2012

Estates Service Praised for Training Young People  

NHS Forth Valley's Estates Services Team, based at Stirling Community Hospital, have been recognised for the excellent training they have provided to local unemployed young people.

The team, led by Conrad Binnie, were nominated for the Training Provider of the Year category at the council's annual Backing Falkirk's Future Awards. Of the eight trainees they mentored on a 40 week work experience placement, seven moved into full time employment. The placements covered various trades, such as engineering, joinery and plumbing, among others.

Forth Valley Surgeon is New President of the Royal College of Surgeons  

Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon, Mr Ian Ritchie has been inaugurated as the new President of The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh at the College's Annual General Meeting.

He was appointed Consultant Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgeon at Forth Valley Hospital in 1992. He has a general practice with an interest in upper limb problems. Mr Ritchie also has a strong interest in training and supporting trainers and has delivered courses on training techniques and the principles of adult learning since 1996.
 
His duties in his role of Vice President included: Chair of the International Strategy Group, Chair of the Exams Strategy Group and co-Chair of the Trainee Committee. Ian was also one of the members of the working group which, earlier this year, authored the College's report on trauma care in Scotland. 

Thanks to Our Gym Buddies  

Staff and residents on the Bellsdyke site would like to thank nursing assistants Alec Watson and Alec Wright for all their hard work to create a new gym. The two nursing assistants applied for lottery funding to introduce a new fully equipped gym on the site and their bid was successful.

Both men are now fully trained in using all the equipment and are extremely helpful and encouraging to everyone who attends. Staff and residents are extremely grateful and, as a result oftheir hard work, are looking forward to a healthier lifestyle. 

Children in Scotland

NHS Forth Valley was involved in a Barnardos initiative to promote the involvement of children and young people in policy and service development 

• Read the Children in Scotland supplement

NHS Forth Valley Committed To Reducing Carbon Footprint

NHS Forth Valley successfully graduated from the Carbon Trust's Carbon Management Programme, underlining our commitment to becoming more energy efficient.

We were among 40 public and private sector organisations in Scotland recognised by John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth at an official ceremony in Edinburgh to mark the graduation from the Carbon Trust's Carbon Management Programme.

Edinburgh MoonWalk - June 2012

NHS Forth Valley Staff and local people from across Forth Valley joined the Falkirk Herald team to take part in the Edinburgh MoonWalk on 9th June 2012. There were a few tears and blisters along the (very long) way but they made it through to the end, collected their well deserved medals and raised thousands of pounds for the charity Walk the Walk. Staff were inspired to support the charity after they donated £3m to help build a new Maggie's Centre at Forth Valley Royal Hospital.

Walking After Midnight

Staff from Ward B31 at Forth Valley Royal Hospital donned tutus and tiaras to take part in the recent Midnight Walk for Strathcarron Hospice. More than £2000 was raised and everyone taking part had a great time.

Positive Result for Blood Transfusion Laboratory - April 2012

The blood transfusion laboratory at Forth Valley Royal Hospital received an excellent bill of health in the latest inspection by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). It follows two previous inspections in 2008 and 2009 where some deficiencies were spotted. However the lab has now received a very favourable report with just one or two minor points which were readily corrected. 

Diane Brisbane, Nurse Practitioner and Yvonne Cairns, Staff Nurse were among the first 93 participants to graduate from Scotland's first ever Dementia Champions Programme in March 2012. The new Programme is part of a wide range of activity being taken forward by NHS Education for Scotland and the Scottish Social Services Council to improve services and enhance the outcomes for people with dementia in hospital.

Top Score for Hospital Food Menu - February 2011

NHS Forth Valley is the best mainland health board in Scotland for dishing up tasty food to patients. Figures just released by the Scottish Government show that hospital menus tailored to special and personal diets scored a 100% success rate and that more than 90% of patients were happy with the food they received. The roll-out of the latest nutritional database also revealed that  NHS Forth Valley scored full marks in menu planning and food-based standards, with the offer of at  least five servings of fruit and vegetables a day and fish twice a week. 

Excellent Results for Flu Vaccination - January 2012

NHS Forth Valley achieved excellent results for vaccinating certain target groups for seasonal flu. At the end of January 2012 almost 80% of over 65's in the area were protected from flu. Only nine health boards have so far met the national target of 75%. 60% of people with chronic disease who are in the high risk group have been vaccinated. This is currently the highest uptake of any of the Scottish health boards and 66% of voluntary carers have come forward for the jab.