You should complete this essential learning within two weeks of starting in your new role. For NHSGGC Bank Staff this must be completed prior to your first orientation shift. If you require support please seek this from your Healthcare Support Worker Mandatory Induction Standards reviewer and line manager. You can also contact us at: ggc.practicedevelopmentinduction@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
HCSW Fundamental Care
HCSWs work in many different clinical areas delivering safe, effective, person-centred care. These areas include inpatient wards, outpatient areas, emergency departments, critical care and theatres.
Although these resources refer to inpatient care, they have relevance to all HCSWs new to our organisation.
Person-centred care is about putting the person at the heart of their care. By asking and listening, we can understand more about the person and do the things that are most important to them. This helps us to provide care that is individualised and improves their experience of care. Delivering high-quality, person-centred care is everyone’s business in NHSGGC.
Food and fluid gives our body energy to allow us to carry out our everyday tasks. Delivering the right amount of food and fluid to patients is an important role of the HCSW. In your first few shifts on the ward, work with the mealtime coordinator at meal service and find out what’s available for patients, and how to help them with their meals. By supporting people to eat and drink we can help them recover from their illness or surgery and get out of hospital sooner.
Induction Essential Learning
learnPro® module GGC: 270 An overview of Malnutrition
A pressure ulcer is an area of skin damaged by pressure. It can be caused by sitting or lying in one position for too long or by rubbing or dragging skin across a surface. The risk of developing a pressure ulcer increases when a person has problems with walking, using the bathroom or they don’t eat and drink enough. It is important that the skin is kept clean and dry and if there are any devices (such as a splint or catheter) the skin under and around these are checked regularly to make sure no damage is developing.
Pressure ulcers can develop very quickly. There are simple measures that you can do to help reduce the risk of your patients developing a pressure ulcer including regular observation of their skin and making sure that they are not sitting or lying in the one position for too long and writing this on the Care Rounding Chart. Your colleagues may refer to pressure ulcer prevention as ‘Tissue Viability’.
Induction Essential Learning
NHSGGC Prevention of Pressure Ulcers
learnPro® module GGC: 080 Prevention of Pressure Ulcers
Anyone can have a fall, but older people are more likely to fall, especially if they have a long-term health condition. People can fall many times and each fall might result in a serious injury such as a head injury or a fractured hip. A fall can happen due to many different risk factors e.g. poor balance, muscle weakness, poor eyesight, or the person is on multiple medications. There are many ways to reduce the risk of a patient falling in your role as a HCSW. It is also important that we encourage patients to be active whilst they are in our care this can be achieved by following the Active Wards Principles. The resources below will allow you to learn more about reducing falls and promoting Active Wards.
These resources aim to develop your confidence and skills to implement person-centred care for the person living with dementia who is admitted to the acute hospital.
Delirium describes a confusion that can happen when patients are unwell. Causes of delirium include illness, surgery and some medicines. Delirium can start suddenly, but usually improves when the cause is found and treated. It can be very frightening for the patient and for their family and carers.
Infection control is everyone’s business and we all have a part to play in keeping both ourselves and the people we look after safe. People with infection are more likely to come to harm, stay in hospital longer and may even die as a result. Keeping your hands clean, washing them regularly and using personal protective equipment (known as PPE) are important in stopping the spread of infection. In healthcare, Hand Hygiene and PPE are two of the 10 Standard Infection Control Precautions (known as SICPs), which are described in more detail in the GGC:007 Statutory Mandatory Modules.
Induction Essential Learning
learnPro® module GGC:007 Standard Infection Control Precautions
learnPro® module NES: Prevention & Control Infection: C.Difficile
PPE droplet precautions. Please note that as we move to business as usual following the pandemic, donning and doffing remain relevant for many organisms.
SICPs may be insufficient to prevent cross transmission of specific infectious agents. Therefore, additional precautions, Transmission Based Precautions (TBPs), are required to be used by staff when caring for patients with a known or suspected infection or colonisation. More detail is available in the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual: Chapter 2 – Transmission Based Precautions (TBPs) (scot.nhs.uk). Speak to your line manager about when TBPs may be required and the PPE requirements for these specific patients that require them.
learnPro® NES: Scottish IPC Education Pathway – Foundation (Infection Prevention & Control tab)
Basic Life Support
You may come across emergency situations when you are at work. Patients can have problems with their airway, breathing or circulation and become suddenly unwell. During your first few months in your new job, your SCN/M or Team Lead may nominate you for a course called Basic Life Support which will help you to respond correctly in an emergency situation.
As part of your orientation to your ward / clinical area take some time to locate the emergency resuscitation trolley
If you find yourself in an emergency situation you may be asked to phone for the resuscitation team. Dial 2222- ask for the resuscitation team and tell them your clinical area and the hospital you are in
Palliative and End of Life Care
Palliative care is the care given to people with a life limiting illness. The term ‘life-limiting’ refers to an illness that can’t be cured and that patients are likely to die from. You may hear the term ‘progressive’ (gets worse over time) or ‘advanced’ (a serious stage) to describe these illnesses. Examples include advanced cancer, end stage cardiac, respiratory, renal failure and motor neurone disease.
Induction Essential Learning
Palliative and End of Life Care in the Hospital Setting
Coping with death and bereavement as a health and social care professional
or click on the pink leaf tile on the right hand side of Staffnet homepage
Moving and Handling
Moving and handling activities is a key part of your duties. This includes assisting patients and tasks such as moving equipment, laundry and stores. To keep yourself and patients safe it is essential you have the correct level of training.
If you have a Scottish Manual Handling Passport no foundation practical training course is required. Bring the passport document in to show your SCN or Team Lead. For Registered Nurses on the NHSGGC Staff Bank, send a copy by email to adminstaffbank@ggc.scot.nhs.uk. The dates of Moving and Handling training documented in the passport will go into the ward/ department training records. Complete the mandatory learnPro module: 005 Manual Handling Theory together with the practical competency assessment within your clinical area carried out by one of the local assessors.
All patients should be verbally encouraged to move and position themselves independently. When a patient needs to be moved, handled or requiring a mechanical aid this should be carried out with a member of the ward / department team and not on your own. Please, do not to use hoisting equipment until training completed.
Sharps Safety
NHSGGC recognises that employees and patients may be exposed to sharps and subsequent needle stick injuries. Those who experience it can be at risk of physical and emotional harm. NHSGGC has a lawful responsibility to reduce this risk and act to keep staff and patients as safe as is practicable.
You and your manager should complete a training needs analysis to identify the sharps equipment used and risks within your clinical area/service.
Induction Essential Learning
If you use sharps as part of your role you must complete:
LearnPro® module: Prevention and Management of Occupational Exposure(Scottish IPC Education Pathway – Infection Prevention and Control tab)
If you feel you need more information please discuss this with your line manager and local nurse educator.
Blood Transfusion
Ask your SCN, SCM or Team Lead if you will be involved in any part of the Blood Transfusion process, if yes please read on and complete the essential learning. If not, then tick N/A on the completion checklist.
It is essential to discuss with your SCN, SCM or Team Lead to find out if you are likely to be involved in:-
Taking pre transfusion blood samples
Collecting and storing blood components
HCSWs involved in any stage of the transfusion process are required to undertake the appropriate learning required for their role. Appropriate training and learning must be undertaken before participation in taking pre transfusion blood samples or the collection and delivery of blood or blood products.
NHSGGC recognises that employees and patients may be exposed to violence, aggression, and distress. Those who experience it can be at risk of physical and emotional harm. NHSGGC has a lawful responsibility to reduce this risk and act to keep staff and patients as safe as is practicable.
Our aim is that the risk of harm posed by violence, aggression, and distress will be reduced to its lowest practicable level and that relationships between ourselves, patients, and others who use the service are positive and respectful. To help achieve this, a Public Health, Human Rights Based, Risk Reduction model is used which includes the provision of training that is relevant and sufficient for your role within NHSGGC.
Essential Learning Resources
LearnPro module GGC: 003 – Reducing Risks of Violence and Aggression
Other Useful Resources
Your line manager will complete a Training Needs Analysis to identify if you work in an area/service exposed to a higher risk of violence, aggression, and distress. This will require some staff to attend in-person Health and Safety Violence Reduction training which is booked through eESS.
Prior to attending this training complete LearnPro module GGC: 312 – Violence Reduction – Physical Skills Knowledge – Adults.
All new team members or internal staff transfers, working in a Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW) role, are expected to meet the NHS Scotland HCSW Mandatory Induction Standards and HCSW Code of Conduct after 3 months in post (or part-time equivalent up to a maximum of six months). If your post is solely with the NHSGGC Staff Bank you are required to sign the Code of Conduct before you start and you have 6 months to complete the NHS Scotland HCSW Mandatory Induction Standards.
Print off and sign the completion Checklist. If your post is solely with the NHSGGC Staff Bank you are required to send a signed copy of the completion checklist to adminstaffBank@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
Throughout your career, as a Health Care Support worker, you may experience a range of emotions, which could affect your mental health and wellbeing. The NHSGGC: Mental Health and Wellbeing for NHSGGC staff link provides a range of support to prevent and assist with mental health issues in the workplace.
NHSGGC has also produced a booklet with a range of resources and links to support you to take care of your own mental health.
The National Wellbeing Hub contains information, resources and supports which you may find helpful at work and at home.
HealthCare Support Worker (HCSW) Portal – NHSGGC is where you will find all resources and updates for HCSW professional development. There are links to different support sites such as NHS Education for Scotland (NES), our own development programmes and a sample of training courses and instructions on how to access them
Whether you are new to the role of a Clinical Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW) or an experienced HCSW joining a new post, thank you for choosing to come and work with us.
Before you start your online induction, please watch this short video from Jen Rodgers, one of our Deputy Nurse Director’s as she welcomes you to your new role in NHSGGC.
This element of the induction process outlines the minimum essential learning requirements of a Registered Midwife (RM). Please work through the essential learning resources within two weeks of starting in your new role. For NHSGGC Bank Staff this must be completed before your first orientation shift. If you require support seek this from your Preceptor, Flying Start NHS® facilitator, and or line manager.
Each of the resources will support your knowledge and confidence in a person-centred care approach. Person-centred care and support is everyone’s business in NHSGGC from the people who use services to the highest levels of our corporate team; from reception staff to porters; from kitchen staff to doctors; from personal care staff to social workers to chief executives; and from volunteers to managers.
Moving and handling activities is a key part of your duties. This includes assisting patients and tasks such as moving equipment, laundry and stores. To keep yourself and patients safe it is essential you have the correct level of training.
If you have a Scottish Manual Handling Passport no foundation practical training course is required. Bring the passport document in to show your SCN or Team Lead. For Registered Nurses on the NHSGGC Staff Bank, send a copy by email to adminstaffbank@ggc.scot.nhs.uk The dates of Moving and Handling training documented in the passport will go into the ward/ department training records. Complete the mandatory learnPro module: 005 Manual Handling Theory together with the practical competency assessment within your clinical area carried out by one of the local assessors.
All patients should be verbally encouraged to move and position themselves independently. When a patient needs to be moved, handled or requiring a mechanical aid this should be carried out with a member of the ward / department team and not on your own. Please, do not to use hoisting equipment until training completed.
Falls Prevention
Each of the resources will support your knowledge and confidence in how you can reduce risk and manage falls and contribute to promoting the Active Wards Principles. A fall with harm in the hospital can have a detrimental impact on the outcome for a patient, with increased length of stay and after-effects of injury resulting in distress for both patient and family and an increased risk of requiring ongoing care and support on discharge. Effective risk assessment and intervention, as well as encouraging activity promotion and risk enablement can help reduce the risk of patients falling, thus ensuring they are safely cared for during their time as an inpatient.
Maternity Specific Deteriorating Patient education will be delivered locally
Medicines Administration
The resources will help to develop your knowledge and confidence in medicines administration and heighten your understanding of your contribution towards patient safety.
NHSGGC is implementing Fresenius Kabi volumetric and syringe devices. If your clinical area has implemented it you should receive cascade training from a member of the clinical area team.
What next ?Practical training within your clinical area by your Cascade trainer which includes a quality control test and a patient test.
A Meter Compliance Form will then be sent to Clinical Biochemistry.
You will then receive a unique barcode which you will use to analyse any patient samples. Your barcode should strictly never be shared with anyone else. This will be audited
Infection Prevention and Control
Each of the resources will support your knowledge and confidence in Infection Prevention and Control (IPC). The IPC provides an Infection Control service to all healthcare workers (both clinical & non-clinical disciplines), patients, and visitors within NHSGGC. Each Sector and Directorate has an IPC team who can be contacted Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm and out these times an on-call Microbiologist is available via switchboard.
Induction Essential Learning
learnPro® module – GGC 007 Standard Infection Control Precautions
learnPro® module – NES: Prevention & Control Infection: C.Difficile
NHSGGC recognises that employees and patients may be exposed to sharps and subsequent needle stick injuries. Those who experience it can be at risk of physical and emotional harm. NHSGGC has a lawful responsibility to reduce this risk and act to keep staff and patients as safe as is practicable.
You and your manager should complete a training needs analysis to identify the sharps equipment used and risks within your clinical area/service.
Induction Essential Learning
learnPro® module Prevention and Management of Occupational Exposure
If you feel you need more information please discuss this with your line manager and local nurse educator.
Blood Transfusion
Any registered nurse or midwife involved in any stage of the transfusion process is required to undertake the appropriate learning required for their role. The transfusion process includes:
making the decision to transfuse and associated communication with patient
requesting blood components
taking pre-transfusion blood samples
collecting and storing blood components
administration of a transfusion
patient monitoring during and following transfusion
Induction Essential Learning
Blood Transfusion presentation delivered during local induction session
In your clinical environment with many demands on your time, keeping documentation records is a challenging but essential part of your role. All documentation records are part of the nursing process; assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of care.
Throughout your career, as a healthcare professional, you may experience a range of emotions, which could affect your mental health and wellbeing. The NHSGGC: Mental Health and Wellbeing for NHSGGC staff link provides a range of support to prevent and assist with mental health issues in the workplace.
NHSGGC has also produced a booklet with a range of resources and links to support you to take care of your own mental health.
The National Wellbeing Hub contains information, resources and supports which you may find helpful at work and at home.
The Induction team also offer peer support, please contact us at ggc.practicedevelopmentinduction@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
Health and Care Staffing
The Health & Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019 is effective from April 2024. All staff working in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) should understand the principles of this legislation, which are key building blocks of health and care staffing. This means you have an important contribution to make to the implementation of safe and effective staffing.
Sign this Checklist and print or share an electronic copy with your Senior Midwife. Following completion of this Corporate Nursing Induction, your Senior Midwife or local educator, will direct you to specialty specific induction materials. If your post is solely with the NHSGGC Staff Bank you are required to send a signed copy of the completion checklist to adminstaffBank@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
This element of the induction process outlines the minimum essential learning requirements of a Registered Nurse (RN). Please work through the essential learning resources within two weeks of starting in your new role. For NHSGGC Bank Staff this must be completed before your first orientation shift. If you require support seek this from your Preceptor, Flying Start NHS® facilitator, and or line manager.
Each of the resources will support your knowledge and confidence in a person-centred care approach. Person-centred care and support is everyone’s business in NHSGGC from the people who use services to the highest levels of our corporate team; from reception staff to porters; from kitchen staff to doctors; from personal care staff to social workers to chief executives; and from volunteers to managers.
Moving and handling activities is a key part of your duties. This includes assisting patients and tasks such as moving equipment, laundry and stores. To keep yourself and patients safe it is essential you have the correct level of training.
If you have a Scottish Manual Handling Passport no foundation practical training course is required. Bring the passport document in to show your SCN or Team Lead. For Registered Nurses on the NHSGGC Staff Bank, send a copy by email to adminstaffbank@ggc.scot.nhs.uk. The dates of Moving and Handling training documented in the passport will go into the ward/ department training records. Complete the mandatory learnPro module: 005 Manual Handling Theory together with the practical competency assessment within your clinical area carried out by one of the local assessors.
All patients should be verbally encouraged to move and position themselves independently. When a patient needs to be moved, handled or requiring a mechanical aid this should be carried out with a member of the ward / department team and not on your own. Please, do not to use hoisting equipment until training completed.
The Deteriorating Patient
Most children will have a secondary cardiac arrest following an episode of an acute illness and is usually caused by hypoxia. This is rarely a sudden even but follows a progressive deterioration. By recognising early that a patient is sick and/or deteriorating we can intervene, seek expert help and hopefully stop the patient deteriorating further to cardiac arrest. The prognosis following a secondary cardiorespiratory arrest is poor, therefore emphasis should be placed upon early recognition and prevention.
Within NHS GGC a Paediatric Early Warning Score tool (PEWS) is used to help recognise sick and/or deteriorating patients. The patient’s PEWS score, along with the staff member’s assessment of the patient, can help identify patients at risk of clinical deterioration. PEWS charts have been shown to reduce the amount of “crash calls” and PICU admission with staff escalating their concerns early to the appropriate teams.
During induction, all staff new to paediatrics will be allocated a specific date/time for appropriate resuscitation training, provided by the resuscitation training department. It is essential you attend the time given to you. Staff should ensure these skills are maintained and can book onto future update courses via the eESS System or their line manager:
The resources will help to develop your knowledge and confidence in medicines administration and heighten your understanding of your contribution towards patient safety.
NHSGGC is implementing Fresenius Kabi volumetric and syringe devices. If your clinical area has implemented it you should receive cascade training from a member of the clinical area team.
NHSGGC uses the FreeStyle Precision Pro ® Blood Glucose Meter for blood glucose monitoring.
All staff must be trained prior to using the meters for the first time.
InductionEssential Learning
learnPro® module GGC210 FS Precision Pro – Glucose
What next ? – practical training within your clinical area by your Cascade trainer which includes a quality control test and a patient test.
A Meter Compliance Form will then be sent to Clinical Biochemistry.
You will then receive a unique barcode which you will use to analyse any patient samples. Your barcode should never be shared with anyone else.
Infection Prevention and Control
Each of the resources will support your knowledge and confidence in Infection Prevention and Control (IPC). The IPC provides an Infection Control service to all healthcare workers (both clinical & non-clinical disciplines), patients, and visitors within NHSGGC. Each Sector and Directorate has an IPC team who can be contacted Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm and out these times an on-call Microbiologist is available via switchboard.
Induction Essential Learning
learnPro® module – GGC 007 Standard Infection Control Precautions
learnPro® module – NES: Prevention & Control Infection: C.Difficile
NHSGGC recognises that employees and patients may be exposed to sharps and subsequent needle stick injuries. Those who experience it can be at risk of physical and emotional harm. NHSGGC has a lawful responsibility to reduce this risk and act to keep staff and patients as safe as is practicable.
You and your manager should complete a training needs analysis to identify the sharps equipment used and risks within your clinical area/service.
Induction Essential Learning
If you use sharps as part of your role you must complete:
learnPro® module Prevention and Management of Occupational Exposure
If you feel you need more information please discuss this with your line manager and local Nurse Educator.
Blood Transfusion
Any registered paediatric nurse involved in any stage of the transfusion process is required to undertake the appropriate learning required for their role. The transfusion process includes:
making the decision to transfuse and associated communication with patient
requesting blood components
taking pre-transfusion blood samples
collecting and storing blood components
administration of a transfusion
patient monitoring during and following transfusion
Each of the resources will support your knowledge and confidence in providing palliative and end of life care. The Paediatric Supportive and Palliative Care team at Royal Hospital for Children (RHC) provide tertiary specialist paediatric palliative care across the paediatric spectrum, from the antenatal period, through infancy and childhood and also for young people until they reach their 16th birthday (and those who are 17-18 years but still accessing services at RHC). The service provides an individual patient-centred pathway from diagnosis or recognition that a condition is life-threatening or life-limiting.
The team will accept referrals from any healthcare professional. If a patient requires to be assessed by a member of the team the named consultant on the child or young person’s care must give approval. Get is touch with the team with an electronic referral via TrakCare – Paediatric Supportive and Palliative Care consult.
TrakCare® is the Patient Management System for NHSGGC. All patient episodes (Outpatient, Inpatient and Emergency) are recorded and managed on TrakCare®. TrakCare® incorporates electronic requesting (Order Comms) for Labs, Radiology and Cardiology and electronic results.
Induction Essential Learning
learnPro® module GGC: 009 Safe Information Handling
If after watching the video you feel further training on TrakCare is required, please book your online face to face session via the learnPro home page (Go to the bottom of the page and click on Training events/course booking and apply).
Record Keeping and Documentation
In your clinical environment with many demands on your time, keeping documentation records is a challenging but essential part of your role. All documentation records are part of the nursing process; assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of care.
Throughout your career, as a healthcare professional, you may experience a range of emotions, which could affect your mental health and wellbeing. The NHSGGC: Mental Health and Wellbeing for NHSGGC staff link provides a range of support to prevent and assist with mental health issues in the workplace.
NHSGGC has also produced a booklet with a range of resources and links to support you to take care of your own mental health.
The National Wellbeing Hub contains information, resources and supports which you may find helpful at work and at home.
Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019 is effective from April 2024. All staff working in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) should understand the principles of this legislation, which are key building blocks of health and care staffing. This means you have an important contribution to make to the implementation of safe and effective staffing.
Sign this Checklist and print or share an electronic copy with your Senior Charge Nurse. Following completion of Corporate Nursing Induction, your Senior Charge Nurse or local educator, will direct you to specialty specific induction materials. If your post is solely with the NHSGGC Staff Bank you are required to send a signed copy of the completion checklist to adminstaffBank@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
This element of the induction process outlines the minimum essential learning requirements of a Registered Nurse (RN). Please work through the essential learning resources within two weeks of starting in your new role. For NHSGGC Bank Staff this must be completed prior to your first orientation shift. If you require support seek this from your Preceptor, Flying Start NHS® facilitator and or line manager.
Each of the resources will support your knowledge and confidence in a person-centred care approach. Person-centred care and support is everyone’s business in NHSGGC from the people who use services to the highest levels of our corporate team; from reception staff to porters; from kitchen staff to doctors; from personal care staff to social workers to chief executives; and from volunteers to managers.
Each of the resources will support your knowledge and confidence in how you can reduce risk and manage falls and contribute to promoting the Active Wards Principles. A fall with harm in the hospital can have a detrimental impact on the outcome for a patient, with increased length of stay and after-effects of injury resulting in distress for both patient and family and an increased risk of requiring ongoing care and support on discharge. Effective risk assessment and intervention, as well as encouraging activity promotion and risk enablement can help reduce the risk of patients falling, thus ensuring they are safely cared for during their time as an inpatient.
Moving and handling activities is a key part of your duties. This includes assisting patients and tasks such as moving equipment, laundry and stores. To keep yourself and patients safe it is essential you have the correct level of training.
If you have a Scottish Manual Handling Passport no foundation practical training course is required. Bring the passport document in to show your SCN or Team Lead. For Registered Nurses on the NHSGGC Staff Bank, send a copy by email to adminstaffbank@ggc.scot.nhs.uk. The dates of Moving and Handling training documented in the passport will go into the ward/ department training records. Complete the mandatory learnPro module: 005 Manual Handling Theory together with the practical competency assessment within your clinical area carried out by one of the local assessors.
All patients should be verbally encouraged to move and position themselves independently. When a patient needs to be moved, handled or requiring a mechanical aid this should be carried out with a member of the ward / department team and not on your own. Please, do not to use hoisting equipment until training completed.
The Deteriorating Patient
Each of the resources will support your knowledge and confidence in care of the deteriorating patient.
Clinical deterioration can occur at any point in a patient’s journey. Early recognition of the deteriorating patient, with a structured response and appropriate escalation can reduce patient harm and mortality. In NHSGGC, the National Early Warning Scoring (NEWS) tool is used to identify patients who are at risk of clinical deterioration. This is a track and trigger tool that is used to improve the assessment of acute illness, detection of clinical deterioration and the initiation of a timely and competent clinical response. The use of NEWS, coupled with effective communication and teamwork are fundamental to patient safety.
Patients with a tracheostomy or laryngectomy are at increased risk of deterioration and complications, and should be placed at a bed space with working oxygen and suction. A completed tracheostomy or laryngectomy (containing associated emergency algorithm) bed head sign should be on display. These patients should have a ‘tracheostomy and laryngectomy emergency box’ with them throughout their hospital stay (including transfers) containing airway equipment in the event of clinical deterioration. Ask your SCN or Team Lead for further guidance in how to care for these patients.
The resources will help to develop your knowledge and confidence in medicines administration and heighten your understanding of your contribution towards patient safety.
NHSGGC is implementing Fresenius Kabi volumetric and syringe devices. If your clinical area has implemented it you should receive cascade training from a member of the clinical area team.
Food, Fluid and Nutrition
Induction Essential Learning
learnPro module GGC: 270 An overview of Malnutrition
learnPro module GGC: 271 Assessing Risk of Malnutrition
NHSGGC uses the FreeStyle Precision Pro ® Blood Glucose Meter for blood glucose monitoring.
All staff must be trained prior to using the meters for the first time.
Induction Essential Learning
learnPro module GGC: 210 FS Precision Pro – Glucose
What next ?Practical training within your clinical area by your Cascade trainer which includes a quality control test and a patient test.
A Meter Compliance Form will then be sent to Clinical Biochemistry.
You will then receive a unique barcode which you will use to analyse any patient samples. Your barcode should strictly never be shared with anyone else. This will be audited
Discharge Planning
The aim of discharge planning is to ensure that patients are discharged from hospital safely and efficiently. Effective discharge planning will ensure patients are discharged from hospital safely and in a timely way, reduce length of stay, reduce pressure on bed availability and improve patient satisfaction. You have a key role within the MDT for effective discharge planning which should start on admission with the Planned Date of Discharge. With the patients permission we should engage early with family, carers, and MDT to plan discharge.
TheDischarge Information Foldercontains key information to assist you including documentation, homecare, social work, Scottish Ambulance Service and Carers Information (access from GGC computer).
Each of the resources will support your knowledge and confidence in Infection Prevention and Control (IPC). The IPC team provide an Infection Control service to all health care workers (both clinical & non-clinical disciplines), patients and visitors within NHSGGC. Each Sector and Directorate has an IPC team who can be contacted Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm and out with these times an on-call Microbiologist is available via switchboard.
Induction Essential Learning
learnPro module GGC: 007 Standard Infection Control Precautions
learnPro module NES: Prevention & Control Infection: C.Difficile
NHSGGC recognises that employees and patients may be exposed to sharps and subsequent needle stick injuries. Those who experience it can be at risk of physical and emotional harm. NHSGGC has a lawful responsibility to reduce this risk and act to keep staff and patients as safe as is practicable.
You and your manager should complete a training needs analysis to identify the sharps equipment used and risks within your clinical area/service.
Induction Essential Learning
learnPro module Prevention and Management of Occupational Exposure
If you feel you need more information please discuss this with your line manager and local nurse educator.
Blood Transfusion
Any registered nurse involved in any stage of the transfusion process is required to undertake the appropriate learning required for their role. The transfusion process includes:
Making the decision to transfuse and associated communication with patient
Requesting blood components
Taking pre-transfusion blood samples
Collecting and storing blood components
Administration of a transfusion
Patient monitoring during and following transfusion
The resources aim to develop your confidence and skills to implement care for the person living with dementia who is admitted to the acute hospital. NHSGGC supports the use of the national ‘Getting to Know Me’ document which links with the “what Matters To Me” ward boards and Single Question in Delirium (SQiD) within the Care Rounding chart.
The Think Delirium presentation aims to raise awareness and provide an opportunity to improve delirium identification, management and risk reduction within your ward or department. Be an agent of change and “Call TIME” on Delirium, especially in Dementia.
Each of the resources will support your knowledge and confidence in providing palliative and end of life care. Everyone can provide palliative care and there are resources available to support you. For complex situations Specialist Palliative Care Teams are available for patients and families. They are also there as a support and educational resource for you. Each hospital has a Specialist Palliative Care team and Referrals can be made via TrakCare®. For urgent review please page the team via switchboard.
NHSGGC recognises that employees and patients may be exposed to violence, aggression, and distress. Those who experience it can be at risk of physical and emotional harm. NHSGGC has a lawful responsibility to reduce this risk and act to keep staff and patients as safe as is practicable.
Our aim is that the risk of harm posed by violence, aggression, and distress will be reduced to its lowest practicable level and that relationships between ourselves, patients, and others who use the service are positive and respectful. To help achieve this, a Public Health, Human Rights Based, Risk Reduction model is used which includes the provision of training that is relevant and sufficient for your role within NHSGGC.
Induction Essential Learning
LearnPro module GGC: 003 – Reducing Risks of Violence and Aggression
Other Useful Resources
Your line manager will complete a Training Needs Analysis to identify if you work in an area/service exposed to a higher risk of violence, aggression, and distress. This will require some staff to attend in-person Health and Safety Violence Reduction training which is booked through eESS.
Prior to attending this training complete LearnPro module GGC: 312 – Violence Reduction – Physical Skills Knowledge – Adults.
TrakCare® is the Patient Management System for NHSGGC. All patient episodes (Outpatient, Inpatient and Emergency) are recorded and managed on TrakCare®. TrakCare® incorporates electronic requesting (Order Comms) for Labs, Radiology and Cardiology and electronic results.
Induction Essential Learning
learnPro® module GGC: 009 Safe Information Handling
If after watching the video you feel further training on TrakCare® is required, please book your online face to face session via the learnPro home page (Go to the bottom of the page and click on training events/course booking and apply).
Record Keeping and Documentation
In your clinical environment with many demands on your time, keeping documentation records is a challenging but essential part of your role. All documentation records are part of the nursing process; assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of care.
The Health & Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019 is effective from April 2024. All staff working in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) should understand the principles of this legislation, which are key building blocks of health and care staffing. This means you have an important contribution to make to the implementation of safe and effective staffing.
Sign this Checklist and print or share an electronic copy with your Senior Charge Nurse. Following completion, your Senior Charge Nurse or local educator, will direct you to specialty specific induction materials. If your post is solely with the NHSGGC Staff Bank you are required to send a signed copy of the completion checklist to adminstaffBank@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
Throughout your career, as a healthcare professional, you may experience a range of emotions, which could affect your mental health and wellbeing. The NHSGGC: Mental Health and Wellbeing for NHSGGC staff link provides a range of support to prevent and assist with mental health issues in the workplace.
NHSGGC has also produced a booklet with a range of resources and links to support you to take care of your own mental health.
The National Wellbeing Hub contains information, resources and supports which you may find helpful at work and at home.
The NHSGGC clinical guideline platform has been developed to provide a central repository to access all NHSGGC clinical guidelines and incorporates both medicine and non-medicine related clinical guidelines.
Practice Development offer a variety of clinical skills education and training. Details of these can be viewed and bookings made via eESS: Learner Self Service → Learning →Learner Home → Browse Catalogue → NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde → Clinical Improvement → Clinical Skills.
If venepuncture and/or cannulation training is required, this should be discussed with your line manager as bookings for this training are based upon clinical service need. Please request your line manager to contact practicedevelopmentnominations@ggc.scot.nhs.uk if they require further information regarding booking process.
The NHS Education Scotland’s (NES) national Preceptorship resource builds on the Nursing and Midwifery Councils Principles for Preceptorship. It has been developed to offer a consistent approach to support registered nurses and midwives to transition to new roles and practice settings from the point of registration and as they progress through their career.
NHS Flying Start® is a national development programme designed to support newly qualified practitioners (NQPs) to develop into confident and capable, registered health care professionals.
NHSGGC requires all registered nurses and midwives to complete NHS Flying Start® in the first 12 months of practice. This is a learner-directed, work-based programme, supported by a Flying Start Facilitator and line manager.
Restorative Clinical Supervision supports you to reflect, and develop your clinical practice, whilst embedding staff wellbeing and wellness into the working environment, promoting and establishing positive working cultures,leading to improved patient outcomes.
Facilitating Learning
TURAS®
TURAS® is the NES single, unified platform and includes:
The practice educator national network, in collaboration with host boards, develop and deliver learning materials and contribute towards the delivery of local board and NES objectives
Effective Practitioner can help you to identify gaps in knowledge and direct you to resources that can help meet your learning needs. The learning activities have been created specifically for NMAHPs (Nursing, Midwifery and Health Professionals) and will help with performance / KSF development reviews, personal development plans and maintaining your professional registration.
The importance of support and supervision is emphasised throughout all four levels of this evidenced-based framework. The need for the whole workforce to have knowledge and skills related to psychological trauma relative to individual roles and remits is acknowledged.
The purpose of the leadership and management zone learning site is to provide all health and social care staff across Scotland with an easy point of access to a range of development resources about leadership and management. You might currently be in a leadership role wanting to develop your capabilities, or you might be aspiring to develop as a leader, or you might wish to support others’ learning. In this site you will find toolkits, events, topics, programmes and links.
The practice educator national network, in collaboration with host boards, develop and deliver learning materials and contribute towards the delivery of local board and NES objectives
Effective Practitioner can help you to identify gaps in knowledge and direct you to resources that can help meet your learning needs. The learning activities have been created specifically for NMAHPs (Nursing, Midwifery and Health Professionals) and will help with performance / KSF development reviews, personal development plans and maintaining your professional registration.
The importance of support and supervision is emphasised throughout all four levels of this evidenced-based framework. The need for the whole workforce to have knowledge and skills related to psychological trauma relative to individual roles and remits is acknowledged.
The NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Library Network provides library and information services to all staff working within NHSGGC and its partner organisations.
NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde recognises the multi-professional workforce is integral to the success of CAS (Care Assurance Standards) and is committed to supporting its staff to deliver safe and effective person centred care. CAS provides a framework for the quality of care experienced by patients, relatives, carers and staff to be consistently communicated and demonstrated across all clinical areas.
The Senior Charge Nurse/Midwife has overall responsibility and accountability for achieving and maintaining the standards. However, the wider organisation’s role is to ensure there is a support structure to ensure the clinical leaders and their teams can embed a culture of continuous improvement within the clinical areas.
Whether you are a newly qualified or experienced practitioner it is a pleasure to welcome you to NHSGGC. We hope you feel welcome and valued as you join us. If you are a newly qualified practitioner we wish you a smooth transition from student to qualified practitioner. Please seek support from your Practice Education Facilitator, Preceptor and Flying Start NHS® Facilitator as you develop into your new role.
Please watch the short welcome video below:
Welcome to NHSGGC from Executive Director of Nursing Professor Angela Wallace
The Active Staff Programme was set up to protect and promote health in the workplace by providing a range of free opportunities for all NHSGGC/HSCP staff to engage in activities that support good mental and physical health.
We want equitable access by all staff groups regardless of their fitness level, shift pattern or protected characteristics
Engaging in physical activity not only supports good physical health but good mental health also.
Staff participation in all Active Staff activities is at your own risk and not the responsibility of NHSGGC.
Please assess your own fitness level and suitability for your chosen activity.
Active Staff Face to Face, Online and Outdoor Activities
The classes are completely free for all NHSGGC and HSCP staff. Use the button below to book any of our in-person and online classes.
With a mixture of early morning and evening classes, outdoors or streamed by instructors over Microsoft Teams in the comfort of your home we hope we have something on offer for all levels and for you to enjoy.
Here is some information about all the fantastic activities we offer and all for free!
Our activities include:
Bootcamps / Outdoor
Eastwood Health and Care Centre – Tuesday 5.15pm – 6.15pm
Gartnavel – Tuesday and Thursday 5.15pm – 6.15pm
Glasgow Royal Infirmary – Wednesday 5.30pm – 6.30pm (This bootcamp takes place indoors)
Inverclyde Royal Hospital – Thursday 5pm – 6pm (This bootcamp takes place indoors)
New Victoria – Tuesday and Thursday 5.15pm – 6.15pm (Cancelled until 24.02.25)
Queen Elizabeth University Hospital – Monday 5.00pm – 5.45pm
Stobhill – Monday 6.15pm – 7.15pm
Enjoy your exercise outdoors at our Bootcamps. A fun hour of varied exercises effective in burning calories and increasing fitness and stamina.
Guided Health Walks (Various Locations)
Saturday 1 walk per month
Next Walk Dates:
Saturday 18th January 2025 (Booking now open) – Balloch to Ben Bowie/Gouk Hill and Return
One of our most popular activities is our monthly guide led walks in and around central Scotland. These are around 4 to 6 hours long and up to moderate activity levels.
Let’s Get Moving (Online)
Tuesday 6.15pm – 7.15pm
If you are new to exercise, have not exercised in a while and looking to return, ‘Let’s Get Moving’ is perfect for exploring, returning to and maintaining fitness.
This class combines cardiovascular fitness alongside co-ordination, strength, resistance, balance and flexibility.
Pilates (Online)
Thursday 6.45am – 7.45am
Early morning Pilates to set you up for the day. Pilates requires concentration, co-ordination, and control promoting flexibility, strength, balance and improved body awareness. It is a focused practice that requires complete attention to breathing and how the body is moving. It therefore allows us to switch of from the pressures of daily life reducing stress and promoting relaxation and wellbeing.
Lunchtime Pilates (Online)
Monday 12.30pm – 1.00pm (this session will resume from Monday 6th January 2025)
Thursday 12.30pm – 1.00pm
This will be at beginner level, and a great way to stretch the body after sitting at your desk for a few hours. Pilates is all about building core strength on your back, chest, stomach, shoulders and glutes. This enables better posture, with stability and flexibility for all of your joints.
Strength and Mobility (Queen Elizabeth University Hospital)
Thursday 5.15pm – 6.15pm
Involving a combination of bodyweight, core and different stretching methods where you can strengthen all areas of the body through a body movement sequence.
You do not have to have to be strong or flexible to take part, anyone can do this sequence and improve weekly with an enjoyable progressive class structure.
Please bring a mat if you have one for comfort in the class.
Please note, due to restricted space these classes are offered on a first come first served basis.
Stretch and Tone (Online)
Saturday 10.00am – 11.00am
Low impact class to get the body moving, whether recovering from week before and/or feel more energised for the week ahead. Ease off any stiff or achy muscles with gentle stretches.
Yoga (Online)
Monday 5.30pm – 6.30pm
Wednesday 6.30pm – 7.30pm
Thursday 5.00pm – 6.00pm
With an emphasis on relaxing and letting go, the class is suitable for all levels. Comprising of breath work, asana (postures) and a lovely Yoga Nidra relaxation at the end.
Active Staff Walking Challenges
The Active Staff Spring and Autumn 2024 Walking Challenges have now finished. We are currently collating information from both events and will publish details here soon.
Thank you to everyone who completed our 2024 Active Staff Survey. Your input is very much appreciated and we will publish outcomes from the evaluation on this page soon.
Active Staff have brand new leaflets and posters free to order at the Public Health Resource Directory (under Physical Activity). Please order a bundle to bring along to staff events/meetings.
You can also download and print the leaflet and poster:
Save Money! Get Fit! Help the Environment! To find out more on Cycling and Walking, Parking and Car Share Scheme, Using Public Transport, Staff Shuttle Bus and lots of other help and support visit Travel Information for Staff
Discounted Gym Memberships for NHS Staff
NHSGGC have teamed up with neighbouring local authority leisure providers to offer staff the chance to sign up to discounted leisure memberships. The scheme works by NHSGGC paying the annual membership fee, entitling staff to a 12 months membership. Staff sign a salary mandate form and the payments are deducted on a monthly basis from salary for a period of 12 months. For more information and application procedures visit Staff Benefits
Scottish Ballet Movement and Breath Sessions for NHS & HSCP Staff
Are you seeking fresh ways to feel healthy? Needing to release stress, anxiety and fatigue?
These 10 and 20 minute pre-recorded sessions can be used to support physical and mental wellbeing. Accompanied by specially created music, these resources are used by staff in the workplace and at home and are accessible to all staff regardless of fitness level or age. No movement experience is needed.
NHSGGC is the largest health board in the UK. We provide healthcare to over 1.2 million people and employ around 38,000 staff, many of which are Allied Health Professionals (AHP’s).
NHSGGC AHP staff have a positive and integral role to play in the delivery of healthcare. NHSGGC are committed to nurturing the future generation of AHP’s through AHP student practice placements. Working in tandem with Higher Education (HE) and HEIs we support and facilitate pre-registration practice based learning and development.
NHSGGC offers client facilities and services in both acute and community settings, over a vast geographical area from Greenock to Glasgow and many places in between. If you are coming to NHSGGC for a placement you may be placed in one or many of the settings where we provide health care to service users.
You might feel a mixture of emotions about coming on placement, this is ok and perfectly normal.
You will find in the sections below, relevant and necessary pre-placement information including confidentiality to uniform policies, what to expect from the placement and what we expect from you. This, in turn can help to empower and create optimistic emotions which can positively impact on confidence and learning throughout your placement.
Profession specific information will be available soon.
Student Wellbeing
At this time, each Scottish HEI is providing a range of wellbeing support to which you can self-refer.
A Support for AHP Students poster has been created, detailing local resources which may support AHP students during the cost of living crisis.
Resources
AHP student and practice educator handbook
Provides a variety of resources and information for students and practice educators, including:
student use of electronic information systems.
code of conduct
policies
student car insurance
student feedback
students raising a concern
membership of PVG Scheme
fire safety for students
Templates for recording student information and reflection.
The handbook is updated quarterly to ensure it reflects current AHP information and resources. However, if you feel information needs to be updated or added, please contact, elspeth.lee4@nhs.scot.
AHP Student Feedback Questionnaire
To allow AHPs to improve and understand the student experience it is important for us to find out what went well and where we could improve the placement experience. It is also very valuable to share the different challenges that were experienced and how these were perhaps overcome. Although voluntary to complete, we would greatly appreciate your participation with the AHP Student Feedback Questionnaire. Your responses to questions are anonymous, unless you choose to add the placement area details.
The data from the survey will initially be shared with the AHP professional leads for dissemination through their service.
The link to the survey should be provided by your Practice educator who is working directly with you on placement within NHSGGC,
Since 2010, there have been AHP Practice Placement Agreements in place between each Scottish HEI that runs pre-registration programmes and each NHS Board. Previously known as Practice Placement Agreements (PPA). The AHP PPA’s are currently being refreshed (now to be called AHP Practice-based Learning Agreement ).
NHSGGC have AHP Practice-based Learning Agreements with Glasgow Caledonian University, Queen Margaret University, Robert Gordon University, University of Strathclyde and Edinburgh Napier University
What is new in the AHP Practice-based learning Agreement?
The revised agreement provides greater clarity and consistency in approach to governance arrangements for professions, Universities and Practice Education Providers. It consolidates current custom and practice that has evolved in relation to student Practice-based Learning since 2009.
The approach to refreshing the agreement has been to include agreed content written during the original signing, and subsequent developments that underpin the provision of AHP student Practice-based Learning e.g. HCPC Guidance on Conduct and Ethics for Students (2017), AHP placement cancellation guidance, provision of practice educator training etc. The refreshed content has an operational focus to address and balance the requirements of different stakeholders.
What has not changed?
The agreements clarify contemporary governance arrangements for Student Practice-based learning. The approach to refreshing the agreements has not included a review of the ongoing commitment to student ‘Practice Based Learning Weeks’ (placement weeks) per profession. This work is being progressed separately and will involve Scottish Government, AHP Directors, Practice Education Providers and professional bodies.
AHP Students from non-Scottish HEI’s
AHP students who are studying at non-Scottish HEI’s often have placements within NHSGGC, however as there are no practice-based learning agreements with these institutions, governance arrangements regarding issues such as PVG, immunisations etc must be discussed with the HEI and student prior to the student coming on placement.
HCPC regulatory body
Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) is the regulating body for health, psychological and social work professionals. They protect and set standards around education and training which includes continuing professional development (CPD).
NHS Education for Scotland (NES) funded AHP practice education programme to support high quality placement opportunities. The site offers support on pre placement orientation and induction material, Practice Educator CPD and support and an overview of AHP Practice based learning partnership agreements.