Health Improvement describes our work to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals or communities through enabling and encouraging healthy choices as well as addressing underlying determinants of health such as poverty and lack of educational opportunities. We work with a wide range of partners to influence policy, service provision and wider environmental factors that help support positive health outcomes for our population, especially those in greatest need.
The decontamination of near patient equipment and medical devices is crucial to the prevention of healthcare associated infection (HAI). In recent years the Scottish Government have issued guidance and Health Department Letters to provide NHS Boards with information to ensure that this type of equipment is dealt with in line with current standards and guidance.
This page is divided into sections to ensure that staff with a direct responsibility for particular equipment, have the most up-to-date information and training available. Decontamination practice is continually evolving and those with a responsibility for decontamination need to ensure that they are aware of current developments.
This document has been prepared to provide guidance on the technical requirements for the decontamination of flexible endoscopes and the options available. The document is intended to summarise key information on best practice in a manner which is readily accessible to the user/manager.
This guidance has been prepared by utilising published guidance from expert bodies, existing best practice guidance and standards, both published and in draft form. Many of the referenced standards are harmonised standards in respect of the Medical Device Directive.
Caused by unconventional agents thought to be infectious proteins – known as prions. Disease in humans are:
Sporadic – classical
Familial – including Fatal Familial Insomnia (FFI) and Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker (GSS)
Acquired – iatrogenic, variant.
There is evidence that these disorders can be transmitted in specific situations associated with medical interventions, e.g. transfusion of contaminated blood and blood products, surgery with contaminated instruments. During routine clinical care, Standard Precautions are sufficient to prevent cross-infection in healthcare settings. Transmission Based Precautions must be applied when operations or specific invasive procedures are to be undertaken on high-risk tissues or patients identified as being at risk of vCJD.
Hand Hygiene is one of the most effective actions to reduce the spread of pathogens and prevent infections, including the COVID-19 virus. Conducting hand hygiene at the right time, using the right technique, with either Alcohol-Based Hand Rub (ABHR) or soap, water and disposable towels is critical.
Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) staff collaborated to produce an informational video regarding 5 Moments of Hand Hygiene. This was developed to highlight the common failures that medical staff incur, as reported in audits of compliance. The video also highlights various anecdotal responses when challenged, given by existing medical staff members within NHSGGC. It features an introduction and closing statement by David Stewart, Lead Director for Acute Medical Services.
Staff involved in making this video were recruited from the North East IPC Team and Glasgow Royal Infirmary (GRI). Recording and post-production was carried out by GRI Medical Illustrations.
Infection Control training modules, including those offered by NES, can be accessed via learnPro.
Hand Hygiene Audits
Hand Hygiene audits should be carried out on a monthly basis within NHSGGC wards and departments. The audit tool should be utilised in conjunction with the information contained in the documents. The audit should not be carried out by the SCN as awareness of senior staff can change practice in clinical areas. 2-3 auditors should be chosen from a mixture of grades, including Bands 5 and 6 and HCSWs.
The data gathered should then be uploaded to the CAIR Dashboard.
Please note, exactly 20 observations must be recorded to complete an audit; any more or less will result in an error.
Image credit Clydebank Health & Care Centre reception, Bespoke Atelier
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Image credit Clydebank Health & Care Centre gates, Bespoke Atelier
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Image credit Mihaela Bodlovic / Scottish Ballet
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Image credit QEUH, Murals coordinated by Ali Smith, Art Pistol
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Image credit RHC Paediatric Nuclear Medicine Royal Hospital for Children, Craig Easton
NHSGGC’s Arts and Health initiatives foster safe, welcoming environments and enhance the healthcare experience for patients, staff, and visitors. Through a person-centred and integrated approach, the programme leverages the positive impact of art, architecture, design, music, and nature on health and wellbeing.
Programmes are evidence-based and include public art commissions, creative workshops, and integrated design strategies across clinical buildings and green spaces. Developed in collaboration with artists, educators, voluntary sector organisations, and funders, the work celebrates Scotland’s creative talent.
Explore the programme highlights below, including innovative designs for clinical spaces and the role of arts in healthcare.
What’s On / News
Arts and Social Justice
The Arts and Health programme contributes to reducing health inequalities by improving access to the arts. It enhances care environments, supports treatment, and sparks dialogue that informs service improvement. Community-based creative health projects foster collaboration and strengthen local relationships.
Case Study: Black Mother and Baby Mural
Located at the Princess Royal Maternity Hospital, this mural responds to campaigner Rachel Dallas’s work on maternal health inequalities. It has prompted meaningful conversations and cultural change within NHSGGC.
Click on the image below to view our Arts and Social Justice gallery on Flickr.
Animating Public Spaces
This innovative programme brings performing arts, exhibitions, and artist residencies into healthcare settings, demonstrating the psychological and physiological benefits of cultural engagement. It provides opportunities for artists and partners to showcase work in clinical environments, often offering patients their only access to the arts.
Art and Green Spaces
Art is integrated into the design and enhancement of green spaces, promoting outdoor activity and wellbeing. Programmes span clinical and mental health sites and extend into neighbouring community areas.
Art Commissions in Green Spaces
Case Study: Moon Gate
Alec Finlay’s sculpture marks the entrance to New Stobhill Hospital, encouraging interaction with nature through poetry-engraved boulders, bird boxes, and seating. This project broadened architectural thinking to include surrounding landscapes.
Art in the Gart
At Gartnavel Royal Hospital, this long-standing initiative supports mental health recovery through exhibitions, public art, and green space activities. Inspired by patient creativity, it is sustained by volunteers and partnerships with organisations like Common Wheel and Project Ability. The programme has influenced similar initiatives at Leverndale and Stobhill Hospitals.
Click on the image below to view our Art and Green Spaces gallery on Flickr.
Health by Design
This strand modernises healthcare environments through integrated art and design in new builds and refurbishments. Artists collaborate with architects and stakeholders to create therapeutic spaces.
Case Study: Dignified Spaces
Part of the South Glasgow University Hospital development, this project enhanced over 80 quiet rooms using biophilic design principles to support sensitive conversations.
Curated by Clare Phillips for Ginkgo Projects, this collection features works by over 70 artists and is installed throughout the new hospital buildings.
Some other examples of our Health by Design initiatives:
Art in Medicine
Art in Hospital delivers a comprehensive visual arts programme across Glasgow and Scotland. Initially focused on older adults in long-term care, it now supports a wide range of patients, including those in rehabilitation, palliative care, and mental health services. The programme promotes wellbeing and self-expression through creative engagement.
Creative and performing arts have a proven impact on health and wellbeing. NHSGGC’s programmes bring together professional artists and community organisations across diverse media including drawing and painting, printmaking, photography, textiles, video, dance, music and drama.
Explore more about our initiatives, partners, and research through the links below.
The Buddy Beat A Renfrewshire drumming group for adults with mental health experience, aimed at promoting social inclusion and helping people self-manage their week.
Arts, Culture, Health & Wellbeing, Scotland (ACHWS) ACHWS has developed into an active Scotland-wide network providing information and support for anyone working across arts and culture, health and wellbeing. It is acollective voice for arts and health in Scotland.
Project Ability Creating opportunities through inclusive art for all, providing a welcoming arts community for people with learning disabilities and mental ill-health.
Accurate, effective and accessible information is essential for the provision of high quality services and care. It lies at the centre of successful person-centred healthcare, helping people manage their health and wellbeing, and make fully informed decisions on the healthcare they receive.
People’s ability to understand information can change in different situations and environments. Age, disability, language barriers, cultural differences, low literacy levels and emotional distress can all affect understanding. The Patient Rights (Scotland) Act places a legal obligation on us to ensure that patients are informed and supported to be involved in decisions about their care and treatment.
This guide has been developed to support individuals in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to create simple, clear and concise information that allows us to meet our legislative requirements and the needs of our patients. In this context, patient information refers to written information such as leaflets, flyers and posters, as well as video and audio recordings.
The production of patient information is governed by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s:
Please check all existing resources before creating any new patient information. It may be that someone has already developed information on the same or a similar subject, or there may a suitable online resource.
Public Health Resource Directory – an extensive range of booklets, leaflets and posters available to order via our Public Health Resources Directory
Print On The Web – patient information developed by Medical Illustration Services (this resources can only be accessed by NHSGGC staff)
NHS Inform – Scotland’s national health information service
You should be able to evidence:
the need for a new resource. How has that need been identified?
engagement with patients, families and carers. How will they would find the information useful?
funding for the resource. Do you have agreement from a service manager that a resource is required?
clinical governance input. Have you discussed the new resource with your local group?
collaborating with colleagues in other localities, sectors or Health Boards Can the resource can be used GGC-wide, regionally or nationally?
Writing
Consider your content carefully, and be clear about the information you want to convey to your target audience. Be sure to explain any instructions in detail, and include facts about risks, side effects and benefits. If you are using any third-party information, make sure you have the correct permissions for use; for example, any text or illustrations used from another source.
It is important that your content is fit for purpose. You should engage with your target audience for feedback; they will be able to tell if what you have written is helpful, clear and answers their questions. Ask your peer group to do the same.
You should review your content against the Patient Information Checklist (pdf). When you are satisfied with your content, and have final agreement from all stakeholders, please complete this form and send this to: ggc.clear.toall@nhs.scot with a copy of the information leaflet?
The NHGGGC Web Team provide the following guidance on copyright issues:
Copyright is universal policy which states that anyone who has written or created original material owns it. It cannot be reused in whole or part without written permission from the owner. Copyright applies to text (digital and hard copy), images, audio and video, even if it is in the public domain.
To publish material in part or in full that is not copyright owned by NHSGGC then you must check with the copyright owner. Be cautious when publishing conference presentations or posters and get written consent from the authors to publish such material on any websites.
To use any content taken from online resources for purposes other than non-commercial research, study and teaching, you should read the terms and conditions associated with the use of the digital resource. If there is no information available you should assume that you cannot reuse the resources. (This includes search results from a Google images search for example.)
To find out more about copyright and the training available please contact library staff via library.network@ggc.scot.nhs.uk.
Quality
It is essential that patient information produced within NHSGGC meets the quality standards outlined in the Patient Information Management Policy. All patient information will be quality assured with regards Clear to All principles prior to progressing to production.
Clear Language
If you need support or guidance on writing information for patients, please contact the Clear to All team by emailing ggc.clear.toall@nhs.scot.
Clear Design
Medical Illustration Services provide a free service for the design of all patient information. They can also advise on the most appropriate and cost-effective method of distribution.
We have a legal obligation to ensure that all patients are communicated with in a way they understand and that best meets their needs, including the use of accessible formats. Consider your target audience to ensure that the needs of equality groups have been taken into consideration.
The Equality and Human Rights Team (EHRT) hold the central budget for translations and other accessible formats. To request information in an alternative format, please download and complete the form and submit for approval (ggc.clear.toall@nhs.scot).
Urgent requests, such as appointment letters, clinical instructions or health records for a patient in active care, should be emailed directly to: ggc.clear.toall@nhs.scot This form does not need to be completed for urgent requests.
If your translation is needed within the next 4 days please send direct to: ggc.clear.toall@nhs.scot
We only translate information that has been produced by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. If you need a translated version of a charity or Public Health Scotland publication, please indicate this on the form.
Insert Statement
A statement has been produced that should be placed in all leaflets. It states the following in English plus the ‘top six’ community languages (currently Polish, Mandarin, Romanian, Arabic, Urdu and Farsi).
‘If you require this information in an accessible format, such as large print or braille, or in a community language, please use the contact details on your patient information leaflet or letter.’
Ordering as an insert
This insert should be included with appointment letters and pre-attendance information posted to the patient, and can be given to patients on attendance at clinics or on admission. It is supported by posters displayed within hospitals and GP surgeries and is also offered on Solus Screens.
The leaflet is available from stock in packs of 100 and can be ordered via the PECOS system or by any method used to order goods from stock (e.g. paper indent). It is available in 2 formats to suit varying distribution methods – as a single sided A5 sheet or as a one-third A4 sheet (compliments slip format) suitable for DL type envelopes.
Order codes are as follows:
97106 – Size 1/3 A4 (compliments slip format)
97107 – Size A5
Printing the statement within a publication
If you would like to include the statement in your document (as opposed to using an insert), you can use image 1 (portrait) or image 2 (landscape) and adjust to size.
Other formats
This statement is also available in other formats, including words and pictures, audio and British Sign Language.
Please note, interpreters should be used to communicate information which is normally given verbally to English speaking patients; translated materials are for written materials only.
You can get advice on translation and accessible formats from the NHSGGC Equalities and Human Rights Team (0141 201 4560) or email: ggc.clear.toall@nhs.scot).
Review existing patient information
The NHSGGC Patient Information Policy states that patient information should be reviewed at least every three years. It is the responsibility of both the service and the document owner to ensure that information made available to patients, families and carers within any healthcare setting is accurate and current.
If your information is due for review, you should re-assess its need.
Is there any new and more relevant information available elsewhere?
Have you consulted your target audience about the usefulness of the resource?
Changes should only be made to content if they:
Reflect changes in practice or evidence
Correct factual inaccuracies
Improve or enhance the users understanding
Reflect feedback from users
Remember to check that all addresses, phone numbers and external web links are correct.
When you are satisfied with your content, and have final agreement from all stakeholders, please complete this form and send this to: ggc.clear.toall@nhs.scot with a copy of the existing document.
If you need support or guidance on writing information for patients, please contact the Clear to All team at: ggc.clear.toall@nhs.scot
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Smoking remains the single biggest preventable cause of ill-health in UK (Ref: ASH (2014) ASH factsheet 2: Smoking Statistics, illness and death. http://ash.org.uk/files/documents/ASH_107.pdf).
Within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, 25% of the population are currently smokers and men are more likely to smoke than women.
In 2013, the Scottish Government launched their new tobacco strategy for Scotland, ‘Creating a Tobacco-Free Generation’ with the aspiration of achieving smoking rates of 5% or lower amongst adults in Scotland.
In response, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde tobacco control activity and “Quit your way” service adopts a wide approach to tackle the harm caused by tobacco. Supporting people to stop smoking is the most well known tobacco control measure. However, actions to prevent young people from starting to smoke and protecting people from the harm associated with secondhand smoke are just as important.
Tobacco control brings together the broad themes of Prevention, Protection and Stop Smoking and requires strong partnerships with public, private and voluntary groups to influence smoking culture and reduce smoking rates.
To find out more about what our services can offer call the Quit Your Way service on 0800 916 8858 or visit:
Training and development opportunities for the health improvement workforce.
Our new NHSGGC Public Health Workforce Development SharePoint site is where you will be kept up-to-date with the latest news, approaches and learning and development opportunities for the core Public Health Workforce to equip staff with the skills, training and feel supported to do their job. This SharePoint Site is aimed at the Core Health Improvement/Public Health Workforce within Greater Glasgow & Clyde. For more information or to request access contact: HIAdmin@ggc.scot.nhs.uk .
Life Circumstances are the circumstances in which people live which impact directly on their health both mentally and physically (Scottish Public Health Observatory).These circumstances can include:
Living conditions e.g. secure housing, locality, overcrowding, green space, traffic
Income e.g. having enough to live on
Secure and good employment e.g. Living Wage
Education e.g. Opportunities for Learning
Evidence suggests that if these issues are taken into account as part of an individual’s care in the NHS then opportunities arise which can lead to improvements in health and reduction in inequalities.
For example, current reforms to the welfare state are likely to impact adversely on NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde patients for example they may increase mental distress, poverty and diseases related to poverty all of which will have an impact on the individual, their family and friends and the NHS in responding to increased demand. Income inequality in the United Kingdom is currently at its highest in the last 40 years. Increasing rates of child poverty have also been noted with 1 in 5 children in Scotland living in poverty with this rising to 1 in 3 where there is a child with a disability.
Life circumstances are also linked to social class which include factors such as economics (wealth/income/occupation), political factors (status/power) and cultural factors (lifestyle/education/values/beliefs).
Evidence suggests that individuals with poorer life circumstances are:
More likely to have poorer health including living with long term conditions e.g. Heart Disease
More likely to die prematurely
More likely to be living in poverty
Less likely to make healthier lifestyle choices
Less likely to achieve good educational qualifications
More likely to be living in communities of high deprivation
More likely to be in insecure employment, in work poverty and underemployment
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have a range of programmes to tackle life circumstances which includes access to money advice in acute hospitals, employability services, staff training programmes and service delivery developments.
Resources for NHSGGC Staff
An e module has been developed for all NHSGGC Staff on:
Poverty and Financial Inclusion
Employability
These can be accessed via LearnPro and can be found under the specialist subjects tab
Health Literacy is about people having enough knowledge, understanding, skills and confidence to use health information, to be more active partners in their care, and to navigate health and social care systems.
Health Literacy is being increasingly recognised as a significant public health concern. Health Literacy can affect anyone at anytime, for example receiving new or distressing health information. Never make assumptions about a person’s health literacy level as it may not always be apparent.
Patient Experience and Public Involvement (PEPI) support NHSGGC to listen and understand what matters to people. This allows us to improve our services using your experiences of care. The team help staff and members of the public to listen and learn from each other.
PEPI support staff and services to engage with people on care and service delivery. They apply best practice when informing and involving patients, carers and the public.
The team also provide expertise and support around the organisation’s public engagement and consultation activities. This is in line with statutory duties and national guidance.
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