Staff In Scotland Research Articles

Language and Integration of Refugee Children: Reflections on Delinking and Decoloniality

In this contribution we illustrate and discuss the decolonial approach adopted in a research project exploring the potential of including in education a language spoken by children and families from refugee backgrounds. The international project team from Palestine and the UK collaboratively designed a bespoke Levantine Arabic language course for beginners tailored to the needs identified by primary school staff, Arabic speaking pupils from refugee backgrounds, and their parents/carers. The course was offered to primary school staff in Scotland, enabling them to offer “linguistic hospitality” (Phipps, 2012) to Arabic speaking pupils and families. By delinking common assumptions and norms about language teaching/learning, the project strived to change the terms and the content of the conversation, unlocking possibilities for thinking and doing otherwise (Mignolo, 2007, 2018). In particular, the study questioned: who should be learning a language in an educational context; the teaching of the standard version of a language; expectations of expertise in educational settings; and the knowledge flow in international research with partners in Global South countries.

Listening and learning: a qualitative study of Scottish care home staff experiences of managing COVID-19 between March 2020-August 2022

BackgroundThe serious outcomes of outbreaks of COVID-19 in care homes have been described internationally. The experiences of professionals working through outbreaks has received less attention, missing opportunities to acknowledge and learn lessons. Our aim was to explore the experiences of care home staff in Scotland of managing COVID-19 within their homes to help inform understanding and future practice.MethodsFrom April to August 2022, 34 individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with care home staff working in homes which experienced an outbreak(s) of COVID-19. Reflexive thematic methods were used to analyse verbatim deidentified transcripts.FindingsThere was no singular experience of COVID-19 outbreaks within care homes. We identified four broad groupings of homes with outbreaks (significant outbreaks, managed outbreaks, outbreaks in remote/rural homes & outbreaks in homes supporting younger adults), with overlaps in timing and severity and variation in the support received and impact. The national response to the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in fundamental change to care home relationships. Staff responded by adaptation in uncertainty. However, they were challenged by emerging inequalities influencing residents’ care. There were tensions between staff experience and evolving external approaches to regulation and oversight. All this change resulted in psychological impacts on staff. However, there was also widespread evidence of compassionate leadership and teamwork in their responses. Effective sources of support were underpinned by respectful relationships and continuity, tailored to individual contexts.ConclusionsThe lived experiences of care home staff during the COVID-19 pandemic provide valuable insights applicable beyond the pandemic context. This includes: recognition of the specialism, complexity and diversity of care home practice; the value afforded by embedding genuine representation and involvement in planning, policy-making and research; the need for individualising to people in their contexts and the value of fostering respectful relationships across professional groups to support residents.

Patient collaboration in COVID-19 research: translating ideas to reality

Involving patients in all stages of health data research is a noble aim; however, there are not too many examples of it being successfully put into practice—particularly not in real-time pandemic surveillance. In November, 2020, the Early Pandemic Evaluation and Enhanced Surveillance of COVID-19 (EAVE II) team created a unique collaboration, inviting a Public Advisory Group (PAG) of 15 patient and public contributors to work alongside university and Public Health Scotland staff to provide vital perspectives of the public on all areas of their COVID-19 research.

Hospital pharmacists encouraged to reject ‘insulting’ government pay offer

The Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists (GHP) has advised members to reject government proposals for an “insulting and divisive” 7% pay uplift for NHS staff in Scotland. The latest proposal follows renegotiations between the government and NHS unions after staff rejected a 5% pay offer proposed in June 2022. Under the new proposals, all NHS Agenda for […]

Testing the sensitivity of two dementia knowledge instruments in dementia workforce education

BackgroundThe importance of dementia education in improving the care and support that people living with dementia is well established. Previous research has shown ceiling effects in pre and post educational intervention measures of dementia knowledge using Knowledge in Dementia Scale (KIDE) on post-registered health and social care staff in Scotland. The aim was to test the sensitivity of two dementia knowledge instruments, namely the (KIDE) and the Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale (DKAS). DesignA pre and post evaluation comparison of two dementia knowledge scales. SettingThe tenth cohort of Scotland's National Dementia Champions Education Programme, September 2019–March 2020. ParticipantsPost-registered Health and Social Care staff (n = 117). MethodsBoth the DKAS and KIDE scales were administered pre and post programme delivery. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were performed to examine T1 − T2 differences in dementia knowledge for both validated measures. ResultsCeiling effects continued to be present for the KIDE scale at T1 and T2. The DKAS responses showed a different score distribution than that achieved by the KIDE. Ceiling effects noted for KIDE at T1 were not present for the DKAS. Further, at T2, only 6% of respondents scored the maximum on the DKAS. ConclusionsThe DKAS appears to be a more useful instrument for measuring knowledge in post-registered health and social care staff; however, there was some evidence of ceiling effects post-intervention. There is a need for both scales to be tested in more educationally diverse populations, so educators and researchers can make informed decisions about the instrument's target range. Additionally, further research is needed to develop new sets of dementia knowledge items suitable for use in trained health and social care staff.

Exploring the Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Dental Team: Preparedness, Psychological Impacts and Emotional Reactions.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has placed increased demands on clinical staff in primary dental care due to a variety of uncertainties. Current reports on staff responses have tended to be brief enquiries without some theoretical explanation supported by developed measurement systems.Aim: To investigate features of health and well-being as an outcome of the uncertainties surrounding COVID-19 for dentists and dental health professionals in primary dental care and for those in training. In addition, the study examined the well-being indices with reference to normative values. Finally a theoretical model was explored to explain depressive symptoms and investigate its generalisability across dentists and dental health professionals in primary dental care and those in postgraduate training.Methods: A cross-sectional survey of dental trainees and primary dental care staff in Scotland was conducted in June to October 2020. Assessment was through “Portal,” an online tool used for course bookings/management administered by NHS Education for Scotland. A non-probability convenience sample was employed to recruit participants. The questionnaire consisted of four multi-item scales including: preparedness (14 items of the DPPPS), burnout (the 9 item emotional exhaustion subscale and 5 items of the depersonalisation subscale of the MBI), the 22 item Impact of Event Scale-Revised, and depressive symptomatology using the Patient Health Questionnaire-2. Analysis was performed to compare the levels of these assessments between trainees and primary dental care staff and a theoretically based path model to explain depressive symptomology, utilising structural equation modelling.Results: Approximately, 27% of all 329 respondents reported significant depressive symptomology and 55% of primary care staff rated themselves as emotionally exhausted. Primary care staff (n = 218) felt less prepared for managing their health, coping with uncertainty and financial insecurity compared with their trainee (n = 111) counterparts (all p's < 0.05). Depressive symptomology was rated higher than reported community samples (p < 0.05) The overall fit of the raw data applied to the theoretical model confirmed that preparedness (negative association) and trauma associated with COVID-19 (positive association) were significant factors predicting lowered mood (chi-square = 46.7, df = 21, p = 0.001; CFI = 0.98, RMSEA = 0.06, SRMR = 0.03). Burnout was indirectly implicated and a major path from trauma to burnout was found to be significant in primary care staff but absent in trainees (p < 0.002).Conclusion: These initial findings demonstrate the possible benefit of resourcing staff support and interventions to assist dental staff to prepare during periods of high uncertainty resulting from the recent COVID-19 pandemic.

Leaving ‘home?’ Belonging, break-up and becoming in the police family

AbstractThis article considers the impact of police merger processes on officers and staff. The Railway Policing (Scotland) Act 2017 legislated that the Scottish functions and personnel of the British Transport Police (BTP) would be integrated into Scotland’s national police force. The journey towards this destination, however, has been protracted, problematic and now appears to be indefinitely postponed. Demonstrating the limits of the ‘police family’, our research provides important policy insights, demonstrating how a failure to account for distinct organizational cultures and occupational identities can damage the legitimacy of police mergers. Using data from a survey of BTP officers and staff in Scotland, we present our findings across three themes: belonging; break-up and becoming. We refract these findings through Bourdieusian theory.

Opinions and experiences of a national smokefree prison policy: evidence from the TIPs study

Abstract Background Removal of tobacco from prisons poses distinct challenges, as prisons are 'homes' and smoking rates are high. TIPs is unique in comprehensively studying a smoking ban using data collected before, during and after the ban. This paper presents opinions and experiences of people in custody (PiC) and staff in Scotland, and identifies implementation success factors and lessons that are highly relevant for other jurisdictions and areas of public health. Methods Surveys of staff and PiC (response rates) were conducted in Nov-Dec 2016 (27%, 34%), May-Jul 2018 (31%, 26%) and May-Jul 2019 (16%, 18%), with questions on smoking, smoking cessation/abstinence and smoking restrictions in the prison context. Topics were also explored qualitatively with staff/PiC at similar time points (34 focus groups, 99 interviews). Survey responses were analysed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses. Qualitative data were thematically analysed to identify the diversity of views and experiences. Results Smokefree policy is widely accepted as the new 'norm', but support was higher among staff than PiC before, during and after implementation. Surveys and qualitative data suggest perceptions of some of the potential difficulties (e.g. 'hard to enforce') and negative consequences (e.g. 'cause a lot of trouble') of smokefree policy reduced post implementation. Participants identified several implementation success factors relating to: planning and communication, smoking abstinence/cessation products/services, and partnership working. Conclusions Smokefree prison polices can be successfully implemented, providing the removal of tobacco is well managed and support measures are available for smokers. Some factors shaping the successful introduction of smokefree prisons in Scotland are relevant to other areas of public health transformation e.g. setting clear objectives and timescales; collaboration and teamwork; and involving staff at all levels and end-users.

Understanding the mental health and wellbeing needs of police officers and staff in Scotland

ABSTRACT Police work can be stressful and demanding and can impact on employee wellbeing. This study aimed to understand mental health (MH) issues and risk factors for poor MH in officers and staff of the Police Service of Scotland (PSoS); and gather their ideas of workplace wellbeing interventions that are suitable for this workforce. Face-to-face/telephone interviews were conducted with 30 Superintendents and eight stakeholders, recruited throughout PSoS. Interview topics included: MH issues; health/health behaviours; employment; and potentially beneficial workplace interventions. A thematic analysis approach was adopted. High levels of occupational stress and anxiety, currently or in the past, were reported, as were experiences of PTSD, anxiety and depression. The main stressors reported were working hours, workload, culture, leadership and organisational change. Officers and staff recognised progress towards promoting and managing MH in the service but identified interventions, including training, counselling, and environmental workplace changes as needed to address mental health issues within police cultures.

Pharmacy staff in Scotland to receive £500 bonus in recognition of COVID-19 service

Pharmacy staff in Scotland to receive £500 bonus in recognition of COVID-19 service

Views of prison staff in Scotland on the potential benefits and risks of e-cigarettes in smoke-free prisons: a qualitative focus group study

ObjectiveElectronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) were introduced into all Scottish prisons in February 2018, some months after prisons began preparing in 2017 for a smoking ban implemented in November 2018. In 2016/2017,...

Stress-related absence on the rise among NHS staff in Scotland

Stress-related absence on the rise among NHS staff in Scotland

Use of UK health services by Gypsies, Roma, and Travellers: triangulation of two mixed methods studies

BackgroundGypsies, Roma, and Travellers (GRT) are less likely than the general population to access health services. The reasons are multiple, complex, and interlinked, and they exist at individual, provider, health system, and national levels. We report on two studies that explore GRT use of UK health services. Study 1 aimed to investigate barriers to, and facilitators of, immunisation, and identify interventions to promote uptake. Study 2 aimed to explore approaches that facilitate engagement and trust between GRT and health services, with maternity, early years, and child dental health services as exemplars. MethodsStudy 1, completed in 2016, involved in-depth interviews with 174 GRT from six communities and 39 service providers in Scotland and England, and intervention mapping and co-production workshops with 76 participants to prioritise interventions. Study 2, to be completed in 2017, involves systematic reviews and a realist synthesis; online consultation with 196 UK-based stakeholders; case studies involving interviews and focus groups with 44 GRT, 54 health-care professionals and 13 third sector staff in Scotland and England; and cross-sectoral workshops which will refine policy recommendations. Qualitative and quantitative analysis identified barriers and facilitators to receiving health care; and approaches to enhancing engagement and trust in health care. Ethics approval for study 1 was granted by National Research Ethics Service Committee Yorkshire and The Humber, Leeds East, and for study 2 by the NHS Health Research Authority East Midlands, Leicester Central Research Ethics Committee (16/EM/0028). FindingsBarriers to health care included discrimination, economic disadvantage, differences in cultural interpretations, language, and health literacy. Facilitators included trust in health professionals and intergenerational change towards valuing health services. Approaches to enhancing engagement included specialist workers and named professionals for GRT communities, cultural training for professionals, and tailored or flexible systems. Facilitating the research depended on collaborating with trusted gatekeepers, and both studies used co-production methods to ensure that study recommendations are grounded in practice realities and acceptable to stakeholders. InterpretationThe findings provide advice for practitioners and policy makers engaging with GRT people, as well as insight on supporting other marginalised populations. Exploring the experience of GRT, service provision, and policy offers a substantiated account enabling public health to reflect on success or otherwise of interventions aimed at tackling inequalities. FundingStudy 1 was funded by the National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment Programme (12/17/05). Study 2 is funded by the Department of Health Policy Research Programme (Enhancing Gypsy/Travellers' trust: using maternity and early years' health services and dental health services as exemplars of mainstream service provision, PR-R8-0314-24002).

'Poor workforce planning' behind Scottish pressures.

Nurses and other NHS staff in Scotland are facing increasing workload pressures due to a lack of workforce planning by government, according to a new report.

Nurses will 'continue to bear the brunt of austerity', as pay cap remains in Scotland.

The pay increase for NHS staff in Scotland for 2017-18 will be capped at 1% for those earning over £22,000, the Scottish Government announced.

Technology enabled learning: changing the landscape for remote and rural healthcare staff in Scotland using technology enabled learning

Technology enabled learning: changing the landscape for remote and rural healthcare staff in Scotland using technology enabled learning

The scope for improvement in hyper-acute stroke care in Scotland

Thrombolysis is associated with reduced disability for selected patients who have suffered ischemic stroke. However only a fraction of all patients who have suffered this type of stroke receive thrombolysis. The short time window of 4.5 h in which treatment is licensed means that rapid care and well-organized pathways are essential. We studied measures to increase the uptake of thrombolysis through a better understanding of the hospital delays which lead to a lack of timely brain scanning and diagnosis. We examine the factors influencing the number of thrombolysed patients, the time between arrival at hospital and the administration of thrombolysis (door to needle time).Our analysis is based on the Scottish Stroke Care Audit (SSCA) data covering all stroke patients admitted to hospitals in Scotland in 2010, as well as on interviews with stroke care staff in Scotland. The data show significant variation in the speed of scanning, thrombolysis treatment and number of patients receiving treatment among hospitals. In the best performing hospital, 68% of patients arriving within 4 h of stroke onset are scanned in time for thrombolysis compared with 40% on average and 5% in the worst performing hospital.We model the system as a discrete-event simulation following the patient journey, starting when patients have a stroke and ending at thrombolysis for those who qualify. The simulation results show that just improving the performance of all hospitals to the level of the best performing hospital would (even without improvements in onset to arrival times) increase the thrombolysis rate from 6% (in 2010) to 11% of all admitted stroke patients in Scotland. By 2013 9% of patients were receiving thrombolysis, suggesting there is still room for improvement.

Over 16 500 NHS staff in Scotland were signed off with mental health problems in past two years

Over 16 500 NHS staff in Scotland have been signed off because of mental health problems in the past two years, show figures obtained by the Scottish Liberal Democrats under a freedom of information request. In 2013-14, 788 Scottish NHS staff …

IMatter: validation of the NHS Scotland Employee Engagement Index

BackgroundEmployee engagement is a fundamental component of quality healthcare. In order to provide empirical data of engagement in NHS Scotland an Employee Engagement Index was co-constructed with staff. ‘iMatter’ consists of 25 Likert questions developed iteratively from the literature and a series of validation events with NHS Scotland staff. The aim of this study was to test the face, content and construct validity of iMatter.MethodsCross sectional survey of NHS Scotland staff. In January 2013 iMatter was sent to 2300 staff across all disciplines in NHS Scotland. 1280 staff completed it. Demographic data were collected. Internal consistency of the scale was calculated. Construct validity consisted of concurrent application of factor analysis and Rasch analysis. Face and content validity were checked using 3 focus groups.ResultsThe sample was representative of the NHSScotland population. iMatter showed very strong reliability (α = 0.958). Factor analysis revealed a four-factor structure consistent with the following interpretation:My experience as an individualMy experience with my direct line managerMy experience with my teamMy experience with my organisationEach subscale also showed high level of internal consistency within all disciplines. Rasch analysis confirmed the majority of items fit with the latent trait of staff engagement with infit statistics between 0.7 and 1.3; and showed a good spread of item difficulty covering person ability. Focus groups found the questionnaire valid it terms of brevity, relevance and clarity.ConclusionsiMatter showed evidence of high reliability and validity. It is a popular measure of staff engagement in NHS Scotland. Implications for practice focus on the importance of coproduction in psychometric development.

Interim advice about end of life care issued to staff in Scotland

Interim advice about end of life care issued to staff in Scotland