Category: North Edinburgh News

Covid: Second vaccine approved

Oxford/AstaZeneca vaccine gets the green light

The UK Government has this morning accepted the recommendation from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to authorise Oxford University/AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine for use.

This follows rigorous clinical trials and a thorough analysis of the data by experts at the MHRA, which has concluded that the vaccine has met its strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) will also publish its latest advice for the priority groups to receive this vaccine.

The NHS has a clear vaccine delivery plan and decades of experience in delivering large scale vaccination programmes. It has already vaccinated hundreds of thousands of patients with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine and its roll out will continue. Now the NHS will begin putting their extensive preparations into action to roll out the Oxford University/AstraZeneca vaccine.

Health Minister Matt Hancock hailed the news as ‘a real British succes story’.

Throughout this global pandemic the UK Government says they have always been guided by the latest scientific advice.

Having studied evidence on both the Pfizer/BioNTech and Oxford University/AstraZeneca vaccines, the JCVI has advised the priority should be to give as many people in at-risk groups their first dose, rather than providing the required two doses in as short a time as possible.

Everyone will still receive their second dose and this will be within 12 weeks of their first. The second dose completes the course and is important for longer term protection.

From today the NHS across the UK will prioritise giving the first dose of the vaccine to those in the most high-risk groups. With two vaccines now approved, we will be able to vaccinate a greater number of people who are at highest risk, protecting them from the disease and reducing mortality and hospitalisation.

The JCVI’s independent advice is that this approach will maximise the benefits of both vaccines. It will ensure that more at-risk people are able to get meaningful protection from a vaccine in the coming weeks and months, reducing deaths and starting to ease pressure on our NHS.

To aid the success of the vaccination programme, it is vital everyone continues to play their part, abides by the restrictions in their area and remembers hands, face, space so we can suppress this virus and allow the NHS to do its work without being overwhelmed.

News of the second vaccine is timely – yesterday’s coronavirus figures were particularly grim. 53,135 new cases were reported across the UK on Tuesday. 1895 of these were in Scotland – our worst daily figure since the country was first hit by the virus back in February.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will make a statement later today. She is expected to welcome the Oxford/AstraZeneca announcement but will appeal to Scots to strictly adhere to current coronavirus guidelines over the New Year period.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has welcomed news that the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine for use in the UK.

This means we can now proceed with arrangements for doses of the vaccine, which is the second coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine to be approved for use after the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine, to be made available to our distribution centres throughout Scotland.

The vaccine has been procured on behalf of the four nations by the UK Government, who have ordered 100 million doses, of which Scotland will get 8.2% based on its population. We will begin to roll the vaccine out from 4th January, in the settings we have already been delivering in, moving out into more community settings from the 11th January.  

For this vaccine as for Pfizer, the intention is to provide an important layer of protection to all adults but particularly those most at risk from serious illness and death from COVID-19.  With age as the greatest risk factor, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) have retained the same phase 1 priority list. 

The priority now is to vaccinate as many people with their first dose as quickly as possible, working through that priority list and the advice that the second dose for both vaccines can be given up to 12 weeks after the first means we can maximise this protection quicker than planned.  The second dose remains critical for longer term protection and to complete the course.

Ms Freeman said: “At the end of a very difficult year this is a truly excellent piece of news. Oxford AstraZeneca has the major advantage of being much easier to store and transport, which means it is easier to administer in local settings. We are also expecting to receive it in significantly larger quantities than the Pfizer vaccine.

“With the four Chief Medical officers agreeing with the advice that we should prioritise delivering first vaccine doses to as many people on the JCVI Phase 1 priority list in the shortest possible timeframe, we are now able to maximise the impact of the vaccine programme in its primary aims of reducing mortality and hospitalisations for those at greatest risk.”

“When it is your turn to be vaccinated you will be contacted by your local health board and I urge you to please take up the offer.

“Vaccination is one of the most important tools we have as we work our way out of this pandemic.  But as we vaccinate as many people as quickly as supplies allow, we have a new more transmissible strain of COVID-19. 

“That makes it vital that we all continue our  work to suppress the virus in Scotland, rigorously complying with the restrictions where we live and making sure we continue to wear face coverings, maintain 2m distance from others outside our own household and wash our hands regularly.

“These three strands – following all we need to do to suppress the virus, using our expanded testing programme to identify cases and break chains of transmission and rolling out vaccination as fast as supplies allow- are the three critical actions that will see us move, step by step, to a brighter spring and summer in 2021.”

Supporting new parents: 40,000 Baby Boxes delivered this year

More than 40,000 Baby Boxes have been delivered to expectant parents this year. It brings the total number delivered since the start of the scheme in August 2017 to 163,397.

The most recent available figures indicate that around 93% of expectant parents are taking up the opportunity to receive a Baby Box.

Children’s Minister Maree Todd said: “The coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis has been challenging for all of us, and particularly so for expectant parents and new mums and dads.

“Face-to-face support from family and friends has had to be restricted for safety reasons and the pandemic has added to financial worries for many families.

“Supporting new parents this year especially has been vital. The Baby Box, which ensures that every family with a newborn has access to essential items, is part of our commitment to giving every child the best start in life.”

Jackie Tolland, Chief Executive of Parent Network Scotland, said: “Having been involved in the Baby Box since its inception, I am really pleased that the feedback has been positive. We need to do everything we can as a country to ensure that all children receive the opportunity to have the best start in life.” 

Each box contains a large number of essential items for parents and babies, including a selection of clothes from newborn up to the age of six months, a digital thermometer, and bath towel. The box itself comes with a mattress and can be used as a safe sleep space.

Find out more at Parent Club Scotland 

Which?: Don’t Dwell on a second-rate retailer

Which? reveals best and worst shops for furniture and homeware

In a difficult year for retailers, high-quality products and five-star customer service proved the difference between the winners and losers in Which?’s survey of the best and worst shops for furniture and homeware. 

With many people turning their attention to home improvements in the period between Christmas and New Year, the consumer champion surveyed thousands of members in August who had recently bought items ranging from cushions and lamps to beds and sofas.

Which?’s experts asked for their views on value for money, customer service and product quality, as well as their experience with deliveries and returns.

In a list of almost 50 shops including Argos, Ikea, John Lewis, Marks and Spencer and TK Maxx, the lowest rated of all the retailers in the Which? survey was Harveys (58%), which went into administration in June and has now stopped trading.

Customers told Which? they were particularly unimpressed by Harveys’ product range/availability, its after-sales service and performance on returns. One unhappy customer said the company “Did not deliver the sofa as promised, they had very poor customer service and could not tell us if the sofa was in the warehouse or even in the country”.

Furniture store Dwell (60%) fared only slightly better in the rankings, receiving poor ratings for its product range/availability and quality of products.

One Dwell customer, who had bought bedside cabinets, said: “I didn’t receive the service I expected from Dwell, the online store wouldn’t apply a discount so I ordered over the phone, and had trouble getting a firm delivery date. The goods arrived damaged although when I eventually got to speak to someone they did give me a discount.”

DIY store Homebase (62%) came third from bottom, with product range/availability and quality both only receiving two out of five stars from customers. Staff were given three stars for their helpfulness and knowledge. One shopper told Which? “the store is quite depressing” although several noted the layout was good for maintaining social distancing.

John Lewis & Partners (84%) was the top rated retailer for homeware and furniture.

The well-loved department store had customers raving about its after-sales service, product guarantees and warranties, and customer service. When explaining their experiences shoppers used words like “reliable”, “trustworthy” and “consistent”.

In second place was specialist kitchenware supplier Lakeland (83%).

Shoppers gave it five stars for its range/availability, product quality, staff helpfulness, after-sales service and guarantees. One customer summed up their experience by telling Which?: “Products aren’t cheap but are always of excellent quality. Service is first class.”

Ikea (80%) came in joint third place. Best known for its flatpack furniture, shoppers gave it top marks for value for money. While the in-store shopping experience was described as a “day out” by one shopper, another complained about the “marathon trek which is difficult to shortcut” and instead opted for home delivery as a result.

Also in third place were TK Maxx and Homesense (80%). Shoppers gave the stores a full five stars for value for money. Many said they were good for store browsing, using words like “unique” and “unusual”. However not all customers were convinced as one shopper said the store could be “chaotic”.

Marks and Spencer (79%) was the joint-fifth highest rated for furniture and homeware. Shoppers gave it a full five stars for product quality and staff helpfulness as well as for its warranty or guarantees. Many shoppers used words like “convenient” or “easy” to describe their experience.

When it came to Amazon (75%), customers gave the online marketplace a full five stars for product range and ease of delivery. One shopper who had bought kitchenware praised the “tremendous range of goods and the fast and reliable delivery”. However, other customers criticised the excessive use of packaging.

Customers rated Argos (73%) highly for value for money, ease of delivery and staff knowledge. Many of those surveyed noted that the Argos website is easy to navigate, however some found that products were at times out of stock.

Overall, three in 10 shoppers told Which? that cost was the most important factor when choosing a retailer to buy their furniture and homeware from. One in five (18%) customers looked for the shop that had the best range.

Gareth Shaw, Head of Money at Which?, said: “Spending so much time at home this year has inspired many of us to upgrade our interiors – and the challenges of this year have really emphasised the differences between retailers that offer a great experience and customer service, and those that don’t.

“If you’re investing in new furniture and homeware, our research shows it’s worth looking beyond enticing deals and buying from a retailer you can rely on.”

Emergency Services: Together Let’s Care for your Mental Health

NHS 24, Police Scotland and the Scottish Ambulance Service are working together to support mental health and wellbeing for people across Scotland during the Festive Season.  

After a year like no other for the people of Scotland and our NHS and emergency services, the Together Let’s Care for your Mental Health campaign aims to raise awareness of a range of mental health information and services that support mental health.

The three organisations have been working together to develop new ways to support people in mental health distress when they contact the services.

People calling Police Scotland in mental health distress may now be offered access to the NHS Mental Health Hub service. The Scottish Ambulance Service is also able to support some callers through a similar pathway.

Under the banner ‘Together Let’s Care for your Mental Health’ the partners are able to signpost to a range of self-help guides and options for further support. Online information is available for a range of day to day concerns such as anxiety, depression, young people’s mental health needs, alcohol, gambling and drug use.

NHS 24 offers a range of online mental health guides through NHSinform.scot as well as the 111 Mental Health Hub and Breathing Space’s telephone and web chat services.

Vicky Burnham, Consultant Paramedic in Dementia and Clinical Lead for Mental Health with the Scottish Ambulance Service, said: “We have been faced with many different challenges this year as a result of Covid-19 and all key workers have gone above and beyond, providing exceptional care throughout the year during an unprecedented global pandemic.

“With social interactions being limited as a result of restrictions this year, it’s vital that health care providers and emergency services are able to provide additional support to those who require help related to anxiety, depression, young people’s mental health needs, alcohol, gambling and drug use.

“We look forward to working alongside our colleagues at Police Scotland and NHS24 to ensure we continue to provide the very best care to patients across Scotland.”

Stephanie Phillips, Director of Service Delivery, NHS 24 said: “”We are pleased to be working together with Police Scotland and the Scottish Ambulance Service to provide the best possible outcomes for people in mental health distress.

“We know this Festive Season is going to be very different for everyone and many people will feel more anxious than usual. Our online resources are a good place to look for the first steps to support and self-care. If you need help now there are a range of services available to you. Our team are here to help those getting in touch with our services with a compassionate response.”

Tony McLaren, National Coordinator for Breathing Space said: “We know that this time of year can be a particularly poignant and difficult time for some.  This year there will be many people who are facing bereavement, anxiety and stress, perhaps for the first time.

“Talking about how you feel, and being listened to, can make all the difference. Our Breathing Space advisors are here to listen and respond when you need someone to support you.”

Assistant Chief Constable, Police Scotland, Gary Ritchie said: “It is the challenge of all in public service to ensure that when people need help, they get it at the right time from the most appropriate agency.

“This is why we have strengthened our work with NHS and SAS colleagues, to make sure that those callers who are suffering mental ill health can now be referred directly to a qualified health professional. We will never step away from people in crisis where they have nowhere else to turn.”

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Make ‘Walk All Over Cancer’ your New Year’s resolution

FOLK in Edinburgh and the Lothians are being challenged to kick start the New Year by taking steps to support Cancer Research UK. 

The charity is urging people to sign up now to Walk All Over Cancer and get sponsored to take 10,000 steps every day for a month.

By raising vital funds, people across the region could help to get life-saving research back on track after the impact of COVID-19 – while burning off any excess Christmas calories. As well as helping towards a healthy body weight, taking part could take a little weight off the mind too. Regular walking is a great stress-reliever and can help with mental wellbeing by improving mood and sleep.

Linda Summerhayes, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson in Scotland, said: “Fundraising has fallen and right now, future research is at risk – that’s why we’re urging as many people as possible to make ‘Walk All Over Cancer’ their New Year’s resolution.

“We all hope that 2021 has a more positive outlook. So why not give yourself a boost by committing to get more active and having an achievable goal to aim for – all in aid of a good cause.

“There’s plenty of time for supporters to start building up to the challenge in March and planning new ways to fit in some extra steps.

“Sticking to a resolution can be hard, especially through the cold, dark winter months, but registering now and making a public pledge to take part in the Spring, could help people steel their resolve. Plus, there’s the ultimate motivation of knowing every step you take will be helping to save lives.”

Based on the average person’s strides, 10,000 steps is equal to about five miles, so by the end of March participants will have clocked up more than 150 miles.

That’s quite a challenge for some but adopting small changes that you can stick to can really add up – whether it’s doing conference calls on the go, exploring local beauty spots or treating the dog to a month of extra-long walks.

Keeping check on the number of steps taken each day is a great way to create a sense of achievement and it’s easy to do with smartphone apps, pedometers and wearable activity trackers available to help. Walk All Over Cancer is now integrated with FitBit, so that participants can automatically publish their step count on their fundraising page throughout the month.

Linda added: “With around 32,400 people diagnosed with cancer every year in Scotland*, we’re working every day to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat the disease.

“The truth is COVID-19 has slowed us down, but we will never stop striving to create better treatments for tomorrow. Every step our scientists take towards beating cancer relies on our supporters. That’s why we need everyone to step up to Walk All Over Cancer.”

Before the outbreak, Cancer Research UK was able to spend over £8 million in Edinburgh on some of the UK’s leading scientific and clinical research.

To sign up and receive a free fundraising pack, with tips and ideas to help with the challenge, visit cruk.org/walkallover.

Participants are being encouraged to use #WalkAllOverCancer and tag @CR_UK when sharing their challenge on social media.

Scotland should work towards a better tomorrow in 2021, says sight loss charity

Scotland should aim for more than just a return to yesterday in 2021, says national sight loss charity RNIB Scotland, but work towards a better tomorrow.

“Let’s make sure that the society and structures that we do finally return to are more open and inclusive for everyone,” urged director James Adams.

“Covid highlighted some serious gaps in our provision last year – gaps that were troubling enough in normal times but very alarming during a period of crisis. Vital information that sometimes wasn’t initially available in formats like audio and braille, confusion over social distancing and guiding – not priorities for most people, perhaps, but absolutely essential to those who are blind and partially sighted.”

RNIB Scotland will push for these issues to be given priority in the run up to the Scottish Parliament elections in May – not least a commitment that voting itself will be more accessible for blind and partially people.

It also wants a pledge that there will be no cuts to essential services for vulnerable groups, and that when full NHS eye-health services are resumed there is an emphasis on preventing avoidable sight loss

The charity is concerned, too, to ensure that the new post-covid emphasis on ‘active travel’ – which could see the legalisation of rented e-scooters – doesn’t infringe on the rights of people with disabilities to go safely outdoors. It will also call for a looming shortage of specialist school-teachers for children with sight loss to be addressed as a matter of urgency.

“After the shock that was covid in 2020 we need to make our society safer and more resilient,” said Mr Adams. “But let’s grab this opportunity to make it fairer, too. Covid gave us all a sense of what it’s like to feel more vulnerable and unsure, more dependent on others. We must return to a Scotland where no one is left exposed at the margins.”

* The RNIB Helpline can be called on 0303 123 9999. The RNIB Scotland website is at www.rnib.org.uk/scotland.

Witness appeal: Cars vandalised in South Queensferry

Police are appealing for witnesses after a number of car tyres were vandalised in South Queensferry on Boxing Day.

The incidents happened during the early hours of Saturday 26 December 2020 while the vehicles were parked on Echline View, Echline Avenue, Stoneyflatts Crescent, Inchgarvie Park, Stewart Terrace, Station Road and Lawson Crescent.

A man was seen in the area at the time and is described as wearing a dark coloured hoody and distinctive jogging bottoms that are tight at the ankles but baggy and loose fitting at the top.

Constable Gill Young, from South Queensferry Police Station, said: “We are appealing to the local community living in or near these streets to check any CCTV or doorbell footage for any footage or images of this male who was seen between 4.20am and 4.30am.

“If you have any information, please call us on 101 quoting incident number 1178 of 26 December 2020. You can also call anonymously with information about these crimes by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Concerns over rising COVID numbers in Scotland

Testing centres open as normal over the holiday period

.Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms should not put off getting tested because of the holiday period, says National Clinical Director Professor Jason Leitch.

Testing centres are open as normal today and every day through the New Year holiday and it is essential that people with symptoms do not delay getting a test.

Delaying testing will hamper efforts to tackle the new variant of the virus which can spread far more quickly and easily.

967 cases were reported in Scotland yesterday and the average number of daily cases has been rising steadily since before Christmas.

Prof. Leitch said: “Given the severity of the situation we face, it is of paramount importance that anyone with COVID symptoms does not delay getting a test.

“Testing is carrying on as normal at weekends and on public holidays and it’s that testing that protects others, by enabling contact tracing to take place and ensuring people know they should isolate to avoid spreading the virus.

“Getting tested also helps to give us the up-to-date data on how COVID-19 is spreading, which we need to tackle the virus.

“If people delay that testing then they are potentially putting other people at risk.

“So if you have a high temperature or fever, new continuous cough or a change in sense of smell or taste, you should self-isolate and please book a test immediately.”

To book a test go online to the NHS Inform website, or call 0800 028 2816 if you cannot book online. For further information visit Coronavirus (COVID-19) self-help guide | NHS inform

Coronavirus (COVID-19) self-help guide | NHS inform

Morrisons Hogmanay

Morrisons is slashing the price of selected premium scotch whiskies in its Scotland stores to help customers celebrate Hogmanay at home.

From Boxing Day, selected bottles of Glenmorangie, Highland Park, Glenlivet and Laphroaig will be just £20 each in Morrisons, saving customers up to £16 a bottle.

Charles de Villers champagne is also half price and Sorso prosecco has a third off.

The deals are available in Morrisons 60 stores across Scotland until New Year’s Eve.

New mental health gym launched

Soul Sanity – the UK’s online mental health gym – has launched, supporting members to focus on improving their mental health from the comfort of their own homes.

The membership-based service offers a range of activities that are scientifically proven to relieve stress and anxiety, improve mindfulness and encourage the release of the “feel good” hormone dopamine.

Holly Novick, Founder, said: “There are so many gyms out there for your physical health but nothing that focuses specifically on your mental health.

“Soul Sanity is truly unique in that way. It was something I personally felt I needed during a time of grief. I needed an outlet to feel better but all I got was fist-pumping music lifting weights, one to one therapy sessions which I found difficult to open up in and suggestions for tablets which I thought could be a slippery road.

“I also didn’t want to mask how I was feeling, I knew my body was acting this way as a signal because something was wrong. I needed a fix not a quick fix so Soul Sanity’s really been an idea in the making for a while and coincidently the pandemic has hit at the same time perhaps making it the perfect storm”.

Unlike other platforms, all sessions are broadcast live, with a large variety available to participate in including:

  • Mindfulness – To relax the senses, reset and unwind
  • Art for Art’s Sake – Finding new ways to express creativity
  • Mastermind – Focus on learning new skills from languages to chess
  • Kid’s Corner – Fun and educational activities to enjoy with children
  • Food Glorious Food – Connecting through the power of food
  • Musical Genius – Mood-boosting music sessions, from guitar to singing
  • Garden Life – Connecting with nature in our own back garden
  • Tender, Love & Care (TLC) – Online support from qualified psychotherapists

Anyone can join soulsanity.co.uk with a one-month free trial on offer at soulsanity.co.uk/memberships. Gift cards are also available to share with loved ones during the festive season and throughout the year.