Here we introduce thoughts from staff working within the InS:PIRE teams - including a little about their roles in InS:PIRE and what working in InS:PIRE means to them...
Helen, Glasgow Royal Infirmary
I work as a physiotherapist in intensive care at Glasgow Royal Infirmary and have been very lucky to be part of the InS:PIRE team. Before I got involved in the InS:PIRE programme, I would have said our intensive care unit (ICU) patients recovered well from their critical illness. InS:PIRE has opened my eyes to think very differently about this. In ICU, we work very hard to make sure our patients 'survive' their critical illness but what quality of life awaits them?
InS:PIRE patients have taught me so much about the common physical, psychological and social problems they face commonly termed post-intensive care syndrome. The ethos of InS:PIRE is about providing patients with a whole range of services as no two patients will require the same support.
Working closely within this multidisciplinary team to include a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physiotherapist, psychologist, vocational rehabilitation specialist, dietician and third sector groups such as Citizens Advice, the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland and the Carers Centre has helped to provide a much more holistic approach. I feel very lucky to be part of this team and InS:PIRE and its patients/families have undoubtedly changed how I am as a physiotherapist and how I approach rehabilitation (hopefully for the better!).
One of the most important aspects of the programme for me is the level of patient-centred care that is embedded within InS:PIRE. Patients and their families/carers have kindly given us feedback throughout the whole journey (even how good or bad the coffee is!). The programme has evolved dramatically from its early days and it is our patients who have truly moulded the programme for what they really need rather than what we think they need. Our patient volunteers (ex ICU patients) and their families have been especially pivotal within the programme providing patients with a very unique support 'normalising' their experience.
Listen to Helen speak about her physiotherapy role in InS:PIRE (Utube)
Pamela, Glasgow Royal Infirmary
When patients are admitted to Intensive Care their usual medicines are often not given and new medicines are started. The pharmacist’s role at the InS:PIRE clinic is to ensure that patients are back on the right medicines and are not taking any medicines that they no longer require. It is also an opportunity for patients and their relatives to ask any questions that they might have about their medicines.
InS:PIRE has also changed the way we think about medicines and we have improved our documentation and communication of changes we make to patient’s medicines while they are in Intensive Care. Being part of the InS:PIRE team has given me the opportunity to work with lots of different members of the health and social care team to deliver patient-centre care. It has been an absolute privilege to meet patients and their families when they come to InS:PIRE and to be able to support them in their recovery.
Listen to Pamela speak about her role within InS:PIRE (utube)
My name is Rodger and I’m very proud to be part of the team involved in the InS:PIRE programme at Crosshouse Hospital in Ayrshire.
I had been involved in the previous nurse led follow up service for ICU patients and welcomed the opportunity to bring the InS:PIRE program to Ayrshire. This has helped us to make the patient journey more structured and patient centred.
As part of the multidisciplinary group we participate in all aspects of the program even the exercise class despite our perceived lack of coordination. Many of the team have set and shared their own goals with the group!
It’s fantastic to see the change in the patients and their carers as they progress through the five-week program and the patients returning to the three-month review.
The InS:PIRE programme has received very positive feedback from all patients, carers and staff involved. It is also attracting interest from the health board, health care agencies and third sector partners through social media.
Outside of the InS:PIRE programme I enjoy volunteering with St Andrews First Aid as a Trainer/Assessor and first aider and volunteer as Coastguard Rescue Officer.
(Rodger shown below, receiving his long service medal in 2016 after 30 years coastguard service. He didn't share this voluntarily, but we procured it from the internet. Sorry Rodger.)
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