Beatson drug delivery study shows patient benefits
A new service evaluation on the use of intrathecal drug delivery (ITDD) by the Interventional Cancer Pain team at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre has shown patients having a better quality of life by being able to spend more time being cared for in the community.
As well as this, the pump devices mean patients are on a lower dose of opioid painkillers, which reduces cognitive impairment.
Dr Alison Mitchell led the work which has been published in the journal Palliative Medicine.
The ITDD service offered by the Beatson WoSCC is the only one in Scotland and it is hoped the findings of this study will support the use of ITDD further afield.
Dr Mitchell, Consultant in Palliative Medicine, said: “We have been using ITDD since 2007 and this research confirms the benefits that it has for patients who have significant pain due to a variety of cancers.
“It’s an appropriate method of pain relief for a small percentage of patients and makes a real difference to their quality of life.”
The devices use an implanted catheter in the lumbar area of the spine which allows delivery of anaesthetic and painkilling medication from a pump which sits just below the ribcage.
After the device is implanted, patients return every two weeks to have the medication reservoir refilled.
Dr Mitchell explained: “As the medication is delivered directly to the spinal cord, the local anaesthetic administered by the device acts like a dental anaesthetic by numbing pain nerves directly and we try to ensure it does not impair motor function in the way a dental anaesthetic would affect your face muscles.
“The morphine delivered by the pumps relieves the pain associated with cancers and means patients can reduce their oral morphine use and patients with pumps are on a much lower overall morphine dosage.
“This means they are better able to spend quality time with their families as they don’t experience the cognitive impairment that morphine usage can cause.”
Patients requiring pain relief in the lower half of the body are assessed by a multidisciplinary team made up of palliative medicine, physiotherapy and psychiatric specialists and a decision can be made on how appropriate this method of pain relief would be for them.
Dr Mitchell added: “The team takes a holistic approach to how we help people manage pain in a palliative setting.
“Patients put forward for this face a life that is limited by cancer but this allows them to have an added quality of life with less time spend in a clinical setting.”
The Nisg̱a’a Lisims Government (NLG) and National Museums Scotland (NMS) announce that the House of Ni’isjoohl memorial pole will return home to the Nass Valley this September, in a historic moment for reconciliation.
The rematriation of the pole is the result of a year-long discussion and close collaboration between the Nisg̱a’a Nation and the museum.
The term “rematriation” reframes the concept of “repatriation” by grounding the process of recovering belongings in Indigenous law — and is more closely in alignment with Nisga’a matrilineal society.
Following months of preparatory work, a delegation of family members and supporters from the Nisg̱a’a Lisims Government have travelled to the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh to oversee the start of the return.
A closed spiritual ceremony was held on Aug. 28, to prepare the pole for its journey home. The delegation included: Sim’oogit Ni’isjoohl (Chief Earl Stephens), Sigidimnaḵ’ Nox̱s Ts’aawit (Dr. Amy Parent), Shawna Mackay, Sim’oogit Duuk (Chief William Moore), Sim’oogit Laay̓ (Chief Bruce Haldane), Mmihlgum Maakskwhl G̱akw (Pamela Brown), and NLG Representatives Apdii Lax̱ha (Andrew Robinson), Theresa Schober (Nisg̱a’a Museum Curator and Director), Laax̱ Yee (Bobby Clark, Director of Communications and Intergovernmental Relations.
The 37-foot, hand-carved pole will be transported to Terrace, British Columbia, and then driven in a family procession to the Nisg̱a’a Village of Lax̱g̱alts’ap in the Nass Valley where it will be housed at Hli G̱oothl Wilp-Adoḵshl Nisg̱a’a – the Nisga’a Museum.
A public arrival ceremony will be held at Hli G̱oothl Wilp-Adoḵshl Nisg̱a’a on Sept. 29, with the pole still enclosed within its protective box with a Nisg̱a’a feast to follow. The pole will be raised in the following days and available for the public to view later in October.
The memorial pole belongs to the House of Ni’isjoohl from the G̱anada (frog clan) in the Nisg̱a’a Nation. In 1860, House of Ni’isjoohl Matriarch Joanna Moody commissioned the pole to be carved by Nisg̱a’a master carver Oyee to honour her family member Ts’awit, who was next in line to be chief. Ts’awit was also a warrior who died protecting his family and nation.
Sim’oogit Ni’isjoohl, Chief Earl Stephens, explained: “In Nisg̱a’a culture, we believe that this pole is alive with the spirit of our ancestors.
“After nearly 100 years, we are finally able to bring our dear relative home to rest on Nisg̱a’a lands. It means so much for us to have the Ni’isjoohl memorial pole returned to us, so that we can connect our family, nation and our future generations with our living history.”
Sigidimnak’ Noxs Ts’aawit, Dr. Amy Parent, added: “We are grateful to collectively tell a new story that turns the colonial gaze onto itself by acknowledging the complexities of our pole’s theft, its intergenerational absence from our community and the persistence needed to ensure that justice for our ancestors prevails.
“This new story also highlights the responsible commitments made by many who have demonstrated to our global community that it is possible to do the right thing by returning our ancestors, cultural treasures and belongings back to us, their rightful relatives.”
Eva Clayton, President of Nisg̱a’a Lisims Government, said:“Our hearts are at peace knowing that we are changing history with a precedent-setting transformational story of collaboration with the people of Scotland and Canada.
“It is an honour for the Nisg̱a’a Nation to be standing beside Wilp Ni’isjoohl at this historic moment in time. We are grateful to be alongside them, while having our treaty partners next to us to unwind some of the injustices to our history as Nisg̱a’a people.”
Dr Chris Breward, Director of National Museums Scotland, said:“Since the transfer of the Memorial Pole was agreed last December, our teams have been planning the complex task of carefully lowering and transporting it in what is the first return of its type by a UK national institution.
“We are pleased to have reached the point where that work is now underway, and we are delighted to have welcomed the Nisga’a delegation to the Museum before we bid the Pole farewell.”
Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, Angus Robertson said:“The great significance of the Ni’isjoohl memorial pole to the Nisga’a people and their community was made clear to me when I met with their representatives last year and I was pleased to have been able to provide the necessary ministerial consent to enable its return.
“Today’s ceremony is the next step in that journey, following months of careful planning and dialogue between National Museums Scotland and the Nisga’a Nation, and I’m grateful to all parties for the work that has been undertaken to make it happen.”
Calling all Leithers Exciting news ahead – we’re currently working on a new project called “Community Meals”
Our goal? To cook up a safe, cozy haven where Leith locals like YOU can chat up fresh ideas, spruce up our area, and enjoy a sip of tea or a scrumptious meal with your awesome community.
But here’s the twist – we’re handing you the reins! What sparks your interest for these gatherings? Fancy entertainment, thought-provoking discussions, or something entirely different? Let your imagination run wild and share your thoughts!
Join the conversation below – your ideas could be the secret ingredient to making these events truly spectacular!
For the first time foster and kinship carers across Scotland will receive at least a standard national allowance to support them in caring for the children and young people they look after.
Funded by £16 million from the Scottish Government, the new Scottish Recommended Allowance will benefit more than 9,000 children.
The introduction of the payment means every eligible foster and kinship carer will receive at least a standard, national allowance which recognises the valuable support they provide, no matter where they live.
Following agreement with COSLA, this marks the first time a set rate, which all local authorities must pay, has been introduced across Scotland.
The weekly allowances, which will be backdated to 1 April 2023, are:
0 to 4 year-olds: £168.31
5 to 10 year-olds: £195.81
11 to 15 year-olds: £195.81
16-years-old and over: £268.41
Children’s Minister Natalie Don said: ““Introducing the Scottish Recommended Allowance for foster and kinship carers is another important step in our commitment to Keep the Promise and ensuring all care-experienced children and young people grow up loved, safe and respected.
“Our foster and kinship carers play such an important role, and now for the first time every eligible foster and kinship carer in Scotland will receive at least a standard, national level of support to help them in ensuring that care experienced children have the same opportunities as their peers.
“This support will benefit thousands of families, helping them to provide the standard of living and wellbeing that the children and young people in their care deserve – and can be used to cover the cost of things like clothing, hobbies, activities and school trips.
“The new national allowance will make a significant difference to the daily lives of some of the most vulnerable children and young people in Scotland.”
Cllr Tony Buchanan, COSLA Children and Young People Spokesperson said: “COSLA is pleased to have agreed the Scottish Recommended Allowance for our foster and kinship carers.
“We realise this has taken some time and are grateful to The Fostering Network, the Association for Fostering, Kinship and Adoption Scotland and Social Work Scotland for supporting COSLA and the Scottish Government in this area.
“COSLA is absolutely committed to The Promise and we realise this is an important milestone in supporting foster and kinship families.”
Jacqueline Cassidy, director for Scotland at The Fostering Network, said: ‘We are really pleased to finally see action taken today to fulfil the commitment made in The Promise to introduce these recommended allowances in Scotland, most of which will result in an uplift in foster carers’ incomes to help them cover the costs of caring for children.
“The Fostering Network has been campaigning, along with our foster carer members, for the introduction of recommended allowances for some time so this news is welcome.
“Foster carers play a vital role in supporting children and young people who have experienced significant trauma and provide them with a stable and loving home. It is only right that the Government ensures they are receiving allowances which cover the full cost of providing this care.”
Allowances are currently provided by all local authorities. However, this is decided at a local level and so varies across Scotland. The introduction of the SRA provides a recommended allowance that all local authorities must pay as a minimum, although they can also choose to pay more.
Where local authorities are already paying above the national minimum allowance, this will continue so that kinship or foster carers currently in receipt of the allowance will not be worse off because of this commitment.
In 2020, the Scottish Government committed to The Promise to ensure that Scotland can be the best place in the world for care-experienced children and young people to grow up. Last year, ministers published The Promise Implementation Plan which sets out how the Government can support the aims of The Promise.
The 2023 Edinburgh Festival Fringe drew to a close yesterday, (Monday 28 August 2023), having brought together artists, arts industry, media and audiences from nearly 170 countries, with 2,445,609 tickets issued across the festival.
288 venues hosted a diverse selection of work from Scotland, the UK and the rest of the world, with 67 countries represented, and performance showcases from 17 countries. They were joined by nearly 500 of the world’s finest street performers, buskers and street artists, who brought vibrancy and joy to the Mound and Royal Mile as part of the Fringe street events.
As the largest performing arts festival and expo market for professional development in the world, this year’s Fringe also attracted nearly 1,400 accredited producers, programmers, bookers, talent agencies, festivals and others from 49 countries, who come to Edinburgh looking to find talent and shows, providing touring and onward opportunities for artists well beyond August.
In addition, 840 of the world’s media accredited for this year’s festival through the Fringe Society, with the number of reviewers up 10% on last year, and who in total generated 25% more reviews for artists at the Fringe than in 2022.
The themes and issues tackled by artists in the 2023 programme included mental health and wellbeing, disability, queer lives, working-class representation and the climate crisis; with emerging talent showcased alongside big names and ground-breaking international work.
To help audiences discover work among the 3,553* shows featured in this year’s programme, the Fringe Society launched a new Fringe app for 2023. Using the app, audiences could ‘shake to search’, generating a random show suggestion simply by shaking their phone, while the ‘nearby now’ function let app users find shows starting soon in close proximity.
Since its launch in July, the app has been downloaded nearly 80,000 times, with over 400,000 tickets issued through it.
Ensuring artists remain at the core of what the Fringe Society does, the Fringe Central: Artist Hub welcomed more than 1,500 artists and hosted a programme of over 40 events, working with 30 external partners including Health in Mind, Nouveau Riche, Birds of Paradise and World Fringe.
The Fringe Society has made a long-term commitment to community engagement and access. Key initiatives this year included loaning out 320 sensory resources for autistic children and adults, BSL interpretation of the street events in partnership with Deaf Action on three dates during August, and a dedicated Changing Places toilet located near George Square. This year the number of access bookings increased by around 35% compared to 2022.
35 local schools, charities and community groups took part in the Fringe Days Out scheme, which offers free Fringe vouchers and Lothian bus tickets to people who wouldn’t normally get to experience the Fringe. In addition, over 800 schoolchildren and teachers came to the festival as part of the Fringe Society’s schools outreach work.
Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: “This year’s Fringe has been one that’s felt fresh, brave and energetic, and has sparked joy, discussion and provocation in equal measure, tackling the prevalent issues of our times and looking at them afresh through the creative lens and ingenuity of the performing artists.
“People come from all over the world to perform here, to see shows and to commission work. This festival remains a beacon for people to share and discuss ideas – I want to express my heartfelt thanks and admiration to everyone who makes it happen.
“Congratulations to the whole Fringe community of Fringe 2023; we will be relentless in our ongoing work to ensure that the Edinburgh Fringe lives up to its mantra – to give anyone a stage and everyone a seat.”
Benny Higgins, Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society Chair, added: “The discussions and debates held at this year’s festival have made it one of the most vital and memorable – and one of the loudest conversations was the one around affordability.
“Certainly artists are facing some of the most severe challenges ever, and while the Fringe Society will continue to do everything in its collective power to support artists, this will become harder and harder without finding support commensurate with its contribution to the economy.
“We will continue to make the case for funding, to protect what the Fringe represents – an unrivalled outpouring of creative expression.”
By Monday afternoon, with hundreds of performances still to take place, the Fringe Society can confirm that just under a quarter of a million people attended Fringe shows this year. 33% of attendees came from Edinburgh, 15% from the rest of Scotland and 10% from overseas, highlighting the continued appeal of the Fringe for locals and visitors alike.
Over 800,000 tickets were issued to ticket-buyers with EH postcodes, and 611 shows came from Edinburgh and the Lothians.
CHOUDHURY: Support needed beyond the Fringe
Scottish Labour MSP and Shadow Minister for Culture, Europe, and International Development Foysol Choudhury has raised concerns about the need for increased investment in local arts and culture groups all year round.
“The crowds that our festivals attract from all over the world show great levels of support for the arts from members of the public. However, additional support needs to be provided, all year round, to ensure these can be sustained for the public to enjoy.
“As the Scottish Government continues to waste money on the establishment of a new Independence Minister, Scotland’s culture and arts sector is suffering from a lack of investment.
“The closure of the beloved Edinburgh Filmhouse is testament to this, after it was forced to close its doors despite being known as a community lifeline for many.
“We also sadly see other much-loved venues facing challenges. Action is needed now before we lose these integral arts and culture venues for good.”
The 2023 Edinburgh Fringe Festival ran from the 4th – 28th of August 2023 and the Edinburgh International Festival ran from the 4th– 27th of August 2023.
There are some reports that there has been a drop in the number of shows taking place across the Edinburgh Fringe, with the 2023 Festival reportedly having less shows than the 2019 festival.
Noting this apparent decline in participants in the Fringe festival, Mr Choudhury says he will continue to pursue support for the arts and culture sector, so that Scotland’s vibrant cultural scene can flourish and is supported out of the COVID-19 pandemic and cost-of-living crisis.
Next year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe will run from 02 – 26 August 2024.
The young people who attend Spartans Alternative School are excited to share with you their up and coming art exhibition CREATE TO ESCAPE
Where: Out Of The Blue Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street, Edinburgh, EH6 8RG
When: 5th – 8th September 2023
Exhibition and coffee shop
Open daily 10am-5pm Friday 10-2pm.
The collection of collaborative work by the Young people attending the Alternative School at Spartans Community Football Academy explores the interaction between art, mental health, social identity, and personal perception.
Through spray painting, film, sculpture, design, music, and photography, young people take art outside the curriculum to create space for escapism and well-being within their sometimes hectic and stressful days.
You will also get the chance to see CONCRETE JUNGLE, a film written and directed by the young people and filmed and edited by Rory Easton. This was a collaborative project with writer in residence, Edinburgh International Book Festival’s Chris Barkley.
Sales from the Exhibition will raise money for the charity Turn The Tables DJ, which offers workshops to improve mental health for those affected by homelessness
This exhibition has been possible with the support from ArtSquat, a charity that supports artists on low income to showcase their work.
Second phase of Democracy Matters ‘national conversation’
People across Scotland are being asked to suggest ways of increasing local control over decision-making.
The second phase of the Democracy Matters national conversation will give people the opportunity to come together in their communities to imagine how new and inclusive democratic processes can best help their town, village or neighbourhood.
Community groups can guide local discussions by using the consultation document which covers a variety of themes including powers, representation, accountability and participation. People previously said it was crucial to get these things right. Funding is available to help with the costs of hosting events.
To mark the start of the second phase, Community Wealth Minister Tom Arthur and Local Government Empowerment Minister Joe FitzPatrick visited the Linlithgow Community Development Trust.
Mr Arthur said: “The Scottish Government is encouraging people across the country to come together and talk about local involvement in our democratic processes. We believe more decisions should be taken locally to better reflect the aspirations of our diverse communities.
“More than 4,000 people took part in the first phase of Democracy Matters. By providing financial support, we hope to make local conversations during the second phase as welcoming as possible. We want to hear even more voices as we work together to improve the way democracy works for our local communities.”
COSLA President Shona Morrison said: “COSLA welcomes the launch of the second phase of Democracy Matters; it marks a renewed resolve to put local people and communities at the centre of local decision-making.
“By drawing on the experiences gained by local communities during and since the Covid-19 pandemic we hope to secure a clear, updated understanding of how new models of local democracy can transform the lives of people in communities across Scotland.
“I would encourage everyone to contribute to the conversations which will be taking place across Scotland during the next few months as we ask what models of democratic framework would work best for them.”
Electoral Reform Society Scotland Director Willie Sullivan said: “Communities are made and good places to live are created when people work with each other to run their city, island, town or village. Scotland is the sum of these places, and our democracy depends on how well we run them together.
“In that light, it’s very important to restart Democracy Matters to ask local communities what sort of local democratic framework might make this possible.”
Owners urged to keep pets safe as vets report an increase in barbecue related injuries
With the last days of the summer rapidly approaching, pet owners are being urged to keep kebab sticks, corn on the cob and other barbecue related items away from their animals to help avoid emergency trips to the vet.
Every summer, vets see many cases of dogs with injuries caused by eating wooden and metal kebab skewers, whole corn cobs, onions and cooked bones.
Although corn is not poisonous to dogs, their inability to digest the cobs can lead to obstructions, often requiring emergency surgery to prevent the risk of intestinal rupture, which can have severe consequences.
Skewers and splinters from cooked bones can also lead to serious internal injuries which often require life-saving surgery.
A new British Veterinary Association survey has revealed that last year, two fifths (39%) of vets who had treated companion animals had seen pets with barbecue related injuries, an increase from the 25% in 2018.
The most common issues were caused by eating inappropriate food (32%), such as corn cobs (25%) and cooked bones (18%). Injuries caused to pets’ mouths or internal injuries by skewers, which can be picked up accidentally with meat products such as lamb kebabs, were seen by 13% of vets while burns from barbecues, coals or hot food had been seen by 2% of vets.
Corn on the cob
Bailey, a two-year-old Labrador, had to be whisked to the vet after cheekily scoffing down corn on the cob at a barbecue. Bailey is very rarely sick, so her owners were concerned when she was unwell one morning.
They initially thought she’d thrown up some dog treats, but a closer look revealed she had vomited up pieces of corn on the cob. After calling their vets for advice, they hurried her to West End Vets at Tollcross, Edinburgh, where she was sedated and examined.
An x-ray worryingly showed she had more inside her stomach and small intestine, which could kill her as dogs are unable to digest corn on the cob, so vets performed a four-hour-long life-saving operation to remove it.
Happily, she survived the incident and is now at home with her owners once again.
Skewers
Wren, a four-year-old greyhound, had an incredibly lucky escape after swallowing a kebab skewer at a barbecue. Her owners didn’t notice her sneaking the kebab so were not aware her life was at risk straight away.
She had some intermittent vomiting and lethargy for a few weeks after the barbecue, so they were keeping an eye on her, but it was only when she jumped up and yelped that it became apparent what had happened – the kebab skewer was suddenly sticking out of her side!
She was rushed immediately to the vets, where she was taken into surgery and it was found that the skewer had gone through her stomach, through her pancreas and then pierced her skin to poke outside her body.
Happily, like Bailey, the emergency surgery saved her life, and she is now recovering well thanks to the quick actions of her owners and the vets who cared for her.
British Veterinary Association Junior Vice President Anna Judson said: “Pets, and dogs in particular, are always on the lookout for a sneaky treat and won’t hesitate to chew on or gobble something down even if it may cause them harm. It can happen so quickly too.
“One of the most dramatic cases I’ve seen was a tiny cut on the tongue of a young lab. Caused by a cheeky lick of a cracked plate, the blood seemed to be spraying out as he leapt around, but the actual wound was very small. The owners did absolutely the right thing bringing him in so we could sedate and treat him.
“Have fun but keep an eye on your pet, make sure food and sharp objects are kept out of paws reach and ensure your pet stays away from hot barbecues or grills to help avoid emergency dashes to the vet. Always phone your vet if you’re concerned and don’t leave things to chance, it is better to be safe than sorry.”
Exciting news ahead – we’re currently working on a new project called “Community Meals”
What sparks your interest for these gatherings? 
Fancy entertainment, thought-provoking discussions, or something entirely different? Let your imagination run wild and share your thoughts! 
