RCEM Scotland: Huge increases in extreme A&E waits ‘dangerous and shameful’

More than TEN TIMES as many people waited over 12 hours in Scottish A&Es in August 2023 than in August 2019 – an increase branded ‘dangerous and shameful’ by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine.

The figure has been calculated using data published yesterday (3 October 2023) by Public Health Scotland and reveals how many people visited a major Emergency Department in Scotland in August 2023.

When compared with August 2019 (pre-pandemic) they show the number of people waiting:  

  • more than four hours is up from 14,372 to 39,147 
  • more than eight-hours is up from 1,395 to 10,793
  • more than 12-hours is up from 352 to 3,847.

The data for August 2023 shows:

  • 116,673 people visited a major Emergency Department in Scotland – almost 6,000 more than the previous month (110,854).
  • 67.90% of patients were seen within four-hours at major Emergency Departments.
    • This is a decrease of 1.7% from the previous month.
  • 37,415 patients waited more than four-hours in major Emergency Departments, which is a 9.8% increase from the previous month and an 5.3% decrease from August 2022.
  • 10,793 (9%) patients waited eight-hours or more in an Emergency Department
    • This is an increase of 2% from the previous month. But a 1.9% decrease compared with August 2022.
  • 3,847 (3%) patients waited more than 12-hours before being seen, admitted, discharged, or transferred
    • This figure has increased 0.9% from the previous month, but decreased by 1% compared with August 2022.
  • There were 1,797 beds occupied due to delayed discharges, the most for any August on record. 

Visualisations for the data are available here.

Responding to the figures, Dr John-Paul Loughrey, RCEM Vice President for Scotland, said: “When you compare figures month-on-month you only get a snapshot of what is happening, but when you take a longer view it reveals the bigger, much more concerning picture.

“To think that in just three years we have seen the percentage of people experiencing extreme waits increasing so significantly is shocking.

“But worse than that it is shameful, and it is dangerous. We know long waits increase the risk of people dying.

“The system is stretched to beyond capacity. Nobody wants to be in this situation – not patients and certainly not clinicians. And this should not be blamed on the pandemic – it is symptomatic of a much wider issue.

“In the short term, we need decisive and urgent action from the Scottish Government to avert what is looking like an inevitable winter A&E crisis, but we also need and effective long-term strategy to reverse this unacceptable situation.”  

Breathing Space benches at Cammo Meadows development

Leading homebuilders have unveiled two new Breathing Space benches at a development in Edinburgh

Cala Homes (East) has installed a bench at the Cammo Meadows development to help boost mental health awareness, providing a space for locals and residents to take some time out of their day for a quiet moment of reflection.

A second bench has been installed by David Wilson Homes East Scotland who, alongside Cala Homes (East), have jointly funded the benches.

Cala Homes (East) has placed its bench in a quiet corner, at the western edge of the development, beside a local woodland walk and cycle path to provide picturesque views of the historic Cammo Estate.

An inscribed plaque will clearly display contact information for Breathing Space, a free telephone service which aims to help those in Scotland who are experiencing anxiety, stress or feeling low.

Peter McNamara Site Manager at Cala Homes’ (East) Cammo Meadows development, said: “We are delighted to unveil this Breathing Space bench at Cammo Meadows. The bench will act as a reminder that mental health is just as important as physical health, and we hope that residents use it for moments of peaceful reflection.

“Its position beside the Cammo Estate is also something we took into consideration, as it means it’s not just those who live at Cammo Meadows, but also the wider community are able to use the bench, not just those that live within the development. This gives everyone a chance to benefit from this peaceful setting and take some time out.”

Tony McLaren, National Co-ordinator for Breathing Space, said: “The benches we have installed help the spread of positivity, as well as encouraging people to reach out to those who need it most. By adding the plaque with our phone number, we hope to make more people aware of the helpline which is available on weekday evenings and 24 hours at weekends. Those looking to speak to a Breathing Space advisor can call 0800 83 85 87.

“We hope the residents and the whole community at Cammo Meadows and surrounding area are able to enjoy the bench, in this serene and calm setting, and that it has a positive impact on the local community.”

Anne Ross, sales director at David Wilson Homes East Scotland, part of Barratt Developments Scotland, said: “The new Breathing Space bench at our Cammo Meadows development is a welcome addition to the site, providing a space for the local community to relax and find a moment of calm amidst busy schedules.

“Residents and locals experiencing anxiety, stress or who are feeling low can also find contact details for a free telephone service on each bench’s plaque. It might not seem much, but these two small corners of calm are a positive step in supporting and shifting the stigma surrounding mental health.”

To learn more about Cammo Meadows, or to request a viewing, call 0131 5156 4399 or visit: https://www.cala.co.uk/homes-for-sale/scotland/edinburgh/cammo-meadows

To learn more about the portfolio of properties developed by Cala Homes (East), visit www.cala.co.uk/east-of-scotland/  

Challenge Poverty Week: Supporting our most deprived communities to live active healthy lives

EDINBURGH LEISURE £10 GET ACTIVE PASS

As the UK gets ready for Challenge Poverty Week (Monday, 2nd October to Sunday, 8th October), Edinburgh Leisure, the largest provider of sports and leisure facilities across the city, is working in local communities to support more people living in poverty and affected by inequalities to be active and well.

Poverty and poor health are inextricably linked. Despite Edinburgh being one of the wealthiest cities in the UK, Edinburgh faces some of the greatest levels of inequality.  The Edinburgh Poverty Commission estimates that almost 82,000 people are living in poverty. And in terms of life expectancy, a boy born in in the New Town, Edinburgh can expect to live 21 years longer, than a boy born in Niddrie.

Forty-four percent of adults living in the most deprived communities in Scotland do not meet the recommended amount of physical activity compared with twenty-eight percent of adults living in the least deprived areas.

Helen Macfarlane, Director of Wellbeing at Edinburgh Leisure said: “Being active is one of the best things we can do for our health, wellbeing, and quality of life. Yet many people living in poverty can face barriers to being active, such as cost, lack of confidence and knowledge of what support is available. 

“As part of Challenge Poverty Week, we’d love more adults experiencing poverty and inequalities to take out our £10 Get Active Pass and enjoy the life changing benefits of being active with Edinburgh Leisure. The card is not available to buy online but anyone eligible can pop into any Edinburgh Leisure venue and sign up. It really is making a huge difference to people’s lives.”

One participant explained the positive impact it is having on their life: “I don’t often leave the house but since I’ve taken out a £10 Get Active Pass, I’ve been going swimming regularly which makes a huge difference to my mental health.

“I couldn’t afford a membership, so the £10 Get Active pass has been a godsend. It’s helping me both mentally and physically and encouraged me to meet new people.”

The Edinburgh Leisure £10 Get Active Card is aimed at people on a very low income and offers off-peak access to the gym, swim, saunas and steam rooms and group fitness classes, up to 4pm, 7 days a week.  Fitness classes can be booked on the day of use.

Edinburgh Leisure is a charity on a mission to keep people active and well. They run over 50 sport, leisure and school venues across the city and are committed to creating opportunities for everyone to be active and stay active.

Each year Edinburgh Leisure’s’ Active Communities team support more than 10,000 people who face the greatest barriers to being active, including those affected by health conditions, disabilities, inequalities, and poverty to improve their health and wellbeing. They deliver over 20 different programmes city wide, which aim to break down barriers to physical activity and help people to lead healthier, happier, and more active lives.

Each year, they raise over £800,000 from external funders to provide a range of targeted projects and activities which enable people on low incomes and those living with long term health conditions to be active to protect their health, wellbeing, and quality of live.

The funding is an investment into health and wellbeing, providing a significant return by reducing the need for people to access more expensive health and social care services.

https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/join/concessions#getactivepass

https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/activities/active-communities

Portobello walking group wins national award

A DEDICATED group of individuals who run a weekly walking group have been recognised by the nation’s walking charity at its annual awards presentation. 

Portobello Prom – Ageing Well has won the prestigious Dementia Friendly Walking Volunteer Group of the Year at Paths for All’s Volunteer Awards. 

The group, set up with Edinburgh Leisure, enables individuals to walk at a leisurely pace across the seaside promenade as a way of keeping people active and connected who may otherwise struggle to do so.

More than 20 participants join the walks on a weekly basis, some of whom live with dementia. The Ageing Well team has accommodating those individuals through specialist training which has been coordinated by Paths for All and Edinburgh Leisure. 

Volunteer Walk Leader, David Simpson said: “The group was set up many years ago to provide people with an outlet to come and interact with others while also keeping active. 

“There is a huge variety of individuals who attend our walks and some of those people do live with dementia, for them – and their loved ones and carers – it’s a great chance to get out and about and speak with other people who may be living with something similar.” 

“As Walk Leaders we try and do our best to keep the participants happy and motivated.” 

“While keeping active is great, it’s the social aspect of walking which I feel is really powerful, and so becoming a Walk Leader was an easy way to give back to my community.” 

Kay Parsons, Active Communities Supervisor (Volunteers) at Edinburgh Leisure, said:  “Winning the Paths for All’s Dementia Friendly Walking Volunteer Group of the Year 2023 award is testament to the hard work, friendliness, and ability of all the volunteers to make those attending feel included and welcome. 

“The Ageing Well Portobello Walking group volunteers have been going for years, keeping our Dementia Friendly walk going in all weathers in Scotland. They go up and down Portobello Prom, and for many of our 20-30 odd weekly participants, this is the only time they get outside into the fresh air. 

“They get to enjoy the seaside air, a stroll and a chat and tea in a cafe afterwards. The volunteers keep them motivated and laughing, and one participant told me she “forgets she has Dementia when on a walk with the volunteers.” 

Hosted by the BBC Scotland’s Fiona Stalker, with awards presented by sponsoring MSP Nicola Sturgeon, the event recognised 10 groups and individuals throughout Scotland who have gone the extra mile to keep their communities active. 

Maree Todd, Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport “Supporting people in Scotland to walk and wheel is a key part of our vision of a country where more people are more active, more often. 

“A huge number of highly motivated and skilled people are helping us deliver this vision, especially the passionate volunteers who do so much to help others overcome challenges to participation and facilitate activities across the country. 

“They really are inspirational, the recognition from Paths for All in these Awards is very well deserved.” 

Kevin Lafferty, Chief Executive Officer at Paths for All, said: “Every year I am blown away at the number of incredible groups and volunteers out there determined to make a difference.

“The work carried out by volunteers is directly improving the nation’s physical, mental and social health, reducing social isolation and loneliness and helping people make more environmentally friendly lifestyle choices. 

“It’s been fantastic hosting the awards at the Scottish Parliament again this year, I always enjoy getting to socialise with our amazing volunteers and hear first-hand about the invaluable contributions they have been making. 

“Thank you to everyone for their efforts and ongoing dedication.” 

Paths for All works with the Scottish Government and 30 partners to support and deliver national policies, such as the National Walking Strategy and other ‘active travel’ initiative to improve the mental, social and physical health of the country. 

The charity awards thousands of pounds worth of grants to worthwhile projects that improve health, promote walking and improve environments for people to be active in – making for a happier, healthier, greener Scotland. 

To find out more about Ageing Well walks in your area visit: 

https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/ageing-well-walks 

A full list of Volunteer Award winners 2023 can be found on Paths for All’s website: http://www.pathsforall.org.uk/volunteerawards 

One third of social care workforce sickness absence due to mental health and stress, new figures reveal

Mental health, stress and work-related stress was behind nearly one-third (30 per cent or 500,021 FTE days)* of social care staff sickness absence in councils in England last year, shocking new figures uncovered by the British Psychological Society have revealed today.            

Analysis of new data obtained by the British Psychological Society (BPS) from 114 local authorities in England, has also shown that for more than three quarters (77 per cent)** of local authorities, mental health, stress, or work-related stress is the most common reason for sickness absence in their social care workforce.

The data shows 1.6million days (1,653,117 FTE days)* of sickness absence were taken by adult and children’s social care staff in 114 councils in 2022-2023 in total, against a backdrop of a debilitating recruitment and retention crisisunmanageable workloads, and soaring local authority spending on agency social care staff.

The figures are based on analysis of data for the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023, from 114 local authorities in England, obtained through Freedom of Information requests submitted by the British Psychological Society.

The British Psychological Society and British Association of Social Workers say the new figures highlight the desperate need for the NHS Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs, which provided dedicated mental health support for struggling health and social care staff, until government funding ended in March 2023.

New research into the impact of three hubs recently published in the BMJ has found that Hubs were seen as a valuable, responsive and distinct part of the health and care system, but that the genuine promotion of and value placed on mental health support by health and social care management, and the creation of psychologically safe work environments, was vital.

At least 15 of the 42 hubs have already closed or are pending closure, while the majority of remaining hubs continue to operate in a funding limbo after NHS England provided an inadequate £2.3million for drastically scaled back services until March 2024 – despite staff wellbeing being a key focus of the new NHS Workforce Plan.

Some hubs had set up teams dedicated to reaching the social care workforce in their areas, including the Keeping Well in South East London (KWSEL) Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub, which proactively engaged with staff across six city boroughs. In one year, the team visited more than 110 care section organisations, with 448 care staff receiving training or an intervention to support their mental wellbeing, before the service was forced to close in March 2023 after its funding was cut.***

Integrated Care Systems in England are expected to make crucial decisions about future funding for the hubs and their staff wellbeing services in the next few months. The British Psychological Society and British Association of Social Workers are calling on health and care leaders to make funding for staff wellbeing support, including for the NHS Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs, a key priority in their budgets.

Dr Roman Raczka, President-Elect of the British Psychological Society, and Chair of the Division for Clinical Psychology, said: “These troubling figures are yet more evidence of the staffing crisis and working conditions within social care, and the deeply concerning toll it is taking on the mental health of a demoralised and burnt out workforce.

“Despite this, funding for the NHS Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs was cut just as many had started to make inroads into reaching social care staff who needed help, leaving significant unmet need.

“Health and social care leaders simply can’t afford not to invest in staff wellbeing if they wish to retain staff, recruit new talent, and provide the effective, safe services people deserve. 

“We urge them to commit to long-term ring-fenced funding for dedicated mental health and wellbeing support for health and care staff, including through the remaining NHS Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs.

“They must now seize upon the opportunity to build upon the foundations created by the hub network to provide mental health and wellbeing support for staff that’s fit for purpose and rooted in best practice.”

The figures published by the BPS reflect the findings of the British Association of Social Workers’ (BASW) Annual Survey of Social Workers and Social Work: 2022, which found that 75 per cent of respondents reported that they are currently unable to complete all of their work within their contracted hours.

BASW found a lack of funding for social care (68 per cent), recruitment and retention problems (54 per cent) and cuts to local services (42 per cent) were pinpointed as the biggest concerns for the profession as a whole.

Graeme Souness backs Rangers x BHF charity partnership

Graeme Souness urges Scotland football fans to look after their heart health as he backs British Heart Foundation Scotland as Rangers Charity Foundation’s new charity partner  


  Ahead of World Heart Day tomorrow (29 September), former Rangers player and manager, Graeme Souness, is urging Scottish football fans to look after their heart health as he backs British Heart Foundation (BHF) Scotland as the Rangers Charity Foundation’s new national charity partner. 

The partnership will last for the 2023/24 season with the Foundation pledging to raise £25,000 for BHF Scotland. 

It will also help raise awareness of heart and circulatory diseases – conditions which are some of the nation’s biggest killers, causing around 50 deaths each day, and are estimated to affect 700,000 people in Scotland. 

David McColgan, Head of British Heart Foundation Scotland commented: “We’re delighted the Rangers Charity Foundation has chosen BHF Scotland as its national charity partner for the season. 

“Heart and circulatory diseases are some of Scotland’s biggest killers and we hope this partnership will help us raise awareness in Scotland’s footballing community about the importance of looking after your heart health, while also enabling more people to learn lifesaving CPR skills and raise an incredible amount of money for the British Heart Foundation.” 

Graeme Souness has personal experience of heart disease and understands first-hand how important the lifesaving research the BHF helps to fund is. 

The football legend said: “I was diagnosed with coronary heart disease at 38 and had a triple bypass. When I was diagnosed, I was extremely fit. I never thought I’d be the type of person to get heart disease, but if it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone. 

“Ten years later, I had a stent fitted as another one of my arteries had become blocked. Then in November 2015, I was rushed to hospital after suffering a heart attack at home. 

“Thankfully, I’m now OK, but without the research the BHF has helped fund into heart and circulatory diseases, it could have been a different story.” 

The charity partnership will also encourage at least 50,000 people – the capacity of Ibrox Stadium – to learn lifesaving CPR via the BHF’s free online tool, RevivR. 

RevivR allows people to learn CPR in just 15 minutes and aims to give people the skills and confidence to save a life. It teaches people how to recognise a cardiac arrest, gives feedback on chest compressions and outlines the correct steps in using a defibrillator. All people need is a mobile phone and a firm cushion.  

The Rangers Charity Foundation will be spreading the word about the RevivR app, which can be downloaded at www.rangerscharity.org.uk/Revivr, to supporters and the wider public throughout the season.  

Rangers Charity Foundation Chief Executive Connal Cochrane added: “The work of the British Heart Foundation Scotland aligns closely with the Foundation’s strategic priorities in terms of health and well-being and education and we are delighted to be able to combine both these pillars in a project which will roll out life-saving skills to thousands of fans. 

“Our donation this season will support the British Heart Foundation’s RevivR app which is a really simple, easy way to learn key skills in your own home which could save a life. 

“We also look forward to working with the British Heart Foundation on a number of other initiatives over the course of the season, such as providing free blood pressure checks at some home games for fans and sharing important information about heart health and where to go for help and advice.” 

For more information about the British Heart Foundation visit: bhf.org.uk or to find out more about the Rangers Charity Foundation visit: rangerscharity.org.uk  

Edinburgh Leisure teams up with ReferAll to manage its Active Communities projects

Scotland’s largest leisure trust, Edinburgh Leisure, has partnered with ReferAll to manage all its health and wellbeing referral projects.

Edinburgh Leisure, which operates more than 50 first class venues across the city, is now using ReferAll’s data management platform to administer its Active Communities schemes.

Active Communities operates 18 different projects city wide, which aim to break down barriers to physical activity and help people to lead healthier, happier and more active lives.

Edinburgh Leisure currently supports more than 10,000 people affected by health conditions, disabilities, inequalities and poverty to get active and stay active every year, with projects such as Healthy Active Minds – which uses physical activity to support adults living with mental health conditions – and Steady Steps, supporting adults who have had or may be at risk of a fall.

ReferAll’s easy-to-view dashboard offers Edinburgh Leisure a real-time overview of all its Active Communities projects and their status, including details such as referrals received, uptake and completion rates.

The Reporting Solution enables the Active Communities teams to analyse service performance and patient outcomes. Ultimately, this means Edinburgh Leisure can clearly demonstrate to commissioners and stakeholders the positive impact they’re having on participants’ physical and mental health.

Ryan Martin, Wellbeing Referral Manager at Edinburgh Leisure, said: “We been working with ReferAll since July 2023 and already have 2,500 referrals on the system. With the ongoing challenges of securing funding from different partners, we needed a much more robust and seamless data platform.

“We were searching for an accurate way to measure our participants’ outcomes and record the positive impact we’re having on people’s health thanks to their involvement in our Active Communities projects; ReferAll does just that.

“Having the ability to clearly see the number of non-starters and record reasons for non-participation has been especially helpful. Our Active Communities team has a big role to play, working with partners and focusing on individuals and communities who need extra support and ReferAll helps them to do that easily.”

From the iconic Royal Commonwealth Pool and the brand-new purpose-built Meadowbank Sports Centre to its Victorian Swim Centres and six golf courses, Edinburgh Leisure’s facilities are based right in the heart of communities. They are committed to harnessing the power of physical activity to tackle inequalities and combat the negative effects of inactivity. 

Jerry Saddington, Sales and Account Manager at ReferAll, adds: “During Edinburgh Leisure’s onboarding we’ve been thrilled to help their teams map out key points in their pathways using ReferAll’s automated features. This swill save their team so much time in managing referral-based health and wellbeing schemes, as well as prioritising GDPR security.

“Our data management platform was designed and built by industry experts to reduce workloads for service managers and their teams. It simplifies and standardises service delivery, as well as the ability to report on specific Key Performance Indicators and outcomes, offering real-time visibility of programme performance providing confidence to commissioners and stakeholders.”

Talk pants at McDonald Road Library!

FREE FAMILY FUN DAY – 17th OCTOBER

Free family fun day with @NSPCC_Scotland at McDonald Road Library on Tuesday 17 October, 3pm to 4.30pm. Free activities, snacks and meet Pantasaurus.

Find out more at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/talkpants

Talk PANTS is a partnership between the Edinburgh Child Protection Committee and NSPCC Scotland. The aim is to protect children from sexual abuse by encouraging parents, carers and professionals to have conversations with children in an age-appropriate way about how to stay safe.

The campaign aims to raise awareness of the PANTS rule across the city. PANTS helps children understand that they have a right to say no and if they need to speak out about something, someone will listen. 

There is a range of resources available for parents, carers and professionals who work with children

Minimum Unit Pricing consultation

Views sought on increased level of 65p

A proposal to increase the Minimum Unit Price of alcohol by 15 pence per unit to 65 pence is included in a new consultation on the future of the public health policy.

Views are being sought on whether to continue the Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) legislation beyond the current term which ends next April, and the level at which it should be set.

A Scottish Government report on the operation and effect of MUP in its first five years, an Interim Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment and a report on public attitudes to the policy have also been published.

These papers assess the success of the measure so far and look at the future impact on health and industry sectors if it is continued and the potential effects of different minimum price levels.

This builds on Ministerial engagement with business and health stakeholders which has taken place throughout the summer.

Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister Elena Whitham said: The recent rise in alcohol-specific deaths highlights the need for more to be done to tackle alcohol-related harm.

“Our world-leading Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) policy is one of the measures we know can make a difference. Recent research estimated it has saved hundreds of lives, likely averted hundreds of alcohol-attributable hospital admissions each year – and also contributed to reducing health inequalities. It is one of a range of measures we have in place across prevention and treatment services to reduce alcohol harm.

“We believe the proposals set out in this consultation strike a reasonable balance between public health benefits and any effects on the alcoholic drinks market and subsequent impact on consumers, but we want to hear from all sides and urge everyone to take the time to respond.”

Read the consultation: Alcohol – minimum unit pricing – continuation and future pricing