A LEADING Inverclyde Royal Hospital consultant is working with local libraries to bring 'common sense' medicine into the heart of the community.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde anaesthetist and researcher Dr Malcolm Watson was at Greenock Central Library for a special event to raise awareness of a health app and a pilot scheme.
Inverclyde Libraries have been at the centre of the new 'Realistic Medicine' programme and hosted the information day.
They were joined by a host of partners on the day including the Inverclyde community link workers to demonstrate the support that is available in the library.
Speaking to the Tele Dr Watson, who is an on call consultation at the IRH, said: "For me Inverclyde is the perfect place to launch this in Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
"We are delighted to be working with the Inverclyde libraries service. Libraries are at the very heart of a community and they are the best place to start.
"This is called Realistic Medicine, but for me it is about common sense medicine.
"I am so passionate about getting patients involved and informed about their care. So they are empowered.
"The idea is that we want patients to be informed about their treatments before they come for an appointment.
"I am an expert in health and care, I know what I am talking about, but I don't know the patient themselves.
"It is about having conversations with doctors when you come for appointments.
"For me patients should be discussing with us what are the benefits, the risks, the alternatives and what happens if we do nothing?"
Dr Watson is a consultant based in Queen Elizabeth who also works on call at Inverclyde Royal as well as the Beatson and leads research trials.
He has taken the lead on Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board's push on Realistic Medicines.
It was decided to pilot the programme in Inverclyde.
He added: "Inverclyde is a really close community with strong links between all the services. We have the community link workers and other who reach out to patients.
"Inverclyde Royal Hospital is very much the perfect example of a community hospital. It has such strong links with patients."
Inverclyde Libraries will provide people with information they need to self-manage, maintain and improve their health and wellbeing.
A new app called 'Being a partner in my care' was launched locally as part of the Realistic Medicine tools.
Inverclyde Libraries can enable PC and internet access and trained library staff can support people to navigate the app effectively.
Inverclyde Library services development officer Gail Colbron, who led the information day, said: "We are very keen to be involved. We think it is important that the library is a vital source of information for people."
They were joined on the day by Alzheimer Scotland; Inverclyde Community Link Workers; SAMH, Your Voice,Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland; and Inverclyde HSCP.
Mental health SAMH facilitator Rosaleen Ferns said: "We use the libraries when we are working with people, maybe to meet about up and chat or to find information. This is a great idea."
Councillor Jim Clocherty said: "I am a great supporter of anything that promotes the wonderful work of our libraries and giving people great access to information about with health and social care services."
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