Month: March 2025

Trussell: Welfare and disability benefit cuts risk pushing even more people to food banks 

CHARITIES CALL FOR ESSENTIALS GUARANTEE

  • Almost one in five people receiving Universal Credit and disability benefits used a food bank in the last month
  • Hunger and hardship are already at record levels. Welfare and disability benefit cuts risk pushing even more people to the doors of food banks, says anti-poverty charity Trussell 
  • More than three quarters (77%) of people claiming Universal Credit and disability benefits have gone without essentials in the last six months. 
  • Just over four in ten (43%) people claiming Universal Credit and disability benefit have skipped meals to keep up with other essential costs in the last three months. 
  • The anti-poverty charity is urging the UK government not to cut welfare and disability benefits, which are already not enough to live on. 
  • Trussell is calling on the UK government to take steps towards an Essentials Guarantee in Universal Credit, so the basic rate at least always covers the cost of life’s essentials. 

Trussell has published new research that demonstrates the inadequacy of social security for disabled people across the UK.  

The research, conducted by YouGov on behalf of Trussell, reveals that almost one in five (19%) people receiving Universal Credit and disability benefits have used a food bank in the last month, while a shocking 77% have gone without essentials in the last six months. 

Just over four in ten (43%) people claiming Universal Credit and disability benefits have skipped meals to keep up with other essential costs in the last three months, while more than a third (37%) said they had not been able to keep their home warm enough this winter.

Meanwhile, a quarter (25%) of people in receipt of Universal Credit and disability benefits have had to choose between paying for heating/food, or getting a bed/bedding in the last three months.  

“I’m terrified the government will stop or cut disability benefits and if they do, I can’t bear to think of the outcome,” said one person in their survey response.  

Another person said: “It’s just going to get worse, my health will get worse. I won’t be able to renew my car insurance in March, or get an MOT this year. I think I’ll soon fall behind with gas and electric bills. If the government switch to a voucher scheme for disability payments, I’ll probably starve!” 

A quarter (25%) of people claiming Universal Credit and disability benefits have been unable to afford pain relief or other over the counter medication in the last three months. Four in ten (37%) participants were behind on bills, with 28% behind on gas or electricity in particular.  

Just over half (52%) of people claiming Universal Credit were pessimistic about their own financial situation over the next year. Additionally, 58% said the UK government is doing badly at improving living standards for people in their situation.  

Trussell is an anti-poverty charity and community of 1,400 food banks across the UK. Disabled people are overrepresented at food banks, as 75% of people referred to a food bank in the Trussell community said that they or a member of their household are disabled.  

To fulfil its long-term ambitions, Trussell says the UK government must take serious action to reduce hunger and hardship by investing in social security. Focusing on short term cuts will just push more people deeper into poverty and to hunger and hardship, and this will harm us all. 

Trussell has joined together with hundreds of communities, food banks and charities including the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, in calling on the UK government to create an Essentials Guarantee in Universal Credit, which means the basic rate at least cover’s life’s essentials and that support can never be pulled below that level.  

The majority of participants in the new survey agree, with 83% saying they would support an Essentials Guarantee. 

Sumi Rabindrakumar, head of policy and research at Trussell, said: “Trussell’s heartbreaking new findings show that Universal Credit and disability benefits are failing to cover the cost of living, with 77% of people receiving them having gone without the essentials in the last six months.

“Not only that, but one in five people have had to use a food bank. This should not be the case in one of the richest countries in the world. 

“We agree with the UK government that disability benefits urgently need reform. But balancing the books cannot come at the expense of people already having to survive on incredibly low incomes, and people with physical and mental ill health conditions.

“Our data shows that disabled people are far more likely to need support from a food bank, which likely reflects that life costs more for disabled people, with additional costs like therapies, treatments, specialist kit to help with day-to-day activities and paid care to think about on top of food, bills and toiletries. 

“Welfare and disability benefit cuts risk pushing even more people to the doors of food banks. Many disabled people are terrified of the prospect of cuts to disability benefits, which are already not enough to live on.

“If the UK government is committed to its promise to end the need for emergency food, it must address underlying barriers to work and flaws in our social security system. It must also commit to creating an Essentials Guarantee which would ensure everyone can at the very least afford the essentials we all need, such as food, bills and toiletries- not whip away lifelines from people who need them most.” 

More rights for victims of crime

Notification scheme to be expanded

More crime victims will get access to a range of information about the perpetrator and have a say on decisions about their prison release under newly unveiled justice reforms.

Currently victims can register with the Victim Notification Scheme (VNS) if the offender in their case has been sentenced to 18 months or more in prison, or with the Victim Information Scheme if the sentence was less than 18 months.

Under Scottish Government proposals to be considered by the Scottish Parliament, all victims will be able to register under one programme with the same right rights and same access to information, regardless of the length of the offender’s prison sentence.

A further proposal, if approved by MSPs, would give all victims the right to make representations where an offender is being considered for release on licence – and on the licence conditions they would like to see imposed. Currently this entitlement only applies where an offender was sentenced to four years or more in custody.

Improvements are also proposed to the range of information available through the VNS for victims of offenders in the forensic mental health system who are subject to a compulsion order and restriction order.

The plans build on previously announced proposed reforms to the Victim Notification Scheme that will create a new Victim Contact Team to give personalised support based on a victim’s individual needs.

The latest plans are being introduced as proposed amendments to the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill, the next stage of which begins in the Scottish Parliament next week.

Victims Minister Siobhian Brown said: “These reforms will put victims’ rights at the heart of the justice system.

“Victims of crime will be able to sign up to one simplified notification scheme that allows them to receive information about the offenders and, if they wish, to have a say in decisions being made about the offenders, including their release. These changes recognise that a victim’s rights should not hinge on the length of sentence that the perpetrator is serving.

“One system will be easier for victims to navigate and this change will add to a raft of proposed reforms to the VNS, including the creation of a new Victim Contact Team.  We want victims to know their rights to receive information and to be supported to make informed choices on whether they wish to do so. We will continue to work closely with victims’ representatives as we take forward these reforms.”

Bosses urged to do more to support neurodiverse staff

Report shows staff turnover reduced by proactive support

New research published today by workplace expert Acas, highlights the importance of training and proactive action to support neurodiverse staff.

Neurodiversity describes the natural differences in how people’s brains process information, and how they feel and behave. Well-known types of neurodivergence include neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD, autism, dyslexia and dyspraxia.

The report emphasises the importance of training and supporting managers, so they know how to treat and support their neurodivergent staff.

The research shows that creating inclusive environments and personalised adjustments can be achieved proactively, without the need for a formal diagnosis or staff disclosure.

Acas Interim Chief Executive Dan Ellis said: “It is estimated that between 15-20% of UK adults are neurodivergent. This is a potentially enormous number of workers who may not be getting the support they need.

“Our research outlines the urgent need to put support for neurodivergent people at the heart of workplace policies and training, and the huge benefits for businesses when that happens.

“Taking steps to support neurodivergent staff is often quick, easy and inexpensive, but the advantages can be widespread. We encourage employers to make sure they do everything they can to support their staff.”

The independent research was conducted by Birkbeck, University of London, for Acas. The researchers combined insights from experts working in neuroinclusion, in depth case studies and a summary of published evidence.

The research found that neuroinclusion is possible in all workplaces, whether large or small.

The research documents good practice including how to manage performance in neurodiverse teams and the benefit of small changes, such as accessible written materials.

The research found that one small business which is incorporating neuroinclusion proactively, reduced its staff turnover to 8%, against a national average of 34%.

The report found that:

·       Proactively supporting neurodivergent staff and creating inclusive work environments where neurodivergent talents are supported can benefit everyone at work.

·       Mandatory and regularly updated neurodiversity training is key to promoting inclusive workplaces.

·       Line managers are pivotal in supporting neurodivergent employees so it’s vital they have the necessary training to facilitate inclusion.

·       Being proactive in making reasonable adjustments shouldn’t require a diagnosis or formal disclosure from staff.

·       Specialised adjustments may require balancing of individual and organisational needs. Smaller businesses with limited resources may find external support from organisations like Acas useful.

Professor Almuth McDowall at Birkbeck, University of London leads a research centre dedicated to supporting neurodivergent talent. She said: “It was a privilege to learn from our participants and share good practice. It is very important that neuroinclusion is part of wider conversations about workplace equity and inclusion.

“Conversations about adjustments should focus on performance optimisation to harness neurodivergent talent. Simple and centralised processes are important to reduce the burden on managers.

“Our case studies show that good practice can reduce turnover to as low as 8%. Organisations should set themselves clear targets for neuroinclusion and monitor and publish data.”

The report also shows that some workplaces are taking an innovative approach to neuroinclusion.

Jodie Hill is Managing Partner at Thrive Law, a business that prioritises inclusion and support for its neurodivergent staff. She said:  “The benefits of introducing reasonable adjustments for neurodivergent staff at Thrive has been overwhelming, particularly for me as a neurodivergent leader.

“Having the adjustments in place not only helps me, but it helps my team, and my clients, understand my needs.

“By creating a neurodiverse workplace, we create a competitive advantage and a workplace that has cognitive differences. We support people’s strengths and create an environment where those individuals can thrive.”

A full copy of the report can be viewed online https://www.acas.org.uk/research-and-commentary/neurodiversity-at-work-research-practice-and-policy

REVEALED: Skye’s Jurassic dinosaur

A fossil first spotted in Skye over 50 years ago has finally been extracted from the base of the cliff where it was found and, following analysis, formally identified as a Jurassic dinosaur.

The fossil was first discovered in 1973, making it Scotland’s earliest recorded dinosaur find. It was not fully identified at the time and remained uncollected until a team led by Dr Elsa Panciroli returned in 2018 to the location near Elgol, in the south of the island, to undertake its extremely challenging extraction from the rock.

While the Elgol dinosaur is preserved only in fragments compared to some specimens found elsewhere, researchers have identified part of the spine, ribs and a hip bones, making it the most complete dinosaur skeleton found to date in Scotland.

Close study of these bones has led researchers to believe that it is an ornithopod dinosaur, a group of which includes notable later dinosaurs such as Iguanodon, Parasaurolophus and Edmontosaurus.

The Elgol dinosaur dates to around 166 million years ago, in the Middle Jurassic, making it one of the earliest known ornithipod body fossils, as that group of dinosaurs became far more prominent in the later Cretaceous period.  Analysis of the bone structure indicates that the animal, which would have been roughly the size of a pony, was at least 8 years old.

The new description of the Elgol dinosaur is published in the Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

Lead author, Dr Elsa Panciroli, NERC Independent Research Fellow at National Museums Scotland said: ““This was a really challenging extraction, in fact we’d previously felt was too difficult to collect the fossil, but I thought it was really important to study it.

“I was able to persuade the team to give it a try. It took a lot of hard work from a lot of people, but we did it: finally we can confirm and publish Scotland’s first recorded and most complete dinosaur, and that makes it all worthwhile.”

The difficult excavation was made possible with the support of a specialist team from Research Casting International, based in Canada. A local crew from Elgol’s Bella Jane Boat Trips piloted the rigid inflatable boat and dingy to the shore at the foot of the cliff, where the specimen was loaded and taken back to port.

Dr Stig Walsh from National Museums Scotland said: “This is a wonderful addition to the rapidly growing set of Jurassic finds from the Isle of Skye which are enabling us to learn more and more about the rich ecosystem of the time.

“We’ve known there were dinosaurs there for a while, most obviously from the famous footprints at An Corran, Brother’s Point and Duntulm and from individual bones, but it’s exciting to see a more complete, if still partial, skeleton. We’re delighted to add it to the other amazing finds now in the National Collection”.  

Other recent Jurassic discoveries from Skye include the description of adult and juvenile mammals of the same species, Krusatodon, which revealed that these mammals grew more slowly than mammals today, and the world’s largest Jurassic pterosaur fossil, Dearc sgiathanach.

Professor Susie Maidment of the Natural History Museum and the University of Birmingham, said: “The Elgol dinosaur was a challenge to collect, and has proven perhaps an even bigger challenge to identify. Some aspects of the bones indicate that the specimen may be an ornithopod, a group of plant-eating dinosaurs that are best known from the Cretaceous.

“This specimen, however, would already have been a fossil by the time that the better-known ornithopods like Iguanodon and Hypsilophodon were walking the Earth. Recent research on the fossils of Elgol has revealed a diverse ecosystem of extraordinarily preserved Middle Jurassic animals, and I’m sure there are more exciting discoveries to come.”  

The other authors on the paper were Professor Roger Benson (American Museum of Natural History), Professor Richard Butler (University of Birmingham), Brett Crawford (Research Casting International – RCI), Matt Fear (RCI), Dr Nick Fraser (National Museums Scotland) and Dr Gregory Funston (Royal Ontario Museum).

Professor Rob Ellam FRSE, Editor of Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh said: “First of all, I would like to congratulate Dr Panciroli and her international team of co-authors.

“Having this exceptional piece of work on the Elgol dinosaur – both Scotland’s earliest and most complete dinosaur fossil – in the pages of Transactions is a highlight for the journal. 

“It is a privilege to be able to publish in EESTRSE a world-class study led from Scotland which illustrates why the Scottish palaeontological community is held in such high esteem.”  

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Maybury pupils start new chapter with World Book Day donation from leading housebuilder

Pupils at Maybury Primary School are celebrating World Book Day with a donation from Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes towards their favourite titles.

The brand-new school, located in the West Craigs area of Edinburgh, welcomed its first batch of pupils back in January – 26 P1 learners who had previously been based at East Craigs Primary since August 2024.

To mark the pupils’ transition, Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes has donated book vouchers totalling £250 for the class to spend on some of their favourite titles.

Councillor Joan Griffiths, Education, Children and Families Convener, said: “It was fantastic to see the new Maybury Primary School open its doors to its first group of P1 learners at the end of January, and I know that the whole school community are excited to celebrate World Book Day.

“We know that access to books and hearing stories is hugely beneficial for our younger learners, helping them to establish the early building blocks for reading, broadening their knowledge of the world and helping to develop their imaginations.

“This welcome donation of book vouchers will help the school to enhance their library and in turn add to the learning experience of children at the school.”

Lorraine Paterson, Sales Director at Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes East Scotland, said: “This is an exciting new chapter for pupils in the West Craigs area, and what better way to celebrate their move to their new school than with a donation towards their favourite books for the classroom.

“It’s no secret that reading builds imagination and helps with creativity, and we all have our favourite novels from childhood that we hold dear to our hearts. If this small donation helps even one P1 pupil pick up a book and find a love for reading, then we know we’ve played a positive role in helping the youngest in our local communities thrive.”

Maybury Primary School is a local school to David Wilson’s West Craigs Quarter and Barratt @ West Craigs developments.

For more information on Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes in the East of Scotland, visit https://www.barratthomes.co.uk/new-homes/scotland-east/

HoN: Friday talk CANCELLED

We wanted to let you know that, unfortunately, this week’s Friday Talk on the Edinburgh and Leith Gasworks has been cancelled due to unforeseen illness. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

We are currently working to reschedule the talk and will aim to include it in our Autumn programme.

Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to welcoming you to our upcoming events.

With warm wishes,

The Heart Team

Charity calls for the abuse of older people to be a key priority

Hourglass, the only UK-wide charity focused on ending the abuse, harm, exploitation and neglect of older people, is calling for an urgent inquiry to understand the true nature and scale of the abuse of older people, following the release of a new report by the Women and Equalities Select Committee.

The report points to older people being omitted from equality frameworks and an increase in ageist attitudes, particularly from the younger generation, with the Committee calling for a review into age discrimination laws which they found were ‘rarely enforced’.

In addition, the report raised the lack of a representative figure for older people in Westminster. Committee chair Sarah Owen MP has called for the UK Government to follow a similar strategy to Wales and ‘should consider the merits of establishing a UK cross-government minister to take responsibility for championing the rights of older people.’

Hourglass, who submitted evidence to the report, welcomes many of these changes as progressive steps to ensuring better representation for older people. However, they are looking to ensure that the abuse of older people is recognised and is a central part of any strategy to tackle ageism in the UK.

Research from the charity suggests that every year, one in five people over the age of 60 experience some form of financial/economic, physical, psychological, sexual abuse or neglect. Over 2.6 million people are thought to be affected, with the majority of cases being committed by family members, within the victim-survivors own home.

Reported cases of abuse committed against older people have risen in recent years, with the number of calls to Hourglass’ helpline having risen by 182% from around 4,500 in 2017 to 12,700 in 2024.

Furthermore, polling by Hourglass and YouGov conducted in 2024 found a ‘significant lack of awareness’ of the nature and prevalence of the abuse of older people, with the poll finding that more than 26% of people did not believe forcing an older relative to change their Will was an act of abuse.

The charity is calling for an inquiry to develop a specific strategy to tackle this abuse, which they estimate costs the UK economy over £16 billion every year, with this set to rise to £25 billion a year by 2050.

Richard Robinson CEO of Hourglass said: “I welcome the publication of this report, which not only shines a light on ageism, but tasks the Government with doing more to make sure older people are represented in Westminster. However, no new strategy on ageism can work without considering the prevalence of the abuse of older people.

“We at Hourglass believe it’s now time for a full inquiry into the abuse of older people – a hidden epidemic affecting 2.6 million people in the UK every single year.

“By 2050, there will be almost 10 million more older people in the UK. If we are to create a truly Safer Ageing Society for the benefit of us all, we must act now to protect more vulnerable older people from harm”.

World Book Day: Supporting families to find the fun in reading

Embrace your children’s choices, make reading relevant and try technology

On this annual celebration on Thursday 6th March, World Book Days charity is supporting parents with easy solutions to unlock the benefits of reading for fun for children.  

Numerous studies show that reading for enjoyment has life-changing benefits, but research also confirms reading it is at its lowest levels since records began in 2005 – with only 1 in 3 UK children saying they enjoy it (National Literacy Trust). So what can we do to help children find the fun in reading before it’s too late?  

Generational Decline in Reading for Fun 

New research carried out by World Book Day and kids’ insights consultancy Beano Brain among 1,066 children aged 8-14 years old and their parents reveals that children are much less likely to grow up as readers if their parents don’t read. 

Parents who don’t consider themselves as readers are much less likely to read with their children, with only 59% saying they do, compared to 71% of those who identify as readers. Additionally, parents who were not encouraged by their own parents to read (12% of those polled), are twice as likely to say they don’t encourage their child to read (15% versus 7% of readers.)  

Reading to children is a vital support in ensuring children read for fun themselves; research shows that children who are read to often are much more likely to read on a daily basis – almost half of 5-7s (46%) and almost three quarters (73%) of 8-13s. 

However, reading avoidance is being passed down, with the children of non-readers almost twice as likely to hold negative attitudes towards reading. 

Almost a third of this group (31%) say they avoid reading as much as possible (compared to 17% of children of readers), and that they don’t read for fun as books are boring (30% versus 16%). On the converse, three-quarters of children who think their parents enjoy reading for fun want to read more themselves.  

Furthermore, a quarter (24%) say they haven’t found any books they like (versus 13%), and one in 10 (10%) say they don’t have access to books (versus 4%). 

Judgement is also a significant problem for both parents and their children. While overall 17% of parents feel judged by other parents about what and how their child reads, this increases to 26% for those who consider themselves non-readers. Meanwhile, almost one in five (18%) children say they feel judged for their reading choices at home.  

How to turn the tide 

Even if they don’t read themselves, there are some simple fixes for families to lock in the benefits of reading for future generations, which OECD states are vital to a child’s future success, more so than family background or income (OECD, 2021). 

We asked children what they need from grown-ups to support them to read for fun. 

Choice and lack of judgement 

  • Positive affirmation works wonders; 2 in 5 children think reading is best when they feel like they’re good at it (40%), while 30% say it’s best when they feel confident and encouraged 
  • Over a quarter of children (28%) say that if they were nagged less about reading they’d enjoy it more, while over a third of children say they cannot choose what they want to read at home (34%) or at school (35%) 
  • 1 in 4 children say they’re encouraged to read things they simply don’t want to, which also makes many children feel confused or overwhelmed when it comes to making reading choices (23%), creating further barriers to enjoyment.  

 Be relevant and reflect their world 

  • Over a quarter (28%) of children say they would read more if the books helped them learn about things they are interested in, so focusing on their passions and hobbies can encourage the habit, while more than one in five children (21%) also say that alternative reading formats, including audio books, comics and graphic novels, help them like it 
  • In a world of multiple distractions, let’s say reading AND screens, not reading OR screens.   Over half (56%) of parents of 11-14-year-olds say their child would rather go online than read, rising to 94% among kids who are non-readers. Over a quarter (26%) of kids also say they would read more if books were as engaging as computer games, while almost the same (23%) say they would read more if the books featured characters from their favourite TV shows, films or games 
  • New research from National Literary Trust shows that 42% of children aged between eight and 18 said they enjoyed listening to audiobooks and podcasts. A fifth (21%) of Gen Z parents say their children are already listening to audiobooks as a way encourage reading for fun.  

Try fitting reading for fun into family life, whatever that looks like.  

Modern life is often stressful and hectic, so reading together can fall down the list. But children who read with their parents, often want to read more themselves, whether this is reading before bed (51%), reading next to each other on the sofa (45%) or listening to audiobooks in the car (20%). 

We offers lots of resources to help make these activities and conversations about reading easier. 

 There is also a lack of awareness from some parents of the life benefits that reading at home can bring, plus a belief that it is school’s job alone to read with children5. 

Cassie Chadderton, CEO of World Book Day says:  “To turn the tide and get more children reading for fun, we all need to recognise what our children are enjoying and reflect that in what they read.

“Our job as a charity is to get more children experiencing the life changing benefits of choosing reading, so let’s listen to children and give them reasons to find reading fun.  

“Supporting choice and embracing technology are simple steps to address our growing reading crisis, unlocking the benefits of reading for fun for generations to come.”   

New Earlier Cancer Detection campaign focuses on head and neck cancers

People across Scotland encouraged to get potential symptoms checked earlier

The latest phase of the Scottish Government’s ‘Be the Early Bird’ campaign has a new focus on head and neck cancer symptoms.

Around 1,300 new cases are diagnosed each year – Scotland’s sixth most common cancer – yet only one third are detected early. The campaign encourages people to recognise possible cancer symptoms and not delay contacting their GP practice or dentist.

To emphasise this message, a group of people who had their cancer detected early, the ‘early birds’, met Health Secretary Neil Gray to share vital stories of how this provided more treatment options, helped them live well and allowed them to continue doing the things they love.

The group are urging people with unusual, persistent symptoms to do the same and act early.

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Neil Gray said: “Early detection is so important to cancer care. The stories from our ‘early birds’ demonstrate the positive impact it can have on treatment and outcomes.

“So, I’m urging everyone to make sure they contact their GP practice about any unusual, persistent symptoms. The sooner we act, the better the chances for treatment and recovery. So, let’s be vigilant – if something doesn’t feel right, don’t wait, get checked early.”

Dr Gillian Leslie, Deputy Chief Dental Officer for Scotland, said: “Head and neck cancer incidence rates have gradually increased over the past decade, making early detection more important than ever.

“Dentists play a vital role in detecting signs of cancer. Routine dental examinations allow us to identify subtle changes in the mouth and throat, and surrounding tissues that could signal early-stage cancer.

“Early diagnosis leads to better treatment options, so we urge people to attend their check-ups. Most importantly, if you notice any sores, lumps, red or white patches that do not go away after three weeks, don’t wait until your next appointment – we want to see you. It’s crucial not to dismiss any potential symptoms. Get checked right away.”

Dr Douglas Rigg, GP said: “If you are worried about unexplained bleeding, an unusual lump, unexplained weight loss or something that doesn’t feel normal for you, we want to know.

“Don’t be embarrassed or sit at home worrying, give your GP practice a call. It probably won’t be cancer but if it is, finding cancer earlier can mean a much wider range of treatment options being available, and a better chance of living well again.”

Case study

Daniel Morrison, 30, from Cambuslang, Lanarkshire, was one of the early birds at the breakfast meeting with Neil Gray. He was diagnosed with salivary gland cancer but is now recovering and living well with his young family thanks to early detection at his GP practice.

Daniel said: “It’s thanks to spotting my cancer early that I’m now delighted to say I’m in recovery and able to look forward excitedly to the future with my young family.

“I’d noticed fluid under my tongue and felt really fatigued but it’d be easy to try and ignore as nothing. I’m so thankful however that I got checked early, treated and looked after by a team of amazing medical experts throughout.

“This is why I’m passionate about the Scottish Government’s Be the Early Bird campaign – it’s so important that people understand the difference contacting your GP practice early can make.”

Watch the campaign film here.

For more information on ‘Be the Early Bird’ and to use the symptom checker, please visit getcheckedearly.org.