QM News 74 (pdf 1.58 MB) - Queen Margaret University

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DEVELOPMENT NEWS
QMU Appoints New Alumni
MANAGER
The University has appointed Craig
Rutherford as its new Development and
Alumni Manager. Craig will be providing
regular updates to all of our alumni
through QM News and via e-mail, as
well as looking at new and better ways
to keep you informed and in contact
with the University. Over the next year,
Craig will also be organising a number of
alumni reunions in the UK and abroad,
so look out for news on those as it
becomes available.
Craig has a background in development
and alumni, has worked at other Scottish
educational institutions, and is looking
forward to keeping you up-to-date and
meeting as many of you as possible. If
you have any information that you think
might be of interest to the Alumni
department – success stories, notable
alumni, programme reunions, etc let us
know by emailing
E: alumni@qmu.ac.uk or calling
T: 0131 474 0000 and asking for
Craig Rutherford.
Also, as part of its remit, the
Development and Alumni Office is
fundraising for various projects and
good causes around the University. This
includes research initiatives, student
welfare, scholarships and equipment
funding. If you have any ideas for raising
funds for the University, or you would like
to look at how you might be able to help,
contact Craig on the number above or
E: development@qmu.ac.uk.
Lydia Osteoporosis Project
In 2010, QMU received its largest single
charitable donation to date, in order to
progress research and education into
osteoporosis. This donation will support
QMU’s nursing and healthcare specialists
in investigating the moving and handling
needs of patients with osteoporosis, as
well as potentially developing educational
materials for healthcare professionals.
Osteoporosis is a condition which
reduces the bone mineral density of
those affected. Consequently, even minor
slips and falls can lead to potentially life
changing bone fractures. It is estimated
by the International Osteoporosis
Foundation that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5
men over 50 will experience osteoporotic
fractures. While in hospital, patients with
osteoporosis may have particular moving
and handling needs.
The ‘Lydia Osteoporosis Project’ is being
carried out by a team of QMU’s nurse
researchers, led by Dr Margaret Smith. If
the results of the research phase indicate
a need for an education intervention,
this will be discussed and developed
in conjunction with NHS partners.
The project therefore aims to do the
following:
• consult moving and handling experts
regarding any specific moving and
handling needs of older patients with
osteoporosis in hospital;
• explore the in-hospital experiences of
older patients with osteoporosis;
• if indicated by the research findings, to
develop and implement an education
intervention for healthcare staff to
raise awareness of the moving and
handling needs of older patients with
osteoporosis. This phase would be
undertaken in partnership with relevant
NHS staff and
• to inform education relating to the
moving and handling needs of
older patients with osteoporosis in
undergraduate healthcare programmes
at QMU.
Ultimately, the Lydia Project aims to
draw on the knowledge and experience
of healthcare staff and patients’
experiences to directly influence the
education and training of healthcare
professionals, with the aim of identifying
and disseminating best practice.
More information on the project can be
found at: W: www.qmu.ac.uk/hn/Lydia_
Osteoporosis_Project.htm
If you are interested in donating to the
Lydia Osteoporosis Project contact the
QMU Development office on
T: 0131 474 0000 and ask for
Craig Rutherford, Development and
Alumni Manager.
Margaret Auld Bequest
In September 2010, QMU received the
sad news of the death of Dr Margaret
Auld. Back in 1987, Dr Auld had been
the very first person to be conferred
with an honorary degree by QMU (then
Queen Margaret College). During her
time as Chief Nursing Officer for the
Scottish Home and Health Department,
and later as a governor and then Chair
of the Board of Governors, Dr Auld was
a great friend and tireless supporter of
QMU. Her last act of friendship was
a much appreciated bequest with
instructions that the money should go
towards the development of clinical
skills with an emphasis on patient care
amongst the QMU Nursing students.
Through this generous gift, QMU’s
nursing students will soon benefit from
the new Drager ‘Delta Infinity’ bedside
monitor, which will greatly enhance
student learning within QMU’s flagship
Clinical Simulation Suite. The monitor
will allow us to display sophisticated
patient information, such as blood
pressure, blood oxygenation levels and
heart rate and rhythm. Usually only
available in specialist intensive care or
emergency departments, this type of
bedside monitoring is consistent with the
equipment used locally in the practice
placements accessed by nursing
students.
In an emergency situation, the first
responder is most likely to be a nurse,
so it is crucial that student nurses
develop the skills and competencies
needed to identify, assess and act upon
early warning signs of deterioration in
acutely ill patients. Through participation
in simulated emergencies at QMU,
students have the opportunity to
develop these skills of assessment,
care management and decision making.
Advance knowledge of this type of
machine can allow them to make the
most of their placements by ensuring
they are ready to use their classroom
experiences in a clinical setting right from
day one.
QMU is extremely grateful to Dr Auld for
her foresight and generosity in making
this possible.
If you would like more information on
leaving a legacy to QMU or simply
making a donation to any subject area,
call Craig Rutherford on
T: 0131 474 0000.