Health workers praised

Health staff have been praised for helping patients across Renfrewshire lead healthier lifestyles.

New figures from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have found more than 22,000 patients have been referred from hospital to a range of NHS support projects.

The quit smoking service is supporting unprecedented numbers with a 15 per cent increase this year while referrals to the board’s alcohol brief intervention service has increased to more than 5,200.

The weight management service has also seen a five per cent rise.

Director of public health, Dr Linda de Caestecker praised staff for all their hard work in identifying and promoting health improvement.

She said: “Health and wellbeing can be improved not just through medical interventions. By offering people access to a range of support services such as money advice, physical activity, weight management support, smoking cessation advice and alcohol interventions, we can ensure people maximise their health and wellbeing.

“Doctors, nurses and therapists in our acute hospitals are routinely identifying patients and their families who are at risk of poverty or inequality and by working with community colleagues and third sector organisations providing families and individuals with the knowledge of where and how to access any additional support they need.

“We have already seen a 79 per cent increase in referrals to physical activity support with a large number being referred from our oncology, cardiac, respiratory and stroke services.”

As well as patients, their families and visitors, staff can also access support through a range of staff initiatives including active travel, health behaviour training, financial advice and support for staff with carer responsibilities in line with the carer positive employer scheme.

Debbie Schofield, public health programme manager, added: “The success to date is a result of the efforts and enthusiasm of a wide range of teams across the organisation and I am very grateful for their continued support.

“The programme has focused on making it as easy as possible for staff, patients and visitors to talk about things that may be impacting on their wellbeing and access the services that can help.”