Dedicated Derek sings the praises of his dream team
Over the coming year The Oban Times is running a series of fortnightly articles championing the work carried out by Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) in the Oban, Lorn and the Isles locality.
Each article will feature a specific service provided by the HSCP and will focus on the staff who provide that service and the role they play in making a positive difference for the people living in Oban and surrounding areas.
This week we look at the work of the the lead physiotherapist for Argyll.
DEREK LAIDLER is Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership’s lead physiotherapist.
His career at Lorn and Islands hospital began in 2010 and in 2012 he took on the role of physiotherapist team lead.
As team lead for physiotherapy in Oban, his job is to oversee the smooth day-to-day running of the physiotherapy department and one of the main elements in the job is to ensure that physiotherapy services across the area are developed to meet the strategic aims of the HSCP.
Derek is originally from Northumberland and has now settled in Connel with his wife Paula, sons Ben and Harry, and dog Seb.
He loves the country life because Argyll is such a great family-orientated place to raise his family and he continually meets amazing people. When things are tough, all he does is look around at the stunning scenery to realise how lucky he is to be part of the Oban community.
Derek started his physiotherapy career in a specialist stroke rehabilitation unit in the north-east of England and knew immediately he had chosen a suitable career. He then worked in a number of busy general hospitals with his main interest always remaining in neurology.
Derek’s final job before moving to Oban was in accident and emergency, providing early assessment and treatment for patients.
Derek’s normal working hours are 8.30am until 4.30pm, although having a very young family means that his day usually starts at the crack of dawn and, since he has no choice but to be up with the larks, he tries to have a workout session at the local gym before starting work.
His daily priority is to ensure that quality services are provided across hospital inpatients, community services and outpatient clinics.
Derek’s managerial role also includes attending meetings to develop services and partnership working, but he always aims to spend as much of his time as he can delivering clinical practice for patients. He holds a very strong interest in patients who have been diagnosed with neurological conditions such as stroke and multiple sclerosis (MS) as physiotherapy treatment can help increase people’s physical fitness which will help them to maintain active lifestyles.
Derek added that he could not ask for better co-workers. He is incredibly proud of his small ‘dream team’, as he calls them, who are all dedicated health professionals with a wide range of knowledge and skills.
He also emphasises the importance of demonstrating compassion towards every patient, carer and family member, and strongly believes that if you are unable to be compassionate at all times, then you really should not be working in any healthcare position or environment.
Derek juggles his different roles on a daily basis, with a huge reliance on support staff to help him. The biggest challenge he has daily is educating patients, families and carers about the risks posed by inactivity. He also always aims to discharge people from hospital as soon as it is clinically safe to do so because of the potential risks caused by being inactive.
Being dedicated to his healthcare role can sometimes make it difficult for him to switch off from his day job. However, having two lively boys under three does force him to switch off at home, as when he walks through his front door his focus is switched from work to helping his wife with nappies, toys and tantrums.
They are a physically active family and are regulars at the local parkrun at Ganavan Sands.
Despite Derek having a hip replacement in 2016, he will be completing a number of cycling events this year - including a 150-mile coast-to-coast cycle ride in one day, plus running in the Glencoe marathon in September – and he adds that it’s pointless extolling the value of exercise if he is not going to take his own advice.
Derek would also like to remind everyone to make healthier life choices, such as exercising, eating better, drinking less alcohol and stopping smoking. These are just a few of the very simple things we can all do can make a big difference to leading happier, healthier and safer lives.
His advice is to visit nhsinform.com healthy living section to find out what you can do to look after your mental and physical wellbeing to get more advice, tips and information on healthier living.