In August 2023 a National Patient Safety Alert was issued regarding Medical beds, trolleys, bed rails, bed grab handles and lateral turning devices: risk of death from entrapment or falls alongside updated guidance from MHRA. Care home residents were specifically mentioned and are particularly vulnerable to the risk of entrapment from these devices for the reasons below:

• Complex physical needs
• Cognitive impairment

To address this NHSGGC have worked collaboratively with care homes to produce some simple resources to help raise awareness of the key points to support safe use of bed safety rails and bed grab handles.

The resources include:

• ‘To use, or not to use that is the question?’ poster
• ‘What you need to know about bed grab handles’ poster
• Guide for care home staff on use of safety rails
• Guide for use of bed grab handles

Video Resources

Please click below to access video resources from the Care Home Pharmacy Services team.

Recording of training session on topic of UTI’s in Care Home residents

Recording of training session on Care Home Pharmacy services provided by the Pharmacy Primary Care Home Team

Preparing for winter is an important part of support to residents and staff in care homes across the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area. This pack contains a range of useful winter readiness information and planning resources. The information in the pack is aligned with good practice and national guidance, and is intended to complement local arrangements.

Please click here to access the Care Home Winter Pack 2024/2025.

Watch the recording of the Winter Readiness webinar 2024/2025

Care Home COVID Testing Table

The Care Inspectorate provides a helpful resource for promoting continence for people living with dementia and long term conditions.

SPHERE Bladder and Bowel Service

The Care Home Zone provides links and information to SPHERE assessment and product ordering documentation. As well as other useful information.

• Delirium information leaflet
• Delirium toolkit booklet
• Delirium risk reduction and intervention training presentation
• Causes and types of Delirium poster

SIGN

SIGN 167 Care of deteriorating patients a national clinical guideline.

What is diabetes? – Diabetes UK website

Diabetes – Key points for providing a diabetes appropriate diet for your residents.

NHSGGC Resources to support falls reduction

A series of 5 posters aimed at care home staff and carers to highlight simple measures that can help reduce the risk of residents falling.

GGC care homes should receive a hard copy of each of the posters. Further copies can be ordered from the medical illustrations department.  Email: medical.illustrationgri@ggc.scot.nhs.uk Telephone 0141 211 8580

Posters

• Zimmer – How to know when a zimmer is past it!
• Walking stick – How to spot when a stick is rot!
• Delta – How to check that wheels aren’t wonky!
• Footwear – Suitable footwear for care homes
• Seating and posture – Are you sitting comfortably?

Videos

Please click here to access educational videos for care home staff on the reduction and management of resident falls.

NHSGGC Future Care Planning

Information for Care Homes

Future Care Planning Training Hub

The Programme has a range of training opportunities which are free and open to all.

Visit the training hub for more information.

Good hydration is vital to maintain health and prevent illness.

CHC Quality Improvement Project Poster – A helping hand for hydration

Hydration change package

Resources

Hydration Station Equipment List

Food and Fluid Documentation Poster

Healthy Urine Poster

Hot and Cold Drinks Menu

Hydration Poster

Standard Infection Control Precautions  

Standard Infection Control Precautions or SICPs are the basic infection prevention and control measure used to reduce the risk of transmitting infectious agents from known and unknown sources of infection. SICPs should be used by all staff, in all care settings, at all times, for all residents to ensure the safety of those being cared for as well as staff and visitors to the home.

There are 10 SICPs. For more information on SICPs please Care Home specific section of the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual.

Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs)

Transmission Based Precautions

In certain circumstances using Standard Infection Control Precautions (also known as SICPs) won’t be enough to stop an infection spreading and you will need to use some extra precautions. These extra precautions are Transmission Based Precautions, or TBPs.

TBPs should be used if a resident has a suspected or known infection.

Please see below for a series of two short videos developed for staff wishing to refresh their knowledge of TBPs.

Transmission Based Precautions (TBPs) Video 1

Transmission Based Precautions (TBPs) Video 2

For more information on TBPs please see the care home specific section of the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual.

Further Resources

For more information on SCIPS access the Preventing Infection in Social Care Settings app released by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) in partnership with NHS Education for Scotland (NES) and the Digital Health and Care Innovation Centre (DHI).

The app has been developed for staff in settings such as care homes with a view to enabling easy access to infection prevention and control guidance.

Welcome to the Care Home Learning Forum Resource pages.

You can find information on future meetings and registration on our Learning Opportunities page.

There are several effective strategies to keep elderly residents active during the winter months, even when outdoor activities may be limited. While this list is not exhaustive, it provides a starting point for staff to explore various options for keeping residents engaged and active.

Indoor Gardening For residents with a passion for gardening, cultivating indoor plants can be a rewarding winter activity. Staff can assist residents in setting up a small indoor garden in a conservatory, greenhouse or a windowsill. Engaging in tasks such as pruning, re-potting or planting seeds provides physical activity while allowing residents to maintain a connection with nature.

It is important for care staff to remain informed about the latest guidelines and resources related to physical activity for older adults.

NHS Inform website provides comprehensive physical activity guidelines.

Keeping fit and active as you get older – NHSGGC and the Mobility – SSSC MyLearning are excellent references for understanding the needs of elderly individuals.

Care Inspectorate offers a valuable resource which outlines the significance of physical activity in promoting health and well-being among older adults. These resources can guide staff in implementing best practices for keeping residents active and engaged.

To further support staff in fostering an active lifestyle for residents, the Supporting older people to live active, healthy lives online course is a beneficial tool.

Care About Physical Activity programme is an improvement programme lead by the Care Inspectorate it can be used to support physical activity in different ways.

Paths for all is a Scottish Charity. Their vision: Scotland is a walking nation. Everyone has the opportunity ti be active everyday, creating a happier, healthier and greener Scotland. They support healthcare staff to deliver walking activities, combined with Strength and Balance, to residents, patients and clients in care settings.

Age UK Wellbeing for older people’s groups and organisations.

Scottish Ballet Duet is a series of three 10-minute films and two 12-minute audio recordings specially designed for people with reduced mobility to move together with their companions or carers. As with all SB Health materials, SB Duet can also be enjoyed on your own.

Miami J Collar – Stable

This information can be helpful for use of a Miami J Collar following a stable neck injury or fracture where the patient is able to safely apply and remove themselves.

Miami J Collar – Stable with assistance

This information can be helpful for use of a Miami J Collar following a stable neck injury or fracture where the patient requires a carer, family or friends to safely apply and remove the collar as they cannot do this themselves.

Miami J Collar – Unstable

This information can be helpful for use of a Miami J Collar following an unstable neck injury or fracture. It provides information to help their carers, family or friends understand how to safely remove and apply the collar as they cannot do this themselves and it requires two people to remove to apply the collar.

The Food First and Project Milkshake section on the Right Decision website provides helpful resources including information videos and our milkshake recipe book to support starting fortified milkshakes in your home.

NHSGGC Nutrition In Care Homes

MUST and MUST Step 5 training videos to support understanding of MUST calculations and MUST Step 5 pathway. This is used for care and residential homes. Click here to access the MUST Guide to Help.

Hydration poster identifies key points for delivering good hydration.

Mealtime experience poster identifies key points for delivering a good mealtime experience for residents.

Food Fortification Poster key points to support a food first approach for residents who require it.

IDDSI and dysphagia poster provides an overview of the IDDSI framework.

Eating and Drinking with Acknowledged Risk Information Leaflet

NHSGGC Dysphagia

IDDSI and dysphagia training videos for care and catering staff in care homes created by Speech and Language therapy, Dietetics and IDDSI specialist chef.

IDDSI snack list poster to support snack choices for residents with dysphagia. This poster goes through each IDDSI level with sweet and savoury suggestions.

NHSGGC Malnutrition

Other resources

IDDSI resources and recipes to support providing food and fluid to residents with dysphagia.

Wessex academic health network website. The Hydration at Home e-learning module and Toolkit has been endorsed by the British Dietetic Association. Useful information to support training on hydration to all care staff.

Eating and drinking well in care: good practice guidance for older people

Nutrition and Hydration Week 2024

Malnutrition Monday – Signs, prevention and consequences of malnutrition plus malnutrition screening

Food and Fluid Preference Tuesday – Food and fluid preference tips and considerations

Snack Wednesday – Texture modified and diabetic snack ideas

Thirsty Thursday – Factors affecting hydration and tips to support fluid intake

Mealtime Friday – Importance of Positive Mealtime Experience

Malnutrition Awareness Week 2023

Malnutrition – Signs, symptoms and consequences

Interactive Tuesday – Be person centred, no one size fits all!

Ask Look Listen – Good Nutrition

Thirsty Thursday – Hydration

Focus on Resilience – Top tips

Care Inspectorate

‘Supporting better oral care in care homes’ quality illustration.

Caring for Smiles

Scotland’s national oral health programme for dependent older adults.

NHS Education for Scotland (NES) Resources for Health and Social Care Staff

Turas Learn

Confirmation of death resources are available on Turas Learn. The pages contain Information and Education Resources resources to support registered professionals with Confirmation of Death.

Turas Learn is a website for health and social care staff that hosts a wide range of learning materials including eLearning modules and courses.

You must be logged into your Turas Account to view and access eLearning modules Sign In

If you do not have a Turas account you can create one

Support around death

This website aims to support health and social care staff who are working with patients, carers and families before, at, and after death. It provides key information on the clinical, legislative, and practical issues involved.

NHSGGC Palliative Care

This website has links to education and resources for health and social care professionals, patients and relatives.

NHSGGC Last Breath Poster

Click here to access the Last Breath poster developed by NHS Forth Valley.

NHSGGC Syringe Pump Resources

Click here to access NHSGGC resources and updates for syringe pumps including instruction videos, competency frameworks and guidelines for use.

Scottish Palliative Care Guidelines – Launch of the new web and mobile app

The Scottish Palliative Care Guidelines describes good practice in the management of adult patients with life-limiting illness. They are designed for healthcare professionals from any care setting who are involved in supporting people with a palliative, life-limiting condition.

This app is delivered through the Right Decision Service – the national decision support service provided by Healthcare Improvement Scotland and is Nationwide.

The guidelines can be accessed via the Right Decisions website or download the Right Decisions mobile app from the app store for Apple or Android.

Supportive and Palliative Action Register (SPAR) Resources

Please find SPAR documentation and resources below. If you are looking to implement SPAR in your care home, please contact us for support and guidance.

• SPAR Standard Operating Procedure
• SPAR Participation Agreement
• SPAR Register
• Palliative Performance Scale with guidance

Eating and Drinking with Acknowledged Risk

Eating and Drinking with Acknowledged Risk Information Leaflet

Project Posters

• Improving physical activity levels and reducing falls using Strength and Balance Programme in a care home setting.
• Reduction in Pressure Ulcer Incidence in a Glasgow Residential Care Home

Care Home Collaborative

RESTORE2 is the national acute deterioration tool recommended by Scottish Government for care homes.

The Care Home Collaborative can support the implementation of this nationally recognised tool in care homes across GGC.  

If you would like more information or our support using the RESTORE2 tool within your care home please get in touch.

Wessex Patient Safety Collaborative

RESTORE2 is a national resources that was co-produced by NHS West Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Group and Wessex Patient Safety Collaborative.

RESTORE2 is designed to support homes and health professionals to:

• Recognise when a resident may be deteriorating or at risk of physical deterioration
• Act appropriately according to the residents care plan
• Obtain a complete set of physical observations to inform escalation and conversations with health professionals
• Speak with the most appropriate health professional in a timely way to get the right support
• Provide a concise escalation history to health professionals to support their professional decision making

Resources

The NHS Health Education England videos below can be used to support staff when implementing the RESTORE2 tool in your care home.

Other useful resources

RESTORE2 chart

How to complete a RESTORE2 chart

RESTORE2 Rollout Handbook

Wessex Patient Safety Collaborative

RESTORE2 Mini can help your team to identify that a resident is deteriorating and to get help earlier, supporting the resident to remain at home.

RESTORE2 Mini is a shortened version of the full RESTORE2 tool and is ideal for introducing to residential homes (that are currently unable to take physical observations) to the concepts of soft signs and SBARD structured communication.

Resources

Other useful resources

RESTORE2mini chart

RESTORE2mini ‘soft signs’ poster

RESTORE2 handbook

WMTY day is an annual event which is recognised and celebrated internationally. On this day, more than any other, there is a focus on raising awareness of having conversations with care home residents and staff that help to build connections and improve outcomes for the person:

• Ask What Matters,
• Listen to What Matters and
• Do What Matters.

You can read a selection of WMTY Activities and stories from staff, residents and families in our Good News Stories section. You can also get involved by Sharing your stories and building the evidence base.

For further information have a look at the these WMTY resources

Click here to access the NHSGGC Person Centred Care resources

Click here to access the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland Person Centred Voices resources

Guidance notes for Carer Voices – Intelligent Kindness Best Practice

This study day presents an opportunity to help increase Care Around Death knowledge and skills. Using a case study approach this day will enable participants to learn and share practice with each other whilst taking into consideration relevant local and national guidance.

This study day meets ‘Enhanced’ level on Domain #2 of the NES Palliative and End of Life Care Education Framework.

Click on the link below for more information and upcoming dates.

Caring for Smiles is Scotland’s national oral health, training and support programme, which aims to improve the oral health of older people particularly those living in care homes.

Education and training of staff play an important role in the delivery and improvement of oral care. All care staff including supervisors and managers are encouraged to take up Caring for Smiles training where it is available.

Staff are invited to attend a 2 hour training session between 2.00pm – 4.00pm, delivered by the NHSGGC Oral Health Directorate.

Care Home Collaborative

The NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) Confirmation of Death (CoD) policy permits any trained Registered Health Care Professional to confirm death in any circumstance.

The Care Home Collaborative sessions provide an overview of the national learning resources, provide an opportunity for reflective discussion, simulation and competency sign off.

These are 2 ½ hours sessions which are delivered face to face, with rotating venues.

The aim of the session is to familiarise care home registered nursing staff with the process of Confirmation of Death.

Learning Outcomes

• Identify the difference between Confirmation of Death and certification of death

• Understanding and undertaking the practical component of CoD

• Demonstrating knowledge of navigation of NHSGGC palliative care website/Moodle and other relevant electronic resources

• Overview the NHSGGC COD competency document

Please use buttons below to book your place

Delirium is a serious, life threatening condition that develops rapidly over days or hours. When untreated delirium can lead to poorer outcomes for care home residents.

Would you like to find out more about how to reduce the risk of your residents developing delirium? Click below to register for our upcoming sessions.

Care Home Collaborative

The Essentials in Psychological Care – Dementia Training Programme delivered by the Care Home Collaborative is a certificated, exciting training programme that will increase your existing dementia knowledge, in a practical way to help you support the people you care for.

Modules

1: Dementia and Unmet Needs

2: Understanding Distress in Dementia

3: Understanding the Persons’ Reality

4: Communication

5: Stimulation and Meaningful Activity

6: ABC Charts

7: Staff Stress and Distress

Learning Outcomes

• To enhance understanding of the causes of distressed behaviours in dementia.
• Explore evidence-based proactive and preventative strategies and be able to apply these effectively.
• Improve the experience and care for people living with dementia, their families and carers.

Please book online using the buttons below

The Unscheduled Care Design & Delivery Plan 2021-24 aim was to support and maintain individuals safely within the community either at home or in a homely setting. Over the past few years, the Community led improvement programme now branded as HomeFirst has delivered a number of projects offering alternatives to unscheduled care with the development of new pathways, services and systems with a focus on prevention, early intervention and expediting discharge.

Upcoming HomeFirst Programme Training for care home staff.

HomeFirst newsletter January 2025

The Care Home Learning Forum aims to bring together Registered Nurses across all care homes, HSCPs teams and acute settings to share experience and practice across the NHSGGC area.

We aim to recognise, celebrate and highlight the impact of nursing practice in the care home setting, and establish a supportive community of learners and peer support networks. The 90min online sessions are designed to support accessible bite sized learning opportunities for busy RNs and are jointly chaired by RNs from Care Homes and HSCP teams.

Mobile Skills Unit (MSU)

The Mobile Skills Unit (MSU) was developed to support the delivery of clinical skills training and education to all across Scotland.

The CHC team will be in Greater Glasgow and Clyde in 2025 with the bus offering clinical skills sessions to care homes.

Register your interest to find out more about our 2025 care home programme.

Care Home Collaborative

Are you interested in new ideas to promote meaningful activities for your residents? Would you like to share your good news stories and celebrate successes with other care homes? Then this is the event for you!

The Care Home Collaborative would like to invite you to join us at our next ‘Meaningful Activity Network Meeting’ as we continue our conversation about meaningful and purposeful activity. We are hosting this event in partnership with Care Inspectorate’s Health and Social Care Improvement team.

Care homes who attended our first meeting indicated their keen interest in being involved in a network where they could support each other and share ideas, including information and resources which would enhance the provision of activities for care home residents. We have listened to your feedback and opened this to all care home staff (Managers, Nurses, carers, activity coordinators, catering, housekeeping, etc.).

Please click on the link below to register

This webinar is open to all care home staff who would like an update on MUST and MUST Step 5. It will help refresh knowledge of each step of the MUST screening tool, including calculation of scores. It will also cover MUST Step 5 and explain how to complete the form.

This is vital in supporting nutritional care for residents and identifying risks.

Session Aims

• Refresh knowledge of the MUST pathway
• Learn to calculate total MUST score from steps 1-3
• Refresh knowledge of MUST Step 5 paperwork

Learning Outcomes:

• To accurately calculate MUST scores
• Complete MUST Step 5 paperwork and reviews confidently

Please click on the link below to register for this webinar.

Caring for Smiles is Scotland’s national oral health training and support programme.

Education and training of staff play an important role in the delivery and improvement of oral care. All care staff including supervisors and managers are encouraged to take up Caring for Smiles training where it is available.  

NHSGGC

• FREE online communication skills workshops.

SAGE & THYME workshops support all care home staff in using the evidence based skills required to provide person-centred support to residents and relatives with emotional concerns or worries. Using a mixture of group work, lectures and videos, the workshop discourages staff from ‘fixing’, and demonstrates how to work with the residents’ own ideas and solutions first.

Using a memorable structure, each 2 hour 45 minutes online workshop delivered via zoom reminds staff how to listen, and how to respond to distress in a way which empowers the resident or relative.

These FREE online workshops are delivered via Zoom for anyone working in health and social care.

Multiple dates AM and PM options – click here for further details and booking information

• NHSGGC Palliative Care Education and Training Calendar

Macmillan Cancer Support

Macmillan Enhanced Palliative & End of Life Care Learning & Development Toolkit.

Our Toolkit has been designed to offer a range of interactive, online modules, tools and resources to develop your knowledge and skills in palliative and end of life care. The toolkit offers flexible, self-paced learning that can be accessed when and where you need it. We have divided the content into 5 topic areas:

• Pain management in palliative and end of life care
• Other common palliative and end of life symptoms
• Communication in palliative and end of life care
• Palliative care emergencies
• Person-centred care at end of life

Who is the toolkit for?

The toolkit is aimed at health and social care professionals who regularly assess, manage and influence decision-making for people with life-limiting illness.

What level is the toolkit?

The toolkit is Enhanced Level. This means that it’s suitable for learners with existing knowledge and/or experience in palliative and end of life care who wish to develop their knowledge and skills further.

How do I navigate the toolkit?

Each topic contains a range of resources – including online modules, articles, videos and tools – to enhance your knowledge and skills. You can choose the topics and resources relevant to your role, interests and professional development and complete them in any order.

How do I access the toolkit?

The toolkit is hosted within the Palliative and End of Life Care Community in the Macmillan Learning Hub. If you are not already registered for the Learning Hub please click here to sign up for this free resource.

If you would like more information you can watch a short video that explains more about our learning hub and toolkit.

An online module to provide residential care home staff with the knowledge and skills to understand pressure ulcers – how they form, how they are treated and crucially, how they can be prevented.

Click here to access

Do you want to make lasting changes within your care home? Let us help you make those changes by giving you the tools and knowledge to carry out Quality Improvement (QI) projects. The Scottish Improvement Foundation Skills Programme (SIFS), developed in partnership with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) covers the following topics:

• An introduction to the Model for Improvement

• How to understand and identify where changes can be made

• How to test and understand what difference your changes can make

The programme lasts 14 weeks and you will be asked to carry out a small project within your care home. You will take part in 3 in person learning days during the programme.

You will be assigned a Quality Improvement Advisor from the CHC team for support during the programme. If you are interested, please watch this space for information on how to join the 2025 cohorts.

To register please select from the cohorts below.

If you have any questions, or wish to be kept informed when we launch the call for the next cohort, contact us ggc.chccontact@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

RESTORE2 is a physical deterioration and escalation tool recommended in My Health, My Care, My Home Healthcare Framework for adults living in care homes by the Scottish Government.

The Care Home Collaborative can support the implementation of this tool in care homes across GGC.

Click here to access RESTORE2 resources including videos, charts and the rollout handbook.

If you are interested in using RESTORE2 in your care home, please join us at one of our training events listed below to find out more about RESTORE2 and how to implement it in your home.

RESTORE2 Mini can help your team to identify that a resident is deteriorating and to get help earlier, supporting the resident to remain at home.

RESTORE2 Mini is a shortened version of the full RESTORE2 tool and is ideal for introducing to residential homes (that are currently unable to take physical observations) to the concepts of soft signs and SBARD structured communication.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Learning about RESTORE2 Mini
2. Recognising ‘soft signs’
3. Knowing the person you care for
4. Structured communication and escalation

Click here to access RESTORE2Mini videos.

If you are interested in using RESTORE2Mini in your home, please join us at one of our training events listed below .

Care Home Collaborative

The Care Home Collaborative are providing full day training sessions focusing on the SSKINS Bundle on the prevention and management of pressure ulcers. With the input of a multi-agency team the session will consist of an in depth look at each element of SSKINS.

This training is aimed at nursing staff, carers, activity co-ordinators and managers working in care homes.

After the training the participants will receive a certificate of attendance that will count for 6 hours CPD.

At the end of the session participants should be able to:

1. Explain what SSKINS is
2. Identify residents that would be at risk of pressure ulcers
3. Carry out a thorough skin inspection
4. Recognise and grade the different grades of pressure ulcer
5. Understand the importance of pressure relieving equipment and how to care for it
6. Understand what we can do to keep our residents moving to prevent pressure ulcers developing or deteriorating
7. Ensure moisture and continence is managed appropriately to avoid/reduce risk of pressure ulcers
8. Recognise the importance of nutrition and hydration in pressure ulcer prevention

Please book online using the buttons below. Availability of places is dictated by the size of each venue.

A two-hour interactive learning opportunity for all care home staff to better understand how to help residents experiencing distress in dementia.

Macmillan

Macmillan’s Social care community

The Social care community on Macmillan’s Learning Hub offers free training and education for staff working in adult social care. Develop your knowledge and skills in supporting people affected by cancer by learning about topics including:

• cancer awareness,
• communication skills,
• person-centred care,
• cancer and other conditions
• palliative and end of life care.

There is a wide range of resources in the community for you to explore, including interactive e-learning, virtual classrooms, articles and videos.

Who is it for?

This community is for staff working in adult social care who want to improve their understanding of cancer and skills in supporting people affected by cancer.

What level is it?

The community contains training and education at both Essential and Enhanced level.

How do I navigate the Community?

The training and education is organised into 5 topic areas. Each topic contains a range of resources (including e-learning modules, articles and videos) to enhance your knowledge and skills. You can choose the topics and resources relevant to your role, interests and professional development and complete them in any order.

How do I access the Community?

If you are not already registered on Macmillan’s Learning Hub, please click here to sign up for free

Once logged in, you can access the Social care community here

Turas Learn is a website for Health and Social Care staff that hosts a wide range of learning materials including eLearning modules and courses.

There are a wide range of educational resources which provide guidance and support to enhance your ongoing professional development.

You must be logged into your Turas Account to view and access eLearning modules Sign In

If you do not have a Turas account you can create one

Watch the short video to find out how to:

• Register for Turas Learn
• Sign in to find learning resources
• Find your Learning Record

The Wound Care Study Day has been developed in response to care home colleagues’ requests for wound care information and updates. We worked in partnership with colleagues from each HSCP to develop a comprehensive wound care study day.

The training is suitable for registered nurses and care staff who have an existing competency in wound management within their role in the care home. It also counts towards Continuous Professional Develop (CPD).

The study day offers a full day combining presentations with hands on interactive sessions on the topics listed:

• Composition of the skin and its functions
• Introduction to wound assessment and definition of a wound
• Wound assessments – Practical session
• Wound management
• Healing and antimicrobial stewardship
• Treatment of wounds and case studies

Learning outcomes:

• Describe composition of the skin and its functions
• Define and assess a wound
• Carry out wound assessment
• Describe stages of wound healing and principles of antimicrobial stewardship

The training does not deem someone competent but provides an update and refresher on wound care and current formulary products.

Please book your place by clicking the link below.

Prehabilitation is defined as pre-treatment rehabilitation and aims to help individuals get as fit and ready for their treatment as possible including:

• supported self-management
• improved physical function through smoking cessation, exercise, nutritional support and weight management,
• optimised social connectedness and psychological wellbeing to improve recovery and
• removal of socio-economic concerns through improved access to entitlements, money advice and removal of barriers to adoption of health behaviours.

Information for the public and professionals: Prehabilitation for Scotland – This website provides a range of information for both the public and professionals. Although this website talks mainly about cancer, much of this information is relevant to other conditions.

Pre-Operative Assessment – Information and resources on getting ready for surgery, FAQ’s information videos and information on different sites.

Realistic Medicine is about supporting people using healthcare services, and their families, to feel empowered to discuss their treatment. Realistic Medicine also promotes shared decision making and a personalised approach to care which are also values central to Prehab.

Holistic needs assessment (HNA) and care planning was first introduced by the National Cancer Survivorship Programme to help identify the concerns and needs of people living with cancer. The holistic needs assessment and care planning tool provides a useful framework for the basis of a person-centred discussion based on what matters to the person at that time.  Used with appropriate training, information and knowledge of available supports to meet needs, the tool facilitates the following:

• Identification of need / impact of wider determinants;
• Self management, self-care;
• Person-led care or goal-setting, health and wellbeing improvement;
• Social-prescribing, mitigating impact of poverty and life circumstances;
• Applied health improvement, developing the wider health improvement workforce, embedding health improvement in clinical care.

In recognition that many of the issues faced by people living with cancer are similar to those for people living with other life changing and/or deteriorating conditions, the Acute Health Improvement Team identified areas where this approach could be tested:

• Parent/Carers within Royal Hospital for Children
• People undergoing lower limb amputation at QEUH
• People attending Physical Disability Rehabilitation Unit at QEUH campus
• People attending for renal dialysis at IRH. 

The concerns in the cancer focused tool required review with clinical colleagues to tailor concerns to meet the needs of each of the different groups.  A monitoring and evaluation framework for the work was developed to ensure outcomes were captured. 

National Cancer Survivorship Initiative. Living with and beyond cancer: taking action to improve outcomes,

Department of Health,  2013   

In April 2017 tests of change were developed in adult acute services to determine how the HNA and care planning model works in adult hospital settings beyond cancer services.  As a result, three locations were chosen, reflecting patients who were experienced permanent changes to their lives as a result of health conditions or traumatic events:

• Renal Dialysis Unit, Inverclyde Royal Hospital,
• Physically Disabled Rehabilitation Unit (PDRU), Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow
• Ward 11A (lower limb amputees), Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow

Each location chosen was allocated a member of the health improvement team to liaise with them to facilitate the process in their location. This was in recognition of the fact that the implementation process was likely to be different in each location, reflecting the differing patient groups, nature of clinical interactions, and experience of conducting health behaviour change discussions in each clinical area.

The delivery model for implementing the Supporting People in Hospital approach varied amongst the three locations as follows:

• Nurse led – Renal Dialysis Unit
• Key worker led (both AHP’s and Nursing staff) – PDRU
• Health Improvement Led from Support & Information Service – Ward 11A (and Ward 11D). 

The HNA has been rolled out to further to Renal services at the QEUH with other areas planned. Over time, the completion of the tools has been incorporated into routine practice within these areas.

Below is a video clip of Katharine Montgomery, Staff Nurse, Renal Unit IRH talking about how the HNA has been implemented in their area.

 An initial evaluation on the HNA was completed in July 2017 and a learning event took place October 2017 where findings were disseminated. The evaluation found that:

The patients welcomed this approach:

• “It’s about helping me if I have anything that is worrying me”  
• “It gives me the chance to tell someone if I need help with things at home”.
• “It gave me the chance to talk to my family about how I felt and for them to tell me how they felt too”.

The staff welcomed this approach:

• “Our patients go out of here different to when they come in.  They usually come in mobile and leave in a wheelchair.  It’s a huge psychological as well as physical change and it affects every part of their lives.  Nothing is the same for them anymore and this is a great opportunity for them to talk to someone about more than just their medical condition”
• “Coming in here is a massive part of their weekly lives and they are exhausted.  We talk to them about how they feel physically but they have many other issues – particularly money, so this is a really good way of helping them deal with things which are affecting them and their families”

Macmillan Prehabilitation project

The West of Scotland Cancer Network (WoSCAN) was awarded funding from Macmillan Cancer Support to recruit Prehab Advocate posts in 4 heath boards to deliver a 14 month prehabilitation project. The health boards are NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde (NHSGC), NHS Ayrshire & Arran, NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Forth Valley.

In NHSGGC, 2 Prehab Advocates (Health Improvement Seniors) have been recruited and started in June 2024. The Prehab Advocates have started mapping current Prehabilitation provision in cancer services across NHSGGC. They will also coordinate and deliver improvement projects to support wider implementation of Prehabilitation approaches including:

• Clinical pathways: Working across local health systems to use existing screening tools for prehab referrals, and making links with services already in place delivering prehab.
• Education and engagement: To support clinical teams to understand the benefits of prehab and raise awareness of existing prehab services, supported by the WoSCAN regional prehab education programme
• Sharing good practice: Utilising and learning from the models of prehab practice in place within other constituent health boards, with an ambition to copy and embed similar projects in each Board, and increase available prehab offers for patients.

To find out more about this work please contact: Jane Grant, Health Improvement Lead, email: Jane.Grant6@nhs.scot

The following pages have advice on the management of Long COVID and the symptoms and support for managing the condition.

• Long COVID Workbook – downloadable booklet about management of Long COVID from NHS Scotland
• NHS inform
• Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland – this charity has information and support groups for Long COVID
• NHS Greater Glasgow webpage – Long COVID advice
• Asthma + Lung UK – Long COVID advice
• Long COVID Physio – an international peer support, education and advocacy, patient-led association of Physiotherapists living with Long COVID and allies
• British Heart Foundation – Long COVID advice
• C19-YRS – Long COVID advice
• Long COVID Scotland – a volunteer-led charity run by people living with Long COVID on behalf of those living with Long COVID. Collectively advocate on employment and benefits, research and local and national policy.
• NHS England COVID Recovery – 4-5 minute videos giving practical advice to help you recover from COVID-19. You can use them as self-management guides.
• Long COVID and Diet – the association of UK Dietitians resource for dietary advice to support Long COVID

Support groups

• Long COVID Support
• Long COVID kids

Fatigue is the most frequently reported symptom of Long COVID. There are some strategies which can help manage your energy – different ones work for different people. You may wish to try one at a time. The RCOT website has some practical ways to use the “5Ps” to manage your energy.

• Post viral-fatigue and conserving energy – Royal College of Occupational Therapy
• Activity diaries
  • Fatigue in long Covid: Using an activity diary to monitor your symptoms on Vimeo
  • Balance diary
  • MS Word simple diary
  • Energy and Symptom Diary – highlights what activities impact on your symptoms
• Spoon theory
• Energy Envelope
• Introduction to fatigue in long COVID on Vimeo
• Understanding your fatigue on Vimeo

Sleep is important for replenishing energy levels and repairing the body. Many people with Long COVID feel that their ability to sleep and their sleep quality have got worse since COVID. The following pages help with advice and support to improve your sleep.

• Sleepio
• The Sleep Charity
• Sleep Foundation
• BetterSleep
• Wellbeing HUB – sleep

Brain fog is the term coined for those with memory and attention impairments. It is one of the most frequently reported symptoms of Long COVID and impacts on many daily activities. The following pages can give some helpful tips on how to manage these problems and ways to improve your memory and attention gradually.

• NHS inform
• Long COVID Physio – Cognitive Dysfunction
• Mindfulness Breathing exercise
• NHSGGC Mindfulness App

Breathlessness has been one of the main symptoms of Long COVID and is often not caused by any damage to the lungs or respiratory systems.

Many people with Long COVID do not have any abnormality shown on x-ray or CT, but have debilitating symptoms of breathlessness.

The following pages have exercises and advice to improve the efficiency of your breathing if you have “dysfunctional breathing” or a “breathing pattern disorder”.

The breathing exercises may also be helpful if you have been diagnosed with anxiety, asthma or COPD, as an adjunct to medical management. There are also sections on cough management.

• Physiotherapy for Breathing Pattern Disorders
• Breathing Physio
• Scottish Opera Breath Cycle II (Long COVID)
• Calm App

Your mental health is as important as your physical health – while you are recovering from COVID or living with the ongoing symptoms, it is understandable that many people feel a decline in their mental health.

It is important to address these issues to prevent worsening, and there are many ways to self-manage milder symptoms.

If your symptoms are worsening or you no longer feel that you can keep yourself or others safe, then please contact your GP or call NHS24 on 111 or 999 depending on the severity.

• NHS – 5 steps to mental wellbeing
• Every Mind Matters – website with resources for managing your mental health including relaxation, meditation and strategies
• Stress Management Society
• Wellbeing services – South Glasgow – web links and virtual groups for various aspects of mental health for those with GPs in the South of Glasgow
• Wellbeing Scotland
• Meditation and Sleep Made Simple – Headspace
• Breathing Space Scotland – a free, confidential, phone and webchat service for anyone in Scotland over the age of 16 experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety.
• Lifelink – can offer support to anyone who is struggling to cope with everyday stress or is feeling anxious or depressed. 1:1 counselling available and a Glasgow based service.
• Samaritans – for anyone who’s struggling to cope, who needs someone to listen without judgement or pressure. This is for if you are in crisis or to prevent a crisis.
• Daylight – clinically proven digital treatment that uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques to help people gain control over their anxiety.
• Shereen’s Story – Mental Health Foundation – Shereen’s story of her experience of Long COVID

Those with Long COVID often struggle to return to work, study or unpaid work. The following webpages offer support and advice about how to plan your return to work, what to do if you have not been treated fairly by your employer and where to turn if you are exiting work or seeking new employment.

• ACAS – free, impartial advice on workplace rights, rules and best practice
• Access to Work – Government based agency offering support to those with a disability
• Jobcentre – Support and advice on benefits and employability
• Action for ME – a useful leaflet with advise and working examples for returning and remaining at work.
• The Advocacy Project – human rights based organisation that supports people to have their voices heard and be empowered to be involved in decisions that affect their lives
• The Federation of Small Businesses – for those self employed or running smaller businesses – advice, financial expertise, support and a powerful voice heard in government
• Govan Law Centre – a free legal resource – a charity challenging poverty, discrimination and disadvantage. They specialise in housing, landlord and tenant, homelessness, welfare rights, money advice, social services, consumer and debt
• Wellness Action Plan (MIND) – an example of a plan which can be useful for maintaining or returning to work.

People living with Long term conditions often need to reduce their working hours or stop working to manage their condition. This may inevitably have an impact on their finances. The following pages may be able to help and guide you to money management or signpost you to grant or benefits to help.

• Support and Information Services (NHSGGC) – a service within the NHSGGC who can advise on financial, social, educational, lifestyle issues and support groups and guiding through the complaints process.
• Citizens Advice Scotland – help for benefits, debt and money, housing, work, family, law and courts and immigration for those living in Scotland.
• Money Matters – a Welfare Rights Service, financial capability service based in Glasgow.
• VoiceAbility – support for those with Long Term Conditions – eg – advice for applying for Adult Disability Payment / ADP (previously known as Personal Independence Payment / PIP)

Some people with Long COVID have been experiencing palpitations – a sensation of fast or inconsistent heart beats in their chests or dizziness. In some cases this is cardiac related, but many have been medically assessed and the symptom is not due to any damage to the heart.

If you have this symptom and cardiac cause has been ruled out then this may be classed as dysautonomia. This is a condition which many people have and can be managed with the right advice and treatment.

• Dysautononomia Support
• PoTS-UK
• Standing Up To PoTS
• NHS Page for PoTS
• Stop Fainting

With Long COVID, you may find that you struggle with the minimal amount of activity due to fatigue.

If you are at a level where you can manage your activities of daily living without a set back in your symptoms then you may be ready to consider gradually introducing some additional activities.

Please ensure you are not pushing beyond what your energy levels are tolerating and allow for at least 3 days after introducing a new activity before repeating or progressing, especially if you have Post exertional Symptom Exacerbation (PESE, also known as PEM). .

Consider what you have planned before and after the new activity and ensure you are using a paced approach (see fatigue section regarding the 5Ps).

Please stop or reduce what you are doing if your symptoms are worsening and re-evaluate if you are ready to be more active.

The following links will provide you with some ideas for introducing a new activity or exercise:

• Live Active is a service which is available in the NHSGGC council areas. Your GP or an NHS clinician can refer you. There are Live Active advisors who help you build the confidence you need to make positive lifestyle changes. They will personalise their support to make sure it meets your needs. With one-to-one catch-ups and supported activity sessions. These sessions can be based at your local council gyms for those who live within NHSGGC. The vitality classes may be a good starting point for those struggling with finding a starting point for exercise with Long COVID:
  • Live Active Glasgow
  • Live Active Inverclyde
  • Live Active East Renfrewshire
  • Live Active Renfrewshire
  • Live Active East Dunbartonshire
  • Live Active West Dunbartonshire
• The Scottish Ballet Long COVID programme helps posture, alignment and body confidence and its creative elements address your whole being
• NHS Sitting exercises
• NHS Pilates – a series of introductory Pilates exercises
• Suzy Bolt Long COVID Yoga – videos of meditations, educational sessions and Yoga based gentle exercise

The following pages will signpost you to templates you may use for managing your long term condition

• WRAP – wellness action plan, an example of a plan which can be useful for managing your condition
• Work WRAP – Longer version of the above WRAP with sections more relevant to work

For reduced or loss of sense of smell there are charities which support and sell packs to rehabilitate the sense of smell

• Abscent
• Fifth Sense

• For people with noise sensitivity after COVID, many have found that noise Reducing earplugs helpful.
• Visual decline – please refer to your local opticians
• Visual sensitivity – some have found that wearing coloured glasses lenses relieving, or wearing a cap to be helpful to shade the light from above.

These pages have adapted fatigue strategies for those who are neurodivergent (eg – Autism or ADHD).

• The Neurodivergent Spoon Theory is a helpful tool which has adapted the Spoon Theory for those who are neurodivergent
• How to Use Pacing Systems — Insights of a Neurodivergent Clinician (neurodivergentinsights.com)

Direct referrals will be accepted from GPs, Specialty Consultants and AHPs

GPs please refer via SCI.

AHPs and consultants can refer using this document if there is no access to SCI gateway:

Please ensure that patients meet the criteria:

Inclusion criteria

• 12 weeks symptoms persist following initial confirmed (PCR or LFT) or probable COVID-19 (decision made on best clinical judgement).
• Patients who had a prolonged hospital stay due to COVID-19.
• Patients who did not require hospital admission but have persistent or new COVID-19 symptoms 12 weeks post initial infection.
• Patients with ongoing respiratory, neurological, functional, psychological or cognitive issues caused by COVID-19 disease 12 weeks post initial infection
• Any other possible reasons for symptoms have been appropriately investigated

Exclusion criteria

• Symptoms lasting less than 12 weeks.
• Patients with suspected or confirmed active COVID-19.
• Other medical conditions that may present with similar symptoms i.e. symptoms that are not Long COVID.
• Patients with co-existent active cancer that would be best managed by the cancer pathway.
• Patients with severe frailty.
• Patients in the end of life period.
• Patients with palliative care needs.
• Patients who are in mental health crisis.
• Patients living outside NHSGGC boundary

May be discussed

• Patient is resident in a nursing home.
• Ongoing medical investigations for other conditions.
• Patient is receiving long term oxygen therapy.
• Patients needs are being met elsewhere (eg community respiratory team).

Please speak to your GP if you think this service could help you.

If you meet the criteria then your GP can refer you directly and you will receive a questionnaire by text, email or by post to complete once you reach the top of the waiting list.

Please read the following before attending for the first time:

• https://www.nhsggc.scot/downloads/long-covid-appointment-pre-reading/
• https://www.nhsggc.scot/downloads/attend-anywhere-leaflet/

Below you will find presentations and resources relating to the Long COVID group sessions.

The “notes” section of the PowerPoint presentations has a script for each session.

Session 1 – Introduction

Session 2 – Post COVID Dysautonomia

Session 3 – Fatigue (Part 1)

• Energy and Symptom diary
• Living in your Energy Envelope tool

Session 4 – The Breath

Session 5 – Brain Fog

Session 6 – Fatigue (Part 2) and Sleep

Session 7 – Wellbeing

• Links for Support

Session 8 – Planning for the Future

• Workplace Adjustment Passport
• Return to Work Problem Solving Template
• Self Management Toolbox