Hospitals use angling as a calming therapy

Fishing is being used as a form of therapy at two Scottish hospitals, health bosses said.

Patients in Greater Glasgow and Clyde are now benefiting from the pastime, known for its calming and therapeutic effect.

Staff at two mental health hospitals, Leverndale and Dykebar, hit upon the idea of fishing therapy based on their own love of the sport.

Nursing assistant John Kelly, from Leverndale, and David Potter and Mark Aitchison, nursing assistants from Dykebar, came up with the idea.

They hoped taking patients into the tranquil environment would not only be relaxing and calming, but would also help to reduce the stigmatisation that some encounter.

Mr Kelly said: "We all find angling extremely therapeutic and thought some of our patients would really benefit from it.

"We work with patients with enduring mental health problems and long-term, life-limiting conditions, and we wanted to do something for them that would improve their quality of life and provide a change to their everyday routine.

"We had brilliant feedback from our managers, who were quick to help us establish a plan - the results have surpassed all our hopes."

Staff take the patients to a fishery at the New Haylie Loch in Largs, in small groups once a week.