NHS Lothian has the longest patients waiting times for treatment, with 69.1% of total patients waiting over 12 weeks.2382 out of 3448 paediatric patients in NHS Lothian waited over 12 weeks for treatment.
In NHS Highland 48.9% of patients were waiting over 12 weeks at that time. This is in comparison to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde where over 12 week waits made up only 19.2%, and NHS Grampian which stood at 12.9%.
The report by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Worried and waiting: A review of paediatric waiting times in Scotland 2024, stated that –
‘It is worrying that children and young people are waiting longer than 12 weeks to be seen in paediatrics. However, what is the most concerning is that in September 2023, 13 out of 14 health boards in Scotland were experiencing very high waits over 12 weeks, with only NHS Western Isles achieving the national standard rate.‘
Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said:“It is extremely concerning that young people in Lothian are waiting over 12 weeks for treatment.
“Over two thirds of young people are now waiting over the 12 week waiting target which is unacceptable.
“SNP mismanagement of our NHS means that hundreds of children are not being seen a quickly as they should be, nowhere more so than in NHS Lothian.
“We urgently need to see our health service properly run.
“It is also important that NHS Lothian receives funding parity with other health boards.
“This tired SNP Government has had no answers for years.”
Charities providing support to pregnant women, new mums and their families are to share £1.5 million expand and enhance their mental health and wellbeing services.
It has been estimated that up to 20% of mums and up to 10% of dads are affected by poor mental health in the perinatal period.
The Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Fund, which is now open for applications, enables organisations to provide a range of one-to-one and group-based support and care for parents, carers and new babies.
Over 10,000 parents, expectant parents and infants have been supported by existing funded organisations since 2019.
The new round of funding will start from October 2024.
Mental Wellbeing Minister Maree Todd said: “It is very important that all mothers and their families have access to good mental healthcare throughout pregnancy and the postnatal period.
“The third sector provides vital access to perinatal mental health support, and we are dedicated to supporting them to do so.
“This latest round of funding of up to £1.5 million, building on previous awards of over £2.8 million over four years, is designed to increase the provision of parenting and infant support, peer support and counselling or psychological support. The Fund will enable organisations to provide the services that women and their families need.”
Marie Balment, Infant Mental Health Lead, Perinatal Mental Health Network Scotland said: “We’re delighted the Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Fund has been opened for a new round of funding for 18 months.
“This will enable statutory perinatal and infant mental health services to work alongside charity partners to continue offering essential perinatal mental health services that support families with babies.
“The contribution of third sector organisations is needed now more than ever, providing necessary support to parents recovering from mental illness and promoting the mental wellbeing of families during a time of vulnerability. This includes vital work promoting positive parent – infant relationships and infant mental wellbeing, which has a lifelong impact.”
Kaylie Allen, Director of Funds at Inspiring Scotland said: “We are pleased to be managing the application process for the next 18 months of Scottish Government Perinatal and Infant Mental Health funding.
“We know from the last three years of managing the fund the extraordinary impact community-based peer, parenting and infant focussed support can make for babies, parents, and families. It is so important that we focus on the early years to give all children the best start in life.”
A new UK government campaign is to be launched to support parents as research highlights some are unaware their baby’s mental health impacts their early development.
A new government campaign aims to support parents in nurturing their bond with their baby.
New research highlights many parents are unaware of the link between their baby’s good mental health and early childhood development.
Building close relationships in this critical period of social and emotional development reduces the likelihood of mental health difficulties throughout their lives.
A new government campaign – Start for Life’s If They Could Tell You – has launched to support parents to help build secure bonds to help nurture their baby’s future mental health, along with easy-to-follow guidance on the Start for Life website.
The campaign aims to highlight that babies’ expressions, reactions, noises, and cries are the way they communicate their needs and feelings to parents which in some cases can be an indication of their mental wellbeing.
The government wants to help parents and carers learn how to interpret these cues so they can find the best way to meet their babies’ needs.
A baby’s brain is making one million neural connections every second, making pregnancy and the first 2 years so important for their healthy development. These connections are formed as a result of the interaction between parents and their babies, laying the foundations for their physical and emotional wellbeing, now and in future. Secure relationships with parents and carers positively impacts child development outcomes and reduces the likelihood of mental health difficulties.
Minister for Public Health, Start for Life and Primary Care, Dame Andrea Leadsom said: “We are committed to giving every baby the best start in life, and promoting that vital secure attachment between babies and their parents in the 1,001 critical days from pregnancy to two years old is crucial for their future well-being.
“Speaking with parents across the country, I’ve heard first-hand that they need more support around how to better build those connections. Parents can access a range of support and advice, in person via family hubs and on the Start for Life website.
“We are also launching new guidance for frontline practitioners, aimed at helping them to start conversations with parents about building their relationship with their baby.
England’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Jeanelle de Gruchy said: “A strong, loving connection between parents or carers and their baby can play a significant role in developing the brain and protecting their mental health as they grow up.
“This campaign will make it easier for parents and carers to interpret the way their baby is communicating with them and understand how best to meet their baby’s needs.
“Raising a baby is not easy and I hope that new NHS trusted advice provided through the campaign will be a helpful source of information and support to parents and carers.
“New guidance for frontline practitioners will also help start conversations with parents and carers to explore their relationship with their baby, in order to provide support.”
The early years are a crucial time for the development of a child’s brain. Over a third (41%) of parents of under twos in England are unaware that mental health starts to impact a child’s development before they are two.
Whilst most parents (95%) feel confident in supporting their baby’s emotional and social development, more than two thirds (73%) of parents in the survey indicated they would welcome support in nurturing their connection with their baby further.
The new survey from Censuswide, which explored parents’ understanding of building a positive connection with their baby, also found that over half (53%) of parents believe that parenting advice they received in their baby’s early life, such as letting the baby ‘cry it out’ (53%) and limiting physical affection (52%) to avoid the baby becoming clingy was outdated, with almost a third (31%) of parents feeling guilty for following this advice when their baby’s cues indicated otherwise.
Child development expert Dr Amanda Gummer said: “Building a strong connection with your baby from pregnancy onwards helps to foster a sense of love and security, laying the foundations for their future wellbeing and mental health.
Dr Amanda Gummer has these tips for parents to help interpret cues and build strong connections with your baby:
Mirror your baby’s reactions and emotions
Babies need you to help them learn about themselves and the world around them. Your baby might be telling you they’re ready to play if they’re smiling or cooing. You can mirror your baby’s reactions and emotions – such as smiling back if they have bright eyes – as this shows them that it’s OK to express those emotions.
Comfort your baby when they are crying
It’s important to respond to their cries, as well as their smiles, with love and reassurance. If your baby is crying, try soothing them with gentle rocking, speaking softly, or singing to them.
Remember, you can’t ‘spoil’ a baby with too many cuddles and it doesn’t make them clingy. Babies will cry for different lengths and at different times, so try not to compare your baby to others. Babies also cry for different reasons; pain cries can be different to hunger or tired cries so try to understand what they’re telling you to help you respond appropriately. Looking after yourself is also really important and will help you to comfort your baby’s cries.
Enjoy playing face-to-face with your baby in everyday moments
The more you cuddle, look at and play face-to-face with your baby, the more secure they’ll feel, and the more independent they’ll become. In time, they will feel confident that you will be there for them. This can be as simple as saying what they do and name what they see, as you’re going about your routine.
Let your baby take breaks when they need them (and the same goes for you!)
Your baby’s body language, facial expressions, noises, and cries are their ways of telling you what they need. Sometimes they might be telling you they just need a break. Show them that it’s ok if they need to try something different, or to just to rest. Remember to also take care of yourself, and take a moment when needed, so you’re ready to understand and respond to your baby’s cues.
Further information on family hubs can be found here:
Decline in the number of specialist ASN teachers by 392 since 2013
Near doubling in the number of pupils with additional support needs since 2013
The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC), an alliance of leading providers of specialist care and education to vulnerable children and young people, has called for greater resourcing to support those with additional support needs (ASN).
The call comes as new figures from the Scottish Government’s annual teacher census indicate that while the number of specialist ASN teachers has fallen to 2,898 in 2023, the number of those pupils with ASN has soared to a record high.
Between 2013 and 2023 the number of ASN teachers (publicly funded primary, secondary, special and centrally employed) has fallen from 3,290 to 2,898, a decrease of 392 teachers, representing a cut of 11.9 per cent.1
This fall is against the background of an increase of 96.8 per cent increase between 2013 and 2023 in the number of pupils identified with ASN, from 131,593 to 259,036, amounting to 123,628 individuals. This includes those with mental health problems, learning disability, autism and dyslexia, and currentlyrepresents more than a third of all pupils (36.7 per cent).2
In 2013, while each ASN teacher was supporting 40 pupils with ASN, by 2023 this figure had risen to each teacher supporting 89 such pupils.
Against a background of spending cuts and reduction in specialist support, the SCSC has called for greater resourcing from both the Scottish Government and local authorities to ensure that those with ASN, who are disproportionately drawn from poorer neighbourhoods, are getting the care and support that they need.
The coalition has also raised concerns about the effectiveness of a presumption of mainstreaming, meaning that all pupils are educated in a mainstream educational environment unless exceptional circumstances apply, without the necessary support.
A spokesperson for the SCSC commented: “It is vital that those with ASN get the care and support they need. This is also key if we are to genuinely close the educational attainment gap as we know that those with ASN are disproportionately drawn from poorer neighbourhoods.
“With cuts in support, including in the number of specialist teachers, it is going to be extremely challenging to reduce the current inequalities faced by those with ASN.
“While we also support the presumption of mainstreaming, which means that all children and young people are educated in a mainstream educational environment unless exceptional circumstances apply, it is clearly difficult to see how this is functioning properly given the fall in specialist support and increase in the number of those with ASN.
“The Scottish Government and local authorities need to work together to provide the necessary resourcing to address the needs of those children and young people with ASN, who represent some of the most vulnerable individuals in our society. “
Granton Waterfront is delighted to be working with the Edinburgh Science Festival to bring the free ‘Consumed’ Exhibition to Granton Station Square from 15th-19th March.
Consumed is an interactive exhibition that shows us how small changes make a big difference. Visit the repurposed shipping containers filled with fun games and hands-on displays for little ones and the whole family to enjoy!
Learn how what we eat, what we wear, and how we live can impact the world. Little changes in our daily habits can make a big difference for our climate. Find out how you can make positive changes that are easy on your wallet and great for the planet.
Don’t miss out on the free drop-in LEGO® Build the Change workshops on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th March between 10am and 5pm.
Join a team of builders to learn about real-world challenges and create your own brilliant solutions in this workshop exploring the circular economy.
New Lanark World Heritage Site has announced a jam-packed schedule of free events this Easter, with festivities beginning on the 30th of March.
Between the 30th of March and the 14th of April, visitors can uncover the scenic views and walkways during the New Lanark Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt, with hundreds of 3D-printed eggs dotted in hidden places.
During Easter weekend (Saturday, 30th March – Sunday, 31st March), one lucky winner who finds the golden egg will win a chocolate egg and a 3D-printed toy from the Lanark Men’s Shed.
Over Easter weekend, families can also take part in bonnet-making at the visitor centre between 10am and 2pm, before parading their designs at the Easter Parade, which will depart from the visitor centre at 2pm led by the Easter bunny.
The site will host a traditional egg rolling at 3pm each day over Easter weekend, with families encouraged to bring hand-painted designs to roll down the main hill outside Robert Owen’s House.
Visitors can also browse a range of seasonal goods from Scottish vendors including Am-Fearann, Rise and Grind Roastery, Galloway Fudge and Bonnie Wee Dreams, at the New Lanark Easter Market which is open between 11am and 3pm during the Easter weekend.
Elsewhere, the Scottish Wildlife Trust will be hosting guided walks, nature crafts and birdfeed-making workshops from 11am to 4pm on Saturday 30 March, as part of its Biodiversity Bonanza. The Bonanza is the perfect opportunity for nature enthusiasts young and old to discover some of the incredible local wildlife.
One of the highlights of the festivities will take place on Saturday 6th of April with the Great New Lanark Duck Race. Beginning at noon, numbered ducks will be available to register for free before competitors take up their place for the drop at 1pm above the Falls of Clyde waterway.
Brittnee Leysen, Events Officer at New Lanark said: “We’re excited about our bumper programme of events taking place this Easter; from egg hunts to our legendary duck race, there is something for everyone in the family to enjoy.
“It is also one of the best times of the year to see New Lanark’s beauty, with trees and flowers in full bloom, adding to the picturesque charm of our historic site.”
The site’s newly refurbished soft play will also be open during the weekend, as well as a bouncy castle and tuck shop. Located in the Schoolhouse, the soft play costs £3 per child and is open to children under eight.
Recognised as one of Scotland’s six UNESCO World Heritage Sites, New Lanark is a beautifully preserved 18th-century cotton mill village. Just under one hour from Glasgow and Edinburgh, it is an ideal destination for families seeking memorable days out.
Garden centre invites families to hop along to its children’s breakfast event
Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is bringing back its much-loved Easter event, inviting families to hop along to its Edinburgh store and enjoy an Easter Bunny Breakfast egg-stravaganza.
Taking place between Thursday 28 March and Monday 1 April, this is a great chance to get the whole family together for a breakfast to remember with a special guest appearance from Dobbies’ Easter Bunny after breakfast has been enjoyed.
Whether you’re taking your own kids along to Dobbies’ Edinburgh store, or it’s the grandparent’s opportunity to take them out, everyone can get stuck into an egg-cellent breakfast and hop-tastic games.
Children and adults can enjoy a traditional cooked breakfast, a vegetarian breakfast or a breakfast roll. Kids will have the choice of an apple juice, orange juice or water, and adults will be able to choose from a pot of tea or regular coffee. Kids will get to finish on a sweet note with a chocolate rice crispy cake.
After everyone has eaten, the kids will seek out the Easter Bunny, who will be hopping about the Edinburgh store, and get involved in some spring inspired activities and games.
The Easter Bunny will encourage kids to hop back to the restaurant, learn about their favourite wildflowers and get the chance to plant their very own miniature wildflower meadow to take home, with the help of Dobbies’ gardening colleagues.
Dobbies’ Easter Bunny Breakfast event in Edinburgh is great for children aged 3-10, and for families with kids aged 5 and under, there is a dedicated session on Thursday 28 March.
Sarah Murray, who developed this year’s Easter Bunny Breakfast, tells us why this event makes a fantastic, family-friendly day out. She said: “We’ve got a spring in our step as we launch our Easter Bunny Breakfast, and we’re delighted to be adapting this experience for the first time for families with children under 5 years old.
“Our Easter event this year is all themed around wildflowers, which is a lovely way to introduce young gardening fans into ways they can encourage wildlife into their gardens and create a pretty mini wildflower meadow at home. With a fun and lively group setting, we hope that families in Edinburgh will have a memorable time with us.”
Tickets are priced at £10.99 per child, and adults can enjoy breakfast from £8.60. The under 5s session is taking place on Thursday 28 March and the 3-10 years old session is happening between Friday 29 March and Monday 1 April.
For more information about Dobbies’ Easter Bunny Breakfast and to make a booking, visit dobbies.com/events
THE EDINBURGH DUNGEONS ARE GIVING THE GIFT OF RELAXATION THIS MOTHER’S DAY BY LOCKING MUM OUT OF THE ATTRACTIONS
Forget dire supermarket flowers and last-minute grab-and-go chocolates this Mother’s Day, as The Dungeons is treating motherly figures to the gift that many actually want … a day of uninterrupted peace and quiet!
This Sunday 10th March, The Edinburgh and York Dungeons are giving families the opportunity to treat their mothers, caregivers and loved ones to a day of peace and pampering by temporarily banning them from the attraction.
So bid farewell to your mum, loved one or person that generally picks up your mess at every turn as they are officially exiled from the depths of the dungeons, allowing them to bask in the serenity of their own home whilst their families can journey into the gruesome attraction which brings to life the deepest and darkest secrets from the city’s history.
Whilst this may be the ultimate gift for any hard-working family members who deserve some rest and relaxation on this special day, fear not as those organised peasants who have already pre-booked to bring their mum or those who’d still like to step back in time together will be allowed to enter, they’ll just have to pretend to be your ugly sister or plague-ridden granny!
Kathryn Adam, General Manager at The Edinburgh Dungeon, said: “While most people give cards, chocolates or flowers for Mother’s Day, we wanted to go one step further by giving mums and loved ones the gift that they often truly want yet won’t admit – some peace and quiet!
“While our attraction is full to the brim with haunts and exciting tales, we also recognise the importance of taking a break and recharging, especially for those who dedicate themselves tirelessly to caring for their families. So put your feet up and relax while your family enjoys a day of frights and fun.”
For further information and to book a visit to The Edinburgh or York Dungeons, please visit the website here: https://www.thedungeons.com
Projects that work with children and families to prevent childhood obesity and reduce health inequalities are benefitting from more than half a million pounds of investment.
Ten projects across Scotland will share £538,141. The funding is allocated to initiatives such as Little n Lively – run by NHS Lanarkshire – which provides families and young children in the area with practical skills and information on nutrition and cooking and increased opportunities for physical activity and expanding social networks.
This year a number of health boards, including NHS Orkney and NHS Shetland, are continuing or implementing the ‘HENRY – Healthy Families Right from the Start’ programme which helps parents and carers with children up to five years old to provide a healthier, happier start in life.
The internationally adopted, evidence-based package provides support with family emotional wellbeing and information about nutrition, physical activity and oral health.
The funding is part of the Scottish Government’s commitment to ensure all children have the best start in life and the projects support the ambition to halve childhood obesity in Scotland by 2030.
Speaking on World Obesity Day (Monday), Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said: “Preventing the causes of ill health is an important part of our efforts to make the health service sustainable in the years to come. That includes addressing obesity, particularly as we know good nutrition and physical activity is crucial for children’s health and development.
“We want Scotland to be the best place in the world for a child to grow up, and these early years projects are crucial to our bold ambition of halving childhood obesity by 2030.
“These ambitious and effective projects will also help tackle inequalities by working with families and communities to encourage healthy eating and offering support for those experiencing food insecurity.”
Health Improvement Adviser for NHS Shetland, Fern Jamieson said: “The continued early years funding from Scottish Government has enabled NHS Shetland and partners to continue delivery of the HENRY ‘Healthy Families Right from the Start’ programme to more families across Shetland.
“Healthy Families Right from the Start is an 8-week programme to support parents and carers with children between 0-5 years to provide a healthier, happier start in life. Parents and carers have the opportunity to join online or face-to-face groups, providing improved access across Shetland.
“We have had reports that the programme is very interesting, enjoyable and a good opportunity to share ideas with others which has helped in making healthy changes across the whole family.
“With over 20 groups across Shetland, we are engaging with communities to deliver our standalone HENRY workshops. Feedback has been very positive and parents and carers feel more confident at mealtimes, understanding behaviours and cooking cost effectively.”
Projects receiving funding in 2023/24 are:
NHS Ayrshire & Arran: JumpStart Tots – £76,828
NHS Dumfries & Galloway: A whole systems approach with a focus on Early Years – £11,400
NHS Grampian: Training and support for a group of multi-agency professionals across Aberdeenshire to deliver the HENRY approach – £15,000
NHS Grampian: Upskill relevant teaching staff to deliver the Grow Well Choices Early Years programme – £15,000
The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has announced a new partnership with Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAP), in a targeted initiative aimed at tackling underage drinking in key areas across Scotland. The SWA will provide £300,000 of funding over the next three years, funded via its Scotch Whisky Action Fund.
Community Alcohol Partnerships are tailored to address local requirements, with a focus on three key pillars of activity to support an overall reduction in alcohol harm. These include the provision of positive activity for children and young people; creating retail signage and conducting training to prevent underage sales and proxy purchase; and providing alcohol education in schools and for parents.
This new SWA funding will help establish CAPs in areas of high harm that have been identified throughout Scotland. The results of future work in these areas will be regularly monitored, evaluated, and reported on.
CAP has a robust evaluation framework and proven track record with consistent evidence of significant impact. To date, more than 250 CAPs have been established across the UK. Evaluation shows that they achieved an average of 62% reduction in regular drinking among 13-16 year olds; a 42% reduction in youth alcohol-related anti-social behaviour; and 77% of reductions in proxy purchases.
Mark Kent, Chief Executive of the SWA said: “The Scotch Whisky industry is committed to promoting safe, responsible consumption of alcohol, and tackling underage drinking.
“Our new partnership with Community Alcohol Partnerships will help to support delivery of this targeted intervention, marking an important and valuable development in the industry’s wider commitment to tackling alcohol harm.
“Our work with CAP will ensure that the funding provided by the industry is directed in the best and most effective way to address underage drinking in Scotland. We look forward to collaborating with the team at CAP and seeing the results of our new partnership.”
Derek Lewis, Chair of Community Alcohol Partnerships said: “Although alcohol consumption by children has declined for many years, more recent data has shown an increase and Scotland still has one of the highest rates of alcohol harm among children and young people internationally.
“The existing Scottish CAPs have already demonstrated real success in reducing these harms by helping local communities introduce action plans tailored to their own needs.
“We aim to accelerate the establishment of CAPs in other high harm areas of Scotland and so help our children grow up with well-informed and responsible attitudes to alcohol. We welcome the support and financial commitment of the SWA and its members as we pursue this ambition.”
