NHS Lanarkshire board members were welcomed to the Practice Development Centre (PDC) at Beckford Street this week as part of a leadership walk round to highlight successes and opportunities in workforce development across Lanarkshire.
Board members heard about the PDC’s journey since its formation in 2001—from a small team of six to a dynamic workforce of 56 staff working across four bases.
The team shared highlights of their nationally recognised programmes including ear care, leg ulcer management, student placement capacity, care home support, and initiatives aligned with The Promise and young workforce development. Board members also heard about innovative solutions such as wound management cupboards in care homes, which have improved patient care and reduced hospital admissions.
Margot Russell, Director of Practice Development, said:
“It was a real pleasure to welcome our board colleagues to the Practice Development Centre and provide an insight into the breadth of work our team delivers to support high-quality, person-centred care across Lanarkshire.
“Our focus is on developing the current and future workforce—this includes, but is not limited to, the design and delivery of education programmes. We also lead on quality improvement initiatives, support record development, transform roles, and provide tailored learner support.
“Whether it’s enhancing clinical skills, enabling student placements, or building strategic partnerships with schools, colleges and universities, our work is rooted in the belief that a well-supported workforce delivers the best outcomes for patients. The visit was a valuable opportunity to showcase the diversity of our services and the impact we make across acute hospitals, community settings, care homes and mental health services.”
Trudi Marshall, Executive Nurse Director, added:
“The Practice Development Centre is one of the real engines behind innovation and improvement across our services, and it was fantastic for board members to experience first-hand the depth and diversity of work taking place there.
“What stood out most during the visit was the team’s clear passion for learning, improvement and supporting colleagues across all care settings. From nationally recognised programmes to hands-on support in care homes and student placements, the team’s work is deeply embedded in our drive for safe, effective and person-centred care.
“This isn’t just about delivering training—it’s about nurturing a workforce that feels confident, capable and cared for. That’s essential for the future of health and social care in Lanarkshire. We’re proud to have such a forward-thinking and committed team leading the way in practice development.”
The visit was part of NHS Lanarkshire’s ongoing programme of board walk rounds, aimed at building connections with teams and recognising the positive impact of staff across the organisation.
