August 2026 – Page 8 – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Life-saving defibrillators and bleed control kits now available at 15 Nationwide branches across Scotland

Life-saving equipment installed at 15 Nationwide Scottish branches, giving communities round-the-clock emergency access – Virgin Money branches to follow
All branch colleagues given opportunity to complete training on how to use the equipment and respond in an emergency
Research reveals 88% of people in Scotland would feel safer knowing life-saving equipment is available locally
Since the pilot began in June, more than 225 defibrillators and bleed control kits have already been installed at branches across the UK, with 48 already activated – evidence of how vital this equipment is to local communities
People across Scotland now have access to potentially life-saving defibrillators and bleed control kits outside1 Nationwide branches in their communities as part of a major UK-wide rollout.

Nationwide, which has the UK’s largest branch network, has installed the publicly accessible equipment at 15 branches across Scotland, giving communities access to emergency equipment 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The installations form part of Nationwide’s commitment to equip all 605 of its branches across the UK with defibrillators and bleed control kits by the end of the year, with Virgin Money branches set to follow.

The initiative is thought to be the UK’s largest-ever combined rollout of its kind and is being done in partnership with Visa, with St John Ambulance working alongside Nationwide to offer life-saving training for colleagues and local communities.

The need for the equipment, and training to use it, is highlighted by Nationwide’s research, which shows that 88 per cent of people in Scotland say they would feel safer knowing life-saving equipment is available in their local area. However, just 18 per cent say they would feel very confident using a defibrillator in an emergency.

The research also highlights that 90 per cent believe there should be more public access to defibrillators and 89 per cent support greater public access to bleed control kits.

Everyone who works at a Nationwide branch in Scotland also has access to the opportunity to complete specialist training developed by St John Ambulance – ensuring colleagues understand how to use a defibrillator, can respond to a severe bleeding incident and carry out cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) while waiting for emergency services to arrive.

First aid advice on how to respond to a severe bleed, cardiac arrest, and how to use a defibrillator and what to do in the event of a severe bleed, is available on St John Ambulance’s website.

To help build public confidence, Nationwide is also working with St John Ambulance to deliver ‘Heart of Community’ volunteer-led sessions sharing life-saving skills to provide local people with the knowledge and confidence to use a defibrillator, treat a severe bleed in an emergency with and without using a bleed control kit, and carry out CPR.

Since the UK-wide rollout began in June, 48 defibrillators have already been activated demonstrating the importance of the initiative.

Mandy Beech, Director of Retail Services at Nationwide, said: “Our research shows people in Scotland value having local access to life-saving equipment, but many wouldn’t feel confident using it in an emergency.

That’s why we’re not just installing defibrillators and bleed kits. Every Nationwide branch colleague in Scotland has the opportunity to receive first-aid training, and we’re working with St John Scotland to help more people gain the skills that could help save a life.”

Professor Andrew Hartle, Chief Medical Officer at St John Ambulance, said: “Every minute counts in an emergency, and having access to a defibrillator or bleed control kit can make a vital difference before the ambulance service arrives.

“By increasing the availability of this life-saving equipment and giving more people the confidence to use it, we can help communities be better prepared to respond when it matters most.

“We’re proud to be working with Nationwide and Visa on an initiative that is helping put the power of first aid into more people’s hands.”

Jenny Young, MSP for Central and Scotland Lothians West, said: “Following my recent visit to Nationwide Livingston, I’ve been really impressed by the ways James and his branch team are supporting people in the local community

“The installation of defibrillators and bleed kits at the branch can only be a good thing for the area and I am sure it will help increase people’s awareness of their purpose, and their life-saving potential.”

Care home hosts spectacular Fringe Cares performance for residents

On Saturday 1st August staff, residents, relatives and members of the community came together at Queens Manor care home in Barnton for a fantastic afternoon of exciting performances as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Cares Fest.

Now in its fifth year, the Fringe Cares movement brings artists from the Edinburgh Festival into care homes so residents can enjoy accessible performances in the comfort of their own homes.

The show was attended by the Lord Provost, the Right Honourable Robert Aldridge and his Consort, Joe and Nancy Goldblatt, Rene Rigby from Scottish Care as well as 45 Queens Manor residents and their families. The hospitality team provided canapes and everyone was treated to a range of chilled summer drinks including cocktails from Robyn’s Bar.

First onto the stage was multi award winning Flow Artist, Lai Yee, a contemporary street performer from Hong Kong, who wowed the crowd with his acrobatics, incredible juggling skills and his expertise on the Cyr wheel.

Then talented and versatile vocalist, Anna Vanosi, took to the stage and had everyone singing and dancing along to some rousing Italian classic songs. Both performances delighted the audience and left them shouting for more.

General Manager, Margaret-Ann Davidson said: “The Fringe Cares Fest is one of the highlights of our year, it is such a fantastic initiative and this year was no exception.

“We all spent a wonderful afternoon enjoying first Lai Yee’s acrobatics and then Anna’s brilliant vocals and that is the beauty of the Fringe, there is so much variety and every year we all have the best time. We’re so grateful to the performers and the organisers for bring Fringe Cares to our residents and their families.”

Queens Manor care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals. Queens Manor provides residential and residential dementia care for 60 residents from respite breaks to long term stays.

Under 18’s go free for the first time ever at National Galleries of Scotland’s blockbuster summer exhibition of Catherine Opie’s powerful photographic portraits

Catherine Opie: To Be Seen

National Galleries of Scotland exhibition taking place in the Royal Scottish Academy building

Saturday 8 August – Sun 1 November 2026

Tickets £3.50 – £14 | Friends and under 18s go free

Catherine Opie | To Be Seen | National Galleries of Scotland

For the first time ever under 18’s can explore the National Galleries of Scotland’s blockbuster summer exhibition at the Royal Scottish Academy building – completely free!

Opening this weekend (Saturday 8 August), discover powerful photographic portraits by groundbreaking American artist Catherine Opie in this showstopping exhibition. Curated in collaboration with the artist, Catherine Opie: To Be Seen is Opie’s first ever solo exhibition in Scotland.

Specially adapted for the Royal Scottish Academy building in Edinburgh, To Be Seen presents a unique experience of the people, communities and stories in the art of Catherine Opie. The exhibition comes to Edinburgh from the National Portrait Gallery in London, having already received rave reviews from The Guardian and the Independent, with Time Out calling it ‘something worth celebrating’.

Tickets are on sale now.

Explore nearly 80 vibrant portraits by Opie alongside her selection of works from Scotland’s national art collection. Displayed across seven rooms in the Royal Scottish Academy building, come face to face with Opie’s mentors and collaborators, Queer communities, children, surfers, high school footballers and political crowds as well as self-portraits of the artist.

See Opie’s work alongside a selection of 13 paintings from the national collection in arrangements prompting new narratives around ideas of identity. Join Opie as she questions ‘what is identity right now, and how do we look at it? Where and how do we belong’.

Documenting people brought together by common experiences or a shared sense of identity, Opie celebrates these communities by making them visible and offers us a platform to recognise ourselves in her exquisite and colourful images.

Thought-provoking and visually powerful, her striking work challenges who is represented in art and who remains unseen. Depicting a world made meaningful through connection, the artist says: ‘If you can walk away having a little better understanding about being human, that’s what I care about the most.’

One of the most influential artists of our time, Opie’s work is driven by the urgency to examine the ebb and flow of human culture and communities. Journey through 35 years of the artist’s work as she questions representations of home, intimacy and family, and explores politics, identity and power structures.

At the basis of her practice is her ongoing questioning of evolving ideas of community, identity and belonging. For Opie, portraiture is a radical act of representation – a desire to make the invisible visible and a gesture of belonging and resistance. Opie’s art attests to a great sense of humanity and care.

Whether as a university professor, a mother, a member of the Queer community, an American, or a world citizen, her portraits of fellow artists, friends, children and protestors draw attention to the power of visibility.

From photographs covering Barack Obama’s presidential inauguration, Tea Party rallies, and LGBTQ+ rights protests, to tender family moments and vulnerable self-portraits, Opie’s photographs collapse divisions between the personal and the political.

Experience Opie’s portraits alongside works such as Benedetto Gennari’s Elizabeth Murray, Duchess of Lauderdale and Pablo Picasso’s Mère et enfant and consider how history is recorded through portraiture.

Opie says, ‘What first drew me to photography was the idea that history was being made and language was being made through images.’ The artist has long been influenced by historic portraits, taking early inspiration from Hans Holbein the Younger. Inspired by Holbein’s precise renderings of nobility, Opie sought to give stature to her friends and challenge notions of ‘normality’.

Opie’s first major work, Being and Having (1991) is her own representation of identity challenging gender norms. Comprised of 13 closely cropped portraits of Opie and her friends enacting their masculine personas, Opie considers these her ‘own royal portraits,’ and affirms that ‘without representation, there is no visibility’.

To Be Seen will span the artist’s most famous works, with Opie’s own identity also threaded through the exhibition. Works range from ennobling portraits of the artist’s LGBTQ+ friends, Baroque inspired portraits of artists, images chronicling the likes of 1990s West-Coast leather dyke scene alongside her own experiences of family life and community.

Opie says, ‘I like to think that portraiture literally creates a history of one’s community’. The exhibition’s wide-ranging portraits span intimate studio shots capturing moments of vulnerability, pride and resilience to socially engaged documentary narratives.

Born 1961 in Sandusky, Ohio – the American Midwest – Opie got her first Kodak camera at the age of 9 and remembers, ‘I photographed everything around me’. Her fascination with photography continued throughout her childhood after she moved to California at the age of 13. She fashioned her teenage years, through friendships forged by taking photographs of school plays.

Opie was later encouraged to study photography at the San Francisco Art Institute. Moving to the city she worked and lodged at the Kenmore Residence Club, coming out as a lesbian and having her first significant relationship.

Later, Opie studied for a master’s at the California Institute of the Arts, where she developed her critical approach and secured her technical knowledge. Rising to prominence in the early 1990s,

Opie has since been at the cutting edge of documentary and portrait photography. She taught at UCLA for 25 years and was the Endowed Chair, Department of Art at UCLA (2021–23), retiring in 2023. Opie currently lives and works in Los Angeles.

Catherine Opie said: ‘After my first visit to Edinburgh it is a deep privilege and honour in bringing To Be Seen to a place that immediately felt like home.

“I’m looking forward to getting to know Scotland in the exchange of ideas and humanity.’

Anne Lyden, Director General of National Galleries of Scotland, said: ‘One of the most significant artists of our time, Catherine Opie is really not to be missed this summer!

“We are so excited to be working with the National Portrait Gallery, London, to host the artist’s first ever solo exhibition in Scotland. We cannot wait to share these incredibly powerful and human portraits with the people of Edinburgh and beyond.

“Opie’s life’s work resonates with our values to offer our audiences a feeling of community, connection and fun! We hope that our visitors find these moments while they explore this wonderful exhibition by a truly groundbreaking artist.’

Catherine Opie: To Be Seen is a National Galleries Scotland exhibition taking place in the Royal Scottish Academy building, opening on 8 August 2026.

Tickets on sale now! The exhibition also forms part of the Edinburgh Art Festival, the UK’s largest annual festival of visual art, from 14 – 30 August, presenting alternative perspectives across the breadth of the city.

Catherine Opie: To Be Seen is kindly supported by the players of Postcode Lottery and Friends of the National Galleries of Scotland.

Hundreds of families attend free outdoor Playday events across Scotland

Play Scotland calls on communities to champion more spaces for play

Hundreds of children, young people, and families across the UK came together to celebrate Playday on Wednesday 5th August, after Play Scotland called for more inclusive and welcoming spaces for play.

As this year’s theme calls for the creation of play opportunities here, there, and everywhere, celebrations outdoors and in streets ramped up as children engaged in imaginative, risky, creative, exploratory play, among others.

From loose parts, to mud pies, to den-building, it serves as a reminder that quality play doesn’t need to be expensive or complicated. Children must be given the time, freedom and space to play, and that’s what Play Scotland is working to deliver as they develop their five-year strategy, launching in late October.

Play Scotland partnered with Aberlour Children’s Charity to host a free play event in Aberdeen, and took part in delivering a day of play at Brodie Castle and Estate in Moray.

Lorna Leil, events coordinator at Brodie Castle says: “I know how important play is for children’s learning and development. With the space that we have Brodie Castle just lends itself to this.

“We have a focus on play anyway with our Playful Garden and the castle playground. Playday is a chance to expand on this, to work with local people – businesses, families and communities – and provide even more opportunities for playful learning.

“Since developing our connection with Play Scotland and Playday we have a wider platform to promote and highlight the importance of play for all and access to play spaces and play opportunities for all children and families.”

As a fantastic example of engaging children in more simple outdoor play, Leeds City Council helped deliver street play to local children on Playday, temporarily closing roads so that children could have a chance to feel safe playing outside their houses.

Speaking on BBC Scotland about street play, Mary Ramsay, Play Scotland CEO said: “There is a big commitment from Scottish Government to support children playing outdoors, but what we’re seeing up here (Scotland) is, parents are understandably wary with reports that we’re seeing on social media about things happening, there’s been a big increase in cars and vehicles, and we’ve seen a reluctance sometimes from children engaging on screens.

“We don’t want to demonise screens, they obviously have a place, but we have seen sometimes that children are more indoors, there’s also weather challenges, so although there has been a lot of work within Scotland, and we have the legislative framework and a lot of guidance that supports that, we’re still getting reports that children aren’t getting enough time outdoors, and that parents are understandably wary of engaging in it.”

A variety of quality play opportunities is essential for the health and wellbeing of children and young people.

It builds confidence, creativity, social skills and resilience. It has a significant role in developing language, emotional regulation, and even in developing the 5 senses. Playday is an opportunity to celebrate this, and Play Scotland is working to raise awareness, and encourage communities to create more opportunities for children to play freely. 

Among the smiles, laughter, and screams, another important activity in developing quality play opportunities was the discussion of the Play Park Survey, an online form to generate feedback from locals across Scotland on the developments they’ve noticed in their local play parks since the rollout of the Play Park Renewal fund between 2021-2026.

Play Scotland is calling for as much feedback as possible to inform future opportunities. The link can be found on Play Scotland’s website.

Scotland’s Play Park Survey – Play Scotland

Nicola Benedetti turns off audiences’ phones ahead of Edinburgh International Festival concert

Edinburgh International Festival initiates ‘Lights Down, Phones Off’, with Festival Director Nicola Benedetti helping to turn off phones at pre-concert ‘Sound Check’ desk

Edinburgh International Festival Director Nicola Benedetti was at Queen’s Hall yesterday for the first chamber performance of the 2026 Edinburgh International Festival, where she joined staff at a new ‘Sound Check’ desk helping audience members turn off their phones ahead of the concert.

The desk marks the launch of Lights Down, Phones Off, a Festival-wide initiative encouraging audiences to switch off phones, notifications and alarms for the duration of performances.

This initiative follows feedback from audiences and artists, with phones interrupting every concert in the 2025 Queen’s Hall chamber series, and invites a deeper connection with the performances themselves.

Nicola Benedetti, Festival Director, said: “Live performance is unlike anything else, and the Edinburgh International Festival is here to protect the rarity of this experience.

“The power of our programme is intensified by the tangible, collective presence of everyone in the room, and we want you to be with us fully.

“When the lights go down and the performance starts, we would like phones to disappear from our hands, minds and ears. Views on this have been widely and boldly expressed in recent months and we are acting in communion with our beloved audiences, and extraordinary artists.

“The late, great Alfred Brendel, whom we pay tribute to in our Queen’s Hall series this year, said it best: ‘The audience’s contribution is concentration and silence – it’s an electricity the musician can charge from.’ That electricity is real, I’ve felt it from the stage my whole life. We encourage our audiences to switch off their phones, and let the art do the rest.

“We believe that live performance is most powerful when artists and audiences are in real communion with one another. On or off the stage, we all have a role to play. We’re asking for your full attention so we can give you something unforgettable.”

The 2026 edition of the Edinburgh International Festival takes place from 7 – 30th August. Programme information and tickets are available at www.eif.co.uk.

Zack Polanski joins campaign trail for Edinburgh Greens by-election candidates

Green Party of England and Wales leader Zack Polanski has thrown his support behind Edinburgh Greens’ by election candidates ahead of residents going to vote on September 3rd.

Lorenzo Martinico is standing in Portobello/Craigmillar, while Isabella Gastel Alejandre is the Green candidate in Southside/Newington.

Zack spent time yesterday (Sat 8th August) campaigning in Portobello with Lorenzo, meeting local members and highlighting the Greens’ plans to tackle the housing crisis, improve local services and create a greener, fairer Edinburgh.

Zack said: “I’m delighted to be supporting Lorenzo and Isabella. They’re exactly the kind of local champions we need in Edinburgh and across the UK.

“They’ve built energetic grassroots campaigns around a positive vision for a city that works for people and planet.

“With more Green councillors, we can do far more to lower rents, cut pollution and invest in nature and green spaces.

“I hope residents will join them in demanding better for Edinburgh by voting Scottish Green on September 3.”

Isabella said: “We’re proud to have Zack’s support. He’s an inspiring voice for change, and it’s fantastic to have him campaigning with us in Edinburgh.

“The decisions made at City Chambers affect the everyday lives of people across our city, from housing and public transport to our parks, schools and local services. Local people deserve representatives who will stand up for their communities and push for the investment they need, which is exactly what me and Lorenzo will do.

“These by-elections are a chance for local people to vote for Green representatives who will demand better for our city and work hard to deliver it.”

Lorenzo added: “It’s great to have Zack’s backing in these crucial by-elections.

“Edinburgh Greens have a long history of delivering change, and I hope that residents in both wards will join us in calling for action to tackle the housing crisis and cut pollution.

“With just 10 months until the full Edinburgh Council elections, this is an opportunity for residents to send a clear message about the kind of city they want and the services they expect.

“We’re running a positive, hopeful campaign, and we’re delighted Zack is supporting us in this way.”

“Scotland is powering Britain’s future defence” says Defence Secretary

First visit to Rosyth Shipyard and forces housing

On his first visit to Scotland as Defence Secretary, Wes Streeting has underlined the nation’s vital role in the UK’s defence.

During the visit, Mr Streeting saw first-hand how UK defence investment is supporting national security, skilled jobs and service families, with nearly 12,000 jobs in Scotland supported by defence.

While in Rosyth, the Defence Secretary toured Babcock’s facility, where the Royal Navy’s Type 31 frigates are being built, meeting workers and apprentices supporting one of the UK’s major shipbuilding programmes.

The Type 31 programme sustains 2,500 skilled jobs across Scotland and the UK supply chain, including 400 apprenticeships established through partnerships with local colleges in Fife and across Scotland, supporting regional economic growth.

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting MP said: “From the skilled workers and apprentices building the next generation of Royal Navy warships at Rosyth, to the service families who support our Armed Forces every day, Scotland sits at the heart of our national security.

“It is inspiring to see proud heritage combining with modern technology to make our country fit for the future. That also presents huge opportunities for jobs and reindustrialisation.

“Alongside this, we are committed to delivering better homes for the personnel and families who serve our country.”

The Defence Secretary also met Service Personnel and families in Edinburgh, visiting homes that have benefitted from refurbishment works, including a roofing project at Redford Gardens and homes undergoing full upgrades at Adams Well Estate.

The Government is undertaking a generational renewal of Armed Forces housing, backed by £9 billion over the next decade. This will see 40,000 military homes, 9 in 10 of the total estate, upgraded, modernised or rebuilt.

A new Defence Housing Service has also been established to put forces families first, meeting new, modern property standards and accelerating housing delivery on surplus defence land.

Scotland is at the heart of defending Britain, with nearly 10,000 Armed Forces personnel stationed there and key strategic bases playing an increasingly vital role in protecting the North Atlantic from Russian aggression. Typhoon fighter jets scramble from RAF Lossiemouth in response to potential threats, while HMNB Clyde is home to the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet.

The visit underlines the Government’s commitment to making Defence an engine for growth, while renewing the nation’s contract with those who serve by improving the lived experience of Armed Forces personnel and their families.

As part of the Defence Investment Plan, the Government has confirmed £26 billion to modernise critical naval base infrastructure, including £15.1 billion to regenerate HMNB Clyde with world-class facilities to increase maintenance delivery, modern waterfront infrastructure, training facilities and new accommodation.

Harry Holt, CEO of Babcock International Group, said: “A capable and adaptable Royal Navy fleet is essential to the security of the UK, NATO and our allies around the world, and we were delighted to welcome the Defence Secretary here to Rosyth to see first-hand the excellent progress being made on the Type 31 frigate programme.

“The defence industry makes a vital contribution to Scotland’s economy, sustaining thousands of skilled jobs and apprenticeships. Our workforce and operations at Rosyth are a clear demonstration of this, delivering sovereign capability, supporting economic growth, and contributing to UK reindustrialisation.

“We look forward to working with the Defence Secretary and the Ministry of Defence as they implement the Defence Investment Plan, further strengthening our sovereign and export capabilities and the defence of our nation.”

Book of Shadows unleashed at Edinburgh Fringe in new shadow puppet show

Award-winning Japanese shadow puppet company Mochinosha/Book of Shadowz return to Edinburgh to unleash their latest creation upon the Fringe with the premiere of their brand new show, Book of Shadows – a hilarious occult mystery for grown-ups.

Teenage sceptic Vi is forced to live with her grandmother, who claims to be the 200-year-old mystic and spiritual guru Madam Blavatsky. When Vi’s friends begin to disappear, she reluctantly teams up with Granny to uncover a conspiracy of séances, unhinged cultists and suspiciously interested government agents.

A visually stunning dark comedy based on a possibly true story, Book of Shadows dives into the mysterious world of the occult and mysticism where audiences can draw their own conclusions as to what to believe.

Mochinosha / Book of Shadowz was founded in 2012 by Canadian artist Daniel Wishes and Japanese artist Seri Yanai and are known for their use of colourful hand-crafted shadow puppets to create live analogue shadow animation.

The company has been recognised with awards from festivals around the world, including Critic’s Choice (Orlando Fringe, USA), Outstanding Production (Suginami Theatre Festival, Japan), and The Spookies Jury’s Choice Award (Edinburgh Fringe, UK).

Written by Daniel Wishes and performed together with Seri Yanai, Book of Shadows is a prelude to a larger tale exploring the occult and esoteric. The first chapter premieres at the Edinburgh Fringe 2026, told through Mochinosha / Book of Shadowz’ signature shadow animation and puppetry, with a pitch-black sense of humour that will appeal to those of a weird and surrealist disposition.

Book of Shadows premieres at the Edinburgh Fringe, 18:30 at Underbelly Cowgate’s Big Belly, 05 – 30 August 2026 (no show 19-Aug).

Book of Shadows Mochinosha / Book of Shadowz

18:30 05 – 30 Aug | Underbelly Cowgate, Big Belly
edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/book-of-shadows

Taking medication this summer? What you need to know about sun and heat exposure

Some medicines can make you more sensitive to the sun or increase the risk of dehydration without you realising it. The MHRA is encouraging people to know the risks and stay protected this summer.

People taking certain prescription or over‑the‑counter medicines are being reminded to take extra care in warmer weather, as some treatments can make it harder for the body to stay hydrated, regulate temperature, or cope with sun exposure.

The advice is part of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA) ‘Summer-proof your health’ campaign, which highlights practical steps people can take to use medicines and medical devices safely during warmer months.

Dr Alison Cave, MHRA Chief Safety Officer, said: “Some commonly used medicines can affect the body’s ability to stay hydrated, regulate temperature, or protect itself from sun exposure.

For example, diuretics, often prescribed for blood pressure or heart conditions, can increase fluid loss and make dehydration more likely. Some antidepressants and antipsychotics can affect the body’s ability to regulate temperature, and medicines such as beta blockers may reduce the body’s response to heat stress.

“Other treatments can increase sensitivity to sunlight, meaning skin can burn faster or more severely than expected. These include certain antibiotics such as doxycycline and tetracycline, acne treatments like isotretinoin and topical retinoids; and antifungal medicines such as voriconazole.

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) such as methotrexate and azathioprine, often used to treat conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and lupus, can also increase photosensitivity.

“Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), commonly used to treat acid reflux and heartburn, have also been linked to a very low risk of a lupus-like skin reaction triggered by sun exposure, and common painkillers such as ibuprofen and naproxen may also increase sun sensitivity.”

“Simple precautions can make a significant difference. Staying hydrated, avoiding the strongest sun during the middle of the day, and using protective clothing and sunscreen can all help reduce risk.

To reduce the risk of medicine-related problems during the summer, people are encouraged to:

Check the patient information leaflet for advice on sun exposure and hydration. This comes with every medicine and can also be accessed online.
Be aware of signs that the body is struggling in the heat, including dizziness, headaches, unusual fatigue, confusion or reduced urination. Skin that becomes red, sore, blistered or reacts more intensely after sun exposure may also be a sign of increased sensitivity linked to medication.
Do not stop taking prescribed medicines during hot weather without advice. Anyone who is unsure about how their medication may be affected by heat or sunlight should speak to a pharmacist or GP.

Through the “Summer proof your health” campaign, the MHRA is encouraging people to be aware of the potential risks associated with medicines in warmer weather and to take straightforward steps to stay safe throughout the summer.

Anyone who suspects they are having a side effect from a medicine is encouraged to talk to their doctor, pharmacist or nurse about it.

People can also report the side effect directly to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme, to help improve the safety of medicines for everyone. You can now use NHS login to create a new Yellow Card account or access an existing one, providing a secure and convenient way to sign in using credentials you may already use across NHS services.