Health Promotion works with a wide range of local and national groups and agencies, communities, individuals and workplaces.
For ease of reference, this section has been split into topic categories which Health Promotion is involved in. Simply click on the appropriate link below.
The Cancer section covers the work which Health Promotion is involved with in the topics of Cancer and the ‘Detect Cancer Early’ campaign.
NHS Western Isles Cancer Webpage
The NHS Western Isles Cancer/Detect Cancer Early webpage offers information on detecting cancer early and a range of links to local and national cancer support groups and cancer-related information. To access simply click here.
NHS inform Website
NHS inform is Scotland’s national health information service. Its aim is to provide the people in Scotland with accurate and relevant information to help them make informed decisions about their own health and the health of the people they care for. To access simply click here.
For further information on this topic, please contact Alison MacDonald, Senior Health Promotion Officer, tel. 01870 602588 or email: alison.macdonald9@nhs.scot
The Community Health section covers the work which Health Promotion is involved with in the topics of inequalities, nutrition, men's health, women's health, and older people.
For further information on this topic, please contact:
- Lewis & Harris: Mary Maclean, Fas Fallain Manager, tel. 01851 762014 or email: marymaclean@nhs.scot
- Uist & Barra: Alison MacDonald, Senior Health Promotion Officer, tel. 01870 602588 or email: alison.macdonald9@nhs.scot
Keeping Safe (fraud)
Useful tips are…
- don’t give people money or your bank details/cards if they knock on your door if you don’t know them
- don’t keep large amounts of cash in your home
- never be afraid to say ‘no thank you’ and close the door or put down the phone
- never be pressurised or feel rushed to make a decision, if in doubt contact a friend or family member for advice
For advice on how to #ShutOutScammers visit:
https://www.trustedtrader.scot/
Take Five – To Stop Fraud | To Stop Fraud (takefive-stopfraud.org.uk)
http://ow.ly/LjaH50yZMKg
A useful booklet entitled Safer Communities Safer Scotland has been produced which offers practical tips on how to keep you, your family and your community safe – from protecting your home and possessions to helping your children enjoy the benefits of the internet in safety. To view, click here.
You can also contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit the charity’s website at crimestoppers-uk.org
The Health Inequalities section covers the work which Health Promotion is involved in to raises awareness of and working to reduce health inequalities in the Western Isles. For further information on this topic, please contact Mary Maclean, Fas Fallain Manager, tel. 01851 762014 or email: marymaclean@nhs.scot
Cost of Living Crises
Website Support: Accessing help for cost of living
The Learning Disabilities section covers the work which Health Promotion is involved with.
There are also a number of useful links to support those with a learning disability or their carers – simply click on the appropriate link.
- FAIR
- Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
- Tagsa Uibhist
- UCVO
- HILLS
- Advocacy Western Isles
- Citizens Advice Bureaux
- Positive Pathways
For further information on this topic, please contact Colin Gilmour, Health Improvement Manager, tel. 01851 762017 or email: colin.gilmour@nhs.scot
The Mental Health & Wellbeing section covers the work which Health Promotion is involved with to promote and encourage positive mental health.
Did you know that 1 person in every 4 will experience mental health problems at some point in their life? In fact some people would strongly suggest mental health is more important than physical health, because without mental health and wellbeing we cannot enjoy and get the most out of life.
There are also a number of useful links to support mental health and wellbeing – simply click on the appropriate link.
Local Mental Health Partnerships
Health Promotion works in partnership with Catch 23 and Tagsa Uibhist Mental Health Outreach Service, supporting them to deliver workshops/activities including physical activity, art therapy and stress management.
For further information or to register, please contact Alison MacDonald, Senior Health Promotion Officer, tel. 01870 602588
ASIST Suicide Intervention Training
In the same way that skills are needed for physical first aid, ASIST training develops the skills necessary for suicide first aid. It helps participants to become more ready, willing and able to recognise and intervene effectively to help people at risk of suicide.
ASIST is a two-day intensive, interactive and practice-dominated course aimed at providing people with the skills to spot the risk of suicide and provide immediate help to those at risk. ASIST is suitable for anyone and participants come from all sectors and backgrounds.
For further information on this topic, please contact Alison MacDonald, Senior Health Promotion Officer, tel. 01870 602588 or email: alison.macdonald9@nhs.scot
The Physical Activity section covers the work which Health Promotion is involved with to promote and encourage physical activity.
Being active is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Add a little physical activity to your daily routine and you’ll soon find yourself feeling more energetic and alert. As your fitness levels improve, so will your quality of life. More importantly, research shows that you’ll live longer and reduce your risk of developing a chronic disease like heart disease or diabetes.
It is recommended that adults do 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the week and children do 60 minutes.
Many people believe that only intense physical activity like going to the gym or running will improve their health. But, being active is about finding something you enjoy doing and fitting it into your daily routine.
Getting fit can be as easy as walking the dog, swimming with your family or taking your bike to work. All forms of exercise contribute to a healthy lifestyle. By building physical fitness into your daily routine you will be surprised at how effortless active living can be – and how good it can make you feel!
There are a number of ways to get active within the Western Isles – simply click on the appropriate link to find out what’s available in your area.
- Outer Hebrides Walking Leaflets
- ‘Walk On Hebrides’ Walking Project
- Uists Sport & Activity Directory
- Barra Sport & Activity Directory
23½ hours: What is the single best thing we can do for our health?
View the insighting and engaging visual lecture, produced by doctor-professor Dr. Mike Evans, which discusses how physical activity has the biggest impact to health and is applicable to various health problems.
Dr. Evans is the founder of the Health Design Lab at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, an Associate Professor of Family Medicine and Public Health at the University of Toronto, and a staff physician at St. Michael’s Hospital. To view visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUaInS6HIGo
For further information on this topic, please contact:
- Lewis & Harris: Health Improvement Practitioner, tel. 01851 762016 or email: wi.hpadmin@nhs.scot
- Uists & Barra: Marion Matheson, Health Improvement Practitioner, tel. 01870 602588 or email: marion.matheson1@nhs.scot
The Pregnancy & Child Health section covers the work which Health Promotion is involved with to promote health and activities for parents, babies, toddlers and children.
Health Promotion is involved with many local and national groups and agencies to help support parents and carers within the Western Isles.
There are also a number of useful links to support pregnancy and child health – simply click on the appropriate link.
- Health Visiting Service
- Maternity Service
- Gaelic4Parents
- Play Talk Read
- Ready Steady Baby
- Ready Steady Toddler
- Healthy Start
For further information on this topic, please contact Colin Gilmour, Health Improvement Manager, tel. 01851 762017 or email: colin.gilmour@nhs.scot
The Sexual Health & HIV/AIDS section covers the work which Health Promotion is involved with.
Sexual health affects all members of our society and at all ages and increasing individual and community understanding, tolerance and acceptance is central to an informed healthy society. Sex education is not only concerned with how our bodies work, but emphasis that sexuality is best placed within the context of relationships based on love and respect.
Health Promotion is involved with many local and national groups and agencies to help support and deliver sexual health training and information in the Western Isles.
Sexual Health, Family Planning & Contraceptive Services Leaflet
A leaflet offering information on local Sexual Health, Family Planning & Contraceptive Services available throughout the Western Isles has been produced. To view please click here.
Free Contraceptive Supplies
Free condoms and lubricant gel are provided by NHS Western Isles and are available from a number of locations. These include: GP Surgeries throughout the Western Isles, Health Information & Resources Service (HIRS) based at Stornoway Health Centre, Pointers Youth Cafe in Stornoway and Health Promotion (Stornoway and Benbecula offices). No appointment is necessary and items can be collected as and when required.. All services are confidential and discreet.
Condoms and lubricant gel can also be posted out discreetly from the Health Information & Resources Service (HIRS) on request. Simply telephone (01851) 701545 or visit ‘HIRS Western Isles’ on Facebook.
Family Planning Clinic / Family Planning Services
Family planning and sexual health appointments can be booked at any GP Practice, even if it is not at your own regular GP Practice.
The number of family planning clinics NHS Western Isles is offering to access contraception and family planning services has recently been increased.
Three clinics are now available on a weekly basis at the Western Isles Hospital (Monday 2pm-5pm, Wednesday 9am-1pm and Thursday 9am-1pm) and individuals can simply book their appointment by telephoning 01851 708305 to obtain information, support and access to family planning services. View our poster here.
In the Uists and Barra, family planning services are provided by GP Practices.
Emergency Contraception
Emergency contraception is used when contraception has failed or in the event of unprotected sex, to prevent pregnancy. Emergency contraception can be taken within 72 hours of having unprotected sex, but it is more effective the sooner it is taken.
Sexual Health – stay safe
Whether you’re part of a couple, in a new relationship, have many partners or are happy and relaxed not having sex, everyone needs to take care of their sexual wellbeing. Get the chat from the Sexperts and stay safe. Further details can be found on NHS Inform.
Out Out West
‘Out Out West’ is a group which offers information for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans-Gender people in the Western Isles. Visit their page on Facebook.
PrEP in Scotland (2nd Edition)
PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a combination pill that prevents HIV and is taken by HIV negative people before having sex (pre exposure), to prevent infection (prophylaxis). A second edition of the booklet has been produced – click here to view.
For further information on this topic, please contact Isabel Steele, HIV/AIDS & Sexual Health Officer, tel. 01870 603 156 or email: isabel.steele@nhs.scot
The Outer Hebrides Alcohol & Drug Partnership (ADP) leads the work for tackling and reducing substance misuse in the Western Isles.
To view the Outer Hebrides Alcohol & Drug Partnership website (a separate site) please click here.
The Workplace section covers the work which Health Promotion is involved with, both within workplaces and with those of working age.
Being in work can bring physical, mental and financial benefits, and promote confidence, independence and a feeling of being part of society.
Workplaces have a key role to play in improving our nation’s health and quality of life, and the Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives promotes an integrated approach to this – a Healthy Working Lives approach. Health Promotion are involved in many activities to promote and encourage healthy working lives.
There are also a number of useful links to support workplace health – simply click on the appropriate link.
For further information on this topic, please contact Norma Macleod, Healthy Working Lives Coordinator, tel. 01851 762017 or email: norma.macleod1@nhs.scot
The Young People section covers the work which Health Promotion is involved with.
Health Promotion works with young people in a wide range of topics and situations, both with its own staff or in a multi-agency approach.
Health Promotion are involved in many activities to raise awareness of health issues with young people.
Young People Health Services List
A comprehensive list of health related groups and agencies specifically for young people in the Western Isles was produced recently . The list provides information on the range of services each group/agency offers. To view, please click here.
Cool2talk
Cool2talk, is the interactive service for young people aged 12-18 in the Western Isles. The website – http://www.cool2talk.org/– offers confidential health advice and information online from trained health professionals, to young people.
Booklets and Leaflets
A large number of booklets and leaflets are available for young people. Information includes periods, body image, relationships, abuse (emotional, sexual and physical), sexuality, contraception, sexual problems, sexually transmitted infections, personal health, medical help, health clinics, and HIV.
For further information on this topic, please contact Isabel Steele, HIV/AIDS & Sexual Health Officer, tel. 01870 603 156 or email: isabel.steele@nhs.scot
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- LAST REVIEWED ON: April 9, 2024