LIFESAVERS
INNOVATORS GET RESULTS Group in north-east of Scotland have introduced mobile phone app and website advice in bid to reduce the number of suicides
AN INNOVATIVE team have reduced the number of suicides by almost a third in the north-east of Scotland.
The impressive figures have led to multi-partner collaboration Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire Choose Life Steering Group being named as finalists in two categories in this year’s Scottish Health Awards.
The group have made it to the Innovation and Care for Mental Health award categories.
Choose Life is a national strategy introduced 15 years ago to address the rising number of suicides in Scotland.
In Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, they have taken the strategy to a new level.
In 2015, a steering committee made up of representatives from councils, NHS Grampian, the police and charities became aware of three alarming trends – people using the internet to find information on suicide
prior to taking their own lives, very few who commit suicide being known to mental health services and an increase in the number of women taking their own lives.
They launched a suicide prevention app and a website to help people who are reluctant to speak to professionals, family or friends. Now, anyone searching using key words such as “wanting to die” or “suicide” will be redirected to websites such as the Samaritans or Breathing Space.
In 2016, the number of suicides fell by 29 per cent, including three months when there were none at all.
Ex-policeman Iain Murray, group co-ordinator, said: “We’re delighted to be getting the message out.” ★ Forth Valley First Responders ★ Roslynn and Andy Hume ★ Macmillan @ Glasgow Libraries volunteer team ★ Ian Murray and the Live Active motivators
OPTOMETRIST AWARD MIDWIFE AWARD YOUNG ACHIEVER AWARD UNSUNG HERO AWARD HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE AWARD
★ Katie Bryson, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde ★ Craig Campbell ★ Carol Semple ★ Jennifer Cowe, NHS Fife ★ Elaine Kelso, NHS Ayrshire and Arran ★ Mairi Milne, NHS Highland ★ Gemma McGinty, NHS Lothian ★ Natalie Rooney, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde ★ Andrea Wood, NHS Lothian CARE FOR LONG-TERM ILLNESS AWARD ★ Glasgow City HSCP Community Respiratory Team, Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership ★ The multi-disciplinary team working within the NHS Centre for Integrative Care, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde ★ Maggi Reeves, specialist nurse, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde ★REALISE Support and Learning Services, Angus Health and Social Care Partnership ★ Kyle Gauld, NHS Grampian ★ Niall McGoldrick, NHS Tayside ★ Leanne Patrick, University of Stirling ★ Vi Grant, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde ★ Crail GP Practice – Practice Nurse and Lead Pharmacist, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde ★ NHS Lanarkshire Learning Disability Physiotherapy Team ★ Julie Stewart, NHS Tayside ★ The team working at the NHS Centre for Integrative Care, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
LEADER OF THE YEAR AWARD
★ Dr Jenny Preston, NHS Ayrshire and Arran ★ John Pritchard, Scottish Ambulance Service ★ Duncan Stang, NHS Lanarkshire
DENTIST AWARD
★ Elaine Casey, NHS Lothian ★ Barry Corkey, NHS Fife ★ Gregor McIntosh, NHS Forth Valley
NURSE AWARD
★ Debbie McFarlane, NHS Tayside ★ Eileen Mulholland, NHS Lanarkshire ★ Vicky Stewart, NHS Lanarkshire
DOCTOR AWARD
★ Nick Dunn, NHS Highland ★ Glen Hall, NHS Highland ★ Dr Sabu James, NHS Lanarkshire ★ Aberdeen Royal Infirmary ECMO Team, NHS Grampian ★ Plenshin Court Residential Children’s Unit Team, Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership ★ Scottish Ambulance Service, Melrose Station, ● The winners in all categories will be announced at a glitzy awards ceremony on November 2 at the Corn Exchange, Edinburgh.
TOP TEAM AWARD