Whether you’re considering a change of career or have an interest in innovative ways to solve the global climate crisis, you could be among the swarms of Scots getting smart on insect farming thanks to events from Zero Waste Scotland this month.
Scotland’s circular economy expert organisation will run three public events on the future of food with a focus on farming insects like mealworm and black soldier fly. The events will be delivered in partnership with Dutch insect sector experts NGN, New Generation Nutrition, under the EU project ValuSect.
New European Union regulations introduced in 2017 allow farming of seven insect species which can upgrade food waste to high quality protein. A recent Zero Waste Scotland report¹ identifies insect farming as a sustainable way to produce more food using less resources – and with lucrative jobs potential to boot.
Demand for protein is increasing, yet food systems like agriculture already take up around half of the Earth’s habitable surface. Rearing animals for food accounts for more than three quarters (77%) of that space². What’s more, food systems are behind an estimated 26% of global carbon emissions³.
Both agriculture and aquaculture – or fish farms – have worked hard to maximise sustainability in recent years, but there is still a growing need for more sustainable sources of feed proteins to reduce pressure on the environment, support biodiversity, and help fight the climate crisis.
Insects could play a valuable role as an alternative feedstock for fish, poultry and pigs – while they can also be used to make pet food.
In addition, insect farming could help us add value to some of the food waste generated in Scotland. That’s because insects can be fed on surplus produce from arable farms, supermarkets and bakeries on everything from broccoli to crisps. The exoskeletons can be made into a bioplastic, the oils are a useful feed supplement, and even the manure can be used as a biofertiliser.
Dr William Clark (above), a bioeconomy specialist at Zero Waste Scotland, explained:“Insect farming could become the next big thing – a way to plug the predicted ‘protein gap’ that has real potential to bring Scotland’s carbon footprint down at the same time.
“It’s also open to everyone, from householders to smallholders, existing food producers looking to diversify to companies in the bioeconomy sector, and entrepreneurs with an eye for innovation. That’s because it doesn’t require lots of space – insect farms can range in size from a small shed or a few shipping containers to industrial scale feed mills. You need to know how to look after them but, in all cases, you can produce significant volumes of sustainable protein using a fraction of the resources.
“Insect farming is already well established all over the world. We don’t have an insect industry here yet but Scotland really is a great place to farm insects and we’ve seen lots of interest. It’s great for Scotland’s circular economy ambitions that we’re in a position to take advantage of the opportunities insect farming offers, and I would encourage anyone with an interest to sign up to the events to find out more.”
Zero Waste Scotland and NGN will host An introduction to the insect sector on Tuesday 17 November. To book a place visit http://ngn.co.nl/ukwebinar/
It will be followed by two sessions on protein production and the circular bioeconomy on Thursday 19 and 26 November. To book a place visit https://zerowastescotland.org.uk/events
All events will be free but limited and hosted online.
Celebrating Edinburgh’s creative community and local businesses
Advent Stories: Santa has a special ask of Edinburgh this year.
Neighbourhood Market: Shop local and support city businesses.
Edinburgh’s Christmas is set to help the city celebrate Christmas safely and differently this year, with the announcement of a new digital programme by Underbelly, Producers of Edinburgh’s Christmas.
Following a year of unprecedented hardship for both residents and businesses, this year Edinburgh’s Christmas celebrates its creative community and supports local businesses to bring festive cheer to people across Edinburgh.
Santa Claus will keep the Edinburgh’s Christmas spirit alive and bring some magic to each day of Advent, by reading a free, festive story every evening before bedtime on Edinburgh’s Christmas website each day of Advent providing families with a daily dose of comfort.
Edinburgh’s Christmas (and Santa Claus, who needs some help as his elves are busy making toys) are calling on budding writers of all ages, from within Edinburgh and the Lothians to send in a story filled with festivity, hope and fun.
Santa Claus himself will select the winners and will read them out, and Edinburgh’s Christmas will publish them on the website.
Entries open today and should be submitted by Sunday 22nd Nov.
Supported by the team at Forth 1, Boogie In The Morning hosts, Boogie & Arlene will be among the presenters who will encourage listeners to enter the competition and will support Santa in reading some of the stories from his grotto in the North Pole.
Shop local at Edinburgh’s Christmas Neighbourhood Market
Edinburgh’s local businesses will be the focus of a new online campaign and virtual shop window in a new online neighbourhood market.
From today, a sign up portal on www.edinburghschristmas.com will open for local, independent businesses to enter their information to be part of the Edinburgh’s Christmas Neighbourhood Market.
The Market is expected to showcase artisan producers, makers, local retailers, bakers, gift companies, accessory and clothing businesses, hotels and restaurants – putting the focus on supporting and celebrating local, independent businesses and will open to customers on 19 November.
The Market is entirely free to sign up to. It will act as a directory to direct people to a fantastic range of local suppliers where they can purchase and interact on the supplier’s own site.
Throughout the campaign, the neighbourhood market will put a spotlight on a range of selected local businesses each day, showcasing the wealth of product and produce on offer in Edinburgh.
In addition to featuring on the Edinburgh’s Christmas website, the promotion and marketing support will extend to the official Edinburgh’s Christmas channels. These include 126,000 followers on Facebook, 9,300 on Instagram and 13,300 on Twitter.
The platform will also highlight activity that is already happening in the city, with information and a location map highlighting each of the local farmers markets in the city.
Ashley Harley, Events Manager at Mimi’s Bakehouse said: “We have always loved being part of Edinburgh Christmas and as a local Edinburgh business we love helping to ensure there is local presence so this digital platform is such a fantastic idea.
“Giving Edinburgh businesses a chance to showcase the amazing gifts, produce, food and drink the city has to offer and utilise to Edinburgh Christmas platform will be sure to generate some sales at a time when the retail and food and drink has taken a real blow. We encourage everyone to shop local this year and support your independents whilst having a safe and happy Christmas.”
Ruth Fisher, Producer of Edinburgh’s Christmas for Underbelly, said: “Edinburgh’s Christmas is a hugely important event for the city and this year’s digital programme has been designed to put Edinburgh’s residents and businesses first.
“The new Christmas Neighbourhood Market is designed to shine a spotlight on the wealth of products and produce that we have here in Edinburgh and encourage residents to shop locally this Christmas.
“As a key worker, Santa is very much at the heart of our plans. We look forward to reading the story submissions and working with Santa and his elves to produce a great series of Advent Stories. In what has been an unprecedented year for Edinburgh, we hope that the Edinburgh’s Christmas programme brings some cheer and enjoyment to everyone this festive season.”
Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Frank Rosssaid: “The festive season is a very special time for our city and our communities and, as Edinburgh’s Christmas goes digital this year, our residents and local businesses will be at the heart of it all.
“What an honour to have Santa Claus himself reading bedtime stories every night leading up to the big day!
“The new online Neighbourhood Market promises to be an exciting and convenient outlet for Christmas shopping and a fantastic opportunity for local businesses of all kinds. This year, more than ever, it’s essential to support our local businesses and through the Neighbourhood Market we can do this while at the same time staying safe and having some festive fun.
“I’m glad that although we can’t be together at our usual popular events this year, this digital programme ensures that the Capital will still have plenty of Christmas spirit.”
Boogie, Presenter of Forth 1’s Boogie In The Morning showsaid: “Forth 1 has worked with Edinburgh’s Christmas & Hogmanay for many years so we are delighted to be involved in Santa’s Advent Stories.
“We all know that Christmas could be very different this year so anything at all that Arlene and I can do to help bring some festive cheer to the fantastic people of Edinburgh and beyond, then we are very keen to support it where we can. We love the Santa’s Advent Stories idea!”
World of Books Group have discovered a moving and poignant hand-written letter from a British World War 2 soldier serving in Italy.
The note, written to thank a schoolgirl who had spent time knitting mittens for troops in the trenches, was found tucked away inside a book.
During the War, those on the home front were encouraged to knit comforts for serving soldiers, with widespread initiatives run by organisations such as the British Red Cross.
World of Books and the British Red Cross are now looking to reunite this piece of World War 2 history with its owner and discover more about the soldier who penned it.
On a winter’s day in February 1944 from Italy, a Lance Corporal named ‘John’ took to pen and paper to thank a schoolgirl in High Wycombe for her small yet valuable contribution to the war effort – knitting mittens for anonymous troops in the trenches.
76 years later, this piece of World War 2 history was rediscovered by World of Books, the UKs largest seller of used books and media, tucked away inside a book being prepared for resale.
The letter’s recipient, ‘Miss Pat’ of Hatters Lane Senior School in High Wycombe Buckinghamshire, would have been one of many civilians on the home front who were encouraged to do their bit to support the British War effort, according to the British Red Cross who were approached by the company for help – and who themselves ran a number of initiatives to get Britain knitting.
The British Red Cross has been helping people in crisis for 150 years, providing support to those who need it most, no matter who or where they are. During the First and Second World Wars, the organisation gave relief to sick and wounded members of the armed forces, prisoners of war and civilians.
It also connected the kindness of those at home to the war effort by publishing knitting patterns of essential items in the Joint War Organisation’s The Prisoner of War magazine. The magazines were for the families of prisoners of war and these patterns could have been used as part of a school project to send to ‘John’.
Items made through these types of activities are on display on the British Red Cross online exhibition, 150 voices. The exhibition was launched to mark the 150th anniversary and features 150 objects that recognise those who have played an important part in the history of the British Red Cross.
Now, World of Books and British Red Cross are teaming up to try and reunite this precious letter with its owner and to celebrate the small acts of kindness from home that provided such comfort to soldiers serving overseas.
Graham Bell, CEO of World of Books Group says: “Over 75 million used books come through our business each year, and we occasionally come across forgotten personal items tucked away inside them.
“It’s incredibly common for people to place memories inside books for safe keeping, whether it be family photographs or letters from loved ones. But this find is particularly poignant, especially as we approach Armistice Day – and is a first for World of Books. The letter undoubtedly holds great sentimental value. We’d love to reunite it with its owner or their family.
“As a circular economy business, we’re focused on finding used items new homes. In this case, it would be wonderful to bring this letter back full circle to its original owner.”
Mezebhin Adam, Curator at the British Red Cross said: “The letter is a lovely find and is a perfect first-hand example of how kindness can keep people connected during a crisis, something the British Red Cross has been doing for 150 years.
“During the Second World War, the British Red Cross encouraged people to knit comforts for sick and wounded soldiers and prisoners of war. We provided knitting patterns to those on the home front and we even have examples of some of the knitted items in our museum collection. The stories of these activities are always lovely to hear, especially from such a personal heartwarming letter.”
If you have any information that could help World of Books and the British Red Cross reunite this letter with its owner or their families, contact press@worldofbooks.com
Which? is warning of the risk of fake reviews misleading shoppers this Black Friday as new research suggests Amazon is struggling to spot and prevent sellers from using unscrupulous tactics to manipulate their ratings.
Fake reviews are a big problem on many of the world’s biggest websites and Which? has also previously uncovered evidence of fake and suspicious review activity on eBay, Facebook and TripAdvisor.
In the UK, Amazon is a dominant force with Black Friday shoppers. Which? research found 34 per cent of consumers planned to buy something there this Black Friday, compared to 16 per cent at John Lewis and seven per cent at Currys PC World.
In its latest investigation Which? looked at the first page of Amazon listings for some of the most popular Black Friday product categories, including tablets, smartphones and wearables, as well as headphones and mobile phone accessories – where it has previously found evidence of concerning review activity.
Which? uncovered a range of obvious tactics sellers are using to manipulate review ratings. Amazon says it has clear policies that prohibit sellers from engaging in this type of activity, and has mechanisms in place to analyse reviews, but Which? is concerned that its approach is not effective enough. Which?’s experts found:
Blatant evidence of sellers incentivising shoppers to write positive reviews, using free gifts or vouchers. Despite exposing this practice in previous investigations and it being in breach of Amazon’s site policies, this appears to be a persistent issue. In a number of cases the products were also labelled with the Amazon’s Choice endorsement and had comments within reviews such as: “wouldn’t have placed this review but for the fact that I am hoping to claim the free gifts offered by doing so”.
Large numbers of positive product reviews uploaded in a suspiciously short space of time. In one example a pair of Pro-Elec headphones had 1,006 ratings and 4.8 stars despite the listing having only been added less than six months earlier. That’s more than five reviews each day, on average, for a brand that’s unknown outside of Amazon. Of those reviews, 92 per cent were five stars.
Products with a suspiciously high number of review images – Which? research has shown how unscrupulous sellers often ask for images when they request positive reviews on their products. One smartwatch by Willful, an Amazon’s Choice product, had 3,800 images posted alongside the 2,544 written reviews – easily outnumbering the reviews with images left for products by better-known brands – this is more than 60 times the number of reviews with images left on the Apple Watch Series 3.
Review merging – where sellers merge dormant or unavailable products with new or existing product listings as a way to transfer positive reviews from one to another. This included a supposed iPhone 11 adaptor which appeared to share reviews with the popular PS4 video game The Last of Us.
Products with colour ‘variations’ manipulated to create higher numbers of positive reviews – evidence of users leaving multiple reviews, on the same day, by selecting different colour variants, in an apparent effort to evade any systems Amazon uses to detect fake reviews.
An account that had been hacked and used to leave a five-star review – one review of a set of headphones had been updated with a claim that the reviewer’s account had been hacked and used to leave a five star review, a tactic that other people have previously reported to Which?.
With many high street stores forced to shut due to lockdown restrictions, it’s likely that more people than ever will turn to online shopping in the weeks ahead. Which? is concerned that some sellers are seeking to manipulate reviews to increase their prominence in Amazon search results.
Worryingly there also appears to have been a rise in the proportion of suspicious reviews on Amazon in the UK since March’s coronavirus lockdown, according to ReviewMeta data.
ReviewMeta’s data suggests that there was a more than 30 per cent rise in the proportion of unnatural reviews on Amazon between March and August following the first coronavirus lockdown. This means consumers are at risk of being misled given Which? research has found that people could be more than twice as likely to choose poor-quality products online if they have been boosted by fake reviews.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has previously estimated that £23 billion a year of consumer transactions are influenced by online reviews and many people will be looking to use them as a helpful guide to get a good deal in the sales.
However, Which? believes that firmer action is needed to address the recurring problems caused by fake reviews on online marketplaces and other platforms, so that consumers can shop online with confidence.
The CMA must seek to conclude its investigation into fake reviews with some urgency. If it finds that sites that host reviews are not doing enough to detect and prevent fake reviews and the bad actors that flood their platforms with them – then strong action must immediately be taken to prevent growing numbers of consumers from being misled.
Natalie Hitchins, Which? Head of Home Products and Services, said:“Our investigation has uncovered popular Black Friday product categories that are littered with fake and suspicious reviews – suggesting that deals that look too good to be true often are. This leaves shoppers at risk of being misled into buying poor quality and potentially dangerous products online.
“With people more reliant on online shopping than ever before due to the coronavirus crisis, it’s vital that online platforms step up and do more to protect their users from fake reviews, otherwise the regulator must be prepared to swiftly step in with strong action.”
Which?’s advice on how to spot fake reviews this Black Friday:
If it looks too good to be true…
A healthy degree of scepticism is your best weapon against fake reviews. If a product has an unusually high number of reviews relative to others in that category, especially if these reviews are overwhelmingly positive, you’d be right to exercise caution.
Actually read the reviews
Don’t just trust the overall rating – read some reviews to look for suspicious repetition or signs of incentivisation, and sort by recent reviews to see what new buyers thought. Always check negative reviews as well, to see if there are recurring issues.
Take extra care with brands you don’t recognise
The majority of fake review activity we’ve seen has been on brands that are all but unknown outside marketplaces. If you don’t recognise the brand, check to see if it has a legitimate looking website, with clear contact details. You could even try calling or emailing the seller with a question, to see how quickly they respond.
Be wary of products with lots of pictures or videos
Sellers on Facebook review groups who incentivise positive reviews often encourage people to add photos and videos. Ask yourself, how likely is it that you’d take the time to snap multiple images, or a video, of a product that you’re reviewing honestly?
Report suspicious reviews to Amazon
Consumers concerned about the authenticity of reviews left on a product, when they are looking at websites, are encouraged to report this to the online platform so that it can investigate.
New research published today shows youth work makes a significant impact on young people’s skills, confidence, wellbeing and access to opportunities.
The Impact of Community-Based Universal Youth Work in Edinburgh study worked with youth groups from across Edinburgh to identify the key elements of youth work which helped young people achieve positive changes in their lives.
A research partnership between YouthLink Scotland, Edinburgh University, Northern Star and Lothian Association of Youth Clubs, collected ‘significant change stories’ from almost 100 young people from nine voluntary youth work organisations working with Edinburgh youngsters.
The research showed that young people who had engaged with youth work services learnt new skills and behaviours, became more confident, made new friends, developed positive and supportive relationships with their youth workers, and significantly improved their wellbeing.
Almost three-quarters of the young people taking part in the research said that youth work had given them skills for life, while 80% benefited from improved confidence. Just under a third of participants also reported feeling better equipped to vocalise thoughts and emotions they were experiencing, all of which feed into an improved sense of mental and physical wellbeing among young people.
The research analysed testimonies from both the 96 young people and the youth workers they engaged with, giving a context for how each participant had developed over a number of years.
One participant, aged 17, said: “When I started here, I was at CAMHS every day for my anxiety and depression. I didn’t really have any friends or anything that I enjoyed doing.
“I was very suicidal but coming here has made me decide to keep going when I’m at my lowest … I know I wouldn’t have the strength I do today if I had never started coming along.”
Dr Amy Calder, YouthLink Scotland’s Senior Policy and Research Officer and part of the research team, said: “Youth work has an important role in increasing young people’s skills and confidence, by providing opportunities and, building and maintaining positive, respectful relationships.
“Youth workers in Edinburgh provide a key and crucial service for local young people. It offers them a safe and welcoming space where they are encouraged to have fun and challenge themselves.”
Dr Ian Fyfe of the University of Edinburgh commented: “The experiences and behaviour of young people has been front and centre in media coverage of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
“We’ve witnessed outpourings of genuine public and political concern for the impact of the current situation on young people’s education, employment prospects and above all their wellbeing.
“A consistent picture has emerged from this data, and our other two Scottish studies, confirming the key role youth work plays in building young people’s confidence and supporting them to develop essential life skills.
“The consistent findings of the research also point to the importance of youth work as an informal educational practice setting that offers a safe place for young people to meet and reflect on issues important in their lives.”
Laurene Edgar, Lothian Association of Youth Clubs added: “This research not only reinforces to voluntary youth work organisations in Edinburgh the impact of services provided for young people, but it will be used with a variety of stakeholders to demonstrate why community-based youth work needs continued investment for prevention and early intervention.”
An update to the final business case for the Trams to Newhaven project, which reflects the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, concludes that the economic case for the scheme remains positive.
The review aims to assess the impact any changes in public transport demand as a result of the crisis could have on the economic and financial case, first approved in March 2019. On Thursday (12 November 2020) members of the Transport and Environment Committee will be asked to consider the updated final business case (FBC) and to approve continuing with the construction of the project.
The Council’s economic advisers, have developed a series of possible scenarios to stress-test the findings in the original FBC. These range from a return to business as usual to a permanent reduction in demand, taking into account short-term COVID-19 impacts and views on future growth. In each of the scenarios, modelling suggests that the economic case for the project remains, with a benefit-to-cost ratio of above one.
Financial assessment has found that the project can still be delivered within the budgeted £207.3m and that, in all but one of the scenarios, the impact on Council reserves if the project is cancelled would be greater than continuing construction. While it is possible there could be a future call on Council reserves to support financing costs as a result of COVID-19, in each scenario the scheme will finance itself, albeit in different timeframes.
The refreshed FBC also highlights that the completion will play a key role in the future growth and development of the city. Delivering the tram line to Leith will unlock a large area of the city for housing and economic development, while providing a low-carbon, clean mode of transport to densely populated communities.
Transport and Environment Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes said: “It’s clear that the events of this year have had an unprecedented impact on the way we travel and that we’ll continue to feel the effects for the foreseeable future. In light of this, it’s essential that we assess the potential economic and financial impacts on such a significant transport infrastructure scheme.
“I’m pleased that the economic and financial cases for Trams to Newhaven hold up despite the ongoing pressures resulting from COVID-19. The delivery of this project is essential for the Capital’s green recovery, providing sustainable, low-carbon travel to one of the city’s most densely populated areas. We now have reason to be cautiously optimistic as we progress with construction.”
Transport and Environment Vice Convener Councillor Karen Doran said: “The Trams to Newhaven project is exactly the kind of investment we need post-COVID-19 to ensure Edinburgh is a thriving, forward-looking place for people to live and work in and to deliver much needed housing, jobs and investment into north Edinburgh.”
An updated programme shows that the project is still working towards Spring 2023 for completion and is forecast to be delivered within the agreed budget.
Over recent months, Edinburgh has experienced a significant drop in demand for public transport, with long-term consequences expected including a decline in income to the tram service.
The review of the FBC takes this into account, with even the most optimistic of scenarios projecting that passenger numbers won’t return to pre-COVID levels until the mid-2020s. Finally, the review of the FBC acknowledges the impact of COVID 19 on Lothian Buses and does not rely on any further payment of the extraordinary dividend which was anticipated in the original FBC.
Since March 2019 several local and national strategies have emerged to further support the introduction of high capacity, high quality public transport in the city. While Scotland’s National Transport Strategy 2 (NTS2) envisions ‘sustainable, inclusive, safe and accessible transport’, Edinburgh’s draft City Mobility Plan strives for a greener, safer and connected transport system.
The tram will support the delivery of transport policies such as City Centre Transformation, which proposes a series of interventions to provide a more liveable, people-friendly city centre and requires a mode shift to public transport to help deliver a 10-15% reduction in city centre car traffic in the medium term and a 25-30% reduction in the longer term.
While the city council pushes ahead with the trams project, the Inquiry into the Edinburgh Tram project also continues – albeit at a snail’s pace.
The inquiry aims to establish why the original Edinburgh Tram project incurred delays, cost more than originally budgeted and through reductions in scope delivered significantly less than projected.
The inquiry, under Lord Hardie, was set up in June 2014 but is yet to report any findings.
Back in June a spokesperson for the Edinburgh Tram Inquiry told the BBC: “The findings of the inquiry into why the Edinburgh Trams project incurred delays, cost more than originally budgeted and delivered significantly less than planned will be made available at the earliest opportunity.
“Lord Hardie’s remit is to conduct a robust inquiry and it will take as long as is necessary to get the answers required to fulfil the terms of reference.
“We continue to make good progress, including managing more than three million documents on the inquiry’s evidence database for handover to National Records of Scotland.
“A relevant set is also being prepared to be made available on the inquiry’s website to accompany the published report at the appropriate time.”
A scathing review by Audit Scotland in February 2011 noted the original tram project had been undermined by poor planning, cost underestimates, contract disputes and a lack of clear leadership by the council – a lengthy catalogue of calamities which has cost taxpayers £ millions.
Dobbies’ first small format store, Little Dobbies, opened its doors for the first time yesterday.
Located on Raeburn Place, Little Dobbies offers a range of houseplants and gardening products. This is complemented by a carefully curated range featuring indoor and outdoor pots; a selected range of home décor and gifts; and seasonal ranges.
There’s also coffee shop, offering hot and cold drinks, as well as tasty takeaway sweet treats.
Little Dobbies is open Monday-Friday (10:00-18:00), Thursday (10:00-19:00) and Saturday and Sunday (09:00-18:00).
The first step towards a national thrombectomy service for stroke patients is underway with the launch of a pilot in the North of Scotland.
Thrombectomy is a highly skilled procedure in which blood clots are removed mechanically rather than broken down by medicines (thrombolysis). It is used to treat those with severe stroke and reduce their risk of long-term disability.
NHS Tayside developed a training programme in Mechanical Thrombectomy (MT), supported by the Scottish Government. Key staff were trained by Professor Iris Grunwald, one of the UK’s leading stroke thrombectomy interventional neuroradiologists, using advanced simulation techniques.
Initially the thrombectomy procedures in Dundee will be performed on patients in Tayside before the service is extended to patients across the North.
A fully operational 24/7 service is anticipated in Tayside by 2023, and will form part of a national network in line with the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government commitment.
In the West of Scotland, the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital campus will provide a ‘hub’ thrombectomy service for the West of Scotland by 2023, while the NHS Lothian service will also be operating from the Little France site within the same timeframe.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “Over the past 10 years, the number of people dying from stroke in Scotland has decreased by more than 35%. While this is significant progress, we can still achieve even better outcomes.
“A quality and clinically safe thrombectomy service is part of our wider commitment in this year’s Programme for Government to ensure those who experience severe stroke receive the best possible treatment and care.
“It is testament to our healthcare professions that we are now seeing this first step towards a national roll-out, despite the additional pressures placed on them during the pandemic and I want to thank them for their hard work.
“Funding will continue to be made available to other boards to develop the programme and the framework.”
Honorary consultant interventional radiologist in NHS Tayside Professor Graeme Houston said: “We are delighted to be able to launch this service to provide mechanical thrombectomy for patients in the North of Scotland.
“Thrombectomy delivers a significant benefit for some patients who have sudden onset of stroke with significantly improved outcomes and a reduced level of disability.”
Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland Chief Executive Jane-Claire Judson said: “It’s good that we are seeing tangible progress towards thrombectomies being available to stroke patients in Scotland.
“People in Scotland must be given the best possible chance of living without disability or dependency after a stroke. We know that at least 600 people a year in Scotland would benefit from a thrombectomy. Developing the skills to deliver this procedure is a key part of establishing the service in Scotland.
“This progress is being driven by inspirational stroke survivors campaigning for change. Together, we will keep campaigning to make sure that this game-changing stroke treatment is available as soon as possible.”
The Stroke Association in Scotland welcomes the announcement that mechanical thrombectomy is to be made available to some Scots for the first time since 2018.
This is a long overdue but a significant first step towards delivery of a national thrombectomy service for the whole of Scotland which should be in place by 2023.
Thrombectomy is vital. Around 700 stroke patients are eligible for the procedure in Scotland each year. Patients who have a stroke caused by a large blood clot in the brain would potentially benefit from a thrombectomy procedure.
It involves inserting a catheter into an artery, usually within six hours of someone having their stroke, to remove the blood clot. This allows blood flow to resume and oxygen to reach brain tissue.
The treatment can dramatically reduce the devastating consequences of stroke such as losing the ability to walk and talk. Around one in three people who receive a thrombectomy after their stroke will be less disabled as a result, and around one in five of those who receive it will be able to function completely independently afterwards.
Andrea Cail, Director Scotland for the Stroke Association said: “Thrombectomy is a game-changing treatment, and it is good to finally have it available in Scotland again. But it is only the first step. Stroke is now a clinical priority in Scotland and restarting a thrombectomy service for those need it will be the difference between living or dying; living permanently disabled or without any disabilities at all.
“Thrombectomy is an extraordinary, highly-specialised, procedure that can save lives, reduce disability and is absolutely cost effective. One thrombectomy patient is estimated to save the NHS £47,000 over a five year period.
“We congratulate everyone involved in the North of Scotland thrombectomy planning group on making this happen. We know it’s not been easy. It has required serious commitment from everyone involved. By working together, hundreds of people affected by stroke and their families will benefit over the next few years.
“All Scots deserve the same. Thrombectomy must also be made available to the larger population centres of Glasgow and Edinburgh as soon as possible.
“We urge all those involved in developments for these next two sites to work together with purpose, and for the Scottish Government and Health Boards involved to urgently resolve or remove any barriers towards implementation and delivery. The time it has taken and is taking Health Boards to sort this out is lengthy and unacceptable.”
Professor Rustam Al-Shahi Salman, consultant neurologist in Edinburgh and President of the British Association of Stroke Physicians, says: “Mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischaemic stroke is one of the most effective treatments in modern medicine.
“We knew this in 2015. In the last five years, about 45 people in Scotland have had this treatment, but about 700 people should have it each year. I am relieved that this dire disservice to patients with stroke is beginning to come to an end in Tayside. Patients elsewhere in Scotland deserve the same.”
Case study
Norrie Andrews, 77, from Glasgow had his stroke in Majorca last year. Only a few days into the holiday, Anne, Norrie’s partner, had gone to check on some electricity issues they had been experiencing. On her return, she found Norrie slumped over the side of his chair unable to talk and unable to move. Norrie had had a massive stroke.
He was taken to the local hospital quickly, and was administered with thrombolysis, a drug to break up the clot. Unfortunately the thrombolysis had no effect and the doctors decided Norrie would benefit from thrombectomy. He was immediately transferred to Son Espases University Hospital in Palma.
Anne had to give consent for Norrie to undergo thrombectomy (on his behalf.) It felt like an endless series of questions and forms that needed answered.
The procedure took 15 minutes and when Anne went up to the intensive care unit to see him she was amazed. He was alert, his speech was starting to come back and some movement too. They could hardly believe how something so horrifying had turned on its head.
Norrie still had some mild impairments, but the seriousness of his disability was saved (they believe,) by thrombectomy. And just over two weeks later, Norrie walked out of hospital without any difficulty and his speech was fine.
Anne said: “The doctors told me that had Norrie not had thrombectomy, he would never have been out of a wheelchair or spoken again. I was so relieved to hear this and we both felt very fortunate to have been in Majorca at the time.
“After returning home, I discovered thrombectomy would not have been available at the time of Norrie’s stroke. I was amazed to think a small island like Majorca had the treatment my husband so badly needed. Norrie is now back to his old life again.
“He walks every day and I am thrilled he has started to play golf again. He keeps his brain ticking over with puzzles, crosswords and word searches. He’s seeing his friends now, which has lifted his spirits and I’m able to see my own friends too.
“I am thrilled to hear thrombectomy is available in Scotland now. Stroke is a devastating illness and the disability caused by a stroke can be lifelong, destroying lives. I hope now there will be more people in Scotland making better recoveries from stroke because of thrombectomy.”
Prime Minister’s statement on coronavirus (COVID-19): 9 November 2020
Across the country and around the world this evening, people are asking one question about our fight against Covid. Does the news of progress towards a vaccine that’s been announced today mean we are at the beginning of the end of our troubles?
So, let me set out our assessment.
The Pfizer/BioNTech Vaccine has been tested on over 40,000 volunteers and interim results suggest it is proving 90 per cent effective at protecting people against the virus.
But we haven’t yet seen the full safety data, and these findings also need to be peer-reviewed.
So we have cleared one significant hurdle but there are several more to go before we know the vaccine can be used.
What I can say is that if and when this vaccine is approved, we, in this country, will be ready to start using it.
Earlier this year the UK Government ordered 40 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine – enough for about a third of the population, since you need two doses each.
That puts us towards the front of the international pack on a per capita basis – and I should add we’ve ordered over 300 million doses from 5 other vaccine candidates as well.
If the Pfizer vaccine passes all the rigorous safety checks and is proved to be effective then we will begin a UK-wide NHS led programme of vaccine distribution.
We will decide the order in which people are offered the vaccination taking account of recommendations from a group of scientific experts, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.
They’re looking at a range of factors, including the different characteristics of different types of vaccines, to work out the most effective way to protect as many people as possible and save as many lives as we can.
And we will be setting out more detail about that in due course.
But – and you know I am going to say this – I must stress, these are very, very early days.
We have talked for a long time, or I have, about the distant bugle of the scientific cavalry coming over the brow of the hill. And tonight that toot of the bugle is louder. But it is still some way off.
And we absolutely cannot rely on this as a solution.
The biggest mistake we could make now would be to slacken our resolve at such a critical moment.
On Friday, SAGE reported that the R is above 1 in England – though this does not take into account the current national restrictions.
Alas, the death figures are tragically rising, running at an average of over 300 a day – sadly double where they were 24 days ago
The number of Covid patients in hospital has risen from just over 10,000 two weeks ago to nearly 13,000 on 5 November, and we are heading towards the levels of the previous peak.
Irrespective of whether there is a vaccine on the way or not we must continue to do everything possible right now to bring the R down. And that is why we hope and believe that mass testing will help.
Our first pilot began in Liverpool on Friday, in partnership with Liverpool City Council.
We’ve tested thousands of people there but there are still a lot more to do, so please if you are in Liverpool, get yourself along to a testing centre – there are 19 at the moment with more still to come.
The more people get tested the better we can protect that great city, and drive the disease down in Liverpool so do it for your friends, for your relatives, for your community.
And I want to thank the fantastic support of the army, the people of Liverpool and Liverpool City Council.
And we are now going further by sending out hundreds of thousands of rapid lateral flow tests to local authorities right across England – and also of course to the Devolved Administrations.
We’re also working with universities to establish, as soon as possible, similar mass testing capacity for students up and down the country.
But while we are making progress this project is still in its infancy.
And neither mass testing nor progress on vaccines –both vital arrows in our epidemiological quiver, both key parts of our fight against Covid – are at the present time a substitute for the national restrictions, for social distancing, for hand hygiene and all the rest.
So it is all the more important to follow the rules.
I know it’s been a tough first weekend of these Autumn restrictions and I’m especially grateful to the Royal British Legion and all those who worked so hard to ensure that no virus would stop us yesterday from honouring the memory of those who gave their lives for our freedom.
But we must get through this to 2nd December, when these measures expire and we plan to move forward with a tiered approach.
Remember the basics, hands, face, space, and the follow the rules: that is how we can together protect our NHS, save lives and get this virus back in its box.
