NHS Forth Valley was well represented at the recent NHS Scotland Event which took place at the SEC in Glasgow on Monday 19th June 2023. The theme for this year’s event was recovery and renewal across health and social care. Sessions focussed on how we meet the changing needs and demands of the population by improving access to services, focussing on prevention and reducing health inequalities. The event also explored how we ensure that we have a workforce that feels valued and well supported.
First up from NHS Forth Valley was Dr Catherine Labinjoh, Cardiologist and Realistic Medicine National Clinical Advisor for the Scottish Government. Catherine was part of a panel which explored the key themes in the Chief Medical Officer’s latest Annual Report. This focuses on sustainability, the causes of health inequalities and the current disparity in healthy life expectancy in Scotland.
NHS Forth Valley staff then presented a session with Scottish Government colleagues titled: Creating Positive Workplace Cultures for Those Who Care for Others. Rachel Tardito, our Equality, Diversity and Wellbeing Lead, presented a session with Scottish Government colleagues titled: Creating Positive Workplace Cultures for Those Who Care for Others. This explored the aims and outcomes of Our Workforce Wellbeing Plan and highlighted the work underway to support the financial, physical, mental and social wellbeing of local staff across Forth Valley. Dr Susan Ramsay, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, then outlined our Occupational Health Service’s Mental Health Pilot Project and the fantastic Peer Support Programme. Aimee Kidd, Nurse Psychotherapist, shared the great work she and her team in Adult Psychological Services have been doing to support staff wellbeing, from planting sunflowers in a garden areas to pumpkin carving competition.
Staff involved in presenting the sessions said it was lovely to see so many NHS Forth Valley colleagues in the audience and they are keen to hear how those who attend can bring the learning from the event back to the organisation.
All resources from the NHS Scotland Event 2023, are now available on the Event website. This includes filmed footage of all plenary, mini plenary, parallel and spotlight sessions along with presentations.
