September 2021 – Page 20 – The NEN

Scotland’s 12 -15 year olds to be offered COVID-19 vaccination

And booster jag for adults from next Monday

Children and young people aged 12 -15 years old will be offered a dose of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination from Monday (20 September) after Scottish Ministers accepted advice from the four UK Chief Medical Officers (CMOs).

As a result, a dose of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will be offered to all children and young people aged 12-15 who are not already covered by existing advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) in a move to reduce the disruption caused to education by COVID-19.

This group will be offered their injections in drop-in clinics and community settings followed by each young person receiving a letter inviting them to attend a community clinic.

For some rural Health Boards, those aged 12 to 15 will first be offered the vaccine at school.

Following the initial phase, vaccines will be offered in both communities and schools so that anyone who hasn’t been vaccinated but would like to be has the opportunity to take up the offer.

Meanwhile, people who received their vaccination during phase one of the national COVID-19 vaccination programme in Scotland will start to receive booster injections from 20 September.

This follows advice from the JCVI which has advised that the booster dose can be given alongside the flu jab and should be offered no earlier than six months after completion of the primary vaccine course.

Frontline health and social care workers will be able to book their appointment online at NHS Inform from 20 September and from that date, residents in care homes for older people will be offered both flu and COVID-19 booster vaccination.

Adults aged 70 years and over and adults aged 16 years and over who are on the highest risk list (previously known as the shielding list) will be contacted soon, either by letter or by their GP.

People on the highest risk list who were severely immunosuppressed at the time of their last COVID-19 vaccination will be offered a third primary dose instead. Other eligible groups – including all those aged 16 to 49 years with underlying health conditions, adult carers, unpaid and young carers, adult household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals and all adults over 50 – will be able to book online from October.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “I want to thank Dr Gregor Smith and the other three UK CMOs who have taken the time to consider the benefits of offering a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination to 12-15 year olds.

“I recognise the impact disruption to education can have and am keen that we do all we can to reduce this so I am happy to accept the recommendation to proceed.

“As the CMOs recommended, informed consent must be at the heart of decision making so we will ensure that there is clear communication with this age group and their parents so they understand the potential benefits, potential side effects and the balance between them.

“A new leaflet from Public Health Scotland will be circulated to ensure parents, carers and young people have all the information they need. Individual choice is central to this, and the decisions of parents, carers and children will be respected.

“Alongside the booster programme this will be a busy period for our largest ever vaccination programme but work has been underway for some time to plan for this and I am confident our roll-out will continue to be a huge success.”

Statement given by the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 14 September 2021

Thanks, Presiding Officer,

I will give an update today on the latest COVID situation.

I can confirm that the Cabinet met this morning, and decided not to make any immediate changes to the current regulations in place.

I will also give an update on certain other issues, most notably the mitigations in place for schools, including of course our approach to vaccination of 12 to 15 year olds, and the issue of a vaccine booster programme, which we have received final JVCI advice on this morning.

Firstly, though, to recap on today’s statistics.

3,375 positive cases were reported yesterday – 11.4% of all tests.

1,064 people are currently in hospital with COVID – 16 more than yesterday.

And 89 people are receiving intensive care – that is one fewer than yesterday.

Sadly, a further 21 deaths have been reported in the past 24 hours, and the total number of deaths under the daily definition is now 8,263.

And, as always, I send my condolences to everyone who has lost a loved one.

Good progress continues to be made in the vaccination programme.

As of this morning, 4,144,904 people have had a first dose and 3,788,551 have now had both doses.

95% of people over 40 are fully vaccinated with two doses now, as are 73% of 30-39 year olds, and 60% of 18 to 29 year olds.

Around 76% of 18-29 year olds have, though, had a first dose, so the proportion in that age group who become fully vaccinated will continue to increase in the weeks ahead.

In addition, 65% of 16 and 17 year olds have now had the first jag – which is five percentage points higher than at this time last week.

Presiding Officer,

Although the level of infection in Scotland remains too high, there are continuing signs that the recent spike in cases is now slowing down.

Indeed, we are now seeing early signs – not just that the rate of increase is slowing – but that cases are now actually starting to fall slightly.

This can be seen in the last three weeks’ data

In the week to 28 August, there were an average of 5,651 new cases a day – which was an increase of more than 80% on the previous week.

In the week to 4 September, average daily cases were 6,290 – still an increase, but one of just 11%.

However, in the seven days to 11 September – so the most recent seven-day period – cases have fallen to an average of 5,506 per day – which is 12% lower than last week.

It might also be worth providing some detail on the age breakdown of cases.

In the past week, more than 70% of cases have been in the under 45s.

And that’s consistent with the pattern we’ve seen throughout this latest wave.

However, the picture varies across different age groups – that said, there are broadly positive signs now in all of them.

Two weeks ago – in the week to 4 September – the number of cases in the 0-14 year old band rose by 51%. However in the past week, cases in that age group have fallen by 5%.

Amongst 15-24 year olds, cases fell by 16% two weeks ago, and have now fallen even further – by 34% – in the most recent week.

Two weeks ago, cases in the 25-44 year old age group rose by 7%, and last week, they fell by 14%.

Finally, the number of cases amongst the over 65s has risen slightly, but again the rate of increase has slowed down over the past week.

This most recent data underpinned Cabinet’s decision earlier today not to reintroduce any restrictions.

I am very grateful to everyone – organisations, businesses and individuals – who has taken extra care in recent weeks to try to stop this spike.

It does seem that these efforts are making a difference.

That said, of course, our position does remain challenging.

Even though new cases have fallen, they remain five times higher than at the start of August.

Universities are now returning for a new term. That is very welcome – but it also creates some additional risk, and I will say more shortly about how we are working to mitigate that risk.

Overall, though, the key point is this – the recent fall in cases is very welcome, but we cannot take it for granted. We must continue efforts to keep cases on a downward track.

The NHS is already under considerable pressure and any further rise in cases would intensify that.

As we know, vaccination has significantly weakened the link between cases of COVID and serious health harm from COVID.

The proportion of people with the virus who end up in hospital remains much lower now than before the vaccine programme started.

But current case numbers reflect how transmissible the Delta variant is.

So as we can see already – even a lower percentage of a large number of cases results in a high number of hospitalisations.

To illustrate that, on 20 August, there were 312 people in hospital with COVID. Today, there are 1,064.

The number in intensive care has also increased – from 34 on 20 August to 89 today.

Of course, these figures do not include people who don’t need hospital care, but nevertheless suffer long COVID.

It is also important to remember that the pressure that the NHS is experiencing falls on staff who have in many cases been working flat-out since the start of this pandemic.

And it comes at a time when the NHS is working to catch up on a backlog and care for everyone who needs it, not just COVID patients.

The Government continues to work closely with health boards to help manage these pressures.

But – as has been the case throughout the pandemic – everyone has a role to play.

At the start of the pandemic, we constantly emphasised the need to “protect our NHS”.

That is still necessary, and should give all of us even more incentive to get vaccinated, test regularly, and take all the basic precautions that we know can slow down transmission.

An additional reason for continued caution is that it helps protect those most at risk.

The UK Government announced earlier today that it will no longer use its Shielding Patient List.

In light of that – and to avoid any mistaken assumption – it’s important for us to confirm that the Scottish Government is not following suit at this stage. We will continue to use our equivalent list – which is the Highest Risk List.

We have used this throughout the pandemic to communicate with all those at highest risk and ensure that they have advice and support.

We will continue to keep this under review, but for the moment we believe it is important to retain it.

I will now provide a brief update on some specific strands of work.

Firstly, I can confirm that Cabinet Secretaries are continuing to engage with representatives from business, the public sector and wider civic society to encourage maximum compliance with the mitigations still in place.

I will be taking part in a roundtable meeting with a range of stakeholders immediately after this statement to underline the importance of this work.

I am, again, grateful to all businesses and organisations for the efforts being made to follow and promote measures like the wearing of face coverings; good ventilation and hygiene; and wherever possible, continued home working.

In addition, as I mentioned earlier the university term is now starting – colleges began their return a few weeks ago. And we have been working closely with universities, colleges and the wider sector to make the return as safe as possible.

As a precaution at this stage, colleges and universities won’t be holding large in-person lectures for now.

Instead, there will be a mix of online and in-person learning – with institutions themselves deciding the level of in-person teaching that they will offer during this term.

In addition, physical distancing will remain in place on campuses and face coverings will be required in indoor public spaces.

We are also – of course – encouraging students to get tested regularly. Test kits are available on campuses, and students who are moving to term-time accommodation should book a PCR test before making that move.

Above all, we are strongly encouraging students to get vaccinated if they haven’t done so already.

Mobile vaccination units are being deployed in universities and colleges during freshers’ weeks, and vaccination will continue to be made available throughout the term.

Health Board web pages will contain details of local drop-in clinics and also clinics operating within colleges or universities.

We are also continuing to work with local authorities to make schools and childcare centres as safe as possible – for example, though support for the use of carbon dioxide monitors and improved ventilation.

We have also received further advice from the Advisory sub-group on Education, and I want to take the opportunity today to highlight two points arising from that advice.

First, we indicated at the start of term that secondary schools pupils would need to wear face coverings in class for the first six weeks of term, subject to a review at that point.

Given the continuing high levels of infection still being experienced at this stage, the Advisory sub-group has advised that this requirement should remain in place until the October holidays, and be reviewed again then.

I know how unpopular this is with many pupils and I completely understand why.

But for now, it remains a prudent and a necessary precaution.

Second, we intend to clarify an aspect of guidance on contact tracing in schools, to help ensure fuller understanding of the process.

There is no change in advice for close contacts thought to be at high risk of having COVID. They will continue to be advised to self-isolate until they have returned a negative PCR test. For children and young people, a high-risk contact is most likely to be a household member, or someone they have stayed overnight with.

However, we will clarify guidance on the letters that schools send to lower-risk contacts. These letters should be sent on a targeted basis to those who are most likely to have had low risk contact with someone who has tested positive. They ensure that parents, staff and pupils are aware of those cases – and the letters offer advice on issues like looking out for symptoms, and using lateral flow testing.

Our updated guidance may mean, for example, that it is appropriate to send letters to the classmates of a pupil who has tested positive, but not necessarily to everyone in their year group.

We hope that better targeting will help reinforce the importance of the messages in these letters while minimising undue anxiety.

In addition, the advice in the letters will be strengthened in one respect.

They will recommend – to primary and secondary school pupils and staff who receive them – that a lateral flow test is taken before they next return to school. That test should be in addition to the regular twice weekly lateral flow testing which is recommended for all secondary school pupils and staff.

Presiding Officer,

All of these measures reflect our commitment to prioritising the wellbeing of children and young people – and our determination to minimise disruption to education.

That consideration was also, of course, central to the advice that the Scottish, Welsh, and UK Governments – and the Northern Irish Executive – received yesterday from our Chief Medical Officers.

Members will recall that the JCVI had concluded that the benefit of vaccination – the health benefit – for 12-15 year olds did outweigh any risks, but that because this was marginal they could not recommend a universal offer of vaccine to this age group on health grounds alone.

However, they indicated that it would be appropriate for Chief Medical Officers to consider whether any wider issues might tip the balance in the other direction.

The CMOs have now done so and concluded that vaccination could reduce disruption to education and that, taken together with the health benefits previously identified in the JCVI advice, extending the offer of vaccination to all 12 to 15 year olds is justified.

Taking this broader view of the benefits and risks of vaccination, the CMOs are recommending that 12 to 15 year olds should be offered one dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

This advice has been broadly endorsed by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.

I am very grateful to all of the four Chief Medical Officers for assessing the evidence on this issue with such pace and also with such rigour.

I can confirm to Parliament today that the Scottish Government welcomes and accepts this recommendation. We believe that vaccination of 12-15 year olds is important and we will therefore move to implement the advice as quickly as possible.

Our supplies of vaccine are adequate to allow us to do this.

It is, of course, important to stress how important informed consent is.

I know that many young people and their parents will have questions.

Material will be made available online later this week.

It will be appropriate to both young people and adults. It will seek to answer questions and provide balanced information to help young people and their parents make informed choices.

And I can confirm that from Monday 20 September, so Monday coming, drop in clinics will be open for any 12 – 15 year old who has read the information and – in discussion with parents and carers – decided that they do wish to be vaccinated.

It will of course be appropriate for parents or carers to accompany their children to clinics, and vaccinators will be on hand to answer any further questions or address any concerns.

And then, starting in the following week – so week beginning 27 September – letters will be sent to all 12 to 15 year olds inviting them to an appointment at a drop-in centre or vaccination clinic.

Again, parents and carers will be invited to accompany their children. And again the appointment will include an opportunity to ask questions and discuss concerns.

Finally, after the scheduled community sessions, there will be a programme of vaccination in schools, to ensure that anyone who hasn’t been vaccinated, and who decides that they want to be, gets a further opportunity.

Presiding Officer,

I know that these are important decisions for young people and their parents, and that many will have questions. I would encourage everyone to read the information that will be provided, and do not hesitate to visit a drop in clinic to ask any questions or raise any concerns.

Vaccination is a vital part of our overall protection against this virus. That is why it is important to support people – perhaps especially young people – to make informed choices that they feel comfortable with.

In addition to the CMO advice on 12-15 year olds, we have received this morning the final JCVI advice on a vaccine booster programme.

This is in addition to the third doses already being offered to people who were severely immunosuppressed or immunocompromised at the time of their first or second vaccination.

I can confirm that the Scottish Government is also accepting this advice, and again we have adequate supplies to move ahead with this.

The booster programme is intended to prolong the protection that vaccines provide against severe COVID illness.

It will run alongside our biggest ever flu vaccine programme – since, of course, both of these programmes are important for individual and for public health. Wherever possible, eligible people will be offered COVID and flu vaccines together.

Booster vaccines will be offered to all adults over 50; to frontline health and care workers; and to younger adults with certain health conditions that put them at higher risk; and to adult household contacts of people with suppressed immune systems. The JCVI has also advised that there should be an interval of at least six months between a second dose and a booster dose.

So let me now give a broad outline of the order in which we will now move to implement the booster programme. And of course we will set out more details shortly.

Frontline health and social care workers will be able to book their booster appointment online through NHS Inform from Monday 20 September – so that again is Monday coming.

Also from next week, residents in care homes for older people will be offered both flu and COVID booster vaccines.

Adults aged 70 or over, and everyone aged over 16 on the highest risk list will be contacted very shortly, either by letter or by their GP.

Other eligible groups – that’s all adults over 50, all those 16 to 49 with underlying health conditions, adult carers, unpaid and young carers, and adult household contacts of people who are immunosuppressed – will be able to book online from October.

These two announcements today, Presiding Officer, represent a very significant, and a very welcome, extension of the vaccine programme – and will help us considerably in our ongoing efforts against this virus.

So – to anyone eligible for vaccination – please do take up the opportunity.

The final point about vaccination I want to touch on very briefly is certification for certain venues – which, of course, Parliament approved in principle last week.

We are now working with businesses, events organisers and sports governing bodies to finalise the detail of the regulations and sector-specific guidance.

COVID certification has of course already been introduced in many countries across Europe. Indeed, many of them have already gone much further than we are proposing.

We know that this is not a magic wand – but we do believe that as part of a package of measures, it can help reduce transmission while keeping our economy and our society open, which is of course what all of us want to see.

Presiding Officer, I will close by emphasising again the key things all of us can do to help, and to ensure that we keep infections on a downward track.

Firstly, as I’ve already been talking extensively about – please get vaccinated if you are eligible and you haven’t yet done so.

Secondly, please continue to test yourself regularly with lateral flow devices. You can order these through NHS inform or collect them from a local test site or pharmacy.

And if you test positive, or you are identified as a close contact, or if you have symptoms of COVID, please self-isolate, and book a PCR test.

And thirdly and finally, please continue to comply with the mitigations still in place.

Please wear face coverings in indoor public places, such as shops, public transport and when moving about in hospitality settings.

Think carefully about the number of contacts you are having – and perhaps reduce any that are not strictly necessary.

Meet outdoors as much as possible.

Indoors, open windows if you can.

And, although it’s not the law anymore, try to keep a safe distance from people in other households – especially when you are indoors.

And remember to continue to wash your hands and surfaces thoroughly.

All of us this – as we can see in the most recent data – really does make a difference. So please stick with it and let’s get cases down even further.

Thank you, Presiding Officer.

Teaching union the EIS has welcomed the decision by the UK’s Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) that young people aged between 12 and 15 should be offered a COVID vaccination.

Infection rates have increased substantially in recent weeks, and we have seen record levels of both pupil and staff Covid related absences particularly amongst young people, as schools have returned. This is having a serious impact on education provision and has been a cause for concern for teachers and other school staff.

EIS General Secretary Larry Flanagan said, “The EIS welcomes this decision by the CMOs as the latest step in the battle against Coronavirus. Offering the vaccine to young people in the 12 to 15 age group will make secondary schools safer by reducing the risk of the virus spreading through school communities and will help reduce the level of disruption to education.

“Whilst we know that young people are less likely to become hospitalised through COVID, offering the vaccine will offer important additional protection against the virus.”

Mr Flanagan added, “In the few short weeks since our schools returned after the summer, we have already seen significant outbreaks in some school communities. This has led to an increase in enforced absences from school, with record numbers of students and staff forced to stay at home due to Coronavirus.

“Rolling out the availability of the vaccines to a wider group of young people will reduce the risk of further outbreaks linked to schools and help ensure that education provision can continue on as normal a basis as possible.”

School Safety Mitigations Extended

Safety mitigations to keep children, young people and staff safe in schools will be extended until at least the October holidays.

Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville confirmed that all current mitigations, including the use of face coverings by pupils in secondary school classrooms, will still be required to help keep schools as safe as possible.

In addition, updated guidance will be provided in the information letters that schools are asked to send to staff and the parents of primary and secondary pupils when they are in low risk contact with positive cases in schools.

These will now include a strengthened recommendation to take a lateral flow test before returning to school. This is in addition to current advice for staff and secondary pupils to take a lateral flow test twice a week, with a few days apart, and record the result before returning to the classroom.

There will be a continued requirement for staff to keep at least a metre distance from each other and from children and young people when they are at schools.

Revised guidance to reflect these changes will be published as soon as possible.

Ms Somerville said: “Throughout this coronavirus pandemic, the safety of school pupils and staff has been my top priority. Every decision is underpinned by our determination to keep children and young people in schools when is safe to do so.

“In light of the latest data and evidence, we have decided to extend the period for these mitigations to remain in place. This decision has been informed by expert medical advice and will be kept under close review to ensure it remains appropriate.

“We owe a debt of gratitude to our young people, for their continued compliance with the public health measures that keep us all safe. I promise that if we can remove the restrictions sooner, we will. For the moment though, we consider this an important protection for them, and for others in the school.”

Edinburgh ‘Market Scene’ magazine launches this week

Coming up this Autumn with a splash of local Edinburgh market colour! – a new magazine Market Scene is being launched this week by publisher Tania Pramschufer, director of LocalMotive Markets as a platform for the thriving market scene in and around Edinburgh.

The first edition of the magazine, coming out this week, will showcase the individuality and history of the markets in and around Edinburgh – from the farmers’ markets from Balerno and Portobello markets and everywhere in between.

Market Scene includes producer spotlights – this month meeting Michele and Gabriela from Tipico; Edinburgh Farmers’ market 21^st birthday celebrations; local market heritage and a trip up north; as well as a free map with times, dates and locations making it easier for shoppers to buy handmade gifts and artisan products in a lively local market atmosphere.

Features also look at famous bagpiper Lou Marshall and her piping travels, as well as her favourite markets and a catch up with celebrity chef Tony Singh MBE to find out more about his newly opened food enterprise Radge Chaat and a visit to Exclusively Highlands and their amazing markets in woods and castle locations.

Tania Pramschufer, director of LocalMotive Markets said: “With all the troubles of shop retail over the last year, the thriving market scene continues to grow and helps support producers, artists and artisans – so we decided to launch Market Scene to make it easier for visitors and local shoppers find where and when to buy great handcrafted gifts, local artisanal food and drink on their doorstep.

“We have built a strong market following from the artists, producers and local people involved. The markets are a real community tonic for all of us – when people were not able to mix widely – they could buy some lovely things and converse with the producers directly, and anecdotally we know that has made a distinct difference to people coping with isolation and mental health issues and is something we need to consider more – going forward.

“Throughout this year, we are supporting local independent businesses at our markets, and we are very hopeful that our international producers will be able to return in due course and add their wonderful gifts and produce – they are much missed having been attending our Castle Street & Ocean Terminal Christmas Markets for over twelve years, but local producers continue to benefit and develop their businesses at our markets, as well at the many markets across Edinburgh.”

Roddy Smith, Chief Executive, Essential Edinburgh said: “Essential Edinburgh is, as always, supportive of markets and events that drive footfall and create interest in our city centre.

“LocalMotive Markets have delivered, both of these, successfully, on Castle Street over a number of years and are now part of the fabric of the city centre offering. We look forward to continuing our partnership in the years to come”

Producer, Sarah Allen, Slaped Toasties: “The magazine is great, it’s a huge platform to help promote a small business out to a wider public audience.

“Most people are trying to actively support small independent businesses and this magazine is a great way to do this.”

Artisan producer, Jonny Amos, Gecko Gifts: “A magazine like this is long overdue and it is an all-inclusive spotlight on all traders and operators. A positive addition to Edinburgh’s publications.”

The next magazine will be a Christmas edition coming out in November.

Check out Facebook: Market Scene and @marketsceneedinburgh to find out what our team are up to next.

Clinical trial provides new approach for people with eye disease to increase NHS capacity

A UK-wide study, led by Queen’s University Belfast, has shown how a new surveillance pathway for people with stable diabetic eye disease is safe and cost-saving, freeing up ophthalmologists to evaluate and treat people requiring urgent care.

The new health care surveillance pathway may help ophthalmic units across the world to improve their capacity whilst saving patient’s sight. It is already having a positive impact on the re-design of NHS services across the UK, having been implemented successfully in several hospitals.

The research, funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), has been published in leading journals including Ophthalmology, BMJ and NIHR’s Health Technology Assessment.

The EMERALD (the Effectiveness of Multimodal imaging for the Evaluation of Retinal oedemA and new VesseLs in Diabetic retinopathy) diagnostic accuracy study tested a new “ophthalmic grader” pathway. Rather than ophthalmologists, this pathway involves trained graders monitoring people with previously treated and stable complications of diabetic eye disease, namely diabetic macular oedema (DMO) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), based on the reading of images and scans of the back of their eyes.

The grader’s pathway can save £1390 per 100 patients, and the real savings are the ophthalmologist’s time, which can then be redirected to the evaluation of people at high risk of visual loss.

Professor Noemi Lois, lead researcher and Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology from the Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine at Queen’s University Belfast, explains: “Diabetic macular oedema and proliferative diabetic retinopathy, the main sight-threatening complications of diabetic retinopathy can cause blindness if left untreated. It is therefore important to diagnose them and to treat them timely.

“NHS hospitals eye units are under significant pressure given the extremely high number of people that need to be examined and treated and given the insufficient number of ophthalmologists in the UK. Currently, ophthalmologists need to evaluate all patients, even those that are stable after treatment and who are doing well.”

In EMERALD, trained ophthalmic graders were found to achieve satisfactory results when compared to standard care (i.e., ophthalmologists evaluating patients in clinic) while releasing ophthalmologist’s time.

Professor Lois added: “EMERALD showed trained ophthalmic graders are able to determine whether patients with diabetic macular oedema or proliferative diabetic retinopathy previously successfully treated remain stable or if on them the disease has reactivated.

“Thus, they would be able to follow people that have been already treated, releasing ophthalmologists’ time. Ophthalmologists could then use this time to treat timely other patients, for example, those who have indeed diabetic macular oedema or active proliferative diabetic retinopathy and who have not yet received treatment saving their sight.”

Dr Clare Bailey, consultant ophthalmologist at the Bristol Eye Hospital, said: “The important data from the EMERALD study has helped us to significantly increase the numbers of people with diabetic retinopathy being seen in ‘imaging/grading’ pathways.

“This has hugely increased our follow-up capacity, whilst allowing ophthalmologists’ time to be directed to the people with diabetic retinopathy who need treatment or further assessment.

“This has helped us to deal with the capacity pressures as a result of Covid -19 as well as the longer-term capacity demands due to the increasing prevalence of diabetic retinopathy.”

Dr Caroline Styles, Consultant Ophthalmologist with NHS Fife, added: “Emerald provided us in NHS Fife with the relevant evidence that allowed us to redesign our pathways for people with diabetic eye disease.

“The involvement of people with diabetes in this study reassures our population that these are safe and appropriate changes, and not just based on cost.”

The EMERALD study was set in 13 National Health Service (NHS) hospitals across the UK and is a large multicentric, UK-wide, National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)-funded diagnostic accuracy study.

Scottish wild swimmers take to the sea for sunrise coffee morning

A group of wild swimmers decided to use their chilly hobby to support charity – by holding a coffee morning in the sea!

The group of Edinburgh sea dippers took to the waters at Portobello beach at sunrise and enjoyed some coffee and cakes while getting their daily cold water therapy.

The swimmers hope others will join them by taking part in this years World’s Biggest Coffee Morning on September 24. Although going into the sea is of course optional!

Cold water enthusiast, Lynsey Taylor Pittman said: “I lost both my mum and dad to cancer so I know how important supporting those going through something similar is.

“It was incredibly hard losing my mum when I was only 23 and my Dad just at the start of the pandemic in March 2020. Being in lockdown meant I couldn’t see anyone and that was really difficult. I was still allowed my daily exercise so that’s when I took to the sea.

“The benefits both on my physical and mental health are huge for me. Getting into the cold water shocks your system and then it begins releasing all the happy hormones. When you come out you get this euphoria and just like exercise it gets addictive. I have been doing it for 2 years now and I love that we can do it as a group again.

“Getting into the sea with others gives you a real connection and amplifies the feelings. It makes it even more special. The connection with nature and friends is exactly what we all need right now. So, get your coffee and cake and give it a go!”

Macmillan relies almost entirely on donations from the public to fund its services, and since the pandemic hit, has seen its fundraising income drop.

The charity is hoping that after 18-months of cancelled fundraising events, people across Aberdeen will sign up for its World’s Biggest Coffee Morning on September 24.

To find out more about the financial impact of cancer, or to find support please visit www.macmillan.org.uk.

Bon Voyage, ESTEEM House: See you in Dubai!

The prototype construction phase is over, which means the ESTEEM house is on the way to Dubai!

The NAGOYA EXPRESS is currently carrying our 5 containers. It left London for Dubai on Sunday (12 September).

Alex MacLaren, faculty leader, said: “This sort of experience is transformative. The excitement of playing an instrumental part in a project of this size whilst studying for a degree will stay with these students forever; and inform their ambition and confidence in their future careers.

I have been delighted by the support afforded us by the university and am excited to develop other experiences like this in future years: as a learning experience, but also as an urgent mandate to transform the ‘norm’ in our construction practices. So, who knows – next stop, Solar Decathlon Europe in 2023?”

Sustainability is essential to the future comfort of people on this planet. We’re glad to have been able to work with our partners, university and course leaders to develop, innovate, and now can share that on a global stage.

We have been working on the project for over 2 and a half and with the competition starting in less than a month. We are getting the team ready and trained to showcase the innovative ideas and technologies our ESTEEM house has.

Jessica Haskett, Construction Manager, said: “This prototype experience has been the culmination of over 2 years of collaborative design work. The interdisciplinary working has allowed me to share thoughts and challenges with students that study a variety of subjects and, together, engineer some of the best solutions.

“Being hands-on with construction work is a professional opportunity – I have placed some knowledge given through academia into practicality, in a way that my courses hadn’t done previously.

“Team ESTEEM has connected me with many industry professionals and offered an opportunity that I was not able to get due to my academic placement cancellation. Managing the team on site every day is a challenge but with the support of the student team, we have ensured that nothing is insurmountable, and we continue to celebrate our pride in the project every day”

There were many challenges on the way, but we managed to accomplish the prototype and shipping stage of our project with collaboration and teamwork.

Alex explained further: “Shipping a whole house, in prefabricated components, was always going to be a major challenge.

“We were working with key sponsors and partners who have experience of this, so we used that expertise in every possible way: from advice about import/export and Customs (a very complex area now!) to strategies for container loading and the very significant haulage logistics”

We asked Alex some other questions and this is what she shared with us:

-How was working with students and recent graduates from Heriot Watt University?

This really was an experience of learning alongside the students: the logistics of deconstruction and shipping were new to me as well. There were some very tough times; changes in scheduling and unexpected challenges with freight timetable changes and container availability: and it was being part of the wider Team ESTEEM that helped to keep my spirits up, and my outlook optimistic.

“This is a really ‘can do’ team: and also, a team of hard grafters. There are 78 timber CLT panels and 43 prefabricated insulated cassettes in this build: making each one of those is a combination of focus, precision, manual labor – and of course it gets repetitive and exhausting! But that didn’t stop anyone: and the camaraderie on site was wonderful.

-What was the most exciting thing that happened during the construction?

We have one very large CLT component; it forms the upstand for our south-sloping roof and has a number of window apertures; it’s a really core part of the three-dimensional experience of the house. But it’s a fragile and complicated panel in its own way, and the lifting plan was complicated and required input and advice from structural engineers and the crane operatives. Seeing that panel rise overhead and then be bolted into position was a very big moment for all of us.

There was also something wonderful about seeing the panels squeeze into place in the containers; we’d been rehearsing a three-dimensional virtual jigsaw puzzle in our computer drawings (we called it ‘container jenga’) to ensure that we were making the most efficient packing schedule we could, reducing our carbon footprint and optimizing our operation. It worked: at times only just-!- but it was almost unbelievable to see those little 3d jigsaws in their massive, real-life scale!

-The collaboration with sponsors, logistics and organization.

My list of people ‘without whom we couldn’t have done this’ just grows and grows. This project has been an edifying reminder of how good people are. From our colleagues on site and in the factory to our sponsors overseas and around the country, people pulled out all the stops to get this project ready and get their kit to us for shipping against a very tight deadline. We’ve called in favours from all over the university and from friends and partners beyond the many logos displayed on our webpage. A massive, massive thank you to everyone involved- you know who you are!

Some team members shared their experiences of being on site:

Simon Klekot, head of HR & Recruitment: “Being involved in Construction Site gives me a different perspective of the project than doing my HR and Recruitment job. I learn so many technical aspects of engineering which I even will be able to use in the future in things like my own house refurbishment“

Srivathsan Karunanithi, Health and Safety Officer: “I had an amazing time with the prototype, and I learned a lot. With the house now being off to Dubai I feel really excited and thrilled to see that happening”

Carlos Fitzpatrick, Audiovisual: “I’ve learnt so much on this construction site. From practical skills to theoretical knowledge, simply being a part of the construction has been extremely fruitful for me and the way I think about engineering. Having just finished the first year, being able to learn a lot from older students was a great bonus”

This is the beginning of a new chapter for team ESTEEM, with the competition starting soon we are preparing and finalizing the design, planning and deliverables.

This is the second time Heriot-Watt University has participated in a Solar Decathlon Competition and it might not be the last time that we see HWU students transforming the construction industry!

TEAM ESTEEM

Heriot Watt University

Swimmer Michael Jamieson makes another big splash

Olympic medallist plans to launch three new Swim Academies in Edinburgh this Autumn

Olympic medallist turned entrepreneur Michael Jamieson is diving into a new pool of business opportunity by opening three new Edinburgh venues for his hugely over-subscribed Swimming Academies.

The Edinburgh initiative will launch on Saturday, 18 September, and each succeeding Saturday, at the University of Edinburgh pool in The Pleasance, which will accommodate 200 learners, and will be followed on 4 October by classes at the Novotel Hermiston Gate pool for adult and baby, under 3-year-olds. Shortly afterwards the Academy will launch classes at Oriam, Heriot Watt University, a 4 days a week offering in a world class sports facility.

The expansion from his successful West of Scotland operation puts the Michael Jamieson Swimming Academy (MJSA) back into the fast lane after it was hit, like all other people-facing businesses, by the last 18 months of Covid restrictions.

The Academy’s classes at the Glasgow University and Radio Clyde pools are now operating again with 400 and 300 learners respectively, and Hamilton College pool, with capacity for 600 learners, will re-open on Monday, 27th September.

Further expansion in the west will come with the opening of the Argyle Hotel pool in Glasgow for 150 learners on Friday, 1 October.

Michael, 33, who won silver at the 2012 London Olympics, said: “We have a team of over 20 teachers operating in Glasgow and Edinburgh and will be adding to this in the coming months to ensure an efficient transition to our offerings in Edinburgh.

“Pre-Covid we had 800 kids swimming weekly. We are looking to support around 1500 by the turn of the year with the addition of the new facilities. We are also rolling out an educational curriculum alongside our swim programme to support the early development of positive self-talk and early elements of emotional intelligence.

“We have had support from mental health professionals and psychologists to develop this content and it is something I believe will set us apart in the sector.”

The energetic Glaswegian has distinguished his Academy by using private and hotel pools rather than local authority facilities.

He said: “We are able to create a healthy working relationship with private facilities and share in the passion of offering value to the community. We have targeted these venues specifically to offer the best product, with the best partnership teams in the area.

“I have a fantastic relationship with the team at the University of Edinburgh and have many happy memories there. We are excited to partner with them to offer a rewarding learn-to- swim journey now and in the future.”

On the series of drowning deaths across the UK during the recent spells of warm weather, Michael believes this has emphasised to many parents just how important it is to teach children to swim from the earliest possible age.

“There have been too many tragic stories recently in Scotland. Too many kids are leaving school without basic water safety skills. Without significant investment and support, we will continue, sadly, to see the disparity in the numbers of kids unable to swim by the time they leave school.

“Swimming pools are notoriously expensive to maintain but we must find creative strategies to offer a life skill in our communities in a financially sustainable manner.”

After consolidating his Edinburgh Swim Academy initiatives, Michael plans to expand further into a wider range of fitness and healthcare businesses.

“Our immediate plans are to protect and consolidate this exciting growth phase we are in currently. We are actively looking for further venue partners in Glasgow and Edinburgh to keep up with the increasing post pandemic demand for kids’ sport.

“It’s great to see such an appetite for swimming and we are committed to spreading our valued product around Scotland. Our smaller class ratios enable us to ensure our kids have a rewarding experience, building a strong rapport with our Level 2 qualified teachers.

“We maintain a high level of in-house competency training and only employ Level 2 qualified teachers to ensure we are providing the best product in the market. The majority of our teachers are qualified in Mental Health First Aid & this is something we are passionate about continuing.

“It’s an exciting year for us and I am proud of the team we have put in place. Creating sustainable growth is the challenge, but we have the core team and support team behind us to do so.”

Edinburgh woman is doing Alzheimer Scotland Memory Walk this weekend for her mum

Alzheimer Scotland fundraising weekend
Scotland’s Memory Walk 2021
Takes place this weekend 18-19 September
New all-in-one fundraising platform at memorywalk.alzscot.org
Participants can choose to walk where they like to celebrate someone they love
Connect with other supporters in an online group full of amazing people with a shared mission
Every penny raised in Scotland stays in Scotland to fulfil Alzheimer Scotland’s mission to ensure that nobody faces dementia alone.

An Edinburgh woman who is taking part in Alzheimer Scotland’s Memory Walk this weekend (18-19 September) is urging others to sign up and take part.

Samantha Anderson (49) from Edinburgh, plans to walk 13 miles on Saturday, September 18 in memory of her mum Pauline who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and dementia in 2018 and passed away last year, aged 73.

Her parents were childhood sweethearts, they met when they were only six and nine and got married aged 16 and 18, so Samantha plans to walk 13 miles from Newcraighall Road to Broomhouse where they first met.

Samantha said: “It was subtle changes at first with mum and then the illness took hold of her all of a sudden.

“We had services and treatment lined up but the pandemic hit and a lot was put on hold and sadly her condition deteriorated quickly.

“I’m doing the Memory Walk because I want to give a little bit back to Alzheimer Scotland.

“The information and advice we got from them during mum’s illness was invaluable. They gave us lots of ideas for things we could do to help her such as listening to songs she liked, looking through photo albums and just making her laugh.

“I’d definitely encourage others to take part, it’s a great day out and a wonderful way to remember a loved one while raising money for a really good cause.”

Scotland’s Memory Walk takes place 18-19 September and a new fundraising platform has been launched to ensure that people taking part can feel connected and share their experience as one big community.

The idea behind Scotland’s Memory Walk is simple. People can choose where they want to walk, and with whom.

That means participants can choose somewhere that has a special meaning for them at a time that suits them over the weekend.

And with so many great places to choose from nearby such as Calton Hill or Arthur’s Seat you can create special memories with friends and family that will last a lifetime.

The distance doesn’t matter, whether it’s 1km, 5km or 500km. It might even be a lap of the garden.

Best of all, it’s free of charge for everyone who takes part, although everyone is encouraged to raise as much as they can.

Participants will have the option to create a team with friends, family or colleagues and fundraise via their own personalised Memory Walk page.

Everyone who supports the campaign will also be able to earn rewards and badges, there are also prizes and medals up for grabs this year.

Every penny raised as a result of Scotland’s Memory Walk will go directly towards the support Alzheimer Scotland offers across Scotland, including their 24-hour Freephone Dementia Helpline (0808 808 3000).

Dementia Advisor for Edinburgh, Elizabeth Campbell, said: “My role is fully funded through fundraised money and Scotland’s Memory Walk is one of the biggest fundraising events we have.

“But it’s not just about the fundraising. Scotland’s Memory Walk brings communities together, children, adults and older adults.

“Many participants have something in common; they are walking for someone they care about, a person living with dementia, a carer or in memory of a loved one.

“We hope Scotland’s Memory Walk gives people the chance to honour their loved ones and feel connected to the dementia community across the country.

“It doesn’t matter where you are, or your ability, you can take part and help us to fulfil Alzheimer Scotland’s mission to make sure nobody faces dementia alone.”

To sign up to Scotland’s Memory Walk, visit: memorywalk.alzscot.org

Edinburgh commits to developing as a sustainable food city

Declaration recognises Capital’s ambition of net zero emissions by 2030

Edinburgh has committed to putting food at the centre of its response to the climate emergency, after becoming a signatory to the International Glasgow Food and Climate Declaration.

Launched by the International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems and Nourish Scotland, the Declaration highlights the vital role food plays in meeting cities’ net zero targets, as well as helping to reduce poverty, inequality and poor health.

And by becoming a signatory to the Declaration, the City of Edinburgh Council renews its commitment to sustainable food policies and joined up action, raising awareness of how people’s livelihoods, health and local biodiversity are all interconnected with production, manufacture, supply, consumption and disposal of food.

The Declaration aligns with Edinburgh’s existing net zero commitments, which include:

Developing and implementing integrated food policies and strategies as key tools in the fight against climate change, captured in the Edinburgh’s first food growing strategy, ‘Growing Locally’ published in April 2021
Working to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from urban and regional food systems in accordance with the Paris Agreement, Edinburgh’s net zero by 2030 target, and work with regional partners
Calling on national governments to establish supportive and enabling policy frameworks to enable city partners to take action on climate change at the pace and scale needed to tackle the climate emergency

The move follows on from the Council committing £130,000 to invest in expanding the provision of local food growing opportunities in the city earlier this year, along with a further £0.500 million to enhance Edinburgh’s parks, playparks, food growing and urban forests, with £4m of related capital investment.

Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, Councillor Adam McVey said: Food systems currently account for a third of total global greenhouse gas emissions and, with COP26 being hosted in Scotland later this year, we have a unique opportunity as Scotland’s capital city to bring food systems reform to the forefront of the climate debate.

“Edinburgh’s pioneering local integrated food policies and strategies are helping to reduce the city’s impact on the environment and encouraging biodiversity.

“Through Growing Locally, our first ever food growing strategy, and our partnership with Edible Edinburgh, we’re already taking strides in increasing local food production and public awareness of the importance of sustainable food to our environment.

“This reflects our wider commitment to securing a more sustainable future for our citizens through tackling the climate emergency and working with partners towards ensuring the city of Edinburgh becomes net zero by 2030.

“We hope that signing the Declaration will help to highlight the importance of sustainable food to our environment, economy and communities across the city.”

Deputy leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, Councillor Cammy Day added: “The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a light on the importance of community growing initiatives in reducing social isolation, and creating stronger, more connected communities as well as providing people with access to fresh, locally produced, low carbon food.

“Growing and eating local food helps to reduce emissions from food miles, helps to encourage plants and wildlife to flourish, and can support a thriving local circular economy as part of the city’s efforts to tackle poverty.

“Becoming a signatory to the Declaration on Food and Climate recognises that food systems have an important role to play in regenerating local ecosystems and ensuring everyone has access to healthy and sustainable food.”

Chair of Edible Edinburgh, Councillor George Gordon said: “Edinburgh is home to a large and vibrant food economy which employs more than 32,000 people across almost 200 city businesses.

“Our thriving local food growing projects bring people and communities together, improve biodiversity and mitigate against the effects of climate change.

“Through our partnership with Edible Edinburgh, Edinburgh has already achieved the Bronze award for being a sustainable food city and is now working towards its Silver accreditation. As part of this we’re increasing local food growing activity and the supply of locally produced food and raising public awareness of the importance of sustainable food to our environment, economy and communities.”

Edinburgh is also a Fairtrade City and, as a lead member of the Edible Edinburgh partnership, the City of Edinburgh Council is working towards developing Edinburgh as a sustainable food city.

Growing Locally, the city’s first food growing strategy, is encouraging organisations, communities and citizens to work together to increase opportunities for growing, support local food suppliers and ensure the health, wellbeing and biodiversity benefits of local food systems are shared across the city.

In the lead up to COP26, IPES-Food and Nourish Scotland along with Declaration partners will provide a platform for signatories to share best practice and insights on developing and monitoring sustainable integrated food policies.

This will be followed by a series events during COP26 on the role of local and regional governments in building sustainable food systems.

Young Scot calls on Edinburgh to celebrate its most inspiring young people

Young Scot is calling on people in Edinburgh to help celebrate Scotland’s young heroes as nominations open for the Sunday Mail Young Scot Awards 2022.

Now in its sixteenth year, the annual Awards recognise the outstanding achievements of 11-26-year-olds from across the nation and the extraordinary work they do to improve their local communities and the lives of others.

The Awards highlight the triumphs of young people across a range of categories – from sport and the arts through to enterprise and volunteering – and shine a light on the invaluable contributions made by remarkable young people all across Scotland.

Nominations are now open on youngscotawards.com, with the results set to be announced on 27 April 2022 by BBC Radio 1 DJ, Gemma Cairney at a star-studded red-carpet awards ceremony hosted at Edinburgh’s International Conference Centre.

The winners will join a prestigious roll call of previous recipients including RuPaul’s Drag Race champion, Lawrence Chaney and social media star, Jamie Genevieve. Charitable duo Jack Mullen and Alfie King were crowned last year’s ‘Young Scots of the Year’ for their work in raising donations and keeping community spirit alive during the pandemic.

Kirsten Urquhart, Chief Executive (Interim) at Young Scot, said: “The Sunday Mail Young Scot Awards is back for 2022 and we’re excited to celebrate the incredible achievements of Scotland’s young people.

“Despite the challenges young people have endured over the past eighteen months, we continue to be absolutely blown away by the inspirational stories of young people from across Scotland. It’s an honour to be able to shine a spotlight on their achievements.

“If you know a young person in Edinburgh who impresses you, or someone who’s gone above and beyond to help others, then we want to hear about them. Make your nomination today!”

Jack Mullen, Young Scot of the Year 2021 winner, said: “We were both so shocked when we found out that we’d won Young Scot of the Year last year.

“We didn’t expect it at all, but it felt so rewarding to be recognised for the work we did to support our community and neighbours during lockdown.”

To nominate a young person or to find out more about the awards, please visit:

youngscotawards.com

Silent disco dancers help clean up Portobello Beach

A band of 18 enthusiastic dancing volunteers joined environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful at Portobello Beach on Sunday (12 September) to rid the beach of litter and kick off the charity’s ‘Source to Sea’ week. The litter-picking crew donned their headphones, tuned-in and removed rubbish from the seaside.

They removed lots of small plastics, including cigarette butts, as well as broken glass and bits of clothing left in the sand – a common issue on popular beaches. As well as removing litter from the beach, the purpose of the litter picking party was to raise awareness of how litter left on land can make its way into the sea to pollute our oceans.

The event was organised as part of the charity’s My Beach Your Beach and Treasure your River campaigns, in partnership with Keep Porty Tidy, who go out daily to blitz litter from the beach and prom.

Treasure Your River, created by environmental charity HUBBUB and delivered by Keep Scotland Beautiful, has been targeting litter from source to sea along the River Forth this summer.

The event was also supported by Oscar’s Gelato on the Porty prom, with complimentary gelato and other refreshments offered to volunteers.

Now in its fourth year, the My Beach Your Beach campaign aims to support bathing water quality at a selection of beaches, including Portobello, Fisherrow Sands and Kinghorn Harbour beach on the east coast.

The campaign does this by promoting beach stewardship among locals and visitors and encouraging good habits that can affect bathing water quality, both at the beach and indoors.

This summer’s pre-season litter survey, carried out by Keep Porty Tidy for the My Beach Your Beach campaign, found over 110 items of litter along a sample 100m stretch of beach and prom.

The majority of this litter was drinks and food related rubbish, highlighting the need for people to bin their ‘on the go’ food packaging or take it home.

Greta Elliott, from Keep Porty Tidy, said: “The silent disco litter pick was a lot of fun and a great way to get people involved in keeping our beautiful beach clean and litter free.

“Hopefully it will help encourage others to do the right thing and make sure their rubbish ends up in the bin rather than polluting the beach.”

Georgina Massouraki, Campaigns Officer at Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “Beach litter is a huge environmental issue, not only blighting our communities but also washing out to sea, where it breaks down into microplastics, harming wildlife and marine ecosystems. This silent disco litter pick was a fun way to draw attention to this issue and hopefully reach a wider range of people.

“Our My Beach Your Beach campaign is designed to help improve the quality of bathing waters by asking people to bin their litter, bag and bin their dog poo and not to feed the gulls.

“We have been delighted to work with Keep Porty Tidy on the campaign in Portobello and hope that beach users will take notice and be more thoughtful about the impact they can have on the sand and sea.”

Cllr Lesley Macinnes, Environment Convener at The City of Edinburgh Council, said: “We’re proud of Edinburgh’s beautiful beaches and so we’re very grateful to the litter pickers who worked so hard at the weekend to help us to keep Porty beach clean. I love that they had fun in the process of keeping fit and entertaining visitors as they danced along the beach.

“Our cleansing teams provided them with the equipment they needed to safely remove discarded litter and we’ve made sure the waste collected has been taken away. Our teams have been extremely busy throughout the pandemic working to keep Porty and the rest of Edinburgh clean and tidy and it’s great to see the Porty community taking pride in their area and helping them out.

“I’d ask everyone visiting any of our beaches to respect our local communities and environment by using the bins provided or by taking your litter home with you.”

Read more about My Beach Your Beach:

https://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/community-and-place/my-beach-your-beach/

Read more about Treasure Your River:

https://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/treasure-your-river/