Now its time to act!
- Written by: — Partnership and Practice Programme Development Officer, Self Management Team
- Published: 13th June 2017
Following on from the #WMTY17 Day last week we have a poignant guest blog today from our colleague Marianne
Tuesday 6th June 2017 celebrates ‘what matters to you day’ which is a day filled of mixed emotions on my part. I am a big advocate of the day and believe this question can make a difference to life of individuals when it’s carried through to its fullest not only on the 6th June but throughout the year. However, on my own personal reflection, I have my doubts about it.
Over the past couple of months I have been in and out of hospital visiting my uncle. On my first visit to the hospital, straight away my eyes went to the ‘What matters to you’ board behind his bed. I was excited to see it live although saddened to see that after a week of my uncle being in hospital, his board was left blank. I asked him if he knew what it meant and he had no idea. The nurses on his ward work tirelessly and I cannot fault anyone in the care he received while in hospital, but I couldn’t help think why hadn’t they asked the question?
After a few weeks my uncle was readmitted to hospital and yet again the same experience, the board was still blank. For a while I thought about asking the nurses but didn’t want to make anything awkward in regards to the care my uncle needed so blank it was. There are many things that matter to my uncle as with any individual and with a huge push for the campaign going on around me the actual practicalities still seemed far off.
On the third admission to hospital, unfortunately to say goodbye to my uncle, again my eyes went to the board and it was filled in! I was silently overjoyed to see that on his final time in hospital someone had taken the time to ask him what matters.
Over the past couple of weeks I’ve had time to reflect and explained to my aunt that I was happy his board was filled in, things like Lucozade and his wife were written on the board and so was the fact he needs his esure shakes each morning. I was yet again met with disappointment when my aunt explained that every day when she visited for the five days since the board was filled in not once was he given his shake until my aunt arrived at visiting time and asked the nurses. He was never a man to ask for help and didn’t want to hassle anyone but I just wished that after taking the time to ask what matters that the answers he gave were valued.
To me, the experience with my uncle felt like a tick box exercise. I understand the time pressures on health professionals but if we have such a wide spread campaign supported by the Scottish Government and medical professionals from around the world, are we sure that this campaign is truly making an impact on the lives of individuals? I still strongly support the campaign but I wait in anticipation to find out about impact it will make…
End of page.
You may also like:
A new pilot project will see a Community Links Worker to be placed in an East End Glasgow high school.
Continue readingMarianne Tyler, Senior Development Officer for our Children and Young People Programme, reflects on 20 years of the ALLIANCE and GIRFEC.
Continue readingA child cannot truly feel safe in a school or community if they do not feel that they belong.
Continue readingFor 20 years, The ALLIANCE has listened to member voices to help protect and improve Scotland's care services.
Continue readingWith the ALISS Customisable Map Tool, organisations can share info about community resources in ways that work for the people they support.
Continue readingIrene Mackintosh, CEO at Mhor Collective shares highlights and hopes for rights in a digital age.
Continue readingIn her latest TFN column, our Chief Officer Sara Redmond reflects on the proposal to collapse Scotland's 14 regional health boards into two.
Continue readingWhen we listen to lived experience, we create better resources, challenge assumptions and help create safer communities for everyone.
Continue readingGozie reflects on supporting citizen engagement, digital inclusion and hopes for the future.
Continue readingDCP member and Project Co-ordinator Esther Misajel shares Pachedu's journey towards digital inclusion.
Continue readingChris Mackie, Director of Digital, reflects on what ALISS has achieved so far this year and shares what is still to come.
Continue readingAt the ALLIANCE and beyond, true and meaningful policy reform means turning people's experiences into lasting action on the ground.
Continue readingGLP-1s can transform health but without adequate wraparound support, weight loss may come at the cost of nutrition, muscle and wellbeing.
Continue readingSheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland, is appealing for support for proposals to restrict tobacco, vapes and nicotine products.
Continue readingBilly McClean reflects on why SCIC26 offers a vital opportunity to learn together, share what works, and shape the future of integrated care
Continue readingTo mark the ALLIANCE's 20 year anniversary Paul Okroj reflects on the importance of supported self management.
Continue readingTo mark Scottish Learning Disability Week (7 - 13 September), Bruce Adamson reflects on this year's call to action.
Continue readingIn her latest TFN column, our Chief Officer Sara Redmond reflects on the current state of social care in Scotland.
Continue readingKicking off September for the ALLIANCE's 20 year anniversary, Grace reflects on the Self Management Programme
Continue readingSara Redmond, ALLIANCE Chief Officer, on the priorities for 2026's Programme for Government.
Continue readingSandra Auld reflects on the ALLIANCE's people focused impact, collaboration, lived experience, campaigns and lasting change in Scotland.
Continue readingMark shares his experience with gambling harms, and how this intersected with the launch of the ALLIANCE's ScotRGH programme in 2020.
Continue readingProfessor Anna Glasier celebrates 20 years of the ALLIANCE and it's vital role in shaping the Women's Health Plan for Scotland.
Continue readingSara Redmond, ALLIANCE Chief Officer, on the challenges faced by community-led health organisations in delivering prevention.
Continue readingAnnie shares her experience of youth politics, and how SAFE has helped her make connections and makes sense of the world of politics.
Continue reading