Finding stuff and sense-making
Quite a bit of my work involves researching, gathering, working out what the results mean and what can be done with them.
I recently carried out an exercise to investigate the provision of local health support information, collecting info and ideas, analysing and reporting, using a project blog to provide regular updates and a venue for project team discussion (Scottish Government, 2008)
I’ve also co-authored several major internal Government reports, arising from events where large amounts participant feedback were gathered and analysed to determine and report on common themes. Examples include reports feeding into the National Delivery Plan for Children and Young People’s Specialist Services in Scotland and three national public forums providing patient and health professional feedback on the Better Health, Better Care action plan (Scottish Government, 2008)
Story telling
I’ve just been working with adult literacy learners to record their experiences to develop digital stories around accessing local support information for health and wellbeing. (Scottish Government 2009). I’ve also developed educational videos, focussing on professional development around Healthcare Associated Infections. This involved script writing, post-production and product development. (NHS Education for Scotland 2004 -2007)
Building networks
I’m currently working with the Institute of Healthcare Management (IHM) Scotland and NHS Education for Scotland to develop a series of blogs to support the development of regional NHS Scotland networking events. The North and South East regional sites are up and running and other regions are under development. This has involved introducing staff to web 2.0 concepts and training in using social media tools.
Developing and delivering education and training
I help people to explore and understand social media as well as providing ongoing support and coaching for clients using web 2.0 tools. I work with clients on a one-to-one basis as well as with groups. I have also developed and delivered formal training for a number of organisations including the Journals Development course for the Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers
Developing Online learning
I was co-researcher, writer and multi-media content developer for Tobacco Academy an online course aimed at tobacco control advocates in developing countries. The project was funded by a number of international organisations including the International Union Against Cancer. (2004 – 2006)
I worked with Health Scotland to design and develop their online resources Alcohol: What every parent should know and Drugs: What every parent should know (2005)
Exploring new web environments for healthcare professionals
Currently building a web service for NHS Education for Scotland which will create community around a teamworking toolkit for health and social care teams, using web 2.0 tools. This involved initial research, consultation through events and an initial site build. The site is currently in private beta.
Developed one of the first NHS Education for Scotland e-library portals, acting as network coordinator for the original Healthcare Associated Infections knowledge network (NHS Education for Scotland, 2005)
Project management and resource development
I have worked with large public sector organisations to take projects from conception to delivery. My projects often involve managing multi-agency relationships and multi-author works. Many have originated from the Scottish Government’s Healthcare Associated Infections Taskforce and examples include:
Coordinated wide ranging consultations and product development to create various iterations of The National Education and Training Framework for Domestic Services and associated staff workbook (NHS Education for Scotland / Health Facilities Scotland 2007)
Coordinated and collated data from all health boards, worked with project team and wrote report: Continuing Professional Development and the Allied Health Professions in Scotland – A National Learning Needs Analysis (NHS Education for Scotland, 2007)
Writing and Reporting
I’ve reported on numerous events, helping clients to develop internal and external written reports and other resources, mostly around health and education. Examples include:
Event report ‘Early Clinical Career Fellowships – The launch of a new career development initiative for Nurses and Midwives in Scotland’ (NHS Education for Scotland, 2008)
Co-Author, ‘Modernising Nursing Careers Scottish Projects: Advanced Practice and Early Clinical Career Fellowships’ (NHS Education for Scotland, 2007)
Improving Nutritional Care – a practical guide to the Core Nutrition Pathway (NHS Quality Improvement Scotland, 2008)
Author, Clinical Framework, NHS24 (2007)
