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Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI) Standards

The prevention and control of infection throughout healthcare is everyone’s responsibility and is a major component in the drive towards a safer NHS Scotland.

These Standards are one part of the drive for a safer NHS Scotland, so should be seen as complementary to HAI and patient safety work undertaken by other bodies, e.g. Scottish Patient Safety Programme (SPSP). These Standards for HAI apply to all healthcare environments in which patients are treated.

National Infection Prevention and Control Manual
Public Health



New South Glasgow Hospitals is the largest capital healthcare project in the UK and forms the keystone within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s (NHSGGC) Modernisation Strategy. The hospitals provide new state of the art healthcare facilities and high quality designed environments for a significant proportion of the population of Glasgow, and in some fields, for Scotland. Opened at the end of April 2015, the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital is Scotland’s largest ever publicly-funded NHS construction project, costing £842 million to build. The project brings together Children’s and Adult Acute services with existing Maternity, Neo-natal and Neurosciences services on one campus. It has the biggest critical care complex and one of the biggest Emergency Departments in Scotland providing a brand new 14-floor adult hospital with 1,109 beds. The new children’s hospital, with a separate identity and entrance, adjoins the adult hospital, with 256 beds over five storeys.

Each building has a distinctive character, with artwork and colour schemes specially selected to enhance wellbeing and to give useful landmarks which can act as signposts.

Ginkgo Projects working with Gillespies (masterplanners and landscape designers) and Nightingales (architects and interior designers), were contracted by Brookfield Multiplex to develop and deliver the Therapeutic Design and Arts strategy and programme for the New South Glasgow Hospitals. The Design and Healthy Environment Strategy Group at NHSGGC has overseen the development of this programme.

Concept

Ginkgo’s evidence-based programme for the Therapeutic Design and Arts strategy has sought to enhance the patient experience and journey through developing creative processes and works of art and design that aim to connect patients, staff and visitors to the hospital’s social cultural and environmental context. Working closely within the project design team, Ginkgo Projects has developed a programme which promotes patient dignity and distraction through exploring social, cultural and environmental connections. The strategy was produced in collaboration with two artists Donald Urquhart and Will Levi Marshall. Seven core projects were commissioned resulting in over 600 individual works of art. The approach has been to integrate work that provides as much impact as possible within key navigation points, waiting and treatment areas.

Team

Ginkgo provided a direct service for the curation, design and implementation of all projects working closely with its teams of artists and designers in close collaboration with the NHSGGC and Brookfield Multiplex project teams.

Art and Therapeutic design programme for the New South Glasgow Hospitals (2010-2015)

The programme is composed of seven lead projects as below:

www.ginkgoprojects.co.uk

Adult Hospital
Beacon Project

Matthew Dalziel and Louise Scullion led a team of artists to create artworks for eight floors of the acute adult hospital (The Beacon). These occupy three types of spaces: Lift Spaces, Corridor Spaces and in the Socialisation Space / Room at the end of each corridor. Work has been coordinated in layers of artworks that look at eight broad Scottish habitats drawing the wider landscape of Scotland into the building.

Over 250 works have been produced. The project has used existing images produced by Dalziel and Scullion made over a lifetime of exploring Scotland’s diverse landscape – together with many new works made specifically for the project. Other artists include: Nickolai Globe (ceramic works for Socialisation Spaces), Patricia & Angus Macdonald (areal views of Scotland, establishing the examined habitat themes), Ursula Bevan (creation of a ‘family’ of characters that explore each of the themes – the final works being rendered as styalised lino cuts), Beka Globe (striking black & white images exploring a selection of the themes, with a particular focus on the western isles), and Frances Walker (a smaller group of works that capture Frances’ unique distillation of geology in her complex drawings of landscape).

Dalziel and Scullion, Lift core numbers. Photograph Ruth Clark
Dalziel and Scullion, Lift core numbers.  Photograph Ruth Clark

Nickolai Globe, Ceramic cases in preparation. Photograph Dalziel and Scullion
Nickolai Globe, Ceramic cases in preparation.  Photograph Dalziel and Scullion

Nickolai Globe, Ceramic cases in socialisation spaces. Photograph Ruth Clark
Nickolai Globe, Ceramic cases in socialisation spaces.  Photograph Ruth Clark

Beka Globe, Research work for Beacon project. Photograph Dalziel and Scullion
Beka Globe, Research work for Beacon project.  Photograph Dalziel and Scullion

www.dalzielscullion.com

Podium Landmarking Project

Graphical House, Haa Design and artist Rachel Mimiec designed twenty one land marks for key areas and thresholds of the podium building of the new hospital.

Rachel undertook research and workshops within the Govan community and at a number of the hospitals working with patients and staff to find out what was memorable in their journey from home to their work place.

As Rachel gathered staff stories, Graphical House designed the panels using simple striking imagery. Poet Robin Wilson condensed the stories into short texts embedded within each landmark. Singular unexpected objects from each story form the basis of each design providing memorable interventions at key decisions points.

The landmarks all have a similar style and identity composed of white Corian with the designs inset in coloured Corian. The panels wrap around a corner and are built out with a deep coloured edge to match the design.

One external landmark is composed of a grid of bold squares relating to the colours that have been used internally and references a patchwork quilt. Graphic images from the internal landmarks are woven into the external piece so that there is a connection between inside and outside.

Interior Specialist Surfaces, Landmarks in fabrication. Photograph Beccy Lane
Interior Specialist Surfaces, Landmarks in fabrication.  Photograph Beccy Lane

http://www.graphicalhouse.co.uk

http://www.haadesign.co.uk

http://www.rachelmimiec.com

Graphics Library

Four artists worked with children and young people at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children at Yorkhill during a programme of artist residencies in 2013 led by Alison Unsworth. Emma Varley worked with the Department for Child & Family Psychiatry; Frances Priest worked with children at Yorkhill; Ian Richards worked with young people at Yorkhill; and Alison Unsworth worked with children and young people at Yorkhill and local schools.

Time was spent talking, drawing, cutting, sticking, writing, scrunching, colouring, thinking, looking, and sharing ideas for artwork which might go on the walls of the new children’s hospital. Following the residencies, a series of artworks were designed to be installed on the walls of the new children’s hospital across 90 locations.

Frances Priest worked with shapes, motifs and patterns, inviting children to play with them, arrange them and imagine what they might be. She has used the drawings made by children during the residency to create a series of artworks based on four themes; circus characters, climbing characters, birds and space travel.

Ian Richards used letra set transfers, asking young people to write a sentence or phrase, building narratives by passing on one person’s writing to somebody else and asking them to respond to it. He worked with young people to digitally create a series of bold, colourful patterns based on the repetition of one motif. Ian has developed the phrases, stories and patterns created during the residency into a series of artworks combining patterned Scottish mountain ranges, tower blocks made out of bread, hot air balloons and a cast of funny bird characters!

Alison Unsworth created the Unfinished Places newspaper in collaboration with children and young people at three local schools close to the site of the new hospital. Unfinished Places is a newspaper for children and young people. It’s full of pictures which are only half finished and we asked for help to complete them by drawing, writing or sticking things in. Pages from the returned newspapers can be seen at yorkhilldrawings.com. Alison’s artwork for the new hospital is based on four themes relating to life in Glasgow and the wider Scottish landscape; wildlife, habitats, transport and buildings or structures. She selected imagery relating to these four themes and combined it together to create different scenes, influenced by a selection of ideas, drawings and stories from the returned newspapers and from artwork created by children and young people at Yorkhill.

Emma Varley worked closely with staff in the Department for Child and Family Psychiatry, considering how the images she created might be used in part to assist therapy or influence behaviour. She has created a series of artworks combining detailed line drawing with coloured shapes and graphic motifs. The artworks include familiar, domestic objects such as a toothbrush and toothpaste or a pair of shoes, alongside household furniture and friendly animals such as a cat and a fox. All of the imagery was carefully chosen in collaboration with staff in the department.

A library of over 100 designs has been created for future application as required.

Unfinished Places newspaper produced as part of the artist residencies. Photograph Alison Unsworth
Unfinished Places newspaper produced as part of the artist residencies.  Photograph Alison Unsworth

Ian Richards, Graphics integrated into new childrens’ hospital. Photograph Ruth Clark
Ian Richards, Graphics integrated into new childrens’ hospital.  Photograph Ruth Clark

Alison Unsworth, Graphics integrated into new childrens’ hospital. Photograph Ruth Clark
Alison Unsworth, Graphics integrated into new childrens’ hospital.  Photograph Ruth Clark

Alison Unsworth, Graphics integrated into new childrens’ hospital. Photograph Ruth Clark
Alison Unsworth, Graphics integrated into new childrens’ hospital.  Photograph Ruth Clark

Alison Unsworth, Graphics integrated into new childrens’ hospital. Photograph Ruth Clark
Emma Varley, Graphics integrated into new childrens’ hospital.  Photograph Ruth Clark

Dignified Spaces

The Dignified Spaces team was led by Alex Hamilton and included Fremi Arts – art commissioning and curatorship, Catalog Design – interior design, Jane McKie – creative writing, Anna Channing – medical herbalist, Marco Scerri – visual communication, Hannah Brackston – green spaces research.  Nicola Murray developed the wallpaper and textile design which was then delivered by Teal Furniture Ltd.

Up to eighty quiet rooms were considered and enhanced as part of the core project. The rooms are used for a range of purposes of which the most important are conversations between clinical, nursing or spiritual care staff and patients’ relatives and carers. On a practical level the rooms need to be comfortable, safe and quiet; they also need to convey that users of the rooms are being treated with dignity.

The team worked with an art and design palette, including lighting, wall colours and coverings, flooring, furniture and artworks. The project used creative community engagement strategies to inform thinking about the idea of dignity and the development of innovative approaches to interiors.

The approach was to seek connections with nature, this approach can be called biophilic design.

Hamilton and his team settled on the metaphor of walled garden to inform the design process.

To drive the biophilic design, a process of creative engagement was undertaken. The community workshops and clinical conversations involved individuals aged from four to seventy, exploring ways of considering all aspects of dignity, including how to listen, and what helps listening in clinical settings.

The workshop activity, held at Hidden Gardens, Glasgow, involved participants looking at the plants within the walled garden, selecting leaves and petals with which they made their own image using the cyanotype process. Cyanotype photography provided a direct and immediate method for image making. These pictures helped to inform the design process, wallpaper, fabric for chairs, and the overall aesthetic used in the Quiet Rooms.

Through close collaboration with Teal a unique fabric design was developed and applied to standard furniture for each of the rooms. This fabric range is now an available product within the Teal range.

Cyanotype workshop at the Hidden Gardens, Alex Hamilton
Alex Hamilton, Cyanotype workshop at the Hidden Gardens.  Photograph Alex Hamilton

Cyanotype print produced from workshops, Alex Hamilton
Alex Hamilton, Cyanotype print produced from workshops.  Photograph Alex Hamilton

Alex Hamilton, Dignified Spaces quiet room. Photograph Ruth Clark
Alex Hamilton, Dignified Spaces quiet room.  Photograph Ruth Clark

www.alexanderhamilton.co.uk

100 Flowers Collection

The 100 Flowers project is a response to the restriction of real flowers in acute hospitals, due to infection control measures, and is designed to put flowers back at the heart of the experience of the new hospitals.

The iconic image in the collection is a photograph taken by a member of staff. It’s of a small group of daffodils in the grounds of the Southern General. Craig Humanuth, the member of NHSGGC staff who took the photograph, commented that these are the only flowers he sees during his working day. In the background you can just make out the new Hospitals reflected in the windows of the old one.

The 100 Flowers project has produced a hundred new works of art of flowers in the New South Glasgow Hospitals in waiting rooms and departments to be enjoyed by patients, families, carers, visitors and staff alike.

It has been an opportunity for artists, staff, community groups to create new works using flowers.

The collection aims to reflect the rich diversity, not just in the flowers that can be found in and around the hospital, but the people and staff who will use and work in the new facility.

Three local arts organisations, Plantation Productions, Art in Hospital and Govan Youth Café, were asked to work with older people, young people and people with different cultural backgrounds living in the Southside of Glasgow.

There was an Open Call enabling anyone to propose a work for the Collection, and also three artists were commissioned to make groups of work for the Collection.

The 100 Flowers Project has been developed in partnership with Glasgow Life, the Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery and the CCA.

There will be a book published of all the works in the Collection, available for purchase in the Hospitals and in City museums, arts centres and shops. In addition NSGH Staff will be able to request that reproductions of the pictures from the 100 Flowers Collection are hung in areas that they work.

100 Flowers workshop in Govan, Govan Youth Cafe
100 Flowers workshop in Govan, Govan Youth Cafe

James Winnett, Part of the 100 Flowers Collection. Photograph Tom Littlewood
James Winnett, Part of the 100 Flowers Collection. Photograph Tom Littlewood

A film of the 100 Flowers Collection can be viewed below or please click on the following links to view the collection in full:

Image set 1 / Image set 2 / Image set 3 / Image set 4 / Image set 5


Pavilions and Bicycle Shelters

Jephson Robb and Peter Richardson of ZM Architecture have designed three Pavilions and two bicycle shelters. All the structures reinforce the external way finding strategy being placed as key landmarks.   The structures benefitted from significant additional funding from the Yorkhill Children’s Charity.

The Pavilions and Shelters are positioned as stopping points on journeys. Just going into hospital for an outpatient appointment or to visit someone can be stressful. The Pavilions and Shelters support that journey. When you sit in one of these pavilions and shelters and look up, day or night, you’ll see the pattern of the night sky. For a moment, you’ll be transported from your everyday context to somewhere magical.

When children visit the pavilion in the Children’s Park they’ll find a performance space where they can take the limelight. A spotlight on sensor activation will put them centre stage. Parents and carers can watch their children invent new stories or moves.

The two bike shelters and Garden and Play pavilions will be erected during 2015 with the final Orchard Pavilion planned for 2016.

Jephson Robb and ZM Architecture, Bicycle shelters in fabrication at M&S Steel. Photograph Mike Bolam
Jephson Robb and ZM Architecture, Bicycle shelters in fabrication at M&S Steel. Photograph Mike Bolam

Jephson Robb and ZM Architecture, Bicycle shelters in fabrication at M&S Steel. Photograph Mike Bolam
Jephson Robb and ZM Architecture, Bicycle shelters in fabrication at M&S Steel. Photograph Mike Bolam

http://www.jephsonrobb.com

http://www.zmarchitecture.co.uk

New Maternity and Neonatal Unit

Spinning Gold – Art and Architecture Programme

Context

The redeveloped Maternity Unit and new Neonatal extension within SGH campus brings together for the first time in Glasgow, Neonatal, Medical and Surgical Intensive Care. The facility will include a new state-of-the-art labour suite and two obstetric theatres plus a separate Fetal Medicine department, providing specialist diagnostic facilities and treatment to unborn babies.

The art and architecture programme for the Southern General Maternity unit was commissioned  in October 2008 during the final stages of completion of the new Neonatal extension. Lead Artist partnership Koan3 worked in collaboration with an Art & Therapeutic Design sub management group – including Neonatal clinicians, Maternity staff and a key Planning manager- set up within the management structure of the Maternity Project Board. Koan3 also liaised with the project architect in developing a colour logic for the internal spaces to aide wayfinding throughout the new Neonatal building.

Concept

The conceptual approach and subsequent art projects were in the most part, shaped by the invaluable input received during ‘drop in’ sessions organised for staff and service users to give feedback, thoughts and  suggestions on what they felt was essential in creating a therapeutic environment which would enhance the individual experience of the maternity environment.

‘The Journey’ emerged as a key underlying theme for the ‘Spinning Gold’ art programme which encompassed both the physical and emotional aspects of the Maternity experience within the building. From the mother’s arrival pre delivery to waiting to be admitted, her migration through the building to getting settled and prepared to give birth.

Koan3 identified key zones on this route which presented opportunities for artworks to provide a more personal and reassuring environment; helping to reduce confusion and anxiety by improving the individual experience of arrival, wayfinding and waiting for service users. The artworks make subtle references to nature and the celebration of life.

Spinning Gold – art programme in progress

Five artists were selected and appointed through an application process led by Koan3. Each undertook a project plotted along the Maternity ‘route’ within the unit as follows:

Main Maternity Entrance Artworks
Commissioned Artist:

The Flowerers – takes inspiration from the exquisite embroidery of the Ayrshire muslin ‘Flowerers’. Their use of symbols of purity and elegance is given a contemporary twist through the use of colour and modular patterns created solely by intersecting circles produced on translucent glazing film.

Meadow Wall  -seven individual hexagonal wooden panels wall mounted opposite the reception area and aligned with each other in keeping with the flowerers modular pattern.

Lobby Access Lift Areas Artwork : Petals
Commissioned Artist:

Petals –The ceiling artwork uses natural geometries to form a visual language that balances femininity with science. A collection of three – dimensional ‘petal’ forms which are derived from a basic hexagon, each rotates in six directions to form a seemingly random scattering which encourages the eye along the route connecting to the main corridor.

Main Maternity Corridor Artwork: Colour Sentences
Commissioned Artist:

Colour Sentences – is a linear installation of shallow lightboxes which layer delicate plant imagery with sequenced ‘bands’ of developing colour to draw the eye along the main Maternity Corridor  emphasising the transitional nature of this space.

Maternity Night Entrance: Strands
Commissioned Artist: Tony Stallard 

Strands – a site-specific light sculpture in neon, designed to suggest DNA or RNA strands connecting the space, this ‘joining’ or ‘coupling’ by way of ‘strands’ suggest a symbolic reference to the biological link between Mother and child as well as the physical linking of spaces between the Maternity buildings in an architectural sense.

Neonatal Waiting Rooms: River of Names ( interactive Digital)
Commissioned Artist: Nicola Gear
    
River of Names – an interactive digital artwork for the monitors in the Neonatal waiting rooms. Visitors are able to touch the image of flowing water on the screens to hear the voices of local people telling stories and sharing memories surrounding the subject of naming a child.

Neonatal Main stairwell : Sonar Landscapes
Lead Artist: Koan3

Sonar Landscapes is intended as a wayfinding artwork which ‘flows down through all three floors of the Neonatal unit stairwell. Each section houses a small portal window at the centre, softly lit and encompassing a miniature landscape themed to correspond to the level of energy and emotion on that particular floor.

Neonatal Roof Terrace: Garden of Contemplation
Lead Artist: Koan3

Garden of Contemplation – an ornamental ‘viewing garden’ on the roof terrace over looked by the Special Care Baby Unit and potentially the new Children’s Hospital. The design focuses on a contemplative space, which incorporates visual poetry/typography etched onto delicately coloured glass panels; intended to evoke pauses in time and moments captured between thoughts it offers a peaceful focus for visitors.

Lead Artist Curator: Koan3 (Artists Callum Sinclair & Lorraine Aaron)

Architects:  Hypostyle

Funders:  Grant funding £200,000 received from Yorkhill Children’s Foundation
                Contributions from Women & Children’s Directorate

Key Dates:  Appointment of Lead Artist – Oct 2008
                    Art programme Install begins – July 2010
                    Expected Completion – Most artworks by Oct 2011
                    Two projects affected by Maternity Refurb timeline.

Linda Schwab
Ingrid Hu 

An MSK (musculoskeletal) physiotherapist can provide expert assessment and advice to help you manage pain, disability and injury to your joints, muscles or spine.

We do this through questioning and physical assessment.

We want to know what impact these problems are having on your life. Together we will discuss ways we can help aid your recovery and guide you to achieve your goals.

We can assist in helping you: 

  • understand and manage your MSK problem better 
  • improve your movement and strength
  • maximise your function e.g. climbing stairs, returning to football

MSK Physiotherapy may not help if you:

  • have longstanding aches and pains especially if these are widespread
  • you have received no benefit from physiotherapy in the past
  • you are attending the pain clinic for the same problem.

There are several ways you can access our service

  • GP:  You can ask your GP/Doctor to refer you if you and your GP are within Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board area.
  • Hospital doctor/clinic:  You may be referred to us through another NHS service e.g. orthopaedics. 
  • Yourself: If you live within the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area, you can refer yourself directly see links below.

We are unable to accept a self referral if

  • You are not registered with a GP within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
  • You are under 14 years old – please ask your GP to refer you to Children’s Services.
  • You are currently pregnant – please self-refer to Maternity Physiotherapy, if you do not have the contact details in your maternity pack, please contact your midwife.
  • You are currently attending or are under the care of Rheumatology – please self-refer to Rheumatology Physiotherapy by contacting the self-referral line on 0141 531 3703.
  • You have attended Accident and Emergency or Minor Injuries Unit within the past 2 weeks for condition – we need a referral from your hospital clinic.
  • Your condition is due to a fracture or break within the past 3 months – we need a referral from your hospital clinic to make sure physiotherapy is appropriate.
  • You have had surgery for this condition within the past 3 months – we need a referral from your hospital clinic to make sure physiotherapy is appropriate.
  • You require a home visit – please ask your GP to refer you to Community Rehab Services.

This  What Happens Next leaflet explains what will happen once we receive your referral. 

The Patient Information About Your Appointment With a Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist leaflet will give you more detail about what to consider and expect once an appointment has been arranged.

Self Referral Options

  • On-Line Electronic Self Referral: You can refer yourself directly by filling in our Self Referral Form if you live within Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

Occupational Health Services

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde MSK out-patient physiotherapy

This short video will introduce you to our service and how these web pages may be of use to you.

How can I help myself?

We know that many musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions benefit from good self-care and self-management. Use the icons below to link to information, videos and leaflets that you may find helpful. You can use this information independently or after receiving a diagnosis from a health professional. Please note that all the resources on this site are aimed at individuals aged 14 and over.

If you can’t find what you are looking for on this page you can also visit NHS inform for other resources.

Self-care and self-management information

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We want to make these pages as helpful as possible. Your feedback will really help us to improve the parts that matter most to you. The short, confidential questionnaire should take about 2 minutes to complete.

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We are always trying to improve and would value your feedback about the physiotherapy treatment you have received. This includes making a formal complaint.

Please click here to provide care feedback or for information about making a complaint

Health Improvement describes our work to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals or communities through enabling and encouraging healthy choices as well as addressing underlying determinants of health such as poverty and lack of educational opportunities. We work with a wide range of partners to influence policy, service provision and wider environmental factors that help support positive health outcomes for our population, especially those in greatest need.

You can contact the Health Improvement team at:

hiadmin@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

Arts and Health
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Health Improvement Training
Health Literacy
Life Circumstances
Employment and Health
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Tobacco and Smokefree
Glasgow City HSCP Health Improvement

The decontamination of near patient equipment and medical devices is crucial to the prevention of healthcare associated infection (HAI). In recent years the Scottish Government have issued guidance and Health Department Letters to provide NHS Boards with information to ensure that this type of equipment is dealt with in line with current standards and guidance.

This page is divided into sections to ensure that staff with a direct responsibility for particular equipment, have the most up-to-date information and training available. Decontamination practice is continually evolving and those with a responsibility for decontamination need to ensure that they are aware of current developments.

If you require advice from the Decontamination Sub-Group please complete the attached Advice Request Form and return to ggc.infectioncontroldecontamination@ggc.scot.nhs.uk.

Useful Resources

Endoscopy

This document has been prepared to provide guidance on the technical requirements for the decontamination of flexible endoscopes and the options available. The document is intended to summarise key information on best practice in a manner which is readily accessible to the user/manager.

This guidance has been prepared by utilising published guidance from expert bodies, existing best practice guidance and standards, both published and in draft form. Many of the referenced standards are harmonised standards in respect of the Medical Device Directive.

Endoscope Reprocessing: Guidance on the Requirements for Decontamination Equipment, Facilities and Management.

Creutzfeldt Jacob Disease (CJD)

Caused by unconventional agents thought to be infectious proteins – known as prions. Disease in humans are:

  • Sporadic – classical
  • Familial – including Fatal Familial Insomnia (FFI) and Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker (GSS)
  • Acquired – iatrogenic, variant.

There is evidence that these disorders can be transmitted in specific situations associated with medical interventions, e.g. transfusion of contaminated blood and blood products, surgery with contaminated instruments. During routine clinical care, Standard Precautions are sufficient to prevent cross-infection in healthcare settings. Transmission Based Precautions must be applied when operations or specific invasive procedures are to be undertaken on high-risk tissues or patients identified as being at risk of vCJD.

Guidance from the ACDP TSE Risk Management Subgroup (formerly TSE Working Group) is the most-up-to date guidance on this topic, provided by the Department of Health.

See also the NHSGCC CJD SOP.

Advice Request Forms and Posters

This section contains completed Advice Request Forms (ARFs) that have been developed by the Decontamination Sub-Group following queries by NHSGGC staff in relation to the decontamination of specific pieces of equipment. ARFs for completion are available in the main Decontamination Section.

Posters: Cleaning up Blood Spills and Cleaning the General Environment (Titan Chlor Plus)
Posters: Cleaning up Blood Spills and Cleaning the General Environment (Actichlor)
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Decontamination

This section contains SOPs that have been developed by the Decontamination Sub-Group following queries by NHSGGC staff in relation to the decontamination of specific pieces of equipment.

The Decontamination Sub-Group will develop SOPs in response to queries from NHSGGC staff, as and when required.

National Infection Prevention and Control Manual
Public Health

Hand Hygiene is one of the most effective actions to reduce the spread of pathogens and prevent infections, including the COVID-19 virus. Conducting hand hygiene at the right time, using the right technique, with either Alcohol-Based Hand Rub (ABHR) or soap, water and disposable towels is critical.

All healthcare staff should follow the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual to prevent spreading infection to those in the healthcare setting.

Members of the public can help prevent infections when visiting healthcare settings by following the advice in our Healthcare Associated Infection: Information for the public leaflet.

Further information about the global campaign led by the World health Organisation can be found on the WHO website.

Useful Resources

Contact Information

Contact Name: Stefan Morton, LHBC, Infection Prevention and Control

Email: Stefan.morton@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

5 Moments for Hand Hygiene

Our poster and video demonstrates the 5 moments of hand hygiene.

Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) staff collaborated to produce an informational video regarding 5 Moments of Hand Hygiene. This was developed to highlight the common failures that medical staff incur, as reported in audits of compliance. The video also highlights various anecdotal responses when challenged, given by existing medical staff members within NHSGGC. It features an introduction and closing statement by David Stewart, Lead Director for Acute Medical Services.

Staff involved in making this video were recruited from the North East IPC Team and Glasgow Royal Infirmary (GRI). Recording and post-production was carried out by GRI Medical Illustrations.

6 Steps for Hand Hygiene
Evidence Base, Medical Staff Information, Zero Tolerance and Frequently Asked Questions
Hand Hygiene Videos

Please click on the links below to view the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Hand Hygiene Videos. The videos are best viewed with sound on.

Hand Hygiene with Soap and Water
Hand Hygiene with ABHR
Hand Hygiene with Soap and Water and Twin Tap
Top Tips for Preventing Infection, Useful Links and Hand Hygiene Education

Infection Control training modules, including those offered by NES, can be accessed via learnPro.

National Infection Prevention and Control Manual
Public Health

Art, architecture, design, music and nature all have a positive impact on our health. The NHSGGC arts programmes aim to create safe and welcoming environments and positive experiences for patients, visitors and staff.

The programme is based on growing evidence of the positive psychological, physical and biological effects of arts participation and is inspired by the creative talent of Scotland. All our work is developed in collaboration and supported by arts, education and voluntary sector partners.

See below for details about current exhibitions and upcoming concerts in our hospitals, have a look at cutting-edge design for new healthcare buildings and find out more about arts in medical care.

Email us at HIadmin@ggc.scot.nhs.uk if you would like to get involved.

What’s on

We are pleased to announce the reinstatement of our art exhibitions programme, after a near 24-month hiatus. The initial activities will be focused at The Queen Elizabeth University Hospital with the display of a major Creative Scotland funded project, Woven in Govan.

Woven in Govan

Woven in Govan is a presentation of work by seven artists, highlighting the experiences of women careworkers during the Covid-19 pandemic and the historical burden of care placed upon women in society as a whole. More information about the project can be found on the Woven Art website, and on instagram .

The project is part of a major European partnership between Platform TU (Ukraine), Intercult (Sweden), and Fablevision (Scotland).

Current Exhibition: Shout Outs @ Staff Rest and Relaxation Hubs, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Acute Hospitals (From 24 September 2020)

Displayed in the newly opened NHSGGC staff Rest and Relaxation Hubs, Leanne Ross’ Shout Outs offer immediate bursts of joy, reflection and humour for the front line staff, key workers and other NHS employees who use these spaces. 

Made instinctively, Leanne’s work elevates her daily routine by turning mundane everyday activities into bold, energetic and often humorous slogans and phrases. These passionate declarations written large over bold, brightly coloured backgrounds combine a sense of protest with the universal joy of what it is to shout something out loud.

Selected pieces by Leanne have been chosen for display in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Rest and Relaxation Hubs. With frontline staff under extreme pressure throughout the COVID19 pandemic, the NHS have developed a series of new R&R Hubs that are intended to provide care and respite for all staff. Leanne’s fresh, energetic, funny and kind works will enliven these spaces. They will speak directly to staff and hopefully help to put a smile on their faces, before or after they go on their shift.

For those inspired by Leanne’s work, a limited number of blank Shout Outs will be available on which staff can write their own messages. These will be displayed alongside Leanne’s work and can be shared online via the hashtag #ShoutOutNHS

Developed and delivered with support from KMA Dot Com, ArtLink Edinburgh, Laura Aldridge, Lauren Gault and Kendall Koppe. 

Thanks to Lauren, Leanne, Kendall and of course Leanne

Current Exhibition: Energy is pattern @ QEUH

This exhibition gives patients and visitors at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital the opportunity to appreciate work from mid-20th century and contemporary artists from Glasgow alongside pattern designs from around the world. It aims to highlight the power of colour and pattern over mood and wellbeing.

Current Exhibition: Archaeological Housework @ New Victoria Hospital

Archaeological Housework is a photographic exhibition and courtyard installation at the New Victoria Hospital. It celebrates the creative work of Fiona Gorman –  artist, teacher, home-maker, carer and a person living with dementia.

Exhibition at the New Victoria 

This exhibition is presented by Art in Healthcare in partnership with Health Improvement and Public Health NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

Art in Healthcare provides displays from their large collection of original works of art into healthcare settings across Scotland. Their aim is to transform medical environments into welcoming and engaging spaces for the benefit of patients, visitors and staff. The collection has been developed carefully over more than twenty years, and they strive to represent the best of Scottish Art whilst taking into account the needs of people receiving care in healthcare establishments and medical teams.

To find out more about Art in Healthcare and their collection of artworks please visit their website www.artinhealthcare.org.uk 

If you would like to support music in NHSGGC hospitals please contact the Health Improvement Team HIadmin@ggc.scot.nhs.uk  

Animating Public Spaces

Launched in July 2017, the Animating Public Spaces programme is a new, evidence-based music and arts programme which has been developed in collaboration with arts, education and voluntary sector partners to ensure that all healthcare spaces are safe and welcoming and to celebrate Glasgow’s creative talent. The programme is based on a growing body of research on the positive psychological, physical and biological effects of arts participation and cultural attendance.

Art in the Gart

The Art in the Gart programme provides patient-led art and gardening activities at Gartnavel Royal Hospital. 

Art in the Gart wants to make the best use of the grounds and buildings on site to increase access to meaningful high quality arts activity to support mental health recovery and well being. The programme was launched on 31 August 2012.

Art in the Gart – Our Strategy for Gartnavel Royal Hospital Site 2012 – 2015

Past events and exhibitions

Art in Medical Care

Art in Hospital provides an extensive ongoing programme of visual arts in a variety of healthcare settings in the city of Glasgow and Scotland wide.

Initially practising within long-term care for older people, Art in Hospital has diversified to include those being cared for within rehabilitation and assessment units, those with life-limiting illnesses, young physically disabled, mental health and outpatients, rheumatology patients, renal dialysis patients and those in need of palliative care.

Art in Hospital

Useful Resources
Art in Health

There are a number of creative artist lead projects in Glasgow and Scotland, which aim to demonstrate the positive impact that creative and performing arts can have upon health and wellbeing. These projects work with professional artists and local community organisations using a variety of media including drawing and painting, digital photography, textiles, video, printmaking, music and drama.

Renfrewshire’s The Buddy Beat

Creative Therapies

GalGael – carving out a future

National Alliance for Arts, Health and Wellbeing 

Arts Culture Health and Wellbeing Scotland (ACHWS)

Music and Health

MacDonald, Raymond AR (2013) Music, health and wellbeing: a review International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Health and Wellbeing 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3740599/

Polyphony, Common Wheel 

Health by Design

Building better healthcare

Design Action Plan

Healthier Places Features – Architecture + Design Scotland

Active and productive art in healthcare settings

The Psychology of Colour

Social Determinants of Health

Improving health and tackling health inequalities: Actions for all – leaflet, Glasgow Centre for Population Health (2014)

Dodds, Sarah (2016) Social contexts and health, Glasgow Centre for Population Health – report

Social Determinants of Health: The Solid Facts. 2nd edition. (2003) edited by Richard Wilkinson and Michael Marmot 

Voluntary Health Scotland (2016) Loneliness: A threat to Scotland’s Health Briefing Paper

McCann, Alison; Mackie, Phil & Conacher, Ann (2017) Social Isolation & Loneliness: What is the Scope for Public Health Action? Scottish Public Health Network

Organisations

Common Wheel

Project Ability

Association for Medical Humanities, University of Glasgow

Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival

British Association of Art Therapists

Creative Interventions in Health

Creative Therapies

Compass

Evidence Summary for Policy: The Role of Arts in Improving Health and Wellbeing

Evidence summary for policy: The role of arts in improving health and wellbeing

Art on the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Campus
Health by Design

Accurate, effective and accessible information is essential for the provision of high quality services and care. It lies at the centre of successful person-centred healthcare, helping people manage their health and wellbeing, and make fully informed decisions on the healthcare they receive.

People’s ability to understand information can change in different situations and environments. Age, disability, language barriers, cultural differences, low literacy levels and emotional distress can all affect understanding. The Patient Rights (Scotland) Act places a legal obligation on us to ensure that patients are informed and supported to be involved in decisions about their care and treatment.

This guide has been developed to support individuals in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to create simple, clear and concise information that allows us to meet our legislative requirements and the needs of our patients. In this context, patient information refers to written information such as leaflets, flyers and posters, as well as video and audio recordings.

The production of patient information is governed by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s: 

Patient Information Management Policy (pdf)
Accessible Information Policy- Clear to all (pdf)

Let’s get started

Research

Please check all existing resources before creating any new patient information. It may be that someone has already developed information on the same or a similar subject, or there may a suitable online resource.

Public Health Resource Directory – an extensive range of booklets, leaflets and posters available to order via our Public Health Resources Directory

Print On The Web – patient information developed by Medical Illustration Services (this resources can only be accessed by NHSGGC staff)

NHS Inform – Scotland’s national health information service

You should be able to evidence:

  • the need for a new resource. How has that need been identified?
  • engagement with patients, families and carers. How will they would find the information useful?
  • funding for the resource. Do you have agreement from a service manager that a resource is required?
  • clinical governance input. Have you discussed the new resource with your local group?
  • collaborating with colleagues in other localities, sectors or Health Boards
    Can the resource can be used GGC-wide, regionally or nationally?
Writing

Consider your content carefully, and be clear about the information you want to convey to your target audience. Be sure to explain any instructions in detail, and include facts about risks, side effects and benefits. If you are using any third-party information, make sure you have the correct permissions for use; for example, any text or illustrations used from another source.

It is important that your content is fit for purpose. You should engage with your target audience for feedback; they will be able to tell if what you have written is helpful, clear and answers their questions. Ask your peer group to do the same.

You should review your content against the Patient Information Checklist (pdf). When you are satisfied with your content, and have final agreement from all stakeholders, then complete and submit the: 

Patient Information Planner Form

The NHGGGC Web Team provide the following guidance on copyright issues:

Copyright is universal policy which states that anyone who has written or created original material owns it. It cannot be reused in whole or part without written permission from the owner. Copyright applies to text (digital and hard copy), images, audio and video, even if it is in the public domain.

To publish material in part or in full that is not copyright owned by NHSGGC then you must check with the copyright owner. Be cautious when publishing conference presentations or posters and get written consent from the authors to publish such material on any websites.

To use any content taken from online resources for purposes other than non-commercial research, study and teaching, you should read the terms and conditions associated with the use of the digital resource. If there is no information available you should assume that you cannot reuse the resources. (This includes search results from a Google images search for example.)

To find out more about copyright and the training available please contact library staff via library.network@ggc.scot.nhs.uk.

Quality

It is essential that patient information produced within NHSGGC meets the quality standards outlined in the Patient Information Management Policy. All patient information will be quality assured with regards Clear to All principles prior to progressing to production.

Clear Language

If you need support or guidance on writing information for patients, please contact the Clear to All team by emailing cleartoall@ggc.scot.nhs.uk.

Clear Design

Medical Illustration Services provide a free service for the design of all patient information. They can also advise on the most appropriate and cost-effective method of distribution.

Contact: 0141 211 8580 or email medillgri@ggc.scot.nhs.uk.

Translation and Accessible Formats

We have a legal obligation to ensure that all patients are communicated with in a way they understand and that best meets their needs, including the use of accessible formats. Consider your target audience to ensure that the needs of equality groups have been taken into consideration.

The Equality and Human Rights Team (EHRT) hold the central budget for translations and other accessible formats. To request information in an alternative format, please download and complete the form and submit for approval (cleartoall@ggc.scot.nhs.uk).

Requests For Translations And Accessible Formats Form


Urgent requests, such as appointment letters, clinical instructions or health records for a patient in active care, should be emailed directly to the EHRT (nuzhat.mirza@ggc.scot.nhs.uk). This form does not need to be completed for urgent requests.

If your translation is needed within the next 4 days please send direct to nuzhat.mirza@ggc.scot.nhs.uk (you will be redirected if Nuzhat is out of the office)


We only translate information that has been produced by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. If you need a translated version of a charity or Public Health Scotland publication, please indicate this on the form.

Insert Statement

A statement has been produced that should be placed in all leaflets.  It states the following in English plus the ‘top six’ community languages (currently Polish, Mandarin, Romanian, Arabic, Urdu and Farsi).
 
‘If you require this information in an accessible format, such as large print or braille, or in a community language, please use the contact details on your patient information leaflet or letter.’

Ordering as an insert

This insert should be included with appointment letters and pre-attendance information posted to the patient, and can be given to patients on attendance at clinics or on admission. It is supported by posters displayed within hospitals and GP surgeries and is also offered on Solus Screens.
 
The leaflet is available from stock in packs of 100 and can be ordered via the PECOS system or by any method used to order goods from stock (e.g. paper indent). It is available in 2 formats to suit varying distribution methods – as a single sided A5 sheet or as a one-third A4 sheet (compliments slip format) suitable for DL type envelopes.
 
Order codes are as follows:

  • 97106 – Size 1/3 A4 (compliments slip format)
  • 97107 – Size A5

Printing the statement within a publication

If you would like to include the statement in your document (as opposed to using an insert), you can use image 1 (portrait) or image 2 (landscape) and adjust to size.

Other formats

This statement is also available in other formats, including words and pictures, audio and British Sign Language.


Please note, interpreters should be used to communicate information which is normally given verbally to English speaking patients; translated materials are for written materials only.

You can get advice on translation and accessible formats from the NHSGGC Equalities and Human Rights Team (0141 201 4560) or email: cleartoall@ggc.scot.nhs.uk).

Review existing patient information

The NHSGGC Patient Information Policy states that patient information should be reviewed at least every three years. It is the responsibility of both the service and the document owner to ensure that information made available to patients, families and carers within any healthcare setting is accurate and current.

If your information is due for review, you should re-assess its need.

  • Is there any new and more relevant information available elsewhere?
  • Have you consulted your target audience about the usefulness of the resource?​

Changes should only be made to content if they:

  • Reflect changes in practice or evidence
  • Correct factual inaccuracies
  • Improve or enhance the users understanding
  • Reflect feedback from users

Remember to check that all addresses, phone numbers and external web links are correct.

When you are satisfied with your content, and have final agreement from all stakeholders, then complete and submit the: 

Review of Existing Patient Information Planner Form

Your amendments will be quality assured in relation to Clear to All Principles before progressing to production.

Document and Resources

Documents

Clear to All

Useful Resources

Contact Us

If you need support or guidance on writing information for patients, please contact the Clear to All team at: cleartoall@ggc.scot.nhs.uk