NHS Lanarkshire’s staff were praised by the health board’s chief executive and chairman for their hard work and dedication in 2011.
Chief executive Tim Davison and chairman Ken Corsar also highlighted some of the health board’s successes in the previous 12 months as they looked ahead to 2012.
Tim said: “The key to improving the level of healthcare we provide, and the health of the Lanarkshire community, is the dedication of our staff.
“I’d like to them all for the compassionate care they provide our patients every day.
“Through their skills, dedication and commitment we can ensure we’re continuing to provide our community with the best possible care.”
Chairman Ken Corsar added: “The dedication, professionalism and hard work of our staff and volunteers are crucial to the health board’s aims of improving the health outcomes for the people of Lanarkshire.
Ken Corsar
“Throughout the year I have met with a wide range of staff and have consistently been impressed by their commitment, diligence and enthusiasm.
“Together with our partners and public, including North and South Lanarkshire Councils and the Public Partnership Forums, I look forward to continuing our efforts in improving the health of Lanarkshire’s population through 2012.”
Looking back at 2011 Tim highlighted some of the key successes in NHS Lanarkshire’s efforts to improve health.
He said: “In 2011 our performance and waiting time targets have consistently been achieved and we’ve reduced healthcare associated infections.
“We are improving the care we provide through a range of quality improvement initiatives.
“We continued to operate within a balanced financial position which allowed us to continue our £90 million capital investment programme.
“In 2011 Beckford Lodge, a £8.4m facility for adults with mental health needs, was opened.
“This marked a major step forward in the modernisation of mental health services in Lanarkshire.”
Looking ahead to 2012 Tim outlined some of the key challenges and targets for the health board.
He said: “The building of new facilities will continue with the Airdrie Community Health Centre, due to be completed in the summer of 2012 at a cost of £26.9 million.
“Over the next few months we will be devising a five year strategy which will prioritise our key objectives in line with national policies, including the Quality Strategy, and ensure we deliver the highest quality of healthcare services to the people of Lanarkshire.
“Substantial work will continue at Monklands Hospital including larger scale projects, such as the construction of additional parking and repair work to the external cladding.
“It will also include less visible work such as improvement to drainage, heating and electrical supply, all of which is essential to ensure Monklands remains a modern, efficient hospital.”
A key objective for NHS Lanarkshire in 2012 will be to continue shifting the balance of care for older people from residential settings.
Tim said: “The Scottish Government has given Lanarkshire £7.8 million for the Change Fund in 2011/12, with the aim of improving services for older people and their carers.
“This will involve providing more community-based services to help people stay in their own home and get home from hospital earlier.”
Key milestones for NHS Lanarkshire in 2011:
· Clinical haematology inpatient services were concentrated within a 20-bed unit in ward 16 at Monklands Hospital – an increase of four beds.
In addition, lung cancer oncology services were concentrated at Monklands. Rosemary Lyness, NHS Lanarkshire’s director of acute services said: “By improving and modernising our cancer services we will ensure our patients continue to benefit from the highest level of care.
"Patients will benefit from the improved access to dedicated haematology beds, specialist doctors, nurses and other healthcare staff.”
· In March the £4.8 million Glencairn Facility at Coathill Hospital opened, marking a new era in mental healthcare.
This followed the completion of the new £8.14m Beckford Lodge and refurbishment of Caird House.
Together these developments marked a major step forward in the modernisation of mental health services in Lanarkshire.
While the new era gathered pace, another had ended with the closure of Hartwoodhill Hospital in February.
· Hairmyres and Wishaw General hospitals celebrated 10 years of providing top class healthcare in modern facilities.
The new £67.5 million Hairmryes Hospital opened to patients on 25 March 2001.
Just over two months later, healthcare in Lanarkshire received another huge boost when the new £100m Wishaw General opened its doors on 29 May.
· The concentration of NHS Lanarkshire’s headquarters to Kirklands Hospital in Bothwell was completed.
Staff who previously worked in corporate departments at the former HQ at Beckford Street, Strathclyde Hospital and Cleland Hospital relocated to the new offices.
Revenue savings of over £2m were expected within the first five years of the centralisation through improved working practices and redesign of service provision.
· In July Scottish golf star Colin Montgomerie attended an event at Monklands Hospital on the site where the Elizabeth Montgomerie Building at Maggie’s Lanarkshire is to be built.
Colin was joined by NHS Lanarkshire staff, Maggie’s centre users and supporters and the architects involved in the project to bury a commemorative time capsule.
· The West of Scotland Laundry (WoSL) received a Gold award in the prestigious RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Awards 2011.
The WoSL, part of NHS Lanarkshire’s property and support services division (PSSD), processes over 220,000 items a week including sheets, pillowcases and barrier gowns for all hospitals and care centres within NHS Lanarkshire, NHS Dumfries and Galloway, NHS Ayrshire and Arran and the State Hospital.
· A new MRI scanner was installed at Monklands Hospital which will improve treatment and offer faster, more in-depth information.
The scanner will enable the hospital to meet growing demand for its services, reduce waiting times and provide a more convenient, local service for patients.
· Minister for Public Health Michael Matheson MSP praised NHS Lanarkshire for their efforts at the health board’s Annual Review.
He also praised the Board for meeting the key waiting time and other access targets in 2011/12, including meeting the nine-week inpatient and day case target some three months ahead of schedule.
· The new Lanarkshire Centre for Dermatology at Monklands Hospital was officially opened. Dr Freida Shaffrali, consultant dermatologist, said: “Demand for Dermatology services increase year-on-year.
The new facilities are at the centre of the newly redesigned Dermatology service which sees roughly 16,000 referrals per year.
The centre will provide specialist dermatology day treatment, investigations and outpatient clinics, complemented by the core serves that are available across the three acute sites and in primary care.”
· NHS Lanarkshire support worker Gordon Morrison and a primary healthcare team at Douglasdale Medical Practice were presented with national accolades at the Scottish Health Awards.
Gordon, from Airbles Road Resource Centre, accepted the Support Workers Award while the Douglasdale team was selected as a winner for the Top Team Award.