Nurses aim for small screen success

Apr 23 2009 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

IT was a case of lights, camera and action for a group of health staff from the county.

For the nurses in Lanarkshire had a shot in the director’s chair while making a pioneering film which will now be used to train staff across Scotland.

NHS Lanarkshire staff turned their talented hands to film-making to produce a fascinating DVD called “Who Cares? Caring with Dignity”.

Colleagues from the health board’s older people’s directorate came up with the idea to help with ongoing training of staff.

The DVD, written and produced by NHS staff, has proved so successful it will now be used by other health boards and to train students and carers across Scotland.

Linda Taylor, deputy ward manager and link nurse at Hamilton’s Udston Hospital, helped to make the DVD.

She says that everyone involved is delighted at the reception the film has received throughout the health service.

She explained the background to the making of the DVD: “We decided that a film showing some real life challenges which nurses face in their everyday work which could help improve the way these situations are dealt with in future.”

After writing the scripts for the film, staff produced the DVD with help of the University of the West of Scotland, Hamilton Campus.

Professional actors were also used to portray the parts of nursing medical staff and patients.

Copies of the DVD and facilitation pack can be requested by accessing the Latest Resources section of the www.connect-in-care.net website.

Pictured right are Gillian Low, Dale Bell and Linda Taylor who were among the NHS Lanarkshire staff who produced the DVD that will now be used to train health staff across Scotland.