The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC), an alliance of leading providers of specialist care and education to vulnerable children and young people, is calling on the Scottish Government to deliver a budget for mental health on 19th December.
The call comes as the latest waiting time figures from Public Health Scotland, published yesterday, indicate that 147 children and young people had been waiting over a year for treatment from child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) in the quarter ending September 2023.1
The figures also show that a total of 5,344 children and young people were still stuck on waiting lists to start treatment at the end of that quarter.
Just 75.6 per cent of patients with mental health problems were seen within 18 weeks from referral to treatment at CAMHS. This falls short of the Scottish Government’s waiting time target of 90 per cent being seen within 18 weeks.
This comes against the background of an increasing level of violent incidents in the classroom, a result in part due to the current mental health emergency, exacerbated by the Covid lockdown and cost-of-living crisis.
A report out from the Scottish Government last week found that more than a third of staff had been at the receiving end of verbal abuse in the preceding seven days, and a poll from the largest teaching union, the EIS, revealed that 63.2 per cent of respondents said there are daily incidents of violence or aggression from pupils aimed at teachers.
However, it should be noted that despite this challenging situation, only 0.66 per cent of the total NHS budget was spent on CAMHS in the 2021/22 financial year.2 Indeed, only 8.78 per cent of total NHS budget was spent on mental health services, a decrease of 0.34% in the past decade (from 9.12 per cent in 2011/12).
The SCSC is calling the Scottish Government to up its game in the budget and make the treatment of mental health issues a key national priority, prioritising spending and avoiding a potential lost generation of children and young people with mental health problems.
Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, cases of poor mental health in children and young people were at unprecedented levels, with under-resourced services struggling to keep pace with growing demand, leaving an increasing number of vulnerable individuals unable to access support. Children and young people are still battling with the long shadow of lockdown, and the rising cost of living is adding to the pressure.
A spokesperson for the SCSC commented: “The latest figures highlighting that more than 5,300 children and young people are still waiting for treatment from mental health services, with 147 waiting over a year, is extremely alarming.
“We are facing a mental health emergency and many of our children and young people are at breaking point, with stress and anxiety reaching alarming levels as they battle with the long shadow of lockdown and the rising cost of living.
“This is also having a major impact on classroom behaviour, impacting the young people concerned, their fellow pupils and staff.
“Each one of these statistics is an individual, and we would urge the Scottish Government to up its game and make the adequate resourcing of mental health services for our children and young people an absolute priority in the forthcoming budget.”
Road policing officers are appealing for information after a pedestrian was injured in a crash in Edinburgh.The incident happened on Slateford Road at the junction with Moat Street, around 5.15pm on Sunday, 26 November.
A 64-year-old male pedestrian was struck by a vehicle and sustained injuries to his head and legs.
The driver of the red vehicle involved initially stopped to assist the man and later left the scene prior to emergency services attending.
Constable Adam Brearley said: “Enquiries remain ongoing into the circumstances of the crash and officers are appealing for witnesses and the driver of the red vehicle to come forward.
“We’re looking to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time and saw what happened or saw the vehicles before or during the crash.
“Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 2447 of Sunday, 26 November, 2023.”
BEING open about your feelings and allowing yourself time to recover are the key to overcoming grief, a leading expert has said.
This week marks National Grief Awareness Week with events planned across the UK to raise awareness of an often under-discussed issue.
In an additional bid to help, counsellor and author Lynn Crilly, who supports a lot of people through these dark moments, has today shared nine tips on how to best deal with grief when it strikes.
It comes as her daughter Samanta, the author of Hope Through Poetry, releases a new poem in a further attempt to spread awareness.
Lynn said: “Grief impacts us all. But it impacts us all in different ways. When I lost my Aunty ten years ago, I felt a pain I had never experienced before, I guess you could call it a broken heart or heartache.
“It took me many months if not years to accept her not being around, but as they say with time I have created a new normal, the bad days became fewer, and while I miss her terribly I have found myself again.
“Sometimes I felt guilty for smiling or laughing, but I know she would have wanted that for me which has helped with the bereavement process and to move on. So too has keeping her memory alive and remembering special days and anniversaries with the happy memories I have.
“There are things you can do to help get you through.”
Sharing her next practical steps, Lynn said:
Allow yourself to feel emotion: If you feel emotional or sad, let these feelings out, do not be afraid to cry, as crying can help to release emotions. If you feel angry or resentful…. that’s ok, let the anger out in a safe way such as hitting a punch bag or cushion … try not to bottle it up which can be easier said than done, especially if you are supporting others as well as trying to deal with your own grief.
Talk about the Person: Don’t be afraid to talk about the person who has died. Whilst they may not be here physically, they are still very much present in your mind and with others too. It is important to keep their memory alive, with stories, memories and just talking about them. This can be painful to start with but by not doing so can leave you feeling isolated and alone with your grief.
Take Care of Yourself: Taking care of yourself as much as possible is so important to how you deal with your loss. Try to eat good food regularly, getting some fresh air and gentle exercise along with sleep (or if trouble sleeping rest) can all help with this.
Talk about your feelings: Talk to someone that you trust about your feelings, such as a family member, close friend or partner. If you do not feel able to confide in anyone there are also helplines with dedicated people at the other end ready to listen.
Avoid ‘short term’ fixes: Sometimes to block out the pain and how you are feeling, people can turn to alcohol and drugs to make them feel better or numb the feelings, while these may help temporarily, they are not the long-term answer and can cause further issues of their own.
Keep a Routine: It is easy to feel lost and not wanting to do anything when you are grieving, but by keeping a routine and doing normal everyday things it can help to distract you even if for a short while.
Stay in touch with people: I know myself it is so easy to withdraw from the world and not speak to anyone, but making the effort with the right people that understand where you are can help you to stay connected and get through each day.
Time: The saying goes ‘Time is the greatest healer’ and I have to agree with this. Losing someone close to you is incredibly hard, and life is not the same especially if you lived with them, so it is essential not to expect too much from yourself too quickly, allow yourself whatever time and space you need and please don’t feel guilty about it is essential to the healing process.
Remember those special dates and occasions: Everyone will have their own memories unique to the person they have lost, but if you can don’t lose those special dates and thoughts, whether is going to a favourite place, bench or even sitting with a cup of tea somewhere, by doing this with help to keep their memory alive.
BREAKOUT: POEM BY SAMANTHA CRILLY:
With Angels you fly
I gaze up at the birds as they pass on by
touching the rims of heaven beyond the sky
Shoulder to shoulder with angels you fly
I know now I can smile without having to justify
Being ok without you, because I know you would want me to,
Still laugh every day and flourish in every way,
I had always held the burden of your absence in my mind
Something you would have so wanted me to leave behind
Even though it pains me to do so, I know I have to let go
Scotland rugby’s head coach, Gregor Townsend, has received an Honorary Degree from Heriot-Watt University in recognition of his global impact on the sport.
The former fly-half was presented with the academic title of Doctor of the University during the Winter Graduation Ceremonies being held at the Edinburgh Campus this week.
Mr Townsend collected his scroll from Professor Sir Geoff Palmer, Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University, in front of fellow graduands, gathered within the main lecture theatre at the James Watt Centre.
Afterwards, he said: “I feel very humbled to receive this honorary degree.
“Heriot-Watt University has a close personal connection as its campus in Galashiels is situated right beside where I started and finished my playing career, and also where my mum used to work for a number of years in the library.
“Now, in my role as national team head coach we spend the majority of our time with our players at the world-class facilities at Oriam, in the heart of the University’s main campus. I would like to thank Oriam for their continued support and relationship with Scottish rugby and to everyone at Heriot-Watt for this award.”
Gregor Townsend is a revered figure in Scottish and international rugby having amassed 82 caps for his country.
His senior rugby career began in 1990 with his local side, Gala RFC before going on to play club rugby in England, France, Australia and South Africa.
He was the first player to compete in all four of rugby’s professional club competitions – the Celtic League, the English Premiership, the French Top 14 and Super Rugby – and was a mainstay for Scotland throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. His exceptional ability on the field, which included a Five Nations title, as it was known then; resulted in a call-up for the 1997 British & Irish Lions squad and in 1999 he received an MBE for services to rugby.
After retiring from playing, Mr Townsend worked for the Scottish-based charity, Winning Scotland Foundation before embarking on a coaching career. He started out as an assistant coach with the Scotland team in 2009 then was appointed as Head Coach of Glasgow Warriors in 2012.
In 2017, he was appointed Scotland Head Coach.
The squad regularly attends the Edinburgh campus to train and benefit from the first-class training facilities provided by Oriam, Scotland’s sports performance centre.
Passing on his congratulations is Ross Campbell, Executive Director at Oriam, who said: “Oriam has always aimed to celebrate and support outstanding individuals who make a difference in the world of sports and Gregor Townsend is a prime example of such excellence.
“He rightly deserves his place as one of Scotland’s greatest ever sportsmen and we are proud to play our part in making available our outstanding training facilities to him and his players.
“This honorary degree is not only in recognition of Gregor’s past achievements but also acknowledges his ongoing dedication to the sport. Everyone at Oriam wishes him well and continued success in influencing the next generation of athletes.”
Professor Sir Geoff Palmer said: “Gregor’s honorary degree is in recognition of his remarkable contributions to rugby over many years. His ability to lead and inspire others has left an indelible mark on the sport and this award reflects the deep respect for his achievements and continued positive impact.”
Heriot-Watt and Oriam now offer yearly sports scholarship programmes, designed to embed a high-performance training environment into a sports scholars weekly schedule. This includes the Club Performance programme which allows students to study at Heriot-Watt while receiving specialist support to advance in either football or squash.
In addition to accessing world-class training facilities, scholars on this programme receive a 40% reduction on their university fees. While the scholarships are initially for a 12-month period this can be extended to cover a student’s entire time at university based on their performance.
To find out more about all programmes or to apply visit the website.
A total of 12 graduation ceremonies are being held at the University’s Edinburgh campus between the 2nd and 5th of December marking the academic achievement of students from the School of Social Sciences, School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences, School of Energy Geoscience Infrastructure and Society, and the School of Textile and Design.
With a record number of councils expected to declare bankruptcy this year, over 60 council leaders and chief executives have contributed to a new Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) manifesto that – if implemented – could prevent millions of people from living in bankrupt boroughs in 2024/25.
Today’s report, LGiU@40: For the Future of Local Government, calls for a new covenant between central and local government that agrees: an immediate end to competitive bid funding; a return to multi-year financial settlements and early consultation on budgets.
According to the report, almost all leaders and chief executives consulted felt that the level of challenge they were dealing with right now was unlike anything they had seen in their careers to date. Uncertainty over funding and being prevented from making long-term decisions were their biggest complaints and they urged a return to multi-year financial settlements.
The LGIU’s annual State of Local Government Finance report earlier this year revealed only 14% of senior council figures have confidence in the sustainability of council finances and 7.5% – 12 different councils – said there was a danger that financial constraints could risk their capacity to deliver their statutory duties – the essential services they are legally required to provide.
This new manifesto was informed by interviews with more than 60 chief executives and leaders from councils of all sizes, types and political control across England, Scotland and Australia, as well as new research that compares the British local government system to those in Italy, Germany and Japan.
Compounding the funding crises are concerns around status – that central government treats councils as subordinate entities and exerts excessive central control, constraining local government’s autonomy. The new covenant should commit to a system where successful local autonomy is embedded within, and supported by, continual systems of active cooperation between different levels of government.
In addition to the immediate calls for action, the report proposes several longer-term measures includingmoving to open devolution, a review of taxation and a single local (or sub-regional) budget for spending on all services.
LGiU@40: For the Future of Local government was launched today at the LGIU’s first annual Local Democracy Research Centre (LDRC) symposium where guest speakers included Professor Patrick Diamond, Dr Madeleine Pill, Professor Liz Richards, Professor Richard Eccleston, Dr Peter Eckersley, Theo Blackwell MBE (Chief Digital Officer, Mayor of London), and Keiran Pedley (Research Director, Public Affairs, Ipsos).
Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive, LGIU, said: “Eight councils have now declared bankruptcy leaving nearly 2 million residents facing higher bills for a bare minimum service.
“LGIU research indicates that 12 more councils could declare bankruptcy in 2024/25 and we are calling on the Government to prevent millions more people from being forced to live in bankrupt boroughs by bringing an immediate end to competitive bid funding and returning to multi-year financial settlements based on an area’s need.
“Local government is responsible for care homes, vulnerable children, emergency accommodation, leisure centres, libraries and so much more. Essential services that genuinely change millions of people’s quality of life on a daily basis.
“Councils are pulling every lever available to stay afloat: raising council tax, raising charges, cutting services, increasing commercial investments, spending finite reserves and selling assets but it is simply not enough. The link between funding and need is completely broken.
“As more and more councils warn that they will soon be unable to balance their books, this is clearly a moment of crisis for local government. But it’s also a moment of opportunity.
“We’re already in the run-up to the next general election; whoever is in government after that election has the opportunity to reset the relationship between central and local government, to finally give councils the tools they need to be the force for change we all need them to be.
“The chief executives and leaders interviewed for LGIU@40 are sending a clear message. We are at a point of crisis, if we fall over the consequences for the country as a whole are catastrophic, but if we are set free to deliver, the opportunities are endless.”
Latest data show more than one in 20 patients attending A&Es in Scotland faced a 12-hour wait in October, as RCEM Scotland describes the data as “deeply concerning”
In October 2023, there were 111,179 attendances at major A&Es in Scotland.
This is a decrease of 2.4% from the previous month.
64.8% of patients were seen within four-hours at major A&Es (Type 1 EDs)
39,157 (35.2%) patients waited over four-hours in major Emergency Departments, this is a 2.7% increase from the previous month and a 3% decrease from October 2022.
The number waiting more than four-hours has increased more than five times since October 2016 (7,793).
13,800 (12.4%) patients waited eight-hours or more in an Emergency Department.
This is the highest number of patients waiting eight-hours recorded this year.
The proportion of patients waiting eight hours has increased by 2 percentage points from the previous month and has decreased by 1.4 percentage points compared with October 2022.
The number waiting more than eight hours is more than 21 times the number waiting in October 2016 (654).
5,927 (5.3%) patients waited more than 12-hours before being seen, admitted, discharged, or transferred.
This is equal to more than one in 20 patients waiting 12-hours or more in major A&Es in Scotland.
The proportion waiting this long has increased by 1.6 percentage points from the previous month. And has decreased by 0.7 percentage points compared with October 2022.
The number waiting more than 12-hours is more than 54 times the number waiting in October 2016 (109).
There were 1,831 beds occupied due to delayed discharges, an increase of 20 from the previous month and the second highest October on record.
Commenting, RCEM Scotland Vice President, Dr John-Paul Loughrey said:“These data from October are deeply concerning. Now, in December, the situation has changed, the weather is extremely cold with much of Scotland covered in snow and dangerous ice – and things are much more difficult and precarious for both patients and staff.
“This is the most challenging time of year for the health service. Norovirus and other infections are putting significant pressure on a system already under immense strain.
“Staff continue to do their very best to deliver effective care in a timely way, reduce waiting times and mitigate any risks. However, the NHS in Scotland is not as prepared as it could be.
“We do not have a sufficient number of beds and this is driving these delays for care and the long waiting times in overcrowded A&Es. This has a knock-on effect as ambulances are stuck queuing outside A&Es, unable to attend to calls in the community.
“Our patients deserve better than this, they deserve better than to wait for 12 hours for the care they desperately need. But with no beds available, staff are unable to admit them and move them onto the next stage of their care.
“It is a disheartening situation, distressing for patients and difficult for staff.
“The Scottish government’s winter plan did not go far enough and we urge the Scottish Government to revisit their plan and rapidly open more beds and provide additional resources to help the health service through this challenging time and protect patients.
“We have the priorities to #ResuscitateEmergencyCare, the government must adopt these before we see performance deteriorate drastically and patients come to further harm.”
Public consultation on historic proposals draws to a close, with roughly 25,000 responses from teachers, parents, healthcare professionals and public
UK in lead to be first country in the world to create a smokefree generation by phasing out the sale of tobacco
Government taking long-term decisions to protect children and an entire generation from the harms of smoking as they grow older
Plans to introduce the most significant public health intervention in a generation and phase out smoking are progressing at pace, as the Westminster government’s consultation closes today.
Amassing roughly 25,000 responses – including from healthcare professionals, public health experts, academics, teachers, parents and teenagers – officials will analyse results and ministers will set out next steps in the coming weeks, including details on the forthcoming Tobacco and Vapes Bill recently announced in the King’s Speech.
The majority of the public are behind the plans, and the government is determined to take vital action quickly to protect future generations from the harms of tobacco addiction.
The government’s response to the consultation will be published ahead of the Bill’s introduction to Parliament in the new year.
Public Health Minister, Andrea Leadsom, said: “As a former teenage smoker, these historic plans might just have prevented me from ever lighting a cigarette.
“Smoking is the biggest preventable killer in the UK, and that’s why we need to push ahead at pace with our plans to protect today’s children, and create the first smokefree generation while cracking down on youth vaping.
“We are taking the long-term health decisions needed to safeguard the next generation from the harms of smoking and risk of addiction.”
Government plans include introducing a new law to stop children who turned 14 this year or are younger from ever legally being sold tobacco in England. There is also a worrying rise in vaping among children and the government will therefore also introduce measures to reduce the appeal and availability of vapes to children, while ensuring they remain available as a quit tool for smokers.
This will prevent thousands of children from starting smoking in the coming years and potentially having their lives cut short as a result.
The UK is now proudly set to be the first country in the world to introduce such a landmark law on smoking.
Deborah Arnott, chief executive of health charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), said: “With the overwhelming support of the public the UK has picked up the baton to become the first country in the world to create a smokefree generation.
“In the twentieth century the UK, home to the tobacco industry, had the highest smoking rates in the world, in the twenty first we are now on track to lead the way out of the tobacco epidemic.
“This will herald the start of a new era in tobacco control, where the end of the smoking is finally in sight.”
Smoking is the UK’s biggest preventable killer, causing around 1 in 4 cancer deaths and 64,000 deaths in England alone, costing the economy and wider society £17 billion each year. No other consumer product kills up to two-thirds of its users and the plans will save tens of thousands of lives and save the NHS billions of pounds.
People take up cigarettes when they are young.
Four in five smokers have started by the time they are 20 and although the vast majority try to quit, many due to the addictive nature of cigarettes.
Cathy Hunt, 58, is a mum of four from County Durham. She was diagnosed with lung cancer and had half a lung removed in 2015 just two days before her 50th birthday. She underwent surgery again in 2022 when the cancer returned, and in June this year had a kidney removed due to cancer.
Cathy said: “I am absolutely over the moon about the government’s plan to raise the age of sale for tobacco one year every year until we see the end of smoking, and all my family and friends are too.
“Smoking isn’t a lifestyle choice but a lethal addiction which traps hundreds of new victims in its claws every day, victims who struggle to escape. I only managed to stop once I found out I had lung cancer but wish now I could turn the clock back to the time I started smoking as a child aged 11.
“That’s also why I’m so pleased the government is providing more funding for anti-smoking campaigns, stop smoking services and enforcement to help stop the start and start the stop for those already addicted to smoking like I was.”
Gower Tan, Cancer Research UK ambassador and campaigns officer, said: “I started smoking aged 13, and this deadly addiction took me over 25 years to quit.
“Having watched my dad – a lifelong smoker – die of lung cancer, I understand the devastating harms of tobacco and I support vital legislation on the age of sale. Knowing my children and future generations will not suffer the tragic consequences caused by smoking is a legacy we could all be proud of.”
To tackle youth vaping, the government’s plans include a range of measures to reduce the appeal and availability of vapes to children, including restricting vapes flavours, regulating point of sale displays in stores that sell vapes, and regulating vape packaging.
Stakeholder reaction:
Cancer Research UK’s chief executive, Michelle Mitchell, said: “Smoking is the biggest cause of cancer in the UK, responsible for around 150 cancers a day. Raising the age of sale for tobacco products is one of the biggest opportunities we have had to help prevent cancer in over a decade.
“This consultation is a vital step on the road to the first ever smokefree generation. If the government takes decisive action in all UK nations, the UK can phase smoking out for good and protect the next generation from a potential lifetime of addiction and disease.”
John Herriman, chief executive at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, said: “It comes as no surprise that responses have been submitted in the thousands to this consultation that poses the biggest positive change to public health in our lifetime.
“Most people have been affected by smoking either directly or indirectly, and smoking related illnesses put a huge strain on the NHS. In time, this will free up much needed resources and will help safeguard future generations to come.”
“Effective policing of the age of sale of tobacco will be critical to the effectiveness of the government’s aim of eliminating smoking for future generations and Trading Standards teams working in local communities across the UK will play a central role in making this happen.
“We look forward to working with DHSC to ensure that we have the tools and resources needed to support businesses and educate consumers as the country phases out tobacco products for good.”
Henry Gregg, director of external affairs for Asthma + Lung UK: “Creating a smoke-free generation is one of the most impactful things we could do to improve the health of future generations.
“We know that many people with a lung condition and their families strongly support these proposals, to prevent others from going through what they have experienced. We urge the government to ensure these measures are implemented in full to save thousands of lives.
“Smoking remains the biggest cause of lung disease deaths in the UK, with tobacco costing the NHS £2.5 billion every year and £1.2 billion in social care costs.
“More than 8 out of 10 smokers take up smoking before the age of 20 and become addicted, so proposals to gradually increase the smoking age to stop younger people from ever taking up smoking is an opportunity for the government to lead the way on measures that will protect future generations from developing lung conditions caused by this deadly addiction”.
Edinburgh’s insta-famous ‘petfluencer’ Hunter (@hunter.the.good.boy) has been named as Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home’s very first ‘Ambassadog’.
Stepping up for the role, Hunter visited the home to find out more about the services they offer and lend a paw loading up the food-bank donations van.
A frequent visitor to the Home’s Big Dog Park, located at Seafield promenade, Hunter’s owners often book out the private hire outdoor space to allow him to enjoy some free time to run around in a secure space.
Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home enlisted the help of Hunter to help spread the word about their winter campaign as they face an unprecedented increase in demand for their support services including food banks and emergency food packages.
The charity’s Winter Appeal is calling out for support to enable them to provide vital aid for animals in need and help people to keep their beloved pets at home this winter.
Depending on the funding from public donations and the assistance of volunteer support to help staff, The Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home finds winter an especially difficult season as high energy prices drain funds while demand for their vital services increases.
Lindsay Fyffe-Jardine, CEO of Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, explained, “We have seen a devastating increase in the number of surrender requests that we have received this year.
“This is due to various factors, including financial difficulties, behavioural issues and personal circumstances. We have supported pets for 140 years and it’s so important now, more so than ever, that we continue to receive donations and help provide pets with a safe place to recover, find love and also enable owners going through hard times to stay together with their pets.
“We don’t judge anyone or their circumstances and know that the rise in the cost of living has caused some to struggle to make ends meet. Winter can be especially tough, so with the support of our new Ambassadog Hunter, we are appealing to those who can, to make a donation. £20 can provide a cat with the vaccinations they require to be rehomed or £100 could keep a dog warm in the Home for three months.”
Texts will cost the donation amount plus one standard network rate message, and you’ll be opting into hearing more from Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home. If you would like to donate but don’t wish to hear more, text SURRENDERNOINFO instead.
