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Golf Competition Winner
Congratulations to Mr George Vance for his winning bid of £250 for the round of golf for two at the Duke's golf course!
Thank you to all those who entered bids and for Volkswagon (VW) Centre in Edinburgh for the donation of the prize
Lunar Trek
Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland is supporting this exciting initiative during the month of September 2011. Inspired by the Inverclyde Globetrotters, an affiliated heart group from Greenock, who injected some fun into their exercise by undertaking various 'virtual tours' over the past 3 years. With 50,000 miles under their belt, they're aiming to reach the moon by the end of September!
All affiliated Chest & Heart groups are being encouraged to help them 'reach for the moon' and collectively take enough steps to complete the 238,857 mile trek.
More information can be obtained from our Lunar Trek page where you can download our flyer and find details of how to get an information pack.
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Always wanted to play a round on one of the world famous courses at St Andrews?
Well, here's your chance to win a round of golf for two at The Duke's Course by St Andrews and support the vital work of Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland at the same time!
This amazing prize has kindly been donated to Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland by Volkswagon Van Centre Edinburgh and therefore 100% of the winning bid will go to CHSS. Currently at high season (until mid October) this prize is worth £230 in total and promises a great day on a beautiful course.
Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland is auctioning this fantastic prize via a Blind Auction, with the top bid winning. To participate in this auction you need to submit your top bid for the prize:
- By emailing: fundraising@chss.org.uk or
- By post to: Golf Blind Auction Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland Rosebery House 9 Haymarket Terrace Edinburgh EH12 5EZ
Please include the following on your entry:
- Your name
- Your bid
- A contact telephone number or email address (this will only be used if you are the winner)
A minimum bid of £80 has been set and any offers over this will be accepted. All bids must be received by midday on Monday 22 August to qualify and the prize winners will be announced at 1pm on our website and Facebook page.
T&C 1. The highest bid will win the prize. If the highest bid is made by more than one person then the winning bid will be drawn from a hat. 2. The vouchers are valid until 31st March 2012. 3. Only one bid per email or postal entry. 4. It is free to submit a bid. 5. No more than three bids per person will be permitted. 6. The prize will be sent to the winner following receipt of their promised donation. 7. A bid is construed as a legal agreement to purchase the prize at the amount in the bid. All bidders must be 18 years of age or above.
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CHSS celebrates the 10th anniversary of our Stroke Education and Training Service
The CHSS Stroke Education and Training Service was set up in 2001, in partnership with NHS Lothian, to improve the knowledge and skills of health and social care staff caring for stroke patients.
Due to the success of this initiative several other NHS Boards now also offer education and training initiatives in partnership with Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, developed using the Lothian model.
During the past 10 years the Stroke Training Coordinators have delivered more than 200 courses and study days to over 2000 staff in total. Participants have included health and social care staff and carers of people who have had a stroke.
The courses are regularly evaluated and show that participants feel that they have increased their professional knowledge, skills and confidence by attending. Patients and carers are also actively involved in the design and development of courses and this provides a real insight into how the care given effects service users directly.
Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland also work closely with NHS Scotland to provide national stroke education and training, including a very successful stroke e–learning resource and competency toolkits for stroke unit staff.
A celebration of the past 10 years of stroke training was held at a special study day on the 8th June 2011 at the The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. It was attended by members of the Lothian Stroke MCN, CHSS stroke trainers, CHSS stroke nurses and NHS staff who marked the anniversary with a special birthday cake.
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CHSS Manifesto 2011
The CHSS Manifesto recommends a set of actions that will support Scotland to deliver world–class healthcare, and enhance our excellent reputation for research and innovation in health.
Priorities over the next Parliament: A call to action
- Protect Health Service investment
- Ensure that the resources are there to fund innovation
- Maintain funding for post–discharge support services
- Support the role of voluntary organisations and individual volunteers in the long–term support of patients
- Support people back to work
- Maintain the Keep Well and Well North programmes, and extend their remits to cover prevention of COPD
- Give patients a voice!
- Extend Scotland's successful tobacco control measures
- Encourage Local Authorities to improve the provision of both health education and physical activity in schools
- Support medical research
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World TB Day 24th March
Throughout the world, on March 24th, hundreds of individuals and organisations will be holding tuberculosis (TB) awareness–raising events to mark the day, in 1882, when the bacteria that causes TB was identified.
Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland's history lies with TB - we used to be the National Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis. The pioneering work by our ex–council member, the late Sir John Crofton, led to the successful treatment known as 'The Edinburgh Method' of treating Tuberculosis.
Some facts about TB:
- TB is on the increase in Scotland again, despite almost being eradicated for many years.
- TB currently infects approximately 1/3 of the world's population.
- TB can be curable as long as all treatment is completed.
- People can still die from TB if it is not treated properly or if treatment is stopped early.
- Treatment is long, and can have unpleasant side effects, so many people stop taking the treatment too early. This can lead to a recurrence of the infection, which is a lot harder to treat.
- In other parts of the world TB treatment is deemed too costly.
- In Scotland, recognising the symptoms (persistent cough, unexplained weight loss, night sweats, fever, lack of appetite and general malaise) and sticking to the treatment plan can save lives.
March the 24th is World TB Day. CHSS are encouraging everybody on this day to make sure you know the symptoms, and understand the importance of treatment, so that we can keep working together for a healthier future in Scotland.
For any further information or advice please contact our confidential Advice Line on 0845 077 6000.
You can also order / download our booklet Tuberculosis in the 21st Century.
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New boutique–style charity shop opens in Edinburgh!
CHSS have recently opened a new boutique–style charity shop in Dalry Road, Edinburgh. This brings the total number of shops to 21.
The boutique–style shop was officially opened on Tuesday 8th February by the stunning Miss Edinburgh, Fiona Dickie.
CHSS Head of Retail & Trading, Jay Hogarty said, 'We are very excited about our new shop, we think that the messages inside really reinforce the work of the charity, and remind our supporters of the important cause that we are raising money for.
The shop really is a gorgeous environment to be in, so why not pop along and have a look if you haven’t done so already. There is the opportunity to found out more about our fundraising activities, as well as information and leaflets on the work that we do – and of course, the chance to pick up a bargain!'
The shop is open 10am – 5pm, Monday to Saturday. Donations of good quality clothing, homewares, books, CDs etc are always gratefully received. If you would like to discuss volunteer opportunities, just have a chat with Harriet, the shop manager.
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Best practice statement produced on "End of Life Care Following Acute Stroke"
A best practice statement and accompanying quick reference guide has been published on "End of Life Care Following Acute Stroke".
This statement is designed to support stroke nurses but will be of interest to all members of stroke teams. It is a joint publication by the University of Glasgow and NHS Quality Improvement Scotland. It was funded by the National Advisory Committee for Stroke with support from the Stroke Managed Clinical Network in NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde.
The project has worked closely with the Scottish Stroke Nurses Forum, who were represented and involved in every stage of the process and with a Scotland-wide group of nurses, doctors, AHPs, patient representatives and charities, including CHSS.
The document also went through a Scotland–wide consultation phase. Hundreds of patients each year in Scotland require end of life care following a stroke and, due to the rapid onset of acute stroke, both patients and their carers may require support in coping while making important decisions.
The statement covers important issues in end of life stroke care including ethics and decision making, the role of the multidisciplinary team, spiritual care and family / carer support.
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CHSS Head Office has moved!
The new Head Office address is:
Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland
Third Floor
Rosebery House
9 Haymarket Terrace
Edinburgh EH12 5EZ
Find us here.
The CHSS telephone numbers are still the same:
Main reception: 0131 225 6963
Advice Line: 0845 077 6000
Fundraising: 0131 225 4800
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Voices Scotland – supporting chest heart & stroke patients and carers to have their say
Hearty Voices Scotland has been delivered in Scotland, in partnership with the British Heart Foundation, for nearly five years. As a result of attending Hearty Voices Scotland sessions, hundreds of patients and carers across Scotland have been influencing heart services, through working with Managed Clinical Networks and other NHS decision-making bodies.
The Voices Scotland team are delighted to announce that, as a result of government funding, training and support is now available for Chest and Stroke patients and carers, to encourage them to work with health professionals to influence change in NHS Services.
Chest Voices Scotland, Hearty Voices Scotland and Stroke Voices Scotland are available across the country.
For further information, or to arrange for a session to be delivered in your area, contact Voices Scotland or call 0131 225 6963 and speak to the Voices Scotland Lead.
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Extended opening hours for CHSS Advice Line
Over the past 15 years, Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland's Advice Line has answered almost 30,000 calls! Since 1995 the helpline has been continually evolving and striving to offer a compassionate and well–informed service of excellence to people, in Scotland, living with chest, heart and stroke conditions, their relatives and carers and health professionals.
To celebrate the service's 15th birthday CHSS is delighted to announce the latest development: extended opening hours.
In response to demand, the Advice Line will now remain open all day between 9.30am – 4pm, Monday to Friday.
Calls can be made in confidence to the Advice Line nurses at local rates on 0845 077 6000. A text phone service is available on the same number.
The nurses can also be contacted by texting 'chss', followed by your message, to 07766 40 41 42 or by emailing adviceline@chss.org.uk or by writing to the charity's Head Office address.
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Stroke Chat Scotland
Stroke Chat Scotland is a new virtual stroke group (chat room) for people affected by stroke in Scotland. It is a space to talk with others affected by stroke, to ask questions, share experiences and find information.
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CHSS Strategic Plan 2010 – 2013
The CHSS Strategic Plan 2010 – 2013 is now available to download.
This document sets out the key objectives and priorities from our Strategic Plan, 2010 – 2013. It aims to give our staff, volunteers and supporters a clear idea of plans for the next three years.
Our plans are grouped into three main areas:
- Research
- Services
- (a) Advice and information
- (b) Support in the community
- (c) Training
- (d) Welfare
- (e) User participation
- Influencing public policy
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