This blog is co-authored by Fiona MacKay, a retired nurse who worked for Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service for nearly 20 years and is now working as a vaccinator in NHS Lothian, and Helga Rhein, a retired Edinburgh GP, who worked at Muirhouse Medical Group, Access Practice and latterly at Sighthill Health Centre, before volunteering…
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Physical activity before the first or next pregnancy
Dr Zhong Eric Chen, Reproductive Health Researcher and Fitness Instructor is a member of the Healthier Pregnancies, Better Lives steering group. His blog tackles the importance of physical activity in relation to pregnancy and pre-conception health. In writing my first-ever blog, I acknowledge the possible sensitivity in talking about physical activity, weight, (in)fertility, pregnancies, and…
Trauma responsive cervical screening
A recent Catalysts for Change project has received recognition for the development of a trauma-responsive cervical screening programme for women in NHS Forth Valley who have experienced sexual trauma. Project Lead and Gender-Based Violence & Sexual Assault Nurse Hazel Somerville talks about winning the Innovations in Improving Physical Health & Wellbeing and Overall Winners award…
The therapeutic benefits of yoga
Lorraine Close is the Outreach Director at Edinburgh Community Yoga, she recalls a conversation with Clare Cable about her role as a nurse and how she has continued this into the community by supporting disenfranchised groups to have access to yoga and along with it effective stress and wellbeing techniques to apply in everyday life. ‘With…
Co-production: A nurse’s perspective
COPE Scotland was delighted to be invited to speak to the January and September 2021 SPQ DN learners at Queen Margaret University on ‘’Co-production a nurses’ perspective. Working with communities to find solutions to common areas of concern’’ The enthusiasm the learners had for the subject shows a real desire for working with individuals and…
Nurses please remember, self-care matters for you too
Hilda Campbell, QNIS Honorary Fellow and CEO for Cope Scotland shares an update on the self-care and wellbeing initiative funded by CHSA. We have been delighted to work with QNIS and Capacitar Scotland exploring ideas that can help the community nursing profession to look after themselves, so they can continue to look after everyone else.…
Understanding barriers to self-care
An update from COPE Scotland. First, thank you to everyone who gave their time to join in the discussions around what gets in the road of self-care. The work COPE Scotland is doing with QNIS thanks to the COVID-19 Healthcare Support Appeal (CHSA) and our own project, ‘’More choices for More people’’ wants to understand…
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
The 25th of November is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Community gender based violence nurse Leanne Patrick is a specialist working in NHS Fife. She shares her thoughts on gender based violence in Scotland. Gender Based Violence nursing is a relatively new and unique specialism within community nursing. There are…
No Longer a Bridge Too Far
Sharon Levy, CPD Lead for the Data Driven Innovation Talent Team at Edinburgh University’s Usher Institute, joins co-author Caroline Robertson to discuss the journey to young adulthood for children with disabilities or long-term conditions. Caroline, a nurse of 42 years who has specialised in continence with adults and children, has worked with Spina Bifida…
Self-Care Week 2021: Why is it so tricky to find time for self-care?
Thanks to funding from the COVID-19 Healthcare Support Appeal (CHSA), QNIS is working alongside COPE Scotland and Capacitar on an initiative to explore recovery and resilience with community nurses and midwives as we collectively reflect on the COVID 19 journey so far. We are seeking to engage with you about the barriers you face when it comes…
