Category: North Edinburgh News

Bridging Scotland’s skills gap in Advanced Therapies

University works with Charles River Laboratories to develop short course

A new course launches at Edinburgh Napier University’s School of Applied Sciences on 24 January, offering students and recent graduates an opportunity to build key skills for a career in the expanding field of Advanced Therapies.

The five-day course has been developed by Edinburgh Napier, working closely with Charles River Laboratories.

It forms part of the UK’s Advanced Therapies Skills Training Network (ATSTN) and will teach Good Laboratory Practice – supplying participants with theoretical knowledge, including sterile manufacturing and the development and production of Advanced Therapies – and practical skills needed to enter the Advanced Therapies workforce.

These include cell culture and immunoassay techniques, and lab auditing, as well as learning about the quality and regulatory environment and Good Manufacturing Practice within an industrial setting.

ATSTN was launched in 2020 and operates through three centres, two in England and one in Scotland.

Edinburgh Napier is the only university in Scotland to be a member of ATSTN, and the School of Applied Sciences partners with RoslinCT, SULSA (the Scottish Universities Life Sciences Alliance), the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre, and Ayrshire College to deliver bespoke and highly targeted training to address the skills gaps identified in advanced therapy and vaccine manufacturing.

Dr Claire Garden, Associate Professor in the School of Applied Sciences, said: “Advanced Therapies offer enormous potential and promise to protect our society from current and future diseases, but when the UK government conducted research with companies in 2019, 83% were concerned about their ability to capitalise on emerging opportunities because skills anticipated to be essential were – at that time – missing.

“With our industry skills focus and partnership with key employers, recognised in our recent reaccreditation by the Royal Society of Biology, we have the track record to bring this training to a wide audience.”

Geoff Burns, General Manager of Charles River Edinburgh, is delighted to be working on this targeted project. He said: “Charles River are very pleased to be partnering with Edinburgh Napier University to provide an Advanced Therapy skills training course as part of the Advanced Therapies Skills Training Network.

“We are dedicated to supporting students both during and after their time at university, and this course will help ensure the scientists of the future are well-equipped for a career in the emerging industries of advanced therapies and vaccine manufacturing.

“There is no doubt that many exciting breakthroughs are to be had in the future for the long-term management and even cure of disease.”

Nathan Barnett, programme coordinator at SULSA, added: “This course is an exciting addition to the Advanced Therapies Skills Training Network in Scotland. It will give industry insight into some of the careers available in the fast-growing advanced therapies sector and provide practical skills relevant to roles in the industry.”

The bespoke course is being launched at a vital moment for the Scottish Life Sciences Industry and provides a brilliant opportunity for students and recent graduates interested in a career in Advanced Therapies.

It runs from 24-29 January at Edinburgh Napier University’s Sighthill campus and at Charles River Laboratories’ state-of-the-art facilities. The course will run twice more in 2022.

To enquire about participating, contact nathan.barnett@glasgow.ac.uk.

Staff joining social care to have fees waived

SSSC registration and PVG checks to be funded

New staff joining the social care workforce are to have entry costs paid by the Scottish Government until the end of March.

Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) checks and Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) registration will now be funded to help encourage more staff into the profession and address winter staffing pressures.

The scheme starts today and will include staff taking up direct care posts in adult social care, along with comparable roles in children’s social care services and the justice sector.

It has been introduced following discussions with COSLA and will cover local authority, private and third sectors.

Social care minister Kevin Stewart said: “Care workers have been absolutely critical to our pandemic response, giving vulnerable people the care they need and avoiding further pressure falling on the NHS.

“This trial aims to assist easing winter pressures in this sector by removing any financial barriers that may stop people from applying for a rewarding career in care.

“There are  significant pressures in social care due to high vacancy levels and increased demand. I hope this support will encourage those considering joining this vital workforce to go ahead and do so.

“We will continue to work closely with our partners to identify all possible ways we can assist the social care sector to aid recruitment and retention within the workforce at this critical time.”

Basic PVG checks cost £59.  SSSC registration costs between £15 and £80 depending on the role.

Training Course: Core Skills in Volunteer Management (online)

Volunteer Edinburgh are pleased to announce that we have a new run of our popular Core Skills in Volunteer Management course available now that is being delivered over February and March.

This remote learning course will take place over four weeks. It consists of two blocks which can be booked independently:

  • CSVM 1: Involvement and Recruitment (from 7 February until 18 February)
  • CSVM 2: Support, Supervision and Training (from 28 February until 11 March)

Each block has several activities including self-study (reading) and forum discussions all of which can be done at your own pace on the Volunteer Edinburgh Academy.

There is also a weekly 1.5 hour, facilitated Zoom session each week to enable you to connect with other learners, reflect on your practice and learning, and share discussions.

If you would like to participate you can book it on our website.

If you have any questions please contact training@volunteeredinburgh.org.uk.

Javier Tejera

Learning and Quality Officer, Volunteer Edinburgh

 

Nine out of ten stroke survivors would warn their younger self to change their lifestyle

Nine out of ten stroke survivors in Scotland would warn their younger self to change their lifestyle, according to Stroke Association survey

Nine out of ten stroke survivors would go back in time and urge their younger self to make lifestyle changes which may have prevented their stroke, a new UK-wide survey by the Stroke Association has revealed.

More than four out of five people surveyed in Scotland, say they hadn’t realised that they were at risk of a stroke. 

But nine out of ten had since made lifestyle changes. This is important to the two in five people who may go on to have a second stroke.

The charity has released the findings to mark Stroke Prevention Day, on Friday 14 January, and is urging everyone to make one small change to reduce their own risk of stroke. 

Stroke is one of the leading causes of adult disability and the fourth biggest cause of death in the UK.  While some strokes are unavoidable, up to nine out of ten are linked to lifestyle and could be preventable if people are aware of the risks and able to make changes.

Alexander Mackenzie, 61, from Edinburgh had his stroke in Feb 2020.  He was told the stroke had almost definitely been caused by high blood pressure.  

He said: “The stroke affected the right hand side of my body.  I couldn’t use my hand at all – it just ‘froze’, I couldn’t walk and my speech was slurred.  I wasn’t able to write either.  My speech gradually returned to normal within three to four months.  It took two months before I could walk, but my sense of balance is still affected.  

“I knew high blood pressure was something that needed to be watched, but I never suspected it was what had most likely caused my stroke.

“My lifestyle could have been better.  Looking back, I drank too much – nearly every night.  It interfered with my energy levels and mood – it wasn’t good at all.  And now, having gone through the shock of a stroke, I have given up drinking completely and it’s had a major impact on my health. 

“I sleep properly and make better use of my time.  I am more optimistic about the future and believe there are exciting opportunities ahead.

“I regret the amount I drank. My lifestyle was getting in the way of a good life and in a sense, my body ‘gave up’. 

“I wouldn’t wish a stroke on anyone.  It plays havoc with your life.  Knowing what I do now, I wish I’d known just how important managing your blood pressure is and taking steps to reduce your risk of stroke.” 

The leading change survivors would urge their younger self to make, would be to reduce stress levels with 49% saying they would have done this. Other changes stroke survivors would have made include:

  • Monitor blood pressure – 42%
  • Exercise more – 34%
  • Eat more healthily – 32%
  • Lose a set amount of weight (for example one stone or ten kilograms) – 32%
  • Stop smoking – 24%
  • Drink less alcohol – 21 %
  • Reduce salt intake – 20%
  • Monitor high cholesterol – 19%

As a first step, the Stroke Association wants people to make one small change to reduce their risk of stroke, starting on Stroke Prevention Day.

Examples include:

  • Having your blood pressure, cholesterol and pulse checked regularly
  • Stopping smoking
  • Having a number of alcohol-free days each week
  • Changing your diet to include less salt or switching to a reduced sodium alternative such as LoSalt®
  • Eating more fruit and vegetables
  • Getting up and moving regularly during the day, especially if you’re working from home
  • Joining an online exercise or activity group, or better still, taking on the charity’s Stride for Stroke challenge – one step for each of the 1.3 million stroke survivors in the UK.    

John Watson, Associate Director Scotland at the Stroke Association said: “A stroke happens in the brain, the control centre for who we are and what we can do. It can happen at any time and at any age and can be devastating.

“We know not all strokes are avoidable, but as many as nine out of ten strokes could be prevented as they are linked to things you can change or manage.  Many people simply don’t realise they are at risk and that’s something that we as a charity desperately want to put right.  

“The effects of a stroke can be life-changing for you and your family, so why not do all you can to avoid one yourself?

“However, we know that it isn’t always easy, so pick something that’s manageable for you. Aim to stick with it for an initial three months and, if you can do that, you’re more likely to form a regular habit.

“The good news from this research is that almost nine out of ten stroke survivors have already taken steps to reduce their risk of having another stroke.”

The charity’s campaign has been launched in partnership with LoSalt®.Almost a third of stroke survivors said they would exercise more and an ideal way to motivate yourself is to sign up for the Stride for Stroke challenge.

Find out about this and the other things you can do at www.stroke.org.uk/stroke-prevention-day. Money raised will help the charity’s work supporting stroke survivors and carers across the UK.

Health Emergency: Worst ever four-hour performance “must be a call to action”

“The health service is in the middle of the biggest crisis it has ever faced“

The latest monthly Emergency Department (ED) performance figures published by NHS England for December 2021 show that four-hour performance at major Emergency Departments reached its lowest since records began at 61.2%, meaning nearly two in five patients were delayed by four-hours or more and nearly 1 in 4 admissions experienced a wait of at least four hours from the decision to admit them to admission.

The data also show the highest number of 12 hour waits ever recorded: 12,986 patients spent 12 hours or more from decision to admit to admission. This is a 22% increase on the previous month, November 2021, and it is 250% higher than December 2020.

Responding to the publication of NHS England quarterly and monthly performance figures, Dr Katherine Henderson, President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said: “The situation on the ground is extremely bleak. Staff are overwhelmed and burned out; it is increasingly challenging to provide timely and safe patient care.”

Latest Quarterly performance figures published by NHS England show that in 2021-2022 there were a total of 43,218 12-hour delays which is more than all the 12-hour delays over the previous ten years put together (39,608).

The data does not paint the full picture as NHS England record 12-hour waits from decision to admit. Our Winter Flow project, which started at the beginning of October 2021, has so far recorded 71,965 12-hour waits from time of arrival.

It is critical that NHS England commit to reporting 12-hour data from time of arrival and implement the Clinical Review of Standards.

Dr Henderson said: “The health service is in the middle of the biggest crisis it has ever faced, and staff are working harder than ever before with fewer staff and fewer beds.

“When the health service is overwhelmed, it does not cease to function, it is the standards and quality of care that fall. The figures published today show the extent to which these standards have fallen already.

“Performance metrics are intended to hold clinical services to account. They are meant to identify areas in which services are failing with the aim of improving them quickly and effectively.

“The consistent and continuous decline of urgent and emergency care performance, standards, patient experience and patient safety show how this intended function is now entirely lost. With each publication around performance, we commentate with shock and dismay at the latest decline, but our comments are, more often than not, met with inaction or short-term fixes. There needs to be acknowledgment that there is a major public health crisis in emergency care.

“It is the core ability and function of the health and social care service to deliver high-quality and effective care to the acutely ill or injured that is at risk.

“We must now see a vision for recovery and a vision for the health service that includes a vital transformation of the urgent and emergency care system. There must be a plan to implement a framework that is centred around patient care, that drives action and improvement.

“The current framework is simply documenting the health system’s failure to deliver a quality service, and the failure of this framework leaves urgent and emergency care in a performance vacuum.

“We need a decision about either a phased implementation of the findings of the Clinical Review of Standards or an honest discussion about how we performance manage urgent and emergency care differently.

“The current challenges facing the health and social care service are the result of years of stagnation and decline, they are made worse by, but are not just a consequence of, the pandemic. Recognising this is vital to any step towards transformation.

“It is time we saw bolder political willingness to engage on these critical issues. Without action, performance will continue to decline, and this would be a disservice to patients and staff.”

Pocket garden challenge launched

Budding garden designers are invited to tell stories in exciting competition

A nationwide competition has been launched by environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful to find school pupils from across Scotland to participate in the seventh annual Pocket Garden Design Competition.

Following the huge success of the online showcase in 2021, when 38 design winners were displayed to allow a public vote, we are inviting children, from as young as three, to design a colourful and sustainable garden. 

The best design entries will be selected, and entrants invited to build and grow their garden at school before photographing or filming it to be showcased as part of an online interactive garden which will allow everyone across Scotland to vote for their favourite from 8-19 June inclusive.

This year designs should interpret three interlinked themes: The Year of Stories, One Planet Picnic and Wildlife Gardening.

Stories are a vital part of culture and community from well-loved tales of family and friends to famous fictional characters: they all give a sense of place, history and belonging. There are fables, legends, folklore, news stories, novels, fairy stories, investigative journalism, and myths to draw inspiration from and this competition encourages young people to celebrate that through their designs.

Eve Keepax, Education and Learning Officer at Keep Scotland Beautiful , said: “We’re really excited to be able to announce the opening of our Pocket Garden Design Competition for 2022. 

“This competition over the years has inspired entries from across the country and we hope that in 2022 it gives educators and pupils a new focus that supports learning for sustainability, outdoor learning and the Curriculum for Excellence.

“What are the stories you and your pupils could tell through a garden design?”

Pupils are invited to submit their entries no later than 5pm on 25 February 2022 to oneplanetpicnic@keepscotlandbeautiful.org. 

Further information and inspiration from past years can be found at:

 www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/pocketgarden

If you go down to Belleville today, you’re sure of a big surprise

Residents at an Edinburgh care home enjoyed a teddy bear takeover as they reminisced about childhood memories over a picnic.

Mansfield Care’s Belleville Lodge invited its residents to bring along their own teddy bears and soft toys for an afternoon of fun.

Along with the teddy takeover was an array of homemade cakes and tea as the residents discussed their favourite toys they, and their children, used to play with when they were younger.

While teddies were the most popular guests at the picnic, a toy dog and a knitted black cat called ‘Snuffles’ were also in attendance.

Belleville Lodge Matron, Margaret Russell, said: “There were lots of smiles and everyone enjoyed holding and touching the soft toys and passing them around for a cuddle.

“One of the highlights of the day that made everyone happy was to see all the teddies and soft toys lined up together for a portrait photo.

“We all joined in to sing along to “The Teddy Bears’ Picnic” and everyone, both staff and residents, agreed that we’d had a lovely afternoon.”

Operating 11 care homes across Edinburgh, the Borders and west of Scotland, Mansfield Care is designed to provide bespoke care to an exceptional standard with state-of-the-art facilities.

Specialising in small, friendly residential care homes, staff work under an ethos that is inspired by the kind of care we would wish for ourselves in later life – supportive, friendly, bright, positive, empathetic, respectful and homely.

The highly trained staff ensure a commitment and continuity of care to each resident with a dedicated home manager and wellbeing coordinator to plan activities according to resident’s wishes.

To find out more about Mansfield Care visit, https://www.mansfieldcare.co.uk/

More help for unpaid carers

Funding for wellbeing support and services

A £4million funding package will help provide support to unpaid carers, in recognition of the enormous role they play in looking after loved ones, and the added pressure many have faced during the pandemic.

Over the next few weeks, the additional winter funding will allow organisations working with unpaid carers to expand the services they provide to all groups of adult and young carers, including those looking after disabled children and young people and those caring for a friend or relative with dementia.

To help reach as wide a range of carers as possible, the funds will be shared between organisations who are already working with different groups of carers:

  • £3million for local carer centres across Scotland to expand their vital support for adult and young carers
  • £200,000 to expand the Young Carers Package delivered by Young Scot to provide additional break opportunities, support and activities for young carers
  • £377,000 to expand Family Fund support with breaks for parents and families looking after disabled children and young people
  • £590,000 to expand wellbeing support and services for unpaid carers looking after a family member with Dementia, including grants for short breaks

Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care Kevin Stewart said: “Unpaid carers play a vital role in society and I know the pandemic has placed many additional pressures on Scotland’s carers.

“The Scottish Government has always been committed to improving carers’ rights and providing them with the support and extra help they deserve. 

“The local services and third sector organisations that have been supporting carers during the pandemic have been exceptional. I am pleased to be able to announce this additional funding to allow them to continue their essential work.

“This support for carers comes on top of the Carer’s Allowance Supplement, the first payment made by Social Security Scotland, which increased Carer’s Allowance for eligible Scottish carers by around 13% compared to carers in the rest of the UK.

“In addition to this uplift to Carer’s Allowance, we made extra Coronavirus Carer’s Allowance Supplement payments in June 2020 and in December 2021 to support eligible carers.”

PM to chair new council with devolved governments

A landmark agreement setting out how the UK and devolved governments will work closely together to deliver for people across the whole of the United Kingdom has been published.

  • Landmark agreement on how UK government and devolved governments will continue to work together has been reached
  • New ways of working agreed by the UK government, Northern Ireland Executive, Scottish Government and Welsh Government
  • Reaffirmed principles agreed by all includes mutual respect, maintaining trust and positive working
  • Agreement formalises a PM led council, overseeing strengthened working

A landmark agreement setting out how the UK and devolved governments will work closely together to deliver for people across the whole of the United Kingdom was published yesterday (13 January 2022).

The statement was completely overhadowed by the ongoing brouhaha over the Prime Minister’s attendance at lockdown Downing Street parties (or work events!) At time of writing Boris Johnson’s political future remains very much in the balance.

The Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) Review sets out new structures as to how the UK government, Northern Ireland Executive, Scottish Government and Welsh Government will work to deliver for people across the UK – based upon on the existing values of mutual respect, maintaining trust and positive working.

The new system will be a three-tiered structure and will formalise a new council, chaired by the Prime Minister, made up of Heads of the Devolved Governments.

The Prime Minister-led council and Ministerial groups will oversee and strengthen relations between all of the UK’s governments. They will discuss issues that affect people across the UK, particularly where they cut across reserved and devolved policy – or are of shared responsibility.

Strong working and close co-operation has been vital in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including coordinating the response to new variants and the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine. Other examples of joined-up work include investment through Growth Deals and the Afghanistan resettlement programme.

The new structures will be supported by an independent secretariat made up of civil servants seconded from all four governments and will serve the UK government and devolved governments equally.

Beleaguered Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “When team UK pulls together in common cause, spirit and endeavour we will always be at our very best.

“We’ve shown time and time again the combined strength we have in facing off the shared challenges before us, while also seizing the opportunities ahead for the benefit of the whole United Kingdom.

“Today’s announcements build upon that strength as we all continue to work together to deliver for the British people.”

Minister for Intergovernmental Relations Michael Gove said: “Devolution has empowered communities and resulted in huge benefits across the United Kingdom.

“Today’s landmark agreement will build on the incredible amount of collaboration already taking place between the UK government and the devolved administrations.

“By working together even more effectively, we can better overcome the challenges we face, create greater opportunities and improve people’s lives for the better.”

The new structures are based on a three tier levels for ministerial engagement – alongside a new mechanism for avoiding, escalating and resolving disputes; supported by joint or independent secretariats and based upon consensus.

Sitting below the Prime Minister-chaired council, the second tier will consist of two Interministerial Standing Committees, one chaired by the Minister for Intergovernmental Relations and one on finance.

There will also be the option of time limited committees agreed by consensus to deal with specific issues as required.

The third tier will be made up of Interministerial Groups (IMG) led by individual departments, which will cover a wide range of policy issues within a given minister’s or department’s portfolio.

These will include regular meetings between devolved and UK government ministers on issues such as Health, Transport and Education.

The new structures and processes announced yesterday are underpinned by a reaffirmed set of principles for collaborative working. These are:

  • Maintaining positive and constructive relations, based on mutual respect for the responsibilities of the governments and their shared role in governance of the UK
  • Building and maintaining trust, based on effective communication
  • Sharing information and respecting confidentiality
  • Promoting understanding of, and accountability for, their intergovernmental activity
  • Resolving disputes according to a clear and agreed process

The new structures create a ‘more equal, transparent and accountable system to support collaboration and information sharing between the UK government and the devolved governments and continue to deliver for citizens across the UK‘.

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said: “Scotland has two governments, and people want to see them continue to work together to tackle covid and drive our recovery.

“Throughout the pandemic, the Scottish and UK governments have worked closely together, to keep people safe, protect public services, and support businesses and jobs in Scotland.

“This important agreement will build on that and help strengthen cooperation further – as we work together to deliver the priorities of people in Scotland on jobs, prosperity and economic recovery.

“It also reflects the increased powers of the Scottish Parliament since 2016 and the UK’s vote to leave the EU.”

Secretary of State for Wales Simon Hart said: “People in Wales want to see politicians working together to defeat the pandemic and focus on our recovery and throughout the past two years the UK government has worked with the Welsh Government more closely and productively than ever.

“This agreement will strengthen these relationships still further as we work together to deliver the priorities of the people of Wales like jobs, prosperity and economic recovery.”

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis said: “Today’s agreement will enhance the positive working relationship between the UK government and the Northern Ireland Executive, to the benefit of everyone in Northern Ireland.

“By ensuring that we work together in the best way possible, we will build on the fantastic collaboration which has stood us in good stead as we continue to deliver together for local people.”

So the PM will chair the new council with devolved governments – but will Boris Johnson still be that Prime Minister, or is the party over? The picture may perhaps become clearer early next week.

See the written ministerial statement

Healthy Heart Tip: Dry January

This month is Dry January, which sees many people across the UK take on the challenge of curbing their drinking habits for a whole month.

We know that drinking too much alcohol can lead to increased blood pressure, some types of cancer and weight gain. If you think you could benefit from taking on this challenge or would like to take steps to reduce your alcohol intake, try out some of the below tips this month to get you started!

Know Your Numbers

Knowing how much alcohol you are consuming can be the first step towards making a change. It is recommended to drink less than 14 units of alcohol per week, which is equivalent to approximately seven medium glasses of wine, or six pints of regular strength beer.

You can calculate your exact intake at www.drinkaware.co.uk

Find Alternatives

Most of the time we can satisfy a craving with an alternative option. Try buying some alcohol-free beer or soft drinks to have when you’re next craving an alcoholic drink.

Replace Habits

It can be useful to distract yourself with another activity at the time when you would usually drink. Try going for a short walk or organise to speak with a friend at a time when you would usually drink alcohol.

Be Smart

We can still enjoy alcohol whilst reducing our overall consumption. Some great tactics you can use to reduce your intake include:

  • having a soft drink for every other drink
  • adding one or more alcohol-free days to your week
  • opting for lower strength drinks such as a single spirit mixer instead of a glass of wine, which has over half of the units and calories when you opt for a low-calorie mixer!

For more tips on how to stay healthy, sign up for our weekly healthy tips at www.heartresearch.org.uk/healthy-tips

To help keep your heart healthy, why not try out some of our Healthy Heart recipes from our website: https://heartresearch.org.uk/heart-research-uk-recipes-2/

Or have a look through our Healthy Heart cookbook filled with recipes from top chefs, celebrities and food bloggers:

https://heartresearch.org.uk/heart-research-uk-cookbook/