NHS Forth Valley has become a global magnet for visitors from as far afield as New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Zambia

Three delegations recently toured a number of hospitals and healthcare facilities across Forth Valley to find out more about the planning and delivery of local health services. The first visit involved two senior staff from the Venito region of Italy – Director of Planning, Dr Simone Tasso, and Director of Nursing, Monica Cecchin. They were looking at the role of the advanced nurse practitioner and also met the Programme Director for the University of Stirling to examine academic programmes which support this role.

The second group brought together senior leaders from across the Commonwealth as part of a UK study tour to tackle challenges that businesses, governments and society face today.  The CSC Leaders tour, which included delegates from as far afield as Papua New Guinea, Trinidad and Tobago and Zambia, is a partnership between Common Purpose and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh‘s Commonwealth Study Conferences. During the visit to Forth Valley Royal Hospital, which focussed on the use of technology, delegates visited the Scottish Clinical Simulation Centre where two volunteers were invited to take part in a training scenario to help an injured ‘man’ who required CPR. They also visited the basement corridors underneath the hospital to meet the fleet of delivery robots which transport food and supplies to and from the wards.

The third delegation involved a masterclass of l8 front-line clinicians and managers from New Zealand. They heard NHS Forth Valley Chief Executive Jane Grant explain the Forth Valley integrated healthcare strategy and were also briefed on the successful Scottish Patient Safety Programme. Touring Forth Valley Royal Hospital they saw the pharmacy robots in actions, and visited the paediatric, cardiology and frailty units. They also visited Clackmannanshire Community Healthcare Centre to find out more about the wide range of services being delivered in the community.

NHS Forth Valley Chief Executive Jane Grant said: “It’s been a pleasure to welcome colleagues from across the world to Forth Valley as these visits provide a great opportunity to share learning and find out more about how health services are designed and delivered in other countries.”