Whether you are a newly qualified or experienced practitioner it is a pleasure to welcome you to NHSGGC. We hope you feel welcome and valued as you join us. If you are a newly qualified practitioner we wish you a smooth transition from student to qualified practitioner. Please seek support from your Practice Education Facilitator, Preceptor and Flying Start NHS® Facilitator as you develop into your new role.
Please watch the short welcome video below:
Welcome to NHSGGC from Executive Director of Nursing Professor Angela Wallace
The Active Staff Programme was set up to protect and promote health in the workplace by providing a range of free opportunities for all NHSGGC/HSCP staff to engage in activities that support good mental and physical health.
We want equitable access by all staff groups regardless of their fitness level, shift pattern or protected characteristics
Engaging in physical activity not only supports good physical health but good mental health also.
Staff participation in all Active Staff activities is at your own risk and not the responsibility of NHSGGC.
Please assess your own fitness level and suitability for your chosen activity.
Active Staff Face to Face, Online and Outdoor Activities
The classes are completely free for all NHSGGC and HSCP staff. Use the button below to book any of our in-person and online classes.
With a mixture of early morning and evening classes, outdoors or streamed by instructors over Microsoft Teams in the comfort of your home we hope we have something on offer for all levels and for you to enjoy.
Here is some information about all the fantastic activities we offer and all for free!
Our activities include:
Bootcamps / Outdoor
Eastwood Health and Care Centre – Tuesday 5.15pm – 6.15pm
Gartnavel – Tuesday and Thursday 5.15pm – 6.15pm
Glasgow Royal Infirmary – Wednesday 5.30pm – 6.30pm (This bootcamp takes place indoors)
Inverclyde Royal Hospital – Thursday 5pm – 6pm (This bootcamp takes place indoors)
New Victoria – Tuesday and Thursday 5.15pm – 6.15pm
NEW Royal Alexandra Hospital – Wednesday 5.15pm – 6.15pm
Stobhill – Monday 5.45pm – 6.15pm
The Outdoor Bootcamp held at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital has been cancelled as of April 2025.
Enjoy your exercise outdoors at our Bootcamps. A fun hour of varied exercises effective in burning calories and increasing fitness and stamina.
Guided Health and Wellbeing Walks (Various Locations)
Saturday 1 walk per month
Weekday Evening – Short Park Walks in Spring, Summer and Autumn
Next Walk Dates:
Saturday 28 June – Locherwood and Lady Muir Circuit, Lochwinnoch (Registration opens 10 June at 12noon)
One of our most popular activities is our monthly guide led walks in and around central Scotland. These are around 4 to 6 hours long and up to moderate activity levels.
Let’s Get Moving (Online)
Tuesday 6.30pm – 7.30pm
If you are new to exercise, have not exercised in a while and looking to return, ‘Let’s Get Moving’ is perfect for exploring, returning to and maintaining fitness.
This class combines cardiovascular fitness alongside co-ordination, strength, resistance, balance and flexibility.
Pilates (Online)
Thursday 6.45am – 7.45am
Early morning Pilates to set you up for the day. Pilates requires concentration, co-ordination, and control promoting flexibility, strength, balance and improved body awareness. It is a focused practice that requires complete attention to breathing and how the body is moving. It therefore allows us to switch of from the pressures of daily life reducing stress and promoting relaxation and wellbeing.
Lunchtime Pilates (Online)
Monday 12.30pm – 1.00pm
This will be at beginner level, and a great way to stretch the body after sitting at your desk for a few hours. Pilates is all about building core strength on your back, chest, stomach, shoulders and glutes. This enables better posture, with stability and flexibility for all of your joints.
Strength and Mobility (Online)
Monday 6.30am – 7.30am
Involving a combination of bodyweight, core and different stretching methods where you can strengthen all areas of the body through a body movement sequence. You do not have to have to be strong or flexible to take part, anyone can do this sequence and improve weekly with an enjoyable progressive class structure.
Stretch and Tone (Online)
Saturday 10.00am – 11.00am
Low impact class to get the body moving, whether recovering from week before and/or feel more energised for the week ahead. Ease off any stiff or achy muscles with gentle stretches.
Yoga (Online)
Monday 5.30pm – 6.30pm
Wednesday 6.30pm – 7.30pm
Thursday 5.00pm – 6.00pm
With an emphasis on relaxing and letting go, the class is suitable for all levels. Comprising of breath work, asana (postures) and a lovely Yoga Nidra relaxation at the end.
Iyengar yoga is suitable for everyone no matter your ability, age, or level of flexibility and aims to help you relax and energizes the body and mind.
Active Staff Walking Challenges
Congratulations to all those who particpated in the Active Staff Spring Walking Challenge 2025 throughout May.
We hope you can join us in the Autumn challenge.
Active Staff Surveys
Our 2025 Active Staff Annual Survey is now open and will help shape the future direction of the programme.
Active Staff Flyers/Posters
Active Staff have brand new leaflets and posters free to order at the Public Health Resource Directory (under Physical Activity). Please order a bundle to bring along to staff events/meetings.
You can also download and print the leaflet and poster:
Save Money! Get Fit! Help the Environment! To find out more on Cycling and Walking, Parking and Car Share Scheme, Using Public Transport, Staff Shuttle Bus and lots of other help and support visit Travel Information for Staff
Discounted Gym Memberships for NHS Staff
NHSGGC have teamed up with neighbouring local authority leisure providers to offer staff the chance to sign up to discounted leisure memberships. The scheme works by NHSGGC paying the annual membership fee, entitling staff to a 12 months membership. Staff sign a salary mandate form and the payments are deducted on a monthly basis from salary for a period of 12 months. For more information and application procedures visit Staff Benefits
Scottish Ballet Movement and Breath Sessions for NHS & HSCP Staff
Are you seeking fresh ways to feel healthy? Needing to release stress, anxiety and fatigue?
These 10 and 20 minute pre-recorded sessions can be used to support physical and mental wellbeing. Accompanied by specially created music, these resources are used by staff in the workplace and at home and are accessible to all staff regardless of fitness level or age. No movement experience is needed.
NHSGGC is the largest health board in the UK. We provide healthcare to over 1.2 million people and employ around 38,000 staff, many of which are Allied Health Professionals (AHP’s).
NHSGGC AHP staff have a positive and integral role to play in the delivery of healthcare. NHSGGC are committed to nurturing the future generation of AHP’s through AHP student practice placements. Working in tandem with Higher Education (HE) and HEIs we support and facilitate pre-registration practice based learning and development.
NHSGGC offers client facilities and services in both acute and community settings, over a vast geographical area from Greenock to Glasgow and many places in between. If you are coming to NHSGGC for a placement you may be placed in one or many of the settings where we provide health care to service users.
You might feel a mixture of emotions about coming on placement, this is ok and perfectly normal.
You will find in the sections below, relevant and necessary pre-placement information including confidentiality to uniform policies, what to expect from the placement and what we expect from you. This, in turn can help to empower and create optimistic emotions which can positively impact on confidence and learning throughout your placement.
Profession specific information will be available soon.
Student Wellbeing
At this time, each Scottish HEI is providing a range of wellbeing support to which you can self-refer.
A Support for AHP Students poster has been created, detailing local resources which may support AHP students during the cost of living crisis.
Resources
AHP student and practice educator handbook
Provides a variety of resources and information for students and practice educators, including:
student use of electronic information systems.
code of conduct
policies
student car insurance
student feedback
students raising a concern
membership of PVG Scheme
fire safety for students
Templates for recording student information and reflection.
The handbook is updated quarterly to ensure it reflects current AHP information and resources. However, if you feel information needs to be updated or added, please contact, elspeth.lee4@nhs.scot.
AHP Student Feedback Questionnaire
To allow AHPs to improve and understand the student experience it is important for us to find out what went well and where we could improve the placement experience. It is also very valuable to share the different challenges that were experienced and how these were perhaps overcome. Although voluntary to complete, we would greatly appreciate your participation with the AHP Student Feedback Questionnaire. Your responses to questions are anonymous, unless you choose to add the placement area details.
The data from the survey will initially be shared with the AHP professional leads for dissemination through their service.
The link to the survey should be provided by your Practice educator who is working directly with you on placement within NHSGGC,
Since 2010, there have been AHP Practice Placement Agreements in place between each Scottish HEI that runs pre-registration programmes and each NHS Board. Previously known as Practice Placement Agreements (PPA). The AHP PPA’s are currently being refreshed (now to be called AHP Practice-based Learning Agreement ).
NHSGGC have AHP Practice-based Learning Agreements with Glasgow Caledonian University, Queen Margaret University, Robert Gordon University, University of Strathclyde and Edinburgh Napier University
What is new in the AHP Practice-based learning Agreement?
The revised agreement provides greater clarity and consistency in approach to governance arrangements for professions, Universities and Practice Education Providers. It consolidates current custom and practice that has evolved in relation to student Practice-based Learning since 2009.
The approach to refreshing the agreement has been to include agreed content written during the original signing, and subsequent developments that underpin the provision of AHP student Practice-based Learning e.g. HCPC Guidance on Conduct and Ethics for Students (2017), AHP placement cancellation guidance, provision of practice educator training etc. The refreshed content has an operational focus to address and balance the requirements of different stakeholders.
What has not changed?
The agreements clarify contemporary governance arrangements for Student Practice-based learning. The approach to refreshing the agreements has not included a review of the ongoing commitment to student ‘Practice Based Learning Weeks’ (placement weeks) per profession. This work is being progressed separately and will involve Scottish Government, AHP Directors, Practice Education Providers and professional bodies.
AHP Students from non-Scottish HEI’s
AHP students who are studying at non-Scottish HEI’s often have placements within NHSGGC, however as there are no practice-based learning agreements with these institutions, governance arrangements regarding issues such as PVG, immunisations etc must be discussed with the HEI and student prior to the student coming on placement.
HCPC regulatory body
Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) is the regulating body for health, psychological and social work professionals. They protect and set standards around education and training which includes continuing professional development (CPD).
NHS Education for Scotland (NES) funded AHP practice education programme to support high quality placement opportunities. The site offers support on pre placement orientation and induction material, Practice Educator CPD and support and an overview of AHP Practice based learning partnership agreements.
NHSGGC is proud to provide a large numbers of practice-based learning experiences for Allied Health Professions (AHP) students, contributing to the future AHP workforce. This could not be done without the commitment and enthusiasm from the AHP Practice Educators to provide quality practice-based learning. AHP Practice Educators play an essential role in the development of new AHPs. Working with the higher and further education institution they support students with the development of their knowledge and skills. To ensure AHP Practice Educators are supported in their role there is both national and local work ongoing. This website will be one of the ways to provide AHP Practice Educators with information and resources. The information and resources on this page come from a range of sources- NHSGGC AHP Practice Educators, Higher and Further Education Institutions, NHS Education Scotland(NES) AHP Practice Education and the NHS GGC AHP Practice-based learning Quality Group
The AHP Practice Placement Quality Group members and the AHP practice education team are working hard to support AHP Practice-based Learning. NHSGGC AHP Practice-based Learning Newsletter (June 2024) has been developed by a sub group of the NHSGGC AHP Practice Placement Quality group in order to celebrate successes, highlight key resources and provide updates around practice-based learning. Previous editions of the newsletter can be accessed below.
The AHP Practice Education Team have recently run AHP Peer Assisted Learning and Digital Workshops to support AHPs who are considering peer assisted learning and digital placements. We hope to run further workshops in the future. To register interest please email please email ggc.gjnh@nhs.scot
The Practice Educators website is spilt into different pages. To access each page please click on the relevant section.
AHP Practice-based Learning National Resources
The AHP Practice-Based Learning (PrBL) national site is funded by the AHP Practice Education Programme. It contains resources to support PrBL. This includes links to the ‘How to’ workshops, information on models of placement delivery, digital knowledge and skills and practice educator preparation.
Additionally the site provides an explanation of the national groups supporting AHP PrBL and Scotland wide initiatives to support PrBL.
Scottish HEIs provide a range of wellbeing support to which students can self-refer. Students can also access NES wellbeing resources. Practice Educators can also signpost students to both wellbeing resources within the HEIs.
A Support for AHP Students poster has been created, detailing local resources which may support AHP students during the cost of living crisis.
It provides information for students and practice educators on:
student use of electronic information systems.
code of conduct
policies
student car insurance
student feedback
students raising a concern
students accessing electronic information systems
membership of PVG Scheme
fire safety for students
Templates for recording student information and reflection.
It is updated bi-annually to ensure it reflects current AHP information and resources.
If you feel information requires updated or could be added to please contact elspeth.lee4@nhs.scot
AHP Student Feedback Questionnaire
The recovery of AHP practice placements within NHSGGC has recommenced following the pause of placements due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In many cases NHSGGC AHPs are providing placements differently or with some changes due to COVID-19 therefore we greatly value feedback from AHP students. This feedback allows AHPs to improve and understand the student experience by asking what went well, where we could improve the placement experience, what challenges were experienced and how these were perhaps overcome. Feedback is obtained by way of a questionnaire, although participation is voluntary, the information gathered is very valuable in informing future placements. This questionnaire is anonymous unless you choose to add the placement area details.
The data from the questionnaire will initially be shared with the AHP professional leads for dissemination through their service.
The link to the AHP Student Feedback questionnaire should be provided to each AHP student by the Practice educator who is working directly with the student on placement within NHSGGC.
The link can be provided:
within an email
on student induction paperwork
in student information folders
in written form as a URL
Guidance on cancellation of AHP practice placements
Cancellation guidance is to be used when cancelling a practice placement within the health board to ensure other options have been considered. The cancellation guidance is supported within the health board by the AHP Practice Placement Quality group.
AHP practice based learning agreements
Since 2010, there have been AHP Practice Placement Agreements in place between each Scottish HEI that runs pre-registration programmes and each NHS Board. Previously known as Practice Placement Agreements (PPA). The AHP PPA’s are currently being refreshed (now to be called AHP Practice-based Learning Agreement ).
NHSGGC have AHP Practice-based Learning Agreements with Glasgow Caledonian University, Queen Margaret University, Robert Gordon University, University of Strathclyde and Edinburgh Napier University.
What is new in the AHP Practice-based learning Agreement?
The revised agreement provides greater clarity and consistency in approach to governance arrangements for professions, universities and Practice Education Providers. It consolidates current custom and practice that has evolved in relation to student Practice-based Learning since 2009.
The approach to refreshing the agreement has been to include agreed content written during the original signing, and subsequent developments that underpin the provision of AHP student Practice-based Learning e.g. HCPC Guidance on Conduct and Ethics for Students (2017), AHP placement cancellation guidance, provision of practice educator training etc. The refreshed content has an operational focus to address and balance the requirements of different stakeholders.
What has not changed?
The agreements clarify contemporary governance arrangements for Student Practice-based learning. The approach to refreshing the agreements has not included a review of the ongoing commitment to student ‘PrBL Weeks’ (placement weeks) per profession. This work is being progressed separately and will involve Scottish Government, AHP Directors, Practice Education Providers, professional bodies.
AHP Students from non -Scottish HEI’s
AHP students who are studying at non-Scottish HEI’s often have placements within NHSGGC however as there are no practice-based learning agreements with these institutions, governance arrangements regarding issues such as PVG, immunisations etc must be discussed with the HEI and student prior to the student coming on placement.
AHP Practice-based Learning Quality Group
The AHP practice placement quality group provides an inter-professional health board wide approach to improving the quality of AHP student education and increasing the capacity to provide learning opportunities for preregistration students.
The group will support a positive learning environment through enhancing the student experience informed by AHPs within the board, NHS Scotland, Quality Standards for Practice Placement (QSPP) and student evaluation.
The AHP practice placement quality group will enable communication, information sharing and facilitate collaborative engagement between the board and higher/further education institutions about AHP student education.
It guides both current and future projects and allows sharing of good practice across professions.
Membership of Group
The grouphas representatives from AHP professions within NHSGGC.
AHP practice educator preparation is provided by all five of the Scottish higher education institutions (HEIs) who provide pre registration AHP courses: Glasgow Caledonian University and Strathclyde (jointly), Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh Napier university and Robert Gordon University. The NHSGGC Practice Placement Quality Group have agreed that AHPs should refresh their practice educator training every five years.
If an AHP attends a course from one of the HEI’s, this provides them with the information and knowledge to supervise students from all HEI’s i.e. an AHP does not need to attend all four HEI’s practice educator training courses to supervise students from the other HEIs. However AHPs need to ensure they are familiar with the paperwork and requirements for each course.
The SWAY will be added to as further resources for practice educator preparation become available and can be accessed via the same link.
AHP Practice Education survey results
Thank you to those of you who took the time to complete the National AHP Practice Education Survey 2022, it is much appreciated and helps to support and guide future development of student practice education in Scotland.
The Quality Improvement Network for AHPs in NHSGGC (AHPQIN) had over 500 members.
At the start of 2024 we decided to scale up and spread to transition to a GGC-wide network for all members of staff from all areas and professions. This process is still taking place and will shape what the network looks like in future and what it offers.
AHPs retain a specific channel within the network on MS teams to ensure we can still share information specific to AHPs.
If you would like to join the network simply click on the link below and ask to join the team.
Here are some projects completed by AHPs during the NHSGGC AHP Quality Improvement Program as well as other sources.
Hopefully they may inspire you to carry out your own QI project.
If you have already carried out a QI project and would like to share this please use one of the templates below and send this to nikki.munro@ggc.scot.nhs.uk to be uploaded to this site.
Below are some presentations from the 2021 cohort of the AHP Quality Improvement Program to help you choose the best way to share your Improvement Journey with Others.
NHS Education for Scotland (NES) offers many courses or Learning Programmes in Quality Improvement with varied target audiences. For the most up to date information please visit the NES program page at:
These resources can be used by staff working across the public sector in Scotland. Each module’s page includes a short description of what you can expect to find in it, who should do it and how long it will take to complete it. Most of them will take around 30 minutes to complete.
The modules available are:
Measurement for improvement
Understanding your system
Developing your aims and change ideas
Testing your change ideas
Implementation and Spread
Introduction to demand, capacity, activity and queue
Introduction to Value Management
2. Scottish Improvement Foundation Skills (SIFS) Programme
This programme is aimed at all people working in the public sector across Scotland who have ideas that can improve the way things are done in their own workplace. Staff working at foundation level will be functioning as part of a team to improve service delivery in their own workplace. Foundation learning resources introduce staff to widely used improvement methods to help support them achieve the outcome they are aiming for.
The aim of SIFS is to support individuals to develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence to participate as members of improvement teams and contribute to testing, measuring and reporting on changes made.
NHSGGC Clinical Effectiveness Department run regular Scottish Improvement Foundation Skills Courses (SIFS) open to all members of staff in NHSGGC.
If you would like to register your interest for a future SIFS course, please register your interest below:
3. For Managers Coaching and Leading Teams to Improve their Services
SCLIP is a 3-month Quality Improvement learning programme. The target audience for the programme is core managers who are responsible for coaching and leading their teams to improve their services and helping embed improvement strategies within their organisation. Participants will be recruited and selected by the local organisation. It is recommended that applicants fit the following criteria:
responsibility for managing a team or teams
motivation to improve their skills in leading and coaching teams to deliver improvement
a strong desire to improve outcomes for people
4. For Individuals who need in-depth QI knowledge to support others across their organisation
The Scottish Improvement Leader (ScIL) Programme
The aim of the ScIL Programme is to enable individuals to:
design, develop and lead improvement projects,
lead and generate support for change, and
provide expert QI support and advice in their organisations.
It is aimed at people working in the Scottish Public Service in a role with a significant focus on quality improvement and dedicated time allocated to lead improvement projects.
5.The Scottish Quality and Safety (SQS) Fellowship Programme
The Scottish Quality and Safety Fellowship Programme (SQS Fellowship) is a lead level quality improvement and clinical leadership course managed by NHS Education for Scotland (NES), working in partnership with Healthcare Improvement Scotland and NHSScotland.
The Fellowship is open to healthcare staff who currently undertake clinical practice and has a direct influence on improving the delivery of safe patient care, as well as staff in clinical professions who do not currently deliver hands-on care but do have a role in improving patient care or safety.
An important aspect of the Fellowship is also the participation of Fellows from outside Scotland with long standing relationships with Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Norway and Denmark to mention but a few.
