At Last A Dietitian
• Do AHPs Find it Hard to Swallow?
• Raising Awareness of Dietitians Working in Eating Disorder Services in Scotland
• Cancer Prevention. Putting Evidence into Practice

 

 

Winter 2014 issue of MacVoice – A magazine for Macmillan professionals. This season the mazagine’s ‘In Focus’ section featured 3 pieces of work from across Scotland, all of which support the cancer rehabilitation theme. To read more click here

 

 

 

 

(From L to R) Dr Jacqui Morris AHP Research Lead, NHS Tayside, Shona Robison MSP Health Secretary, Mandy Trickett Macmillan Specialist Physiotherapist, NHS Tayside meet to discuss how NHS Tayside are working to improve equity and access to physical activity therapy in palliative care and celebrate their PAHA award. For more information on their work and the award click here or to read our previous AHP Scot Blog on the topic here:

 

And finally

AHPScot Blog

 

 

AHPScot Blog passes 10,000 views.

Here is to continued AHPScot successes in 2015

 

What’s in a blog? Lifting the Cloak of Invisibility

As AHPScotBlog moves past 10,000 views it is worthwhile to review blog #1 from Lesley Holdsworth and reflect on how far the blog has come in a relatively short time. Feel free to join us
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We’ve created this blog to allow Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) from all over Scotland to share their personal thoughts, views, news and invite comment and reactions from anyone with an interest!

Over the next few months, the AHPScot blog will post contributions from AHPs keen, willing and brave enough to share their own thoughts. We hope you will find this of interest.

So, who are ‘we’? ‘We’ are an eclectic group of AHPs, mainly (but not exclusively) in positions of leadership in Scotland keen to provide better patient care, to develop AHP practice and raise awareness of the contribution we make.

So who am I? My name is Lesley Holdsworth and I’m an AHP Director most recently based within NHS 24. My remit was to develop AHP practice through the use of a range of technologies, things like the telephone, the internet, TV etc. You can read more about the work I am involved in here .

So, why start a blog page for AHPs? I’d like to share my own experiences of using social media. Just last year, I had no experience or even much of an idea about social media, things like Twitter and blogs but knew that others were actively using it. What I also knew however was that we AHPs have a bit of a problem. We are pretty much invisible. Very few people are aware of the roles we play particularly in supporting and enabling people and that extends to the public, fellow colleagues in health and social care and those that set policy direction and determine services.  While chewing over this meaty issue with three like minded AHP leaders, we decided to explore whether social media could help. The question we were keen to find out was: Can social media raise the profile of the AHPs? Could it help?

So the four of us wiling guineas pigs, embarked on an experiment and Project Gandhi was borne. Basically this involved learning and using new social media skills –  a steeper learning curve for some than others! To read about our progress, what we did and the results achieved look here. The upshot is that we have seen what social media has to offer and are impressed. We were able to reach audiences previously unavailable to us, we have established new networks with patients, the public, colleagues from all over the world and those who have influence in healthcare, for example health ministers and key policy makers. Although a regular tweeter @lesleyahpd I am not the most prolific blogger in our small group by any means but do check out Lynne and Elaine for great examples of really interesting AHP blogs. Another great place to view Scottish blogs can be found at (Ayrshire WordPress) with whom we will be directly linking this blog page with into the future. Although not a frequent blogger, at the end of last year, after pen to paper at the end attending a meeting that really inspired me, I did feel compelled to write about that experience and what it meant for me. My blog was about what healthcare could learn from the police about their use of social media. Within one week of posting the blog, it had escalated through Twitter to more than 4,000 people and discussed widely throughout the UK, Europe and other worldwide countries.

That experience further convinced me of how powerful social media can be –  that we need to be using all avenues available to us to engage, share and learn. Twitter and blogs for example are great ways of providing us with a very real opportunity to raise our profile, sharing and engaging with wide ranging audiences

The series of blogs planned for the next few months look really exciting and I look forward to reading what you think, your views and your news. Help us lift the cloak of invisibility that hangs around AHPs!

So, what do you think?

Join us on Twitter! @AhpscotBlog

Here are a few other Scottish AHPs active on Twitter to get you started:

@lesleyahpd

@lynneahpd

@elaineahpmh

@sarahAHPRehab

@jacquiCHPO

@FraserAHP

@DebbieProvanRD

 

 

 

 

 

Move More Scotland

By Hazel Robinson, Macmillan Walking Development Officer @HazelMRobinson

 

We now know that being active during and after cancer treatment improves both physical and emotional cancer outcomes and reduces isolation. However, we also know that many people with a diagnosis of cancer lack the confidence to exercise and are nervous about building up their activity levels. We are also aware that a lack of suitable activities in local areas prevents people from getting out and moving more.

Macmillan Cancer Support has developed Move More Scotland to provide practical support and help to those affected by cancer so they can remain active throughout their cancer treatment, and afterwards.

To ensure there is something for everyone, there are four programmes to choose from, all of which have been designed specifically for people affected by cancer.

Gentle Exercise Classes

A form of adapted Chi Gung, an ancient Chinese practice of aligning breathing, physical activity and mental and spiritual awareness, and can be done as a seated exercise so it is accessible for people of all ages and abilities.

 

Walking groups

Low level, short, sociable walks led by trained volunteers which provide a supportive and friendly environment to become more active. Delivered in partnership with Paths for all.

 

 

Circuit Classes

Group based circuit classes delivered by Level 4 trained fitness instructors with specialist cancer and exercise training.

 

 

Community Gardens

Based within the community, they provide an opportunity for low level activity through participation in gardening.

 

 

 

 

All programmes are led or supported by volunteers and there has been a huge amount of support of the Move More Scotland programme from external organisations. Working in partnership with local authorities has allowed us to deliver Move More within local community libraries and leisure venues. This has helped to deliver the programmes in an environment which is community based, trusted, and non-judgemental and ensures that the classes and groups are accessible and welcoming to all – some can even be attended by carers and family or friends.

We are already delivering programmes in Glasgow, Dundee and Fife, with Aberdeen and Edinburgh soon to follow.

For more information please contact mgreer@macmillan.org.uk.

From small seeds great ideas grow…’Pocket Ideas’ the story so far!

By Andrea Boyd @AndreaBoydAHPMH
Occupational Therapist and Project Lead (NHS Ayrshire and Arran)

In July 2013, I started a new seconded post with my colleague Gillian Agnew (Occupational Therapist). Our post was split between a new community rehabilitation development team and a slow stream rehabilitation ward for older people. The ward environment was something I did feel anxious about, having not been in an acute setting for more than 12 years. So donning the uniform the adventure began!

It was during my ward experience that the idea of ‘Pocket Ideas’ came to mind. As I’m also an ‘Activity Trainer’, I really wanted to consider a way of involving meaningful activity as part of the rehabilitation process, as the main source of stimulation in the ward was the television.

Our ‘Activity Team’ was formed on 1/8/13 comprising of the following team members; Jean Knox (Technical Instructor), Elaine Tizzard (Technical Instructor), Darrell Line (Technical Instructor), Gillian Agnew (OT) and myself. As a team we wanted to consider how to involve staff on the ward in using meaningful activity without increasing current workloads.

From left to right; Jean Knox, Gillian Agnew, Andrea Boyd, Elaine Tizzard and Darrell Line

The concept of ‘Pocket Ideas’ was a really simple idea. A book prepared with ideas to start a conversation, and prompts for discussion which may take no more than 5 minutes. These conversations can take place whilst working with an individual in the ward, as the book is very portable, or in a group situation.

We are a fantastic team, and with all our creative minds together ‘Pocket Ideas…for a moment in time’ not only was an idea, but very soon became a reality. We involved ward staff in meetings, so that they could contribute their own ideas. The philosophy of the book reinforces how passionate our ‘Activity Team’ is about the project, and that is; “Every moment we have to offer older people in meaningful experiences is valuable, and essential in our professional practice. It promotes increased self-esteem, reduces risk of low mood, and empowers people to achieve their own person centred goals.” (Pocket Ideas, 2013)

By December 2013 our prototype was developed with the help of Stephen Palmer (Medical Photography). Our ‘Activity Team’ developed a simple evaluation tool for staff to use, so that relevant feedback could be documented. The pilot was successfully completed in January 2014. The ward sister and ward staff really supported our idea, as did our Occupational Therapy service leads.

The results of our pilot was overwhelmingly positive, and it highlighted that no additional time was required to use ‘Pocket Ideas’, it demonstrated positive interactions between staff and patients, promoted person centred care, encouraged meaningful experiences and enhanced the quality of life in the ward environment.

Some of the quotes gained from the evaluation included;

“Thank you for sitting with me…we talked, laughed and remembered things…and that felt good.” (Patient)

“At first I thought it wouldn’t work, but it does…it’s so simple, everyone is using it, and so many conversations have started, and staff have really bonded…please don’t take it away.” (Ward sister)

“Everyone gets involved and everyone gets talking.” (Nursing Assistant)

During this incredible journey our ‘Activity Team’ has been supported by the Art Co-ordinators for the new hospital at the Ayrshire Central site, Irvine. Inspired by the project they have given priority to assist with further development of the project, and plan to raise £10,000 to support this.

Since these initial meetings, an endowment bid has also been successful within Ayrshire and Arran NHS. This will allow the prototype of our project to be professionally printed, to plan an official launch, and so that I can be ‘project lead’ for the next 6 months without any clinical commitments.

The ‘icing on the cake’ for our ‘Activity Team’, was being notified that we were finalists at the Scottish Dementia Awards 2014. On 25th September we all arrived at the Marriott Hotel in Glasgow for the Awards Ceremony. When our category was announced, it was a tense moment, and I was almost afraid to look! It was then announced that our project had won ‘Best Acute Care Initiative’, and we just couldn’t believe it! What an amazing moment!

Our team are so proud of our award, and it will stand us in good stead as our journey continues. We have had so much support from Kerry Gilligan (OT manager), OT Principles, Board members and many staff across Ayrshire and Arran. I know that I speak on behalf of the ‘Activity Team’ in thanking everyone who has not only supported us, but embraced our ideas.

The experience we have gained has shown us that from ‘little seeds great ideas grow’, and that sometimes we just have to believe in our ideas, nurture them and watch them grow into great possibilities. I would encourage anyone to embrace their positive ideas, and make it happen!

To finish I have one final thought for us all to keep in mind when we think of a ‘moment in time’;

(Jean Knox, 2013)

Watch out for our launch next Spring to get the opportunity to see our final ‘Pocket Ideas’ tool, and hear about lots of other great work taking place across Ayrshire.

Ice Bucket Challenge

Ice bucket challenge # IBC behaviour change

By Joanna Teece Dietitian NHS Fife

The Ice Bucket Challenge. Did you do it? What a great way to raise awareness of life limiting conditions such as motor neurone disease and cancer.

As a Dietitian previously working in an Oncology Centre and then within Community Nutrition Support Teams, I have first hand experience of the impacts of these conditions and seeing the difference dietetic advice can make. So what’s this got to do with the ice bucket challenge?

Well it got me thinking. I now work in Weight Management. Obesity is another life limiting condition and watching my Facebook feed churn out Ice Bucket Challenge, after Ice Bucket challenge you soon see we are all shapes and sizes. Oh and it’s best not to wear a white t-shirt!!

I could see the analogy between doing the challenge and maybe coming along to a Dietetic clinic or group for the first time. Once I’d been nominated, there was the initial excitement, then the fear, then the dilemma of what to wear. First impressions count. Then how long would it take to tip the water over, how cold would it be, would I scream, laugh or cry. Who would I nominate?

As I sit waiting for my group, I wonder if they have had similar thoughts. Excitement that they have a place within a weight management group, fear that they may not lose weight, the dilemma of what to wear, whether they will fit in. How long will the session last? Will they have to talk? What if they get emotional during the session?

As a Dietitian we are experts in behaviour change and a key part to a successful group or clinic consultation is setting the scene and making our patients feel comfortable and listened too.

Like the Ice Bucket Challenge we often only have a short burst of time to do it right. In a clinic it may be as little as 15 or 30 minutes to make the right impression, listen, assess, diagnose, treat, set outcomes and motivate to make changes. It’s no wonder after a busy clinic, I feel drained yet exhilarated and rather like the Ice Bucket Challenge once I’ve had a hot cup of tea, ready to do it all over again.