Tag: St John’s Hospital Livingston

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.

Trolleydarity heads into Scottish hospitals

National Theatre of Scotland and NHS Lothian Charity: Tonic Arts present

Trolleydarity

Scratch n Sniff Staycation for the Discerning Static Traveller

At Western General Hospital, Edinburgh; St John’s Hospital, Livingston; and East Lothian Community Hospital, Haddington

December 2025 to March 2026

Co-curated by Alan Grieve and Shona Reppe

Designer – Danny Krass

Facilitators for St John’s Hospital and East Lothian Community Hospital – Minnie Crook and Dan Brown

Supported by: The Weir Charitable Trust and The William Grant Foundation

Trolleydarity lead artists Shona Reppe (lilac top) and Alan Grieve (Green Top) engage with staff and patients at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh. Photography by Peter Dibdin

Trolleydarity’s Scratch n Sniff Staycation for the Discerning Static Traveller is an innovative new project by artists Shona Reppe and Alan Grieve co-curated for patients and staff across NHS Lothian presented by National Theatre of Scotland and NHS Lothian Charity: Tonic Arts.

Shona and Alan will present Scratch n Sniff Staycation for the Discerning Static Traveller across Western General Hospital wards with Minnie Crook and Dan Brown facilitating the Staycation in St John’s Hospital, Livingston and East Lothian Community Hospital, Haddington, from December 2025 to March 2026.

Scratch n Sniff Staycation for the Discerning Static Traveller is a series of artistic one-to -one encounters with hospital patients, visitors and staff presented by Shona and Alan (Trolleydarity.) These unique and surprising interventions will offer discerning travellers an opportunity to explore the world in a way that feels both real and magical, through the power of sound and scent. Participants will be transported on a journey without having to catch a plane or even leave their beds.

Shona Reppe and Alan Grieve’s Trolleydarity’s “immersive sensory micro adventure” will be brought to hospital bedsides, wards and waiting areas by trolley; all that will be required to explore the world is a pair of headphones and a complimentary postcard. 

This brand new project transforms the everyday into the extraordinary, from the scent of a luxurious spa to the sound of crisp snow underfoot, all brought to life through the magic of sound and smell.  Participants are invited to stay where they are, close their eyes, scratch, sniff and go!

This project is part of an ongoing partnership between National Theatre of Scotland and NHS Lothian Charity: Tonic Arts, the Charity’s arts in health programme which improves and supports the health and wellbeing of NHS Lothian patients and staff.

It follows on from an existing collaboration on the hosting of Portraits of an LGBTI+ Generation exhibition, at the Charity’s Tonic Galleries in both St John’s Hospital Livingston and the Western General Hospital.

Trolleydarity lead artists Shona Reppe (lilac top) and Alan Grieve (Green Top) engage with staff and patients at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh. Photography by Peter Dibdin

Len McCaffer, NHS Lothian Charity’s Tonic Arts Manager: “We are thrilled to be partnering with the National Theatre of Scotland to bring these magical sensory adventures to patients in hospital – for the patients themselves, it gives them a gentle escape during their hospital stay and for staff, it provides a joyful shared moment to brighten a long shift. 

“”Trolleydarity reminds us that care is more than clinical — it’s sensory, human and about making connections. And this is exactly what our Tonic Arts programme is all about.”

Dad’s Gift of Life: Father Donates Kidney to Save His Son

A loving dad has given his son an amazing second chance by donating his kidney to save him from an incurable disease.

James MacDonald, 57, gave his son the gift of life after Craig, 28, developed chronic kidney failure.

The disease had reduced Craig’s kidney function by a staggering 92% and his mum, dad, older sister and several extended family members stepped forward to save him from a future on dialysis.

James emerged as the most compatible match and the pair, from Livingston, West Lothian, underwent the lifesaving transplant operation at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh in February last year.

Now in time to celebrate World Kidney Day, Craig has made a full recovery, returned to work with his dad and the golfing buddies are closer than ever before.

James, a Manufacturer at a packaging company, said: “Craig and I are really close. We have worked together for many years, and I just wanted to give Craig his life back.

“I didn’t think twice about it and I think any father would want to do that for their child.”

Craig added: “I’m so thankful to my family, to my dad and to the transplant team for saving my life. The transplant experience has brought me and my dad even closer together.”

Craig’s journey with kidney issues began in childhood, but it wasn’t until a family holiday in 2021 that his symptoms became clearer. His mum noticed his ankles were swollen and insisted he see a doctor.

After visiting his GP, Craig was swiftly admitted to St John’s Hospital in Livingston with extremely high blood pressure as he was at risk of having a stroke.

Craig went on to be diagnosed with IgA nephropathyin November 2021 and was put on dialysis in October 2022. He said: “It was really scary being admitted to hospital so quickly and then being told that my kidney function was declining rapidly. I didn’t feel unwell which made it even more disconcerting.

“I felt way too young for this to happen and there was so much more I wanted to achieve in my life.”

James was identified as the optimal donor and in 2023, Craig and his dad underwent the lifesaving kidney transplant.

Craig’s mother, Carol, said: “I felt so helpless having my husband and my son in surgery. I was pacing up and down the hospital corridors just waiting to hear whether they were both okay.”

The operation was a success and within days, the transplant began making a visible difference to Craig.

James said: “He looked significantly healthier after the surgery – his face just lit up. “Before the operation, his kidneys were functioning at 8% and after one day post-surgery, his kidneys were up at 21%, it was amazing.

“Seeing him healthy and happy was the greatest reward any father could ask for.”

Since the operation, Craig has returned to work with his dad at the packaging company the pair go golfing regularly.

Craig said: “I’m now able to do what I want and I can finally lead a normal life. I’m just back from a golfing holiday with my dad and the experience has ignited an excitement within me for exploring the world more.

“I’ve been given a second chance and I want to enjoy every minute.”

Nina Kunkel-Howden, Live Donor Transplant Coordinator, NHS Lothian, said: “Craig’s journey is a powerful testament to the transformative impact of living kidney donation. Living donors really do change lives.

“We wish him and his family the very best.”

For details about organ donation, visit (opens a new window):

www.livingdonationscotland.org

“A state of chaos”: Further delay to full paediatric service at St John’s

The full reinstatement of 24/7 paediatric services at St John’s Hospital has been further delayed, Health Secretary jeane Freeman confirmed today. Continue reading “A state of chaos”: Further delay to full paediatric service at St John’s