Media Release from NHS Education for Scotland
Date: Embargoed until 00:01 on 5 September
Making Communication Even Better
New web resource launched for health and social care staff
A new online educational resource aimed at improving communications skills of health and social care staff is launched today (5 September) at the Allied Health Professions Conference 2012, “AHPs as Agents of Change in Health and Social Care” in Edinburgh. It has been developed by NHS Education for Scotland (NES) with delivery partners Capability Scotland and Talking Mats.
“Making Communication Even Better”
differs from other communication learning resources because it was produced by people with communication support needs (CSN). It draws on their experiences to challenge and encourage health and social care staff to consider the impact of poor communication and communication disability on health interactions. It includes video clips, topic specific information and additional references sources and demonstrates effective partnership working with the third/voluntary sector.
Welcoming the resource, Michael Matheson, Minister for Public Health said: “This online learning resource focuses on improving the quality of healthcare by concentrating on the communication skills of health staff. It will support Allied Health Professionals and other professions in developing advanced communication skills – which can only benefit the people they care for.”
Robert Dalrymple, one of the contributors, who has personal communication support needs said, "I really hope this new resource will make staff think. I hope it will help staff have much better communication skills." Robert addressed the NES AHP conference in 2009 that generated the NES AHP strategy and has been a key contributor to its work in bringing the strategy communication commitment to life. His biography, "At the Stroke of a Brush", describes his personal experiences of receiving health and therapeutic services.
Dana O’Dwyer, Capability Scotland’s Chief Executive said: “Going into hospital or attending healthcare appointments can be both daunting and frustrating for people with communication support needs. Capability Scotland is therefore delighted that NES has enabled us, together with Talking Mats, to develop this online resource.
“Not only does it highlight the common communication barriers disabled people face, but it also provides practical advice on how busy healthcare professionals can find ways round them. Ultimately it is the personal stories, delivered in each individual’s own words, which will ensure the resource has a powerful impact on the many healthcare professionals who use it.”
The resource also delivers a priority in the Allied Health Professions Education Strategy, The Next Chapter, that is to support the ongoing development of effective communication skills for staff providing care in AHP settings.
ENDS
Reference: 1116
Further Information From
Mary-Jo O’Brien, Corporate Communications Manager, tel 0131 313 8038 or Helen McFarlane, Programme Director, Allied Health Professions, Tel. 07957 754622.
Note to Editors
NES is NHSScotland's national education and training Board. We are responsible for supporting NHS services to the people of Scotland through the development and delivery of education and training for all those who work in NHSScotland. We work closely with a range of partners to deliver our vision of Quality Education for a Healthier Scotland
Capability Scotland campaigns with, and provides education, employment and support services for, disabled children and adults across Scotland. For more information see
Talking Mats is a social enterprise that was established in 2011 from a research program conducted by Speech and Language Therapists at the University of Stirling. Talking Mats aims to improve the lives of people with communication difficulties and those close to them by increasing their capacity to communicate effectively about things that matter to them.
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