Social Care Minister Maree Todd will join the first of a series of events where people can co-design the new National Care Service.
Today’s event at Stirling’s Albert Halls will allow carers, people who access and deliver care, including the workforce, and anyone with an interest to contribute to how a new National Care Service could work.
Since the regional forums were announced last month, more than 600 have signed up to take part in-person and online, with additional capacity already being made for the Glasgow event next week.
Ms Todd said: “We want everyone to have access to consistently high-quality social care support across Scotland, whenever they might need it.
“There are unique demands across the country, which is why we’re going to different areas over the next 18 months, ensuring communities across Scotland can help design a National Care Service tailored to local needs.
“Having listened to people who access and deliver care support – both paid and unpaid – as well as care providers, unions and the third sector during the parliamentary process, these meetings will allow us to work with people who access care support, have a loved one that receives care, or works in the sector to think about how to meet the needs we have heard about. This will help us ensure the legislation reflects what people need and know as it progresses through Parliament.”
“I am pleased that there has been such interest in signing up, Spaces are still available, with online events providing another option for those who want to have their voices heard if they can’t make it in person.
The 111 service provides urgent care triage if you think you need A&E but it’s not life-threatening, and advice when your GP, pharmacy or dental practice is closed.
Knowing when to phone NHS 111 can help us manage calls effectively, and help you get the right care in the right place quickly.
Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by the Health Promotion and Education Team at Heart Research UK
Healthy Heart Tip: Heart Healthy BBQ
Nothing quite says summer like the smell of a BBQ! This week’s healthy tip is all about how we can turn a regular not-so-healthy BBQ into a flavour packed heart healthy feast for the whole family to enjoy. We give you tips on how to increase the fibre and reduce the fat content of your usual BBQ spread.
Sizzling skewers
Skewers are great for BBQ’s, and you can fill them with a rainbow of vegetables to help you hit your five-a-day and add some heart-healthy fibre to your meal.
Peppers, courgette, onion, and tomatoes work well together. The key is to cut your veggies into similar size chunks and if you’re using wooden skewers make sure you soak them before grilling so they don’t burn.
Choose fish and chicken
When thinking about a BBQ, burgers and sausages usually spring to mind and while these are fine to eat in moderation, there are heart-healthier options to choose.
Try grilling salmon wrapped in foil with some lemon for an omega-3 rich lean protein source to pair with your skewers. If you still fancy sausages, choose lean chicken varieties which contain less saturated fat.
Add a jacket spud
Jacket potatoes are the perfect BBQ accompaniment as you can cook them in advance and then wrap them in foil to pop on the BBQ to warm up.
They pair perfectly with veggie skewers and salmon to create a balanced heart-healthy delicious BBQ meal to enjoy in the garden.
Staff, patients and visitors at the Western General Hospital welcomed conceptual artist, Bill Drummond, to officially commence the loan of his ‘The Boy Friends’ Painting’ for the next year. As part of the event, guests also heard the artist speak about the inspiration for and background to the work.
Bill created The Boy Friends’ Painting to support local Portobello poet and author, Michael Pedersen’s memoir, Boy Friends, about losing a friend before their time. In 2018, Michael lost his cherished friend, Scott Hutchison, to suicide.
Scott was the genius singer song writer of Frightened Rabbit, whose back catalogue has influenced music makers for years and touched the lives of music lovers all over the world.
Michael asked Bill to do a painting for the launch of the book and he created a large 190 x 130cm canvas with the text “The Boy Friends’ Painting”. He has invited others to paint some of the painting and then, on the back of the canvas, add the name of the person they have lost too soon. By doing so, they become immortalised as part of Bill Drummond’s art for evermore.
Dr Catherine Quinn, Consultant, Medicine of the Elderly and POPS at the Western General, became aware of the painting while attending the Boy Friends book launch in The Queen’s Hall in Edinburgh.
She said: “When Bill invited people to offer to take the painting for a year to use it wherever they thought it may improve the wellbeing of others, a few other hospital consultants and I thought this would be such an amazing piece to have at the Western General.
“Bill was really keen on the idea of it being displayed where patients, staff and visitors could view it and hopefully gain some benefit from interacting with it, so has gifted it to us for a year.
“We are delighted that he made a special visit to Edinburgh this week to explain the background to the painting and invite others to be part of this journey celebrating the lives of the friends we loved and lost. During its time with us, the canvas is likely to change significantly, but that’s part of the aim.”
The team at the Western General is working with NHS Lothian Charity’s Tonic Arts team to support the display and sharing of the work.
Susan Grant, Tonic Arts Manager, said: “This is such a generous gesture by artist Bill Drummond. Loans and events like this really help to reinforce how important art and creativity are in healthcare settings.
“Art can help take you out of yourself, sometimes providing relief and distraction from what is happening to you; sometimes providing a therapeutic process. What may seem like the simple act of contributing the name of a loved one to a piece of art can help honour a memory and can help in some small way towards healing. That’s the beauty of art, it can support so many people in such a variety of ways.”
Bill Drummond said: “I’m very pleased, it sounds pretentious, but I’m honoured to have the painting at the Western General with the NHS being under so much pressure.”
Bill Drummond has had a prodigious and eclectic art career that, since 1976, has taken on a multitude of forms including writing and performing music (he’s a founding member of the KLF), managing bands (Echo and the Bunnymen), running record labels, forming art foundations, writing, publishing, lecturing, and painting. He has supported countless other artists in their creative journeys.
Michael Pederson wrote the very moving Boy Friends book as a means of confronting the bewildering process of grief. What starts as a love letter to his best friend, becomes a celebration of friendship and an exploration of the gap that is left when someone you love leaves this world before their time.
The painting will be displayed in the Anne Ferguson café area of the Western General Hospital.
LEADING RESEARCHER TO GIVE TALK AT MACULAR SOCIETY SUPPORT GROUP MEETING
The Edinburgh Macular Society Support Group has moved venue to St Ninian’s Episcopal Church, Comely Bank, EH4 1AG, where it meets on the last Friday of each month (excluding August and December) between 10.30am-12.30pm.
The monthly group is run by the leading UK sight loss charity the Macular Society, in partnership with local people.
The group is one of 400 of its kind in the UK. It offers vital information, encouragement and friendship to people who are affected by macular disease – the leading cause of sight loss for which there is no cure. The meetings are also social occasions where members can chat over a cup of tea or coffee.
At its meeting on Friday 30 June, renowned ophthalmologist Professor Baljeen Dhillion, Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology at the University of Edinburgh will attend to discuss the latest research developments including an ongoing local project to maximise the use of data collected from retinal scans.
Iona McLean, Macular Society regional manager for Scotland south east, said: “We’re extremely excited to welcome professor Baljean Dhillion to our upcoming group meeting, which will offer a great insight into the world of macular research.
“Our group members will no doubt find it incredibly beneficial to hear from one of the people making a difference to the lives of so many others with a macular condition.
“The group is open to anyone with a visual impairment, their friends, family or carers so pop along and see how being a part of our community can make a difference to you.”
Macular disease is the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK. Nearly 1.5 million people are currently affected and many more are at risk. The disease can have a devastating effect on people’s lives, leaving them unable to drive, read or see faces. Many people affected describe losing their sight as being similar to bereavement.
There is still no cure and most types of the disease are not treatable. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common form of macular disease, affecting more than 600,000 people, usually over the age of 50.
The Edinburgh Macular Society Support Group is one of six groups which meet across the city. The charity runs support groups in Morningside, Portobello, Stockbridge, South Queensferry and the Edinburgh Working Age and Young People.
For more information on the group, or other groups in your area please contact Iona McLean on 07517 543 998, or email Iona.McLean@macularsociety.org
For general information on macular disease, call the Macular Society on 0300 3030 111 or email help@macularsociety.org
A local sight loss group which supports people living with a visual impairment is tomeet at a new time and place in Edinburgh.
The Edinburgh Macular Society Support Group has moved venue to St Ninian’s Episcopal Church, Comely Bank, EH4 1AG, where it meets on the last Friday of each month (excluding August and December) between 10.30am-12.30pm.
The monthly group is run by the leading UK sight loss charity the Macular Society, in partnership with local people.
The group is one of 400 of its kind in the UK. It offers vital information, encouragement and friendship to people who are affected by macular disease – the leading cause of sight loss for which there is no cure. The meetings are also social occasions where members can chat over a cup of tea or coffee.
At its meeting on Friday 30 June, renowned ophthalmologist professor Baljeen Dhillion, Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology at the University of Edinburgh will attend to discuss the latest research developments including an ongoing local project to maximise the use of data collected from retinal scans.
Iona McLean, Macular Society regional manager for Scotland south east, said: “We’re extremely excited to welcome professor Baljean Dhillion to our upcoming group meeting, which will offer a great insight into the world of macular research. Our group members will no doubt find it incredibly beneficial to hear from one of the people making a difference to the lives of so many others with a macular condition.
“The group is open to anyone with a visual impairment, their friends, family or carers so pop along and see how being a part of our community can make a difference to you.”
Macular disease is the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK. Nearly 1.5 million people are currently affected and many more are at risk. The disease can have a devastating effect on people’s lives, leaving them unable to drive, read or see faces. Many people affected describe losing their sight as being similar to bereavement.
There is still no cure and most types of the disease are not treatable. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common form of macular disease, affecting more than 600,000 people, usually over the age of 50.
The Edinburgh Macular Society Support Group is one of six groups which meet across the city. The charity runs support groups in Morningside, Portobello, Stockbridge, South Queensferry and the Edinburgh Working Age and Young People.
For more information on the group, or other groups in your area please contact Iona McLean on 07517 543 998, or email Iona.McLean@macularsociety.org
For general information on macular disease, call the Macular Society on 0300 3030 111 or email help@macularsociety.org
A new 10-year Cancer Strategy aims to significantly cut the number of people diagnosed with later stage cancer and to reduce the health inequalities associated with the disease.
Currently around 42% of cancers are diagnosed at the later stages but through continued investment in the Detect Cancer Earlier (DCE) Programme the ambition is to reduce the number diagnosed at stages III and IV in year 10 of the plan to 24%. That would mean around 5,000 fewer people diagnosed with later stage disease in the year 2033.
The strategy is underpinned by a three-year Cancer Action Plan that contains 136 actions. Both documents focus on improving all areas of cancer services, from prevention and diagnosis through to treatment and post-treatment care, with a particular focus on the currently less-survivable cancers.
Health Secretary Michael Matheson, launched the plan at the Cancer Centre at Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, where he met staff delivering the Single Point of Contact service, which helps ensure patients have dedicated person-centred support throughout their treatment.
Mr Matheson said: “Our absolute focus is to improve cancer survival and make sure everyone gets excellent and accessible care. The pandemic had a significant impact on all aspects of health and social care, and cancer services were no exception. This Cancer Strategy will make sure we are properly delivering these vital services and clearly directing future investments.
“The strategy takes a strong public health approach, which means more cancers will be prevented. Those who require diagnostics and treatment will have prompt access to quality services. As well as being able to cure more people, we also recognise the importance of treatment to extend good quality life and the provision of excellent palliative care.
“The Scottish Cancer Network will be at the heart of our strategic ambitions, setting out agreed best clinical practice and assuring people with cancer of common standards of care, no matter where they live.
“We will continue to work closely alongside the NHS, third sector, and industry to deliver quality cancer services for the people of Scotland. The new Scottish Cancer Strategic Board will provide oversight of the strategy and action plan.”
Chair of the Scottish Cancer Coalition and Public Affairs Manager for Cancer Research UK in Scotland Dr Sorcha Hume said: “The Scottish Cancer Coalition works with the Scottish Government to ensure that the voice of cancer charities and patients is heard. We therefore welcome the publication of the new Cancer Strategy for Scotland 2023-2033.
“Our NHS is under more pressure than ever, and it is our sincere hope that this strategy is the first step towards better cancer services for the people of Scotland. It is vital however that implementation is swift, and that the strategy is adequately funded.
“We look forward to continuing our work with the Scottish Government to realise our shared ambition of improving cancer outcomes for everyone in Scotland.”
Lorraine Dallas, Chair of the Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce Scotland and Director of Information, Prevention and Support at the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, said: “The new Cancer Strategy for Scotland is a big step in the right direction for people diagnosed with one of the less survivable cancers.
“Those include cancers of the pancreas, lung, stomach, liver, brain and oesophagus (the less survivable cancers) which have an average five-year survival of just 16% from diagnosis. Lung cancer remains Scotland’s single biggest cause of cancer death and a continued focus and action to address this should be an urgent priority.
“We’re encouraged to see a clear commitment to taking action on those cancer types that have the poorest survival. We now need significant investment in research and action to improve cancer diagnostic and treatment services.
“Early diagnosis is crucial when it comes to cancer survival. We know that less survivable cancers are far more likely to be diagnosed in the later stages of the disease and this has a significant impact on treatment options.
“We will work closely with the Government, patients and clinicians to ensure that we now see action to give people who are diagnosed with these cancers a better chance of survival.”
Loneliness Awareness Week (12 – 18 June) is an initiative by the Marmalade Trust, which aims to raise awareness of loneliness across the UK and beyond.
According to research, 85% of UK adults have experienced loneliness within the last 12 months.[1]
To mark this important week, the experts at leading online training provider High Speed Training have shared some tips on how to identify the problem and help someone experiencing loneliness.
Loneliness refers to the state of being alone or the perception of being alone and isolated. This can have a significant impact on a person’s mental health.
Ellie Collier, Health and Social Care Learning and Development Manager, at High Speed Training said:“Loneliness has many different causes that vary from person to person. For some people, it may be a life event that has made them feel lonely, whilst others may feel lonely at certain times of the year. It is important to note that feelings of loneliness can change over time and depending on the circumstances.”
Some common causes of loneliness include:
Ill Health
Changing job, school or working from home
Living alone
Family or relationship issues
Issues around self-esteem
Mental health issues
Age – older people can be at particular risk of loneliness
Bereavement
Discrimination
Loneliness can lead to a myriad of health problems, especially if it is undetected. Problems can include depression, a loss of appetite, insomnia or the development of unhealthy habits.
What are the Symptoms of Loneliness?
Some feelings you might have when lonely include feeling like nobody needs or wants you and feeling like you don’t have any meaningful relationships. Other symptoms of loneliness include:
Feeling tired or lacking energy
Feeling tired or lacking energy.
Increased stress levels.
Feelings of anxiety or restlessness.
Spending a lot of time on social media.
Gaining weight or experiencing a decrease in appetite.
Feeling run down or experiencing frequent illness.
An inability to focus.
Insomnia or interrupted sleep.
Feelings of self-doubt, hopelessness or worthlessness.
Ellie continued: “Everyone feels lonely at some point in their life. While this doesn’t make the feelings any better, it is reassuring to know that others feel the same and are experiencing similar things. There are lots of things that you can do to help someone who is experiencing loneliness.
“Reach out. Simply being there for them, and letting them know you are there and that you care, can be very helpful. Don’t be afraid to ask them how they’re feeling – having someone willing to listen can be a great comfort.
“You could try offering to attend a new club or try volunteering with them. These are great ways to meet new people while pursuing a hobby or helping a cause you believe in. Often charities and local organisations are in need of more volunteers, and it can lead to feelings of gratitude and provide a sense of real purpose knowing you’re helping others.”
“It’s important to be patient: when someone is lonely, particularly if their loneliness is associated with poor mental or physical health, they may be irritable or feel misunderstood. Patience and gentle reassurance can go a long way in helping them and showing you care.”
For more information on how to help someone with loneliness, please visit the High Speed Training Hub.
Join them for DUSK, where you can experience a new wellness movement. Move your body through a glorious yoga practice to a DJ, reclaim the dancefloor, and still be home in time to pop your feet up on the sofa and get up early the next day. Or if you’re really feeling it, you could continue to party the night away!
NORTH EDINBURGH COST OF LIVING CAMPAIGN GROUP MEETING
The Cost of Living Campaign Group for North Edinburgh are meeting on Tuesday 20th June, 10.30am until 1pm at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre:
“We are the Cost of Living Campaign Group, we are residents of North Edinburgh concerned with the cost of living. A major issue contributing to the cost of living is the state of housing. Our homes are filled with damp and aren’t well insulated. Reporting repairs to Repair Direct and other services doesn’t seem to solve the issues.
“Structural lack of investment in the existing housing stock is undermining the human rights of residents, impacting on health, wellbeing and our personal finances.
“We invite you to listen to our stories and contribute to our campaign to improve homes across North Edinburgh and demand Repair Direct be made fit for purpose and a comprehensive response to dampness.”
Friday 16th June
7pm
The Bongo Club | 66 Cowgate | Edinburgh
