Tag: NHS Lothian

Edinburgh Hospital Radio Volunteer Honoured with MBE

A volunteer who has been at the heart of hospital radio in Edinburgh for over 50 years has been appointed an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours for services to hospital broadcasting. 

Malcolm Kirby – the current Chair received that award from HRH The Princess Royal at an Investiture held in Windsor Castle on Tuesday March 10 2026.

chairmanMBE

Malcolm has been involved since 1969 when he moved to Edinburgh to study electrical engineering at Heriot Watt. 

He became technical director in 1972, a post he has held for most of his time with the radio. 

Malcolm has been instrumental in the design and construction of the red dot radio studios from the early days in Hanover Street to the old Royal Infirmary  and finally to the current location in the Western General Hospital. 

He designed and manufactured the studio furniture, customised electronics and wrote special software to aid in programming. 

When the pandemic hit he was instrumental in keeping the station going and wrote additional custom software to enable the radio to be streamed online.

His determination to provide a bespoke, personal service for hospital patients has lasted to this day and has been appreciated by hundreds of hospital patients and their families and friends.

Malcolm was previously recognised by the National Hospital Broadcasting Association in 2012 when he received the John Whitney Award for an outstanding contribution to hospital radio.

Malcolm said: “It’s a real privilege being involved in a service that’s entertained hospital patients for 60 years. It seems that today, just as in the past, there is a real need for this sort of personal service for people who find themselves alone in a strange environment. 

“It’s particularly gratifying that we were able to continue throughout the pandemic with our new online service providing an invaluable link between the patients and their family and friends at home – let’s hope this continues for many more years.” 

NHS Lothian launches Neurodiversity website

Neurodiversity recognises that there’s no single ‘right’ way for a brain to think, learn or experience the world.

Explore support, services and practical guidance available across Lothian and the wider community on our newly launched website:

https://services.nhslothian.scot/neurodiversity/

St John’s Hospital opens annual volunteer recruitment drive

NHS Lothian is now accepting applications for volunteers to join its team at St John’s Hospital in Livingston.

New volunteers, of all ages, will join a team of over 100 at the hospital who support patients through a variety of roles including Ward Helpers, Ward Visitors, Welcome Guides, Meaningful Activity Volunteers, Outpatient Department (OPD) Assistant Volunteers, Volunteer Drivers for Marie Curie, Therapet Visit Support Volunteers and more. 

Agnes Ritchie, Associate Nurse Director in St John’s Hospital, said: “Volunteers are a valued part of the St John’s team – they provide incredible support to both staff and patients, making a difference to people’s lives through their daily acts of kindness, care and compassion.”  

Claire Garton, Voluntary Services Manager, West Lothian said: “Volunteering offers a chance to build your skills, knowledge and experience while also giving back to your community.

“Our volunteers always tell us that their roles are fulfilling, and they make great friends along the way. We are looking for volunteers from many ages and backgrounds and look forward to welcoming you to ‘Team St John’s’.”

Ola, who is originally from Nigeria, moved to the UK in 2023 and started volunteering as a Ward Helper in St John’s. She explains: “I became a volunteer because I wanted to learn more and gain experience in healthcare.

“NHS Lothian felt like the right place to start because of its strong values and commitment to patient care. Volunteering has helped me grow in confidence and strengthen my communication and teamwork skills. I’m proud to play a small part in supporting patient recovery.”

Joe, from West Lothian has been in post as a Ward Visitor Volunteer since June 2023 alongside his full time role. He said: “I came into this role wanting to help others, but I didn’t expect how much it would change me.

“Sitting at the bedside of patients from all walks of life has fostered a deeper sense of empathy, patience, and gratitude. Each conversation, whether light-hearted or deeply personal, serves as a reminder of the importance of human connection.”

To find out more about the volunteer opportunities available across West Lothian visit: https://www.nhslothian.scot/getinvolved/volunteering/volunteering-opportunities/

Recruitment opened on Wednesday 25 February and close on Monday 9 March. For an informal chat and to find out more, contact Claire Garton, Voluntary Services Manager at St John’s Hospital on 01506 523 588.

It’s OK to Ask – empowering people to get the most out of every healthcare appointment

THIS month NHS Scotland relaunched its ‘It’s OK to Ask’ campaign for 2026, encouraging people across Scotland to feel confident asking questions about their health, care and treatment options.

The campaign aims to support patients to take an active role in decisions about their health. Whether attending a GP, physiotherapist, dentist, pharmacist, hospital appointment, or any other healthcare setting, ‘It’s OK to Ask’ reminds people that asking questions helps them understand their options and make choices that feel right for them. 

A key focus of the campaign is encouraging people to prepare for their appointment by thinking ahead about what they want to know. To help get the most out of every discussion, patients are encouraged to consider asking these four questions whenever a treatment, procedure, tablet, or test is suggested, no matter how routine it may seem: 

  • What are the benefits of this treatment? 
  • What are the risks? 
  • Are there any alternative treatments I can try? 
  • What happens if I do nothing? 
Dr John McAnaw, Associate Clinical Director at NHS 24

Dr John McAnaw, Head of Pharmacy and Associate Clinical Director at NHS 24 says the campaign helps remove the pressure or worry some people feel when speaking with healthcare professionals: “Asking questions in a healthcare setting can feel overwhelming, and many people are unsure what to say or how to ask. 

“The ‘It’s OK to Ask’ campaign reassures people that healthcare teams welcome questions as it provides a good basis for shared decision making. It’s important that you fully understand your treatment options and feel comfortable with any decisions about your care. 

“No matter how simple or serious your condition may seem, if you’re unclear about anything, remember – ‘It’s OK to Ask’. These questions can help you make informed choices about what will work best for you.”

NHS Lothian staff are Finalists in RCN Scotland Nurse of the Year Awards

Two NHS Lothian nurses have been named as finalists in the prestigious RCN Scotland Nurse of the Year Awards 2026, which celebrate excellence, innovation, and dedication within the nursing profession across Scotland.

Mike Spall-Hancy, Advanced Nurse Practitioner (Sexual Health & HIV), Chalmers Centre, NHS Lothian, has been shortlisted for the Clinical Leadership Award in recognition of his transformative impact on health advising and Genitourinary Medicine (GUM) nursing.

Through innovative, patient centred service redesign, he modernised STI diagnosis, treatment, and partner notification by introducing digital booking systems, online results management, and pharmacy treatment vouchers, improvements that have received national recognition.

Mike also led early planning for the rollout of DoxyPEP (a pill taken after sex to help prevent sexually transmitted infections), developing efficient delivery pathways with minimal resource impact. This work led to his appointment as British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) Scotland Nurse Lead.

As a clinical leader, he reintroduced nationally recognised STIF training, supported non-medical prescribers, delivered extensive education across the wider workforce, and strengthened service sustainability while improving staff satisfaction, clinical capacity, and integration with health and social care partners.

Daisy Sandeman, Clinical Nurse Manager – Advanced Practice, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, NHS Lothian has also been named a finalist for the Inspiring Excellence, Nursing Innovation and Research Award, recognising her exceptional contribution to delirium care and advanced nursing practice in cardiothoracic surgery.

Alongside a full time clinical role, Daisy completed a PhD on postoperative delirium, which directly informed the development of a new pre operative risk assessment and support pathway. This reduced delirium rates from around 40% to 18%, significantly improving patient recovery, experience, and length of stay. In her leadership role, she champions research led innovation across nine specialist nursing teams, building a research active workforce and embedding audit and quality improvement into professional development.

Her work extends nationally and internationally and includes collaborative research that reduced postoperative atrial fibrillation rates, contributions to national delirium guidelines, and regular teaching, mentoring, and conference presentations.

Alison Macdonald, Executive Nurse Director at NHS Lothian, said: “I would like to congratulate our staff that have been shortlisted for these awards.

“Being named a finalist is a significant achievement and reflects the exceptional care, compassion, and commitment our nurses show to patients every day.

“I would like to wish them the very best of luck.”

The winners will be announced at the glittering awards ceremony on 30 April at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.

Find out more about the awards at Scotland Nurse Of The Year Awards 2026 | Royal College of Nursing Scotland | Royal College of Nursing

NHS Lothian appoints contractor to start works on new Eye Hospital

Lothian’s multi-million pound new Eye Hospital has moved an exciting step closer to becoming a reality after NHS Lothian appointed a main contractor.

Kier will act as Principal Supply Chain Partner to build the state-of-the-art facility, which will serve adults and children across the region, as well as south-east Scotland.

The pioneering project will replace the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion (PAEP), Edinburgh, with a bespoke new eye hospital on the Little France BioQuarter campus.

Sitting next to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, the Simpson Centre for Reproductive Health and Edinburgh University clinical research facilities, the new site will become part of the world-class Edinburgh BioQuarter.

Jim Crombie, Deputy Chief Executive, NHS Lothian, said: “We are pleased to appoint Kier as our Principal Supply Chain Partner and take the next step in the process towards opening a new eye hospital in Lothian.

“We are delighted that the hospital is becoming a reality and that makes this milestone even more exciting. I would like to thank our teams for their commitment and endurance throughout the planning of this project – I know this step will mean a great deal to them.

“Our teams in the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion have a world-class reputation for their innovation, treatment, patient safety and care, but the building no longer supports them or the thousands of surgical, inpatients and outpatients who attend each year.

“This new state-of-the-art facility will allow our magnificent teams to continue providing the exceptional patient care and treatment they are renowned for.”

The new hospital will stand as a hub of excellence and also provide specialist services, such as surgical retinal services, paediatric surgery and neuro-ophthalmology for patients from NHS Borders, Tayside and Fife, as well as Lothian.

Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “The appointment of a Principal Supply Chain Partner for the new Eye Hospital marks an important milestone for eye care in Lothian and the south-east of Scotland.

“The dedicated teams currently working in the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion have a world-class reputation for innovation, treatment and patient care. They deserve a modern, purpose-built facility that matches their expertise and supports the thousands of patients who rely on their services each year. This new hospital will do exactly that, providing a state-of-the-art environment where staff can continue to deliver the excellent care they are known for.

 “This investment demonstrates our commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure and ensuring everyone has access to the treatment they need.”

Kier, which has already worked on the NHS Golden Jubilee Eye Hospital, in Glasgow and Sunderland Eye Infirmary brings a wealth of innovation and experience to Lothian’s new Eye Hospital.

Sean Fenner, Managing Director, Kier Construction North & Scotland, said: “We are proud to be the Principal Supply Chain Partner for NHS Lothian to deliver early construction works at the new Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion – a new Centre of Excellence that will transform eye care for patients across the region.

 “Our team brings unrivalled expertise, shaped by landmark projects such as the NHS Golden Jubilee Eye Hospital and Sunderland Eye Infirmary, and informed by best practice from leading ophthalmic centres in the UK and internationally.

“Working in partnership with NHS Lothian, we will create an environment that enhances patient experience, empowers staff and establishes a new standard of excellence in ophthalmic care across Scotland.”

Lothians families given world-first hospital navigation solution

An Edinburgh children’s hospital has become the first in the world to introduce pioneering new personal navigation technology from Waymap, helping families to travel more easily from home to specific consulting rooms and wards.

The Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP) at Little France is the first hospital globally to go live with Waymap – a ground-breaking app that guides visitors from their front door directly to the correct hospital department.

Made possible thanks to a partnership between Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC), NHS Lothian, and personal navigation specialist Waymap, the app gives families step-by-step directions both inside and outside the hospital, making visits more accessible and less stressful.

Families like Gilly Bain’s, whose daughters Finty (3) and Mackenzie (6) have been admitted to the RHCYP numerous times with recurrent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and other ailments, have already described the app as a gamechanger for navigating hospital visits.

Gilly, Founder & CEO of YOURGB, Edinburgh, said: “Making your way to hospital with a very unwell child is one of the most high-stress moments in any parent’s life. In that moment, the absolute last thing you need is to panic about which building is the right one, or which of the many car parks it is that you’re meant to use.

“This app takes away that added pressure, and it is going to make a world of difference to so, so many families.”

Already in use at major transport hubs, shopping centres and sports stadiums in the UK and around the world, Waymap works indoors, outdoors and underground. It helps people move confidently through unfamiliar spaces, regardless of vision, mobility, or language skills.

Roslyn Neely, CEO of ECHC, said: “Hospital visits can already be a daunting experience, especially for children and families with additional needs. This ground-breaking technology removes one of the biggest sources of anxiety – finding your way.

“Not only will it make journeys to the hospital much simpler by guiding people directly to where they need to be, it will also help to ease anxiety, break down language barriers, and reduce missed appointments.”

The Waymap team carefully mapped the hospital’s indoor physical space using a LIDAR scanner, which uses lasers to map spaces in 3D. The app guides families along clear routes displayed on a smartphone screen or via audio instructions. It is available in multiple languages and integrates with bus and train timetables.

Celso Zuccollo, CEO of Waymap, said: “We are really excited to be making wayfinding easier for children and families visiting the hospital.

“Waymap’s precise personal navigation technology works indoors and outdoors, making it ideal for helping patients, staff and visitors find their way to and around a busy hospital.”

Aris Tyrothoulakis, Service Director, Women’s and Children’s, NHS Lothian, said: “We are proud to be the first hospital in the world to introduce this technology to support our young patients and their families.

“It is about making the journey to and from hospital easier, reducing stress, and helping families to feel more confident and independent from the moment they arrive.”

Dr Olivia Swann, Paediatric Infectious Diseases Consultant, NHS Lothian, said: “My colleagues and I realised we were spending a lot of time helping anxious families find their way around the hospital.

“I was sure we could do this better. My research led me to Waymap and their innovative way of helping people navigate complex indoor settings.

“Working with Waymap and ECHC, we managed to secure funding to bring this amazing app to the families at RHCYP and hope it helps make hospital visits simpler and less stressful for everyone.”

First new GP walk-in service opens

Major milestone in delivering faster access to care

Patients will have access to GP-led care on the same day without an appointment as the First Minister opens the first of a new network of walk-in services. The new services will make it easier for people to get urgent care for medical issues while easing pressure on GP practices and hospitals.

The Scottish Government is investing £36 million into a pilot programme which will see a further 14 services established across Scotland.

First Minister John Swinney has opened the country’s first GP walk-in clinic at Wester Hailes Healthy Living Centre, marking a significant step forward in the government’s efforts to strengthen primary care.

Speaking ahead of his visit, Mr Swinney said: “I know how important access to urgent medical care is for people, and how important it is for people to get the right care, in the right place at the right time.

“Our network of walk-in GP-led services will ensure people get the care they need at a time that works for them – and opening this first clinic is a major milestone as we continue to deliver trusted leadership for our health service.

“Open seven days per week from 12pm-8pm, these walk-in clinics will deliver over one million additional GP and nurse appointments, making it easier than ever for people to access urgent care when they need it most.

“With GP numbers up, long waits down, record numbers of hip and knee operations and 15 new walk-in GP clinics opening in Scotland, it is clear we are making progress in our NHS – and I am determined that we will continue to drive forward improvements.”

Tracey McKigen, Director of Primary Care for NHS Lothian, said: “We are proud to be launching this pilot service in collaboration with the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership.

“It will add to the range of health services in Wester Hailes and make it easier for local patients registered with eight eligible GP practices in southwest Edinburgh to get same day care for new, urgent conditions.”

The walk-in clinic at Wester Hailes Healthy Living Centre is open every day from 12 noon to 8pm with no appointment needed.

During the pilot phase, the service is available to patients registered with a group of local GP practices in southwest Edinburgh. 

Depending on clinical need, patients may see a GP or Advanced Nurse Practitioner.

Walk in Clinic – General Practitioners (GPs).