Three geriatricians on Ward 8 at University Hospital Hairmyres are transforming surgical care for older patients — and now the Vascular POPS Team has been named a finalist in the 2025 NHS Lanarkshire Staff Awards.
Dr Chris Hay, Dr Anne Duffty and Dr Claire McKay bring daily specialist geriatric insight to the vascular ward, placing frailty, cognition and co-morbidities at the centre of care planning. By working side by side with surgeons, anaesthetists and nurses, they ensure every intervention is safe, person-centred and aligned with patient values.
Their consistent presence on the ward means problems are prevented early, complex decisions are better informed, and patients are optimised for surgery before they ever reach theatre. The result? Shorter stays, fewer readmissions and greater confidence across the team.
With compassion, clinical expertise and relentless teamwork, the Vascular POPS Team is reshaping what peri-operative care can look like for older adults.