My mother, Jean, died of sarcoma cancer nine years ago. Yet if she were alive today, she would still face the same excruciating wait for a diagnosis.
Delays to diagnoses are costing lives and devastating families across the UK. This has to change.
Shockingly, one in three (30%) sarcoma patients in the UK face an agonising wait of six-months or more for an accurate diagnosis of their cancer after first seeking medical help. One in six (17%) patients wait a year before being diagnosed.
This delay is unacceptable. Time is something those affected by sarcoma can ill afford. Sarcoma is one of the least understood but most aggressive forms of cancer and only 55% of patients survive more than five years. My mother fought the odds to survive for three years after being diagnosed and I count myself lucky to have had that time with her.
Put simply, late diagnosis costs lives, which is why I’m supporting the calls for change detailed in a new report launched by national bone and soft tissue cancer charity Sarcoma UK. Poor awareness, coupled with a complex diagnostic pathway, mean sarcomas often go misdiagnosed or are simply ignored and dismissed.
No one should ever find themselves in the position my mother and family did. People are needlessly losing their lives to this disease and will continue to do so if change doesn’t take place. The starting point for that begins here.
Delays Cost Lives: A call to policy makers to improve early diagnosis of sarcoma and more information about sarcoma, is available on the Sarcoma UK website.
The Scottish construction industry has been urged to have its say in the new draft recovery plan for the sector, launched last week by the Scottish Construction Leadership Forum (CLF).
The plan, which has been created collaboratively with the industry, sets out the pathway for joint action in response to the impact of COVID-19 on the construction sector.
The CLF is now appealing for feedback on its draft plan, with small and medium enterprises (SMEs) particularly encouraged to make their voices heard before submissions close on 15 September.
Peter Reekie, chief executive of the Scottish Futures Trust and chair of the editorial group of the CLF, said: “This plan is designed to be a living, breathing document that grows and develops in response to industry input, so we would urge everyone to have their say in its evolution.
“The response so far has been extremely encouraging, but we would welcome more input to enable us to build a rounded picture of the sector and its requirements going forward.”
Peter added: “This is a unique opportunity for everyone involved in the Scottish construction sector to join the conversation and shape our future in a post-COVID world.
“We are particularly keen to hear from SMEs and their experiences and expectations for the long road ahead. Therefore, I would urge all stakeholders with an interest in the construction and related industries in Scotland to feed in their thoughts to make the recovery plan even stronger.”
Representing a shared sector view of how to get industry back on its feet, it outlines the immediate and short-term response to COVID-19, setting out a pathway to the longer-term transformation required to build a stronger, fairer and greener economic future for Scotland.
Identifying five areas for concerted efforts, with associated sub-groups for each, the plan calls for key actions to respond to immediate needs, including:
A clear pipeline of work brought to market quickly and efficiently on fair commercial terms which reflect the reality of the COVID-19 environment.
Support of employment, fairness of work and those who may become unemployed through what will be a difficult period.
Transformation of working practices to maintain and enhance worker safety whilst enabling productivity in the COVID-19 working environment.
Like many other areas, the construction industry in Scotland has been hit hard by COVID-19 and is estimated to have contracted by 28.6 per cent in June compared to the same month a year ago.
A MUM who gave birth only two days after she found out she was pregnant has thanked two emergency responders who helped to deliver her baby.
Wee Callum was born at 1.38am on July 11 on the M876 just after the Clackmannan Bridge in the back of an ambulance.
Mum Stacey Stevenson, of Tillicoultry, said: “I actually only found out on the Tuesday that I was even pregnant.
“I had no idea the whole way through – I didn’t gain weight, had no symptoms or anything. Safe to say it was the biggest shock of my life, I don’t think I’m over it yet and he’s 5 weeks old! He was a huge surprise but a very welcome one My waters broke at 23.15 and I was on the phone to 999 by about 2330.”
Emma Devlin and Lorraine Hardie, both of Falkirk Station, were dispatched.
Stacey, 30, added: “Emma and Lorraine were amazing from the second they arrived – they were calm and confident, even though I think it was the first baby either of them had delivered.
“We headed for the hospital but didn’t quite make it.”
Callum was born at 1.38am weighing 7lb 6 and a half oz.
Stacey said: “Both ladies are honestly a credit to the service and I couldn’t have done it without them.
“Both of them were amazing, helpful and calm.”
Emma said: “Both myself and Lorraine are very happy that the delivery went well and that we were able to offer Stacey some reassurance and put her at ease as much as possible during what must of been a terrifying experience for her as Stacey’s pregnancy had come as a surprise to her.
“We are also both very happy that both Stacey and Callum are doing so well.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has urged smartphone users across Scotland to download NHS Scotland’s new contact tracing app to help suppress the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
The Protect Scotland app is now available to download for free via Apple and Google stores.
Supported by a dedicated Protect Scotland website, the app is an extra tool complementing existing person-to-person contact tracing which remains the main component of NHS Scotland’s Test and Protect system.
Individuals privacy will be protected as the app uses Bluetooth technology to anonymously alert users if they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, and advises them to self-isolate. Users of the app who test positive will still get a call from a contact tracer to confirm their details and who they have been in close contact with.
The app does not store details on an individual or their location but uses encrypted, anonymised codes exchanged between smartphones to determine all close contacts. Close contacts are defined as people who have been within two metres of someone who has tested positive for 15 minutes.
Built by software developers NearForm for NHS Scotland, the app uses the same technology as the Republic of Ireland and Northern Irish proximity tracing apps.
Sign up is entirely voluntary but strongly recommended for those with compatible smartphones.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “The launch of the app is a welcome development which will offer an additional level of protection – supporting NHS Scotland’s Test and Protect system as it works to drive down the spread of COVID-19 across the country.
“I would encourage everyone to download the free app if they have a compatible smartphone, and help slow the spread of COVID-19. This will support the work of NHS Scotland and has the potential to help avoid local lockdowns.
“The more people who download and use the app, the more effective it can be in helping to make connections that may otherwise have been missed. This will allow people to self-isolate quickly if they are exposed to the virus, reducing the risk of them infecting others.
“We all have a part to play in suppressing the virus, and downloading the app – alongside other vital measures such as following hygiene and physical distancing guidance – will help protect you, your family and your community.
“We also know that not everyone uses a smartphone or will be able to or want to access the app, which is why this software is very much there to complement existing contact tracing methods.”
Cian Ó Maidín, CEO, NearForm said: “We’re delighted to partner with NHS Scotland on the Protect Scotland app which puts power in citizens’ pockets to join the fight against COVID-19.
“This open source technology was built with privacy and data protection at its core and, through anonymous keys, allows Scottish citizens to engage, protect each other and break transmission chains.
“The Scottish Government has taken a great approach, using open source software, that has been peer reviewed and rolled out successfully in Ireland and Northern Ireland.”
Since launching last night, the app has already been downloaded more than 600,000 times.
SNP MSP Gordon MacDonald said: “The Scottish Government has now launched the ‘Protect Scotland’ proximity tracing app, to help stop the spread of the Covid-19 virus and complement the person-to-person approach of Test and Protect.
“The app – which takes less than a minute to download – will allow us to alert people at risk far more quickly, so that we can all take steps to reduce the risk of infecting others.
“Scotland’s official contact tracing app will help us all to protect ourselves, our family, our friends and our community by enabling faster contact tracing.
“The more people who have the app, the more it can help to slow the spread of Coronavirus.
“That’s why I’m urging people in Edinburgh to download the app, and let’s all protect Scotland.”
For more information on the Protect Scotland app visit www.protect.scot
Maximum gathering set at six people from two households
Indoor and outdoor gatherings revised to keep virus under control
The number of people who can gather together, indoors or outdoors, will be set at maximum of six from two households.
Moves announced yesterday by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will be enforced from Monday (14 September), but people are urged to ‘abide by these stricter new limits immediately.’
Children under 12 from within the two households will not be counted in the new limit of six people.
The restrictions do not apply where there is other sector specific guidance in force, for example for gyms, for childcare or for organised sports, and there will be some other limited exceptions for larger households, education, and places of worship. It does apply to hospitality.
Along with these new measures, the First Minister also confirmed that Scotland will not move out of Phase 3.
As a result of a rise in coronavirus (COVID-19) infections, route map changes that had been given a conditional, indicative start date of Monday (14 September) – conditional on progress against the epidemic – have now been given the new indicative date of Monday 5 October.
A final decision will be taken nearer the time on confirming this new indicative date.
The measures announced yesterday are:
group gatherings will only be allowed to a maximum of six people from two households in both indoor and outdoor settings, with limited exemptions (becoming law from Monday 14 September)
face coverings must be worn in hospitality settings, apart from during the service of food and drink, with hospitality staff following the similar rules as retail staff (from Monday 14 September)
up to 20 people will still be able to attend funerals, weddings and civil partnerships ceremonies, with the limit permitted for wakes and receptions rising to 20 in line with this, as long as they take place in regulated venues like hotels with strict guidance in place (from Monday 14 September)
route map moves expected from Monday (14 September) are given a new indicative date of Monday 5 October
The First Minister said: “I am asking people to abide by these stricter new limits on gatherings immediately.
“In recent weeks, we have reopened significant parts of our economy. People are meeting up more, going out more, and travelling more. All of that is positive.
“But as we released ourselves from lockdown, we also released the virus. Rather than the threat to public health receding, the pandemic is accelerating again – albeit, and thankfully, from a low base and not as rapidly.
“The hospitality industry has put a lot of effort into creating safe spaces for people to meet. We hope that reducing the risk of transmission in hospitality settings through the use of face coverings and reducing group numbers will help keep the sector open.
“Unfortunately, the route map changes that had been given an indicative date of Monday, conditional on the progress of the epidemic, must be paused for a further three weeks. I must stress this remains an indicative date and a final decision can only be taken nearer the time.
“It is important we don’t lose sight of the objective to keep infection levels as low as possible. It is not a virus anyone should be relaxed about getting.
“I know that after six long, hard months, we are still asking the public to make a lot of difficult sacrifices. That is unavoidable, given the nature of the challenge we face.
“However, I want to be clear that while we still face a battle to get and keep COVID under control, we are in a stronger position than earlier in the year.”
The new measures do not overrule measures implemented for localised restrictions.
