Tag: Health and wellbeing

Trailblazing AI adopted by Edinburgh care home

Pain monitoring technology helps gives residents a voice

TWO FAMILY-run Edinburgh care homes are at the leading-edge of artificial intelligence (AI) – having implemented new technology that assesses tiny changes in expressions to understand residents’ pain and comfort levels.

One of Scotland’s top rated care home groups, Elder Homes Ltd has adopted PainChek’s technology across its two care homes in Edinburgh to assist staff in assessing pain levels for its 90+ residents.

PainChek uses AI facial recognition to analyse facial expressions from a smart device’s camera. It detects pain indicators like grimaces and winces and guides caregivers through observing other pain behaviours like vocalisations and movements resulting in an overall pain score to help monitor the effectiveness of pain management over time.

The app aims to improve the quality of life for those with cognitive difficulties who may struggle to communicate their discomfort, such as people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Residents and staff at Elder Homes have been using the app since July 2022, which has resulted in better pain detection and treatment, reduced reliance on pain medication as well as more accurate treatment plans.

Cheryl Henderson, Education and Dementia Coordinator at Elder Homes has been spearheading the implementation of PainChek, while ensuring relevant members of staff are trained to care for residents diagnosed with dementia.

Commenting on the success of PainChek, she said: “Treating our residents with dignity is one of our key aims. We want to ensure all residents feel at home, whilst receiving the highest standard of care.

“Using this technology, and other technologies across our homes has been extremely rewarding. We’re excited to see how the use of technology continues to develop and the benefits it can bring to care home residents across Scotland.”

The care home also utilises other innovative technologies including electronic medication system which assist in monitoring medication given to residents, and electronic charting.

PainChek is currently being used in 18 care homes across Scotland, as well as forming a pillar of the Care Inspectorate’s Quality Improvement Plan which sees a further 15 care homes trialling the tech.

PainChek’s Head of Business Development UK&I Tandeep Gill said: “Our latest figures reflect the value and impact of the PainChek technology in UK care homes and worldwide.

“Reaching over three million pain assessments is a real milestone for us – each one brings more objectivity and consistency to evaluating pain, whilst making a difference to care home residents and enhancing their quality of life.

“We’re delighted to see staff at Elder Homes leading the way in adopting PainChek and embracing innovation to improve pain assessment and deliver person-centered care.

“By achieving positive outcomes for care home residents and the care staff involved in the Care Inspectorate trial, we hope to gain the opportunity for a broader government-funded rollout across Scotland.”

Founded in Australia in 2016, PainChek is the world’s first regulatory cleared medical device for the assessment of pain, enabling best-practice pain management for people living with pain in any environment, from those who cannot reliably self-report their pain, to those who can, and for those whose ability to self-report their pain fluctuates.

Cluny Lodge was recently awarded top marks in a recent Care Inspectorate inspection for supporting its resident’s wellbeing.

The two Morningside care homes are currently home to 90 residents, who come from a range of backgrounds, all of which receive 24-hour care who according to the Care Inspectorate are receiving the best care possible.

Driven by a personal need for exceptional later in life care, Loren and Julie Hufstetler established the family-run Elder Homes in 1984. For almost 40 years, Elder Homes has provided individualised support and compassionate service to seniors requiring assistance with daily living.

To find out more about Elder Homes, please visit: 

https://www.carehomeedinburgh.co.uk/

Exciting new venue for this years’ Edinburgh Macmillan Art show

 The much-loved Edinburgh Macmillan Art Show is back this month with a live show (25th & 26th November) plus an online exhibition (25th November – 3rd December) hoping to add to the £550,000 they’ve already raised for Macmillan Cancer Support spanning over two decades. 

For the first time the show will be held in the Cornerstone Centre, St John’s Church (on the corner of Princes Street and Lothian Road) on 25th and 26th November. It will then continue online until 3rd December. 

This limited time show is run purely by volunteers with a dedicated committee volunteering their time and expertise to orchestrate a highly professional art show for the 21st year. 

This year, over 300 pieces of art will feature, at an estimated value of over £100,000. At least 50% of each piece sold is donated to the cancer charity.

These include works by Rosalind Lawless, Ian Darling, Lynn McGregor RSW, Wendy Helliwell, Charity McArdle, Marion MacPhee, Catriona Millar and Lakshman Wimalasena.

ALAN ARMSTRONG

Artist, Alan Armstrong, is a 48 year old neurodivergent adult with a diagnosis of ADHD and Autism. Throughout the various lockdowns he used Art Therapy for himself, but has also brought his creativity to artists with sight impairment and other additional needs. This experience has led to the development of ‘elevated abstract skills’.

He has collaborated with The Wee Hub (Living Memory Association) on Creative ADHD 2022, Remakery Refashion Edinburgh, ArtSquat, Edinburgh Stories with Sally Richardson, Out Of The Blue Drill Hall, Make Plastic Magic 2023 with Pianodrome and Hannah Evans, Out Of Sight Out Of Mind and REVOLUTION 2023.

Alan has two paintings in this years’ Edinburgh Macmillan Art Show and says he’s always had admiration for Macmillan and the work they do. “My family lost our Nana Morag and Uncle Jim to this horrible disease and the impact of watching them become ill was awful because we could not stop the hold it had on them.

“I want to support Macmillan to keep helping others who are amazingly courageous to keep fighting to live and live well. I hope you enjoy my Art as much as I do! I really thrive from giving back to my community.”

EVELYN MCEWAN

Artist, Evelyn McEwan, is a retired Biomedical scientist who, after a career working in Clinical Laboratories, has now taken to painting as a second career.

She started in 2004 with a class on watercolours but now paints in all mediums. She is a member of Veronica Liddell’s Corra Linn Artists Group in New Lanark and Sharon Bradley’s Biggar Botanical Artists Group and has three paintings in this years’ art show.

“I worked in NHS Clinical laboratories for 44 years helping to provide results for diagnosis, quick turn-around testing for patients waiting for chemotherapy and blood transfusion support for those who needed it. So, I saw at first hand the number of people affected by cancer.

“But it isn’t until your own family and friends are touched by the disease that you realise the amazing job Macmillan do for families and individuals. Art is a hobby for me, and I’m honoured to be able to use that gift to give something back and to support Macmillan.” 

Matt Smith, Macmillan Fundraising Manager in Edinburgh said “I’m delighted to be working alongside the committee on the annual Edinburgh Macmillan Art Show.

“They are an incredible group full of talented, committed, and passionate individuals who come together to create one of the most exciting events in Macmillan’s Scottish calendar. 

“We want to say a huge thank you to everyone on the Art Show committee for their support, for raising vital funds and helping raise awareness. It is thanks to the incredible dedication of volunteers such as these that we can continue to provide services to support people living with cancer at every stage of their cancer experience.”

The true value of the money raised, and the artwork donated is recognised in the services that Macmillan provides for cancer patients across Scotland.

In supporting the event, artists and art lovers are helping people to live their best possible life with cancer. 

Macmillan’s Art Show is available to view online here:

http://www.macmillanartshow.org.uk

MSP welcomes tailored support for veterans across Edinburgh

SNP MSP Gordon Macdonald has welcomed the announcement that veterans and the families of those in the armed forces are to receive more tailored healthcare under a new scheme for GPs. 

The General Practice Armed Forces and Veterans Recognition Scheme is now open to GP surgeries across Scotland, including Edinburgh, following a successful pilot. It includes easy access to training materials setting out the specific issues these individuals face in clinical case to aid understanding of specific needs and the range of healthcare support that can be provided.  

This will better enable healthcare providers to focus on the specific health challenges they may face following military service. 

Commenting, SNP MSP Gordon Macdonald said: “The launch of this scheme will see more tailored, local support delivered across the wider city but is particularly important in the Edinburgh Pentlands constituency given the high numbers of forces families and veterans living there. 

“The SNP Scottish Government is taking meaningful action to support those who have served our country and continue to do so, along with their families, and this scheme will go a long way to addressing the specific challenges that these individuals face. 

“It is also important to recognise the huge sacrifice that so many have made to keep us safe, particularly as we approach Remembrance Sunday. 

“I encourage GPs both in the south west and the wider city who have not already done so to sign up so that more individuals and their families can benefit from this scheme.” 

Dedicated Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Ward established at East Lothian Community Hospital

A dedicated Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Ward has been established at East Lothian Community Hospital helping to support individuals across Lothian to get ‘back on their feet’ following orthopaedic surgery at Edinburgh’s Royal Infirmary.

The development of the in-patient orthopaedic rehabilitation provision in East Lothian is part of NHS Lothian’s Orthopaedic Recovery Plan to reduce waiting times for elective surgical cases.  

The pandemic significantly impacted waiting lists across NHS Scotland due to postponements and cancellations.  By ring-fencing dedicated orthopaedic recovery beds at East Lothian Community Hospital, NHS Lothian can increase the number of elective arthroplasty surgeries (hips and knees) that can be performed at the Royal Infirmary, knowing there is ample post-surgery and rehabilitation care available for patients.

Reducing waiting times helps to prevent patients’ conditions deteriorating and health and social care needs escalating whilst awaiting surgery.  As a result, this delivers better outcomes for individuals, as well as preventing further growth of pressure on community resources, including care at home services.

It also enables East Lothian patients to benefit from post operative in-patient rehabilitation closer to home, making access and visiting, easier, and supporting local planning and provision for discharge.

Aris Tyrothoulakis, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Site Director, said: “We are delighted that East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership (ELHSCP) has been able to extend their provision and create this dedicated rehabilitation ward to support Lothian residents following orthopaedic surgery.

“With the Haddington-based hospital featuring an extensive rehabilitation service, it was the obvious venue of choice for this service provision, and it is very much hoped this initiative will pave the way for the hospital to become a ‘centre for excellence’ in orthopaedic rehabilitation.”

Patients who have spent time within the dedicated ward have only praise for the staff and quality of care:  “It’s so lovely, it doesn’t feel like a hospital. I’m already well on my way to recovery.  The staff are always on hand, to back you up and give you confidence. It’s a very special place, and everyone in it is special.”

Fiona Wilson, Chief Officer for ELHSCP, added: “We were incredibly grateful to NHS Lothian for the opportunity to establish this dedicated service and support the people of East Lothian and beyond to receive post-surgery rehabilitation.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to pass on my thanks, admiration and appreciation to the incredible teams within the East Lothian Community Hospital, the Rehabilitation Service, and our colleagues at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for the extensive planning and organisation that has gone into the set-up of this dedicated ward. 

“It has been an amazing team effort, delivered in a very short timescale, and I’m incredibly proud of what has been achieved to date.  I’m sure this will pave the way for further success to come.”

RCEM Scotland calls for urgent increase in bed numbers amid warning of ‘devastating winter’

Latest data show that more than 4,000 patients faced 12-hour delays in Scottish A&Es as RCEM calls on the Scottish government to increase bed numbers and avoid ‘devastating winter’.

Monthly A&E performance figures for Scotland for September 2023 published by the Scottish government show:

  • In September 2023, there were 113,864 attendances at major A&Es in Scotland.
  • 66.50 % of patients were seen within four-hours at major A&Es (Type 1 EDs)
    • 38,114 (33.5%) patients waited over four-hours in major Emergency Departments, this is a 1.7% increase from the previous month and a 2.3% decrease from September 2022.
    • This is a decrease of 1.4 percentage points from the previous month.
    • The number waiting more than four-hours has increased by 145.5% compared with September 2019 (15,526).
  • 11,788 (10.4%) patients waited eight-hours or more in an Emergency Department
    • This is an increase of 1.1 percentage points from the previous month, and a 1.5 percentage point decrease compared with September 2022.
    • The number waiting more than eight-hours has increased by more than eight times (701%) compared with September 2019 (1471).
  • 4263 (3.7%) patients waited more than 12-hours before being seen, admitted, discharged, or transferred.
    • This figure has increased by 0.4 percentage points from the previous month. And has decreased by 1 percentage point compared with September 2022.
    • The number waiting more than 12-hours has increased by 14 times (1307%) compared with 2019 (303).
  • There were 1,811 beds occupied due to delayed discharges, the second most for any September on record.

Commenting on these data, RCEM Scotland Vice President, Dr John-Paul Loughrey said: “As we head into winter, we expect many people to attend A&Es with a multitude of conditions and illnesses, and many of them will require admission to hospital for further care.

“It is vital that with this clear expectation comes the necessary winter planning to resource A&Es, and support both clinicians and their patients through the colder months.

“We are concerned that the Scottish government’s winter plan fell short of delivering what is needed ahead of what will likely be a difficult period for emergency care.

“We desperately need to see an increase in bed numbers. This will help to reduce the dangerously high levels of bed occupancy, reduce long and dangerous delays in A&Es, and help to ensure patients are admitted to a bed more promptly.

“We continue to engage with the Cabinet Secretary and his team in good faith and raise the concerns of our members.

“To avoid what could be a devastating winter, we again urge the Scottish government to heed our calls to adopt our priorities to #ResuscitateEmergencyCare.”

The data come as figures obtained through Freedom of Information requests revealed that nearly 4,000 people faced 24 hour waits in Scotland A&Es in the six months up to June this year.

As Dr Loughrey said: “24 hours in A&E belongs on TV, not in daily reality for patients and staff”.

Shelter – Housing Drop-In at PCHP

Carol from Shelter Scotland advises Families and Pregnant Women around any housing issues but mainly damp and mould, and overcrowding.

She will be here at PCHP on the first and third Fridays of November and December from 10am until 12pm. Come along to meet her if these issues are affecting you!

Lothian health hero Claire picks up Scottish Health Award

One of NHS Lothian’s healthcare heroes was celebrated at this year’s Scottish Health Awards 2023, scooping the Care for Mental Health Award.

Claire Bashford, who works in the Mental Health Team at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Major Trauma unit was named the winner of the Care for Mental Health Award.

Described as providing invaluable care through her training and support, Claire is known to support patients long after their initial injuries as her dedication to helping recovery is second to none.

As well as leading the Mental Health Team as part of the Major Trauma Service during the Covid pandemic, Claire developed an initiative for patients in Critical Care which is still used to this day. She is said to have ‘established a support network for staff and ensure co-ordinated, exceptional care is always available’.

Run by the Daily Record and in partnership with NHS Scotland and the Scottish Government, the annual awards celebrate the NHS staff, support workers, volunteers and specialist teams who go above and beyond to provide exceptional care and support to patients and their families.

Patients, families, work colleagues and members of the public were invited to nominate a local hero across one of the sixteen award categories with over 900 nominations and 51 finalists named.

David Dick, editor in chief of Daily Record and Sunday Mail, said: “Congratulations to Claire for winning the Care for Mental Health Award. With over 900 nominations, the judging panel had a difficult task in picking the winner for each category this year.

“Every winner should be extremely proud of their hard work and dedication in making a difference to their patients, families and communities. It’s with their support that we are able to celebrate 75 years of our National Health Service as a country and it is an honour for us to continue running these awards.”

Winners were named at an awards ceremony at the O2 Academy in Edinburgh on 2 November.

For more information visit https://scottishhealthawards.com

New British Sign Language action plan

45 commitments to tackle barriers

Actions to help improve the lives of British Sign Language (BSL) users have been published as part of ongoing work to make Scotland the best place to live, work and visit for people that use the language.

The BSL National Plan 2023-29 has made 45 commitments aimed at tackling barriers faced by BSL users by embedding the language across health, education, transport, culture and employment.

Commitments made include:

  • building the right partnerships and connections to ensure deaf and deafblind children and their families can access BSL support at an early stage
  • improving accessibility to arts and culture events, in addition to promoting BSL culture
  • working with Transport Scotland and transport operators on solutions to make public transport easier to use for BSL users
  • improving accessibility of the Scottish Government website for BSL users

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: “BSL is a vibrant language which is of significant importance to the lives of many people.

“This plan lays out our ambition to make Scotland the best place in the world for BSL users to visit and live in. These 45 commitments will improve access to vital services and provide more opportunities for BSL users to contribute further to Scotland’s economy, culture and communities.

“The BSL community should be at heart of our decision making process in this area, which is why we will also establish a BSL National Plan Implementation Advisory Group, to ensure that the views of the community are properly represented.”

Philip Gerrard, CEO at Deaf Action, said: “I welcome the publication of the new National BSL Plan for Scotland.

“It was a pleasure to be part of the consultation process that led to the new plan, which demonstrates the continued commitment of the Scottish Government to improving the experiences of BSL users who live, work, visit and learn in Scotland.

“I now urge all agencies with responsibilities under this plan to meaningfully engage with it – there is much to do.”

BSL National Plan 2023-2029 – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Latest private healthcare inspection reports published

Healthcare Improvement Scotland, the national healthcare improvement body and regulator of private healthcare services for Scotland, has published the latest inspection reports for private healthcare services.

In Scotland, private hospitals and private clinics provided by doctors, nurses, dental care professionals or midwifes are required to be registered with our organisation. We currently have over 500 private healthcare services across Scotland that are registered or completing registration.

It is only by choosing a private healthcare service registered with Healthcare Improvement Scotland that patients can be assured that the services they use meet the high standards of quality expected of registered services.

Our organisation published the inspection reports for a total of six private clinics and hospitals across Scotland.

The focus of the inspection to the Spire Hospital, Murrayfield, was on the safe delivery of the service’s provision of systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT).

We used the Healthcare Improvement Scotland SACT Governance Framework as the basis for the inspection.

The inspection reports can be seen below:

Glasgow:

Grampian:

Ayrshire:

Lothian:

Western Isles:

As the healthcare improvement body for Scotland, Healthcare Improvement Scotland is also the regulator for private healthcare services, including private hospitals, hospices, private psychiatric hospitals and clinics, which provide a wide range of services from cosmetic procedures to wholly private dentistry, health screening, travel clinics and others.

Inspections of services are carried out to ensure that the providers comply with standards and regulations.  

Lynsey Cleland, Director of Quality Assurance at Healthcare Improvement Scotland, comments: “It is vital that the people of Scotland who opt to use private healthcare services receive the best quality and standard of care, which is why these clinics must be registered with us and must submit to regular inspection.

“The majority of the private clinics we regulate provide cosmetic interventions. It is crucial that we provide assurances for the public that these procedures are carried out in safe and regulated environments.

“Registered clinics are required to demonstrate that they take the safety of their clients seriously, that they operate to the highest standards and are committed to continually improving the service they provide for clients.

“People should always check that a clinic is registered with Healthcare Improvement Scotland before undertaking treatments.”

You can find out more about the regulation of private clinics in Scotland by listening to our podcast episode: 

https://healthcareimprovement.podbean.com/e/private-healthcare-regulation-patient-safety-and-the-future/