Day: December 27, 2022

NHS Lothian helps pioneer new treatment for kidney cancer patients

A kidney cancer drug has been accepted for use within NHS Scotland and across the UK thanks to an international study, with NHS Lothian and Edinburgh University leading the UK part of the trial.

The treatment, pembrolizumab, is an antibody delivered intravenously as an immunotherapy to reduce the chances of a relapse after kidney cancer surgery.

Thanks to the research, the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has advised that the drug will now be made available to treat eligible adults with renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

In Scotland, about 1000 patients are diagnosed with RCC each year, and the incidence of the disease has been increasing over time.

Surgery carries the hope of cure if disease is caught early, but about a quarter to half of patients who undergo a nephrectomy (whole or partial kidney removal) have disease recurrence at different sites within three to five years of this.

RCC is generally resistant to chemotherapy and radiation therapy so, until now, there have been no additional treatments that reduce this risk of relapse.

The study showed that, for patients with a raised risk of relapse, pembrolizumab reduced the risk of kidney cancer coming back by a about a third and there are early indications that this is leading to patients living longer.

This has led to the SMC recommending the drug for NHS use and the first non-trial patients are now receiving this new treatment in Edinburgh.

Dr Stefan Symeonides, Senior Lecturer at the University of Edinburgh and Oncology Consultant at the Edinburgh Cancer Centre, said: “Research continues to explore which people might benefit most from this treatment, as pembrolizumab is not always effective or suitable for every patient.

“However, this represents a significant breakthrough in the treatment of kidney cancer as confirmed by UK approvals from the SMC in Scotland and NICE in England and Wales, as well as its incorporation in treatment guidelines from the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO).

“Approval of pembrolizumab is welcome news to many RCC patients, who otherwise had no treatment options available to them to prevent or reduce the risk of relapse of the cancer following nephrectomy.”

Visit the University of Edinburgh‘s website to read more.

Committee concern over lack of information on National Care Service proposals

A Holyrood Committee has reported it’s dissatisfaction with the lack of information about proposals that could see children’s health and social care services integrated into the proposed National Care Service.

The cross-party Education, Children and Young People Committee have been scrutinising the Scottish Government’s proposals – but they have concluded that it is not possible to form a clear view as to whether children’s services should be included under any future National Care Service.

The Committee expressed concern that much of the detail of any future transfer of children’s services to the National Care Service would be delegated to Ministers, preventing the Parliament from carrying our thorough scrutiny of any changes. Furthermore, the Committee was told that research designed to help inform a decision about whether or not to include children’s health and social care services in the service, will not be ready until September 2023.

The Committee also notes the lack of information regarding the financial implications of bringing children’s services under a National Care Service. Its report urges the Scottish Government to model the cost of different scenarios where children’s services are included and excluded from a National Care Service.

Looking at children and young people’s care more broadly, witnesses told the Committee that existing services need to improve, expressing concern about an implementation gap between policy and the reality of delivering those services.

While some stakeholders spoke positively about the approaches taken in their areas, a range of other issues were identified, including challenges accessing services, poor communication and gatekeeping.

Martin Crewe, Director of Barnardo’s Scotland, told the Committee, “…there is frustration that we have all the right aspirations and good intentions but what happens is not always what was intended.”

In addition, the report calls on the Government to clarify its plans for letting young people design services at the very earliest stages of work to create a National Care Service. With a large number of children and young people receiving health and social care support, Members of the Committee agreed that it would be helpful to know how the Government plans to meaningfully engage with them.

Sue Webber, Convener of the Education, Children and Young People Committee said: “We would like to thank everyone who took the time to share their thoughts with us as we scrutinised this Bill.

“The feedback we had has told us that there is not currently enough information about the Bill’s impact on children’s health and social care services for us to form a view about whether this is the right approach for children and young people.

“However, we did hear significant concerns about the way in which these services are operating at present. Therefore, our report asks the Scottish Government to ensure that work on this Bill does not delay the improvements that are needed to children’s services now. Children and young people need to be at the very heart of those discussions.”

This report will now be shared with the Health, Sport and Social Care Committee, which is leading the Parliament’s scrutiny of the Bill.

A keenly awaited Edinburgh tradition returns: Turner in January

TURNER IN JANUARY  
1 January – 31 January 2023, open daily 10am – 5pm  
Royal Scottish Academy
The Mound, Edinburgh. EH2 2EL  
0131 624 6200 | nationalgalleries.org  
Admission free  

 
Opening on New Year’s Day 2023, the National Galleries of Scotland (NGS) is pleased to welcome back visitors to their yearly tradition: Turner in January.

Scotland’s famous collection of Joseph Mallord William Turner watercolours was left to the nation by the great art collector Henry Vaughan in 1900. Since then, following Vaughan’s strict guidelines, they have only ever been displayed during the month of January, when natural light levels are at their lowest. Because of this, these watercolours still possess a freshness and an intensity of colour, almost 200 years since they were originally created. 

Turner in January, the annual exhibition of these watercolours in Edinburgh, is a keenly awaited tradition for many people in Scotland. The 38 watercolours include dramatic landscapes from the Himalayas, the Swiss Alps, and the Isle of Skye, grand visions of Venice, and captivating seascapes. They will take you on a journey through Britain, Europe and beyond, and guide you through the life and career of this iconic artist.

Turner was the most famous British artist of the 19th century. In a career spanning over 50 years, he experimented constantly with technique and colour and created landscapes that still astonish today.

Turner developed new ways of painting in watercolour and revolutionised ideas of what could be achieved in the medium. Through a combination of exceptional talent and incredible hard work, Turner was able to capture in paint the sublime beauty of the natural world.

Taking over two large, spacious rooms within the Royal Scottish Academy, Turner in January contains all 38 watercolours from Henry Vaughan’s gift to the nation, plus the exciting addition of the mesmerising Bell Rock Lighthouse (1819).

In 2023, NGS is delighted that this much-loved annual exhibition is made possible thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

Charlotte Topsfield, Senior Curator of European & Scottish Art at the National Galleries of Scotland, said: ‘As we enter the New Year, Turner’s watercolours bring light to the dark days of January.

“The brilliantly preserved Vaughan Turners, and their accompanying tradition, hold a special place in the hearts of our visitors. We look forward to welcoming you back’. 

Residents in Edinburgh invited to start New Year positively with a free Dobbies’ event

Positively Plants and garden resolutions at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store this January

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre retailer, is hosting two free workshops this January in its Edinburgh store to encourage customers of all ages to make a positive start to 2023.

Dobbies’ first Grow How session of the year takes place on Saturday 7 January at 10:30am and will give customers in Edinburgh a guide on how to incorporate houseplants into their home.

Dobbies’ experts will showcase the different air purifying houseplants available to buy, how to use them in your indoor spaces, all the benefits associated with having houseplants, and care tips on how to look after them. Incorporating houseplants into your home will help brighten your indoor space, in addition to having a positive effect on your overall wellbeing as we enter the new year. 

The Little Seedlings Club is great for kids aged 4-10 and takes place on the morning of Sunday 8 January in Edinburgh with free bookable sessions. This January, attendees will learn how to have a wonderful new year in the garden, discovering the history of new year, traditions and resolutions, the luck and prosperity associated with eating black-eyed peas-beans, alongside plants to grow in January, seeds to sow and how to prepare your garden for the year ahead.

Dobbies’ Partnership and Events Manager, Sarah Murray, said: “January is a great time to make plans and learn a new skill or hobby. We’re always looking to help sow some passion and encourage our customers in Edinburgh to try something new.

“Houseplants are a great way to enhance your space and improve your mood – not only will your home feel refreshed, but so will you. We’re looking forward to our houseplant Grow How event being a popular one. For our Little Seedlings, our workshop on making a positive start in the garden aims to be both motivational and inspiring for young gardening fans.

“We’ve thoroughly enjoyed our sessions throughout 2022 and are excited to kick off the year with these two, free workshops to help customers start as they mean to go on.”

Sustainability is at the core of Dobbies’ workshops and its horticultural experts will be showcasing the fantastic range of environmentally-friendly products available to purchase in-store.

For more information about both events in Edinburgh and how you can participate, visit dobbies.com/events.

‘Yousaf must go’ call as thousands wait for over 12 hours in A&E in Lothian

Humza Yousaf must be sacked for ‘dangerous negligence’, Scottish Labour MSP Sarah Boyack has said, as the party revealed that the number of patients waiting over 12 hours to be seen in Accident and Emergency in Lothian has soared.

Statistics have shown that, in the year from November 2021 to October 2022, a shocking 15,936 people in NHS Lothian spent more than 12 hours in A&E waiting to be seen – despite an SNP government commitment to see 95% of patients within four hours.

This figure has spiralled in recent years, with the number of people waiting more than 12 hours now around 18 times higher than the same period in 2018/19.

With A&E services in disarray and the situation only worsening throughout the winter, Scottish Labour is warning that lives will be lost due to the SNP-created A&E crisis.

Scottish Labour MSP Sarah Boyack said: “The facts are plain for all to see – NHS Lothian’s A&E services have been plunged into a deadly freefall by Humza Yousaf’s dangerous negligence.

“Despite the efforts of hardworking staff, the number of patients spending a shocking 12 hours waiting in A&E has soared this year.

“The SNP’s mismanagement of our NHS is putting lives at risk – we urgently need a real plan to put a stop to this chaos and protect services in Lothian.”

The Scottish Conservatives are also calling for Yousaf’s sacking. A spokesperson said: “With each passing week, Humza Yousaf continues to preside over complete chaos in our A&E departments.

“His tenure as Health Secretary has been nothing short of a disaster and Nicola Sturgeon must sack him immediately.”

Number of A&E patients waiting more than 12 hours:

Year to October 2019* Year to October 2022* Change (%)Change (times higher) 
NHS Ayrshire & Arran15578038416%5
NHS Borders5629255123%52
NHS Dumfries & Galloway43392812%9
NHS Fife4105326225%263
NHS Forth Valley20628991307%14
NHS Grampian2816855918%60
NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde19759972944%30
NHS Highland206673235%33
NHS Lanarkshire8516267636%7
NHS Lothian910159361651%18
NHS Orkney48100%2
NHS Shetland01
NHS Tayside327800%9
NHS Western Isles00
NHS Scotland3879458951083%12

* 12 month period from November to October

Police appeal after woman assaulted in Edinburgh on Christmas Day

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for information after a 32-year-old woman was assaulted in the Graysknowe area.

The incident took place around 6pm on Christmas Day (Sunday, 25 December), when the victim was attacked by a man, who entered the passenger side of a dark-coloured Volkswagen parked nearby and left the area. The victim did not require hospital treatment.

The suspect is described as being a white man, around 6ft and slim build, wearing a black padded jacket, black jogging bottoms and black trainers.

Enquiries have established that the suspect’s car was parked in the West Pilton Lea area by two men, around 6.45pm on the same day. Later that night, around 11.30pm, an unknown man was seen returning to the vehicle and setting it alight.

Detective Inspector Kevin Tait, from Corstorphine CID, said: “This appears to have been a targeted attack and we can be thankful that the victim was not more seriously injured.

“We are appealing to anyone with information, or was in either the Graysknowe or West Pilton Lea areas and witnessed anything suspicious, to please come forward.

“You can contact police on 101, quoting incident 1821 of 25 December, 2022. Alternatively, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, if you wish to remain anonymous.”