Month: January 2022

RCEM response to worst Scottish weekly performance figures ever

The latest weekly update of Emergency Department performance figures for Scotland show:

  • There were 21,163 attendances at A&E services in NHS Scotland.
  • 67.4% of attendances at A&E services were seen and resulted in a subsequent admission, transfer or discharge within 4 hours.
  • 2,079 patients spent more than 8 hours in an A&E department.
  • 690 patients spent more than 12 hours in an A&E department.

This data shows the worst weekly four-hour performance since records began. The highest number of (weekly) eight hour waits since records began, and the highest number of (weekly) 12-hour waits since records began.

More than one in eight patients were delayed in an Emergency Department by eight hours or more.

Responding to this data, Dr John Thomson, Vice President of the Royal College Emergency Medicine, Scotland, said: “This data is deeply concerning and distressing. More than one in eight patients have been delayed by eight hours or more; this is shocking.

The health service is in the middle of a serious crisis. Staff are working exceptionally hard but are burnt out and overwhelmed and face moral injury on every shift.

Patient safety is frequently compromised. We know long waiting times increase the risk of death and patient harm. The exit block that exists in our Emergency Departments which prevents patients moving in a safe, timely manner to an appropriate ward is worsening, causing even more harm to our patients.

“It is a critical time for the health service, and we must see a vision for the future. The government must acknowledge the shortfall in staff and beds as the root of this crisis, and this must lead to a commitment to publish a long-term workforce plan that includes measures to retain existing staff who may be thinking of leaving our NHS following this exceptionally challenging period.

“The government must also commit to opening 1,000 more acute beds across Boards in Scotland, which will promote timely patient flow through the hospital. Lastly, a key cause of exit block are the patients who remain in hospital when they no longer require ongoing Hospital care.

“The ongoing crisis in social care means patients are unable to be discharged home following the completion of their treatment. It is vital social care is resourced and adequately staffed to support the most vulnerable patients in their return to the community.”

Free Community Meals resume with a Burns Night Special!

ATTEND our annual programme of Community Meals for families in North Edinburgh. Kicking off next week with a #BurnsNight special with our pals at Granton Community Garden.

We bring communities together, filling bellies & minds of young people & provide 100s of meals! It’s what we do!

Vaccinations for children with specific medical conditions

Invitations being sent from this week

Children aged five to 11 years old who have specific medical conditions which place them at greater risk from COVID-19 will be invited for their first vaccination from this week onwards.

Parents do not need to book an appointment for them online as they will be contacted directly by Health Boards.

Those five to 11 year olds who are household contacts of people with immune suppression will be invited to receive their vaccination in due course.

Letters will also be sent to young people aged 12-15 who are at particular clinical risk from COVID-19 inviting them for a booster jag, 12 weeks after their last primary dose.

Meanwhile, second doses are now available for all 12 to 15 year olds who had their first dose at least twelve weeks previously. This cohort can book an appointment online at NHS Inform or go to a drop-in centre. Parents and carers are welcome to accompany them..

Any 16 or 17 year old can book a booster online for 12 weeks after their second dose. They can also visit any drop-in centre.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “The vaccination programme continues to be a huge success and we are so grateful to all those who have taken up the offer of a vaccination and of course, every single person involved in the delivery of our national programme.

“In this next part of the programme we continue to deliver boosters and take forward the latest advice from the JCVI regarding younger cohorts. They and their parents can find out more about the vaccination that is recommended for each age group at NHS Inform.

“We urge all those who are eligible for any dose to take up the offer to protect them, those around them and of course our NHS at this particularly busy time.”

Gynaecologist reveals her top 10 tips for making pap smears more comfortable

 Expert advice released for Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 

Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (17th – 23rd) aims to raise awareness of the importance of regular smear tests to help prevent cervical cancer, as there are over 3,000 new cases of each year.

Pap smears are one of the best ways to detect cervical cancer, however, the pandemic has seen less people attend their appointment, which could potentially have life-changing impacts.

To encourage people to get their pap smear, intimate wellbeing brand INTIMINA’s in-house gynaecologist, Dr Shree Datta, shares her top tips on how to make your pap smear test more comfortable.

  1. Time your appointment around your period

If you have painful or heavy periods, having a smear test during your period may be more uncomfortable, so it’s worth considering booking a test when you’re not scheduled to be on your period. Additionally, heavy bleeding can affect your smear test results and we may not be able to see your cervix clearly, so you may have to have the smear repeated. It can be normal to bleed after a smear, but if you experience bleeding after sex or in between periods, do tell your doctor.

  1. Make sure you’re comfortable with your doctor 

It’s important to feel relaxed, so make sure you are comfortable with the person who is taking your smear. Tell your doctor beforehand if you have had problems with examinations previously or if this is your first smear test. Remember, your doctor has taken many smears before so there is no need to feel embarrassed, or worry about the type of underwear you are wearing. As a gynaecologist, I don’t notice whether you have shaved your legs, I’m simply glad you have attended your smear test given it’s an important health check. 

  1. Don’t rush 

Make sure you’re not in a hurry, as this can make you feel more tense. Try to schedule enough time for your appointment so you don’t feel rushed. 

  1. Wear something comfortable

It’s more convenient to have a smear taken when wearing a skirt or a dress, as you only need to take off your underwear and you may feel less self conscious.

  1. Ask for a small speculum to be used with lubricant

It’s worth asking for a small speculum with lubricant applied before it’s inserted into your vagina, as this reduces the uncomfortable sensation of stretching when we take a smear. However, be aware that we may need to change the speculum size if we cannot get a clear view of your cervix using a small speculum because this may otherwise impact on the quality of the smear obtained and you may need to get it repeated. Getting a clear view of your cervix at the time of the smear taking enables us to inspect the cervix as well as taking a full smear so we can visualise any abnormalities.

  1. Change your position during smear taking

Some people find lying flat on their back for smear-taking very uncomfortable and we may not always get good views. An alternative position may be sitting on a gynaecologist couch or popping your fists under your bottom to tilt your cervix forward. If your doctor has had problems visualising or obtaining a smear previously let the person taking your smear know this, so we can prepare accordingly.

  1. Focus on your breathing 

Use deep breathing techniques during your smear test to relax your pelvic muscles so that we can obtain a full smear. 

  1. Empty your bladder

Going to the toilet to empty your bladder before your appointment may also be helpful to help you feel more relaxed. 

  1. Consider taking  pain relief beforehand

Consider taking some pain relief half an hour to an hour before your smear test if you find it uncomfortable. 

  1. Bring a friend or family member

Previously you may have been able to bring a friend to your appointment to talk to you whilst you have a smear taken, check if you are able to do so but please note that  this option may not be available due to COVID-19 currently.

INTIMINA’s UK Marketing and Communications Manager Marcella Zanchi said: “As an intimate wellbeing brand, we hope that with the help of Dr Shree, we can reassure and encourage women to get their pap smear test and feel comfortable and confident to do so.”

Rising energy bills to ‘devastate’ poorest families

New analysis from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation finds households on low incomes will be spending on average 18% of their income after housing costs on energy bills after April.

For single adult households on low incomes this rises to a shocking 54%, an increase of 21 percentage points since 2019/20.

Lone parents and couples without children will spend around a quarter of their incomes on energy bills, an increase of almost 10 percentage points in the same period.

The analysis compares the household spend on gas and electricity bills of several different family types on low and middle incomes between 2019-20 and after the increase in April this year.

Energy bills household impact

The chart shows the proportion of different households’ incomes that is spent on energy, in 2019/20 and after April 2022. The full analysis is available on request.

While there is little difference in the overall increase in bills from April, with all households facing an immediate increase of between around 40% and 47%, the difference in the proportion of household incomes these increases will represent is stark.

Middle-income households will be spending on average 6% of their incomes on energy bills, and no more than 8% for any family type considered.

The figures are released alongside JRF’s flagship state-of-the-nation report which reveals a worrying increase in the number of children growing up in very deep poverty.

Around 1.8 million children are growing up in very deep poverty, meaning the household’s income is so low that it is completely inadequate to cover the basics.[2] This represents an increase of half a million children between 2011-12 and 2019-20.

JRF is warning that without additional support, people already in poverty are likely to find a sharp increase in energy bills very difficult to cope with.

People living in deep and persistent poverty were already under constant pressure trying to afford food, bills and other essentials. With the impact of rising energy bills expected to be much harsher for families on low incomes, there is a clear case for targeted protections to prevent serious hardship once the energy price cap is lifted.

Following a cut to Universal Credit in the autumn, the level of support for people who are unable to work or looking for work remains profoundly inadequate. JRF is calling for an immediate emergency payment for people on the lowest incomes to help prevent hardship in the months ahead.

Katie Schmuecker at JRF said: “The reality for many families is that too many children know the constant struggle of poverty. The fact that more children are in poverty and sinking deeper into poverty should shame us all.

“The case for targeted support to help people on the lowest incomes could not be clearer. But this must go hand in hand with urgent action to strengthen our social security system, which was woefully inadequate even before living costs began to rise.

“Our basic rate of benefits is at its lowest real rate for 30 years and this is causing avoidable hardship. The Government must do the right thing and strengthen this vital public service.

“Rising energy prices will affect everyone, but our analysis shows they have the potential to devastate the budgets of families on the lowest incomes. The Government cannot stand by and allow the rising cost of living to knock people off their feet.”

Family typeLow income familyMiddle income family
Proportion of income After Housing Costs spent on gas and electricityPpt increaseProportion of income After Housing Costs spent on gas and electricityPpt increase
2019/20April-Sept 20222019/20April-Sept 2022
Working-age family with children (2)10%16%6%3%6%2%
…with couple parents9%14%5%3%6%2%
… with lone parent family15%25%9%4%7%3%
Working-age family without children (2)19%29%11%4%6%2%
…couple without children14%22%8%4%6%3%
…single adults without children33%54%21%5%8%2%
Pensioner family10%15%5%4%7%2%
All families12%18%7%4%6%2%

[2] Very deep poverty is defined as household income equivalent to or less than 40% of the average income for their family type in the UK. On average across all family types, a household in very deep poverty would have an income of £9,900 or less per year after housing costs, taxes and National Insurance contirbutions are deducted although this varies by family type as shown in this table.

Household typeMaximum household income after housing costs, taxes and NIAverage household income after housing costs, taxes and NI
Very deep povertyDeep povertyPovertyAverage income
Lone parent with two children, one 14 or over and one under 14AnnualWeeklyAnnualWeeklyAnnualWeeklyAnnualWeekly
£11,900£228£14,900£285£17,900£343£29,800£571
Couple with two children one 14 and over and one under 14£16,100£308£20,100£385£24,200£462£40,300£771
Adult, no children£5,800£110£7,200£138£8,700£166£14,400£276
Couple with no children£9,900£190£12,400£238£14,900£285£24,900£476

CUTE workshops: Cultural heritage at the edge in Granton

Granton:hub is taking part in an exciting European funded research project on the evolving heritages of Edinburgh’s shifting coastline. 

A group of Edinburgh College of Art academics and their students would like to meet with the Granton community young and old, to reflect on the following themes / questions:

  1. What is the wider geographical context of the Granton area?
  2. How has the area evolved over time, physically, socially, and economically?
  3. Who governs cultural heritage in Granton, and how?
  4. How have local groups and stakeholders developed a sense of the heritage value of Granton?

We would like to invite you to discuss these themes, through interviews, either over Zoom, by phone or in person. Each slot will take around 30-45 minutes but this is flexible. Activities will take place on 3 separate days.

On the final day (Friday) the researchers will present a summary of their findings in the Hub and invite discussion on the future of cultural heritage in Granton. This event will give a chance to chat over a cup of tea/coffee and view the posters that the ECA studenst will have made.

To take part, please book the relevant day(s) on Evenbrite. A researcher from ECA will contact you to arrange a suitable time slot. 

All in-person meetings and the Friday event will follow current government COVID guidelines.

After the event, ECA will produce a document outlining their findings, for presentation at Una Europe, hosted by Universite Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne. Your input would therefore shape a collaborative generated dossier of information about Granton to be presented at European level.

If you have any questions please contact artingranton@grantonhub.org

Address: Madelvic House, Granton Park Avenue, Edinburgh EH5 1HS

Madelvic House is just off the cycle path, has a dedicated car park and is a 2 minute walk from the number 19, 16 and 200 bus stop.

Image credit: Ed Hollis

Omicron measures to be lifted

Public asked to remain cautious while case numbers are still high

Additional measures aimed at stemming the spread of the Omicron variant whilst the vaccination booster programme took effect will be lifted next week.

From 5am on Monday 24 January, restrictions including one metre physical distancing in hospitality and leisure settings and table service in hospitality venues will not be required and attendance limits at indoor events will be removed. Non-professional indoor contact sports will also resume.

Nightclubs can reopen and whilst the Covid certification scheme will not be extended at this stage, regulations will be updated to ensure venues cannot avoid the scheme by putting tables on dancefloors whilst still allowing dancing.

People will continue to be asked to work from home whenever possible, with employers asked to facilitate this. However, the Government will engage with businesses now about a return to a more hybrid approach from the start of February if case numbers continue to decline.

The guidance to keep social interaction at home and in indoor public places to a maximum of three households is also being lifted but given case numbers remain high, the public are being asked to be cautious and to limit contacts where possible, in addition to taking lateral flow tests before meeting people from other households.

Further baseline measures including a requirement to collect customer details in hospitality settings, the use of face coverings in public places and on public transport in addition to the current Covid certification scheme will remain in place to limit the spread of Omicron and reduce pressure on essential services.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “Because of the vaccination programme, and the efforts we have all made to curb transmission, our position is not as difficult as feared back in December. That is why we were able to lift the limits on outdoor events yesterday and why we are lifting other restrictions from next Monday.

“We are still in a very challenging position and the NHS remains under significant pressure, with the number of Covid cases still exceptionally high. Although we can be cautiously optimistic about our current position, we all still need to play our part in helping to slow the spread of the virus.

“The key ways in which all of us can do that include getting vaccinated as soon as you can, limiting and prioritising contacts that matter the most to you and taking lateral flow tests when you are planning to see other people.

“All of this makes a difference and is the reason why we have been able to start lifting restrictions and can look ahead to a much better spring and summer.”

Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: First Minister’s statement – 18 January 2022

HM Coastguard celebrates landmark 200th birthday

HM Coastguard was formally brought into existence on 15 January 1822 and has been working to keep people safe at the coast and sea ever since.

Last Saturday (15 January), coastguards across all four home nations cast throwlines as a symbol of the service’s dedication – past and present.

Throwlines, which form part of the lifesaving kit used by coastguard teams, were cast into the seas around Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

UK Government Minister for Scotland Iain Stewart said: “With 87 stations across Scotland, supported by nearly 800 volunteers, HM Coastguard plays a vital role in keeping people safe on our coastlines and at sea.

“On behalf of the UK Government and people of Scotland and around the UK, I’d like to pay tribute to the bravery of our coastguards and thank them for the many lives they save. Happy 200th birthday.”

Divisional Commander for Scotland, Susan Todd said: “As an emergency service HM Coastguard is always busy and it’s rare that we get the chance to reflect on how far we have come. 200 years of saving lives at sea and at the coast is truly something to be proud of.

“The symbolic casting of throwlines across the UK is a reflection of our unwavering commitment to keeping people safe at sea.”

Over the past two centuries, HM Coastguard has gone from strength to strength. In 2022, coastguard operations centres will coordinate responses to emergency situations at the coast calling on 310 Coastguard Rescue Teams – made up of 3500 dedicated volunteers – and using 10 search and rescue helicopter bases.

In Scotland there are 113 Coastguard Rescue Teams and 923 Coastguard Rescue Officers.

Last month HM Coastguard began to implement its new updated search and rescue radio network which uses fibre technology.

More than £175million has been invested to upgrade the Coastguard’s national radio network across all 165 sites over the next two years. This will improve and future-proof its communication infrastructure and ensure that it remains able to communicate and exchange data quickly and reliably in order to co-ordinate rescues and save lives.

The service continues to adapt to changes – in the last few years providing mutual aid and support during events and incidents to other emergency partners. During the pandemic, coastguards supported the NHS, attended the G7 and COP26 in 2021, and are called in to support during national emergencies including flooding or supplying water to stranded drivers.

The service is currently working hard to reduce its carbon footprint and is aiming to make its UK-wide fleet of vehicles electric wherever possible over the next five years.

Following trials, six electric vehicles have already been purchased, with 19 more currently being procured for use across the UK. Opportunities to electrify the fleet where operationally possible continue to be identified, with the trialling and integrating of electric models as they arrive on the market.

Spending more, buying less and buying British is key to reducing food waste, says industry expert

Two million turkeys, 74 million mince pies and five million Christmas puddings. Sounds like a feast fit for a small nation? Well that’s the estimated number of otherwise edible festive food items that ended up in landfill this Christmas in the UK – and that’s not even taking into account things like vegetables, cheeses and unwanted party food that found their way to the bin.

In fact, a UK survey in 2021 revealed that over 45 per cent of people admitted to buying too much food over Christmas* with cheese, biscuits and chocolate coming out as the most overbought products. But with government figures showing that the amount of household food waste collected by local authorities across the UK rose by 11% to 485 thousand tonnes**, food waste isn’t just a Yuletide problem.

It’s also not just down to us as consumers, as food industry expert Hannah Anderson, Managing Director of ethical online food retailer 44 Foods explains: “Many of us would have seen first hand the supermarket shelves this Christmas Eve, still piled high with turkeys, vegetables and other perishable items that sadly, would likely have ended up in landfill.

“It’s a particularly sobering thought when you consider that five million people in the UK are living in food poverty. 

“The major food retailers are an important piece of the puzzle when it comes to reducing food waste and as we’ve seen with the likes of Morrisons and their decision to remove use by dates from its milk bottles, steps are being made in the right direction.

“More support for UK producers is crucial too. Behind each item of wasted food is the wasted time, money and effort of a producer and with so many across the farming industry struggling, they need our support more than ever.”

But there’s plenty that we as consumers can do too, Hannah, who has worked in the food buying industry for over 20 years says. “As a consumer, shopping more mindfully is one of the biggest ways to reduce food waste. 

“Part of that is spending more and buying less. With the cost of living on the rise, that might seem counterproductive, but spending slightly more on quality products and buying only what you need to buy can actually save you money in the long-run as you won’t be throwing as much of your hard earned cash straight into the bin at the end of every week.

“Swapping those big name retailers for smaller, local producers can make a huge difference. Supermarkets by their nature deal in bulk, meaning that you often have little choice but to overbuy, especially when it comes to things like vegetables or meat products. They also reel you in with the promise of cheaper prices by buying more than you really need.

“Buying your food straight from the farm can not only give you a better quality product but it also gives you more control over the amounts that you’re buying so the fridge won’t be full of stuff you’ll never get around to using.

“It also means that what you’re buying is as fresh as it possibly can be without first having been wrapped in plastic and sat in an industrial chiller for days.”

You won’t need to don your wellies or make a trip to the farm shop either, Hannah explains.

“Sites like 44 Foods give you access to producers across the UK – think of it like a nationwide farm shop that lets you pick and choose ethically homegrown produce which is then delivered to your door.

“We also don’t do next day delivery which means that everything you order is at it’s very best when it reaches you. We even do bundles which means that whether you’re cooking a Sunday roast or a weekday meal, we’ll pull together everything you need, in the right quantities, and all you need to do is the cooking.” 

So, when it comes to reducing food waste, it’s about shopping smaller, shopping smarter and focusing your food budget where it really matters.

To see the full 44 Foods range, visit www.44foods.com

MSPs launch inquiry into effectiveness of Scottish Attainment Challenge funding

Funding to help schools and councils close the attainment gap is the focus of a new Scottish Parliament inquiry.
 
The Education, Children and Young People Committee will examine the effectiveness of the Scottish Attainment Challenge in raising the attainment of children from deprived backgrounds.

A range of educational programmes are supported through this funding including support for local authorities and schools. The Scottish Government has announced it will allocate £1bn from 2021 to 2026 to support closing the poverty-related attainment gap.

In launching the inquiry, the Committee is seeking views on how the funding has benefited young people in deprived areas, what difference this has made to the attainment gap so far, and what more can be done going forward.

The Committee will also look at the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the attainment of pupils across Scotland over the past two years.

Committee Convener Stephen Kerr MSP said: “Every pupil in Scotland deserves an equal chance to succeed, no matter their background.

“With funding for the Scottish Attainment Challenge set to increase, we need to ensure this money is making a real difference. That is why we are launching an inquiry to determine the impact the fund has made so far in closing the attainment gap.

“To assist with our inquiry, we want your views not only on the progress of the fund but also on how we can best measure its success. That way, we can make sure the money is getting to those who need it the most.”

Deputy Convener Kaukab Stewart MSP said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected young people across Scotland, but no group has been hit harder than those from deprived backgrounds.

“We need your help to better understand how the pandemic has impacted on the achievement of our pupils and how the announced new funding can best remedy these effects.”

The deadline for responses to the call for views is 8th February 2022.

You can submit your views to the Committee here:

The Scottish Attainment Challenge – Scottish Parliament – Citizen Space