It was a relatively quiet week for NHS Lanarkshire in the press this week. However there was still decent coverage of the excellent and innovative work of our staff.

The papers who hadn’t used the story last week highlighted the fact that NHS Lanarkshire achieved a key national target on cancer treatment waiting times continually throughout 2015.

Photography student Zaria Sleith paid tribute to John’s Campaign at Wishaw General as she speaks about a book she has produced featuring images of her late grandfather’s experience of dementia. Zaria’s story appeared on a full page in the Hamilton Advertiser and she will appear on STV Glasgow and Edinburgh on Monday at 5pm.
Ward 11 at Hairmyres Hospital innovative method to ensure hospital patients are clear about their care featured in many of the local papers.
The ward is believed to be the first in the country to pioneer a “medical summary sheet”.
The form provides a handy summary of a patient’s medical issues and treatment. It’s updated by staff twice a week, when consultants make their rounds, and is kept by the patient, who can use it to share information with their family members.
It could now be introduced throughout Hairmyres and has the potential to be used across NHS Lanarkshire’s acute hospitals.
Last week the Rutherglen Reformer revealed that Rutherglen and Cambuslang groups and businesses were leading the way in supporting breastfeeding across Lanarkshire.
Nearly a quarter of all organisations signed up to NHS Lanarkshire’s Breastfeeding Friendly Campaign come from the two towns.  The newspaper took to the streets as members of the public give their support for mothers who breastfeed in public.
A few of the local newspapers reported that NHS Lanarkshire missed its latest A&E waiting time target by just over three per cent. However, as a board, we have regularly been above 90% which is an overall improvement on last winter. Our clinical and managerial staff continue to work together to enhance our performance and to reduce waiting times for our patients.

There were also a couple of articles complaining about the lack parking at the Houldsworth Centre, Wishaw, and Hunter Health Centre in East Kilbride. Construction to create multi-story car parks at each facility is well underway and both will open in May.