A Guide To COVID-19 Booster Vaccines For Cumbernauld Citizens: Key Questions Asked
19 August 2021
Lanarkshire Suicide Prevention App Available To Cumbernauld Citizens For Free Download
30 August 2021
NHS Lanarkshire Inviting Registrations For Developing Effective Practice In Improving Health Course
NHS Lanarkshire is providing those involved in the field of health and social care in Greater Cumbernauld with a unique opportunity to participate in a free accredited training course which aims to enhance participants’ confidence in improving health and tackling inequalities.
Recommended by Cumbernauld Community Health Information Hub and Cumbernauld CAN (Community Anchor Network), the highly-regarded Improving Health: Developing Effective Practice (IH:DEP) course is being delivered over seven online sessions from September-December 2021. It seeks to assist those working or volunteering in healthcare to maximise the health improvement potential of their role and remit.
After an induction session on Thursday 9 September 2021, live course sessions will take place on Thursday 23 September 2021, Thursday 7 October 2021, Thursday 21 October 2021, Thursday 4 November 2021, Thursday 18 November 2021 and Thursday 2 December 2021, each from 9.15am-1.15pm via Microsoft Teams. Individual online learning and independent study are also included as part of the course.
While there is no cost for the course, places are limited and the timescale for expressing interest is very tight. To request a place, individuals are asked to complete a course application form and email it to IH-DEP.TrainingCourse@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk by Friday 27 August 2021. Successful candidates will be notified of places on Monday 30 August 2021.
Applicants are advised that this course involves a significant time commitment from learner and training provider, and places are often in very high demand. Furthermore, it is essential that participants have safe and appropriate access to join Microsoft Teams calls using a laptop or PC. It is also recommended that applicants have access to Microsoft Windows (minimum version 2007), Internet Explorer 7, Adobe Flash Player, Adobe Reader and Google Chrome.
After enrolling onto the course, participants are asked to undertake a pre-course exercise that allows them to begin the processes of reflection and critical analysis. The exercise is a 300 word written reflection on the participant’s understanding of being a health promoter and of personal guiding principles. Learners will be required to have completed this priorto attending the initial briefing session on Thursday 9 September 2021.
The programme is particularly timely in light of the recent focus on inequalities seen during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. It is especially relevant to those with an interest in health and social care integration in North Lanarkshire, often recognised as the partnership brand Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire.
Specifically, the course provides a framework which encourages critical reflection and the development of effective practice in health and social care. Learning has an emphasis on outcomes relating to prevention, early intervention and addressing inequalities. The work is pitched at SCQF (Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework) Level 9 (undergraduate level), with the course culminating in a group presentation on the final week.
Through experiential learning content, participants are taught how to examine concepts and models of health improvement and health promotion, explain the mutual influences of social, policy, regulatory and legislative drivers on population health outcomes and appraise the implications of health improvement principles in society.
This multi-disciplinary training is open to staff and volunteers from statutory, voluntary and community organisations. It is suitable for people from many different backgrounds, including community education, leisure services, primary care, nursing, health improvement, administration, care homes, social work, youth work and community-based health provisions. Mary McNeil, Development Manager at Cornerstone House Centre, said:
“For a variety of social, economic and cultural reasons, health statistics in the Cumbernauld locality compare relatively poorly with those in Scotland as whole. In particular, the area has higher than average rates of Coronary Heart Disease, COPD, anxiety and depression, child poverty and alcohol-related hospital stays.
“As such, this Public Health Scotland course presents an excellent opportunity for Cumbernauld citizens and workers who are keen to advance their career, skills and knowledge in the area of health and social care.
“Notably, the course offers direct connectivity to a spectrum of recognised, established and respected health and social care services, including Adult Services (Integrated Care), Social Care and Health Services, Community Based Health Services, Hospital Based Health Services and Community Based Social Work Services.
“The course has great potential not only to increase practitioner awareness of particular healthcare approaches and services, but also over the longer term to help participants improve how services are delivered, involve local people in the design of health and social care services and ultimately improve the health and wellbeing of people living in Greater Cumbernauld.
“Although there is no guarantee of places for applicants as interest levels are expected to be high, we would encourage local community workers and public health practitioners to consider registering ahead of Friday’s deadline.”
Previous participants’ feedback has included comments such as ‘the most interactive online course I’ve been on’ and ‘helped to improve my understanding of theories’. Another completer indicated that the course gave them a ‘broader understanding of why we do what we do’.
For application or pre-course enquiries, please contact Fiona Douglas by emailing fiona.douglas@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk or Anne Alexander via anne.alexander@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk.
Meanwhile, Cumbernauld Community Health Information Hub continues to operate and be accessible every weekday at Cornerstone House (1 Esk Walk, Cumbernauld, G67 1BZ). It provides free information about and easy access to a variety of health and social care providers in Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and surrounding areas.
Further information about the Health Information Hub can be obtained by contacting Cornerstone House Centre on 01236 739220 or emailing health@cornerstone-house.org.uk. Additionally, to sign up for e-bulletins from NHS Lanarkshire’s North Locality Health Improvement Team, please contact Sharon Gusman on 0141 779 8199 or email sharon.gusman@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk.
===================================================================
