With winter pressures upon NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde services, patients are being encouraged to get ‘Home for Lunch’.
This involves, alongside their families, carers, and loved ones, making the necessary arrangements to help them return to the comfort of home the morning of their scheduled discharge.
The ‘Home for Lunch’ initiative asks patients, families, and loved ones to use the following checklist:
Arranging transport in advance, if required.
Ensuring appropriate clothing is available for travel.
Making sure their loved one has access to their home.
Preparing essentials at home, such as food and heating.
Establishing a Power of Attorney for healthcare matters.
Getting a patient back to their home environment, which could also include a care home in some cases, gets them back to their personal comforts and avoids the well-known risks associated with prolonged hospital stays.
Professor Angela Wallace, Executive Director of Nursing at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, explained:“We understand that no one wants to be in hospital any longer than required. That’s why we’re encouraging patients, families, and carers to help us ensure their loved ones get ‘Home for Lunch’. Achieving this means patients are back to their home comforts.
“Winter puts additional pressure on the NHS. It may seem small, but ‘Home for Lunch’ allows us to make sure we can admit patients who urgently need our care. This includes patients being seen quickly in our emergency departments and it helps us to ensure people can receive planned care without delay.”
Annette Cunningham, Senior Charge Nurse at the Discharge Lounge in the Royal Alexandra Hospital, said: “We’re here to help get patients home at the final stage of their stay at the hospital. We’re asking for patients, families, carers, and loved ones to help us by thinking about our checklist while in hospital and ahead of discharge.
“We know while in hospital, the focus for patients is on getting better and recovering. It’s during this time that family, carers, and loved ones can play a key role in supporting us with ‘Home for Lunch’. If they consider our checklist, it will mean their loved one can get back to the comfort of their own home in a timely manner.”
Everyone is familiar with the old saying ‘there’s no use crying over spilled milk’, but it’s spilled gravy that might be doing the damage this Christmas – and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is asking the public to take extra care when they’re serving up the Turkey this December 25th.
Burns from hot gravy are among reasons why people self-present at Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments on Christmas Day. Other common minor conditions include cuts from parents using box cutters and craft knives to open presents, falls from ladders following decorations being hung or presents decanted from lofts, and acid reflux or constipation.
Debbie McCoach, Interim Lead Nurse at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Accident and Emergency Department, said: “Christmas Day at home is mostly full of buzz, excitement – and let’s be honest – chaos.
“In times of hectic family life, rational thinking can go out of the window and accidents can very quickly and easily happen. We’re asking everyone to have a lot of fun but approach things with caution, particularly when it comes to the kitchen.”
Upset tummies and respiratory issues from seasonal illnesses are also big with self-presenters at A&E, which are minor illnesses that should be treated elsewhere.
Dr Claire Harrow, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Deputy Medical Director for Acute Services said: “We’re also asking people to be aware when and when not to attend the Accident and Emergency department.
“A&E is for urgent injuries and life-threatening care. Otherwise, on Christmas Day, people should be calling NHS24 on 111 if they have a minor injury or minor illness. In doing so, they’ll be provided advice and will be given an appointment if required, virtually or in-person.
“After all, no one wants to be sitting in a waiting room on Christmas Day!”
There are instances where A&E will be essential and, when it comes to safety, paediatricians are asking parents and carers to be extra vigilant of their child at home to avoid hospital this Christmas.
Staff at the Royal Hospital for Children A&E have highlighted the anticipated big hitters when it comes to objects causing serious injuries this Christmas, along with some advice on how to avoid them.
Dr Joanne Stirling, Consultant in Paediatric Emergency Medicine at the Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow said: “Bikes and scooters are always big on Christmas lists and we’re pleading with parents to remember that if Santa is bringing anything with wheels, especially if it is motorised, then a helmet is also included. We’ve had a few incidents with eScooters this year and the injuries have been very serious.
“This request extends to the “big kids” of the family too. i.e. mum and dad who may be eager for a “wee shot”– trust us, if you’re unprotected, the injury won’t be worth it.”
Dr Stirling highlighted others for parents to watch out for and if an injury does occur, should be brought straight to A&E:
Button batteries if swallowed – We’re very lucky in the UK that most toys have the battery secured away by being screwed in place but there are toys that can be bought from abroad. Double check yours are secure.
Severe burns from hair straighteners – It is so easy to style your hair and leave the appliance within reach when you’re a busy parent. Even when switched off, the burn for a child can be serious. Always keep hair straighteners out of reach and stored away safely.
Swallowing liquitabs or cleaning products – Many products look like sweeties and are exciting for a child who won’t hesitate to pop them into their mouth. Keep in high cupboards or use safety lock on cupboard doors.
Water beads if swallowed – What appears as a harmless, small bead will expand once inside a child and can block their stomach. Check all gifts for smaller children to ensure they don’t contain these.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has received its 10,000th story on Care Opinion, the independent healthcare feedback platform.
Care Opinion is a national resource that gathers feedback anonymously and shares it with NHS services so they can pass on positive feedback and learn from any instances where levels of care may fall short of expectations.
Sandra Bustillo, Director of Communications and Public Engagement at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde who has executive responsibility for patient feedback and engagement, said: “Every day, staff throughout NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde work hard to give the best possible care to our patients, and to support families and friends through what can be a very difficult time.
“Everyone at NHSGGC is very proud of the work we do and the care we give, and open and honest feedback is an important way for us to build on what works well and improve what could be better.
“Care Opinion, which is one of a number of ways feedback can be shared with NHSGGC, allows patients, or someone close to them to five anonymous feedback, and we would encourage people to use the service to give us their views on the care they or a loved one received.
“NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde always endeavours to answer the feedback we receive, if that’s appropriate, and what is said will always be passed on to the relevant service so they can continue to improve the care they give.
“We are however delighted that more than 75 percent of the feedback we receive on Care Opinion is positive, which is due to work that NHSGGC staff day do every day to provide high quality, person-centred healthcare.
“We would like to thank patients and their families for their feedback, and all our staff for their continuing hard work and professionalism.”
Fraser Gilmore, Executive Director and Head of Care Opinion Scotland, added: “We are absolutely delighted to be celebrating with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde on being the first Scottish Health Board to receive their 10,000th story on Care Opinion from members of the public.
“This is testament to hard work of staff and services who truly believe in the power of public feedback in shaping service improvement.
“Care Opinion gives patients, relatives and carers the opportunity to share what was good and what could be improved, so services can learn from this feedback and make improvements for everyone.
“NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde staff have responded to these stories more than 13,000 times, each time thanking authors for their gift of feedback and explaining how they are going to use the feedback to learn, grow and change.
“The number of stories shared about NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde services has increased year on year, and in 2023/24, 78 per cent of all stories shared were completely positive and in total, all the stories shared about the board have been read more than 4 million times.
“NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has really shown how much it values proactively seeking feedback from patients, relatives and carers, in a way that is open, transparent and leads to learning and change.
“At Care Opinion we are delighted to have been part of the board’s journey to actively seek feedback from the public and we look forward to our continued collaboration.”
It’s likely we’ve all heard them before. Reasons why men might not get medical help when they need it, or why isolation grows around them like a dark cloak.
How many times have you or a man in your life said something like this?
“Ach, it’s only a cough.”
“Get help? Nah, I don’t want to waste anyone’s time.”
“I’ll just stay in – I prefer my own company anyway.”
Recent news about the health of the King has put men’s health into the spotlight, but every year tens of thousands of men put off getting the care they need until it is urgent – either because they don’t know where to go or because they’re reluctant or embarrassed to reach out.
Members of the Men’s Shed in Govan want to change that, and they’ve teamed up with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to help men get over their embarrassment, or put aside their reluctance, and get the help they need.
Here four members, each of whom has a particular reason to be thankful to the Shed, tell their stories – and share a simple message that might just save a life.
Martin Haddow,age 72 Govan Men’s Shed Chairman
Martin is a survivor of prostate cancer, and its aggressive nature meant doctors had to act fast.
He said: “It all started when I noticed I needed to pee more often than usual, and when I needed to go it was quite urgent.
“I also experience a slight weight loss and a few other things associated with prostate cancer so, rather than leave it, I sought immediate help from my doctor.
“I was referred to the urology department at Glasgow Royal Infirmary where I had the works – scans, blood tests etc.
“When the results came back I was told I had cancer, and it was aggressive. The urologist told me I needed to get my prostate removed and if I didn’t I would maybe live five or six years.”
For Martin there really was no choice to make and he opted to go ahead with the surgery.
“It ultimately saved my life,” he said – and because of that life-saving decision, Martin is encouraging all other men not to wait, and to get checked out if they have any doubts about their health.
“Don’t put it off, because you never know when it will be too late. Your health can’t wait – it’s as simple as that.”
Frank Murphy, age 62 Founder member
Frank is a survivor of testicular cancer, and he knows the value of going to get checked out.
“When I found a lump I went straight down to the GP. Yes it’s embarrassing, but this is what they’re trained for. That was in 2005 and because I got in there early I’ve never had a problem since.”
He’s heard far too many men saying they’d leave a problem – sometimes until it’s too late.
“If only they’d said ‘hing on a minute, something’s no’ right here’ and got straight down to the doctor,” he said.
“If you have a cough that won’t go away, or find a lump or something, acting macho won’t help you. We have the best docs and nurses, but there’s only so much they can do. So, please, get seen early – don’t leave it until it’s too late.
“Don’t be the guy who died of embarrassment because you were too feart to go to go to the doctor.”
John Devlin, 65 Founder member
John also had a lump on his testicle and got it checked out.
“People think the lump will go away,” he said, “but then six months later it might have spread. You cannae shirk on your own health, so if you have any worries, go and see someone.
“My motto is if in doubt check it out.”
But for John, a cancer scare was only part of the story – the bigger issue in his life was mental rather than physical.
“I was going through a bad time before we opened this Men’s Shed. It was the isolation – I was struggling.
“But this place has been a huge help. I come here, and there’s so much going on – so much laughter – that it really helps.”
Arthur Bisset, 62 Member for two years
Arthur had a stroke at work seven or eight years ago, and from that day he started on a path to serious isolation.
“I just shut myself away,” he said. “The stroke left me with some physical difficulties, and because of that I wouldn’t leave the house.
“I was so embarrassed – worried and frightened what people would say, that they would see me in a different light and as disabled.”
Eventually a friend persuaded Arthur to go along to the Govan Shed – and within weeks it had completely changed his life.
“Looking back I was terrified to leave the house, but once I got here it was great. Here I was just one of the boys. They treated me like I was normal, and within a month I wouldn’t be without it.
“This place has given me my confidence and independence back.”
And Arthur’s message to anyone who might be in the same position as him?
“At some point you might think you’re useless, that everything’s behind you – but that’s not true. Never give up on yourself, because you’re worth mair than that.
“Reach out – find a place like this. You’ll never regret it.”
The inspiration behind the Shed
Sarah Everett works four days a week as a practice nurse at the nearby Govan Health Centre and has seen first-hand the particular issues that men face. That was the driver for the Men’s Shed.
“A lot of men come to see me for a range of things, and I realised that one of the main problems was isolation – many of them were bored, very disconnected, and as a result they didn’t have a lot of self-worth.
“When I heard about Men’s Shed I thought, that’s what we need here, so after securing funding we set up a group in the practice.
“At first there were five men, but that five quickly became 15 and we began to run out of room. Then we found our current premises and moved in on 1st January 2018.
“It was little more than a shell, but the men have turned it into a fantastic facility. The sense of pride for everyone is huge, and when I listen to the banter here – the laughter – it’s so rewarding.”
And Sarah is clear about the value of a place like the Shed – so much so that she commits one day a week as volunteer funding manager.
“Men need to feel like they have a purpose – that’s huge for them. When someone starts saying it’s easier just to stay at home that’s a real problem, and places like this are so important to prevent men getting into a downward spiral.
“Within five minutes you’re made to feel very welcome and instantly start to build relationships with other people, to join in with things and feel better about yourself.
“But on top of that, men are terrible for not looking after their health – I hear all the time it’s only a cough or I don’t want to bother the doctor. But that’s their job – you’re not wasting their time. And the experiences of the men here really help others to go and get a problem checked earlier.”
The doctor
Dr Kerri Neylon, a GP in Govan, is well aware of men’s reluctance to seek help early, but she knows that the example and support of others can be an important factor in encouraging them to overcome their fears.
Dr Neylon, who is Deputy Medical Director for Primary Care at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, also hopes recent news about the health of the King, and his willingness to speak early about it, could help men to come forward.
She said: “Often I am told by patients that they didn’t want to come to see a GP because they were embarrassed, and it’s often the encouragement of others that acts as a catalyst for men to see about a health worry they have been putting off.
“In speaking so candidly about his own health issues, I have no doubt the King will be an important example, encouraging others to take a lead from him and make that first appointment. We wish him and his family well for whatever lies ahead.”
Dr Neylon often encourages her patients to attend the Men’s Shed, as she knows how valuable it can be for their mental and physical health.
She said: “The Men’s Shed in Govan is a really important resource for men to receive support and encouragement with issues affecting their health and wellbeing.
“Availability of easily accessible facilities such as these are of huge importance in tackling isolation and loneliness and provide a sense of belonging, and most importantly some laughter and fun.”
Members of the public are being reminded not to visit NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde hospitals if they have symptoms of Gastroenteritis, COVID-19 or flu.
Anyone planning to visit a loved one in hospital should not do so if they are displaying any symptoms including sickness and diarrhoea.
All visitors should also practice good hygiene by ensuring they regularly wash their hands to prevent the spread of viruses.
Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea are common symptoms of Gastroenteritis, flu and COVID-19, along with headaches, fever and muscle or limb pain.
Flu and COVID-19 symptoms also include coughs, chills, a sore throat and a blocked or runny nose.
Symptoms of Gastroenteritis include:
Suddenly feeling sick
Projectile vomiting
Watery diarrhoea
Slight fever
Headaches
Painful stomach cramps and aching limbs
Symptoms of COVID-19 include:
Continuous cough
High temperature, fever or chills
Loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell
Shortness of breath
Unexplained tiredness, lack of energy
Muscle aches or pains that are not due to exercise
Not wanting to eat or not feeling hungry
Headache that’s unusual or longer lasting than usual
Sore throat, stuffy or runny nose
Diarrhoea
Feeling sick or being sick
Symptoms of flu include:
A sudden fever
A dry, chesty cough
A headache
Tiredness and weakness
Chills
Aching muscles
Limb or joint pain
Diarrhoea or abdominal (tummy) pain
Nausea and vomiting
A sore throat
A runny or blocked nose
Sneezing
Loss of appetite
Difficulty sleeping.
In recent years, taking precautions against viral infections have become part of our daily life and we can all continue to help each other by following guidance around slowing the spread of viruses and practicing good hygiene.
You can protect yourself and others by staying at home if you are unwell and by cleaning hands and surfaces regularly.
Dr Aleksandra Marek, Consultant Microbiologist and Infection Control Doctor, said: “During the winter months, illnesses such as Gastroenteritis, COVID-19 and flu, can add to the pressures that staff face across our sites.
“To help protect yourself, your loved ones and our services, we are asking members of the public not to visit our hospital sites if they are displaying symptoms of any of these viruses.
“We are also asking anyone who does attend a site to follow infection control guidance, such as washing your hands regularly.
“Our dedicated members of staff are working around the clock to continue to provide the highest standard of patient-centred care possible.”
NHSGGC is urging people to only attend Emergency Departments (A&E) if their condition is very urgent or life-threatening.
Any patient unsure of who to turn to has a range of options available to them:
GLASGOW’s Hospital Broadcasting Service (HBS), which provides entertainment to patients across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) hospitals, has triumphed yet again at the National Hospital Radio Awards.
Fighting off tough competition, two presenters were recognised for their contributions, with Robert Craw taking Silver for the Specialist Music Programme award and Emily Page taking home the Silver for Best Newcomer. Both are pictured above.
The volunteer-run service, which recently celebrated its 50th year on the airwaves in Glasgow, has long been a fixture of the patient experience within NHSGGC. HBS volunteers can often be seen on the wards taking song requests and providing patients with a welcome distraction from hospital life.
It’s not the first time the station has been recognised by the Hospital Broadcasting Association, which oversees around 170 stations the length and breadth of the UK. Last year, the team took home no less than three prizes, despite having to manage the challenge of operating during COVID-19 restrictions which made it difficult for the team to access the wards to take requests.
Now, getting in touch with the station has never been easier and patients can request songs and messages on social media, through the website, or on any of the tablet devices available on every ward across NHSGGC.
Commenting, NHSGGC Chairman, Professor John Brown CBE, said: “Hospital Broadcasting Service makes a significant and vital contribution to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s care provision.
“It is testament to the commitment and passion of the individuals involved that the station has run for so long, and has positively benefitted thousands of patients over the last 50 years. HBS embodies what underpins our own ethos, which is to provide high-quality patient-centred care to all patients.
“The service undoubtedly provides a welcome distraction to patients who might otherwise be feeling anxious or be going through a difficult period in their lives and I’d like to congratulate all of the volunteers involved in delivering HBS in our hospitals.”
Niall Anderson, Chairman of Hospital Broadcasting Service, said: “The team at HBS puts in a huge effort day-in, day-out to provide patients with a seven-day service and I’m thrilled to see them recognised at the prestigious national awards.
“We look forward to continuing working across the hospitals, particularly now a level of normality has returned which means we’re able to get back onto the wards and provide that extra personal experience for patients.”
A patient at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary has praised NHS staff after undergoing robotic surgery that she claims saved her life.
Deborah Speirs, 46, from the Tollcross area of Glasgow was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer in March 2021 and, thanks to the innovative surgery and a dose of chemotherapy, she has now been given the all-clear.
Following a consultation with Professor Campbell Roxburgh, a surgeon at the GRI, Deborah decided to opt for the innovative surgery over the conventional method.
Deborah is grateful for all the care she received at the GRI, but she is convinced that the robotic surgery saved her life. She said: “I cannot thank the staff at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde enough for all the help, care and treatment they provided for me.
“When you are told you are diagnosed with cancer, it takes a while for this to really sink in as you never think it is going to happen to you.
“I had never heard about it this type of procedure before. An operation is a scary word in itself and I never thought anything about a robot being directed by a surgeon.
“I met with Prof Roxburgh and he explained everything in detail and I was happy to go ahead with it.
“The technology is amazing and I was up and walking around in a matter of days after my surgery. I wanted to start hoovering when I got home from hospital but my daughter made sure I rested up. It just shows you how great this is for recovery.
“In what was a very traumatic and difficult time for me and my family, I genuinely think that robotic surgery has saved my life.”
L-R Deborah’s daughter Antonia, dad Thomas, Deborah, Deborah’s partner Paul.
More than 60 doctors are trained in the use of robotic surgery systems across NHS Scotland, with 15 machines in operation. NHSGGC offers robotic surgery across multiple specialities including colorectal, urology, gynaecology and head and neck surgery, at both the GRI and Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.
The robotic systems have four arms that hold a camera and the surgical tools. A surgeon controls the robotic system from the surgeon console, which is in the operating theatre.
The systems allow doctors to use tiny wristed instruments that move like a human hand, but with a greater range of motion. The precision of the surgery can reduce the amount of time patients are required to stay in hospital post-surgery.
Prof Roxburgh said: “Robotic surgery has already shown huge improvements in patient care and recovery times. It is not complete devolution of the surgery to a robot and the surgeon still has absolute control of everything that is going on. What we are adding, is that we are using a console that controls instruments and these go in through robotic ports.
“We have seen a halving in the length of time patients are required to stay in hospital in comparison to conventional key hole surgery as it is less invasive.
“In addition to this, it helps have reduce complications, imaging assessments, blood transfusions readmission rates and infections.
“Deborah is just one example of a number of successful surgeries using this type of equipment.”
Neil McCallum, director for NHSGGC’s North Sector, said: “This innovative technology allows us to reduce the amount of time a patient has to stay in hospital following their surgery.
“At a time when we are facing increased pressures, it is great to highlight the extraordinary work our teams are undertaking and this procedure will enable us to treat more patients more quickly, and with better outcomes.
“I would like to thank our teams who are continuously going over and above to provide the best possible treatment and care for our patients.”
David Marante, Regional Director at Intuitive, the maker of the da Vinci surgical systems used by surgeons and their teams at NHSGGC, said: “The progress that has been made at NHSGGC over the past 18 months is a huge accomplishment and is testament to the commitment of the team to expand robotic-assisted surgery so that more patients will have access to minimally invasive care with our technology.
“Our continued focus is to provide technology training to more surgeons, trainees and care teams across Scotland as they grow their da Vinci robotic programmes with the aim of further reducing rates of open surgery to improve patient outcomes and lower the total cost of care.”
A novel harm reduction initiative to help healthcare staff monitor and treat people who inject drugs has helped support more than 800 vulnerable people since launching.
The WAND programme, which incentivises the city’s most hard-to-reach communities to regularly engage with the health service, has helped facilitate more than 5,000 harm reduction interventions across three participating sites, with more than 1,200 WAND assessments taking place since the programme launched in September 2020.
Operating from three centres in Glasgow, the programme focusses on providing a holistic approach to addressing drug harms such as overdoses, blood borne viruses, and injecting related complications. It comprises:
W: Wound Care
A: Assessment of Injecting Risk
N: Naloxone Provision
D: Dry Blood Spot Testing
People who inject drugs can be hard to keep engaged with the health service, which is crucial in helping reduce the harms of drugs by providing advice and treatments and access to other services to help them.
WAND works by providing a £20 redeemable voucher to patients and encourages patients to return for follow up assessments every three – four months. The vouchers can then be exchanged for cash or other essentials. It’s one of a number of harm reduction programmes running across NHSGGC to help tackle the drugs crisis.
Through the interventions, staff can provide immediate care to the patients, helping avoid trips to A&E or further harm being caused further down the line. It also ensures that if a patient has a Blood Borne Virus such as HIV for example, this can be picked up at an early stage through dry blood spot testing and appropriate information and treatment can be provided to the patient.
John Campbell, Injection Equipment Provision Manager for NHSGGC, said: “WAND is by far the most successful harm reduction initiative running in Glasgow today. Individuals we look after come from the hardest to reach communities and WAND provides us with an insight and touch point with them that we would never previously have had.
“This means that through early intervention we can stop problems getting worse, which would cost more to address had they gone undiagnosed or untreated, and we can also encourage those patients to consider moving into recovery or to engage with other means of support to help them.”
As part of the 30 minute assessment, patients are also encouraged to carry naloxone with them at all times. Naloxone is a lifesaving injectable which is used to reverse overdoses. In the past year alone more than 3000 naloxone kits have been distributed, and more than 18,000 have been issued in total. Every week there are instances of naloxone being used to reverse overdoses in patients.
John Campbell added: “Naloxone is literally a life-saving device for many people. If we can ensure that our patients are trained and carry the kit at all times, it means that we’ll hopefully see far fewer deaths as a result of overdose in the future.”
The WAND initiative was recently referenced in the Scottish Drugs Deaths Taskforce report, which made the recommendation that the programme be rolled out on a larger scale due to its success in supporting and monitoring patients in the city.
One moment, Heather McFarlane was watching a Peter Kay routine on TV in bed with her husband. The next, it looked like she was sound asleep. But Heather wasn’t asleep. Her laughs had triggered her cataplexy, a symptom of narcolepsy, which meant that despite appearances, she was wide awake.
Heather, 47, from Jordanhill in Glasgow, explained: “I was laughing and within a split second it looked like I was asleep, but I was lying there and I couldn’t move any muscles. It was horrible. I was still awake and conscious, but I was essentially trapped in my body.”
Heather first noticed things were not right in 2010, while she was on maternity leave with her third child. She was struggling to stay awake. She then noticed that emotions, such as laughter or smiling could trigger an attack. Her face muscles would droop and her legs would give way.
In her job, teaching children with additional needs, she would retreat to the staff toilets where she would end up asleep. People would talk to her and she would struggle to stay awake. She had to give up driving the school bus.
She said: “It was horrendous. When I laughed, I had a kind of shutdown, as if I had rebooted in a split second. Like the power had gone out and come back on again. I had to stop watching funny things on TV and avoiding funny situations with the kids.
“It saw part of me disappear. I even had to learn to function as a different kind of mum to the one that I was.”
Heather sought help from her GP and in 2013, was referred to a specialist team at Glasgow Royal Infirmary for support, where she was finally diagnosed. Such is the rarity of the condition, it can often take 10 or more years for a patient to be diagnosed, during which time, some are dismissed as being lazy or unproductive.
While there’s no cure for the condition, the team worked to find out the best clinical treatment, as well as other support required to help Heather keep her job and live a more ‘normal’ life.
Margaret Docherty, a Nurse Practitioner at the sleep clinic, has been pioneering treatment approaches, with her expertise sought by colleagues right across Europe.
She said: “Narcolepsy can be completely devastating for people’s lives. It’s about finding the right treatment and support for the person, everything from psychological support, to medication and understanding their lives and needs. My driver is how we can improve things for people – that’s what matters.”
The team prescribed Sodium Oxybate, a purified form of GHB, as part of a range of treatments to help Heather stay awake during the day and asleep at night.
“It was a game-changer in lots of different ways,” added Heather. “I’ve been able to get some of my life back.”
Dr Eric Livingston, Respiratory Consultant and Clinical lead at the clinic, said: “When we get the medication right, it can transform lives, allowing people to drive their cars again, or get back to work or university – instead of people thinking they are tired or lazy.
“Some people have been told for 30 years that they are lazy, before they even get a diagnosis, but we can support and get them back to a full life again.”
Dr Livingston paid tribute to his team, not least Margaret. He added: “I deal with the narcolepsy and clinical symptoms, but the service Margaret provides is unique. She can see the big picture about how it impacts on people’s lives.
“She has done amazing work with these patients and, along with our service being a pioneer in providing new medications, it’s really making a positive difference.”
Heather has been supported by her colleagues at Hazelwood School in Glasgow and remains at work – with a beanbag on hand, in case it’s needed for her less frequent attacks. She’s also found ways to smile and laugh again.
She added: “The team have been amazing. It’s not just the condition they are interested in, it’s me as a person – and not just me, but my wider family as they know this impacts all of us.
“It’s hard to live in Glasgow and have to avoid things which are funny – now I don’t have to.”
Getting the right medicine to the right patient at the right time
Working with the UK’s largest dispensing robot, a team of unsung heroes have been making sure that patients across Greater Glasgow and Clyde get the medicines they need throughout the pandemic.
The team at the Pharmacy Distribution Centre in Glasgow process around 100,000 pharmacy items each week and, with the COVID-19 vaccination roll-out, that effort has expanded to include sending some 72,000 vaccines to clinics every week.
However, their herculean effort is aided by some Amazon-style technology and a huge, robot storage and distribution machine which automates around 80% of the pharmacy work.
The machine is believed to be the biggest of its kind, operating in the UK. At any one time, the Pharmacy Distribution Centre will carry some 10,000 lines of medicines. Work to distribute the vaccines remains a manual endeavour, with the team employed on that working in an adjacent site.
Claire Aliyar, Chief Pharmacy Technician at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, explained: “The team have been working really hard throughout the pandemic – especially at the very beginning, because it just happened so fast. We tried to get as much stock in as we possibly could before it all started and we did manage to get some, but it was going out as soon as it came in.”
The team provide medicines for hospital wards, other acute settings, care homes and prison medical units. This includes major sites such as the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and Glasgow Royal Infirmary, the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley and the Inverclyde Royal Infirmary in Greenock.
Orders are placed online and the entire, high-tech production line works 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The team’s aim is to ensure that every patient gets the medicine they need, when they need it – with the robot dispensing medicines from amoxicillin to paracetamol (and everything in between) into blue boxes which are then tagged with the ward or location which has ordered them by a member of the team. The boxes are then packed into a fleet of vans ready to be shipped across the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area.
Technology is an important part of the process, and a few weeks before the first lockdown the team took delivery of a smaller robot, one which is refrigerated and can look after medicines that require being stored at cold temperatures. No other UK health board or trust currently has the same technology. The tech also helps to reduce to almost zero the number of errors that can occur in dispensing.
While the machines do much of the heavy lifting, a team of technicians and operatives ensure that the entire process runs smoothly, as was evidenced with the start of the pandemic.
When COVID arrived, the demand ramped up. Claire added: “The team were fabulous, they increased their working hours and came in for extra days. They just rolled up their sleeves, all with the same purpose – to get medicines out for the patients at their time of need.”
The team were then asked to set up a vaccine distribution centre from scratch.
Claire explained: “We did a small proportion of NHSGGC’s vaccine programme before, but nothing on the scale we needed. It became huge, a massive part of our workload and we took the new warehouse space from scratch and now we’re supplying more than 70,000 doses each week – more than 2.1 million doses to date.”
Ahead of the Omicron wave, the team worked to anticipate demand. Claire said: “The more prepared we are, the less pressure there is in the wards and departments.
“It’s been a huge success. I’ve never worked with a team like this – we all look out for each other whether we’re having a good or a bad day. We’ll always be here for each other and the patients, making sure their medication gets to them when they need it.”
Gail Caldwell, Director of Pharmacy for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, added: “Medicines are the most common healthcare intervention and never has this been more important than during the pandemic.
“The pharmacy team at the Pharmacy Distribution Centre have worked tirelessly throughout to ensure NHSGGC had adequate supplies of critical medicines.”
