Anne Campbell
Anne Campbell, acting service development manager, has worked at the Bellshill Clinic for 28 years – the majority of these as a district nurse.
She completed her training at Hairmyres Hospital where she began her career in theatre nursing, moving to Monklands Hospital in January 1977.
In 1980 she joined Bellshill Clinic as a district nurse.
Anne, from Strathaven, has noticed many changes in health service in Bellshill during over the years.
Anne said: “It’s like night and day when comparing the role of a district nurse today to when I started.
“In 1980 the district nurses did not have an office at the Bellshill Clinic. We used to stand out in the corridor where we would go through our work notes.
"On a Friday all 14 of us would sit on the floor in the nursing officer’s room, where we would be allocated our work for the day by our Nursing office, Jess McLean, whose trademark was her cigarette holder, which most people will remember her by.
"She was a very capable, professional woman, who was liked and respected by her staff.
“We then moved into a room which had one big desk and one filing cabinet which would be overflowing with records.
“Our role in those days was primarily getting people up and dressed, bathing them, changing dressings, and giving injections.
“If they became ill or terminal they would be admitted to hospital.
“The whole emphasis of district nursing has changed to supporting people and their carers to allow them to stay in their homes to the end of life, through integrated care with specialist nurses, social work, and voluntary agencies."
Standards of Living
“The standards of living have changed drastically. There were many poor houses 28 years ago and cleanliness in the homes left a lot to be desired. Very often your feet would stick to the carpet they were so dirty.
“Sometimes there would be no soap or towels in the house and we would have to use our own soap and perhaps cut a tea towel in half to wash and dry the patients with.
“Because there were no allowances money was scarce and I have often raided my dad’s wardrobe to get some clothes for some old man. Thankfully people are more comfortable now."
No Regrets
“There have been many exciting changes in District Nursing but I don’t think I’d change a thing about my own career as I’d have missed a lot of happy times.
“I have had a lot of satisfaction out of my job and wouldn’t have changed it for the world, it’s been a great experience.
"Bellshill Clinic has been a terrific place to work, the staff have been there for years and are very supportive of each other.”
Bellshill healthcare -today and tomorrow
As well as district nursing, services such as dentistry, district nursing, podiatry, pre-natal clinics, speech and language therapy and physiotherapy are provided at the Bellshill Clinic, on Main Street.
The clinic is located in the original institute building which has provided health services since before the nationalisation of the NHS.
However, Bellshill is set to benefit from the new £4.5 million Bellshill Health Centre later this year.
Work has already begun on the new centre, which is being built in Greenmoss Place near Main Street, and will provide a wide range of health services in a first class, modern facility.
It will replace the existing Bellshill Health Clinic on Main Street.
Services to be provided include: podiatry, speech and language therapy, child immunisation and surveillance, physiotherapy, dietetics, well woman clinic, antenatal, adult mental health services, community dental services, minor surgery, cervical screening, coronary heart disease surveillance, long term condition, counselling, public health team and health promotion, EVA (ending violence and abuse) Project.
The primary care resource centre is due to open in October 2008.
Unlike other localities in Lanarkshire, all the GP practices in Bellshill locality still remain in individual locations in much in the same way they did before 1948.