Day: July 19, 2025

TALL SHIPS: Don’t Go Overboard!

TALL SHIPS 2025: ABERDEEN 19 – 22 JULY

🚢⚓ Don’t go overboard during Tall Ships 2025

With hundreds of thousands of people expected to flock to the Tall Ships when they dock in Aberdeen this weekend, NHS Grampian is encouraging people to enjoy themselves safely.

With quayside concerts every night and a packed daytime programme it is set to be an extremely busy few days. As such, the health board is issuing the following top tips:

▪ Slap on the SPF. With much of the event focused on outdoor activities, protecting the skin is vital. At least SPF30, but preferably SPF50, suncream should be applied generously and regularly topped up.

▪ It might be Yo-Ho-Ho, but is the bottle of rum necessary? Pacing yourself, alternating non-alcoholic drinks, and having something to eat means you won’t feel like walking the plank the morning after.

▪ If a salty sea dog, or marvellous mermaid, should catch your eye, make smart decisions about your sexual health and use a condom. This isn’t just about preventing an unwanted pregnancy, it’s also about stopping the spread of STIs. Condoms are available for free at locations across Grampian, check out our (treasure) map here: www.nhsgrampian.org/service-hub/sexualhealth/free-condoms

There will be several first aid posts and a larger medical facility on site, at which staff from Scotia Medical Group will be on hand to provide immediate support. These facilities should be your first port of call for any non-urgent incidents at the event.

Dr Kirsty Smith, a consultant in the emergency department at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, said: “In an ideal world, we would love it if not a single person taking part in – or coming to see – the Tall Ships needed our care. However, if they do, it is vital they use NHS services correctly, especially if they aren’t familiar with the way we work.

“For minor ailments, the NHS Inform website is packed with useful self-care guides. If over the counter medicines or simple supplies like bandages are required, Aberdeen City Centre is well stocked with pharmacies, and you can get additional expert advice from the pharmacists if you need it.

“For minor injuries, call NHS 24 on 111. You’ll be able to speak to trained professionals and if you need further treatment or an X-Ray, they can arrange an appointment for this.

“I cannot stress enough, calling 999 or coming direct to the emergency departments at Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital or Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, should be for medical emergencies only.”

Emma Wadee, project manager for The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen said: “Everyone at the Tall Ships Aberdeen want every single one of our visitors to have the best time possible, while staying safe and well during this brilliant event.

“We would urge people to follow the simple and sensible top health tips the NHS Grampian experts have provided. But if anyone does need assistance, please head towards one of our well-signposted first aid posts or alert any of the Tall Ships team who will be on hand to help visitors.”

Anyone requiring healthcare who does not normally live in the UK may have to pay for some or all their treatment, depending on their country of origin.

More information on this is on the NHS Inform website:

http://www.nhsinform.scot/…/healthcare-for-overseas…

New medicine to protect higher-risk babies from RSV

Single injection to help prevent the common winter virus

More babies who are born very prematurely will now be protected against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) with the introduction of a new single injection which lasts throughout the winter season.

Following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), the single dose long-acting antibody medicine, nirsevimab (Beyfortus®) will replace the five monthly jabs which were previously offered to higher-risk infants between October and February.

In addition, the existing programme for higher risk infants is being expanded to include very preterm infants, born before 32 weeks.

Minister for Public Health Jenni Minto said: “RSV can be life-threatening to babies born very early.

“That is why I am pleased the single jab will be offered by all NHS Boards across Scotland from this September, helping to protect these high-risk infants over winter.

“We will continue to work hard to protect Scotland’s most vulnerable groups against the respiratory illnesses which circulate throughout the colder months. Our various prevention programmes help reduce avoidable admissions to hospital and therefore the pressure on our NHS.”

Dr Sam Ghebrehewet, Head of Vaccination and Immunisation at Public Health Scotland, said:

“The last year has seen significant progress in efforts to protect those most vulnerable to RSV, including the introduction of the maternal RSV vaccine which is offered at 28 weeks of pregnancy and helps protect newborn babies from serious illness. Babies born prematurely are at highest risk of serious complications from RSV and we welcome this programme expansion, which will help to ensure that even more babies are protected during their most vulnerable early months.”

RSV can lead to life-threatening pneumonia and infant bronchiolitis, a lung infection.

The current RSV maternal vaccine (for infant protection) is given at 28 weeks, so the expansion of the programme to all infants born before 32 weeks gives protection to those babies who are unlikely to benefit from maternal vaccination.

The new injection for babies is the latest development in efforts to protect those most vulnerable to RSV and prevent unnecessary hospital admissions over the busy winter period.

Last August, Scotland was the first nation in the UK to introduce another new RSV vaccine, Abrysvo, for pregnant women and older adults – more than 70% of eligible older adults took up the offer, leading to a Public Health Scotland study, published in the Lancet, showing a 62% reduction in RSV related hospitalisations among this group.