Health and wellbeing – Page 110 – The NEN

Record pay offer for NHS staff – but it’s not enough, say nurses

All NHS workers offered £2,205 pay rise but nurses to go ahead with strike ballot

NHS staff in Scotland are set to receive a record pay rise of £2,205 – an average 7% pay uplift – to help tackle the cost of living crisis and retain staff during the tougher winter months.

This increased offer was made after constructive negotiations between the Scottish Government and NHS Unions, which lasted into the early hours of Friday morning (21 October).

The offer would mean the lowest paid seeing a rise of more than 11%, with qualified nursing staff receiving up to 8.45%, helping the lowest paid staff through the cost of living crisis.

If agreed, the pay uplift, which amounts to almost half a billion pounds (£480m), will benefit more than 160,000 employees including nurses, paramedics, allied health professionals and healthcare support staff.

This is the largest pay offer given to NHS Scotland Agenda for Change staff since devolution and will mean they remain the best paid in the UK. If accepted, the offer will be backdated to 1 April 2022, and could be added to pay cheques in time for Christmas.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “I am grateful to trade union colleagues and NHS employers for constructive discussions on pay.

“This has been another exceptionally challenging year for our health service and we have a difficult winter ahead, but I am pleased that we are able to recognise the service and dedication of our healthcare and support staff with this pay offer.

“We owe NHS staff a debt of gratitude for leading us through the greatest public health crisis in recent history.

“This improved pay offer – which is the largest of its kind since devolution – reflects their hard work and will go a long way to help them through the cost of living crisis. We are rightly focussing the biggest increases for those who are the lowest paid, as we know the cost crisis is impacting them disproportionately.”

However the Scottish government’s latest pay offer remains a real terms pay cut for the majority of nursing staff, according to the Royal College of Nursing.

The offer comes after discussions with the health trade unions, Cabinet Secretary, Deputy First Minister, Scottish government officials and employers.

Scottish government failed to take the opportunity to recognise the clinical skill, expertise and leadership of registered nurses.

When compared to the previous offer from May 2022, this offer sees a lower percentage increase for those higher up the Agenda for Change bandings. The RCN has called for an across the board pay increase that is 5% above inflation.

Julie Lamberth said: “Nurse staffing levels are dangerously low. We need fair pay to attract more people into nursing and to keep the skilled nurses we already have.

“We want to be able to provide the best possible care for our patients but too often, the lack of staff and demand on services is standing in our way. Too many of us are making the decision to walk away from the profession. The Scottish Government has the power to stop this. The people of Scotland deserve better, so do we. Please post you ballot back today.”

RCN Scotland Director Colin Poolman said: “Yet again the Scottish Government has failed to listen to our members concerns for the safety of their patients. They have failed to recognise the safety critical role of nursing staff and their essential contribution to our NHS and our nation’s health.

“Under this proposal, registered nurses continue to face a significant real terms pay cut. This is even more stark with the news that inflation reached a 40 year high. Many are making difficult decisions about how to heat their homes, feed their families and travel to work while carrying the burden of being unable to do the best for their patients due to severe staff shortages.

“Our ballot for strike action continues. Today’s offer will make our members more determined to have their voice heard. I would urge members to vote in favour of strike and to post back their ballot papers now.”

Healthy Tip: Stop Smoking

Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by the Health Promotion and Education Team at Heart Research UK

Healthy Heart Tip: Stop Smoking

In the UK around 5.5 million adults smoke. Although rates of smoking have decreased in recent years, the number of people who smoke remains high. Smoking harms almost all organs in the body and it is the leading cause of preventable deaths in England. It can damage your blood vessels and heart, which increases your risk of having a heart attack.

Quitting smoking can be very difficult, but it is an important step for reducing your risk of heart disease. Here we provide some tips for stopping smoking.

List your reasons for stopping

An effective and simple thing you can do to stay on track is to write a list of the reasons why you wish to quit smoking. Think about what it would mean for you to stop smoking, how would your life change and who would be proudest of you. Keep the list with you at all times, or write it on your phone, whenever you feel the urge to smoke, you can read this list and it should inspire you to keep going.

Make a plan

As soon as you stop smoking, your risk of heart disease will reduce so the sooner you decide to quit the better. Try to choose a date within the next two weeks and start making preparations. Identify the triggers that make you feel like smoking and work out how to deal with them in advance. For example, if you hang around with other people who smoke, you could plan to spend more time with non-smokers or do smoke-free activities with friends who are smokers. If you usually smoke during your break at work, plan to go for a walk instead.

Get support

Both from professionals and family. Dealing with cigarette withdrawal can be tough and it can lead to you feeling emotional and upset. Before quitting, speak to close friends and relatives and let them know your plan; ask them to try their best to support and encourage you along the way and be extra patient with you if you’re snappy or more moody than usual. There is a lot of professional support available for people who want to stop smoking, you could contact your local Stop Smoking Services or chat to your GP. If you know someone who is also trying to quit smoking, you could offer to support each other and hold each other accountable.

If you are a smoker, quitting is most likely the single biggest thing you can do to improve your health and reduce your risk of heart disease. Make this October the month you finally do it and your future self will thank you.

For more tips on how to stay healthy, sign up for our weekly healthy tips at www.heartresearch.org.uk/healthy-tips.

To help keep your heart healthy, why not try out some of our Healthy Heart recipes from our website: https://heartresearch.org.uk/heart-research-uk-recipes-2/.

Or have a look through our Healthy Heart cookbook filled with recipes from top chefs, celebrities and food bloggers:

https://heartresearch.org.uk/heart-research-uk-cookbook/.

Breastfeeding Buddies at PCHP

Lothian Breastfeeding Buddies will be here at Pilton Community Health Project tomorrow and every Thursday at 1pm.

Pop in to chat with the peer-supporters here. This group suits any mums who are breastfeeding and have any questions or experiences they’d like to share. It also suits any mums-to-be who have questions or are thinking about breastfeeding. Just pop in!

Lothian Breastfeeding Buddies also deliver groups and advice elsewhere.

Click on this link to find out more https://linktr.ee/LothianBreastfeedingBuddies

2022.09.02_SfL_BF_OTTBSLeaflet Download

Bird flu: Bird keepers ordered to follow strict biosecurity measures as UK-wide Prevention Zone introduced

All bird keepers must implement strict biosecurity measures until further notice to keep their birds safe from avian influenza

An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) has been declared across the United Kingdom following an increase in the number of detections of avian influenza in wild birds and on commercial premises.

This means that all bird keepers must implement strict biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks from the threat of avian influenza, regardless of whatever type or size. Introducing these steps on farm is the most effective way in reducing the risk of disease spreading.

In addition to this, a regional housing measure remains in place across Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of Essex, where keepers must house their flocks until further notice. Maps of the regional housing measure and national AIPZ are in our declarations.

The UK has faced its largest ever outbreak of bird flu with over 190 cases confirmed across the country since late October 2021. Check the list of confirmed avian influenza cases.

These measures will remain in place until further notice, and will be kept under regular review as part of the government’s work to monitor and manage the risks of avian influenza.

The wild bird risk across Great Britain has increased from medium to high and the risk to poultry with stringent biosecurity has moved up to medium.

The risk to poultry with poor biosecurity has been increased to high, in light of the increased number of infected premises observed during September and October and the distance of some of these, as well as wild bird cases, from the coast.

All bird keepers must now follow enhanced measures at all times to prevent the risk of future outbreaks.

Dr Christine Middlemiss, the UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer, said: “We are seeing a growing number of bird flu cases on commercial farms and in backyard birds across the country driven by high levels of disease within wild birds.

“Unfortunately we expect the number of cases to continue to rise over the coming months as migratory birds return to the UK, bringing with them further risk of disease that can spread into our kept flocks.

“We’re taking action already by implementing a national Avian Influenza Prevention Zones and housing measures in the worst-affected areas, but it is important that all bird keepers – wherever they are in the country – ensure that cleanliness and hygiene are at the forefront of their minds to keep their flocks safe and limit the impact of the outbreak.”

Public health advice remains that the risk to human health from the virus is very low and food standards bodies advise that avian influenzas pose a very low food safety risk for UK consumers. Do not touch or pick up any dead or sick birds that you find and instead report them to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77. There is no impact on the consumption of properly cooked poultry products, including eggs.

All poultry gatherings, including at fairs, shows and markets, remain banned, due to a large number of flocks mixing together and the risk posed by any infections spreading across the country.

Avian influenza is in no way connected to the COVID-19 pandemic, which is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and is not carried in poultry or captive birds.

In a joint statement, the Chief Veterinary Officers for England, Scotland and Wales said: “Bird keepers have faced the largest ever outbreak of avian flu this year and with winter brings an even more increased risk to flocks as migratory birds return to the United Kingdom.

“Scrupulous biosecurity and hygiene measures are the best form of defence, which is why we have declared an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) across Great Britain, meaning that all bird keepers must take action to help prevent the disease spreading to more poultry and other domestic birds.

“The introduction of an AIPZ means that regardless of whether you keep a few birds or thousands, you are legally required to meet enhanced biosecurity requirements to protect your birds from this highly infectious disease.”

The introduction of an AIPZ follows a decision to raise the risk level for avian influenza incursion in wild Birds in Great Britain from ‘medium’ to ‘high’.

For poultry and other captive birds the risk level has been raised from ‘medium’ to ‘high’ at premises where biosecurity is below the required standards, and from ‘low’ to ‘medium’ where stringent biosecurity measures are applied.

Advice to poultry keepers

All bird keepers must keep a close watch on them for signs of disease and maintain good biosecurity at all times. If you have any concerns about the health of your birds, seek prompt advice from your vet.

All bird keepers (whether they are pet birds, a commercial farm or just a few birds in a backyard flock) must remain vigilant and help prevent avian influenza by:

cleanse and disinfect clothing, footwear, equipment and vehicles before and after contact with poultry and captive birds – if practical, use disposable protective clothing
reduce the movement of people, vehicles or equipment to and from areas where poultry and captive birds are kept, to minimise contamination from manure, slurry and other products, and use effective vermin control
keep records of mortality, movement of poultry and poultry products and any changes in production
thoroughly clean and disinfect housing on a continuous basis
keep fresh disinfectant at the right concentration at all farm and poultry housing entry and exit points
minimise direct and indirect contact between poultry and captive birds and wild birds, including making sure all feed and water is not accessible to wild birds
prevent access by poultry to ponds and watercourses and ensure that birds are kept in fenced or enclosed areas

It is a legal requirement for bird keepers in the national AIPZ to take these biosecurity measures.

See our biosecurity advice for more information.

Avian influenza (bird flu) is a notifiable animal disease.

If you suspect any type of avian influenza in poultry or captive birds you must report it immediately by calling the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301. In Scotland, contact your local Field Services Office. Failure to do so is an offence.

Record number of Scotland’s A&E patients wait over eight hours

Responding to the latest figures showing the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh sees only 40.6% of A&E patients within 4 hours, Foysol Choudhury MSP said: “The figures for patients being seen at A&E within 4 hours in Edinburgh remain alarmingly low, even before the anticipated winter crisis hits.

“The Cabinet Secretary for Health has said that ‘recovery from Covid will not happen overnight’, but we are yet to see any evidence of recovery at all. The 4-hour figures for NHS Lothian last averaged above 90% in March 2021, while the figures for Edinburgh Royal last averaged above 90% in October 2020. The trend has been downwards since then.

“Hard-working NHS staff are doing their best for patients in very difficult circumstances, but they are being let down by long-running structural failures which remain unresolved by this SNP-Green government.

“The Scottish Government needs to take urgent action now to arrest two years of decline in our health service, or risk putting patient safety in jeopardy over winter.”

The Scottish Conservatives said: “This week, A&E waiting time figures showed 1506 patients waiting more than half a day in emergency departments.

“Hardworking NHS staff are being pushed beyond their limits and patients are suffering needlessly as a result of SNP inaction.”

Mr Yousaf said: “A&E departments are working under significant pressure and, in common with other healthcare systems across the UK and globally, the pandemic continues to impact performance.

“Recovery from Covid will not happen overnight, which is why we are continuing to work with boards on a number of measures to reduce pressure this winter.”

Comparison Table: NHS Boards and Scotland

Date ↓ NHS Board Attendance % within 4 hours
09-Oct-2022 NHS Ayrshire & Arran 1,818 67.2
09-Oct-2022 NHS Borders 577 60.5
09-Oct-2022 NHS Dumfries & Galloway 956 78.6
09-Oct-2022 NHS Fife 1,328 63
09-Oct-2022 NHS Forth Valley 1,145 39.7
09-Oct-2022 NHS Grampian 1,923 62.5
09-Oct-2022 NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde 6,471 63.6
09-Oct-2022 NHS Highland 1,257 78.4
09-Oct-2022 NHS Lanarkshire 3,793 54.3
09-Oct-2022 NHS Lothian 4,488 61.7
09-Oct-2022 NHS Orkney 95 93.7
09-Oct-2022 NHS Shetland 187 92.5
09-Oct-2022 NHS Tayside 1,546 90.4
09-Oct-2022 NHS Western Isles 100 96
09-Oct-2022 NHSScotland 25,684 64.2

1 in 10 men think the menopause has no symptoms

Statement-making menopause board game launched to break the stigma

Intimate wellness brand INTIMINA has released Menopause: The Board Game, using play to raise awareness of the 40+ symptoms of the menopause
The game follows a study pointing to a clear lack of knowledge about the menopause – with one in 10 adults not knowing what the menopause entails
13% of men think the menopause has no symptoms at all
INTIMINA has partnered with menopause wellbeing organisation, PositivePause to use the board game in workplace menopause training sessions
A limited initial batch will also be available directly. To register interest, email intimina@thisicow.com

Forget about solving ‘whodunnit’ in the billiard room or playing at being a property tycoon. This year’s must-play – and possibly most important – board game is all about the menopause. That’s right, for the first time, the more than 40 symptoms of menopause have become the basis of a unique and thought-provoking board game.

Menopause: The Board Game is launching to coincide with World Menopause Day (18th October) and was created by intimate wellness brand INTIMINA alongside gynaecology specialist GP Dr Susanna Unsworth to raise much-needed awareness of the menopause and tackle the taboo that surrounds it.

Appropriate for all ages, the board game will see players race from start to finish answering questions about the menopause along the way. Using uterus-shaped tokens, players will take it in turns to move across the game board – which resembles the changes in oestrogen levels during the menopause. Question cards will quiz players on the many and varied symptoms, with answers and explanations to help people learn as they play.

The board game comes as new research reveals more than one in 10 (12%) adults say they aren’t confident they know what the menopause is. This figure jumps to almost a fifth (17%) when looking specifically at men. What’s more, more than a third (34%) of people asked said they were unsure they knew what perimenopause is or what it entails.

INTIMINA’s research also showed the number of symptoms associated with the menopause is vastly underestimated. On average, respondents said there were 11 symptoms of the menopause, but the reality is there are more than 40. Worryingly, more than one in 10 (13%) men polled didn’t know the menopause had any symptoms at all.

The startling lack of knowledge about the menopause is also behind a quarter (25%) of those surveyed believing that people are actually given medication to dissolve unused eggs once menopausal. One in seven (14%) also think you can’t have sex whilst going through the menopause.

It is well-documented that people experiencing menopause need more support in the workplace. And over two thirds (68%) of those surveyed by INTIMINA agree that people should receive menopause sensitivity and awareness training at work.

With this in mind, INTIMINA has partnered, on the launch of its board game, with Positive Pause who provide no-nonsense information on their free to access menopause platform and deliver dynamic, online workplace training sessions. PositivePause will be using Menopause: The Board Game in upcoming training sessions and events.

Justine Pescher, spokesperson for INTIMINA comments: “The menopause is something that affects around half the population, yet there isn’t enough education and open dialogue surrounding it which leads to misinformation and a lack of sensitivity for those going through it.

“Our research showed only 13% are taught about it at school and it’s widely agreed that it should be a topic discussed as part of workplace training. That’s why we’ve crated Menopause: The Board Game, a game that not only teaches players about the menopause but also encourages conversations in normal, everyday settings.”

Gynaecology Specialist for INTIMINA, Dr Susanna Unsworth, adds: “It’s clear there is a lot of misunderstanding when it comes to the menopause and its symptoms, amongst both men and women.

“I’m delighted that INTIMINA created Menopause: The Board Game as a tool to raise awareness and knowledge about a staggeringly overlooked and misunderstood process. I look forward to seeing it kick-start conversations this World Menopause Day and beyond.”

Ann Stephens, co-founder of PositivePause says: “All women and some members of the trans and non-binary community are guaranteed to go through menopause yet most lack basic awareness of the signs and symptoms.

“Many fail to join the dots as they begin to experience the impact of fluctuating hormones in perimenopause. Opening up the conversation brings menopause out of the shadows. By normalising what is all too often perceived as a negative process, it can be turned into a positive.

“The better informed we all are, the better it is for everyone, benefiting women’s health, relationships, and employment. As we like to say, ‘menopause is not about the time of the month, it’s about having the time of your life!’.

“Menopause: The Board Game is a genius concept for getting the topic of menopause into the workplace, making it positive, interactive, educational and a lot less scary.”

INTIMINA is also offering 15% off its Kegel exerciser, KegelSmart for Menopause Week (from 17th October to 23rd October). Hormonal changes during the menopause can impact pelvic floor, and Kegel exercises can help strengthen it, leading to improved bladder control, vaginal tightness, and sexual sensations.

In addition to board games distributed to PositivePause, a limited initial batch will be available from INTIMINA. To register interest please email intimina@thisiscow.com

Making Thyme

MEN’S COOKING CLUB at PILTON COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECT

We’re getting ready to launch a new Cooking Club for men!!!

Making Thyme will take place each week on Tuesdays 1-3pm from our kitchen at #PCHP. This is an informal and fun cooking club open to all men. Whether you’re keen to share your passion for cooking with others or interested in learning new skills and socializing, please sign up!

All the info is on the poster, or you can register directly via the link below:

https://forms.office.com/r/wfu3e598rC

We hope to begin this group on Tuesday the 8th of November so stay tuned for more info. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Hope to see you there!

InterContinental Edinburgh The George ensures sweet dreams

· Historic city centre hotel partners with sleep specialist Donna Fairley to create a recipe for the ideal winter’s night sleep as the UK prepares for clocks to change

· InterContinental Edinburgh The George has also worked with independent Scottish perfume house, Jorum Studio, to create a new bespoke scent – featuring Scottish botanicals of lavender and gorse – to help guests drift off

· Guests will also have access to in-room yoga sessions from Hot Yoga Edinburgh, to relax the mind and body

· The room add-on service is bookable from 30 October when clocks change to Greenwich Mean Time for winter

Travellers to Edinburgh will have even sweeter dreams from October at InterContinental Edinburgh The George, as the luxury hotel launches A Moment of Tranquillity aimed at helping guests to unwind and get a great night’s sleep in time for the season changing.

The historic city centre hotel has worked with a selection of local partners to develop the ultimate relaxation package, which will launch on 30^th October to coincide with the clocks changing.

Partnering with behavioural sleep expert Donna Fairley, a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist for Insomnia from Sleep Consultancy Ltd in Edinburgh, the hotel has gathered expert tips on counteracting issues that the changing seasons can bring to slumber, to create the new room add-on package.

InterContinental Edinburgh The George has also worked with Scottish perfume house Jorum Studio to develop a signature scent, which will be spritzed during a luxury turndown service.

Jorum was established in 2010 by Euan McCall as one of Scotland’s first fragrance houses. In 2019, Euan launched Jorum Studio with his partner, Chloe Mullen, and the pair have been building a new, world-class perfume making industry in Scotland from their base in Edinburgh’s charming Stockbridge. Jorum crafts everything in-house, creating innovative and eclectic fragrances with the highest quality materials.

The new sleep-inducing room spray is named after the winter Celtic Goddess Cailleach, and encapsulates the soothing scents of chamomile, jasmine, ylang ylang, lavender and raspberry. The luxurious soft musk-based fragrance also features gorse, in a nod to the Scottish landscape that has inspired much of the interiors of the luxury property.

Meanwhile, to help guest clear their minds before sleep, yoga studio, Hot Yoga Edinburgh, has provided a bespoke aromatherapy yoga class and morning wake-up routine, available for guests to view in room.

Instructor Allison Harrison will guide guests through a restorative series of gentle seated and standing positions to help clear the mind, relax the body and reduce stress levels.

Michael Martin, General Manager at InterContinental Edinburgh The George, comments: “We know that whether you are travelling for work or play, sleeping well can help you to have a far more successful and enjoyable trip.

“Our specially curated Moment of Tranquillity package will help guests relax and enable them to have the dream stay in any of our splendid rooms.

“Everyone wants to get the most from exploring beautiful, historic city destinations like Edinburgh and our new offering will allow guests to wake up refreshed after a peaceful night sleep, ready for the day ahead.”

Behavioural sleep specialist, Donna Fairley, comments: “Autumn is a wonderful time for long nights, curling up with cosy blankets and relaxing by the fire. Getting a good night’s sleep in winter should seem like no problem.

“However, for some people, winter can wreak havoc on sleep quality and quantity, particularly when we set our clocks back one hour for daylight saving time. If you’re busy and travelling, perhaps even more so.

“During the first few days after setting the clocks back, you will also notice that it’s bright outside in the mornings and becomes dark at an earlier time each evening. If you’re one of those people who finds that these colder, shorter months mean more tossing and turning at night it may be because fewer hours of daylight in the winter can have a big impact on your sleep-wake cycle.

“There is no single fix for everyone but there are great sleep hygiene tips available. These scientifically validated tips have been included in ‘A Moment of Tranquillity’ to help visitors get the best night’s sleep possible in the luxury surroundings of InterContinental Edinburgh The George.”

Donna’s top tips and strategies for practicing good sleep hygiene:

1. Establish a consistent routine, try and keep a regular bed and wake time, including at the weekend, as this can help prepare you for time changes.

2. Get sunlight exposure as soon as you get up. Get outdoors in the morning, soon after the sun comes up. If that’s not possible, try to at least sit by a window during the first few hours of daylight.

3. Caffeine should be consumed in the morning as it can enhance performance. Caffeine consumed within six hours of bedtime can disrupt your sleep cycle. Avoid alcohol close to bedtime. Alcohol has a sedative effect and will make you fall asleep quickly, but it has been linked to poor sleep quality and duration.

4. In the evening, dim lighting is important. The bedroom should be as dark as possible with black-out blinds and lined curtains. When you are ready to sleep, the room should be so dark you cannot see your hand.

5. The bedroom should not be too hot; the ideal temperature is around 18 degrees Celsius. A drop in room temperature should start around two hours before you go to sleep, coinciding with the release of the sleep hormone melatonin.

6. If you tend to be a worrier, factor constructive ‘worry time’ into the early evening but not too close to bedtime. Try to think about what went well that day. Have a to-do list for outstanding tasks for the following day, so that when you waken during the night, you can reassure yourself that everything is in hand. Let it go!

7. Relaxing scents and fragrances can help you unwind.

8. Have a hot bath or shower two hours before bed, using scented oils to help you unwind. This will not only help you to relax but will initially raise your body temperature which will then fall and thereby optimise the natural effects of melatonin.

9. Practice stretching before bed. Yoga has been proven to initiate and allow for a deeper, more relaxing sleep.

10.With its soothing and mildly sedative effect, chamomile tea prior to bedtime can help with sleep.

InterContinental Edinburgh The George is perfectly nestled in Edinburgh’s old town. Each of its rooms and suites sit above the city bustle with a colour palette matching the Scottish landscape of Highland glens to forest ferns and mountain heathers.

Luxury interiors with homely design touches including throws, bathrobes and black-out curtains, make it the ideal spot for a restful night this winter.

A Moment of Tranquillity is a pre-bookable luxury turndown service, using the bespoke Jorum scents and includes access to Hot Yoga Edinburgh’s evening and morning classes, Byredo bath products, and warm chamomile tea served just before bedtime to help guests fully relax.

Building on the advice from sleep expert, Donna, the hotel’s housekeeping team will pre-set the room temperature to 18 degrees for guest arrival, to help them unwind from the moment the step inside the hotel. Guests can also dd a gentle morning wake-up call.

Guests booking Moment of Tranquillity are being offered an exclusive 20% discount at Jorum Studio, to explore the perfumery during their stay, and find their ideal winter scent.

A Double Classic Room starts from £170. To arrange Moment of Tranquillity on a visit to InterContinental Edinburgh The George, email edinburghthegeorge@ihg.com.

For more information, visit: edinburgh.intercontinental.com/offers/

Cramond residents put their feet up at new care home salon

CARE residents have been offered the chance to indulge in an immersive salon experience as part of an activities rota aimed at improving residents’ wellbeing.

Cramond Residence has transformed one of its activity rooms into a purpose-built salon with a host of spa mornings planned throughout the month.

The indulgent experience will see residents drifting away to peaceful spa music while enjoying a hand or foot massage from experienced therapists.

Garylee Rushford, Lifestyle Coordinator at Cramond Residence, said: “The spa mornings are designed to be a relaxing and sensory experience bringing joy to our resident’s day while improving their overall wellbeing.

“At Cramond, we try to ensure that we bring a homely sense into every aspect of our care. We believe that residents shouldn’t forgo any of the activities that they might have previously enjoyed.

“No one should have to miss out on the benefits of a well-deserved massage. Not only will it help soothe the residents’ joints and muscles, but it will also help them switch off and forget about the stress of daily life.”

Included in the home’s current offering for residents and curated by its dedicated lifestyle team are bespoke physiotherapy sessions provided by boutique experts. The home combines luxury hotel living with the reassuring feeling of being in your own home.

Its jam-packed excursions and activities rota is centred around providing residents with fun and fulfilling lives with offerings aimed at stimulating both the mind and body.

Garylee added: “Our residents are encouraged to take things at their own pace and there is always something to see and do – whether it’s taking part in a class or other activity, going out on an excursion, being pampered in our luxury salon, or enjoying a film in the cinema.”

Located in Cramond to the north of the city, the care home was launched in 2018 to offer uncompromising nurse-led care, as well as respite and dementia specialist services, and provides small-group living for up to 74 residents in nine luxuriously-appointed homes.

Cramond Residence offer tours of their quality accommodation and facilities, allowing potential residents and loved ones to see the residence for themselves, meet the team and discuss requirements.

To find out more, call 0131 341 4037 or visit https://cramondresidence.co.uk/

More than fun and games: hospital’s Play Team changes wee Emily’s life

The mother of a patient at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow has praised the incredible impact the Play Team have had on her daughter.

Since birth, Emily Donn displayed issues with feeding and has been in and out of hospital for appointments with gastroenterology and urology consultants, surgeons and specialist nurse teams for bowel and bladder.

Emily’s symptoms have resulted in several hospital stays, tests, scans, theatre visits, procedures and treatments over the years, which have led to high levels of anxiety and stress at times.

However, while it’s been a lot to take on physically and emotionally, the RHC’s Play Team have played a key role in helping Emily, who is now eight, to learn more about complex medical procedures while helping to ease her concerns and comfort her.

Emily’s mum Julie said: “Emily first met the play team when she was four and interactions with them have been the key to the success of most of the things that Emily has been able to achieve. When she first came to the hospital she was very nervous about what the experience would be like and was a bit scared of what would happen.

“The Play Team have seen her through so many procedures. We use them both before appointments for preparation and after to allow her a pressure-free space to relax. I’m also so grateful for the support they have given myself.

“They talk me through different ways I can help Emily and help me to think outside the box when things are tough. They are also so incredibly easy to talk to and can make the most difficult days better just by listening and chatting. Sometimes I need the support as much as Emily and they are always there to help.

“They have also worked with Emily’s sister on occasions when she has been at the hospital with her to ensure she doesn’t feel left out and that she understands what is happening with Emily as well.”

When people hear the term ‘Play Team’ they may think of a service that gives children the chance to have fun while they spend time in hospital. And while the team build great relationships and encourage learning through play, they do so much more.

Over the years, Emily, who is from Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire, has worked closely with the Play Team, but has a particular bond with Teri Wright, who is one of the Health Play Specialists at the RHC.

Whether it’s listening to her concerns, playing games or explaining procedures in an interactive way at the site’s Teddy Hospital, which is the only one of its kind in Scotland, Teri has always been able to find a connection with Emily.

Last month, Teri and her colleague Wendy McKechnie, who is a Play Assistant, were recognised by the Children’s Health Scotland Awards for their amazing work, with Teri finding out after the event that Emily nominated her.

Julie added: “Teri has helped Emily through some of the most challenging times, she can tell if she is having an off day and is really attentive to her interests and knows how to get her engaging.

“The impact was so clear during COVID-19 – I think that time really highlighted the importance of the team. You could really see Teri’s smile behind the mask which was so important in keeping Emily positive and interested. Despite the masks Teri’s friendly face was still shining through keeping fun and familiarity as the focus at an otherwise really uncertain time.

“Teri also nominated Emily for a young achievers award at the same awards last year, so when she found out she could put Teri forward she was desperate to do it. We can’t thank Teri and the team enough for what they have done and continue to do for us.”

From October 10 until October 14, Play Teams across the country are celebrated as part of National Play In Hospital Week for the work they do with children like Emily and the positive impact they have on their mental health wellbeing and recovery.

Teri said: “It was excellent to hear that we had been nominated by Emily. I have worked with her for a long, long time and she has had a very hard time of it. She is still attending here and we have such a great relationship.

“I nominated her for the young achievers previously because she had gone through so much and still continued to get on with things as best she possibly could. It affects the whole family when a child is unwell, it impacts on everything, their mental health, their schooling, their social life.

“In this job, for me, when you can see a child engage with our approach and you see the fear and anxiety is removed, that’s the most rewarding thing. When a parent comes up and thanks you or a patient comes back and recognises you years on for the work you’d done for their family, that’s when you know you’re helping to make a difference.

“I’m not a nurse, but I am there to support the children and their families at what can be a hugely stressful time. I think they see us as a friend. What we do is all play based, at the Teddy Hospital we explain what will happen through role play, with a teddy or doll, and we take them on visits to meet the staff and learn about procedures we do as many sessions as needed to help with their nerves and anxiety.”

Mandy Meechan, Interim Chief Nurse for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “We are all so proud of Teri, Wendy and our entire Play Team at the Royal Hospital for Children who do such an amazing job to support the children in our care and their families.

“You can see how strong a connection they have with the patients they work with on a daily basis. The role of play in helping children understand procedures and treatment, which helps to ease worries and anxieties they may have, cannot be understated. Congratulations on your much deserved recent award.”

The work of the RHC’s Play Team, and the site’s Teddy Hospital also receives support from the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, who have witnessed the impact of play on patients and their families.

Kirsten Watson, the charity’s CEO, said: “We have proudly supported the hospital’s play programme for more than 20 years, and believe it to be an indispensable part of a child’s hospital journey.

“Last year we invested more than £519,000 in play services, funding play staff, specialist equipment and fun events to relieve anxiety, support mental health and give children a positive experience in hospital.

“We are incredibly grateful to our donors and fundraisers for raising the vital funds that enable us to provide a structured play programme, which aims to give every child in hospital the chance to play.”