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Services A to Z

This suite of leaflets has been put together in response to concerns expressed by GPs that there was a lack of brief information readily available to them to pass on to people with dementia (or, if more appropriate, someone who is caring for a person with dementia).

The leaflets have been prepared by colleagues at Alzheimer Scotland, in conjunction with the Scottish Dementia Working Group. 

The aim of the leaflets is to provide people with dementia, and / or a person who cares for them, with useful information on a range of topics that can be provided at an appropriate time for the person. Most are addressed to people with dementia, thought they will all be of relevance to carers, too.

An outline of content of the leaflets is provided below. 

  • 3 Jan 2018 About dementia
    This describes dementia, with information about symptoms; Alzheimer’s disease; what someone should do if they are worried about their symptoms; and information about treatment and research.
  • 3 Jan 2018 About young onset dementia
    This leaflet provides information about the types of dementia that people under 65 might have, and information about living with the condition that is relevant for younger people who are more likely still to be in work. It describes some of the supports that are available. There are some services that are specific to people living in the city of Glasgow. However, advice and guidance on all aspects of dementia is available to anyone through Alzheimer Scotland’s 24 hour Freephone Dementia Helpline on 0808 808 3000 and from local Alzheimer Scotland services.
  • 3 Jan 2018 Adults with incapacity act
    This describes the rights of a person with dementia; the aims and principles of the act; the meaning of “incapacity” and ways to safeguard a person’s welfare.
  • 3 Jan 2018 Getting help caring for someone with dementia – information for carers
    This leaflet is aimed at carers and encourages them to seek help with that role. It explains the sources and types of help available, including the new link worker posts.
  • 3 Jan 2018 Healthy living with dementia
    Gives advice about diet, exercise, social activity and maintaining contacts, and the importance of looking after other aspects of one’s health.
  • 3 Jan 2018 Managing money
    This leaflet introduces the concept of the Power of Attorney and describes other ways that someone with dementia can be helped to manage their finances.
  • 3 Jan 2018 Planning for the future – financial, legal and care issues
    This leaflet discusses Anticipatory Care Plans; introduces the concept of Power of Attorney; outlines the importance of making a will and the status of any property someone has should they need to go into a care home.
  • 3 Jan 2018 Powers of attorney – financial and welfare
    This provides detailed information about Powers of Attorney – what they cover, how they are created, who can be an attorney and what to do with the Power of Attorney document.

Hosted Resources – these are resources hosted by IM on behalf of services where there has not been, for historical reasons, a dedicated microsite.

Keeping fit and active as you get older
Talk to your toddler
Being alcohol free is the best choice for me
Keep Your Family Safe From Secondhand Smoke
Detect lung cancer early
Ready to Learn
Call your midwife as soon as you know you are pregnant
Pregnant? Even if you’re a mum already
Emergency Pocket Information Card (EPIC)
Health and Wellbeing Resource for Midwives
Health and Wellbeing Resource for Acute Staff
Alcohol before during and after pregnancy
Let’s get moving – first steps
Let’s keep moving – next steps
Weigh in @ work pack
Weight Management Service Resources (Collection)
Control it plus Programme Booklet (Collection)
Vitamin D (Collection)

The Research and Evaluation team provides the following services:

  • Complete project management of population surveys such as the adult health and well-being survey and the schools survey
  • Advice and support to colleagues across the health sector in designing, implementing, analysing and commissioning research.  This includes evaluation of community based health programmes and evaluation of innovative approaches to health improvement
  • Building organisational expertise in research and evaluation by offering training in key research skills, advice on research governance issues and research clinics
  • Advice and support in database management/design
  • Pushing the boundaries of public health by exploring overarching themes in research, such as tobacco control, studying under-investigated determinants of health such as work on Green Spaces or Arts & Health and evaluating interventions addressing inequalities and health such as Integration Through Safety for Asylum Seekers
  • Enhancing organisational learning from research and evaluation by organising a comprehensive, accessible seminar programme across Greater Glasgow & Clyde

If you require any further information you can contact the Research and Evaluation Team at:

Contact.Research@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

Stor – a digital repository for Public Health

Thank you for your interest in Weigh to Go. Please complete the form below and one of the team will phone you back.
It is helpful if the young person themselves can complete this enquiry form.

Cervical skills training is only available to staff working in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Argyll Bute.

Core training (1 day training – training for new smear takers)

Please click on below dates for registration link

Core Training for New Smear Takers

Presentations

Further information for professionals and patient

e-Learning

Core Training Registration Link – Tuesday 16 September 2025

Please note spaces are limited to 25 per course.

Course fee: £75

Venue: Tuesday 16 September – Microsoft Teams

Update training (three yearly half day update for current smear takers)

Please click on below dates for registration link.

Tuesday 2 September 2025
Tuesday 4 November 2025

Smear takers will update knowledge and skills; increase awareness of current practice; and address unsatisfactory smears. 

Please note spaces are limited to 30 per course.

Course fee: £30

Venue: Tuesday 2 September 2025 – Microsoft Teams, Tuesday 4 November 2025 – Microsoft Teams

All training sessions will include new and updated content to bring you up to date with the scheduled changes to screening.

If you have any queries, please contact Jade Curtis on 0141 201 4541 (64541) or email jade.curtis@ggc.scot.nhs.uk /  PHSU.Admin@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

White Powder Incident

Members of the public who have been exposed to a suspect biological agent should receive an initial 10 days’ ciprofloxacin as prophylaxis against anthrax, plague, tularaemia or other biological agent (unless contraindicated – doxycycline is an alternative – see below). This is a precaution until laboratory results for the agent are known. Initial and follow-up treatments can be provided under the emergency PGDs below.

Anthrax – children aged 12 yrs and over and adults

Tularemia – children aged 12 yrs and over and adults

Plague – children aged 12 yrs and over and adults

Anthrax – children under 12 yrs

Tularemia- children under 12 yrs

Plague – children under 12 yrs

NHSGGC Authorisation Forms for PGDs

Exposure to Radiactive Iodine – adults and children 

Measles

Measles is a notifiable disease under the Public Health (Scotland) Act 2008.

Measles should be considered if the patient has:

  • Fever ≥38°C AND
  • Generalised maculopapular rash AND
  • Either cough, coryza or conjunctivitis (ref HPS)

GPs should take a throat swab as soon as possible when measles is clinically suspected. The swab should be expressed into the Viral PCR Sample Solution vial (VPSS) and sent off to the West of Scotland Specialist Virology Centre at the GRI.  If VPSS is not available, swabs can be cut off and sent dry in a sterile container. This should be avoided whenever possible as the virus remains infectious and sensitivity is reduced. VPSS inactivates and preserves the pathogen genome for PCR testing.

TrakCare item: Adult maculopapular rash – virus PCR – Set (See WoSSVC under Rash testing – maculopapular)

TrakCare item: Paediatric maculopapular rash – virus PCR – Set 

GP electronic request (ICE / EMIS / Vision) item: Maculopapular rash PCR-current infection

Measles Communication

Letter 1

Letter 2

Notification

GPs should notify the PHPU Health Protection Nurse by calling 0141 201 4917  

On notification, the HPN will assess the individual epidemiological features of the case: –

Immunisation history –  any known vaccination history or history of measles?     (The vaccine effectiveness of a single dose of MMR is around 90% and approximately 95% for two doses.  Although vaccine failure is rare, it can occur, particularly after a single dose)

Travel – any travel within and outside the UK during the incubation period, with an assessment of whether travel was in an area where measles is known to be circulating?

Ethnic and cultural/religious background – are there details on the patient’s ethnicity, and importantly, whether the patient is a member of an under-vaccinated population group (e.g. Charedi Orthodox Jewish community, Steiner community)?

Epidemiological link – is there a known epidemiological link with another laboratory or epidemiologically confirmed case?

WHO Measles Surveillance

If the PHPU clinician agrees that the case meets the definition of a possible measles, an oral fluid kit (MMR salivary kit) for IgM testing will be sent out – previously sent to GP surgeries, these are now being posted from the PHPU directly to patients/parents/guardians who are requested to forward the sample directly to PHE Colindale using the labelled packaging supplied. MMR kits, which meet the WHO requirements of measles investigation to satisfy elimination criteria, are sent out even if PCR testing is negative.

Exclusion of a confirmed case

People with confirmed measles should be excluded from their usual place of work or study or from shared childcare facilities or any other shared space until at least four days after the rash has developed. The case should be advised to self isolate and to avoid contact with vulnerable groups during this time. For more info click on link

MUMPS

Mumps is a notifiable disease under the Public Health (Scotland) Act 2008.  

Oral fluid testing (MMR salivary kit) for suspected mumps cases ceased on 1st April 2018.  

Mumps can be diagnosed clinically. However, if a GP is keen to have laboratory confirmation of suspected mumps cases, the PCR test is available from the WoSSVC.  A buccal (inner cheek) mouth swab should be expressed into the VPSS vial and sent off to the WoSSVC (GRI).  When Viral PCR Sample Solution (VPSS) is not available, swabs can be cut off and sent dry in a sterile container.  

TrakCare item:  Mumps PCR – current infection

GP electronic request (ICE / EMIS / Vision) item: Mumps PCR – current infection

Ordering VPSS

Please email the WoSSVC (west.ssvc@nhs.net ) to order Viral PCR solution (VPSS) and include:

  1. The requesting location address (inc. the postcode)
  2. The number of VPSS vials required
  3. Name, telephone number and email address of a contact in case of questions regarding the order 

Alternatively requests for VPSS can be made via the office 0141 201 8722.

Thinking about coming to Weigh to Go but not sure what to expect? Hear about other young people’s experiences and the changes they made after coming to the programme on the NHS YouTube channel.

Jack’s Story

Maria’s Story

Lewis’ Story

Elaine’s Story

Tuberculosis

Some people think that TB is an old disease but it is still present in our society. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has the largest number of TB cases across all other NHS Boards.

The risk factors for developing TB include:

  • Diabetes
  • Weakened immune system (e.g., cancers, diabetes, HIV)
  • Malnutrition
  • Tobacco use
  • Close-contact situations
  • Alcohol and IV drug abuse
  • Certain occupations (e.g., health-care workers)
  • Deprivation, homelessness, overcrowding
  • Being born in or have frequent stays in high risk countries

TB commonly infects the lungs and respiratory tract, but it can infect almost any part of the body. The symptoms of active TB vary, depending on which part of the body is infected and some people may have no symptoms at all (latent TB). Common symptoms of active TB are:

  • Persistent cough that lasts more than three weeks
  • The cough can produce phlegm, which may be blood stained
  • Unexplained weight loss and reduced appetite
  • Night sweats and high temperature (fever)
  • Tiredness and fatigue
  • New swellings that haven’t gone away after a few weeks

TB is a serious but treatable disease, with the proper care and support, most people can make a good recovery.

For more info PHS

NHSGGC TB Clinical Liaison Nurse Specialists

NHSGGC has 5 TB Clinical Liaison Nurse Specialists who are responsible for the case management of patients diagnosed with TB. 

A patient is assigned to a TB Clinical Liaison Nurse Specialist by postcode, each nurse being responsible for a geographical area within NHSGGC.

Primary care staff who require any advice regarding TB or guidance about screening potential contacts of a TB case should call the TB Clinical Liaison Nurse Specialist responsible for the individual’s postcode area. The TB Clinical Liaison Nurse Specialist will advise if any action has to be taken.

Enquiries about a patient’s TB medication should also be directed to the responsible nurse. 

Contact Tracing

TB Clinical Nurse Specialists will identify close contacts of a TB case, screen them for active disease and organise testing as required. These may include:

  • Mantoux (skin) testing
  • Blood tests (IGRA/Quantiferon)
  • Chest X-ray

BCG Programme

TB Nurses are also responsible for administering BCG vaccine to both children and adults. The current BCG vaccination programme is mainly targeted to babies who are at risk of TB. 

TB leaflets

If travelling abroad go to the Fit For Travel website for travel health information.

School trips – travel guidance

Please note the Health Protection Scotland Travel Health Guidance Aug 2017 for children on school trips (Version 4 still current in 2018) 

Schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis and post travel screening 

It is important that all travellers to tropical destinations – including pupils or students on cultural exchange trips – receive accurate travel health advice. A range of travel health issues should be considered for these groups including the risk of exposure to schistosomiasis. The PHPU was recently involved in the coordination of post travel screening for two separate school parties. In addition, NHS Highland public health reported an incident where 21 students required to be screened after one of the party presented to urology with haematuria and a history of exposure to untreated water in Malawi; 13 tested positive for schistosomiasis and of those only two were symptomatic. The incident and conclusions were reported in Journal of Public Health Advance Access, published online in December. Schistosomiasis is a parasitic infection which is present in fresh water in many tropical countries, especially African countries. It is contracted following exposure to untreated fresh water including swimming, paddling, washing, and showering. It is usually asymptomatic but an itchy rash, swimmers itch, can occur at the site of entry. Two to four weeks later fever, diarrhoea, cough, or a rash may develop. Long standing infection can lead to bowel, liver, kidney and bladder problems including bladder cancer.

Travellers are advised to seek pre-travel health advice and, to allow accurate advice to be given, should provide the clinician with as much information as possible about the trip, including arrangements for washing and showering. Travellers to endemic areas should be advised not to bathe, swim or wade in freshwater lakes or rivers.

Those intending to wash or shower, as well as those who swim or paddle, in untreated fresh water will need post-travel screening for schistosomiasis and they should be advised at the pre-travel consultation to attend for screening 8 weeks after return. Screening requires a serum sample – 5mls clotted blood in either a red or yellow-topped tube – obtained after a minimum of 8 weeks since last exposure to be sent to the Scottish Parasite Diagnostic Laboratory. This is the shortest time it takes for worms to mature, reproduce and lay eggs. The test examines levels of Schistosoma antibodies. Results for any new positive cases are phoned directly by the Consultant Clinical Scientist to the GP and a written report is issued for all positive and negative tests. Serologically positive patients should be referred to an infectious disease physician at the Brownlee where further investigation and treatment will be carried out.

Other useful links for advice/information are listed below:-

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