Led by the NHSGGC Sustainability team and the expertise of award winning landscape architects Erz the RAH pond refurbishment radically transformed the outdoor space within the Royal Alexandra Hospital Campus.
The RAH Pond won the Sustainability Award at the NHS Assure Awards at Crieff Hypro, the project was managed by Eugene Lafferty before his retirement.
This project involves the restoration of a neglected and overgrown pond and woodland area to provide a quiet and reflective spot where staff, patients and members of the local community can spend time in nature, and where wildlife can thrive.
Improvements includes a new pathway circuit around the pond with a wooden boardwalk and interpretation signage; new benches and seating; natural play equipment; and a ‘living archway’.
All these elements have demonstrably improved nature, biodiversity and staff and patient wellbeing.
Eastwood Health and Care Centre opened and started operation in August 2016.
The Orchard View Mental Health Wards development opened in August 2017.
The £10.7m purpose built wards, represent the latest in clinical thinking and design and mark the future of inpatient care in mental health facilities.
The new facilities which opened in September 2020 offer light, airy and welcoming spaces for patients, their families and staff. A key highlight is the internal garden courtyard landscaped with flowers and herbs which provides a peaceful space for contemplation and visiting.
The £2.7 million Shields Centre is a modern, purpose built health and care centre for the people of East Pollokshields.
The centre was officially opened in January 2015 and houses two GP Practices, district nursing, health visitors, social work and health improvement teams offering a range of services such as smoking cessation support.
Other services such as primary care mental health services and money advice will also offer support to local people.
Within the Princess Royal Maternity Hospital we have an Alongside Midwifery Unit, also known as our AMU. This is our hospitals midwife led unit which we are recommending to all women that are low risk of labour and birth complications.
The birthing rooms within the unit are designed to have a homely and relaxing feel and are equipped with mood lighting, speakers and aromatherapy diffusers. We also have lots of equipment to support you in upright and active birth including birthing balls, CUB chairs and large birthing pools. Within the unit we can offer gas and air, morphine and water immersion for pain relief and we can also support you in waterbirth.
The unit is minutes away from labour ward should you request any alternative pain relief such as an epidural or if you or your baby require any additional support. Please talk to your midwife at your next appointment if you are interested in using our AMU for your labour and birth.
The AMU at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) is a wonderful, new exciting Midwifery led birthing unit situated alongside our very popular Labour Suite. We have 3 ensuite rooms available, 2 have state of the art birthing pools. We, as a Team, encourage all pregnant women with no antenatal risk factors to experience intrapartum Midwife led care and birth their babies within our AMU.
The rooms are comfortable and spacious with space to mobilise during labour, a birthing couch and recliner chairs are supplied for those times when our labouring women wish to rest. However, upright and active positions are encouraged during labour and birth. Aids such as peanut balls birthing balls, ballet bars and rebozo sling with chair is available to facilitate this. Hydrotherapy pools in the rooms are a fantastic option for not only pain relief but also to aid comfort and support a weightless freedom of movement which helps our women get their bodies into optimal positions to birth their babies. Our staff are trained to welcome your little ones into the world underwater if this is your preferred birth plan.
We encourage all our women to eat and drink throughout labour, so please remember to pack your favourite energy boosting snacks into your bag.
We have Bluetooth speakers in the rooms for your birthing playlist. The speakers also have vibrant laser lights should you wish this for your environment. We also provide oil diffusers. We can provide some aromatherapy oils to diffuse but if you have a preferred scent then please bring it with you. Fairy lights and battery operated candles are in all AMU rooms.
Pain relief options within the AMU are hydrotherapy, gas and air, TENS and morphine injections. If you wish to use hypnotherapy/meditation techniques during your labour our staff are more than happy to support you. We would encourage you to take the time to consider your plans and document them into your BadgerNotes birth plan, this way all your care providers will know your wishes in advance.
We will listen to your babys heartbeat every 15 minutes in the first stage of labour and every 5 minutes in the second stage of labour using a pinard stethoscope and/or a handheld doptone machine. If we find your baby needs some further monitoring then a wireless CTG machine will be commenced for at least 20 minutes. If we have any concerns during your labour, fully informed discussions with yourself and birthing partner will take place prior to a possible transfer to obstetric led care and your allocated Midwife will remain with you at all times.
Once your baby is born and all is well you may be offered the opportunity to go home that day. We encourage a minimum of 6 hours after birth to stay and have a rest in our department. During this short stay your baby would have a hearing screen as standard, a full neonatal examination, we would support your choice of feeding and supervise this if required, you would have some observations taken and if all remains well then you should be spending your first night as a family in your own home. During some very busy periods this option is not always available but we always aim to provide it.
If you are interested in chatting to us about our AMU at QEUH please contact – karen.taylor7@ggc.scot.nhs.uk