The Evening Times ran an article about figures in a new report showing that women from Lanarkshire experience higher-than-average rates of stillbirth and neonatal deaths than other parts of Scotland. The region recorded the second-highest rate in Scotland with 6.42 deaths per 1,000 births. However it is worth noting that the figure of 7,096 Lanarkshire resident […]
Prize for Cathy and lifestyle nurses
Congratulations to Cathy Courtney, lead nurse for sexual health, for an award-winning presentation.
Cathy won first prize at the annual scientific meeting of the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare in Leeds, for her paper on an innovative service provided by sexual health lifestyle nurses in Lanarkshire.
The nurses – Maria Dickson, Karen Murray and Karen Stewart – offer this specialised service to vulnerable young people, addressing their sexual health as well as other lifestyle issues.
Cathy told the delegates how a recent survey of patients and referring agencies evaluated the service very positively.
She explained: “A number of young people are indulging in risk-taking behaviours in relation to alcohol and drug misuse, which in turn increases risky sexual behaviours.
“The Sexual Health Lifestyle Nurses (SHLN) service was set up to provide healthcare and support for them and we conducted a review of it.
“We looked at clinical activity for a year and performed a satisfaction survey of referring agencies and young people.
“During the study period 247 young people were referred by education, social work and residential units.
“Harm reduction advice was given to 91 per cent of them. Alcohol screening was done for 29 per cent, alcohol brief intervention conducted in 46 per cent and smoking cessation advice was delivered to three per cent of them.
“Sexual health screening (NAAT) was done in 53 per cent, blood-borne virus in 43 per cent and contraception was provided in 50 per cent. Onward referral was made for 54 per cent to agencies such as smoking cessation, sexual health, mental health and child protection.
“A wellbeing indicator assessment showed the effectiveness of the interventions.
“A client survey revealed that none of the young people had attended mainstream sexual health service and 65 per cent preferred not to attend it in the future. They preferred to see SHLN in settings such as school, home, youth centres and residential homes.
“Referring agencies found the service invaluable for vulnerable young people who would not engage with service otherwise.
“The conclusion was that the service is well used, effective and positively evaluated by young people and referral agencies.”
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