NHS Golden Jubilee Newsletter - Spring 2025
Strathclyde and NHS Golden Jubilee renew strategic partnership
NHS Golden Jubilee and the University of Strathclyde have renewed their strategic partnership to focus on developing sustainable, innovative and practical solutions to health and social care challenges.
The new five-year agreement was signed by Professor Sir Jim McDonald, Strathclyde’s Principal and Vice-Chancellor, and Gordon James, Chief Executive of NHS Golden Jubilee.
The two partners will work together to focus on sustainability, collaborative research, education, the future of surgery, and pharmacy.
Sir Jim said: “We are delighted to renew and strengthen our strategic partnership with NHS Golden Jubilee.
"Over the course of the past three years we have worked together on a number of projects that are advancing our common goals.
"This relationship has provided us with the opportunity to translate our leading research, education and innovation capabilities – across all four Faculties – to positively impact patient and healthcare system benefits.
“The continuation of work between the University of Strathclyde and NHS Golden Jubilee is an exciting prospect, building on the solid foundation of successful collaboration that has already taken place.”
Jubilee consultant elected president of national anaesthetic association
NHS Golden Jubilee Consultant Anaesthetist Mark Steven has been elected President of the Association for Cardiothoracic Anaesthesia and Critical Care (ACTACC).
The accolade highlights Mark’s commitment to patient care and professional development since joining NHS Golden Jubilee in 2002 from the Western Infirmary Cardiothoracic Unit.
He was also recognised for his contributions to ACTACC and its Infrastructure Committee over the past 5 years in various roles, including Thoracic Representative, Meetings and Education Representative, Secretary and President Elect until his election as President.
Mark said: “I got involved in the committee, essentially for the promotion and recognition of my specialist interest, which is thoracic anaesthesia, as this was underrepresented on a national level.
“As cardiothoracic surgery was a shared specialty, surgically, it's separating into 2 very definitive specialities - cardiac surgery and thoracic surgery - with less overlap it is important that thoracic anaesthesia has its own identity and representation.”
Improving health through innovation
The national Centre for Sustainability’s Accelerated National Innovations Adoption programme will be part of a £6 million investment to help people with type 2 Diabetes, stroke patients and babies born with a rare genetic condition.
The programme will include a national digital intensive weight management programme to support 3,000 people recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, research into how a person’s genetics affect their response to certain drugs and a programme to provide genetic testing or newborn babies.
All projects have life changing effects for those who will benefit from them, resulting in improved health outcomes and a better quality of life.
New NHS Golden Jubilee cardiac pharmacist role is first in Scotland
A consultant pharmacist specialising in cardiology has joined our team in a Scottish first for such a role.
It’s only the third Consultant Pharmacist post overall in the country, with the others in cancer and General Practice and Paul Forsyth joins the NHS Golden Jubilee team following 20 years’ experience working with heart patients.
One of the main priorities of the new role is to ensure heart patients get the right medicine, at the right time, particularly for complicated cardiology cases.
Paul will be working with a highly skilled and expert multi-disciplinary team (MDT), as well as services from across our Board family such as the Centre for Sustainable Delivery (CfSD) and the NHS Scotland Academy.
Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel recognised with top award and nomination
The team at the Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel have been celebrating after their win at the National Hotels of the Year Awards and a nomination in the years E-Awards 2025.
The team picked up 2 awards for ‘Best Premium Casual Dining’ and ‘Best Corporate Events Hotel’ at the prestigious National Hotels of the Year Awards held at the Crowne Plaza Glasgow SEC.
Judges, which included industry’s leading experts, noted the Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel’s teams exceptional customer service, attention to detail and facilities.
Commercial and Logistics Director, Denis Flanagan said: “These awards are not just certificates or trophies on a shelf, they are a reflection of the dedication, passion and commitment our teams bring to the Hotel every single day.”
The team have also been nominated for ‘Best Scottish Venue and Events Team’ at the Scottish Event Awards (E-Awards), which will be held on 24 April at the O2 Academy Edinburgh.
Read more about the National Hotels of the Year
Giving back to NHS Golden Jubilee
Patients, families and loved ones continue to give back to our teams at NHS Golden Jubilee with a number of charitable efforts.
Best friend of NHS Golden Jubilee heart patient, Eilidh Main wanted to give back to the service as a thank you for treating her lifelong friend, Hollie Whitson.
Eilidh raised £800 for our Scottish Adult Congenital Cardiac Service (SACCS) by taking part in a local shopping event, offering services she provides at her business ‘Little Nail Room’ in Caithness.
Read more about Eilidh’s story here
Our SACCS team were also presented with sketches and portraits from late patient Heather McDougall, who sadly passed away in December 2023.
Heather was a research scientist with a PhD in parasitology and was also a talented artist. To celebrate her memory and to thank the SACCS team, her family presented the team with her artwork alongside an incredible donation of £1,500 from friend Russell Wood.
News Archive
Please browse through our Academy, CfSD and Hotel Press releases.
