Moderate Nematodirus worm risk
The re-launch of this week of the service which forecasts the risks of the sheep gastrointestinal worm, nematodirus – which aims to reduce lamb mortality – has highlighted that the risk already stands at “moderate” in some areas.
Operated by the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) initiative, the free service provides a web-based facility allowing sheep farmers and advisors to check the nematodirus threat as young lambs graze throughout the spring and summer. The interactive forecast map is updated daily using data from 140 weather stations around the UK. Users can zoom into their area, select the nearest or most representative weather station and act according to the predicted risk to their particular farm.
The forecast which provides general advice for sheep farmers, advisors and vets to decide the most appropriate approach for individual farms has shown that the recent marked rise in temperature has created risks in areas of the UK.
“Nematodirosis is a particularly nasty disease in lambs, causing a high number of mortalities and stunting the growth of many others,” said vet Lesley Stubbings. “It is caused by the Nematodirus battus worm which, under certain climatic conditions can strike very quickly. Cold weather delays worm hatching so, when we get a sudden change in temperature, as is so common in spring, it can trigger a mass hatch.” Dr Hannah Vineer of Liverpool University added that when the risk increased farmers should think about avoiding or preventing infection to protect lambs.
Construction industry expert Angus Macdonald has rejoined consultancy Summers-inman at its Scottish headquarters in Edinburgh.
Macdonald, who previously worked for the company for four years from 2014 to 2018, has been appointed associate director to head up its cost consultancy services in Scotland.
Described as “vastly experienced”, Macdonald has worked in construction consultancy in Scotland for 27 years. He said: “It’s an exciting time to be rejoining Summersinman. There is a lot of positivity around the company just now despite the challenges the country has faced.
“It’s a good fit for me and it feels good to be back. I know a lot of the people and how the business works and it was a familiar, friendly environment to come back into.
“There are a lot of plans to take the company forward in Scotland and I’m looking forward to being involved. We are in a good position with the client base we have.”
Clyde Munro, Scotland’s largest dental group, has seen off more than 30 other suitors to acquire a Glasgow family practice with some 3,000 patients.
FJ Murphy Dental Clinic in Bishopbriggs was established in 1964 and has had just two principal dentists – Frazer Murphy and his father before him, Jack Murphy.
Now it has joined the Clyde Munro Dental Group, as part of an investment programme that has taken the Glasgowbased group to 46 practices and more than 400,000 patients.
To ensure a smooth transition, Frazer Murphy will be staying on as an associate, focusing on clinical care while the buyout has secured the future of the seven-strong team.
He said: “It’s no secret that the running of a dental practice requires a great deal more paperwork than it once did. Having Clyde Munro come in to take over that management will allow me to focus on patient care again.
“Pleasingly, we had no short
age of offers, but from the outset Clyde Munro has been interested, engaged – and upfront. This process is something I’ll only go through once in my life – and it was very reassuring.
“Now the focus for me is to work with Clyde Munro to ensure patient care is the best in class and that we can invest in ways that bring maximum benefit to our patients.”
The practice is one of four acquired by Clyde Munro in recent weeks and it now has premises in all of Scotland’s cities, as well as throughout rural areas, including Orkney, Aberdeenshire, the Highlands and the Borders.
Chief development officer Kirsty Dace said: “This is a close-knit community and a well-established, welcoming practice that is testament to Frazer and his team.
“Clyde Munro takes great pride in keeping the heart of each family practice as we invest in latest techniques, training and technologies that will benefit customers.”
Clyde Munro was founded by Jim Hall in 2015 with the acquisition of seven practices. Since then, it has seen rapid growth through acquisition. Its ambition is to become Scotland’s “local dentist”, operating an expanding network of family dentists across the country.
Recently I was asked about the key issues for leaders during this Covid-19 crisis. The pandemic has turned our world upside down and words like resilience, mental health, working from home burnout, intensified workloads, zoom fatigue, exhaustion and “no switch off ” boundaries are regular features. This is the same for all of us, including the leaders I coach; but the difference is they not only need to lead themselves, but also others in this very challenging time. So what’s important for leaders to consider just now?
Firstly, a crisis of this nature needs a different kind of leadership; we need focus, stamina and resilience, but we also need to be compassionate. Emotional intelligence is even more important to be able to empathise and step into other people’s shoes and truly understand what is going on for them. We need to recognise the contributions and efforts people have made, but in ways that are meaningful to them. Sometimes a simple “thank you” or appreciation note makes all the difference.
This is hard when the leaders themselves are having the same struggle.
The leaders I’m working with say that getting help to focus on their challenges has resulted in developing more pragmatic coping strategies to make the shift needed in this unusual situation. They tell me this helps them to be calmer, more in control and also to see things from a different and, often more optimistic perspective. This helps them get even closer to their people and the business challenges.
Secondly, we know leaders need to have vision for people to follow. However we have not been in a pandemic before, so we need to create something different and we need to do it in a way that inspires others to come on the new journey. Open and honest communication helps people have a clear underauthenticity
standing of what’s going to happen in the workplace. Transparency helps to reduce ambiguity and confusion and it also shows support and genuine care for their people; an essential remedy to combat feelings of isolation and disconnection that many are enduring. Leaders need to set the tone for the organisation and refresh the culture and we need to do this by being our true selves; is so engaging but not easy during such a vulnerable time.
Finally, we cannot communicate too much in a crisis. Leaders need to make sure they engage with the workforce and often. They need to be asking questions to explore new opportunities, listen and gather ideas for new ways of working. Involve others in the search for new methods that will be game changing; this can be throughout the organisation and beyond to customers and stakeholders. We need to encourage exploration and create some excitement and renewed confidence about thriving in the future.
Anxiety has been running high and will have taken its toll on energy, motivation and morale. Collaborating and bringing people together reduces that level of anxiety and helps overcome feelings of being overwhelmed. Connecting with our people is vital.
Leadership can be lonely and isolating at the best of times, but never more so in a crisis. Having a coach can provide support as well a detached and confidential perspective which might just help cut through the Covid fog. And as they said in the old BT advert, it is good to talk!
Caroline Donaldson is Director at Kynesis Coaching