Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
NHS Education for Scotland
fOCUS winter 2011-12
Accessible Word Version
A word from the Chair and Chief Executive
A warm welcome to the latest issue of fOCUS. As ever we have a full issue, packed with stories
and updates from just a handful of our projects and workstreams. A common theme you will note
running through all our work is an emphasis on the importance of high quality education and
training helping delivery the three Quality Ambitions: Safe, Effective and Person-Centred.
This winter issue leads with the fascinating story of our involvement in a capacity building project
using e-Learning for nurse training in Zambia and Ghana. We also feature an article on a recent
Midwifery Leadership event in which where midwives came together to discuss and plan midwifery
leadership for the future.
We also include updates on: NES officially taking on the status of employer to 450 GP specialty
trainees - a development which will make a real and positive difference for trainees, doctors and
ultimately patients; the Scottish Multiprofessional Maternity Development Programme - a great
piece of work that has been supporting real, evidence-based service improvement - at home and
(much) further afield; and a recent partnership between our RRHEAL team and dental directorate
around recruitment and retention.
Last year saw Helen Mackinnon MBE retired from her post as Director of Nursing, Midwifery and
Allied Health Professionals in NES; she will be hugely missed in a personal and professional
capacity. She is succeeded by Dr Colette Ferguson. You can read more about both Helen and
Colette inside. We wish them both very well.
You may recall in our last Word from... we drew your attention to the launch of our corporate social
media activity to coincide with the launch of our new website. We can now provide you with an
update on how we have been using this important communications tool. Read on to find out more.
And of course, don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Finally, we would like to take this opportunity collectively to congratulate Mike Watson,
who was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s new year honours list.
e-Learning in action
Two continents, five countries, four time zones The Tropical Health and Education Trust (THET) Multilink Project on building capacity for e-
Learning for nurse training in Zambia and Ghana has been underway since June 2011. At this half
way point, we pause to reflect.
Mini-conference on e-Learning
Masterminded from Edinburgh, and hosted by Macha Works
in Southern Zambia, this event incorporated two continents, five countries, four time zones and
around 40 participants - both actual and virtual.
In September 2011, 28 actual delegates from Scotland, Ghana, and Zambia converged on Macha
for the intensive two and a half day meeting. The conference programme incorporated
presentations from Scotland, Kenya, Zambia and Ghana. Two, on e-Learning development, were
delivered via Skype from the University of Edinburgh which is partnered with the University of
Malawi on e-Learning. Macha Works delivered an inspirational talk on the wonders of the internet
and there were several other local presentations. The main outcomes were around keeping the
technology ‘flame’ alive and encouraging greater capacity for e-Learning within prescribed nursing
curricula.
Light entertainments included aerial flights of Macha (for some their first ever experience of flying)
and, for those with energy left to spare, a little Scottish country dancing. We ended on a Scottish
theme too, linking hands in a rendering of Auld Lang Syne.
The Africa Knowledge Network (TAKN)
Meanwhile, back at NES, Dr Ann Wales’s team was busy building The Africa Knowledge Network
(TAKN). This library portal, to a range of valuable open-source healthcare resources, mimics the
NES Knowledge Network and is being expanded as our main project website.
Equipment
Two laptops purchased by NES with project funds were transported to Zambia where they were
configured by Macha Works before being presented to two particularly under-resourced nurse
training schools (NTS), one in Zambia and one in Ghana. Tutors at these remote, rural schools
are now able to Skype with Scotland, surf the global Health Information for All (HIFA) 2015
Network and participate in the project’s e-Learning groups. Macha Works carried out Information
and Computer Technology (ICT) assessments at three participating NTS and is providing eight
desktop PCs.
Information and Computer Technology (ICT) Champion training
Macha has also trained four ICT Champions (local heroes) to support ICT and e-Learning needs
at the participating schools.
E-Learning resources
Six packs of existing e-Learning resources (CD-Roms, DVDs etc), obtained from TALC (Teaching
Aids at Low Cost) http://www.talcuk.org/ and MAF (Medical Aid Films)
http://www.medicalaidfilms.org/ were distributed among participating NTS as were two Articulate
(provider of e-Learning software and authoring tools) software licences purchased through the
project grant. The Malawi project successfully used Articulate to enable lecturers at the University
of Malawi to develop their own e-Learning teaching resources.
E-Learning groups
Finally, our project’s two e-Learning groups, one on mental health and one on maternal and child
health, are underway. Members are communicating regularly by email, Skype, text message and
face-to-face discussions. Certainly, it is challenging; technology apart, heavy tutor workloads limit
participation. However, progress is being made and, through NES’s Education Development
Directorate (EDD), we also have exciting new midwifery training links with Oman.
What’s in it for NES?This project is about global knowledge exchange. Scotland has as much to gain as the other
countries. Africa is ahead of the game in terms of mobile technologies for health (Grameen
Foundation, 2011). They are also good at doing more for less, and sharing collaboratively (Van
Stam, 2011). We can learn from them.
Last word
We have made progress. There is much still to do, ‘… people are
dying from lack of knowledge’ (HIFA 2015) but we are committed to addressing this.
For further information, please contact: Jo Vallis, Research and Training Officer
Telephone: 0131 650 9382
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.thet.org
Developing the midwifery leaders of the future in Scotland
An innovative approach
Some 66 midwives took part in a Leadership Challenge in November 2011 at the Beardmore Hotel
and Conference centre, as part of an innovative approach to developing midwifery leaders for the
future in NHSScotland.
The prime focus of the event was on succession planning for the challenges of healthcare
delivery. It is part of a wider approach to supporting leadership throughout the midwifery
workforce, including the ongoing development of existing leaders.
Chief Nursing Officer, Ros Moore, explained: “It is critical that we continue to have a vibrant
leadership culture for midwifery in Scotland which will also support effective succession planning.
As part of this drive, NES is working in partnership with The Royal College of Midwives, and the
Scottish Government’s Health Professions Directorate to deliver this Midwifery Leadership
Challenge event.
“Leadership Challenges are highly enjoyable but intensive experiential learning events that use
scenarios drawn from real life to expose participants to the sort of high level challenges faced by
leaders delivering healthcare services. Through the event, participants can identify their own
responses in a safe environment and we can identify the sort of development our future leaders
need.”
12 teams representing mainland and island Boards took part. Teams comprised midwives at Band
8a and 7 as well as individuals demonstrating leadership potential at Band 6, alongside colleagues
from partner Higher Education Institution(s).
“The RCM hope that the participants enjoyed the day and found out more about themselves as
individuals and how to work within a team. I hope they found it thought provoking and gave them
some sense of understanding about the challenges those leading the service meet on a day to day
basis to prepare them for what their future roles may be”, said Gillian Smith, Director The Royal
College of Midwives UK Board for Scotland.
Some quotes from the delegates demonstrate the success of the day:
…a real opportunity to learn and work as a team…
…while working through the challenges I was at times in awe of the professional skill, experience
and innovation demonstrated by my team mates.
...a challenging but inspiring event.
For further information, please contact: Sandra Smith, Educational Projects Manager, Midwifery &
NMAHP
Telephone: 0131 313 8616
Email: [email protected]
General Practice Specialty Trainees
NES is now employer of General Practice Specialty Trainees (GPST)
On 1 August 2011 NES became the employer of 450 general practice specialty trainees (GPST).
This is an exciting development both for NES and for GPSTs, as well as an opportunity to
establish a professional support mechanism for GP practices.
Previously, we were responsible for all recruitment and allocation of GPSTs, while individual
general practices and trainers were responsible for their employment. Although we recruited
trainees and paid their salaries, we were not regarded as the GPST employer and therefore did
not have the status to act on the trainee’s behalf. This previously cumbersome arrangement is
now resolved. We now have complete responsibility for all facets of GPST employment, with a
fluid progression from recruitment and allocation through to day to day employment.
The successful appointment of NES as employer and the implementation of the project were
achieved through tight negotiation between our representatives and the Scottish General Practice
Committee (SGPC) of the BMA.
GPST employer status allows NES to assume full responsibility for management and facilitation of
trainees, while permitting trainers and practices to devote their energies into training and
professional guidance. As a single employer, the application of our standard of employment will
work across the GPST and trainee cohort, with a comprehensive HR network ensuring greater
clarity.
The appointment of NES as GP specialty trainee employer has granted us a more logical,
regulatory position. Trainees will continue to benefit from the experience of a practical appointment
within a general practice, with all the support and professional back up of a large organisational
structure. General practices and trainers will be able to devote their attention to training, confident
any concerns relating to trainee performance can be independently resolved. Uniformity will
guarantee protection for trainees, without compromise to their existing practical training
programme, or lessened exposure in clinical practice.
Employment of GP specialty trainees by NES is a positive achievement which will lead to more
satisfied doctors in training, more satisfied trainees and ultimately improved patient care.
For further information, please contact: Joanne Edwards
Telephone: 0141 223 1512
The Scottish Multiprofessional Maternity Development Programme
The Scottish Multiprofessional Maternity Development Programme (SMMDP) was established in
2004 in response to recommendations made by Expert Group on Acute Maternity Services
(EGAMS 2003). This report identified gaps in postgraduate/post-registration education and training
for the maternity team in Scotland.
The Scottish government funded the programme initially and has now provided NES with annual
funding to continue. The need for this type of training was reinforced in the Refreshed Framework
for Maternity Services 2010.
Through a network of over 300 local trainers, the SMMDP provides local and affordable (currently
£40) post-registration courses to all professionals in the maternity service team, and education to
support others responding in emergency situations. The courses provide additional knowledge,
skills, competences and confidence to provide improved maternity care for women and their
babies. The programme has the support and representation of all five Royal Colleges, consumer
groups such as the National Childbirth Trust (NCT), all Special Health Boards and the Scottish
Government Health Directorates.
Current courses developed and run by the SMMDP are:
Neonatal Resuscitation Course (1 day)
Neonatal Pre-transport Care Course (1 day)
SCOTTIE Obstetric Teaching and Training in Emergencies (1½ days)
Emergency Maternity Care Course for Non–Maternity Care Professionals (1 day)
Routine Examination of the Newborn (3 days)
Generic Instructors (2 days)
Maternity REACTS (HDU for Obstetrics) (2 days) – Introduced in 2010
Parent Education Facilitators Course (2 days) – Introduced in 2011
The programme has been externally evaluated by the University of the West of Scotland. The final
report was published and disseminated widely in June 2011. The evaluation was extremely
positive, with participants reporting that these courses were enjoyable, beneficial and an effective
mode of training increasing their knowledge, confidence and competence and prepared them to
carry out their role and advanced roles e.g. examination of the newborn. They also reported
numerous examples of changes which have been implemented into practice following SMMDP
training and contributing significantly to patient safety.
Supporting neonatal resuscitation training in Iraq
Responding to a request from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, some of the
training materials, developed by NES, outlined in the previous article, are being used to provide
neonatal resuscitation training to some 40 Iraqi doctors in Northern Iraq.
Dr Peter Fowlie, a Consultant Paediatrician at NHS Tayside, explained: “For the last couple of
years, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health has supported a group of clinicians from
the UK in providing some basic paediatric training to doctors in North Iraq (Irbil, Kurdistan).
“This year the College, in association with Dundee University, is again going to Iraq where part of
the training will focus on neonatal resuscitation. We were keen to ensure that the training
provided was of high quality and up to date and the NES material fits the bill.
“I am really delighted that NES agreed to help us and support this humanitarian mission.”
Dr Fowlie added: “After the 2003 war in Iraq, health services and training were severely disrupted.
With the relative stability seen recently, it has been possible for Iraq to focus again on developing
services and benefit from external support particularly in relation to ongoing training needs and
establishing appropriate teaching programmes.
“Good basic initial care of the newborn is thought to have a major impact on pregnancy outcomes
in terms of infant survival and reduced morbidity. This fact was acknowledged by the Iraqi
paediatricians hence their specific request for support to establish a programme of formal training
in newborn resuscitation.”
Helene Marshall, Director of NES’s Scottish Multiprofessional Maternity Development Programme,
added: “We were delighted to be able to support Dr Fowlie and his colleagues in this way.
“We developed the course materials to provide a standardised training course for all healthcare
professionals in assessment and resuscitation of newborn babies. It provides healthcare
personnel with assessment and airway management skills to provide effective resuscitation at
birth.
“At the end of the course, staff will have developed an understanding of the physiological
processes that can lead to the need for resuscitation of the newborn. They will also have had
some practice in the immediate care of babies requiring resuscitation at birth and in the first few
days of life as well as acquiring practical experience in using neonatal resuscitation equipment.“
Scottish Neonatal Resuscitation Course
For further information, please contact: Helene Marshall, SMMDP Director
Telephone: 0131 220 8642
Email: [email protected]
Planning the Future launched
“The application of what we know will have a bigger impact than any drug or technology likely to
be introduced in the next decade.”
Sir Muir Gray, Director NHS Chief Knowledge Officer, UK Department of Health
Delivering safe, effective and person-centred care as set out in the Scottish Government’s Quality
Strategy, and maximising efficient use of resource, depends on bridging the gap between knowing
and doing.
NES and Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) are leading a review to define a new national
approach to knowledge management that will use knowledge to the full to deliver quality outcomes
in healthcare. The overall aim is to make it easier for frontline practitioners to do the right thing,
every time.
The review is chaired by Colin Brown, the Deputy Director of the Quality Division in Scottish
Government. It will build on NHSScotland’s existing strong knowledge infrastructure to develop the
vision of a network of knowledge services joining forces to support practitioners to put knowledge
into action at the frontline. This commitment to help practitioners to apply knowledge to practice is
a key change from the current knowledge services focus on organising and accessing knowledge.
For further information, please contact: Ann Wales, Programme Director for Knowledge
Management
Telephone: 0141 352 2906
Email: [email protected]
Helen Mackinnon MBE
Helen Mackinnon MBE, Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions retired from
NES in Autumn 2011
Helen had a long and influential career and demonstrated a total commitment to NES,
NHSScotland, higher education and the professional regulation of nurses and midwives in
Scotland and the UK.
Following graduation from one of the first integrated undergraduate nursing programmes at the
University of Edinburgh, Helen worked in a variety of clinical settings as a registered nurse prior to
undertaking a post registration programme leading to registration as a mental health nurse. In
1981 Helen’s professional career moved from direct care into education on her appointment as a
mental health nurse teacher at the Western College of Nursing based in the Gartnavel Hospital
complex in Glasgow. It was here that Helen used her expertise to become an advocate for people
with mental health problems and to champion mental health nursing.
From 1985 to 1991 Helen moved from her Glasgow based post back to Edinburgh where she was
appointed to the post of Principal Professional Development Officer (Nursing) at SHEG which then
became the Health Education Board for Scotland (HEBS). In this post she led many nationally
focussed initiatives on health improvement which provided the skills for health care professionals
to perform effectively when dealing with major health issues.
Helen returned to the west coast in 1991 when she was appointed Senior Lecturer and later,
Associate Head of Department at Glasgow Caledonian University. In this role Helen undertook
some of the pioneering development work that enabled healthcare workers to study at degree and
post graduate level. As leader of the post-registration degree in health studies, she worked with
others in the university to develop a framework that allowed for the accreditation of prior learning.
The APEL system, as it was known, provided an entry gate for health professionals to access
graduate and postgraduate education and was widely adopted within the university sector. This
development significantly contributed to the number of healthcare professionals who were able to
progress their education and achieve graduate or post graduate awards.
In 1994, Helen’s next career move brought her back to her home city of Edinburgh and to The
National Board for Nursing Midwifery and Health Visiting for Scotland (NBS). She was appointed
Professional Officer (Nursing) and her role was related to quality assurance and standards at a
national level. It involved providing professional advice to colleagues within the education sector
throughout Scotland and approval of all statutory educational programmes. At NBS, Helen
progressed to the position of Executive Director (Standards) and then to Acting Chief Executive.
NBS was one of a number of organisations that merged to create NHS Education for Scotland in
2002.
Helen has played a significant part in shaping and developing NES in both her role as Executive
Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions (NMAHP) and as an Executive
member of the NES Board. She has provided strong leadership for the NMAHP directorate and
has made a unique contribution over an extended period of time to Patient Focus, Public
Involvement (PFPI) work.
The significance of Helen’s work over her whole career was recognised with the award of a MBE
in the Queen’s Birthday honours list 2011.
Sensory Impairment
The materials used in the delivery of basic sensory impairment training to receptionists,
administrative and frontline staff across NHSScotland have been adapted and produced as a
stand alone resource hosted on the Little Things Make a Big Difference website
In addition, a pocket-sized resource of communication tips, Points for Good Communication has
been disseminated to staff across NHSScotland and pre-registration healthcare students this
winter.
For further information, please contact: Gill Walker or Angela McCulloch
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Welcome to Colette Ferguson
Dr Colette Ferguson has been appointed to the role of Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied
Health Professions for NES, following a national recruitment exercise. She succeeds Helen
Mackinnon who retired from the post in September 2011.
Announcing the appointment, NES Chief Executive, Malcolm Wright said: “Colette is currently
Associate Director of Nursing and Midwifery and she brings a wealth of expertise and experience
to this pivotal role for NES. I look forward to working with her as we drive forward our ambitious
plans to develop the NHS workforce in Scotland.”
Dr Ferguson joined NES in 2003 as a Programme Director within the Nursing, Midwifery and Allied
Health Professions Directorate. Her career path makes her ideally suited to her new strategic role
with NES. Building on practice in community and acute care settings, she has also held a range of
leadership roles in undergraduate and postgraduate university education.
In addition, she has been involved in a number of UK and overseas committees including the NMC
Review of pre-registration Nursing Education Advisory Group; Expert Advisory Group for
Revalidation; UK Modernising Nursing Careers; and she acted as advisor to the Director of
Nursing, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain on developing the workforce profile and
establishing a preceptorship system.
Dr Ferguson is particularly well known for her work in implementing the role of Practice Education
Facilitator in Scotland and developing a national network of support for nurses and midwives. This
model has now been adopted across other professional group, including AHPs.
She has published numerous papers on nursing and midwifery education and development and
has presented frequently at international, UK national and Scottish conferences.
Dr Ferguson commented: “I am delighted to accept this post and look forward to leading the
development of the NMAHP workforce. I am particularly keen on strengthening education and
learning where nurses, midwives and AHPs practice, with a clear focus on improving the health
and care of the people of Scotland.”
Holding on to Quality Health Staff
Recruit and Retain
Our Remote and Rural Healthcare Educational Alliance (RRHEAL) team and Dental Directorate
have been invited to become partners in a large scale Northern Periphery Programme (NPP)
project Recruit and Retain (Recruitment and Retention of Health Care Workers in Remote Rural
Areas).
The project will run for the next two and a half years and has been awarded almost £3 million in funding by NPP.
RRHEAL and NES dentistry will work alongside partners from Iceland, Greenland, Norway,
Sweden, Canada and Ireland to identify factors that contribute to difficulties in remote and rural
recruitment and retention of healthcare staff across wide geographical locations.
Our teams will work in conjunction with the Centre for Rural Health Research & Policy to apply
their joint expertise to designing and delivering educational solutions required to support improved
recruitment and staff retention. They will also develop transferable education solutions from the
outcomes of the project.
NHS Western Isles hosted an intense three days of business meetings for all partners at the NPP
Kick Off Event in October. Sandwiched between two days of project work, RRHEAL and NES
North deanery presented at the international conference, Strategies for Recruiting and Retaining
Health Care Workers in Remote Rural Areas, which was held in An Lanntair in Stornoway.
The conference was attended by some seventy delegates and partners from Greenland, Iceland,
Norway, Sweden, Canada, Ireland and Scotland and was a great opportunity to share
experiences, and a vision for the future of remote and rural healthcare here and beyond.
For further information, please contact: Pam Nicoll, Programme Director, RRHEAL
Telephone: 01463 255909
Email: [email protected]
NES Website and Social Media launch
Our new corporate website was re-launched in late summer 2011. To date, feedback has been
very positive from partner organisations and individual users alike.
In planning the re-launch, it was important to ensure that our stakeholders had a key role in
influencing and testing the developing design and structure. At different stages in the process,
colleagues in NES and in other parts of NHSScotland were asked to comment on developments,
by participating in telephone interviews and workshops and by using a test version of the site.
The re-launched website is the main gateway to access information about NES. Users will find the
new site easy to navigate and, if they wish, they can also be quickly and easily re-directed to our
other websites such as The Knowledge Network or The Portal course booking system.
The accessibility of the new website was of great importance. With this in mind, we worked with
the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) who helped in auditing the site during its
development. This audit made it easier for us to meet accessibility targets for a wide range of
users, including those with sight, hearing and mobility problems.
Following the launch, we continue to work with RNIB and hope to attain their Surf Right logo,
signifying that we have reached a high standard of accessibility for all user groups.
To ensure high quality of content, we continue to provide training to colleagues with Writing for the
Web courses which emphasise the importance of writing concisely to make the website and its
content attractive and useful to users.
So, is the re-launched website a success?
Comments from visitors to the site have been very encouraging and, certainly, there has already
been a marked change in browsing habits. We’re delighted that users spend longer on the site,
accessing a wider range of pages than before.
We know how important it is to keep reviewing the content, structure and functionality to ensure
that it remains useable, contains high quality content and continues to meet expectations.
Social Media
Coinciding with the new website launch, we also launched our online social media presence last
year. To date we have over 800 Twitter followers, including key stakeholders, practitioners, media
contacts and ‘tweeps’ (people active on Twitter) with an interest in healthcare and education.
We are developing our social media presence to tap into this expanding communications medium
and to join in the virtual conversations and interactions that take place in the social networking
landscape that are relevant to us, and our work.
Some stats:
as of December 2012, Facebook has more than 845 million active users
as of September 2011, Twitter is estimated to have 200 million active users
Potentially many, but not all, of our key audiences are already using social media for personal use.
We are using social media as an additional channel to get our key corporate and directorate level
messages out to stakeholders, key audiences and the media.
Social media also provides a vital source of information and news, helping us keep track of what
partners, stakeholders and audiences are doing and saying. We use it as a forum for interactive
discussion, with a view in the long term to use it for consultation. Social media is all about
spreading messages through networks by mentioning, re-tweeting, content sharing. It’s about
engaging in a conversation rather than a lecture, and we are now involved in the conversation.
For further information on the website, please contact: Colin Sanders
Telephone: 0141 223 1546
Email: [email protected]
For social media, please contact: Claire Morrison or Jennifer McColgan
Telephone: 0131 313 8057/8061
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Healthcare Support Workers National Survey 2011
In May 2011, we undertook the first national survey of clinical healthcare support workers
(HCSWs) employed in nursing, midwifery and allied health professions (NMAHP) across
NHSScotland.
The thinking behind the survey was to find out more, from healthcare support workers’ own
perspective, about learning at, and for, work. It is the first survey of its kind in the UK and over
3,800 people took the time to complete it, either online or by
post – providing a much clearer picture of the learning needs and preferences of clinical
healthcare support workers.
The survey was divided into three sections, the first to find out more about the demographics of
this diverse group of staff, the second to explore what learning they were currently undertaking
and the final section focussed on how healthcare support workers like to learn. The results have
now been analysed and have been shared with strategic partners across NHSScotland, including
leaders in nursing, midwifery and allied health professions. During November and December
2011, the HCSW team met each of the key contacts in NHS Boards to discuss individual board
reports and the next phase of our planned research.
The survey results confirmed much of what we had already heard about clinical HCSW’s learning
needs. For the first time we now have real evidence to support our decisions as we move forward
designing or commissioning new education to provide developing roles for support staff. The
results show that this is a group who are keen to learn in their current jobs, as well as in potential
future roles. Clinical healthcare support workers like to learn in practical ways, in or close to their
workplace. They told us they feel most motivated to learn to improve their skills and contribution.
Not surprisingly, given the age range and educational experience of this group, they expressed
mixed views about learning online. Generally the less supported the learning is, the lower it was
rated by HCSWs when asked about their individual learning preferences.
The next steps in this programme of work include further analysis of the data to explore any
significant differences between staff working in different disciplines and settings. We have also
commissioned a further piece of research to explore how well A Guide to Education and Role
Development (2010) is supporting role development and education for support staff working in
nursing teams.
For further information www.hcswtoolkit.nes.scot.nhs.uk or contact: Linda Harris, Educational
Projects Manager
Telephone: 0131 313 8001
Stroke Competency Toolkit (SCoT)
The Stroke Competency Toolkit (SCoT) has been developed to support the learning needs of
practitioners around strokes and to provide evidence for development activities undertaken. It is
based on the stroke core competencies we developed in 2005.
The toolkit is designed to be user friendly and accompany practitioners throughout their career in
stroke. The toolkit comprises of two parts: the stroke competencies which outline the knowledge
and skills required, and the evidence sheet where development activities can be recorded.
The toolkit assumes the underpinning values that all people being cared for in a health or social
care environment have a right to be treated in accordance with the Generic Standards set by NHS
Quality Improvement Scotland (2010).
During 2008 – 2010 the Stroke Competency Toolkit (SCoT) was piloted in NHS Lanarkshire.
Following a successful evaluation, funding has been granted for 2011 from NES and the National
Advisory Committee for Stroke (NACS) to allow Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland to roll out the
SCoT to all staff working in stroke units in Scotland.
In addition to the original toolkit, we are now able to offer a SCoT for registered nurses working in
stroke units. This toolkit was developed in partnership with the Scottish Stroke Nurses Forum
(SSNF) to develop the specialising section and make it more specific to registered nurses working
in stroke units.
Incorporated into the national launch of the SCoT, is also the development of an e-Learning toolkit.
We are aiming to launch this by the middle of May 2012.
The SCoT is being launched nationally and should be coming to a stroke unit near you soon.
For more information, please contact: Heather Bryceland, SCoT Project Manager, Chest Heart &
Stroke Scotland.
Telephone: 0131 225 6963
Email: [email protected]
The Clinical Skills Managed Educational Network
The Clinical Skills Managed Educational Network (CS MEN) is now well into its fourth year and
has been hailed a major success by both the NHS and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), to
such an extent that NES has fully committed to its development by taking it into its core business.
Prof Philip Cachia, Executive Lead for Clinical Skills and Patient Safety, is working with other
senior staff to maximise the benefits of this national resource.
Professor Jean Ker continues to drive the strategic direction and support links to national, UK and
international skills expertise as our National Clinical Lead. In June last year, Andrea Baker
(Educational Resource Developer), Felicity Garvie (Project Administrator) and Sarah Race
(Project Officer for the Mobile Skills Unit) moved from the University of Dundee to NES, based at
the Postgraduate Medical Office in Ninewells Hospital, with Beverley Beasant as Team Leader.
As part of CS MEN’s key outcomes, online educational resources on Chest Drains, Safe
Communication in Health Care Practice and Intraosseous Cannulation have been developed for
multi-professional use across all health boards. These are now available on the Knowledge
Network: Learning and CPD page. A new national Suturing resource is about to be piloted using
the NHS e-Learning platform, LearnPro. This resource covers the types of wound, wound
management and suturing procedure and is complimented by videos showing the different types
of sutures. Other resources under development include: IV Medicines Administration, Intra
Muscular Injections and ECG skills. For further information contact
Probably the most visual aspect of CS MEN is the Mobile Clinical Skills Unit which has
successfully completed its third year with visits to some of the remotest areas of Scotland –
weather permitting! Visit our website to see pictures of the locations and the comments of
healthcare staff who have used the Unit for clinical skills training. To book the Unit, contact
As part of the ongoing Clinical Skills R & D grants programme, CS MEN are pleased to announce
we have awarded six small grants to support research and development in clinical skills in
Scotland 2011-12. The successful applicant teams will have the opportunity to showcase their
work at the annual CS MEN R&D Conference, to be held in autumn 2012. Please see our website
for full details.
Finally, the CS MEN has redesigned both the website and quarterly Newsletter, which is now
available as an e-publication.
You can also follow our progress through updates on the NES Twitter and Facebook pages.
Web: http://www.csmen.scot.nhs.uk
Scottish Medical Education Conference
The date and venue for the second annual Scottish Medical Education Conference has been
confirmed for Tuesday 1 May 2012, at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.
The successful 2011 conference was a first for Scotland and 2012 promises to be a great event.
All in Scottish medical education are encouraged to participate and a programme is to follow.
Watch this space for more details.
Board Meetings
NES Board business meetings are held throughout the year and are open to the public. The
meetings normally begin at 10.30 am and last 2 - 3 hours.
Anyone interested in attending a Board business meeting should contact David Ferguson, Board
Services Manager, on 0131 313 8002 or via [email protected]
The Board business meeting dates from now until March 2013 are set out below. Details of the
venues will be publicised in due course, with the majority of the meetings likely to take place at
Thistle House, 91 Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh.
2012
Thursday 15 March
Thursday 26 April
Thursday 21 June
Thursday 2 August
Thursday 13 September
Thursday 25 October
Thursday 6 December
2013
Thursday 24 January
Thursday 14 March
