Achieving new skills

Firefighters in training

Firefighters have been training in Cambuslang to support vulnerable members of the community.

Parkinson’s UK has found that a lack of awareness of the condition and its symptoms can make everyday activities such as shopping and dealing with public services difficult.

Employers have been asked to take advantage of a short free online video awareness training package to inform their staff about the condition.

And the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have been involved in developing the training and ensuring all employees take part.

The service is also an enthusiastic advocate of awareness training and wants others to follow in its footsteps.

Assistant chief officer David McGown, the SFRS’ director of prevention and protection, said: “We are delighted to have been involved in the development of this training – it’s quick and easy to deliver and provides colleagues with a hugely invaluable insight into Parkinson’s that helps us shape and deliver services effectively and appropriately.

“It also serves to underline the potential which lies in true partnership working to make Scotland’s communities safer.

“This also follows the opening of our Safe and Well House at the SFRS HQ in Cambuslang, where firefighters are trained to support vulnerable members of the community by helping them learn how to look out for signs of danger that could lead to slips and trips, while also identifying the needs of those living with dementia.

“I’d encourage all employers across Scotland to sign up for the free online video training.”

Parkinson’s has more than 40 symptoms and many are little known among the wider public. Almost two thirds of people, 64 per cent, identify having a tremor as the symptom most commonly associated with Parkinson’s.

But a tremor is not experienced by everyone – and more than 12,000 people with Parkinson’s in Scotland frequently experience other symptoms too.

Problems with muscle stiffness, movement and sleep along with bladder and bowel issues are very common.

Annie Macleod, director of Parkinson’s UK in Scotland, said: “Parkinson’s symptoms can affect every aspect of a person’s life. From mobility and balance, to bladder and bowel and communication combined with mental health symptoms and dementia, Parkinson’s can cause major challenges.”

We are delighted to be involved