Staff & Recruitment

Cyberstalking can include the following:

• Sending unwanted messages on a social media account
• Sending unwanted texts and emails
• Making malicious claims about a person online
• Gaining unauthorised access to online accounts – including social media, email and online bank accounts
• Gaining unauthorised access to someone’s mobile phone/mobile devices so that they can track phone calls, texts and location at any given time.

This can become extremely invasive of someone’s life and they may need to make significant changes to their day to day routines and online security measures.

If you believe you are being cyber-stalked, it is essential that you contact Police Scotland to report this. You will also need to get expert help as quickly as possible too. The following link can help you get this support: The Cyber Helpline. Further support organisations are listed at the bottom of the page.

The Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 makes any form or stalking a criminal offence. This can include, seemingly, harmless and subtle behaviours.

For example, a text message saying ‘you looked nice when I saw you earlier’ seems trivial, but if it is intended to cause fear and alarm (or the perpetrator should have known that it would) and it happens, at least, twice, then it can be classified as stalking and becomes a criminal offence.

(Please note – if this only happens once, it would not be counted as a stalking offence, at that stage. Instead, it would be counted as an incident of abuse and harassment under the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010) and you wold still be within your rights to report it to the police).

You always have a lawful right to report incidents of stalking (and abuse and harassment) to the Police. This is always the case, irrespective of the alleged perpetrators, personal circumstances, or other people’s opinions.

You can report any incident of stalking to the police, online, or you can contact them on 101, or 999, in the case of an emergency.

The following links can provide you with more information about your lawful rights:

• Scottish Government    
• Scottish Women’s Rights Centre.

NHSGGC’s Staff Witness Support Service can also provide support and information to any member of staff who may need to go to court.

This is also called ‘building a case’. In order to do this, it is essential that you record any and all incidents where you believe a stalking incident has occurred – no matter how, seemingly, insignificant the incident may be. To do this you should keep a safe record of the following details:

• When did it happen?
• Where did it happen?
• What happened?
• Who was it?
• What details do you have about the person?
• How did it make you feel?
• Were there any witnesses?
• What did they see?
• What did you do after?
• Do you have any video, photo, screenshot evidence?

FollowIt App

If you are a woman aged 18 years or above, the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre have developed the following app: ‘FollowItApp’.

This app can be used to help you record any relevant details, safely and securely. It has been designed in collaboration with The Crown Prosecution Service, Police Scotland and other stakeholders including Rape Crisis Scotland and Scottish Women’s Aid, to ensure that it meets the needs of women who are being stalked and that it is compliant with Scot’s Law.   

In addition the Suzy Lampugh Trust, also provides guidance, resources and apps that can help anyone record any relevant details of stalking incidents. Information about personal safety apps can be found in their ‘Help and Advice’ section

It is then essential that you report these incidents to the Police either online, via 101 or 999 (in the case if an emergency).

If incidents occur within NHS property, or is associated with your work, you should also complete a Datix incident report.

Cyberstalking can be very traumatic and can has severe repercussions on those who experience it. It is essential that you take, immediate steps to secure your online identity and accounts. As a well as taking the steps outlined here, you should also refer to our Online and Cyber Stalking Resources page for advice.

If you are being stalked, it is vital that you take steps to promote your safety. Unfortunately, these can sometimes can significant effects on your daily life and routines, but they may be needed to ensure your safety. As well as the measures already outlined here e.g. recording & reporting incidents, contacting the police and protecting your online identity you may need to consider the following: Change your daily routine Inform people you trust of your concerns Record and report incidents to the Police Change your online passwords and use a password manager to protect them Take advice from specialist services

Additionally, line managers may need to adopt flexible work patterns and arrangements for any staff member(s) who are being stalked this could include, altering the staff members start and finish times, moving them a more secure work base & giving them access to additional technology (mobile phones, alarms, Reliance devices)

This must always involve the person who is being stalked and they must be central to the decision making process.

NHSGGC has a number of different services who can offer support to you if you believe you are being stalked. These are:

• The Occupational Health Service
• The Health & Safety Service
• The Health & Safety Violence Reduction Service
• The Equality & Human Rights Team
• The Staff Witness Support Service (for employees who may be required to attend court).

As a part of NHSGGC’s commitment to supporting our staff who are being stalked, we want to establish better relationships with Police Scotland and other Third Sector organisations that specialise in supporting those affected by stalking. Part of that includes providing you with a route to access to those services. The list below are public and voluntary bodies that can provide you with expert support and guidance:

• Police Scotland
• The National Stalking Helpline  
• Victim Support Scotland
• Scottish Women’s Rights Centre
• Rape Crisis Scotland
• Scottish Women’s Aid

Wherever an employee is being stalked, or believes that they are being stalked, we want to support them to report this to the police as soon as possible.

• Report online to Police Scotland
• Call the Police on 101 (or 999, in the event of an emergency)
• Visit your local Police station to speak to an officer in person.

Any member of staff, who believes they are being stalked should contact the Occupational Health Service and the Health and Safety Service for advice, guidance and support.

The following organisations can also be contacted and will be able to offer specialist advice and support:

• The Suzy Lampugh Trust – (National Stalking Helpline)
• Scottish Women’s Aid
• Action Against Stalking
• Victim Support Scotland
• Scottish Women’s Rights Centre
• Rape Crisis Scotland

Monday 16th September – Thursday 19th September 2024

Course Director: Mr T Reekie, FRCS Consultant Plastic Surgeon

The course is aimed at the intermediate and advanced trainee and will cover all aspects of free, pedicled and perforator flaps. It is also relevant to consultants as it will cover more advanced flaps. Flaps covered will include basic workhorse free and pedicle flaps, but also include more advanced and topical flaps such as toe transfer, vascularized joint transfer and medial sural artery perforator flaps. 

The course aims to provide as much hands on cadaveric dissection as possible, with guidance by internationally recognized microsurgeons. The course teaching should cover the essential aspects of flap anatomy, dissection and utilization.

The teaching faculty will consist of several Consultant Plastic Surgeons from the Canniesburn Plastic Surgery unit, who will aid the trainees during the cadaveric dissection. Each Consultant has a sub-specialty microsurgical interest.

 Local Facility Please see our website for a list of our consultants and their specialties.

Queries about cost, booking and accommodation, please contact dorothy.stobie@ggc.scot.nhs.uk 

 There are many small guest houses within the area of The University of Glasgow. Also some larger hotels, and is really dependant on your own budget and preferences.

 The course fee is £1,500

 Confirmation of a place on the course is secured only on receipt of the fee and early payment is therefore advised.  

 Payment can be made by bank transfer – detail available on request

The unit receives and cares for patients in the West of Scotland, from major to minor injuries.

The unit has a Nurse Practitioner service which supports patients at discharge and treats minor injuries that the patients do not need hospitalised.

The Plastic surgery unit specialises in breast reconstruction, skin cancer, hand service and general plastic surgery procedures.

Collectively we have a Laser suite, minor surgery department, pre- assessment, out-patients department, burns nurse practitioners out-patient service, specialised monitoring unit, wards 45, 47, 48 and 49.

We have 17 Consultants and Nurse Practitioners / Clinical Nurse Specialists.

Our Consultants

Below you can find the Consultants in Canniesburn at present and their sub specialty interest.

Consultants – Sub speciality interest

• Mr JR Scott – Breast Reconstruction, Oncoplastic Breast Surgery, Skin Cancer
• Mr J Telfer – Gynaecological Reconstruction, Perineal Reconstruction
• Mr A D Malyon – Breast Reconstruction, Oncoplastic Breast Surgery, Skin Cancer 
• Ms M Strick – Rheumatoid Hand Surgery, Elective and Trauma Hand Surgery, Breast Reconstruction 
• Mr J J R Kirkpatrick – Congenital Hand Surgery, Elective and Trauma Adult Hand Surgery 
• Mr S Morley – Head & Neck Oncology, Facial Re-animation, Skin Cancer
• Professor A M Hart – Brachial Plexus Injuries, Sarcoma, Limb Reconstruction
• Mr B Chew – Breast Reconstruction, Oncoplastic Breast Surgery
• Mr D J McGill – Breast Reconstruction, Burns, LASER/Vascular
• Mr R Thompson – Skin Cancer, Melanoma
• Mr S Lo – Ortho-plastic Limb Reconstruction, Sarcoma, Perineal Reconstruction
• Mr C Russell – Paediatric Cleft/Craniofacial Surgery, Adult Cleft/Nose Surgery
• Ms S Tay – Breast Reconstruction, Lower Limb Trauma
• Mr R Bramhall – Breast Reconstruction, Oncoplastic Breast Surgery
• Mr A Murphy – Elective and Trauma Hand/Wrist Surgery, Skin Cancer
• Mr A Gilmour – Breast Reconstruction, Oncoplastic Breast Surgery, LASER/Vascular
• Mr N Arkoulis – Burns, Skin Cancer
• Mr N Fairbairn – Limb Trauma / Reconstruction, Skin Cancer
• Mr J Biddlestone – Head and Neck Reconstruction, Limb Trauma / Reconstruction
• Ms K Sharma –
• Mr T Reekie –

The Glasgow Royal Infirmary is in the east end of the city centre, a 25 minute walk from the main Glasgow central bus station, Buchanan Street bus station.

The nearest motorway junction on the M8 is junction 15, which leads directly to the GRI.

For further information on the GRI please go to Glasgow Royal Infirmary. 

The Glasgow Royal Infirmary is in the east end of the city centre, a 25 minute walk from the main Glasgow central bus station, Buchanan Street bus station.

The nearest motorway junction on the M8 is junction 15, which leads directly to the GRI.

For further information on the GRI please go to Glasgow Royal Infirmary. 

About Canniesburn Research Trust

We are appealing for your support to ensure the Canniesburn Plastic Surgery Unit, maintains its world-wide reputation as a centre of excellence in plastic surgery, training and research. None of the Canniesburn Research Trust’s work is funded by the NHS.

This is why your donation, no matter how large or small, is of such vital importance. Your contribution will allows us to initiate and continue research in many crucial areas of plastic and reconstructive surgery. The aims of the Canniesburn Research Trust formed in 1994 are:

• Promote research in all aspects of Plastic Surgery
• Encourage the use of the results of this research in surgical training and patient care, and make available for the general good of the speciality, the results of the research by means of publication in appropriate journals and by presentation at surgical and scientific meetings.
• Encourage the acquisition of advanced surgical skills through the establishment of training courses that are open to all members of the surgical profession.

Scholarships & Bursaries

The Research Trust awards bursaries to staff, to pump prime small research projects and facilitate audit. The Trust supports special study modules and attendance at conference and scientific meetings for members of staff within the Canniesburn Plastic Surgery Unit.

Donations can be made by BACS payment to:

• Account name – Canniesburn Research Trust
• Account number – 90150628
• Sort Code – 826327
• Remittance notice to dorothy.stobie@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

With the outbreak of war in 1939, the Government decided to build a number of Emergency Medical Service Hospitals outside Glasgow to treat expected casualties. One of these was Ballochmyle Hospital, which was built in the grounds of Ballochmyle House.

Robert Burns wrote two songs in praise of Ballochmyle ‘The Braes of Ballochmyle’ and the better known ‘Lass of Ballochmyle’. The Mansion House was used as a residential accommodation for the hospital staff.

The hospital consisted of 32 main wards arranged in groups of 8, each ward contained 40 beds. The Plastic Surgery and Jaw unit began in December 1940 working under the periodic guidance of Sir Harold Gillies.

Initially, Mr Andrew Hutton from the Western Infirmary, Glasgow, was in charge with the assistance of Mr MacLennan, a Consultant Surgeon who had done a short course with Gillies.

Gillies, who made frequent visits to EMS hospitals throughout the country, met Jack Tough in Stacathro Hospital and thereafter, Tough went for periods of training including a spell in Rainsford Mowlem’s Unit. Jack Tough was appointed Surgeon in Charge of the Plastic Surgery and Jaw Unit in 1943.

During this spell, the Unit was used to train officers in the Royal Army Dental Corps. About the same time, beds were made available in Seafield Children’s Hospital in Ayr, for the treatment of congenital and childhood problems. The population served is almost 3 million in the West of Scotland. Inpatient treatment for patients continued to be carried out in Ballochmyle until the opening of The Canniesburn Unit in 1967 and the Seafield Unit continued to be utilised until October 1991.

Walter Smith OBE, Senior Chief Maxillofacial Technician, worked in Ballochmyle from 1940 and then in Canniesburn until his retirement in 1979.

The technical work continued under Matt Orr and his colleagues, who provided a very high standard of orthognathic and prosthetic services to the maxillofacial and plastic surgeons.

Another member of staff was Ian McIntyre who, on demobilisation from the Army Medical Corps, did a spell in the Plastic Surgery Unit as a civilian before joining the Colonial service, going to St Helena for several years and ultimately to Tasmania, where he became Chief Medical Officer of Health in Hobart.

Burns Unit

Glasgow Royal Infirmary made separate provision for the treatment of burns in 1833, followed by the opening of the Burns Unit in 1873. This was not done out of a sense of altruism for the burn patient, but to protect the other surgical patients from the effects of these ‘nasty smelly infected and infective burns’.

The unit was administered by a series of general surgeons until the 1940s when Leonard Colebrook, the bacteriologist, was put in charge with the unit becoming a Medical Research Council project. It was during this time that Tom Gibson carried out his work on the ‘second set phenomenon’. Peter Medawar, later Sir Peter, was brought to the unit to carry out further work with Gibson, which formed the basis of present day tissue transplantation and Medawar being awarded a Nobel Prize.

Gibson was called up for armed service, being demobilised in 1947. In 1948, he joined Tough as a Consultant in the Plastic Surgery Unit. The Burns Unit became part of the Plastic Surgery Unit. The Burns Unit became part of the Plastic Surgery Unit in 1948 and was housed in Ward 40/41 of the Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

At this time, Ward 42/43 was the Department of urology, but in the early 1950s became the Plastic Surgery Unit. This was very convenient as the Plastic Surgical, Maxillofacial and burns patients, were housed in a self contained block, with dental chairs and associated laboratory facilities. In charge of the maxillofacial Unit was Dr Stephen Plumpton, with Iain McD Allan and Steven Dobie as Senior Hospital Dental Officers.

Stephen Plumpton in addition to his dental expertise was an authority of many aspects of sport, in particular horse racing upon which he would expound at great length, given an opportunity.

In late 1954/early 55, Jack Mustarde joined the unit as a consultant and about the same time, half a ward was given to Plastic Surgery in the Western Infirmary from the Professorial Unit. Ian McGregor, Senior Registrar in the Unit at the time, exchanged with B Herold (Hal) Griffiths in Herbert Conway’s Unit in New York for a period of 6 months, returning in January 1956.

A short time thereafter, beds were made available at Philipshill Hospital for Plastic Surgery, which Tom Gibson utilised, and then a Spinal Injuries Unit was opened in the early 60s, surgery of the pressure sores being carried out by the Plastic Surgeons.

From 1958 to 1960 Ian McGregor moved to be in Charge of the Casualty Department in Glasgow Royal Infirmary, during which time he published the ‘Fundamental Techniques of Plastic Surgery’, returning at the end of this period as a Consultant to the Plastic Surgery Unit.

In the early 1960’s the Association of the Unit with what was to become the Bio-Engineering Unit of Strathclyde University began, and Tom Gibson carried out his work on tissue mechanics, especially skin and cartilage. He also was appointed to the Department of Surgery in the Western Infirmary, Glasgow as Senior Lecturer in Tissue Transplantation and had access to beds and a theatre session in the Professorial Unit of Sir Charles Illingworth.

Bill Reid rejoined the unit as Senior Registrar in mid 1961 and largely was responsible for the Burns Unit until his retirement. This responsibility has now been taken over by Ian Taggart and Stuart Watson. In 1961, plans were drawn up for a new Plastic Surgery Unit of 138 beds and associated facilities to be built at Canniesburn where the Royal Infirmary already had convalescent and private beds. At this time, proposals were also made for the building of a Geriatric Unit.

Jack Tough and one of the Health Board Architects, John Peters, between them designed the building. The completion and opening of the Plastic Surgery Unit at Canniesburn and the achievement of a now world recognised centre is outstanding, and due tribute should be made to the diligence, determination and forethought which Tough put into the project. The very fact that the building was completed and became operational is in itself a great tribute, especially when considered in the light of the amount of powerful opposition to the project in the Medical/Surgical establishment. The cost of the Unit was £996,000 (less than the estimate of over £1,000,000). Comparatively, the Western Region Hospital Boards expenditure on heating, lighting and power was £1.6 million in 1965 for all its hospitals.

Although the unit admitted patients in September of 1967, it was not officially opened until the 23rd May 1968 by the then Chairman of the Western Regional Hospital Board, Sir Simpson Stevenson. Unfortunately, the full bed complement has never been utilised, a maximum of 122 beds being used, but the throughput of patients steadily increased during the years.

The essentially peripatetic nature of the Plastic Surgeons’ practice was reduced by the opening of Canniesburn and the closure, apart from out patients, of the beds in Ballochmyle and the Western Infirmary. To some extent, this was countered by a few ‘grace and favour beds’ in the Dermatology Department of the Western Infirmary under Professor John Milne, which gave him the only Dermatology Department at the time in the UK to have surgery carried out. The surgery was performed by Ian McGregor. Bill Reid began a clinic in Stobhill Hospital in 1961, which was taken over in 1980 by Gus McGrouther and during 1980, Ian McGregor started an outpatient clinic in Monklands Hospital which was taken over by David Soutar on his appointment as a Consultant Plastic Surgeon in 1981 and later by Stuart Watson. Clinics and outpatient operating sessions were started in Paisley and Greenock by Martyn Webster.

Jack Tough retired in 1970 prematurely, due to ill health and survived until 1977. However, he had seen his plan come to fruition.

The Unit became the hub of the West of Scotland Regional service and all major plastic surgery for the West of Scotland was therefore centralised into Canniesburn. The sheer volume of cases together with the Consultant expertise, rapidly gave Canniesburn an international reputation as a centre of excellence. It attracted visitors and trainees from all over the world and developed international teaching and training courses which continue to the present day. With Canniesburn at the centre, peripheral facilities were required to service the population for the West of Scotland. Out- reach facilities, particularly for clinics and day case operating, were developed in many of the district general hospitals that were being set up in the neighbouring health boards. The major elective cases were still done at the hub in Canniesburn, but trauma and emergencies were done at a wide variety of differing hospitals.

There was a need to centralise trauma services in plastic surgery and so in the early 1990s, a new Burns and Trauma Unit was opened in wards 23 and 24 in Glasgow Royal Infirmary and the old Burns Unit vacated. With the increasing complexity of plastic surgery and its involvement in major deformity and cancer work, there was a need to move Canniesburn to a major hospital which could accommodate both the elective and emergency work load of plastic surgery.

A new Canniesburn Plastic Surgery Unit was built within the Jubilee Building at Glasgow Royal Infirmary bringing together both elective and emergency plastic surgery for the first time. Such is the international reputation of Canniesburn as a centre for plastic surgery, that the name has been retained. The new home of the Canniesburn Plastic Surgery Unit is modern and offers all the advantages of a major teaching hospital. This together with the dedicated staff will ensure the continuing high reputation of the Unit.