Bridgerton and Emmerdale star Simon Lennon has become the 3,000th person to pledge their support to this year’s Walk for Autism campaign, which kicks off next week.
The Scouser will join participants from up and down the country to take part in the event, which is in its fifth year, with Autism Initiatives hoping it will be the biggest one yet, with more than £200,000 in sponsorship being raised so far.
Those involved will walk 10,000 steps per day for eight days from March 26 up until World Autism Acceptance Day on April 2 to raise funds that go towards providing vital support and community projects for autistic people and their loved ones.
Last year, the campaign collectively saw an impressive 194 million steps walked and raised more than £621,000, making it the most successful year to date.
Simon said: “I’m so happy to be involved in Walk for Autism again – it’s a really fantastic initiative that not only provides essential funds for projects but also promotes autism acceptance and understanding more widely.”
Walkers can sign up on the charity’s website and begin their fundraising straight away, with Walk for Autism providing helpful tips on some fun and varied ways to raise money.
Head of Enterprise at Autism Initiatives Jon Gordon said: “We are delighted to reach 3,000 signups for our fifth annual Walk for Autism campaign and would like to thank everyone – including Simon – for doing their bit.
“Every year continues to show us just how amazing people are and how willing they are to support others; despite how tough the last few years has been for everyone.
“Passing these milestones is really important, as the money that is raised funds innovative specialist autism projects across the UK and Ireland.”
Autism affects more than 700,000 people in the UK and Ireland each year. Walk for Autism is a campaign led by charity Autism Initiatives Group who have been working to improve the lives of autistic people and their families since 1972.
Gordon MacdonaldMSP has backed national No Smoking Day by urging Edinburgh residents to consider giving up smoking to improve both mental and physical health.
The MSP is supporting a campaign led by health charity, ASH Scotland, which is encouraging people to ‘Quit Your Way’ in ways which work best for individual circumstances by seeking advice and support from stop smoking services, community pharmacies or the national Quit Your Way Scotland service run by NHS 24.
Although smoking rates in NHS Lothian health board area dropped to 18 per cent in 2018, more progress is required if the Scottish Government’s ambitious target of reducing the rate to five per cent or less by 2034 is to be met.
Gordon MacdonaldMSP said: “I am pleased to be supporting ASH Scotland’s No Smoking Day campaign and urge my constituents in Edinburgh Pentlands who smoke to reach out to stop smoking services and community pharmacies who provide free support and can help develop a personalised quit plan.
“I encourage people to try quitting again, if a previous attempt did not work. ASH Scotland advises me that some people find giving up cigarettes or tobacco easier than they had thought but, for others, it can take a number of attempts. It is worth giving quitting smoking another go for the benefits to both mental and physical health.”
Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland, said: “We are delighted to have Gordon Macdonald MSP’s support for our No Smoking Day campaign encouraging herconstituents in Edinburgh Pentlands.
“Nicotine is highly addictive but, with the right support to meet individual needs, quitting smoking your way can quickly improve mental health and, within a year of stopping, the risk of coronary heart disease reduces by half compared to someone who smokes.”
Anyone in Lothian who has the goal of giving up smoking can get in touch with Lothian’s Quit Your Way team on Facebook or phone the Quit Your Way Scotland’s national helpline on 0800 848484. More information is also available at www.quityourway.scot.
Edinburgh Women’s Aid’s, (EWA), has launched its first International Women’s Day campaign, running from the 8th – 15th March, to help raise funds for its Work 4 Women, (W4W), programme which provides survivors of domestic abuse with employability skills, with all funds raised doubled by the online match funding platform, The Big Give.
Women who have experienced domestic abuse often have specific challenges to employability. They may have been kept from developing skills by their perpetrator, their confidence may have been impacted by the abuse and their path back to work may be consistently interrupted by homelessness, legal complications or continued abuse.
In partnership with Shakti Women’s Aid, EWA provides employability support through its W4W programme that focusses on the needs of women who have survived domestic abuse to help increase their self-esteem, give them financial independence and rebuild their lives free from abuse.
The programme covers areas including CV writing, mock interviews, job search help, personal development workshops, peer support groups and through links with various businesses, provides opportunities to job shadow and internships.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme is Break The Bias. The aim is to celebrate women’s achievements, raise awareness against bias and take action for equality, which ties in with the W4W programme.
The EWA International Women’s Day campaign is designed to appeal to people to help raise funds which will enable the charity to continue running the employability programme and help more survivors of domestic abuse find work.
The Big Give, which is an online match funding platform, has confirmed it will double all funds raised throughout the campaign. For more information and to donate from the 8th – 15th March check out Empowerment through Employment (thebiggive.org.uk)
Linda Rodgers, CEO at Edinburgh Women’s Aid, said: “Our employability programme, W4W, is one of the essential services we provide for women who have experienced domestic abuse.
“It provides practical and emotional skills that can help increase their ability to attain employment and help alleviate social deprivation and make a lasting difference to their life chances and also their children’s, which is why we are appealing to people to help us raise funds so that we can continue to empower women through employment.
“We are delighted that The Big Give has guaranteed they will double all the funds we raise which will help us even more to double our impact in W4W programme.”
Cats Protection is urging the Scottish Government to do more to ensure people who rent their own homes can benefit from owning a pet cat.
The charity says that the widespread use of blanket ‘no pets’ policies is unfair and outdated, and that an overhaul of how pets are viewed in the rented sector is urgently needed.
Cats Protection’s Advocacy & Government Relations Officer for Scotland Alice Palombo said: “The pandemic has really highlighted just how important pets are in our lives – whether it’s providing companionship to people living alone, comfort for those with ongoing health conditions or simply a fun and much-loved part of family life.
“Yet as the law stands, it can be impossible for people who rent their home to own a cat. It cannot be right that pet ownership is largely reserved for those people who own their own home.”
Research from Cats Protection’s Cats and Their Stats Scotland report, published in 2021, shows just how important cats are to people who are able to own them – with 94% of owners in Scotland saying their cat is part of the family and 91% saying their cats bring them joy.
The Scottish Government is currently consulting on proposals to allow tenants to keep pets in rented housing, and Cats Protection is asking its supporters to back the proposals.
Alice said: “This consultation is a big step in the right direction and we’re urging the Scottish Government to continue this momentum. Scotland is a nation of animal lovers and it’s only right that everyone should have the chance to own a cat if they wish.”
Mum-of-two Stephanie Wood, of Balornock, Glasgow, is backing the charity’s campaign after she was forced to give up the family’s much-loved cat Whoopie when she struggled to find a new pet-friendly home.
The heart-breaking decision, just before the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, came at a particularly stressful time for Stephanie, who works as a clinical healthcare assistant in two NHS hospitals. It meant her daughters – then aged six and one – faced lockdown without their beloved cat and denied Stephanie the comforting and calming presence of a pet.
Stephanie explained: “Our landlord decided to sell the property we were renting, and I found myself in the position of having four weeks to find a new home. I was aware the lockdown was on the horizon, so it felt like a real panic to find somewhere. When I did find a suitable home, the landlord said she’d only consider a pet once we’d been there for six months.
“It seemed like an impossible situation and we had no choice but to give Whoopie up to Cats Protection. It was heart-breaking – me and the girls are still very upset about it. Whoopie was part of our family, she was fun, affectionate and a big part of our lives. She used to sleep snuggled up to my eldest daughter and she had a really calming effect on us all.
“Working for the NHS during the pandemic was incredibly difficult at times, and I often thought how lovely it would have been to come home to Whoopie, but sadly that was not possible. It just feels incredibly unfair that families like mine are denied such a simple pleasure of owning a pet cat.”
You can support cat owning tenants by using Cats Protection’s simple online form – it takes only a couple of minutes to complete.
New Better Health campaign launches today to help families eat better, with new NHS Food Scanner App feature offering healthier alternatives
Former ‘Girls Aloud’ member Nadine Coyle, dietician Dr Linia Patel and a Netmums family test the app in a new film supporting the campaign
60% of parents say they are giving their children more sugary or fatty snacks than before the pandemic
Families will be given support to help to improve the diets of their children through a new campaign as the new statistics reveal the number of parents giving unhealthy snacks to their children has increased during the pandemic.
The multimedia Better Health campaign has been launched today [Monday January 10] to encourage families to eat better and includes a new ‘scan, swipe and swap’ feature for the NHS Food Scanner App, which provides a simple solution to help families maintain a healthier diet.
The campaign follows a record rise in obesity amongst children since the start of the pandemic, with latest data highlighting that one in four (27.7%) children of reception school age are overweight or obese; this rises to 4 in 10 (40.9%) in Year 6 (ages 10-11). Evidence shows that families purchased food more during lockdowns and this remained above normal levels even once lockdowns ended.
A new survey conducted with Netmums showed that nearly 6 in 10 (58%) parents give their children more sugary or fatty snacks than before the pandemic and nearly two-thirds (64%) of parents said they often worry about how healthy their children’s snacks really are. Nearly 90% of parents said they would benefit from an App which would help them make healthier choices for their children.
Families can scan the product barcodes from their shop and the app will suggest healthier alternatives to help them make an easy swap next time they shop.
The app uses a “Good Choice” badge to help signpost people to healthier food and drinks in line with the government’s dietary recommendations for added sugar, saturated fat and salt.
Public Health Minister Maggie Throup said: “We know that families have felt a lot of pressure throughout the pandemic which has drastically changed habits and routines.
“The new year is a good time for making resolutions, not just for ourselves, but for our families. Finding ways to improve their health is one of the best resolutions any of us could make.
“By downloading the free NHS Food Scanner App, families can swap out foods from the weekly shop for healthier alternatives and avoid items high in salt, sugar and saturated fat.”
Dr Alison Tedstone, Chief Nutritionist at DHSC said: “We are all aware of the increased pressures families have been under throughout the pandemic with children being stuck at home more.
“With advertising promoting unhealthy foods to kids, it’s not surprising that parents say they’ve often found it hard to resist pestering from their children for more unhealthy snacks, and that is why the NHS Food Scanner App is a great tool to help families make quick and easy healthier swaps.
“It’s so important that children reduce the amount of sugary, fatty and salty foods they eat to help them stay healthy and reduce the risk of health problems such as diabetes and tooth decay.”
‘Girls Aloud’ member Nadine Coyle and dietician Dr Linia Patel met with a family to talk about eating habits and to trial the NHS Food Scanner App for themselves, and recorded a short film to support the campaign.
Nadine Coyle said: “As a busy working mum, I find it hard to say no to my kid’s demands and often give in to “snack” pressure – even though I know it’s not that good for them. I had no idea some foods were so high in sugar, saturated fat and salt – so it’s great that the App gives you alternatives.
“I love using the NHS Food Scanner App and so does my daughter; she likes choosing the healthier swaps which is great – we are already making small changes through good food choices.”
Dr Linia Patel, Dietician said: “We know that parents find it really hard to find healthier snacks for their kids, especially if they’re fussy eaters.
“The NHS Food Scanner App is a fun way to get the kids involved in choosing healthier foods that they’ll love – so get going and scan, swipe, swap!”
Annie O’Leary, Netmums Editorial Director said: “That two thirds or parents find they’re giving kids more treats as snacks than pre-pandemic doesn’t surprise me in the slightest – we all comfort ate our way through the pandemic and I know my kids ate far more treats than usual.
“But thank heavens there’s now something to help get us all back on track. And that it’s from the gold standard in terms of trustworthiness, the NHS, hopefully means millions of families will be downloading it and using it ASAP.
“Shopping for snacks can be an absolute minefield for busy parents, so thank you for coming to the rescue yet again, NHS.”
As part of the UK Government’s Obesity Strategy, the department is regulating the promotion of less healthy foods to children and has dedicated £100m of funding to support children, adults and families achieve and maintain a healthier weight.
The NHS Food Scanner App provides parents with the ideal hack to improve their children’s health in 2022. The free App can be downloaded or search ‘Food Scanner App’.
Debt counselling charity Christians Against Poverty (CAP Scotland) have launched their new #BreakFree campaign across Edinburgh, encouraging those with problem debt to engage with free debt help services across all local CAP Scotland centres.
This campaign follows a CAP Scotland report earlier this year, which highlighted that 45% of CAP’s clients did not know where to seek help, and half had waited over a year before seeking debt help.
The 2021 client report by CAP Scotland showed the average peak debt for a CAP client household in Scotland was £19,369 which is higher than the UK average of £17,917. Moreover, the report found it would take Scottish client households an average of 43 years to pay off their debts without debt help. That’s the longest in the UK.
CAP Scotland is a professionally recognised charity that works to help those on low incomes struggling with problem debt. The charity offers a free face-to-face debt help service, with advice and ongoing support. CAP Scotland also provides a range of group services that equip people with practical skills including Job Clubs, Life Skills and CAP Money Courses.
Mark Harris, CAP’s Debt Centre Manager for Edinburgh North said, “Our clients all have very different back stories but the thing they all have in common is that their debt problems are the consequence of other issues in their lives, whether that be physical or mental ill-health, family and relationship issues, or redundancy.
“Sometimes the client is already dealing with those issues but often they need us to provide additional help, to make referrals to other agencies or simply to be with them, willing to listen and to offer comfort and support without judgment. Building trust, confidence and hope in the future is such an important part of what we do and is far beyond the specifics of the pounds and pennies of their financial situation.”
David Strang, Job Club Manager at Mustard Seed Edinburgh and Debt Coach at the CAP Edinburgh North Debt Centre said, “I spent 33 years as a police officer in London and Scotland, often dealing with the most vulnerable members of society, who were either victims of crime or perpetrators.
“Many people I dealt with experienced multiple problems such as poor mental health, addictions, homelessness, unemployment and poverty. My work with Christians Against Poverty now enables me to take a personal approach to each individual we work with.
“Many people who come to our Job Club lack confidence, having been out of work for a long time, perhaps through ill-health or because of childcare. The CAP Job Club makes a real difference in supporting people on their journey back into work.
“We also support people through our Debt Services who are struggling with serious debt problems. They often feel a sense of hopelessness, failure and despair. Our CAP services help them to see that there is a positive way out of their situation, that there is a reason for hope and that they can make a fresh start. It is a real privilege to walk with people on their journey.”
Emma Jackson, Director of CAP Scotland said, “Our services provide practical, person centered support and are completely free and open to all. At CAP, we know, problem debt can devastate people’s lives, affecting physical and mental health. It can destroy relationships and cause so much unnecessary shame and embarrassment that robs people of dignity, causing such isolation.
“We know that many people are worried about how they are going to cope this winter with rising food and fuel costs. Our hope is this campaign will encourage those who need help to reach out to organisations like CAP and start their journey to becoming debt free.”
CAP Scotland has been providing debt help for over twenty years and continues to grow its network and reach across Scotland with 26 Debt Centres and many more additional skills courses.
The work of CAP Scotland can have a far-reaching, positive impact on people’s lives. Laura is a CAP Scotland client from Edinburgh, who said: “I didn’t have enough money to go to a supermarket and get a proper shop. I’d lost so much weight and been sleep deprived for weeks.
“I would definitely recommend CAP to anyone who is struggling with how to manage their debts. You can speak to someone and it really takes the pressure away. I’m sleeping a lot better now, knowing that Mairi [CAP Debt Centre Manager] is going to take over. I don’t have to be the one making the phone calls and being scared.”
To find your local CAP Debt Centre in Scotland please go to www.capscotland.org
Heart Research UK campaign seeks to educate people on the risk of heart attacks over the winter period
Reports have found that the risk of heart attack rises approximately 15% over Christmas time. To highlight the dramatic effect the festive season can have on heart health, national heart charity Heart Research UK has created a special Christmas awareness campaign that aims to inform the public and raise vital funds that will benefit life-saving research.
Research from the UK and Sweden has shown that Christmas can put a huge strain on our hearts, with approximately a 15% increase in heart attack risk at Christmas time. Seasonal changes and the rise in contagious illnesses including influenza can contribute to a person’s increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease and it’s especially dangerous for the elderly and those with certain underlying health conditions.
Reports show that deaths due to cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease increase during the winter months with heart attacks (myocardial infarction) being more prevalent.
In 2019/20 in the UK, there were 6,661 excess winter deaths due to cardiovascular disease which included 2,820 deaths due to coronary heart disease. In addition to this, research from Sweden found that the risk of heart attack increased by 15% during the Christmas and New Year period.
It is therefore easy to see why Santa Claus finds himself the subject of Heart Research UK’s latest campaign. With his stressful job, poor diet, irregular exercise and fondness for mince pies and sherry, Santa fits this profile of someone who needs to be aware of their heart health over the Christmas period.
Introducing ‘A Healthy Heart Christmas’– a new campaign from Heart Research UK designed to raise awareness of the risk of heart disease during the winter months.
The campaign highlights the increase in risk of heart attack over the winter months and highlights the dangers of a sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, excessive alcohol consumption and stress whilst providing a number of handy resources via their website to help everybody enjoy a heart healthy and stress-free Christmas.
To accompany the campaign, Heart Research UK has partnered with thortful, the UK’s largest online card marketplace, to create a set of hand-drawn, limited-edition Christmas cards showing traditional festive scenes. Proceeds from sales of the cards will go towards funding Heart Research UK’s lifesaving research.
“We are extremely grateful to all the thortful customers for their generous contributions. The donations from the Christmas card sales will help us raise much-needed funds for our pioneering medical research into the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease. We are so thankful for their support. Together we can take on heart disease.” says Kate Bratt-Farrar, Chief Executive at Heart Research UK.
Finally, as part of a radio spot promoting the campaign, BAFTA-winning actor and Line of Duty star Mark Bonnar has lent his distinctive voice to a special retelling of the iconic Christmas poem ‘A Visit from St Nicholas’, leading with the famous ‘Twas the night before Christmas’ verse before encouraging people to visit Heart Research UK’s website and donate.
Anyone who wants to donate towards their life-saving research or learn more, can visit the Heart Research UK website (https://heartresearch.org.uk/), where they can access a range of useful tips and guidance on how to take care of their heart and make little changes to their lifestyle and diet over the holidays.
Ednilson Ceita (pictured above), now 29, was convicted by a jury on Friday 29 October of two offences under the Road Traffic Act following the crash which happened shortly after midnight on Friday, 25 May, 2018 on Maybury Road.
He has also been disqualified from driving for nine years.
Ceita was driving a BMW X5, without a valid license or insurance, which collided with a Peugeot 206 being driven by 29-year-old Jonathan Smith.
As a result of the crash, Jonathan, known as Jonny, sadly died at the scene.
A criminal investigation was launched which saw detectives from Edinburgh’s Criminal Investigations Department working alongside Road Policing Officers to understand what happened.
As a result, Ceita was arrested and charged in connection with the crash in August 2019.
Detective Chief Inspector Graham Grant said: “There were a number of complexities to this investigation but officers remained determined and committed to establish what caused this crash and cost Jonny his life.
“Ednilson Ceita failed to admit that his actions resulted in this catastrophic event. We found that he was driving at excessive speed, ultimately swerving into oncoming traffic, which led to his BMW colliding with the Peugeot being driven by Mr Smith and another vehicle.
“Jonny’s family have had to wait over three years for justice. They have been dignified and resolute throughout and I hope that today’s verdict offers them some form of comfort.
“I’d like to thank my investigation team, our colleagues in the Road Policing Unit and other elements of the organisation who contributed to the outcome, but most importantly to Jonny’s family, friends, and the wider community which he was an integral part of, for their support during our investigation.”
Jonny’s family reacted to the sentence through theThe Justice for Jonny campaign page on Facebook: “So we had our day in court today for the sentencing, was an apprehensive morning we all weren’t sure how to feel but we went, sat and watched the sentencing, he was given 6 years and a 9 year driving ban.
“In all honesty we were thinking less so I suppose it’s something, realistically it makes no difference nothing changes although if anything takes a dangerous driver off the road and might just save a life.
“He also decided to tell the court what an ordeal this had been for him and his family … remorse at its finest.
“It’s been a long 3 and a half years, so many twists and turns, so many ups and down’s but throughout it all the support we have received is just unbelievable looking back it has really helped us knowing we have had people behind us.
“As a family as a whole we would just like to thank every single person for all their nice words and support whether it was comments, messages or calls … we even had cards through the door at the start it really has been outstanding.
“So from the bottom of all our hearts, we appreciate it and thank you and we will always remember how nice and supportive everyone has been it means so much!”
Powerful film released by INTIMINA sees children give a voice to people that waited eight years or more for an endometriosis diagnosis
One in 10 women have endometriosis, but it takes an average of eight years to get a diagnosis.
Groundbreaking new film ‘The Wait’ sees eight-year-old children use their age to symbolise the eight-year delay and to tell the stories of British women who had the disease, yet felt like they were not being heard.
The film includes the story of Aisha Belsaria who suffered in pain for 15 years before she was correctly diagnosed.
Campaign created by INTIMINA to empower and inform people experiencing similar painful symptoms, who also feel unheard or ignored.
One in 10 women worldwide have endometriosis1, yet despite the seriousness of this disease, it takes an average of eight years just to get a diagnosis2. That’s eight long years of enduring terrible pain and the feeling of not being heard.
Today, to give a voice to those suffering from the condition, intimate wellness brand INTIMINA has released a powerful film that features eight-year-old children whose age symbolises the damning eight-year wait statistic – with each of the youngsters having been alive for as long as it takes to be diagnosed with endometriosis*.
Endometriosis is a long-term condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other places, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes.
What’s more, with this devastating disease commonly starting in adolescence (and sometimes before) any of the eight-year-olds in the film – and across the world – could develop endometriosis in the near future and face the eight year delay themselves if nothing is done to shorten the time to a diagnosis.
In the film, the children speak the actual words of real adult women who spent years of their lives waiting and fighting for an endometriosis diagnosis. While the average wait for a diagnosis is eight years, several of the women that shared their stories experienced delays of much longer.
In one instance, it took a shocking 30 years for a woman to finally be told she had endometriosis.
Selected cases from UK-based women that faced ‘the wait’ and whose accounts are spoken by eight-year-old children in the film:
Katie Beales (waited nine years) “Waiting years for a diagnosis made me question my own sanity. At points, I started to believe that it was all in my head. I had so much ambition and this condition took so much away from me. The pain was so bad I couldn’t leave my bed, I would vomit and I couldn’t eat. I became a shell of myself. Endometriosis is lonely. It changed my identity.”
Nadine Lewis (waited 12 years): It took me five years to get my stage four diagnosis and a further seven years to be diagnosed with thoracic endometriosis. I often feel trapped inside my body which is constantly under attack. I have had countless A&E admissions, investigations and surgeries and been medically gaslighted. I had three diagnostic laparoscopies with no endometriosis removed. Endometriosis has affected my mental health, fertility, bowel and respiratory health. No one should have to go through this. It should not take this long to be taken seriously.”
Aisha Balesaria (waited 15 years): At 15 I had started experiencing dreadful pain during menstruation – pain which grew worse as the years went on. It was tremendously difficult waking up in pain and going to bed in pain and doing the same thing all over again the next day. The pain was so intense, it left me confined to my bed. At some points I felt I couldn’t carry on living with the excruciating pain. The pain I was experiencing was dismissed as ‘bad periods’. I felt completely helpless and hopeless. It was extremely challenging waiting for someone to believe me and over time my symptoms worsened. It would be many years later before I’d receive the correct diagnosis. I felt there was little empathy towards my suffering during the years I tried to get help, and my symptoms were downplayed nearly all of the time.”
INTIMINA created ‘The Wait’ film as part of its ongoing Seen + Heard period positivity campaign.
Seen + Heard aims to increase the visibility of menstrual wellbeing across the world, normalise conversations about menstrual health, tackle stigma and bias and raise awareness of conditions like endometriosis – which see millions of people suffering in pain while their voices go unheard.
The Wait follows ‘Period’: a collaboration in 2020 between INTIMINA and Pantone that saw the creation of a shade of red emblematic of a healthy menstrual flow.
Marcella Zanchi, Spokesperson for INTIMINA, commented: “We hope this film, in which the age of the eight-year-olds symbolises the eight-year wait for a diagnosis, can create much-needed conversations about endometriosis and inspire change. Because it is unacceptable that people have to wait eight years just to get help. And it’s important to remember that is only an average: some people wait many more years, even decades of their lives in pain.
Ms Zanchi continued: “Endometriosis isn’t a rare disease – it affects one in every 10 women. That’s hundreds of millions of people across the world potentially suffering for years. The fact the eight-year statistic hasn’t changed in over a decade is further proof, if it were needed, that we must end the wait for those with endometriosis.
“As a global society we have to be more aware of endometriosis, more sympathetic towards those that have it, to speak up and do everything in our collective power to close the gender health gap and to break the taboos and biases that are not just attached to endometriosis, but to menstrual wellbeing in general.”
A UK All Party Parliamentary Group Endometriosis inquiry into the disease surveyed over 10,000 people with endometriosis and found that over half (58%) visited their GP more than 10 times after presenting symptoms, but still no diagnosis was made3.
Further commenting on reasons behind the eight-year wait, INTIMINA UK Expert Gynaecologist Dr Shree Datta said: “Healthcare professionals may assume painful periods are normal, if they are unclear on its severity and whether pain relief is required.
“What’s more, it can be especially difficult examining young teenagers for endometriosis as the findings are not specific and the disease presents differently from person-to-person.
“As such it may take longer to refer people to the correct specialist for further investigation and treatment. From a patient perspective it can also be uncomfortable taking that first step and speaking to a doctor about issues such as pain during sex – or challenging to describe the symptoms they have.”
Shree continued: “The reasons behind the delay are wide-ranging, but nevertheless every possible action needs to be taken to drive down the wait time for people suffering with endometriosis, and education and awareness is vital to make a commitment to ensure this happens.”
To help people experiencing symptoms of endometriosis get the help they need sooner, Dr Shree Datta shares her advice. More information and resources can be found here:
It can be difficult to describe all of your symptoms and diagnose endometriosis as the symptoms vary, so keep a pain and symptom diary before you see your GP. Specifically, note down when you experience symptoms in relation to your periods, whether they are getting worse and how they affect your daily activities.
A referral to a Gynaecologist may also help explore your symptoms further – by requesting an ultrasound, for example. With this information, discussing the risks and benefits of medication and an operation may help you to decide what’s right to you.
It may be worth trying to treat your symptoms initially with simple measures such as heat, gentle exercise, pain relief or hormonal medication, before considering more invasive options such as surgery.
Common symptoms which suggest endometriosis include cyclical pelvic pain, pain on intercourse or pain leading up to and during your periods. You may also experience a change in bowel habits, tiredness and difficulty conceiving, so seek medical advice early.
Think about your diet – there is some evidence which suggests that drinking lots of alcohol and eating lots of red meat can increase some of the symptoms of endometriosis, such as painful periods. Fish oil supplements and Vitamin B12 can help endometriosis associated pain. A healthy balanced lifestyle with regular sleep patterns may also influence your symptoms.
If you’re thinking about getting pregnant and you are known to have endometriosis, consult a Gynaecologist early. Start taking pregnancy supplements three months before you wish to conceive and make sure you have sex regularly when trying to conceive. Most people have no problems conceiving, but it’s worth seeking expert help early.
For those looking to find out more about endometriosis or get support, please visit:
Almost 100,000 people in Scotland have reported that they’re suffering with long Covid but it has taken until today (Tuesday 9 November) for the Scottish Parliament to debate this important issue.
I led this debate in Parliament yesterday because no matter how much campaigners and MSPs raise the issue, the SNP Health Secretary is just not listening.
It is shameful that it has taken an opposition party debate for the plight of long Covid sufferers to be heard in Parliament.
The SNP/Green Government’s action plan on long Covid is totally unfit for the scale of this challenge. Many Scots would be better off moving to England where there are well-established clinics and a care pathway.
We need to do much more to help long Covid sufferers. That is why I am calling on the SNP/Green Government to:
Have specialist long Covid clinics in every health board
Train more long Covid community nurses to offer in-home support
Give everyone who needs it access to physiotherapy and rehab treatment
Make sure long Covid sufferers are not penalised financially because they are absent from work for longer periods
You can join me in calling for action from the Scottish Government by signing up to my plan for long Covid here:
