Act of kindness goes a long way for RAH staff
Staff at the Royal Alexandra Hospital have been learning more about how their little acts of kindness go a long way in boosting people’s wellbeing.
Dozens of nurses, doctors and support staff from the Paisley hospital took part in a recent workshop where they explored the impact of a kind smile, a reassuring word and a hand on the shoulder of a worried patient or colleague.
The session was hosted by Tommy Whitelaw who is national lead for caring and outreach at
Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland.
A veteran of the speaking circuit, Tommy has held more than 2,000 talks attended by more than 270,000 people.
The talk at the RAH was open to all staff and explored the theme of intelligent kindness – an idea that encourages staff to think about their interactions with people, and how the right actions, and the right questions, can have a huge impact on wellbeing.
Tommy, himself, has firsthand experience of the power of even the smallest action and, in the talks, he recounted his own story of being a full-time carer to his mother. During this time, when Tommy was at a real low due to the demands of his mother’s care, a simple hand on the shoulder from a member of staff made a huge difference to him – ultimately setting him on a path towards talking to many NHS staff including those at the RAH.
In a testament to their commitment to their patients, more than 120 people attended the talks at the RAH and Greenock’s Inverclyde Royal Hospital – despite increasing pressure on all NHS workers and their time.
It is hoped they will be able to use what they heard to fully consider how moments of kindness can improve the personcentred care they provide patients and their relatives, and also build a great place to work by improving relationships among their teams.
The sessions were organised by the clinical nurse educator team in NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde’s Clyde sector.
Lorna Loudon, chief nurse for acute services in the Clyde sector, said: “I am hugely encouraged that so many colleagues came along to the sessions at both hospitals.
“All our staff are extremely busy just now, and it is testament to the value they all place on this important aspect of their work that they made time to attend.
“I would like to thank them all for their hard work and commitment – but also for the fact that they are prepared to go the extra mile for the good of our patients, their relatives, and each other.”
The Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland is a national third-sector body which works with health boards, health and social care partnerships and a range of other bodies to support people who are disabled or living with long-term conditions, and unpaid carers.
All our staff are extremely busy just now and it is testament to the value they all place on this important aspect of their work