News

Congratulations to NHS Lothian, NHS Lanarkshire and the National Waiting Times Centre Board (NWTCB) all of which received the Investing in Volunteers Award at Volunteer Development Scotland’s Annual General Meeting at the Scottish Parliament on Saturday 5th December 2009.

The event was attended by over 100 members who showed their appreciation for Katrina Murray (NHS Lanarkshire), Diane Lockhart (NHS Lothian) and Mark Swatton (NWTCB) who received the award from Bill Howat (Chair, Volunteer Development Scotland).

Having invested much time and effort to ensure the standard was achieved, each representative agreed that the process of achieving IiV had proved beneficial in a number of ways. Primarily acting as a catalyst for change to ensure not only a high standard of volunteer support is provided, but more importantly to ensure volunteers benefit from a worthwhile and beneficial experience which adds value towards the quality of service offered to NHS users and patients.

Mark Swatton, Head of Clinical Governance from the NWTCB stated “It’s extremely valuable to have volunteers in visiting patients. We have a patient centered approach and it’s useful for them to have access to a range of individuals to meet their needs. Volunteers add richness to their experience and offer a different perspective.”

Other NHS Boards are making good progress and are working towards achieving the Investing in Volunteers award by March 2011.

Congratulations to Margaret Sherwood, Chaplaincy Volunteer from Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride who won the Volunteers Award at the Scottish Health Awards on 11th November 2009. The other short listed nominations were Ayr Black Taxis who’s drivers give up their own time to provide day trip transport for patients at NHS Ayrshire, and Care & Share from Riverside Church in Ayr, which offers homeless and vulnerable people a safe place to receive practical health care support.

Margaret was awarded the Volunteer Award by Nicola Sturgeon MSP, Deputy First Minister and Minister for Health and Wellbeing, and was congratulated by George Thomson, Chief Executive of Volunteer Development Scotland (see picture insert) for her hard work and dedication taking patients to services provided by Hairmyres Hospital for almost 50 years.

During a period of significant change to the chaplaincy her nominator, Derek Peat, Chaplian, said “She has kept coming, kept smiling and kept participating”.

The volunteering contribution made by Margaret over such a long period of time was a deciding factor that led to her recognition.

Just over 80 participants took part in the first Learning Event on the Refreshed Strategy for Volunteering in the NHS which was held in Edinburgh on 24 March.

Shona Robison, Scottish Government Minister for Public Health and Sport, participated in the Learning Event and said the following

On the Role of Nominated Leads on Volunteering

"The nominated lead person within each Board is responsible for implementing a volunteering development plan across their Board area. Key to this is the work each Board will need to do to achieve the Investing in Volunteers Standard. We want all Boards to achieve this to guarantee a quality experience for volunteers.

I think we now need to take the nominated lead role a step further and call upon them to become Champions of the strategy. We need them to lead the way in raising awareness and instilling a more positive attitude across all areas of work within the NHS."

On a Mutual NHS

"A mutual NHS will require shifts in control, status and participation that cannot be achieved overnight. The plan sets out to embed the mutual philosophy in the way in which NHSScotland helps people of Scotland to sustain and improve their health and takes action to improve the quality of care services. Volunteering will help us achieve our mutual NHS."

On Partnership Working

"We need to make the best use of the opportunity for co-operation and partnership working with local authorities and links to Community Planning Partnerships. This will provide important links that should be fostered in each area."

Two DVDs were shown at the Learning Event.

In this DVD you will see various people talking about the achievements of the Refreshed Strategy in its first year, 2008/09. It features Heather Teirney Moore, first Chair of the National Group; Jackie McQueen, PFPI Coordinator at the State Hospital; Agnes McKenna, Voluntary Services Manager, NHS Lothian; Helen McKinnon, Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions, NHS Education Scotland; Tim Montgomery, Operations Manager, Royal Edinburgh Hospital and Harriet Eadie, Manager, Volunteer Centre Edinburgh.

Views On The First Year Of The Refreshed Strategy >>

In this DVD you will see people giving their views about the future opportunities and challenges for volunteering in NHSScotland including Heather Teirney Moore and Tim Montgomery 

Views On Future Opportunities and Challenges >>

First Health Board achieves Investing in Volunteers!

 

Congratulations to The State Hospital as the first Health Board in Scotland to successfully achieve the Investing in Volunteers Standard.

Pictured left - Gordon Craig, Chairperson of the State Hospital, is presented with the Investing in Volunteers award by George Thomson, Chief Executive Officer of Volunteer Development Scotland at a special event held in the State Hospital on 21 January 2009.

Gordon said  "The important and valuable contribution made by volunteers to enrich the quality of daily life for patients is recognised. Receiving this award and external recognition provides assurance that what we are doing, we are doing right. However, we must not become complacent.  We know we have more work to do and are committed to making further progress in the years ahead."

"It’s been a very worthwhile process of assessment and this independent validation of achievement demonstrates the progress that the State Hospital is striving to make."

Many Health Boards have now completed their audit of volunteers and are now working towards the Investing in Volunteers Standard.

Designated Leads for Volunteering in NHS Boards should ensure that their Board has registered on the IiV website which will enable them to access resources and guidance.

The IiV section of our website provides you with further information or contact your IiV Advisor at Volunteer Development Scotland.

Investing In Volunteers

Pat Dawson, Associate Nurse Director at NHS Lothian has taken over from Professor Heather Tierney Moore, previously Director for Nursing at NHS Lothian, as chairperson of the National Group.

The National Group was established by the Scottish Government to provide leadership at a national level in implementing the Refreshed Strategy for Volunteering in the NHS. 

In November 2008, Volunteer Development Scotland sponsored the ‘Volunteers Award’ of the Scottish Health Awards. Our congratulations go to Anne Campbell, the successful candidate who was recognised for her enthusiasm and inspiration raising funds for the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Their annual fundraising event, also organised by Anne, took place at Borders General Hospital. Unfortunately Anne was unable to attend the Awards evening herself but her MS Society Scotland (Borders Branch) colleague Judy Eglington, attended on her behalf.

The event was attended by the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing Nicola Sturgeon and hosted by TV presenter, Jackie Bird. Volunteer Development Scotland were joined for the evening by guests from NHS Scotland and the Scottish Government Health Directorates.

Three Health Boards participated in a pilot evaluation in 2008 to assess the impact of volunteering in NHS Scotland. The reports from the pilot are now available below.

A further report which summarises key learning from the pilot will be available soon.

Impact Assessment Report- Glasgow Breastfeeding Initiative

Impact Assessment Report - NHS Lothian

Impact Assessment Report - State Hospital

NHS Lanarkshire held a reception for volunteers and voluntary organisations as a part of the 60th Anniversary of the NHS celebrations in October 2008. Over 100 volunteers attended the evenings celebration and the event was covered in all of the local papers.

Story and photograph provided by Katrina Murray, Voluntary Services Manager, NHS Lanarkshire.