Health heroes recognised for vital intervention service
GREGOR FARQUHARSON
Frontline emergency staff in Lanarkshire were among those praised at the Scottish Health Awards.
The county’s hospital emergency departments (ED), Police Scotland, Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS), primary care and third sector staff, were all singled out for their dedication to the Distress Brief Intervention (DBI) programme after it picked up the Care for Mental Health award at the event earlier this month.
DBI provides an ‘ask once, get help fast’ early intervention for people in distress/emotional pain who may not need emergency medical treatment.
Frontline staff often meet people from the area who are emotionally overwhelmed through bereavement, relationship stress, low mood or financial worries, with some staff now trained to help ease a person’s immediately – they can even offer a referral for community support within 24 hours.
Programme manager Kevin O’Neill dedicated the award to all the staff involved.
He said: “With almost 5000 people helped nationally so far – including almost 2500 in Lanarkshire – I know the biggest validation for our incredible front-line and third sector staff comes from seeing the difference they are making to people’s lives day in and day out.
“But I really hope all who have been part of the development and delivery of the DBI programme, takes a great deal of satisfaction and pride from this recognition.
“I can’t stress highly enough, this award is for all of them and I’m sure it will inspire and motivate us all to continue to provide the best connected compassionate support possible.”
DBI is a Scottish Government funded pilot and the Government’s principal medical officer Dr John Mitchell said: “Any initiative is only as good as those who embrace and deliver it and I want to use this opportunity to thank all the health and social care, police, ambulance and third sector staff who have made this possible.
“The success of DBI is a tribute to their belief and commitment and I’m absolutely delighted this has also been recognised by the award judges.”