People with dementia at increasing risk of accidental poisonings at home  

  • Accidental poisonings (excluding narcotics and hallucinogens) have soared by 63% in a decade, with 5,770 deaths in 2024.* 
  • Older adults are at highest risk — people aged 65+ are more than twice as likely to die from a poisoning of this type as the general population. 
  • Hospitals in England saw 17,252 non-narcotic and hallucinogen poisoning‑related admissions last year, including nearly 5,000 older adults, who were 55% more likely to require hospital care. 

Accidental poisoning is fast becoming a hidden home‑safety crisis, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has warned, as new figures show 5,770 people died from accidental poisonings in 2024, a 63 per cent increase in just ten years.  

Older adults are bearing the brunt: 2,371 lives lost were among people aged 65+, making them more than twice as likely to die from a poisoning as the general population. To tackle this, RoSPA has published  new guidance, highlighting how people living with dementia are among those at particular risk.  

The surge isn’t only seen in fatalities. Hospitals in England recorded 17,252 poisoning‑related admissions last year — almost 5,000 involving older adults, who were 55% more likely to require urgent care. 

The charity’s guidelines help households protect vulnerable loved ones and include simple steps to prevent dangerous chemicals from being mistaken for everyday items. Many products in the home can be opened and swallowed in moments, especially when confusion, memory loss or impaired visual recognition makes hazardous substances look harmless.  

These cognitive changes can turn ordinary domestic spaces into high risk environments, with the sharp rise in poisoning incidents tragic evidence that too many preventable emergencies are happening in homes across the UK, often without families realising how quickly a situation can escalate. 

Rebecca Guy, Senior Policy Manager, said: “Families with vulnerable relatives can often deal with genuinely frightening moments. Turning away for just a few seconds and realising someone has swallowed a cleaning product is sadly a reality that some of the public have experienced. 

“These aren’t freak accidents. They are predictable, preventable events, and our new guidance is designed to help people act fast to make their homes safer.” 

What you can do RIGHT NOW now to lower the risk  

  • Lock away cleaning and laundry products: high cupboards or secured storage only. 
  • Keep medicines tightly controlled: use organisers, track doses and store out of sight. 
  • Check packaging: ensure harmful products stay in their original containers. 
  • Remove confusion triggers: keep look-alike bottles (e.g., bright drinks and cleaning fluids) apart. 
  • Supervise more closely when unfamiliar items, visitors or new products are around. 
  • Conduct weekly hazard sweeps of kitchens, bathrooms and utility areas. 

Paul Edwards, Chief Nursing Officer at Dementia UK, said: “Laundry and cleaning products are often easily accessible in our homes, and many have brightly coloured packaging which can cause confusion for people with dementia, who may mistake them for other, edible items.

“One of the challenges of supporting someone with dementia is balancing the risk between an individuals’ autonomy against their safety.   

“It is impossible to eliminate risk completely, but these guidelines offer simple steps people can take to reduce the chance of these accidents happening, and provide a helpful checklist for both professional care environments and in the home.”  

Alzheimer’s Society Senior Knowledge Officer, Simon Wheeler, said: “Staying safe is important for people with dementia who want to keep living at home for as long as possible, as well as for those who support them.    

“As a person’s dementia progresses, they might have trouble telling the difference between something that’s safe to eat and something that isn’t.    

“If you want to reduce the risk of accidents, make sure that you store your cleaning products like laundry detergents safely in a cupboard and out of sight. 

“Don’t leave them out on a worktop or near any food or drinks, especially if they might be mistaken for sweets or drinks.”

RoSPA’s latest advice underscores a growing national concern: without simple protective steps, vulnerable people are at real and immediate risk inside their own homes. 

checklist-poisoning-prevention-for-people-with-dementiaDownload

Herstory Tour relaunches for International Women’s Day

The Real Mary King’s Close is celebrating International Women’s Day with a specially curated Herstory Tour. The underground experience invites visitors to journey underneath The Royal Mile and learn all about the incredible lives of the women who once lived and worked on the now hidden streets of Edinburgh. 

The one-hour tour will include fascinating revelations about some of the most famous women in Scottish history. The tour is guided by a former resident of The Close, including Janet Chesney, a member of the last family to leave the historic street behind.

Guests will even get to meet Mary King herself and find out how she obtained voting rights nearly 300 years ahead of her time. They will also hear how revolutionary thinkers like Sophia-Jex Blake and the other medical students who formed the Edinburgh Seven pioneered gender equality.  

The Herstory Tour shares stories of the women who faced suppression and persecution over the centuries but also of how Auld Reekie’s most influential women shaped the city’s history and impacted our lives today.  

Mary King’s Close is known for having been “a haven for independent women” with 45% of properties having a female head of the household.

The Close is the perfect place to celebrate International Women’s Day, learning about the achievements of the women of the Close.

Paul Nixon, General Manager at The Real Mary King’s Close, said: “Telling stories of the past, shining a light on Edinburgh’s history and those who came before us are things we are extremely passionate about.

“We are delighted to be sharing the less popular stories of some of the remarkable women who once occupied the Close.

“We can’t wait to welcome everyone on the Herstory Tour and explore a hidden world together.”

Tours will run on Sunday March 8th at 1400 and 1600.

Prices are £30 per adult / £24 per child (5 to 15yo – no under 5 allowed). 

For more information and bookings please visit: www.realmarykingsclose.com

The future is calling!

150 years since the first phone call was made, the lines are about to go silent

Exactly 150 years since the first telephone call was made by the Scottish innovator, Alexander Graham Bell, one West Lothian telecommunications company is urging people to future-proof their phone systems before the lines go quiet forever.  

Born in Edinburgh, the revered inventor, scientist and engineer Alexander Graham Bell was granted a patent for “transmitting vocal or other sounds telegraphically” on 7th March 1876, and three days later on 10th March, he made the first ever telephone call to his assistant Thomas Watson.

This landmark moment in history transformed the way we communicate, replacing slow, written correspondence with instant, real-time conversations. 

But as our communication needs have continued to evolve, the traditional phone system is no longer able to keep pace. And so in January 2027, BT Openreach will shut down the Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN), the technology behind analogue landline phones. 

Commenting on the PSTN switch-off, Workflo Solutions’ managing director Michael Field said; “This change has been deemed necessary because the network of traditional copper lines is no longer equipped to handle the demands of today’s advanced digital world.

“Bandwidth limitations restrict its ability to support features such as video conferencing and data sharing – crucial tools for modern businesses. And maintaining this ageing infrastructure has become increasingly expensive and impractical.”

Any equipment that currently uses the PSTN will stop working in January 2027. From phonelines to security alarms, door entry systems to CCTV, any technology that relies on the old copper lines will be affected.

And so to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the very first phone call, the telecommunications experts at Workflo Solutions are urging people to move to a single, digital Internet Protocol (IP) network that primarily uses full-fibre connections.

Described by Workflo Solutions as the next generation of business communication, IP leverages the power and flexibility of the internet to deliver voice, data and video services over a single, high-speed fibre optic network. This shift to IP signifies a major technological leap forward in terms of speed, reliability and functionality.

Speaking ahead of the150th anniversary of the first phone call, Michael Field said; “That iconic dial tone, the audio signal that once indicated when the exchange was ready for a number, is set to go silent in just a matter of months. So it is imperative that businesses act now to avoid disruption as the UK moves to a fully digital telecommunications system.

“The 150thanniversary of the first telephone call serves as an important reminder of just how reliant we have become on instant, uninterrupted communications. The future is calling, but if you’re unsure what you need to do to keep up with these technological developments, don’t worry.

“Workflo Solutions is offering free assessments to help guide businesses through this important transition to ensure the changeover is as seamless as possible.”

Businesses can book their free PSTN switch-off readiness audit at www.workflo-solutions.co.uk/pstn-switch-off-readiness-audit.

Sarah Boyack hosts Holyrood roundtable for Tourette’s families

Sarah Boyack hosted families of children with Tourette’s in Holyrood on Thursday to meet with a Minister and Scottish Government officials.

The roundtable, which was co-organised with Tourette’s Scotland allowed families to raise the lack of support facing their children in Scotland’s education system.

Natalie Don-Innes attended the meeting in her capacity as Minister for Children and Young People, alongside the Unit Head for Additional Support for Learning and the Promise.

Every parent agreed that many issues stemmed from the lack of training for teachers and school staff.

Many attendants highlighted that their children had been punished due to their involuntary tics because of a lack of understanding of Tourette’s.

Tourette’s Scotland offers training for schools and creates bespoke profiles for each child with Tourette’s for their new school to utilise but both the training and reading of the reports are optional.

One participant revealed that their child was told they weren’t allowed to do one of their tics in the classroom and would have to go to the bathroom to do it, despite tics being involuntary.

Another highlighted that despite having a horrible time in school, their daughter was now thriving in university and getting far better support for her Tourette’s.

The Minister, along with the Scottish Government official, agreed to liaise further with Tourette’s Scotland to examine these issues.

The roundtable came after awareness of Tourette’s has skyrocketed due to the success of “I Swear”.

Ms Boyack also hosted a Holyrood debate about Tourette’s at the start of the year where she highlighted the challenges facing kids in the education system with the condition.

Speaking after the roundtable, Sarah Boyack said: “I was honoured to host this roundtable and give parents the opportunities to tell their stories to the Minister.

“I was deeply moved by the stories I heard of children suffering due to a lack of understanding from those in the education system and the stress it has caused their parents.

“It is obvious that with a greater understanding and robust training, the education system can be a place for those with Tourette’s to thrive in rather than a challenge they have to manage.

“I hope that the next parliament picks up the baton on this issue and ensures increased support for Tourette’s is a priority.”

Tourette’s Scotland commented: “We were delighted to have the opportunity for our families to share their stories directly with the minister for children and young people.

“Our families felt heard and that it was a productive meeting with lots of ideas on how to progress with awareness and understanding.”

You can find more out about Tourette’s Scotland and their work here:

https://www.tourettescotland.org/

Edinburgh commuters inspired for mental health check-in by new Haymarket installation

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT TEAMS UP WITH BLACK SCOTTISH ADVENTURERS FOUNDER TO HIGHLIGHT MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF THE OUTDOORS 

The Scottish Government has announced a new collaboration with Joshua Adeyemi, founder of Black Scottish Adventurers.  

The partnership comes as part of the nationwide Mind to Mind campaign which aims to help normalise conversations about mental health and share practical strategies for coping with life’s pressures. 

The campaign sees a striking new sign installed at Edinburgh’s Haymarket Station featuring Josh’s words: “Out here, you’re enough”, intended to share a note of support that reflects the spirit of the Black Scottish Adventurers community and to spark conversations about mental wellbeing.  

Research from See Me, Scotland’s programme to end mental health stigma and discrimination, explains that more than a quarter of people in Scotland believe it’s easier to avoid discussing mental health than risk an awkward conversation. One in five say fear of judgment stops them from speaking openly. 

The Mind to Mind platform offers free, accessible guidance covering topics such as anxiety, grief, stress, loneliness, and financial worries. Visitors can explore personal stories, expert insights, and links to further help – all designed to be used at a pace that suits them. 

Reflecting on the collaboration, Josh said: “Finding a community of like-minded individuals where I can talk about life struggles and be my authentic self has been so important on my journey towards understanding how to look after my mental wellbeing.

“The message says exactly what I hope people feel: Whilst being outdoors can’t fix everything, spending time amongst friendly faces, surrounded by Scotland’s awe-inspiring scenery is powerful, and I’ve seen how it helps lift people’s spirits to keep moving forward.

“Working with Mind to Mind has been brilliant as they offer so many resources available to everyone to help navigate the tougher moments in life.”

Josh noted that placing the sign in Edinburgh holds deep personal meaning as this is where Black Scottish Adventurers originated and where he currently lives. He hopes it inspires people to see nature as restorative and stresses that enjoying the outdoors can be as simple as listening to the birds in the park. In collaboration with Mind to Mind, Josh encourages others to access the website to discover the mental health support available.  

Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing, Tom Arthur MSP, said: “Mind to Mind is dedicated to ensuring that everyone in Scotland can access mental health strategies and support tailored to their needs.

“Josh’s commitment to inclusive outdoor experiences brings a fresh perspective to the campaign, helping to engage communities and encourage open conversations about mental health.

“Together with Mind to Mind, these efforts aim to empower individuals to take meaningful steps toward wellbeing.”

If you’re going through a difficult time, you are not alone.

Visit  www.nhsinform.scot/mind-to-mind to hear from others and find support in a way that works for you. 

‘Heartbreaking’: Almost 900 excess deaths from long A&E waits as state of Scotland’s hospital system laid bare

Responding to analysis from the Scottish Liberal Democrats, which suggested that there were 871 deaths in Emergency Departments (EDs) associated with a 12 or more hour wait for admission, Dr Fiona Hunter, Royal College of Emergency Medicine Vice President for Scotland, said: “These harrowing figures show that something must change in the approach to fixing the crisis in our EDs.  

“Heartbreaking doesn’t cover it. Each of these 871 people may have had families and friends who would have had to face the devastating reality that their loved one died not because they were too sick to treat, but because our hospitals don’t have the capacity to look after them properly.  

“Patients enduring these long waits are often the sickest or most injured, in need of further care on a ward. But a lack of beds, driven in large part by delayed discharges, meant they had to wait in A&E – and this can go on for hours and hours.  

“Almost 900 people may have paid the ultimate price for this complete breakdown in hospital flow. 

“Last year, RCEM published figures for 2024, which suggested there were 818 excess deaths associated with 12 hour waits in EDs. Today’s figures suggest that the problem is getting worse, not better.  

“Whoever forms the next government cannot ignore this problem. The numbers speak for themselves: more people will die, who otherwise would go home to their families, if overcrowding and long waits in ED aren’t fixed. 

“Addressing the ‘back door’ blockage of hospitals must be a priority for all political parties. Only then will the needless and agonising waits, and the avoidable deaths they cause, stop.  

“These are fixable issues and we encourage all political parties to make this a priority. Lives are at stake.”  

Edinburgh’s People’s Postcode Lottery players help school feeding charity hit £7 million milestone

Thanks to players, 478,968 children now receive nutritious meals through Mary’s Meals

Generous players of People’s Postcode Lottery in Edinburgh have helped raise more than £7 million for international school feeding charity Mary’s Meals, supporting its transformational work to encourage hungry children into the classroom and help them build a brighter future through education.

Founded in a shed in the Scottish Highlands, Mary’s Meals serves daily school meals to more than three million children in some of the world’s poorest communities. The charity’s school feeding programme provides nutritious daily meals that attract children into the classroom, where education becomes a pathway out of poverty.

The decade-long partnership between People’s Postcode Lottery and Mary’s Meals has achieved remarkable success. Thanks to players, 478,968 children now receive nutritious meals every school day, with more than 39 million meals served to date in 16 countries around the world through this support.

Laura Chow, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, says: “It’s fantastic to know that for a decade our players have supported the essential work of Mary’s Meals – and have now raised an incredible £7 million to help children across the globe access nutritious meals.

“This funding helps children in some of the most underserved communities go to school well fed, ready to learn and full of hope for a brighter future.”

During the first seven years of the partnership, funding from People’s Postcode Lottery players played a key role in supporting Mary’s Meals’ work including Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Zambia, Madagascar, Ethiopia and South Sudan, as well as strengthening the organisation through key organisational development projects.

More recently, funding has been provided on an unrestricted basis, enabling Mary’s Meals to direct resources where they are needed most across all 16 countries where it operates.

The school feeding programme addresses a variety of challenges, including educational barriers and gender inequality. Girls account for 50% of the children benefiting from Mary’s Meals, yet with 119 million girls still out of school worldwide, ensuring access to education remains a vital step in breaking the cycle of poverty.

For 12-year-old Efigénia who attends Tindzawene Primary School in Mozambique, the promise of a daily school meal is a source of hope in challenging times. She says: “With school meals, I feel good because even with a lack of food at home, here at school I have a meal and I can study.”

Over the past ten years, players from Edinburgh have helped support significant milestones in the Mary’s Meals journey, from feeding one million children in 2015, to the expansion of school feeding programmes in Tigray, Ethiopia and Syria in 2017, and the launch of a new programme in Mozambique in 2024.

At the end of last year, Mary’s Meals reached a major milestone, now serving daily school meals to more than three million children worldwide. This achievement was driven by programme expansions in the first half of 2025, which saw 462,000 additional children across Ethiopia, Haiti, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, South Sudan, Zambia and Zimbabwe benefit from the school feeding programme.

Such progress would not have been possible without the vital support of People’s Postcode Lottery players, whose contributions continue to fuel the charity’s growth.

Gemma Love, Philanthropy and Institutional Partnerships Manager, says: “We are incredibly grateful to People’s Postcode Lottery players in Edinburgh, whose ongoing support is helping us reach more children than ever before with a daily school meal that encourages learning, brings hope and changes lives.

“Seeing the difference this support makes for children and communities inspires us to keep going and to reach even more children in the years ahead.”

To find out more about the work of Mary’s Meals and ways to get involved, please visit marysmeals.org.uk.

Easter ski bookings surge 76% as search interest hits five-year high

Fly from Edinburgh Airport for under £500pp

With the Easter school holidays falling two weeks earlier this year and recent heavy snowfall across the Alps, 2026 is shaping up to be a bumper year for Easter ski trips. Current Google Trends and booking data reveal a dramatic spike in demand.

The latest figures from Heidi, the UK’s second-largest ski holiday operator, show Easter ski bookings have jumped 76% year-on-year, which reflects a surge in online UK search interest. 

According to current Google Trends data (captured on 23 February 2026*), UK search interest for “easter skiing” is up 144% year-on-year,and has more than tripled for “spring skiing”, which is up 335%. Both terms have reached their highest level in five years, highlighting growing interest in late-season ski breaks:

Italy benefiting from Winter Olympics spotlight

Heidi also reports a shift in Easter destination trends this year, with Italian resorts gaining ground on French favourites – likely a halo effect from the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, which has showcased the Dolomites and other Italian ski areas to UK audiences.

Last Easter, Heidi’s top-selling resorts were largely French favourites, including Avoriaz, Flaine, Val Thorens, and La Plagne. This year, several Italian resorts – including Sauze d’Oulx, Sestriere, and Selva di Val Gardena – have moved into the top sellers list, alongside Kirchberg in Austria.

While classic high-altitude Alpine resorts have traditionally been the safest bet for late-season skiing, recent heavy snowfall has broadened the range of viable destinations, appealing to families and budget-conscious skiers.

Why Easter skiing is growing in popularity

Easter offers several advantages over the February half-term peak, making it ideal for families and beginners:

  • Quieter slopes and shorter lift queues
  • Longer daylight hours
  • Milder, sunnier weather
  • Better-value prices

Marcus Blunt, Co-founder at Heidi, comments: “With the Easter holidays falling earlier this year and exceptional recent snowfall across the Alps, we’re set for a strong spring ski season ahead.

“The surge in Easter bookings reflects this, and there’s increased demand for Italian resorts compared to last year – likely a halo effect from the Winter Olympics spotlight.” 

Top Easter family ski deals under £500pp

With five weeks left to book and Heidi’s late-season sale underway, there are great deals available, whether you’re after a full week or a short break:

Font-Romeu (Pyrenees), France – 7 nights – £390pp – Includes 7 nights’ self-catering at Résidence Pierre & Vacances Le Pédrou, return Edinburgh – Barcelona flights, and private airport transfers. Departing Monday 30 March 2026

Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy – 5 nights – £469pp – Includes 3 nights’ B&B Hotel Alaska Cortina, return Edinburgh – Venice flights, and airport transfers. Departing Tues 31 March 2026

Flaine, France – 4 nights – £431pp – Includes 4 nights’ self-catering at Résidence Pierre & Vacances La Forêt, return Edinburgh – Geneva flights, and airport transfers. Departing Weds 8 April 2026

Seefeld, Austria – 4 nights – £490pp – Includes 4 nights’ self-catering at Apartment Torri di Seefeld,return Edinburgh – Munich/Innsbruck -Edinburgh flights, and airport transfers. Departing Weds 1 April 2026

La Plagne, France – 3 nights – £423pp – Includes 3 nights’ self-catering at Maeva Particuliers Residence Les Constellations, return Edinburgh – Geneva flights, and airport transfers. Departing Monday 30 March 2026

Dobbies invites local schools, charities and community groups to get involved in gardening initiative

Applications now open for Dobbies Community Gardens

Dobbies’ Edinburgh store is inviting local schools, charities and community groups to apply for this year’s Dobbies Community Gardens, giving successful groups the opportunity to receive support to help bring green spaces to life across the country. 

In 2025, each of Dobbies 53 stores selected a winner from over 600 entries to receive support, supplies and advice through the community initiative. Dobbies’ Edinburgh is committed to giving back to the community on both a national and local level and is passionate about encouraging the nation to discover and share a love for gardens. 

Dobbies Community Gardens will support its local communities by providing essential tools, plants and expert knowledge from colleagues to groups, to bring their green spaces to life. Dobbies’ Edinburgh store colleagues will also provide dedicated time to each project through volunteer hours. 

The community gardens initiative nurtures wellbeing, connections and inclusion to help inspire local residents to spend more time in nature. 

Dobbies’ Edinburgh store is looking to hear from local groups hoping to start, restore or upgrade their indoor or outdoor green spaces, and learn more about what they would do with the support. 

Dobbies’ Plant Buyer, Nigel Lawton, is encouraging groups across the country to apply. He said: “Every year we look forward to hearing from the variety of inspiring groups about what they are looking to their garden spaces, with our support.

 “We encourage local communities and groups within 20 miles of their local Dobbies store to apply to help create their perfect shared garden spaces that will bring joy to the community all year long.

“Whether they are a charity looking to upgrade their green space, a local group looking to bring the community together with a new project, or a school with plans to restore a vegetable patch, we want to hear from anyone who has a garden project that we could support.”

Craig Allardyce, Secretary of Your North Muirton, helped transform an area of land into a community garden with more than 30 raised beds with help from Dobbies.

Craig said: “Our new space supports a wide range of local involvement from individuals renting a low-cost raised bed to grow their own food, to schools and community groups using the area for hands-on learning and shared planting.

“Dobbies Community Gardens is a fantastic initiative to help bring local communities together and we would encourage groups looking for help with a garden project to apply.”

Applications are now open and close at 5pm on 31 March 2026.

Those entering must be within 20 miles of Dobbies’ Edinburgh store. Successful projects will be invited along to their local store for a consultation before getting recommendations from Dobbies’ colleagues about what products and tools will help bring the space to life. 

To find out more information about Dobbies Community Gardens and to fill out an application form, visit Dobbies Community Gardens | Dobbies Garden Centres

Dentists to spell out the facts in private care investigation

The British Dental Association has stressed it will work to ensure the Competition and Markets Authority understand the complex realities of delivering private dentistry.

While launching off the back of requests from the UK Chancellor, the investigation will operate on a four-nation basis.

Official data indicates over 6m adults in England simply prefer private dentistry to NHS care. Thousands of dentists meet this patient need, providing treatment options in mixed NHS-private practices, as well as offering cosmetic dental procedures that are not available on the NHS.

BDA analysis of the dental market indicates that the majority of spending within NHS practices is on private work.

Typical NHS contract holders in England are now delivering items of NHS care at a loss and are reliant on a cross subsidy of over £400 million a year from private activity to break even.

The UK Government has yet to show any sign it is willing to plug the funding gap. Across all four UK nations this funding gap is inevitably putting some pressure on private pricing.

The BDA has criticised the UK Government for falsely claiming it will put money back into voters’ pockets through this investigation.  

It maintains that while high quality and cost-effective private care remains a preferred option for millions, and Government has a responsibility to properly fund NHS care to prevent people being forced into private treatment.

BDA Chair Eddie Crouch said: “The UK Government is attempting to use this inquiry to pretend it is improving access and putting money back into voters’ pockets without spending a penny. 

“We intend to spell out the facts. We will help to show the CMA how private dentistry works. 

“These are services delivering high-quality, cost-effective care that millions of families really value.  

“Those left without options, who have felt forced to go private, are there entirely because of choices made by Government’s across the UK.”