Health staff across Ayrshire were given an in-depth insight into the effects of cocaine and how to support people who are using the Class A drug.
Scottish Drugs Forum (SDF), in partnership with the three Ayrshire alcohol and drug partnerships (ADPs), hosted a skills and knowledge development event for frontline staff.
The aim of the event is increasing confidence, knowledge and skills in supporting people who use cocaine.
It was held on Tuesday at ‘Take A Bow’ in Fraser Walk, Kilmarnock.
The following areas were covered:
- Impact of cocaine use on the body
- Different methods of cocaine use, including crack cocaine
- Bacterial infections and other injecting-related harms
- Impacts on sexual health
- Interventions to reduce harm
Meanwhile, in a separate scheme, staff in care homes around Ayrshire are highlighting the impact of falls and how to be prepared for them.
The falls link worker programme was launched a year ago by Cate Hewson, falls link/trainer at North Ayrshire health and social care partnership (NAHSCP), and Lianne McInally, AHP senior manager at East Ayrshire health and social care partnership.
Since then, link workers from 19 care homes across Ayrshire have been recruited and are making falls awareness a key topic within their homes.
Staff such as carers, nurses and managers are working collaboratively to reduce falls in care homes, using the Care Inspectorate’s falls and frailty resources and tapping into information shared from the care home professional support team.
Initial training for the programme is followed up every three months with a Microsoft Teams training session, with the latest held face to face at the Park Hotel in Kilmarnock on Tuesday, February 7.
Guest speakers for the event came from The Care Inspectorate, Prince of Wales Hospice Glasgow and the care home professional support team, with the event being opened by Donald Macaskill, CEO of Scottish Care.
It's understood feedback from the day was very positive.
Read next:
- Mould nightmare for Ayrshire families at new-build housing estate
- Makeover of top Ayrshire wedding venue branded as 'rotten' and 'tasteless' by furious brides
- Kilmarnock shop owner delighted to bag coveted award for second year running
- Confusion reigns as thousands of East Ayrshire households have bin days changed suddenly
- Devastated mum diagnosed with cancer after thinking she was doing 'too much' at the gym
Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
