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Staff & Recruitment

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde employees can self refer to the Occupational Health Physiotherapy Service for treatment & advice using a self-referral form (Please save the form to your computer). 

Who can access the service

Employees who are:

  • Are absent from work due to a musculoskeletal problem.
  • Are at risk from going off work due to a new or work affected musculoskeletal problem.
  • Have sustained a musculoskeletal injury following an injury or accident at work.
  • Require ergonomic workplace equipment.
Aims & Features of the Service
  • Quicker access to physiotherapy for those absent from work or who have sustained an injury at work.
  • Give advice and reassurance to reduce the need for sickness absence.
  • This is a musculoskeletal service, you may be signposted to more appropriate specialties.
  • Encourage health promotion and good working practices among NHS Greater Glasgow and  Clyde employees.
  • Treatment available at our main hub at the West Glasgow ACH & at satellite clinics at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow Royal Infirmary.
  • Physiotherapy Service Leaflet 
Self Referral

Please fully complete the self-referral form. Forms which are not fully completed, will be returned and no further action will be taken. 

How to return the form

Posting the form to:

Occupational Health Service
6th Floor
West Glasgow ACH
Dalnair Street
Glasgow
G3 8SJ

Further Guidance on completing the referral form and the referral process can be found in the self referral information leaflet.

If you are suffering from a pregnancy related musculoskeletal condition, then you can self-refer to your local maternity service.

NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Podiatry Service

You can self refer to the Podiatry Service on 0141 347 8909. This line is available Monday to Friday 8.00am – 8.00pm and on Saturdays from 9.00am – 1.00pm.

Alternatively you can email AHP.Appointments@ggc.scot.nhs.uk 

Workplace Assessment

If you are requiring a workplace assessment or equipment, please complete the Display Screen equipment (DSE) risk assessment form & the workplace assessment form.

DSE Form
Workplace Assessment Form

Video Guides

Setting up a chair video
setting up a desk video

You can return the forms by:

  • Emailing them back to Occupational Health at OccHealth@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
  • Posting to the Occupational Health Department at the address below:

Occupational Health Service
6th Floor
West Glasgow ACH
Dalnair Street
Glasgow
G3 8SJ

Resources
Moving & Handling Service
NHS Inform Musculoskeletal Zone
Attend Anywhere Leaflet
Workstation Exercises
Laptop Helpful Hints
Home Working Guidance

First aid should be carried out immediately after any needlestick injury or similar injury.

Needlestick and similar injury policy

If you need to report an incident or require advice, please contact Occupational Health on 0141 201 0595.

The line is open Monday to Friday 8.00 am  to 5.00pm.

Any incidents that occur out with these times should be reported to your local Emergency Department. Please ensure that you then report your injury to Occupational Health on the next working day.

Quick Reference Guide

Source Patient Risk Assessments

Please ensure source patient risk assessments are completed as per the policy.

Appendix 1 Source Patient Risk Assessment
Appendix 2 Source Patient Risk Assessment

Additional Resources

Generic request for Storage Bloods
Public Health Guideline – Occupational and Non-Occupational Exposures to Bloodborne Viruses

The NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Occupational Health Service provides a wide range of services to staff including:

What we do?

  • The Occupational Health Service will provide specialist advice to support your health and wellbeing in the workplace.
  • The service will proactively work to improve the health & wellbeing of the workforce with a key focus on Healthy Working Lives and supporting the wider NHS agenda of the improvement of health & wellbeing in the community.

 We have Safe Effective Quality Occupational Health Service (SEQOHS) Accreditation.

SEQOHS Accreditation Certificate

Who are we?

The service is a multi-disciplinary team consisting of Specialist Occupational Health Nurses, Registered Nurses, Occupational Health Physicians, Physiotherapists, Counsellors, Psychologists and administration staff.

  • Service Manager: John Somerville
  • Lead Nurse: Helen Downie
  • Lead Physiotherapist: Richard Farquhar 
  • Administration Manager: Lindsay Green
  • Nurse Team Leads: Gillian Gordon and Kevin Young
  • Mental Health Nurse Team Lead: Steven Reid
  • Consultant Clinical Psychologist: Paul McKenzie

General Data Protection Regulation(GDPR) Information

  • NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde (NHSGGC) is a public organisation created in Scotland under section 1 of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 (the 1978 Act). It is one of the organisations which form part of NHS Scotland (NHSS).
  • NHSGGC is the data controller of the personal data it processes for the purpose of the Data Protection Act 2018 along with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and is registered as a data controller with the Information Commissioner under Notification No Z8522787.

For advice or an appointment, please contact our hub:

Occupational Health
6th Floor
West Glasgow ACH
Dalnair Street
Glasgow, G3 8SJ

Call: 0141 201 0600

email: occhealth@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

Attend Anywhere Appointments

If you have an appointment already arranged via Attend Anywhere (Near Me) software, then you can access the virtual waiting area

We suggest using the link a few minutes before your appointment time. Please note that you must use Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome or an Apple Safari internet browser.

Getting to West Glasgow ACH

Location of West Glasgow Ambulatory Care Hospital

map West Glasgow ACH.png

Parking Facilities at the West Glasgow Ambulatory Care Hospital

parking map West Glasgow ACH.png

Clinic Locations

Appointments will be available within the hub daily and on set days at the following locations:

  • Inverclyde Royal Hospital
  • Queen Elizabeth University Hospital

Disabled Access

NHSGGC is a double tick positive employer and our service is fully accessible to those with Disability. All of our clinics are carried out on NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde hospital sites and as such have disabled acces and toilet facilities if required. Our main hub at the West Glasgow ACH is on the 6th floor but lifts are available and many of our appointments can be carried out over the telephone or using Attend Anywhere video consultation if required. 

Should you have any questions or concerns regarding accessing our service, please contact us on 0141 201 0600 or email

The NHSGGC Biorepository is an invaluable resource for clinical research, providing access to a wide range of human tissue samples including surplus materials from diagnostic and surgical procedures.  We can also provide access, with appropriate governance in place, to pathology archive specimens.

Through close collaboration with all clinical departments we source fully-consented surplus tissue and other materials in order to fulfil the need for these in studies requiring human tissue.

Each anonymised sample is associated with a limited set of clinical and demographic data held by the Biorepository.  If necessary the scope of these data can be expanded upon through our close collaboration with the NHSGGC Safe Haven.

As part of the NRS Biorepository network we provide streamlined access to anonymised samples and associated data Scotland-wide.

For Researchers

The NHSGGC Biorepository, as part of the NRS Biorepository Network, aims to provide researchers with efficient access to a wide range of high-quality and well-characterised tissue for use in research. You can download our latest user manual here (pdf).

We are independently accredited to oversee governance on collection, storage and release of biological materials obtained from informed, consenting patients for use in medical research.

A streamlined pathway supports researchers in obtaining tissue samples and discussing the design and costing of projects across a range of clinical specialties:

  • Autoimmune & Inflammation
  • Hepatology
  • Oral & Dental
  • Cancer
  • Mental Health Studies
  • Orthopaedics
  • Cardiovascular
  • Metabolic & Endocrine
  • Paediatrics
  • Dermatology
  • Microbiology
  • Regenerative Medicine
  • Diabetes
  • Musculoskeletal
  • Renal
  • Gastroenterology
  • Neurology
  • Reproductive Health
  • Haematology
  • Opthalmology
  • Respiratory

It is important that you contact us as soon as possible at the start of your research discussions to ensure that we can assist you with your requirements and deliver on time for your needs.

Click here to access the application website or find our contact information below.

Complaints Procedure

We endeavour to provide a good service. Our complaints policy and procedure reflects NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s commitment to welcoming all forms of feedback, including complaints, and using them to improve services, to address complaints in a person-centred way and to respect the rights of patients, families and staff involved. It will support our staff to resolve complaints and to conduct thorough and fair investigations so that we can make compassionate, yet evidence-based decisions, on the facts of the case.

Should you have any comments, suggestions, cause for concern or complaints about the service you receive from the Biorepository, please contact the Biorepository Manager.

For Patients

Why do researchers need access to my surplus tissue?

First, it is important for you to know that when we talk about surplus tissue we mean anything that is left over from your routine medical care – no extra procedures are ever involved in obtaining ‘surplus tissue’.

Doctors and scientists need human tissue for medical research. Research is any activity that aims to discover new facts about a disease. It includes things like looking down a microscope and analysing proteins, DNA and other molecules in the tissue.

The tissue you donate may be used in all these aspects of research. In addition your tissue may be used in research with animals to model disease processes and in the creation of cell lines where your cells could be grown and cared for in a laboratory for multiple experiments possibly over months and years.

If samples are collected at different stages of a disease, it helps to understand how a disease or problem starts or develops. Researchers can try out different drugs and tests on the tissue. They may find new medicines or treatments. They may also find new ways of diagnosing a disease earlier.

It is important to highlight to you that any research that uses this tissue will conform to strict UK guidelines and regulations.

How can I get involved in research/clinical trials?

The research on your tissue will normally have nothing to do with your own care or treatment.  However, if any information might be of use in your current care or treatment, the doctors looking after you may discuss with you how it could be used to guide your treatment. This may include inviting you to join a medical research trial of new treatments. You would be provided with full information of any new treatments and free to decide whether or not to take part.

How does the Biorepository get consent to use my tissue?

When you come into hospital or attend a clinic you will be asked if you agree to let your surplus tissue to be used for medical research. Your wishes will be recorded electronically. In some cases, this may involve surplus tissue taken earlier in your care.

Can I change my mind?

You can change your mind at any time. You don’t need to give a reason.  However, if you change your mind after your operation, some of your tissue may already have been used for research.

How do I find more?

If you need more information you can ask your doctor or nurse, or find our contact information below.

Complaints Procedure

We endeavour to provide a good service. Our complaints policy and procedure reflects NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s commitment to welcoming all forms of feedback, including complaints, and using them to improve services, to address complaints in a person-centred way and to respect the rights of patients, families and staff involved. It will support our staff to resolve complaints and to conduct thorough and fair investigations so that we can make compassionate, yet evidence-based decisions, on the facts of the case.

Should you have any comments, suggestions, cause for concern or complaints about the service you receive from the Biorepository, please contact the Biorepository Manager.

Contact Us

In the first instance please contact:

Managers

Address

NHSGGC Biorepository
Level 3, Laboratory Medicine Building
Queen Elizabeth University Hospital
1345 Govan Road
Glasgow, G51 4TF

Useful Links
Visit Patient Experience and Public Involvement (PEPI)
Visit our Living Library
Give feedback on our Digital on Demand Strategy
Digital on Demand
Digital Engagement Hub
Living Library
Recruitment

WE HAVE MOVED HOME! This page is no longer updated, please visit the new Sharepoint Community Nursing Webpage.

To access the New Community Webpage simply CLICK HERE

PUP Policy Information Session

please click below to access the presentation

Click the icon to download the presentation to your laptopDownload

News

React to Red

We have launched a new initiative for all of our District Nursing staff to React to RED.  What this means is that if you see any of the following, you should report this immediately to your Nurse Team Leader (NTL): 

  • Grade 1 Pressure Damage
  • Red / Discoloured skin (especially around boney prominences)
  • Moisture Damage (or concerns)
  • Any patients with vulnerable areas of skin you feel are of concern

What your NTL will then do is have a discussion with the DN Caseload holder, and take a look at current care plans and actions, and make suggestions on additional measures that should be put in place or considered. 

The aim is to have a Multidisciplinary approach to patient care, reduce any unintentional patient harm, distress or stress.  

Remember – preventing pressure ulcers is everyone’s business Let’s all work together to improve patient care!

Preventing and Managing Skin Damage Cause by Pressure and Moisture

New Presentations now available to our Pressure Ulcer Prevention awareness session

Introduction to PUP session
PUP Policy overview
Role of TVN – PUP
Role of Podiatry – PUP
Record Keeping – PUP/CNIS
Induction for Community Nurses – PUP
Datix – Reporter role PUP
Completing Red Day Review Tool

Important assessment information for first visits to a Community Patient

At first you must do the following:

  • SKIN CHECK – At first visit patients skin must be observed and assessment documented in notes.
  • Assessment – Nursing assessment to be completed including condition of skin and level of risk and Pain.
  • Waterlow – Must be completed on first visit and again as patient condition changes
  • SSKINS – To be commenced if Waterlow is 10 or above (Good Practice can be to do SSKINS for all patients with exception on once only visits.)You will need to be explicit in your skin checking instructions i.e. document who will be observing the skin and how often. Examples – the nurse will check at each visit, or weekly, or carers will check daily and report to DN.
  • Skin Care plan – commenced if nursing need identified. Clearly document planned wound care including frequency of planned visits. Patient Pressure Ulcer prevention leaflet –Verbal instructions as well as written instructions to be provided to patients at risk. This must be documented on the SSKINS (Good prevention to provide all patients with leaflet.)

Further Information

Pressure Ulcer Prevention Policy
TVN Partnership – Staffnet Link
Positively Podiatry Referral
Wound Care Formulary
Pressure Ulcer flowchart
Tissue Viability – Referral
Top ten Tools
Datix Red versus Orange Day
HIS Pressure Ulcer Standards
TVN Presentation – PU, Osteomyelitis and
infected Wounds
Resources for the management of infected chronic wounds
Pressure redistributing boots in the community guidance
Guidance for community staff reviewing skin care for patients
on DN caseloads
New Red Day Review Tool

Use link below to access the new Red Day Review Tool (RDRT).

New Red Day Review Tool
Annual Competency

Please access the Annual competency tool here. This tool must be completed with support form your line manager. Once completed supplied copy to your Nurse Team Leader as this must be retained. This should be completed every year to maintain your competency in Pressure ulcer Prevention

Pressure Ulcer and moisture Lesion Competency Assessment

To support your learning please use the TVN link below for their voiced over presentation.

TVN – Voiced over presentation Pressure Ulcer and Moisture Lesion annual competency
LearnPro Module – Pressure Ulcer Prevention
LearnPro Login

GGC:080 Prevention of Pressure Ulcers

2 modules

  • Understanding Pressure Ulcer
  • Prevention and Management of Pressure Ulcer
Podiatry Resources

The Medical Education Team is dedicated to supporting doctors in training to stay happy and healthy at work and at home. Within this section of the website you will find information relating to different services, clubs and external organisations that operate in and around our NHSGGC Hospital sites.

Concerns & Feedback

If you have a concern about Patient Safety:

  • Discuss immediately with supervising consultant
  • Datix
  • Discuss with educational supervisor
  • Discuss with clinical director/line manager
  • If you have health or personal circumstances which you feel affect your ability to perform your job and there is a potential effect on either your personal safety or patient safety then you must discuss this with your clinical or educational supervisor immediately or if they are not available another consultant within the unit. The Clinical Director responsible for the department will be informed as part of this process.

If you have concerns about your training:

  • Discuss with your clinical supervisor
  • Make an appointment to discuss with your educational supervisor
  • Make an appointment to meet with Foundation Programme Director or Training Programme Director
  • Discuss with your sector ADME (see the meet the team (link) page for details)

Useful links:

Additional NHSGGC Health and Wellbeing Resources

Staff Relaxation & Recuperation (R&R) Hubs Space for staff to relax and recuperate away from their clinical work environments. The hubs are designed to offer Café space for eating & drinking and quiet space for reflection/relaxation. They are accessible 24/7 and are open to all members of staff.
 Acute Psychology Staff Support Service (APSSS)  Designed for hospital-based staff wishing to access psychological first aid as a result of their challenging work circumstances. Offering 30 minutes individual sessions that can be arranged using ‘Attend Anywhere’ technology via the COVID-19 Acute Care Line. The service also offers group/team wellbeing & resilience sessions that can be booked via application form with General Manager support 0141 277 7623 Weekdays: Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm 
COVID-19 Staff Support Line Confidential Support line staffed by clinical psychologists and psychological therapists available for all staff  The service offers emotional and psychological support developed to respond to the emotional needs that staff may have at this time.  0141 303 8968 Weekdays: Monday – Friday, 8am-6pm  www.nhsggc.org.uk/covid19/staffsupport 
Occupational Health Counselling Services Listening ear service – Providing support for staff that have queries about their physical and mental health in relation to their fitness to work  0141 201 0600 Weekdays: Monday – Friday, 8am – 6pm  
Spiritual Care Service Chaplaincy service now offer a 7 day telephone service for patients, relatives and staff 0141 887 9111 Weekdays: Monday – Friday, 9am – 10pm Most Chapels and Sanctuaries will remain open as normal and these spaces are available for everyone to use. Staff Listening Service is open to all staff and offer person centred, confidential, non-discriminatory sessions with a trained listener 0141 201 1100 Weekdays & Weekends 9am – 10pm 
HR Connect Staff Self Help: https://www.nhsggc.org.uk/working-with-us/hr-connect/self-help-for-staff/ Useful Guides: https://www.nhsggc.org.uk/working-with-us/hr-connect/staff-self-help-mh-quick-guides/ HR Support & Advice Unit: 0141 278 2700;  hr.support@ggc.scot.nhs.uk 
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction  (MBSR) Existing MBSR services are now available online, drop-in sessions are delivered by experienced mindfulness tutors using the Mindfulness Scotland Zoom account  
BME Staff Network The BME Network provide a safe, supportive and confidential forum for sharing experiences. BME Staff Network – NHSGGC If you would like to join our forum please contact: ggc.bmestaffnetwork@nhs.scot  
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion  GGC information on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policies, forums, data and further contact details. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion – NHSGGC  NHSGGC – Equalities in Health 

What is Peer Support?

Peer Support is now available for all NHS and Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) staff across Greater Glasgow and Clyde as a way to support our colleagues. We know that when people feel supported and heard, this has a positive impact on their wellbeing and resilience. It can help to provide a space for someone to make sense of their recent experiences, which can give them a sense of control and help them feel capable of managing difficult situations. It is a supportive and flexible response, which acknowledges and understands that stress and experiencing struggles at times, is a normal part of life.

To find out more, download the What is Peer Support? Information Leaflet for Staff – NHSGGC

A Peer Support Framework

A Peer Support Framework for all health and social care staff working in the NHSGGC Board area was approved by the Board Strategic Executive Group. On the basis of the principles, conceptual framework, structure and governance arrangements outlined in the framework, the development of a Peer Support Network (PSN) was commissioned and developed by the Board Mental Health and Wellbeing Group with funding from NHS Charities Together.

Aims of the Peer Support Network
  1. To develop a Board-wide peer support service with clear pathways between the various levels of staff support interventions.
  2. To implement a model of peer support available to every member of health and social care staff.
  3. To embed within services dedicated peer support trainers to cascade knowledge and skills throughout services through establishing and supporting Wellbeing Champions in all teams.
  4. To ensure that recognition of the benefits of peer support is at the heart of all health and social care operations.

Peer Support in the Workplace: The National Wellbeing Hub

Watch these eight short videos below of NHSGGC’s Principal Health Psychologist in Occupational Health, Heather Connolly, discussing her experiences of implementing a Peer Support programme across NHSGGC and the HSCPs.

Peer Support in the Workplace:
Putting Theory into Practice
The National
Wellbeing Hub

What does Peer Support look like?

Have a look at what a peer support conversation might look like:

Scenario 1: Yvonne opens up to Peer Supporter, Simon, about feeling overwhelmed by caring for her unwell mother-in-law while parenting her young children and working.
Scenario 2: John speaks to Peer Supporter, Liz, about how the end of his long term relationship with his partner has taken a negative toll of his mental wellbeing.

The Peer Support model contains a range of interventions and the intensity of the intervention determines the role and required level of training, beyond the foundation level for all staff to access.

The Models of Peer Support

Across NHSGGC and our HSCPs, our Peer Supporters have been trained via one of the following models, which form the conceptual basis and foundation of Peer Support:

1. The Psychological First Aid Model

Psychological First Aid (PFA) is concerned with reinforcing seven basic coping strategies by:

  • Caring for immediate needs
  • Protecting from risk
  • Comforting others
  • Supporting
  • Providing information on coping
  • Connecting others with social support
  • Educating about normal responses

Taking good care of yourself is at the centre of the PFA model.

To find out more about Psychological First Aid, watch Principal Health Psychologist, Heather Connolly’s ‘Let’s talk about… Psychological First Aid’ webinar:

2. The SAFER Model

Several Peer Supporters within medical have been trained via the SAFER model. This is a Peer Support tool used within Critical Incident Stress Management to help structure a 1:1 supportive episode with a peer. It is a specific model of PFA that helps direct the conversation with an individual in crisis or needing support.

SAFER stands for:

  • Stabilize (introduction; meet basic needs; mitigate acute stressors)
  • Acknowledge the crisis (event, reactions)
  • Facilitate understanding (normalization)
  • Encourage effective coping (mechanisms of action)
  • Recovery or Referral (facilitate access to continued care)

Citation: The SAFER-R Model, Psychological Crisis Intervention, George S. Everly, Jr., PhD, ABPP, CCISM, Jeffrey T. Mitchell, PhD, CCISM, 2017

It is important to note that neither models are counselling or therapy models nor substitutes for them but they are both designed to help support our peers. Whichever model you are trained through, you will be a fully trained Peer Supporter by the end of the session.

Peer Support: Levels of Support (1-3)

All three levels of support, knowledge and skills for Peer Support are built on the NHSGGC Staff Peer Support Competence Framework.

Level 1: Looking after Yourself and Others

This is a short online eLearning module and is available on digital platforms in health and social care and is designed to support all staff in Health and Social Care.

The module title is: Looking after Yourself and Others, which outlines:

  • Understand what a normal response to stress is
  • Understand the basic elements of Psychological First Aid
  • Wellbeing – Learn how to care for Ourselves
  • Peer Support – How to support our Colleagues

    Links to digital platforms are:
  • NHS staff available on NHSGGC LearnPro, search ‘GGC 277’
  • HSCP staff link to local authority online learning platform (module is called: Introduction to Psychological Wellbeing and Peer Support).

Live Sessions

Alternatively, you can view this content via live online or face-to-face 45-minute sessions, which have received excellent feedback. Upcoming MS Teams online sessions are listed below and are available for all NHSGGC and HSCP to book and attend:

Please bring the Looking after Yourself and Others Worksheet to this session as you will be completing it during the webinar.

DateTimeJoin here
Tuesday 19th March 20245:00-6:00pmBook here
Wednesday 3rd April 202410:00-10:45Book here
Thursday 18th April 202414:00-14:45Book here
Friday 10th May 202413:00-13:45Book here
Monday 20th May 202415:00-15:45Book here
Saturday 8th June 202411:00-11:45Book here
Tuesday 18th June 202416:00-16:45Book here
Friday 5th July 202411:00-11:45Book here
Thursday 25th July 202417:00-17:45Book here
Tuesday 6th August 202412:00-12:45Book here
Saturday 31st August 202410:00-10:45Book here
Wednesday 4th September 202416:00-16:45Book here
Friday 20th September 202410:00-10:45Book here
Tuesday 1st October 202408:00-08:45Book here
Thursday 17th October 202417:00-17:45Book here
Monday 4th November 202415:00-15:45Book here
Wednesday 20th November 202412:00-12:45Book here
Tuesday 3rd December 202416:00-16:45Book here
Friday 13th December 202410:00-10:45Book here
Upcoming ‘Looking after Yourself and Others’ online sessions March-December 2024.

Feedback from staff has been very positive:

  • “It was a fantastic course”
  • “I felt the coping strategies were very helpful to know.”
  • “The module has lots of helpful information laid out in an easy to follow style.”
  • “This is pitched so well for people who have little or no prior training in Mental Health”
Level 2: Peer Support – Becoming a Peer Supporter

This is available now and provides a full one-day in-person training session for colleagues to become a Peer Supporter. This has been designed by and is delivered by the NHSGGC Peer Support Service. Peer Supporters will have enough experience to meet the needs of their team/peers, and that the role is appropriate to their grading and level of seniority within a team.

It is essential that staff being considered for Peer Supporter roles are supported by their immediate line manager and the senior manager for their service to ensure they have allocated time to provide this support.

Become a Peer Supporter

Upcoming Peer Support training courses are promoted on Core Brief, StaffNet and email distribution lists. To join our email distribution list, contact peer.support@ggc.scot.nhs.uk to ensure you receive upcoming training opportunities.

Upcoming Peer Support (Level 2) Training Dates

Training dates are now available for colleagues who wish to explore the role and requirements of a Peer Supporter and have the support of their line manager to implement peer support in their local team. This course is one full day face-to-face (9:30am-4:30pm).

Delegates should note the following prerequisites for completion before the training day:

  1. Delegates to complete the online module ‘Looking after Yourself and Others’ (NHSGGC staff). The module is packed with essential hints and tips on how to look after your wellbeing and the wellbeing of others. It is available for staff directly employed by NHSGGC on Learnpro, module GCC 277 and for staff directly employed by the HSCPs social care staff, on their Local Authority learning platforms. or ‘Introduction to Psychological Wellbeing and Peer Support’ (Local Authority Staff)
  2. Delegates to discuss with their line manager aims for Peer Support and staff wellbeing in their team and / or service. Post course, delegates will be asked to agree with their line manager an action plan to implement local Peer Support and identify the time and resources to do this.
  3. It is important to consider your own wellbeing before thinking about supporting others. Please consider whether you are in the position to support your colleagues before you attend this training to become a Peer Supporter.
  • 05/03/2024 – Stobhill ACH, Rooms 4 and 5 Book Here
  • 30/04/2024 – Stobhill ACH, Seminar Room 6 Book here
  • 16/05/2024 – Royal Alexandra Hospital, Classroom 3, Book here
  • 28/05/2024 – Stobhill ACH Seminar Room 6 Book here
  • 12/06/2024 – New Victoria ACH, Level 2, 16B, Book here
  • 27/06/2024 – Gartnavel GGH Lecture Theatre, Book here
  • 09/07/2024 – Vale of Leven, Meeting Room 1, Book here
  • 25/07/2024 – Gartnavel GGH Lecture Theatre, Book here

Please note: this training is for staff directly employed by NHSGGC and/or one of the six HSCPs only.

Before you book, please also note the following:

  • Please only book yourself onto one training course (including only one waiting list). If you book yourself on to more than one, you will be removed from the attendance lists to ensure all colleagues have a fair and equal chance of attending this training.
  • Peer Support training is in extremely high demand with long waiting lists of colleagues wishing to become Peer Supporters. We kindly ask you to please cancel your space on this course if you can no long attend.
  • Your immediate line managers must approve your attendance on this training course. Please highlight to your manager that following your training, there is an ongoing expectation to dedicate approximately 1 hour a month to developing your skills as a Peer Supporter.
  • If line managers request more information on what Peer Support is and the evidence-based benefits on having a Peer Supporter in the team, please contact peer.support@ggc.scot.nhs.uk.

The Peer Support Journey

See the Peer Support Journey for more information on how to become a Peer Supporter or if you are interested in having a Peer Supporter in your team:

The Peer Support Journey

Who are the Peer Supporters?

Various staff across NHSGGC and Health and Social Care Partnerships are currently being trained to become Peer Supporters. Each Peer Supporter has completed training and has the knowledge and skills needed to offer peer support to their team and colleagues. So far, we have almost 500 trained Peer Supporters across NHSGGC and the HSCPs and this figure is growing rapidly.

Meet some of our Peer Supporters:

Donald Macphail and Katherine Malloch

Katherine (right) is an Education Co-ordinator, Senior Charge Nurse in Adult Theatres at the QEUH and is available to provide Peer Support to colleagues who would like to talk openly about their feelings and worries in a welcoming, non-judgemental and confidential space.

Donald (left) is a Controlled Drug Inspector based at Clarkston Court Clinic Glasgow South. He is able to provide Peer Support in person or virtually in a safe, confidential, non-judgemental environment in which staff may wish to share experiences. His endeavour is to support, listen and provide space for staff to make sense of their experiences.

Lisa Conway

Lisa is a Lead Medical Administrator based at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary and is available to provide Peer Support to members of staff who feel they need support. This is a supported non-judgmental conversation.

Keep an eye out for our Peer Supporters wearing identifiable lanyards and/or badges with the Peer Support logo.

Where are the Peer Supporters?

Each service may offer a different form of peer support to best meet the needs of their staff, area or department. You will be able to spot the peer supporters as they will be wearing their lanyards or badges.

In certain teams it would be desirable to have more than one Peer Supporter to ensure an appropriate mix of peer support available. At present, we have trained peer supporters in the following sites:

  • Glasgow Royal Infirmary
  • Queen Elizabeth University Hospital
  • West Glasgow ACH (Yorkhill Hospital)
  • Stobhill Hospital
  • Gartnavel (General and Royal) Hospital
  • Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre
  • Royal Hospital for Children
  • Royal Alexandra Hospital
  • Kirkintilloch Health and Care Centre
  • Shettleston Health Centre
  • Renfrew Health and Social Work Centre
  • Pollokshaws Clinic
  • Pollok Health Centre
  • New Victoria Hospital
  • Mile End Mill
  • Lightburn Hospital
  • Leverndale Hospital
  • Inverclyde Royal Hospital
  • Greenock Health Centre
  • Govan Police Station
  • Esteem North
  • Eastwood Health and Care Centre
  • Eastbank Conference and Training Centre
  • Central Decontamination Unit
  • Aranthrue Centre (Renfrew)
  • And more….

We also have remote working Peer Supporters who can offer peer support while you work from home to best suit your needs.

Supporting information for Peer Supporter candidates:

NHSGGC Peer Support Competency Framework
Level 2 Peer Supporter Information Pack

Peer Support training feedback

  • “The training has changed the way I speak to patients and colleagues”
  • “I think the most important thing I realised was it is not a formal thing, it is about the way we communicate and actively listen”
  • “The session was well delivered and informative. Well done presenters”
  • “The trainers were fantastic. Totally enthusiastic and knowledgeable which they passed on with ease.”
  • “It was all relevant, thank you. Time well spent.”
  • “I am extremely satisfied with this training”

How to speak to a Peer Supporter

Find out who your team/ department Peer Supporter is and arrange a chat with them.

If you do not have a Peer Supporter in your team, do not know if you have one in your team or if you feel more comfortable speaking with a Peer Support outwith your team, please direct these requests peer.support@ggc.scot.nhs.uk and the Peer Support team will be able to help. If you yourself are interested in becoming a Peer Supporter then discuss with your manager and come along to one of our training days.

Is it confidential?

Yes, what you say will be confidential. However, if the Peer Supporter is worried about your or someone else’s safety they may seek support from other relevant service to best help you. This would be discussed with you first before any action is taken.

Level 3: Peer Support Hubs

As Peer Support continues to grow rapidly, the programme is shifting towards a hub-model. This is when the team deliver in-house training to staff from the same service/area to become Peer Supporters to support their colleagues locally and develop a critical mass of Peer Supporters across the service.

Hubs have a Hub Champion who coordinates Peer Support activity across the service and works with Peer Supporters to overcome implementation barriers.

There are several hubs across the organisation including:

  • The Specialist Children’s Services Hub
  • Critical Care (QEUH) Hub
  • The Spiritual Care (Chaplaincy) Hub
  • The LGBTQIA+ Peer Support Hub
  • Diagnostics and Imaging Hub

Several more hubs are currently in development.

If you would like to speak to a Peer Supporter within a particular hub, please contact peer.support@ggc.scot.nhs.uk and state the hub in the email’s subject line.

If you are interested in knowing more about hubs or are interested in setting up a Peer Support hub in your area, please contact peer.support@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

NHSGGC Peer Support Competency Framework

Support for Managers of Peer Supporters

For managers who have Peer Supporters in their teams, please see the Manager Briefing Information Sheet.

Contact details

To speak to a Peer Supporter, for general enquires to find out more about Peer Support or if you are interested in becoming a Peer Supporter, please email; peer.support@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

Royal Hospital for Children Colleagues

There is also a Peer Support Network of staff who work within critical care at The Royal Hospital for Children. More information can be found here: RHC Peer Support

For colleagues based at the Royal Hospital for Children interested in Peer Support, please direct all requests to: rhc.peersupport@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

Peer Support is one part of the wide range of Staff Support and Wellbeing services available in NHSGGC. Click below for more information:

More Staff Support and Wellbeing Services

Peer Supporters do not provide a crisis service

If you need immediate support with your mental health please contact a trusted member of your community such as your GP, call NHS 24 on ‘111’, dial ‘999’ or go to A&E. To talk to someone you can call Samaritans on ‘116 123’ (available 24 hours) or Breathing Space on ‘0800 83 85 87’ (available 6.00pm Friday to 6.00am Monday and 6.00pm – 2.00am on weekdays Monday -Thursday).

Helpful Resources to Support your Wellbeing:

NHSGGC’s Staff Support and Wellbeing Services
Adult Mental Health Services

Apps, Helplines & Websites

National Wellbeing Hub

National Wellbeing Hub

NHS Inform

Get help with your mental health and wellbeing | NHS inform

Practitioner Health

Confidential mental health service – Regulated NHS & Care Staff in Scotland

Free Apps
Staff Wellbeing Webinars

Let’s talk about… Staff Wellbeing Webinars (on SharePoint, which is an internal site for staff only).

The Let’s talk about… Staff Wellbeing webinar series offers short, information sessions to NHSGGC and HSCP staff with focus on various topics which we know are important to personal health and wellbeing. They are delivered in a format that allows colleagues to take away top tips and share with others. 

These sessions are delivered live on MS Teams at the end of each month. For members of staff who could not attend the live sessions or would like to rewatch any, they have been recorded and uploaded onto SharePoint. 

Peer Support Resources

All Peer Support resources can be ordered directly from the Public Health Resources Directory (PHRD). If you have not ordered from this site before, you will need to create an account. Search ‘Peer Support Resources’ to find our available resources.

Peer Support Resources for all staff

Resources for Peer Supporters post-Level 2 training