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Babies will receive Meningitis B vaccine ‘as quickly as possible’

Vaccine to be part of Scottish childhood immunisation programme

All infants in the UK are to be offered a vaccination against meningitis B following a deal struck between the Westminster government and drug manufacturing giant GlaxoSmithKline. The agreement was also reached on behalf of the Scottish Government and Scotland’s health secretary Shona Robison said the vaccine will be offered here ‘as quickly as possible’.

The NHS will now introduce the vaccine, Bexsero, to the immunisation programme for infants. Vaccination will prevent the life-threatening strain of meningitis to all infants – around 1,200 people, mainly babies and children, get meningitis caused by the meningococcal group B bacteria each year in the UK, with around one in 10 dying from the infection.

The vaccination will be given in three doses at two, four and 12 months, with all babies in Scotland aged two months at the point of introduction being eligible. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has also advised that when the programme starts there should be a one-off, catch-up programme for babies aged three and four months of age.

Health Secretary Shona Robison said: “The Scottish Government has been consistent in its support for the introduction of the Meningitis B vaccine, Bexsero. We will now work to roll out the vaccination programme as quickly as possible.

“The Meningitis B vaccine will now form part of the routine childhood immunisation programme in Scotland, underlining our commitment to ensuring the health and wellbeing of our children.

“Meningitis B is life-threatening and can affect people of any age, but is most common in babies and young children. By offering this vaccine as part of the routine programme we will be able prevent this and save lives. This disease can be devastating for children and their families and I’m very pleased we can now take the necessary steps to tackle its effects.”

Scotland leads the world with lifesaving strategy

Strategy aims to save 1,000 lives from cardiac arrest by 2020

A new strategy has been launched which aims to save 1,000 lives from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) over the next five years. Scotland’s Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Strategy is the first such comprehensive document produced on a national scale anywhere in the world.

Maureen Watt, Minister for Public Health, introduced the strategy at the Scottish Cardiac Arrest Symposium, an international gathering of leading experts, in Edinburgh yesterday. She also confirmed that £100,000 of health consequential spending resulting from last week’s budget will be used to support delivery of the strategy and improve access to defibrillators.

The strategy sets a goal of increasing survival rates from OHCA by 10 per cent at the end of the five year strategy. This would mean around 1,000 lives being saved by 2020.

Some of the aims include:

• Equipping a further 500,000 people with CPR skills by 2020
• Improved mapping of defibrillators so that emergency call handlers can quickly direct members of the public to them
• Ensure that patients are always taken to a place with appropriate post cardiac arrest care
• To provide better support to survivors and their families and ensure that any any bystanders and others impacted by OHCA are given support after the event
• To reduce inequalities in survival
• To increase people’s confidence to attempt CPR if they witness a cardiac arrest

When a person goes into cardiac arrest their heart and breathing stops, meaning they will die in minutes. Prompt resuscitation, by CPR or if needed, a defibrillator, is essential to improve chances of survival. CPR delivered quickly can increase chances of survival threefold.

The strategy has been jointly produced by a range of stakeholders including the Scottish Government, British Heart Foundation, Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland, Scottish Ambulance Service, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Police Scotland

A key element of the strategy is for all these stakeholders to work together to improve the crucial ‘chain of survival’ from the moment of cardiac arrest, through to hospital admission and into aftercare.

Maureen Watt, Minister for Public Health, said: “Currently around one in 20 people survive cardiac arrest. We want to greatly increase that number, and that is what this strategy is all about.

“The best way to ensure that more people survive out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is to increase the number of people who have CPR skills, and crucially, to make sure they are confident enough to attempt resuscitation if the need arises.

“If we succeed in our aims, there will be 1,000 lives saved by 2020. That is an ambitious target, but it is one that we believe is achievable and well worth aiming for. I am also pleased to be able to confirm that a further £100,000 of investment to support this strategy.”

Simon Gillespie, British Heart Foundation Chief Executive, said: “Scotland has already embraced the concept of creating a nation of lifesavers, and we’re now supporting around three quarters of secondary schools in teaching their pupils vital CPR skills.

“And today, we’re delighted to see the launch of the Scottish Government’s Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest strategy. This is a real commitment to ensuring Scotland leads the way in creating a nation of lifesavers, and improving outcomes for people who suffer a cardiac arrest.”

Jim Ward, Medical Director, Scottish Ambulance Service, said: “Ambulance staff play a pivotal role in saving lives and the focus on continuously developing and improving resuscitation efforts is key to this.

“Our 3RU initiative that specifically targets cardiac arrests with the most appropriate paramedic response has increased survival rates. Our ambulance teams provide bystander CPR advice and our community resilience teams deliver a wide range of initiatives around the country, including First Responder programmes, community CPR training and provision of public access defibrillators.

“The Scottish Ambulance Service will continue to develop partnerships with allied organisations and communities, saving lives across Scotland.”

Wendy Armitage, Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland Cardiac Manager, said: “We know that there is much more to be done for people who survive cardiac arrest. Survivors often have specific needs such as social and psychological, however these needs are not being identified and addressed. Family and peer support is crucial for these patients, so the charity supports a network of affiliated heart groups across Scotland where people can speak to other people in similar circumstances.”

Fred Lippet, Professor of Emergency Medicine, Chief Executive of the Ambulance Service in Denmark, and one of the world’s leading experts in OHCA, said: “This is a fantastic strategy and, although it is stretching, I believe Scotland will achieve its goals due to the commitments made in the strategy.”

Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Strategy for Scotland can be found here:

http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/03/7484

Making transport more accessible

and there’s still time to share your views on making it better

Over 140 people, including many disabled people and their representatives, took the opportunity to have their say on making transport more accessible at a summit in Edinburgh yesterday.

The Transport Accessibility Summit, hosted by Transport Scotland, brought together interested parties, including local and central government, to discuss a range of key issues raised by disabled people.

The conference also enabled transport operators across different modes to hear the personal stories behind the issues and to share best practice.

Transport Minister Derek Mackay addressed the audience of over 60 disabled people, their support, disabled groups and transport providers to highlight the need to work together in partnership to make end to end journeys better.

He said: “Transport accessibility is important for everyone but disabled people face particular barriers. Statistics suggest that a non-disabled adult is 50 per cent more likely to make any kind of journey than a disabled adult – that is something we aim to address.

“By hosting this summit, our aim is to enable everyone involved to gain a better understanding of why so many disabled people are put off making journeys and how we can work together to make end to end journeys more accessible.

“Many of the people attending the summit support the statement – ‘nothing about us without us’ – and I will ensure that my Transport Scotland officials strive to make that happen, as well as commending this approach to transport providers in Scotland.

“Disabled people should enjoy the same rights, choice and opportunities to use travel as everyone else. I want a Scotland where disabled people know they can travel in comfort and safety and with the confidence of knowing they will be helped to complete that journey successfully and according to their needs. Today’s summit is a small but a positive step towards that vision.”

In the lead up to the summit Transport Scotland, together with Scottish Disability Equality Forum (SDEF) and other stakeholders, held a series of meetings which raised almost 50 issues for discussion including:

making journeys to and from stations much better, this includes train stations, bus stations and ferry terminals;
providing accessible toilet facilities like changing places toilets near transport hubs;
challenging hate crime on public transport and make sure disabled people know about any breakdowns or changes to travel.
offering other accessible transport or help to finish the journey;
talking to disabled people about how to change attitudes of staff.

Susan Grasekamp, Chief Executive of, SDEF said: “The high level of engagement and contribution which the early events enjoyed reinforces how vital accessible transport is to improve quality of life and independent living for disabled people in Scotland.

“The summit has been a great step towards gathering the right people around the table to effect real and positive change in accessible transport, taking into account the vast differences between rural and urban area transport issues in Scotland.

“SDEF and its members are delighted to have been part of these events and we are hopeful that the Accessible Transport Summit marks the beginning of a more collaborative, open and transparent process in the planning, design and implementation of future transport services.”

Keith Lynch, Chair of People First said: “Barriers to transport can be physical, due to inaccessible provision of information or because of the attitude and approach of society towards people with an intellectual impairment.

“People First welcome the opportunity to work with local authorities, transport providers, and other organisations to improve accessible information and also to raise public awareness of the impact and the seriousness of hate incidents and crime.”

Jenny Miller, Chief Executive PAMIS said: “We are delighted to be involved in this accessible transport summit – a real partnership venture working with Transport Scotland teams and with transport providers. We really hope that this is the beginning of a new way of working that will enable all people in Scotland to be able to access transport no matter what specific needs they have or where they live.

“People with profound and multiple learning disabilities are some of the most socially excluded people in Scotland, in order for people to travel and access the community there needs to be a network of accessible Changing Places toilets, including at transport hubs.

“Transport Scotland has supported this message with transport providers and PAMIS is already seeing the difference this is making with transport advisors contacting us to find out about how they can provide the right solution.

“We are excited to be involved in the summit and look forward to continued working partnerships as we all pledge to make Scotland’s transport accessible for all.”

People with an interest in accessible transport but who could not attend the summit can still have their say via the SDEF website – go to

http://your-say-on-disability.org.uk/survey/

A report of the summit and a plan of action will be produced later this year and will be taken forward in partnership with disabled people and transport providers.

Behave, police warn fans ahead of Easter Road clash

Police are reminding fans that a policing operation will be in place at today’s Hibernian v Rangers football match to identify anyone in possession of alcohol, fireworks or flares.

Over 15,000 spectators are expected at Easter Road for the game, which kicks off at 12.45pm. Anti-social drinking in the surrounding streets will not be tolerated and officers will be enforcing the Edinburgh by-law in this regard.

Police officers will also be assisting stewards in conducting searches outside the ground to prevent illegal or prohibited items being smuggled in, including explosive or combustible materials.

Fans from both sides are urged to ensure their behaviour during the match does not put themselves or others in danger.

Superintendent Liz McAinsh said: “This is a significant fixture and we want all supporters to enjoy the day. Police will be patrolling around the stadium with a focus on stopping anti-social street drinking and fans will be subject to searches as a condition of entry to the ground.

“Police Scotland is committed to keeping people safe and while the behaviour of the vast majority of Hibs and Rangers fans is exemplary, the reckless conduct of a small minority could place others in danger.

“Anyone found to be in possession of these items, or any other objects that are not permitted within the stadium will be refused entry and may face further police action.”

World Autism Awareness Day: 2 April

EVENTS IN EDINBURGH

Information and activities for people with autism and their supporters

World Autism Awareness Day is 2nd April 2015. One in a hundred people in the city have autism. A range of events are being planned across the city:

Giant Book Group Event: The Curious Incident Of The Dog in The Night-Time

Thursday 2 April, 6.30pm-8pm, Central Library, George IV Bridge.

To enjoy the event fully you are advised to read ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time’ beforehand so that you can participate in small group conversations prior to the panel discussion.

To book a place: www.edinburghreads.eventbrite.co.uk

For further information: libraries@edinburgh.gov.uk

Dance Back to the Future

Thursday 2 April: Electric Circus, Edinburgh, 10pm – 3am. Tickets £5

Scottish Autism are celebrating World Autism Awareness Day by dancing back to the future in this club night which will take audiences through the decades of dance from the hits of the 60s to the present day.

For further details: www.scottishautism.org/get-involved/autism-awareness-month/whats-on-in-april

PASDA at Ocean Terminal

Thursday 2 April and Friday 3 April, Ocean Terminal, 10am -5pm.

Pasda support families of adults with autism. PASDA are supporting World Autism Awareness Day by holding an information stall over two days at Ocean Terminal. Come along to find out more about Pasda, autism awareness and information about other autism services in Edinburgh and the Lothians.

For further details visit www.pasda.org.uk

Edinburgh Autism Champions

Various dates and locations across the city from 30 March – 2 April.

Edinburgh Autism Champions are celebrating World Autism Awareness Day by hosting a number of information stalls at a variety of locations across Edinburgh. Come along to find out more about autism and a range of autism specific services in Edinburgh:

Gilmerton Library, 30 March 2pm – 4pm

Moredun Library, 31 March 2pm – 4pm

Morningside Library, 1 April 2pm – 4pm

South Neighbourhood Office, 2 April 10am – 12 noon

Edinburgh University Library, 2 April 10am – 4pm

Drumbrae Hub, 2 April 10am – 2.30 pm

ASDA, Slateford 2 April 10am – 1 pm.

A is for AUTISM

April is World Autism Awareness Month and we want to get as many people talking about autism as possible which is why we are asking you to support ‘A is for Autism’.

The idea is simply to make a letter A shape, whether it’s a cake baked in the shape of an A or an A created out of your favourite things, we need you to get creative and share your A! Once you’ve completed your masterpiece text AUTT15 £2 to 70070 to make a donation and then nominate a friend to get creative. Remember to share your A pictures with us by sharing it on our Facebook page or tag us in your photo so that we know. Alternatively you can email it to

fundraising@scottishautism.org

and we will add them to our Facebook Album – the one with the most likes will win a prize!

By sharing your A picture with us you are helping to raise awareness of autism, and hopefully encourage people to take some time to really understand the condition. As an organisation we strive to improve the quality of life for individuals with autism, to enable them to lead full and enriched lives in their community. Part of this involves promoting greater public understanding. Just remember, the A you make carries an important message so get creative and join in today!

For further information visit www.scottishautism.org

Dr Owl’s eggstra-special holiday health tips

Eggstra special seasonal health advice (sorry!) …

Dr Owl – the memorable and wise character from a national health campaign – takes to the skies across Scotland again today urging people to take a few simple steps to look after their health this Easter.

Dr Owl was joined by five-year-old Freya Cowie from Dunblane and seven-year-old Jack Ozen from South Queensferry at the New Hopetoun Garden Centre to launch this year’s Be Health-Wise This Easter campaign. The campaign, which is run by NHS 24 on behalf of NHS Scotland, is reminding people that by making sure they have a supply of over the counter medicines, knowing when their GP surgery is open and checking their repeat prescriptions, they can ensure they make the most of the Easter holiday weekend.

This year many GP surgeries across Scotland will close for four days from Good Friday (3 April) to Easter Monday (6 April), before re-opening on Tuesday 7 April.

After winter, Easter is the busiest time of year for Scotland’s health services. NHS 24 Medical Director Professor George Crooks said: “Easter falls slightly earlier this year and as such, there are still many common illnesses circulating within communities. The Be Health-Wise This Easter campaign wants to remind people of the small steps they can take to ensure illness doesn’t ruin their Easter.

“Being prepared by having enough repeat medication to cover you and having some simple home remedies available can make all the difference if illness strikes. It is also important to plan ahead for any required repeat prescriptions over the Easter break, so please order and collect in good time. We would also remind people of the wide range of health information available at NHS inform.”

Although many GP surgeries will be closed at Easter, hundreds of GPs and nurses are working throughout this period supporting out of hours services across Scotland to see patients with conditions that need urgent attention over the holiday period and cannot wait until the surgeries reopen on Tuesday.

General advice and information on how to stay healthy this Easter can be found at www.nhsinform.co.uk or contact NHS inform on 0800 22 44 88.

May Days, May Days: VE Day commemoration plans announced

William Hague, Leader of the House of Commons, has announced three days of commemorations to mark the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day 70) this summer.

The plans include events across the UK to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe. Events will range from a parade, a service of thanksgiving and a star-studded concert in central London, to street parties around the UK.

Mr Hague, Leader of the House of Commons, said: “I am delighted to announce three days of celebrations, which will pay fitting tribute to those who did so much to defend this country and ensure victory in Europe.

“It is right that we take time to reflect on the sacrifices made, not just by those in the Armed Forces, but by civilians such as Land Girls and those in Reserved Occupations and make sure that the whole country has the chance to take part in commemorating this momentous anniversary and remembering those who gave so much for our freedom.”

The celebrations in London will be echoed by other events across the country to mark VE Day 70 with local authorities and communities encouraged to participate.

They will celebrate with members of their communities who contributed to the war effort throughout the Second World War. The Royal British Legion, as the national custodian of Remembrance, will act as the government’s key partner in leading the nation in marking the commemoration, including hosting a major reception for 2,000 veterans in St James’s Park.

Vice Admiral Peter Wilkinson CB CVO, National President of the Royal British Legion said: “We are honoured to play our part in helping the nation mark 70 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe. The Legion has a responsibility to help the memories of those of who have fought and died in our nation’s Armed Forces live on for future generations.

“The commemoration of this conflict, still in living memory, gives us the opportunity to salute the Second World War generation.We hope that all communities will use the VE Day 70 commemorations to thank them and celebrate the role they played in our nation’s history.”

Eric Goldrein, 94, from Hale Village, Liverpool, served with the Royal Artillery during the Second World War and was in Italy when the news came through that the war in Europe was over.

“We celebrated in a field, the Signallers set up speakers playing music and the locals came out and joined in too, happy that the war was finally over. I heard about the street parties back home and I’m looking forward to being part of these 70th Anniversary celebrations.”

Friday 8 May (VE DAY)

VE Day itself (Friday 8 May) will be a day of remembrance. A service of remembrance will be held at The Cenotaph, including a national two minute silence at 3pm, marking the moment Winston Churchill broadcast his historic speech (below) formally announcing the end of the war.

My dear friends, this is your hour. This is not victory of a party or of any class. It’s a victory of the great British nation as a whole. We were the first, in this ancient island, to draw the sword against tyranny. After a while we were left all alone against the most tremendous military power that has been seen. We were all alone for a whole year.

There we stood, alone. Did anyone want to give in? [The crowd shouted “No.”] Were we down-hearted? [“No!”] The lights went out and the bombs came down. But every man, woman and child in the country had no thought of quitting the struggle. London can take it. So we came back after long months from the jaws of death, out of the mouth of hell, while all the world wondered. When shall the reputation and faith of this generation of English men and women fail? I say that in the long years to come not only will the people of this island but of the world, wherever the bird of freedom chirps in human hearts, look back to what we’ve done and they will say “do not despair, do not yield to violence and tyranny, march straightforward and die if need be-unconquered.” Now we have emerged from one deadly struggle – a terrible foe has been cast on the ground and awaits our judgment and our mercy.

But there is another foe who occupies large portions of the British Empire, a foe stained with cruelty and greed-the Japanese. I rejoice we can all take a night off today and another day tomorrow. Tomorrow our great Russian allies will also be celebrating victory and after that we must begin the task of rebuilding our hearth and homes, doing our utmost to make this country a land in which all have a chance, in which all have a duty, and we must turn ourselves to fulfill our duty to our own countrymen, and to our gallant allies of the United States who were so foully and treacherously attacked by Japan.

We will go hand and hand with them. Even if it is a hard struggle we will not be the ones who will fail.

The Department for Education will be encouraging schools across the country to observe the 2 minute silence and to celebrate and commemorate in their own way – for example, by reading out Churchill’s historic speech, holding special VE Day-themed assemblies or organising tea parties.

In the evening a chain of over 100 beacons will be lit across the UK. Local communities that have already made plans for the day include Great Yarmouth, Island of Unst, Craig-Y-Dorth, Monmouthshire; Stokesby, Norfolk; and Lowestoft, Suffolk.

Saturday 9 May

Saturday 9 May will be a day of celebration. At around 11am, cathedrals across the country, from Durham to Canterbury, will be invited to ring their bells in celebration.

Festivities will peak with a star-studded 1940s themed concert held on Horse Guards Parade on Saturday night, featuring a line-up of international recording artists, stars and celebrities. The show will be one of the highlights of the year and will be broadcast that evening on BBC One.

Sunday 10 May

A service of thanksgiving will be held at Westminster Abbey, attended by veterans and their families, members of the Royal Family, representatives of allied nations and Commonwealth countries who fought alongside Britain in the conflict, along with other diplomatic representatives and senior members of government and the armed forces.

Following the service, there will be a parade of current personnel and veterans, supported by bands, from the Abbey along Whitehall, past the balcony of HM Treasury where Winston Churchill made his historic appearance before crowds on VE Day. Veterans who have taken part in the service and parade will then be invited to a reception in St James’s Park hosted by The Royal British Legion.

During the afternoon there will be a flypast of current and historic aircraft from the Royal Air Force – including the Hurricane, Spitfire and Lancaster of the famous Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, which played such a famous role in the European War. The Spitfire, with its unmistakable design, won the admiration of many for its daring role in the Battle of Britain, engaging in dogfights in the sky against enemy aircraft in the defence of the nation. The Avro Lancaster is perhaps the most famous of the aircraft used by Bomber Command during the Second World War, used in many raids on enemy territory, including the famous Dambuster Raids on the Ruhr Valley.

Central London will also be transported back to the 1940s by a display of period vehicles from the 1940s in St James’s Park.

Further details on the commemorations, including event listings, are available at https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/ve-day-70th-anniversary.

Information on how veterans will be able to join in the London celebrations, including how to get involved in the lighting of the VE Day Beacons on 8 May and participating in the parade on 10 May, will be announced shortly.

Lazarowicz: ‘Government must listen to people’s call for action’

North & Leith MP supports Earth Hour

Mark Lazarowicz, MP for Edinburgh North and Leith, has signed up to support this year’s WWF Earth Hour when millions of people around the world come together to switch off their lights for one hour in a symbolic act of support for action to tackle climate change.

Earth Hour takes place on Saturday 28 March from 8:30 – 9.30pm. You can find more information at www.earthhour.wwf.org.uk/

As part of this year’s Earth Hour, the North & Leith MP pledged to back protection of the world’s forests at a WWF reception in Parliament this week through support for a responsible trade in sustainably-sourced forest products.

Mark Lazarowicz said: “Earth Hour is a clear demonstration of people’s concern around the world about climate change and I am really pleased to see that Edinburgh will be taking part again with the lights at Edinburgh Castle, the Scottish Parliament, the Scott Monument, and Forth Rail Bridge all going out.

“Economic growth can make a real difference to the lives of people around the world but it must be sustainable: that’s why I want to see action on deforestation with businesses and governments making a commitment to responsible trade in wood and paper.

“The world has lost nearly half its forests, and already global demand for wood for timber, paper and fuel is set to triple by 2050.

“The UK is the fifth-largest importer of timber and wood-based products in the world so what we do makes a difference and Government must listen to people’s call for action at Earth Hour.”

Mark Lazarowicz is a member of the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) which produced a report in December on agreeing ambitious goals for sustainable development which you can find here. The EAC also produced a report on climate change adaptation which you can find here.

Keir: control of APD ‘a gamechanger’ for Scotland

Edinburgh Western MSP Colin Keir has welcomed comments by a senior airlines executive that Air Passenger Duty (APD) is having an adverse effect on trade.

Following comments by David Thomas, a regional director of American Airlines, that Air Passenger Duty is ‘stifling demand’ on flights between Scotland and the United States, Colin Keir, Edinburgh Airport’s MSP, said: “Mr Thomas’s comments are most welcome and further validate our position that the Scottish Government must have control over Air Passenger Duty.

“As Edinburgh Airport’s recent report showed, reducing APD in Scotland by 50% will initially support 800 new jobs and create millions for the economy, is most welcome and must be taken seriously by the UK Government.

“The tourism tax, that is particularly damaging to Scottish airports, should be cut at once. Devolution of APD would be a game changer for Scottish airports.

“The Scottish Government has committed to cutting Air Passenger Duty once it is devolved and that responsibility cannot come soon enough for passengers and Scotland’s airports. Only a strong team of SNP MPs elected on May 7 will ensure Scotland gains the powers it has been promised – including APD – to create jobs and build a more prosperous and fairer country.”