The role of a Confidential Contact within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is to provide informal signposting and support to staff who have a whistleblowing concern.
They provide a listening ear, information about whistleblowing policy and procedures, and signposting to other more formal sources of support, such as their trade union.
Confidential Contacts are able to support staff appropriately. They know the possibilities for a way forward, and are able to present options that inform the member of staff to allow them to make their own decisions.
The role of a Confidential Contact is in addition to their substantive role.
Confidential Contacts will not make judgements about anyone who accesses them.
The nature and content of discussions with a confidential contact are private and personal to the member of staff, and as such, will not be discussed with anyone else without the express permission of the individual involved.
However, there are limits to this confidentiality. For example, if the member of staff, or others, are being subjected to unlawful behaviours or harm, the Confidential Contact has a duty of care to report this.
If you speak to a Confidential Contact, your name and contact details are only known to the Contact who is providing support, unless you request of give your approval for this information to be shared.
Any notes from discussions with employees will be destroyed once the monitoring process is complete.
The names and contact details of Confidential Contacts are listed below:
Bernice Adusu – Registered Staff Nurse, Discharge Lounge in QEUH
Members of staff who have a whistleblowing concern are encouraged to make contact with the person above who they feel is most appropriate for them. Often, the selection is random, but staff seeking support can approach a contact in another division for confidentiality reasons, or if they feel more comfortable with this.
Confidential contacts do not represent or provide advice to staff, and will not act as intermediaries in disputes. They do not provide any counselling or therapy services. They also do not accompany individuals in hearings or meetings about their complaint.
These pages provide information on food, fluid and nutritional care within NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health & Social Care Partnerships and Mental Health Services.
Food Fluid and Nutrition is fundamental to health and wellbeing and therefore to quality and safety in healthcare (Healthcare Improvement Scotland 2014). It has been well reported that malnutrition (over and under nutrition) is a public health issue with recent UK figures suggesting malnutrition costs the NHS £23.5 billion (BAPEN 2018). Malnutrition is common in those who access health and social care services, it continues to be under-identified and under treated leading to poorer clinical outcomes and greater healthcare costs.
Food Fluid and Nutrition Oversight Group
The purpose of the Food, Fluid and Nutrition Oversight Group is to provide a strategic, co-ordinated and multidisciplinary approach to drive the quality of and improvements in the nutritional care of the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Population. Specifically addressing the needs of the most nutritionally vulnerable groups who access healthcare through co-operative and collaborative action across the entire Health Board
Health and Social Care Partnerships Group
The Health and Social Care Partnership Group for Food Fluid and Nutrition is established to provide leadership and co-ordination of all aspects of Food, Fluid and Nutrition across the Health and Social Care Partnership, ensuring the process leads to the delivery of excellent nutritional care and a better patient experience. The HSCP groups include representation from District Nursing, Rehabilitation Services, Older People’s Mental Health, Learning Disability, Care at Home, Care Homes, Dietitians, Speech and Language Therapy and Health Improvement.
Mental Health FFN Group
The NHSGGC Mental Health Food, Fluid and Nutritional Group (MH FFN) is a sub group of the NHSGGC Community Food, Fluid and Nutrition Operational Group and is established to provide strategic leadership and co- ordination of all aspects of Food, Fluid and Nutrition across all NHSGGC Mental Health services – Ensuring the process leads to the delivery of excellent nutritional care and an improved patient experience Representation from NHSGGC Mental Health Services includes both mental health in-patient and community services from the Older Adult Mental Health, Adult Mental Health, Forensic, Adolescent, Addictions, the Adult Eating Disorder Service and Learning Disabilities (in patient only)
Acute FFN Operational Group
The Acute Food, Fluid and Nutritional Operational Group (FFNOG) is established to provide strategic leadership and coordination to all aspects of Food, Fluid and Nutrition across adult and paediatric acute inpatient services. This ensures that the process leads to the delivery of safe, effective and person-centred nutritional care and a better patient experience.
Please use the drop downs below to navigate the information related to food, fluid and nutritional care within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health and Social Care Partnerships, Mental Health and Acute Services:
This manual is pertinent to all NHSGGC mental healthcare workers with a duty of care to provide optimal nutrition for patients within NHSGGC. The purpose of the nutritional manual is to assist all healthcare workers who work within NHSGGC mental health in patient and HSCP services. The delivery of this role is supported by a number of FFN policies and procedures which are explained within this manual.
Section 1 Introduction to Nutritional Care in NHSGGC Mental Health Services
Five short e-learning modules relating to Food, Fluid and Nutrition are available to staff across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde on the LearnPro platform. Below indicates the intended staff groups for each module and a short introduction to the module content.
Over 50% of Scotland’s population are women and there are 32,344 women working for NHSGGC. Throughout her life course, women and girls experience various health needs and risks which are not the same as men
[While we have used the term ‘woman/women’, it is important to note that some transgender men, non-binary people, intersex people and those with variations in sex characteristics may also experience issues and require access to women’s health services]
The Scottish Government Women’s Health Plan (2021-2024) underpins actions to improve women’s health inequalities by raising awareness around women’s health, improving access to health care and reducing inequalities in health outcomes for girls and women, both for sex-specific conditions and in women’s general health.
The ALLIANCE is working with the Scottish Government to create opportunities for women to engage with the Women’s Health Plan. For more information visit:
This final report provides a summary of the progress made on delivering the Plan over the past three years.
A ‘Women’s Health Plan: Review of the Data Landscape’ has been published as an accompaniment to the final report. This document sets out a range of publicly available data on the health of women in Scotland and highlights where there appear to be gaps.
‘Supporting the Women’s Health Plan: Highlights Report’ brings to life some of the work The Alliance have carried out with women, and third sector organisations, through their Women’s Health Plan Lived Experience Programme
To support the implementation of the plan, NHS Inform has a dedicated Women’s Health Platform, which sets out information on women’s health at key stages of life, from puberty to later years.
To explore the full range of topics covered visit:
Sometimes it can feel embarrassing talking about periods – but periods are normal. You are entitled to ask for the help that you need to experience good menstrual health and wellbeing.
Everyone experiences periods differently, but it’s important to know what isn’t ‘normal’. If you have any concerns, pain or discomfort during your period, there’s lots of help available. You don’t have to suffer.
This webinar covers the basics of menstruation, focusing on what is ‘normal’ in terms of periods and examples of period stigma, as well as common symptoms such as heavy bleeding, irregularity and how to manage symptoms. Panel: Dr Jackie Maybin (the University of Edinburgh) Alice Brooks (Women’s Health Plan Lived Experience Group)
Everything you need to know about PMS
This webinar focuses on Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and includes advice on managing both the physical and emotional symptoms that many experience on the run up to their period. Panel: Dr Ellie Golightly (NHS Lothian), Gill Meens (Mental Health Foundation Scotland)
PCOS mythbusting
This webinar busts some common myths about the condition Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), explains more about the common symptoms associated with the condition as well as when and how to discuss with healthcare professionals. Panel: Professor Colin Duncan (the University of Edinburgh), Professor Anna Glasier (Scotland’s Women’s Health Champion)
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a long-term (chronic) condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb is found elsewhere in the body. It’s very common, affecting around 1 in 10 of those who menstruate. For some people, it can have a significant impact on their physical health, emotional well-being, and daily routine.
Endometriosis UK is the national charity committed to providing support services, reliable information and a community for those affected by endometriosis
A recent webinar from EXPPECT Edinburgh on being newly diagnosed in Scotland, what is endometriosis, the diagnosis journey and pain management is available to view below:
This webinar offers the opportunity to learn more about endometriosis, the common symptoms associated with the condition, when and how to discuss with healthcare professional and how to manage symptoms. Panel: Professor Andrew Horne (the University of Edinburgh), Julie Burns (Endometriosis Support Group Ayrshire), Vicky Chapman (Endometriosis Support Group Dundee)
This Conversation Café toolkit provides resources to facilitate conversations, and encourage information sharing and peer support on areas within women’s health. The toolkit is a guide for delivery, which can be used flexibly by organisations, community groups, employee groups or with friends to set up, host and evaluate an independent Café.
For more information on how to access and use the toolkit, and the accompanying resource hub:
For any questions about this or additional information on the Conversation Café toolkit please email: whp@alliance-scotland.org.uk
Heart Health
Mythbusting women’s heart health – Webinar recording
The Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE) in partnership with the Scottish Government, hosted a webinar exploring women’s heart health.
Heart disease is a major cause of ill health and death for women in Scotland, and certain risk factors may have more of an impact on women’s risk of heart disease than men’s. Despite this, the awareness of women’s experience of heart conditions is limited and heart disease in women is not commonly represented.
Menopause
Menopause is when a woman stops having periods. Menopause means ‘the last menstrual period’ and around 400,000 women in Scotland are of menopausal age. While it is a natural and inevitable part of the life course, the timing and symptoms are different for everyone.
NHS Inform has a range of information – including 7 ‘Menopause Myths’ videos – on perimenopause (the period leading up to menopause when women can also start to notice changes and experience symptoms), menopause and post menopause including what to expect, available treatments and where to get support and help.
For a quick overview please see the following short videos and recorded webinar produced by The Alliance:
Menopause Wellbeing Webinar
Further Information on Menopause
Menopause at work
Menopausal women are the fastest-growing demographic in the workforce, so it’s important to be able to speak openly about menopause at work.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde recognises that for some the menopause is not always an easy transition. Some employees may need additional considerations to support and improve their experience at work.
Some people find it hard to manage menopause symptoms at work. It’s important to remember that the menopause is a normal time in women’s lives and that support is available to help you feel comfortable at work.
Changes in your hormones during menopause can impact your mental health as well as your physical health. You may experience feelings of anxiety, stress or even depression.
Further information and support is available from NHS Inform:
The National Wellbeing Hub Menopause resource provides you with guidance and support for managing your menopausal symptoms and helping your colleagues manage theirs.
Anyone can use the Healthy Minds sessions to raise awareness of mental health. Each session has a PowerPoint presentation and facilitator’s notes to guide you through delivering the session
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) enforces a zero tolerance policy on sexual harassment, with the “Cut It Out” program rolling out in 2025 to promote awareness, support and appropriate reporting. The program also ensures managers are equipped to handle concerns effectively. Staff can contact the Bullying and Harassment helpline at 0141 201 8545 or the HR Support & Advice Unit for confidential advice and support.
If you are a member of staff and you need to raise a concern about patient safety, working conditions or wrongdoing, you should firstly speak to your manager, supervisor or clinical director, either informally or formally.
The new National Whistleblowing Standards for the NHS in Scotland came into force on 1st April 2021 and apply to anyone working to deliver NHS services. It’s important that you know what options you have to raise a concern in confidence and in a protected way.
You can access the relevant resources using the buttons below.
Brian Auld, Non-Executive Board Member and Whistleblowing Champion
“My pledge as your Whistleblowing Champion is to ensure that we create the best environment that allows you to be courageous and take that first step with raising any concerns that you may have.”
I joined the Board of NHS GGC in July this year as your new Whistleblowing Champion to build upon the great work that has already been done to introduce the National Whistleblowing Standards across all areas of the organisation. As a way of an introduction, I am a Chartered Environmental Health Officer by background, and I have worked mainly in regulation and enforcement across the public sector in Scotland, including several years in the NHS. As you begin to get to know me through my role as Whistleblowing Champion, you will see that I am a passionate advocate for speaking up, and I believe that every single person, no matter what your role is within NHS GGC, must have the opportunity to talk about anything that concerns them about the services we deliver or the assets that we are responsible for. We all have a role to play with ensuring that we keep our patients and service users safe and provide the best healthcare experience that we can at all times.
I am confident that we have the right processes in place to work with you and have a positive conversation if you believe that something is wrong or not quite right. I know from my own personal experience how challenging and difficult it can be to take that very first step in speaking up. I have led investigations into Whistleblowing, and I have also been a whistleblower when I believed that something that I had seen was wrong. Although my own experience was extremely positive, I know that for some people who whistleblow, that this has not always been their own experience. I want you to feel that you have been listened to and heard and have absolute confidence and trust in us that we will take all the necessary steps to independently investigate and report on our findings in an open and transparent way whilst maintaining confidentiality. Above all, I want you to feel empowered to take that first step and speak up.
Kim Donald, Corporate Services Manager – Governance and Whistleblowing Lead
“I pledge to listen without judgement and protect colleagues throughout the process”
As Corporate Services Manager – Governance, part of my role is to oversee the whistleblowing process within NHSGGC and ensure we comply with the national standards that can be found here National Whistleblowing Standards | INWO (spso.org.uk). It is extremely important as an organisation that we continue to learn from feedback, and whistleblowing is a key element of that.
It may be helpful for colleagues to know that, as an organisation, we are legally obligated to protect anyone who speaks up from detriment, and that confidentiality is paramount during the process. We take this very seriously, and I work closely with HR colleagues on what this would look like to ensure that we protect staff in a meaningful way.
We also offer support via our Confidential Contacts Confidential Contacts – NHSGGC who can be contacted for advice on the process before raising concerns, and/or support during the process. We have taken time to ensure we have a diverse group of colleagues providing this support across the Board, and I would like to use this opportunity to thank the Confidential Contacts for their ongoing support and commitment.
If you require printed materials, either additional copies of the Speak Up posters, or the leaflet, please contact: ggc.staffexperience@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
