Your views can help shape the Care Home Collaborative.
Care Home Stories
What Matters to You (WMTY) 2023
WMTY day is an annual event which is recognised and celebrated internationally. On this day, more than any other, there is a focus on raising awareness of having conversations with care home residents and staff that help to build connections and improve outcomes for the person:
Ask What Matters
Listen to What Matters
Do What Matters
Read a selection of WMTY Activities and stories from staff, residents and families below.
We believe that every staff member, resident and family member have a unique story to tell. These stories are powerful tools that guide us in developing person centred approaches that improve outcomes for people living, visiting and working in care homes.
To ensure we capture and share these meaningful experiences, we have established a dedicated section on our website. This platform serves as a safe space for residents, family members and staff to contribute their stories, insights and positive moments.
1. Enhancing Quality of Care: By actively listening to the voices of residents and their families, we gain invaluable insight into their preferences, needs, and concerns. This enables us to tailor care plans and services to meet their individual requirements effectively.
2. Building Trust and Connection: Openly engaging with residents and their families fosters trust, strengthens relationships, and promotes a sense of belonging. By valuing experiences, we create an environment where everyone feels heard and respected.
3. Continuous Improvement: Staff, resident and family feedback is a catalyst for improvement and by promoting participation, you can identify areas where you excel and areas that require enhancement, allowing you to continuously evolve and provide the highest level of care possible.
By sharing your story with us, you have the opportunity to inspire others, create connections, and help us shape a better care experience for everyone involved. Your story might highlight the impact of best practice, compassionate care, celebrate a personal achievement, or simply express gratitude for the way support was received.
1. Download and complete the template with brief details
2. Craft your story, ensuring to maintain confidentiality and respect privacy.
Remember, your story matters, and when shared, it has the power to touch the hearts of others and inspire positive change. Together, we can create an environment that truly reflects the needs and desires of our residents and their families.
Thank you for being an essential part of our care community. We look forward to hearing your story and continuing our journey towards exceptional care.
Help your care home to get involved with our Meaningful Activity Network where care homes across Greater Glasgow and Clyde support each other and share ideas, including information and resources which can enhance the provision of meaningful and purposeful activities for the residents.
Select from the drop down list below to access subject specific information and useful links
Bed Safety Rails/Bed Grab Handles
In August 2023 a National Patient Safety Alert was issued regarding Medical beds, trolleys, bed rails, bed grab handles and lateral turning devices: risk of death from entrapment or falls alongside updated guidance from MHRA. Care home residents were specifically mentioned and are particularly vulnerable to the risk of entrapment from these devices for the reasons below:
Complex physical needs
Cognitive impairment
To address this NHSGGC have worked collaboratively with care homes to produce some simple resources to help raise awareness of the key points to support safe use of bed safety rails and bed grab handles.
Preparing for winter is an important part of support to residents and staff in care homes across the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area. This pack contains a range of useful winter readiness information and planning resources. The information in the pack is aligned with good practice and national guidance, and is intended to complement local arrangements.
Please click here to access the Care Home Winter Pack 2024/2025.
A series of 5 posters aimed at care home staff and carers to highlight simple measures that can help reduce the risk of residents falling.
GGC care homes should receive a hard copy of each of the posters. Further copies can be ordered from the medical illustrations department. Email: medical.illustrationgri@ggc.scot.nhs.uk Telephone 0141 211 8580
Standard Infection Control Precautions or SICPs are the basic infection prevention and control measure used to reduce the risk of transmitting infectious agents from known and unknown sources of infection. SICPs should be used by all staff, in all care settings, at all times, for all residents to ensure the safety of those being cared for as well as staff and visitors to the home.
For more information visit section 1 Chapter 1 of the Care Home Infection Prevention and Control Manual
Hand hygiene
The most important thing you can do to prevent the spread of infection in a care home is carry out hand hygiene. Hand hygiene can be carried out using soap and water or alcohol based hand rub (ABHR).
For more information visit section 2 Chapter 1 of the Care Home Infection Prevention and Control Manual
Handwashing Technique Demonstration and How to apply alcohol based hand rub
Handwashing Technique Demonstration
How to apply alcohol based hand rub
Respiratory and cough hygiene
For more information visit section 3 Chapter 1 of the Care Home Infection Prevention and Control Manual
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
For more information visit section 4 Chapter 1 of the Care Home Infection Prevention and Control Manual
Safe management of care equipment
For more information visit section 5 Chapter 1 of the Care Home Infection Prevention and Control Manual
Safe management of the care environment
For more information visit section 6 Chapter 1 of the Care Home Infection Prevention and Control Manual
For more information visit section 7 Chapter 1 of the Care Home Infection Prevention and Control Manual
Blood and body fluid spillages
For more information visit section 8 Chapter 1 of the Care Home Infection Prevention and Control Manual
Safe disposal of waste (including sharps)
For more information visit section 9 Chapter 1 of the Care Home Infection Prevention and Control
Occupational safety: prevention and exposure management (including sharps)
For more information visit section 10 Chapter 1 of the Care Home Infection Prevention and Control
Transmission Based Precautions
In certain circumstances using Standard Infection Control Precautions (also known as SICPs) won’t be enough to stop an infection spreading and you will need to use some extra precautions. These extra precautions are Transmission Based Precautions, or TBPs.
TBPs should be used if a resident has a suspected or known infection.
Please see below for a series of two short videos developed for staff wishing to refresh their knowledge of TBPs.
For more information on SCIPS access the Preventing Infection in Social Care Settings app released by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) in partnership with NHS Education for Scotland (NES) and the Digital Health and Care Innovation Centre (DHI).
The app has been developed for staff in settings such as care homes with a view to enabling easy access to infection prevention and control guidance.
Learning Forum
Welcome to the Care Home Learning Forum Resource pages.
You can find information on future meetings and registration on our Learning Opportunities page.
Online Session 1- Future Care Planning and Palliative Care
There are several effective strategies to keep elderly residents active during the winter months, even when outdoor activities may be limited. While this list is not exhaustive, it provides a starting point for staff to explore various options for keeping residents engaged and active.
Indoor Gardening For residents with a passion for gardening, cultivating indoor plants can be a rewarding winter activity. Staff can assist residents in setting up a small indoor garden in a conservatory, greenhouse or a windowsill. Engaging in tasks such as pruning, re-potting or planting seeds provides physical activity while allowing residents to maintain a connection with nature.
It is important for care staff to remain informed about the latest guidelines and resources related to physical activity for older adults.
Care About Physical Activity programme is an improvement programme lead by the Care Inspectorate it can be used to support physical activity in different ways.
Paths for all is a Scottish Charity. Their vision: Scotland is a walking nation. Everyone has the opportunity ti be active everyday, creating a happier, healthier and greener Scotland. They support healthcare staff to deliver walking activities, combined with Strength and Balance, to residents, patients and clients in care settings.
Scottish Ballet Duet is a series of three 10-minute films and two 12-minute audio recordings specially designed for people with reduced mobility to move together with their companions or carers. As with all SB Health materials, SB Duet can also be enjoyed on your own.
Medication Management and Waste Disposal
This pack aims to provide Care Home Teams with a step by step guide to returning medication that is no longer required by a resident. This guidance supports Care Inspectorate best practice.
This information can be helpful for use of a Miami J Collar following a stable neck injury or fracture where the patient is able to safely apply and remove themselves.
This information can be helpful for use of a Miami J Collar following a stable neck injury or fracture where the patient requires a carer, family or friends to safely apply and remove the collar as they cannot do this themselves.
This information can be helpful for use of a Miami J Collar following an unstable neck injury or fracture. It provides information to help their carers, family or friends understand how to safely remove and apply the collar as they cannot do this themselves and it requires two people to remove to apply the collar.
Milkshakes in Care Homes
The Food First and Project Milkshake section on the Right Decision website provides helpful resources including information videos and our milkshake recipe book to support starting fortified milkshakes in your home.
MUST and MUST Step 5 training videos to support understanding of MUST calculations and MUST Step 5 pathway. This is used for care and residential homes. Click here to access the MUST Guide to Help.
Hydration poster identifies key points for delivering good hydration.
IDDSI and dysphagia training videos for care and catering staff in care homes created by Speech and Language therapy, Dietetics and IDDSI specialist chef.
IDDSI snack list poster to support snack choices for residents with dysphagia. This poster goes through each IDDSI level with sweet and savoury suggestions.
IDDSI level 6 poster explaining what a level 6 diet is and how to check if food is level 6 diet appropriate.
IDDSI resources and recipes to support providing food and fluid to residents with dysphagia.
Wessex academic health network website. The Hydration at Home e-learning module and Toolkit has been endorsed by the British Dietetic Association. Useful information to support training on hydration to all care staff.
NHS Education for Scotland (NES) Resources for Health and Social Care Staff
Turas Learn
Confirmation of death resources are available on Turas Learn. The pages contain Information and Education Resources resources to support registered professionals with Confirmation of Death.
Turas Learn is a website for health and social care staff that hosts a wide range of learning materials including eLearning modules and courses.
You must be logged into your Turas Account to view and access eLearning modules Sign In
If you do not have a Turas account you can create one
Support around death
This website aims to support health and social care staff who are working with patients, carers and families before, at, and after death. It provides key information on the clinical, legislative, and practical issues involved.
NHSGGC Palliative Care
This website has links to education and resources for health and social care professionals, patients and relatives.
NHSGGC Last Breath Poster
Click here to access the Last Breath poster developed by NHS Forth Valley and adapted by NHSGGC.
One hour training session available that would be ideal for relatives. Please complete a contact form if interested in this.
NHSGGC Syringe Pump Resources
Click here to access NHSGGC resources and updates for syringe pumps including instruction videos, competency frameworks and guidelines for use.
Scottish Palliative Care Guidelines – Launch of the new web and mobile app
The Scottish Palliative Care Guidelines describes good practice in the management of adult patients with life-limiting illness. They are designed for healthcare professionals from any care setting who are involved in supporting people with a palliative, life-limiting condition.
This app is delivered through the Right Decision Service – the national decision support service provided by Healthcare Improvement Scotland and is Nationwide.
The guidelines can be accessed via the Right Decisions website or download the Right Decisions mobile app from the app store for Apple or Android.
Supportive and Palliative Action Register (SPAR) Resources
Please find SPAR documentation and resources below. If you are looking to implement SPAR in your care home, please contact us for support and guidance.
The purpose of this course is to provide care home staff with information in order to improve their understanding of what makes a good record of care, what are the legalities of records and what is acceptable record keeping.
It should take you approximately 20 minutes to complete – please click here to access
RESTORE 2
Care Home Collaborative
RESTORE2 is the national acute deterioration tool recommended by Scottish Government for care homes.
The Care Home Collaborative can support the implementation of this nationally recognised tool in care homes across GGC.
If you would like more information or our support using the RESTORE2 tool within your care home please get in touch.
Wessex Patient Safety Collaborative
RESTORE2 is a national resources that was co-produced by NHS West Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Group and Wessex Patient Safety Collaborative.
RESTORE2 What is it
RESTORE2 Why use it
RESTORE2 is designed to support homes and health professionals to:
Recognise when a resident may be deteriorating or at risk of physical deterioration
Act appropriately according to the residents care plan
Obtain a complete set of physical observations to inform escalation and conversations with health professionals
Speak with the most appropriate health professional in a timely way to get the right support
Provide a concise escalation history to health professionals to support their professional decision making
Resources
The NHS Health Education England videos below can be used to support staff when implementing the RESTORE2 tool in your care home.
Soft signs of deterioration
NEWS What is it?
Measuring the respiratory rate
Measuring oxygen saturations
Measuring blood pressure
Measuring heart rate
Measuring the level of alertness
How to measure temperature
Using SBARD in care homes
SBARD is an easy to remember approach you can use to frame communications or conversations. It can be used very effectively to escalate a clinical problem that requires immediate attention, or to facilitate efficient handover of residents between health and care teams.
This video will show the benefits of using SBARD for care home staff and how it can improve the quality of care for our patients.
RESTORE2 Mini can help your team to identify that a resident is deteriorating and to get help earlier, supporting the resident to remain at home.
RESTORE2 Mini is a shortened version of the full RESTORE2 tool and is ideal for introducing to residential homes (that are currently unable to take physical observations) to the concepts of soft signs and SBARD structured communication.
Resources
Soft Signs of deterioration
This video explains “Soft Signs”.
Using SBARD in care homes
SBARD is an easy to remember approach you can use to frame communications or conversations. It can be used very effectively to escalate a clinical problem that requires immediate attention, or to facilitate efficient handover of residents between health and care teams.
This video will show the benefits of using SBARD for care home staff and how it can improve the quality of care for residents.
Checklist: The checklist acts as an aide memoir, using it staff should soon be familiar with what should be checked on the mattress as a routine to reduce errors and prevent harm. This should be printed off in A5 with troubleshooting page on the back, laminated and attached to the pump.
Airflow Mattress Audit: This can be printed off or used as an excel document to monitor the mattresses, either weekly, monthly or ad-hoc to ensure they are being set appropriately and errors are not occurring.
Airflow Mattress Training: The CHC TVN offers a 30-45 minute training session to train the trainers within the care home on the safe use of airflow mattresses. Once training has been provided the care home will have access to the training slides and notes in order to ensure all their staff are familiar and competent in using airflow mattresses.
Project Report: The project report summarises the key aspects of the project, including its goals, progress and outcomes.
Airflow Mattress Train the Trainer Slides: This valuable training was developed to cover the main elements that relate to all airflow mattresses and the common errors that are made that result in pressure damage. Please contact the CHC to arrange for the training to be provided.
Additional Resources
Resident in Care Home with a non-progressing wound
This guidance was collated by a short life working group of care home representatives from all HSCP partnerships. The guidance provides a clear decision making pathway for care home staff/care home liaison nurses to ensure streamlining of referrals following identification of a wound that has shown no signs of progressing in two weeks.
All wounds should show signs of progress (evidence of progress towards healing, reduced size, reduction in slough and necrotic tissue) over a two week period. If not ensure all steps are completed within your column before making referral to next stage.
Residents in Care Home with a Non-Progressing Wound Guidance poster
WMTY day is an annual event which is recognised and celebrated internationally. On this day, more than any other, there is a focus on raising awareness of having conversations with care home residents and staff that help to build connections and improve outcomes for the person:
Ask What Matters,
Listen to What Matters and
Do What Matters.
You can read a selection of WMTY Activities and stories from staff, residents and families in our Good News Stories section. You can also get involved by Sharing your stories and building the evidence base.
For further information have a look at the these WMTY resources
Click here to access the NHSGGC Person Centred Care resources
Click here to access the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland Person Centred Voices resources
Guidance notes for Carer Voices – Intelligent Kindness Best Practice
Would you like to share your free resources with Care Homes?
You can share your free resources and learning opportunities on this website. Further information available in About our website
Care Around Death Study Day
This study day presents an opportunity to help increase Care Around Death knowledge and skills. Using a case study approach this day will enable participants to learn and share practice with each other whilst taking into consideration relevant local and national guidance.
This study day meets ‘Enhanced’ level on Domain #2 of the NES Palliative and End of Life Care Education Framework.
Click on the link below for more information and upcoming dates.
Caring for Smiles is Scotland’s national oral health, training and support programme, which aims to improve the oral health of older people particularly those living in care homes.
Education and training of staff play an important role in the delivery and improvement of oral care. All care staff including supervisors and managers are encouraged to take up Caring for Smiles training where it is available.
Staff are invited to attend a 2 hour training session between 2.00pm – 4.00pm, delivered by the NHSGGC Oral Health Directorate.
The NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) Confirmation of Death (CoD) policy permits any trained Registered Health Care Professional to confirm death in any circumstance.
The Care Home Collaborative sessions provide an overview of the national learning resources, provide an opportunity for reflective discussion, simulation and competency sign off.
These are 2 ½ hours sessions which are delivered face to face, with rotating venues.
The aim of the session is to familiarise care home registered nursing staff with the process of Confirmation of Death.
Learning Outcomes
Identify the difference between Confirmation of Death and certification of death
Understanding and undertaking the practical component of CoD
Demonstrating knowledge of navigation of NHSGGC palliative care website/Moodle and other relevant electronic resources
Delirium is a serious, life threatening condition that develops rapidly over days or hours. When untreated delirium can lead to poorer outcomes for care home residents.
Would you like to find out more about how to reduce the risk of your residents developing delirium? Click below to register for our upcoming sessions.
Essentials in Psychological Care – Dementia Training Programme
Care Home Collaborative
The Essentials in Psychological Care – Dementia Training Programme delivered by the Care Home Collaborative is a certificated, exciting training programme that will increase your existing dementia knowledge, in a practical way to help you support the people you care for.
Modules
1: Dementia and Unmet Needs
2: Understanding Distress in Dementia
3: Understanding the Persons’ Reality
4: Communication
5: Stimulation and Meaningful Activity
6: ABC Charts
7: Staff Stress and Distress
Learning Outcomes
To enhance understanding of the causes of distressed behaviours in dementia.
Explore evidence-based proactive and preventative strategies and be able to apply these effectively.
Improve the experience and care for people living with dementia, their families and carers.
The Unscheduled Care Design & Delivery Plan 2021-24 aim was to support and maintain individuals safely within the community either at home or in a homely setting. Over the past few years, the Community led improvement programme now branded as HomeFirst has delivered a number of projects offering alternatives to unscheduled care with the development of new pathways, services and systems with a focus on prevention, early intervention and expediting discharge.
Future Care Planning for Care Homes
Irrespective of the paperwork your Care Home uses to record resident wishes and no matter what your role is in the conversation, we all need to know a little bit about Future Care Planning – what it is, why it’s important to care home residents and relatives and how we go about it. We’ll share the information that can be useful, which will enable care home staff to make appropriate choices in emergency situations.
Open to care home and nursing home staff plus Health and Social Care staff with a role to support residents. This session lasts approximately 1 1/2 hours and includes opportunities for you to ask questions. Sessions take place online via MS Teams
The Care Home Learning Forum aims to bring together Registered Nurses across all care homes, HSCPs teams and acute settings to share experience and practice across the NHSGGC area.
We aim to recognise, celebrate and highlight the impact of nursing practice in the care home setting, and establish a supportive community of learners and peer support networks. The 90min online sessions are designed to support accessible bite sized learning opportunities for busy RNs and are jointly chaired by RNs from Care Homes and HSCP teams.
The Mobile Skills Unit (MSU) was developed to support the delivery of clinical skills training and education to all across Scotland.
The CHC team will be in Greater Glasgow and Clyde in 2025 with the bus offering clinical skills sessions to care homes.
Register your interest to find out more about our October 2025 care home programme.
Meaningful Activity Network Meetings
Care Home Collaborative
Are you interested in new ideas to promote meaningful activities for your residents? Would you like to share your good news stories and celebrate successes with other care homes? Then this is the event for you!
The Care Home Collaborative would like to invite you to join us at our next ‘Meaningful Activity Network Meeting’ as we continue our conversation about meaningful and purposeful activity. We are hosting this event in partnership with Care Inspectorate’s Health and Social Care Improvement team.
Care homes who attended our first meeting indicated their keen interest in being involved in a network where they could support each other and share ideas, including information and resources which would enhance the provision of activities for care home residents. We have listened to your feedback and opened this to all care home staff (Managers, Nurses, carers, activity coordinators, catering, housekeeping, etc.).
This webinar is open to all care home staff who would like an update on MUST and MUST Step 5. It will help refresh knowledge of each step of the MUST screening tool, including calculation of scores. It will also cover MUST Step 5 and explain how to complete the form.
This is vital in supporting nutritional care for residents and identifying risks.
Session Aims
Refresh knowledge of the MUST pathway
Learn to calculate total MUST score from steps 1-3
Refresh knowledge of MUST Step 5 paperwork
Learning Outcomes:
To accurately calculate MUST scores
Complete MUST Step 5 paperwork and reviews confidently
Please click on the link below to register for this webinar.
Caring for Smiles is Scotland’s national oral health training and support programme.
Education and training of staff play an important role in the delivery and improvement of oral care. All care staff including supervisors and managers are encouraged to take up Caring for Smiles training where it is available.
Caring for Smiles (Non-accredited training)
Staff are invited to attend a 2 hour Online training session delivered by NHSGGC, Oral Health Directorate.
Learning Outcomes
Demonstrate an understanding of why good oral health is important
2. Recognise the factors that contribute to poor oral health
3. Confidently carry out day-to-day oral care for residents who require assistance
4. Know how to report any health concerns
5. Understand the importance of the different oral care forms e.g risk assessment, care plans and daily documentation
6. To be able to carry out an oral health risk assessment
7. Understand what techniques and strategies may help those residents with dementia who resist oral care.
Please direct any questions to the Oral Health Team
SSSC open badges: Toothbrushing for oral health is a suite of 5 badges. Each of the 5 milestone topics award their own badge. To do this you must successfully complete all the eLearning modules in the suite and submit the required evidence of your learning on the SSSC badges website.
In care at home badge is aimed at people who care for the oral health of others at home. To do this you must successfully complete the eLearning module and submit the required evidence on the SSSC badges website.
In the care home badge is aimed at people who care for the oral health of other in the care home. To do this you must successfully complete the eLearning module and submit the required evidence of your learning on the SSSC badges website
Palliative Care
Getting Bereavement Right Every Time webinar
NES are hosting a webinar on 11th June from 1pm – 3pm for all health and social care staff about bereavement. For more details click here
SAGE & THYME workshops support all care home staff in using the evidence based skills required to provide person-centred support to residents and relatives with emotional concerns or worries. Using a mixture of group work, lectures and videos, the workshop discourages staff from ‘fixing’, and demonstrates how to work with the residents’ own ideas and solutions first.
Using a memorable structure, each 2 hour 45 minutes online workshop delivered via zoom reminds staff how to listen, and how to respond to distress in a way which empowers the resident or relative.
These FREE online workshops are delivered via Zoom for anyone working in health and social care.
Multiple dates AM and PM options – click below for further details and booking information
Macmillan Enhanced Palliative & End of Life Care Learning & Development Toolkit.
Our Toolkit has been designed to offer a range of interactive, online modules, tools and resources to develop your knowledge and skills in palliative and end of life care. The toolkit offers flexible, self-paced learning that can be accessed when and where you need it. We have divided the content into 5 topic areas:
Pain management in palliative and end of life care
Other common palliative and end of life symptoms
Communication in palliative and end of life care
Palliative care emergencies
Person-centred care at end of life
Who is the toolkit for?
The toolkit is aimed at health and social care professionals who regularly assess, manage and influence decision-making for people with life-limiting illness.
What level is the toolkit?
The toolkit is Enhanced Level. This means that it’s suitable for learners with existing knowledge and/or experience in palliative and end of life care who wish to develop their knowledge and skills further.
How do I navigate the toolkit?
Each topic contains a range of resources – including online modules, articles, videos and tools – to enhance your knowledge and skills. You can choose the topics and resources relevant to your role, interests and professional development and complete them in any order.
How do I access the toolkit?
The toolkit is hosted within the Palliative and End of Life Care Community in the Macmillan Learning Hub. If you are not already registered for the Learning Hub please click here to sign up for this free resource.
If you would like more information you can watch a short video that explains more about our learning hub and toolkit.
Project milkshake and Food Fortification webinar
This webinar is open to all care home staff who would like an update on food first and project milkshake as part of the MUST Step 5. It will help refresh knowledge on key foods and fluids that can be used as first line management for residents with an identified nutrtional risk.
Prevention and Management of Pressure Ulcers – Online Module
An online module to provide residential care home staff with the knowledge and skills to understand pressure ulcers – how they form, how they are treated and crucially, how they can be prevented.
Quality Improvement (QI) Scottish Improvement Foundation Skills Programme (SIFS)
Do you want to make lasting changes within your care home? Let us help you make those changes by giving you the tools and knowledge to carry out Quality Improvement (QI) projects. The Scottish Improvement Foundation Skills Programme (SIFS), developed in partnership with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) covers the following topics:
• An introduction to the Model for Improvement
• How to understand and identify where changes can be made
• How to test and understand what difference your changes can make
The programme lasts 14 weeks and you will be asked to carry out a small project within your care home. You will take part in 3 in person learning days during the programme.
You will be assigned a Quality Improvement Advisor from the CHC team for support during the programme. If you are interested, please watch this space for information on how to join the 2025 cohorts.
If you have any questions, or wish to be kept informed when we launch the call for the next cohort, contact us ggc.chccontact@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
RESTORE2 Training
RESTORE2 is a physical deterioration and escalation tool recommended in My Health, My Care, My Home Healthcare Framework for adults living in care homes by the Scottish Government.
The Care Home Collaborative can support the implementation of this tool in care homes across GGC.
Click here to access RESTORE2 resources including videos, charts and the rollout handbook.
If you are interested in using RESTORE2 in your care home, please join us at one of our training events listed below to find out more about RESTORE2 and how to implement it in your home.
RESTORE2 Mini can help your team to identify that a resident is deteriorating and to get help earlier, supporting the resident to remain at home.
RESTORE2 Mini is a shortened version of the full RESTORE2 tool and is ideal for introducing to residential homes (that are currently unable to take physical observations) to the concepts of soft signs and SBARD structured communication.
SSKINS Study Day (Prevention and Management of Pressure Ulcers)
Care Home Collaborative
The Care Home Collaborative are providing full day training sessions focusing on the SSKINS Bundle on the prevention and management of pressure ulcers. With the input of a multi-agency team the session will consist of an in depth look at each element of SSKINS.
This training is aimed at nursing staff, carers, activity co-ordinators and managers working in care homes.
After the training the participants will receive a certificate of attendance that will count for 6 hours CPD.
At the end of the session participants should be able to:
Explain what SSKINS is
Identify residents that would be at risk of pressure ulcers
Carry out a thorough skin inspection
Recognise and grade the different grades of pressure ulcer
Understand the importance of pressure relieving equipment and how to care for it
Understand what we can do to keep our residents moving to prevent pressure ulcers developing or deteriorating
Ensure moisture and continence is managed appropriately to avoid/reduce risk of pressure ulcers
Recognise the importance of nutrition and hydration in pressure ulcer prevention
Please book online using the buttons below. Availability of places is dictated by the size of each venue.
Join us for a 4.5hr workshop that explains why walking, plus strength and balance provide the key to active older age. You will spend time learning how to encourage mobility and activity and build strength and balance into daily care. This course is delivered by qualified trainers with extensive experience in health and social care. Click here for more details.
The Social care community on Macmillan’s Learning Hub offers free training and education for staff working in adult social care. Develop your knowledge and skills in supporting people affected by cancer by learning about topics including:
cancer awareness,
communication skills,
person-centred care,
cancer and other conditions
palliative and end of life care.
There is a wide range of resources in the community for you to explore, including interactive e-learning, virtual classrooms, articles and videos.
Who is it for?
This community is for staff working in adult social care who want to improve their understanding of cancer and skills in supporting people affected by cancer.
What level is it?
The community contains training and education at both Essential and Enhanced level.
How do I navigate the Community?
The training and education is organised into 5 topic areas. Each topic contains a range of resources (including e-learning modules, articles and videos) to enhance your knowledge and skills. You can choose the topics and resources relevant to your role, interests and professional development and complete them in any order.
How do I access the Community?
If you are not already registered on Macmillan’s Learning Hub, please click here to sign up for free
Once logged in, you can access the Social care community here
Turas Learn
Turas Learn is a website for Health and Social Care staff that hosts a wide range of learning materials including eLearning modules and courses.
There are a wide range of educational resources which provide guidance and support to enhance your ongoing professional development.
You must be logged into your Turas Account to view and access eLearning modules Sign In
If you do not have a Turas account you can create one
Watch the short video to find out how to:
Register for Turas Learn
Sign in to find learning resources
Find your Learning Record
Wound Care Study Day
The Wound Care Study Day has been developed in response to care home colleagues’ requests for wound care information and updates. We worked in partnership with colleagues from each HSCP to develop a comprehensive wound care study day.
The training is suitable for registered nurses and care staff who have an existing competency in wound management within their role in the care home. It also counts towards Continuous Professional Develop (CPD).
The study day offers a full day combining presentations with hands on interactive sessions on the topics listed:
Composition of the skin and its functions
Introduction to wound assessment and definition of a wound
Wound assessments – Practical session
Wound management
Healing and antimicrobial stewardship
Treatment of wounds and case studies
Learning outcomes:
Describe composition of the skin and its functions
Define and assess a wound
Carry out wound assessment
Describe stages of wound healing and principles of antimicrobial stewardship
The training does not deem someone competent but provides an update and refresher on wound care and current formulary products.
Please book your place by clicking the link below.
Would you like to share your free learning opportunities with Care Homes?
You can share your free learning opportunities and resources on this website. How to information is available in our About our website section.
What is Waiting Well?
Waiting Well is the term used to support people who are on a waiting list to see a healthcare specialist or get health and/or social care services. This is important as taking positive steps for health and wellbeing can help to:
Ease some symptoms
Manage or improve health
Stop new problems from starting
Improve health before your care – this may help you to get better faster
NHS Inform has information on a range of supports to help people “Wait Well”. This includes advice and support on activity and exercise, diet and nutrition, mental wellbeing, alcohol and smoking. It is also important to look at other practical needs that can impact on health e.g. money advice, home energy costs, cost of food, support in a caring role and social connectedness.
What is Prehabilitation?
Evidence shows that improving your physical and mental wellbeing can help you cope with what lies ahead. We call this prehabilitation, or prehab for short
As well as helping you to cope, Prehabilitation can help you to recover more quickly from surgery, and reduce the chance of developing other problems during and after treatment.
This includes advice and support on activity and exercise, diet and nutrition, mental wellbeing, alcohol and smoking. It is also important to look at other needs individuals may have e.g. money advice, home energy costs, cost of food, support in a caring role and social connectedness.
More information to support your health and wellbeing while waiting for an appointment/treatment can be found via NHS Inform – Waiting Well.
Prehabilitation
Prehabilitation is defined as pre-treatment rehabilitation and aims to help individuals get as fit and ready for their treatment as possible including:
supported self-management
improved physical function through smoking cessation, exercise, nutritional support and weight management,
optimised social connectedness and psychological wellbeing to improve recovery and
removal of socio-economic concerns through improved access to entitlements, money advice and removal of barriers to adoption of health behaviours.
Information for the public and professionals: Prehabilitation for Scotland – This website provides a range of information for both the public and professionals. Although this website talks mainly about cancer, much of this information is relevant to other conditions.
Pre-Operative Assessment
Pre-Operative Assessment – Information and resources on getting ready for surgery, FAQ’s information videos and information on different sites.
Realistic Medicine is about supporting people using healthcare services, and their families, to feel empowered to discuss their treatment. Realistic Medicine also promotes shared decision making and a personalised approach to care which are also values central to Prehab.
Holistic needs assessment (HNA) and care planning was first introduced by the National Cancer Survivorship Programme to help identify the concerns and needs of people living with cancer. The holistic needs assessment and care planning tool provides a useful framework for the basis of a person-centred discussion based on what matters to the person at that time. Used with appropriate training, information and knowledge of available supports to meet needs, the tool facilitates the following:
Identification of need / impact of wider determinants;
Self management, self-care;
Person-led care or goal-setting, health and wellbeing improvement;
Social-prescribing, mitigating impact of poverty and life circumstances;
Applied health improvement, developing the wider health improvement workforce, embedding health improvement in clinical care.
In recognition that many of the issues faced by people living with cancer are similar to those for people living with other life changing and/or deteriorating conditions, the Acute Health Improvement Team identified areas where this approach could be tested:
Parent/Carers within Royal Hospital for Children
People undergoing lower limb amputation at QEUH
People attending Physical Disability Rehabilitation Unit at QEUH campus
People attending for renal dialysis at IRH.
The concerns in the cancer focused tool required review with clinical colleagues to tailor concerns to meet the needs of each of the different groups. A monitoring and evaluation framework for the work was developed to ensure outcomes were captured.
In April 2017 tests of change were developed in adult acute services to determine how the HNA and care planning model works in adult hospital settings beyond cancer services. As a result, three locations were chosen, reflecting patients who were experienced permanent changes to their lives as a result of health conditions or traumatic events:
Renal Dialysis Unit, Inverclyde Royal Hospital,
Physically Disabled Rehabilitation Unit (PDRU), Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow
Ward 11A (lower limb amputees), Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow
Each location chosen was allocated a member of the health improvement team to liaise with them to facilitate the process in their location. This was in recognition of the fact that the implementation process was likely to be different in each location, reflecting the differing patient groups, nature of clinical interactions, and experience of conducting health behaviour change discussions in each clinical area.
The delivery model for implementing the Supporting People in Hospital approach varied amongst the three locations as follows:
Nurse led – Renal Dialysis Unit
Key worker led (both AHP’s and Nursing staff) – PDRU
Health Improvement Led from Support & Information Service – Ward 11A (and Ward 11D).
The HNA has been rolled out to further to Renal services at the QEUH with other areas planned. Over time, the completion of the tools has been incorporated into routine practice within these areas.
Below is a video clip of Katharine Montgomery, Staff Nurse, Renal Unit IRH talking about how the HNA has been implemented in their area.
An initial evaluation on the HNA was completed in July 2017 and a learning event took place October 2017 where findings were disseminated. The evaluation found that:
The patients welcomed this approach:
“It’s about helping me if I have anything that is worrying me”
“It gives me the chance to tell someone if I need help with things at home”.
“It gave me the chance to talk to my family about how I felt and for them to tell me how they felt too”.
The staff welcomed this approach:
“Our patients go out of here different to when they come in. They usually come in mobile and leave in a wheelchair. It’s a huge psychological as well as physical change and it affects every part of their lives. Nothing is the same for them anymore and this is a great opportunity for them to talk to someone about more than just their medical condition”
“Coming in here is a massive part of their weekly lives and they are exhausted. We talk to them about how they feel physically but they have many other issues – particularly money, so this is a really good way of helping them deal with things which are affecting them and their families”
Current projects
Macmillan Prehabilitation project
The West of Scotland Cancer Network (WoSCAN) was awarded funding from Macmillan Cancer Support to recruit Prehab Advocate posts in 4 heath boards to deliver a 14 month prehabilitation project. The health boards are NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde (NHSGC), NHS Ayrshire & Arran, NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Forth Valley.
In NHSGGC, 2 Prehab Advocates (Health Improvement Seniors) have been recruited and started in June 2024. The Prehab Advocates have started mapping current Prehabilitation provision in cancer services across NHSGGC. They will also coordinate and deliver improvement projects to support wider implementation of Prehabilitation approaches including:
Clinical pathways: Working across local health systems to use existing screening tools for prehab referrals, and making links with services already in place delivering prehab.
Education and engagement: To support clinical teams to understand the benefits of prehab and raise awareness of existing prehab services, supported by the WoSCAN regional prehab education programme
Sharing good practice: Utilising and learning from the models of prehab practice in place within other constituent health boards, with an ambition to copy and embed similar projects in each Board, and increase available prehab offers for patients.
To find out more about this work please contact: Jane Grant, Health Improvement Lead, email: Jane.Grant6@nhs.scot
Long COVID is a term which includes both ongoing COVID symptoms and new symptoms which develop as a result of COVID-19 infection.
When the symptoms of COVID have not resolved or new symptoms have persisted beyond 12 weeks of initial infection, then it may be classed as Long COVID if all other medical reasons for the symptoms have been excluded or unlikely.
What are the symptoms of Long COVID?
There are many symptoms of Long COVID – the most commonly reported symptoms are:
Fatigue
Problems with memory or concentration (known as brain fog)
Muscle and joint pains
Breathlessness
Difficulty sleeping
Chest pain
Heart palpitations
Dizziness
Loss of taste and / or smell
Pins and needles or numbness
Rashes
Depression and anxiety
Feeling sick, diarrhoea, stomach aches, loss of appetite
At the moment there is no ‘cure’ for Long COVID, however, addressing and treating the symptoms can help manage them and improve quality of life.
Small lifestyle changes can often lead to improvements in the condition.
How to manage the symptoms of Long COVID
For many people with Long COVID, strategies and lifestyle changes help manage their symptoms. In time, many people feel that they have recovered from Long COVID without any additional assistance.
Below are some self management resources / links.
Long COVID Advice
The following pages have advice on the management of Long COVID and the symptoms and support for managing the condition.
Long COVID Workbook – downloadable booklet about management of Long COVID from NHS Scotland
Long COVID Physio – an international peer support, education and advocacy, patient-led association of Physiotherapists living with Long COVID and allies
Long COVID Scotland – a volunteer-led charity run by people living with Long COVID on behalf of those living with Long COVID. Collectively advocate on employment and benefits, research and local and national policy.
NHS England COVID Recovery – 4-5 minute videos giving practical advice to help you recover from COVID-19. You can use them as self-management guides.
Long COVID and Diet – the association of UK Dietitians resource for dietary advice to support Long COVID
Friends and Family Leaflet – a leaflet you may wish to share with friends and family to help understand Long COVID and support you better
Fatigue is the most frequently reported symptom of Long COVID. There are some strategies which can help manage your energy – different ones work for different people. You may wish to try one at a time. The RCOT website has some practical ways to use the “5Ps” to manage your energy.
Sleep is important for replenishing energy levels and repairing the body. Many people with Long COVID feel that their ability to sleep and their sleep quality have got worse since COVID. The following pages help with advice and support to improve your sleep.
Brain fog is the term coined for those with memory and attention impairments. It is one of the most frequently reported symptoms of Long COVID and impacts on many daily activities. The following pages can give some helpful tips on how to manage these problems and ways to improve your memory and attention gradually.
Breathlessness has been one of the main symptoms of Long COVID and is often not caused by any damage to the lungs or respiratory systems.
Many people with Long COVID do not have any abnormality shown on x-ray or CT, but have debilitating symptoms of breathlessness.
The following pages have exercises and advice to improve the efficiency of your breathing if you have “dysfunctional breathing” or a “breathing pattern disorder”.
The breathing exercises may also be helpful if you have been diagnosed with anxiety, asthma or COPD, as an adjunct to medical management. There are also sections on cough management.
Your mental health is as important as your physical health – while you are recovering from COVID or living with the ongoing symptoms, it is understandable that many people feel a decline in their mental health.
It is important to address these issues to prevent worsening, and there are many ways to self-manage milder symptoms.
If your symptoms are worsening or you no longer feel that you can keep yourself or others safe, then please contact your GP or call NHS24 on 111 or 999 depending on the severity.
Breathing Space Scotland – a free, confidential, phone and webchat service for anyone in Scotland over the age of 16 experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety.
Lifelink – can offer support to anyone who is struggling to cope with everyday stress or is feeling anxious or depressed. 1:1 counselling available and a Glasgow based service.
Samaritans – for anyone who’s struggling to cope, who needs someone to listen without judgement or pressure. This is for if you are in crisis or to prevent a crisis.
Daylight – clinically proven digital treatment that uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques to help people gain control over their anxiety.
Those with Long COVID often struggle to return to work, study or unpaid work. The following webpages offer support and advice about how to plan your return to work, what to do if you have not been treated fairly by your employer and where to turn if you are exiting work or seeking new employment.
ACAS – free, impartial advice on workplace rights, rules and best practice
Access to Work – Government based agency offering support to those with a disability
Jobcentre – Support and advice on benefits and employability
Action for ME – a useful leaflet with advise and working examples for returning and remaining at work.
The Advocacy Project – human rights based organisation that supports people to have their voices heard and be empowered to be involved in decisions that affect their lives
The Federation of Small Businesses – for those self employed or running smaller businesses – advice, financial expertise, support and a powerful voice heard in government
Govan Law Centre – a free legal resource – a charity challenging poverty, discrimination and disadvantage. They specialise in housing, landlord and tenant, homelessness, welfare rights, money advice, social services, consumer and debt
Wellness Action Plan (MIND) – an example of a plan which can be useful for maintaining or returning to work.
Financial Advice
People living with Long term conditions often need to reduce their working hours or stop working to manage their condition. This may inevitably have an impact on their finances. The following pages may be able to help and guide you to money management or signpost you to grant or benefits to help.
Support and Information Services (NHSGGC) – a service within the NHSGGC who can advise on financial, social, educational, lifestyle issues and support groups and guiding through the complaints process.
Citizens Advice Scotland – help for benefits, debt and money, housing, work, family, law and courts and immigration for those living in Scotland.
Money Matters – a Welfare Rights Service, financial capability service based in Glasgow.
VoiceAbility – support for those with Long Term Conditions – eg – advice for applying for Adult Disability Payment / ADP (previously known as Personal Independence Payment / PIP)
Palpitations / Dizziness
Some people with Long COVID have been experiencing palpitations – a sensation of fast or inconsistent heart beats in their chests or dizziness. In some cases this is cardiac related, but many have been medically assessed and the symptom is not due to any damage to the heart.
If you have this symptom and cardiac cause has been ruled out then this may be classed as dysautonomia. This is a condition which many people have and can be managed with the right advice and treatment.
With Long COVID, you may find that you struggle with the minimal amount of activity due to fatigue.
If you are at a level where you can manage your activities of daily living without a set back in your symptoms then you may be ready to consider gradually introducing some additional activities.
Please ensure you are not pushing beyond what your energy levels are tolerating and allow for at least 3 days after introducing a new activity before repeating or progressing, especially if you have Post exertional Symptom Exacerbation (PESE, also known as PEM). .
Consider what you have planned before and after the new activity and ensure you are using a paced approach (see fatigue section regarding the 5Ps).
Please stop or reduce what you are doing if your symptoms are worsening and re-evaluate if you are ready to be more active.
The following links will provide you with some ideas for introducing a new activity or exercise:
Live Active is a service which is available in the NHSGGC council areas. Your GP or an NHS clinician can refer you. There are Live Active advisors who help you build the confidence you need to make positive lifestyle changes. They will personalise their support to make sure it meets your needs. With one-to-one catch-ups and supported activity sessions. These sessions can be based at your local council gyms for those who live within NHSGGC. The vitality classes may be a good starting point for those struggling with finding a starting point for exercise with Long COVID:
The Scottish Ballet Long COVID programme helps posture, alignment and body confidence and its creative elements address your whole being
For people with noise sensitivity after COVID, many have found that noise Reducing earplugshelpful.
Visual decline – please refer to your local opticians
Visual sensitivity – some have found that wearing coloured glasses lenses relieving, or wearing a cap to be helpful to shade the light from above.
Practical Solutions
Ask Sara – Impartial advice about equipment to help make daily living easier
Kitchen Aids – A list of small aids that can support you when completing kitchen tasks
Household Aids – A list of small aids that can support you when completing kitchen tasks
Personal Care Aids – A list of small aids that can support you when completing personal care tasks
Driving
Certain medical conditions need to be declared to DVLA. Some symptoms of Long COVID may impact on your ability to concentrate or safely manoeuvre a vehicle. If you do not declare a new or worsening health condition or disability, it may result in a fine or prosecution. Please see the DVLA website for further information and an A-Z list of conditions.
Neurodiversity
These pages have adapted fatigue strategies for those who are neurodivergent (eg – Autism or ADHD).
If Long COVID symptoms are not improving with self-management within 12 weeks of using the strategies or if you are struggling to manage them, then your GP may refer you to the Long COVID Service (assuming they have excluded any other medical reason for your symptoms.)
The Long COVID Service
The Long COVID Service is led by Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Healthcare Support Workers.
We offer Long COVID assessment and management.
There are no doctors in the team and we are unable to prescribe medication or advice on treatments which are not evidence based or experimental.
The SIGN guidelines have evidence based, safe treatment options.
We aim to offer advice and coping skills, helping you to set goals to work towards.
Fatigue management
Sleep advice
Breathing assessment and treatment
Cognitive strategies to address brain fog
Mental health and wellbeing advice
Physiotherapy assessment for muscle or joint pains
Advice for returning to work / study, recommendations for employers
Goal setting to return to work / study / hobbies
Assessment for assistive adaptations
Financial advice
Carer advice
Group sessions for peer support
Who the Long COVID service is for
Any adult who is living with Long COVID (having symptoms for 12 weeks or more)
The service will only be for those over the age of 16
People who are not acutely medically ill
People who are physically, psychologically or mentally impacted by their long COVID symptoms
People who are able to learn ways to manage their condition using Supported Self Management approaches
What will the service offer?
Help to improve, manage and live with Long COVID symptoms using a Supported Self Management Approach
Appointments in a way that suit people by video, telephone or in person at a clinic or home appointments
Time limited individual or group interventions
Support, treatment and strategies to help improve quality of life
Direct you to tools to help manage your condition
Information for referrers / GPs
Direct referrals will be accepted from GPs, Specialty Consultants and AHPs
GPs please refer via SCI.
AHPs and consultants can refer using this document if there is no access to SCI gateway:
Please ensure that patients meet the criteria:
Inclusion criteria
12 weeks symptoms persist following initial confirmed (PCR or LFT) or probable COVID-19 (decision made on best clinical judgement).
Patients who had a prolonged hospital stay due to COVID-19.
Patients who did not require hospital admission but have persistent or new COVID-19 symptoms 12 weeks post initial infection.
Patients with ongoing respiratory, neurological, functional, psychological or cognitive issues caused by COVID-19 disease 12 weeks post initial infection
Any other possible reasons for symptoms have been appropriately investigated
Exclusion criteria
Symptoms lasting less than 12 weeks.
Patients with suspected or confirmed active COVID-19.
Other medical conditions that may present with similar symptoms i.e. symptoms that are not Long COVID.
Patients with co-existent active cancer that would be best managed by the cancer pathway.
Patients with severe frailty.
Patients in the end of life period.
Patients with palliative care needs.
Patients who are in mental health crisis.
Patients living outside NHSGGC boundary
May be discussed
Patient is resident in a nursing home.
Ongoing medical investigations for other conditions.
Patient is receiving long term oxygen therapy.
Patients needs are being met elsewhere (eg community respiratory team).
Information for patients
Please speak to your GP if you think this service could help you.
If you meet the criteria then your GP can refer you directly and you will receive a questionnaire by text, email or by post to complete once you reach the top of the waiting list.
Please read the following before attending for the first time:
Moving Forward Together – Implementation Strategy workshops with our staff.
Based on the MFT principals established pre-COVID and taking into account any lessons learned during the pandemic, a number of engagement workshops have taken place across NHSGGC services to progress our Moving Forward Together (MFT) Strategy.
The workshops enable us to liaise with our clinical staff to consider the clinical model and the physical infrastructure required to achieve the objectives as set out in the MFT strategy.
In the coming months, we will review the feedback from these workshops and provide updates on this webpage when appropriate.
What is Moving Forward Together
The Background
The way that healthcare and social care services in Greater Glasgow and Clyde are provided is changing.
Prior to the pandemic we began working together with patients, the public, staff and other stakeholders to develop plans for a better, modernised, healthcare and social care system in line with the Scottish Government’s vision and to allow us to keep pace with national and regional developments.
This new system of care will be organised in the most effective way to provide safe, effective, person-centred and sustainable care to meet the current and future needs of our population. New ways of working will be developed which provide safe, effective and patient centred care, make best use of available resources and the opportunities created by innovation and technology.
The ‘Moving Forward Together’ strategy provides a clear plan for change to make this a reality. Delivery of the Programme will see improvements in care and outcomes for everyone.
You can use these pages to keep up to date with the Moving Forward Together Programme across NHSGGC.
