Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by the Health Promotion and Education Team at Heart Research UK
Healthy Heart Tip: Organise your Kitchen for Success
It probably won’t come as a shock to hear that a tidy, clean, and well-organised kitchen can make healthy eating easier. Taking the time to practically declutter and organise your kitchen and making a conscious effort to keep it tidy and clean, can make mealtimes run much smoother.
When things are in order it encourages us to choose healthier foods rather than ordering takeaways or reaching for quick, unhealthy options. Organising your kitchen can be a daunting job, especially if you’ve neglected it for some time.
Not to worry, here we share some ideas to get you started:
Clean out the fridge
Start by emptying and cleaning out your fridge. Discard any old condiments you’ve got that aren’t used and reorganise everything into sections that promote healthy choices.
Such as, keeping your fruit and snackable veggies like tomatoes, cucumber and carrots at the front of your fridge so you can easily see them and reach for them when you’re after a snack.
Empty the cabinets
Empty all your kitchen cabinets, throw away anything which is out of date and donate any unopened food that you’ve had for more than six months (and don’t anticipate yourself eating in the next few weeks) to a local food bank.
Clean out the cabinets and organise everything when putting it back in, making sure the things you use most often are easily reachable. Using small containers to keep things like herbs and spices together can help keep things tidy.
Unwanted or unneeded items
Lots of us end up with random utensils and kitchen gadgets that we never actually use. These take up space and make it harder for us to easily find the things we need and use regularly. Gather all your kitchen utensils together in one place and sort out any that aren’t needed.
Similarly, if there are items that are broken or not fit for purpose, plan to replace them – using a frying pan that constantly sticks makes us less likely to opt for a quick, healthy stir-fry, for example.
Pancreatic cancer is a cancer emergency. Almost 60 per cent of people with the disease are being diagnosed in A&E or other emergency care – the highest proportion of any common cancer. Sadly, for most people this means it is too late for them to have lifesaving treatment.
That’s why, on World Pancreatic Cancer Day on November 17th, I’m writing to highlight the symptoms of the deadliest common cancer.
These symptoms – which include, tummy and back pain, indigestion, unexplained weight loss and oily floating poo – are common to less serious health conditions and are a major cause of late diagnosis. If anyone experiences all, or just some of these symptoms and they aren’t sure why, they should contact their GP.
Our pancreatic cancer Specialist nurses are here to provide support and information to anyone affected by pancreatic cancer on our confidential, free support line on (Freecall: 0808 801 0707).
Thank you,
Dianne Dobson
Pancreatic Cancer UK Specialist Nurse
Pancreatic Cancer UK
4th Floor Westminster Tower
3 Albert Embankment
London SE1 7SP
Direct line: 07929 750 651
Pancreatic Cancer UK Support Line: Freephone 0808 801 0707
A group of employees from the Amazon fulfilment centre in Dunfermline recently participated in Scotland’s Memory Walk with the aim of raising money and awareness for Alzheimer Scotland.
Scotland’s Memory Walk is an annual event run by Alzheimer Scotland that encourages its supporters to unite across Scotland to walk in memory and in honour of loved ones with dementia.
The team started the fundraising walk at Edinburgh Airport, with the goal of finishing a 12-mile journey at the Amazon fulfilment centre in Dunfermline in four hours.
The team arrived at the fulfilment centre after 5 hours, raising a final total of £2,200 for Alzheimer Scotland through the walk.
Alzheimer Scotland is Scotland’s national dementia charity. They aim to ensure nobody faces dementia alone by providing support and information for people living with dementia, their carers and their families in Scotland.
The donation from Amazon will be used to deliver social and therapeutic activities across Alzheimer Scotland’s 24 Dementia Resource Centres and within the community, ensure families are supported by Dementia Advisors, fund vital dementia research and keep their 24hr Freephone Dementia Helpline (0808 808 3000) operating.
UNP – Amazon EDI4 – 44015 Memory Walk
From left, John Aitken, Aoife Considine with Juno, Murray Tweddle, Bonginkosi Ndlovu and Stuart Penny.
Jamie Strain, General Manager at Amazon in Dunfermline, said: “We are so proud of the team from Amazon in Dunfermline who took part in Scotland’s Memory Walk.
“Their efforts do not go unnoticed, and they should be very pleased with the amount they raised for such an important charity.”
John Aitken, an employee at Amazon in Dunfermline who took part in the fundraising walk, added: “I am very proud to have completed the walk, especially with such a great team by my side throughout the journey.
“Alzheimer Scotland is very close to my heart so it’s great that I could lend a helping hand to support the charity.”
UNP – Amazon EDI4 – 44015 Memory Walk
From left, John Aitken, Aoife Considine with Juno, Murray Tweddle, Bonginkosi Ndlovu and Stuart Penny.
Sarah Cheung, Stakeholder Engagement Leader for Alzheimer Scotland, added: “On behalf of myself and the team at Alzheimer Scotland, I would like to say thank you to Amazon in Dunfermline for its kind donation.
“I would also like to extend a huge thank you and well done to the inspiring team of staff who took part in our Memory Walk – you should all be proud of your achievements.”
The donation to Alzheimer Scotland was made as part of Amazon’s programme to support the communities around its operating locations across the UK.
A prestigious evening Awards Ceremony recognising the best of the independent care home sector will be held on Friday 18 November 2022 at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow.
The National Care Home Awards is a night of celebration, where excellence in care homes around the country will receive the recognition it deserves.
90% of all care home support in Scotland is delivered by the independent sector, with these services caring for over 32,000 older individuals and employing nearly 44,000 people.
Scottish Care, the representative body for independent social care services across Scotland and organisers of the event, are encouraging those working in the sector and the wider public to join in on the celebrations online using the hashtags #celebratecare and #careawards22.
Winners will be announced by the Awards Host – Scottish singer, TV and radio presenter, Michelle McManus.
Awards will be presented over fourteen categories:
Ancillary & Support Staff Award
Meaningful Activity Award
Nutrition & Eating Well Award
Training, Learning & Staff Development Award
Emerging Talent Award
Outstanding Achievement Award
Leadership Award
Palliative & End of Life Care Practise Award
Nurse of the Year Award
Care Worker of the Year Award
Specialist Service/Unit of the Year Award
Care Home Service of the Year Award
Positive Impact Award
Strategic Contribution Award
Dr Donald Macaskill, CEO of Scottish Care and the co-host of the Awards Ceremony said: “Care homes are places where people can live the fullest possible lives despite medical conditions or factors which might limit them. They are places of entertainment, activity, conversation and friendships. The Care Home Awards is an opportunity to show the real brilliance of the Scottish care home sector.
“The care home workforce is full of individuals who behave with dignity, compassion, professionalism and skill. We are hosting the awards to express our gratitude and to recognise the particular skills of a few.
“It is also a night to acknowledge all the individuals, teams and companies delivering care at an incredibly high standard in a challenging period and within an increasingly demanding work environment.”
The awards have been hailed a huge success in recognising individuals, teams and companies. This year saw a record number of entries from care home staff, residents and relatives nominating their peers, colleagues and local services.
The Care Home Awards follows a full-day conference for the care home sector with speakers including the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care – Humza Yousaf MSP, Chair of the Independent Review of Inspection, Scrutiny & Regulation – Dame Sue Bruce, and Chief Executive of the Care Inspectorate – Jackie Irvine.
The Scottish Care National Care Home Conference & Exhibition, which is now in its 23rd year has incorporated an awards ceremony for the last 18 years. The conference, exhibition and care awards are the largest of their kind for the care home sector in Scotland.
Support charity ribbon appeal and fight meningitis
Charity Meningitis Now has launched its 2022 Ribbon Appeal, which gives everyone an opportunity to remember loved ones this Christmas. We’d like to invite your readers to dedicate their own ribbon.
Each year the charity helps people to honour those they have lost with a ribbon inscribed with their family member or friend’s name. These are placed on our Tree of Remembrance at our Christmas Concert in Gloucester Cathedral. A permanent tribute is also made in our Book of Remembrance.
To dedicate a ribbon visit our website at www.MeningitisNow.org/ribbon before 25 November. Ribbons can be placed by anyone left bereaved, regardless of the circumstances or cause of their loss, and all donations received in exchange for a ribbon will help Meningitis Now save lives and rebuild futures, through research, awareness and support.
It’s only through the generosity of individuals that we’re able to offer our lifesaving and life-changing services, and your support really does make a difference
I hope your readers will be able to help us again this year as we continue the fight against meningitis and look to beat this devastating disease within a generation.
If anyone would like to know more about our fight against meningitis and our Ribbon Appeal, or get tickets for our Christmas Concert on Friday 2 December, please visit our website at www.MeningitisNow.org.
Residents in Glasgow City have the shortest remaining life expectancy compared to any other UK area
West Dunbartonshire comes in second for females whilst Blackpool is second for males
Inverclyde is third for females, and West Dunbartonshire is third for males
New analysis has revealed that Glasgow City has the shortest life expectancy for both men and women aged 40.
The research, by care experts Guardian Carers, analysed ONS data to reveal the life expectancy from the age of 40 for each local authority in the UK.
A 40-year-old resident of Glasgow City has the lowest remaining life expectancy compared to any other UK area. For women living in this area, the average life expectancy from the age of 40 is 39.3 years more – this is nearly ten years less than their female counterparts in Kensington and Chelsea. Male residents have an average 34.8 years more from the ages of 40.
West Dunbartonshire comes in second for women who, on average have 39.8 years left to live after the age of 40, and Blackpool places second for men at 36 years.
Ranking as the areas with the third lowest life expectancy after the ages of 40 are Inverclyde, with an average of 40.1 years expected for women, and West Dunbartonshire for men, with a predicted 36.04 years. The top three areas with the lowest life expectancy for women are situated in Scotland.
Blackpool comes in fourth for women who, according to the ONS data, have on average, 40.2 years left to live after the age of 40. Dundee City has the fourth lowest life expectancy for men with 36.2 years.
Women aged 40 in North Lanarkshire have, on average, 40.4 years left to live. Inverclyde male residents have 36.5 years, making these the areas with the fifth lowest life expectancy in the UK for women and men.
Knowsley comes in sixth as women living in this area are expected to have 40.6 years left to live. Manchester provides a further 36.7 years for men.
In seventh place, Dundee City’s female residents have an average 40.7 years of life expectancy after the age of 40, while men living in North Lanarkshire have 36.8 years.
Women in Manchester are expected to live for 40.8 more years after the age of 40, and 37.01 years for men living in Kingston upon Hull, making these the areas with the eighth highest life expectancy.
In ninth place, 40-year-old women living in Liverpool are estimated to have 40.8 years to live on average, while the figure is 37.2 years for men living in this area.
Ranking as the areas with the tenth highest life expectancy after the age of 40 is East Ayrshire for women with an average of 41 years left to live, and East Ayrshire for men, who have 37.3 years.
A 40-year-old woman living in Kensington and Chelsea has the highest remaining life expectancy compared to any other UK area. For women living in this borough, the average life expectancy from the age of 40 is 48.6 years more. Male residents in Westminster have an average of 45.5 years more from the ages of 40, the highest amount for men in the UK.
A spokesperson for Guardian Carers commented on the findings:“Women living in Kensington and Chelsea have an extra expected 9.3 years left to live compared to those in Glasgow.
“The disparities seen between areas of the UK in this analysis could highlight major problems in social, economic or health-related factors. It also shines a light on the finding that women across the UK are expected to live longer than men.
“The age of 40 marks the typical midway through an average lifetime, and it is fascinating to see how many years people can expect to live further, in each location.”
The UK Areas With The Lowest Life Expectancy For Women At The Age Of 40
Local Authority
LE
Glasgow City
39.33
West Dunbartonshire
39.83
Inverclyde
40.12
Blackpool
40.2
North Lanarkshire
40.39
Knowsley
40.66
Dundee City
40.74
Manchester
40.77
Liverpool
40.8
East Ayrshire
40.97
The UK Areas With the Lowest Life Expectancy For Men At The Age Of 40
Local Authority
LE
Glasgow City
34.76
Blackpool
35.96
West Dunbartonshire
36.04
Dundee City
36.17
Inverclyde
36.47
Manchester
36.73
North Lanarkshire
36.8
Kingston upon Hull, City of
37.01
Liverpool
37.22
East Ayrshire
37.33
Source: Office of National Statistics
The study was conducted by Guardian Carers, which is an introductory service placing carers, companions and housekeepers all over the UK and beyond; who provide a wide range of premium care services on a live-in, live-out, full-time or part-time basis.
Raise money for those living with breast and other cancers
On Saturday 9th September 2023, thousands of women and men will set off from Holyrood Park in Edinburgh to walk an overnight half or full marathon through the streets of the capital.
Walkers will be uniting to raise much needed awareness and money, which is granted towards research, prevention and supporting those living with cancer in Scotland.
Walkers can pick any theme from previous years to decorate their bra and add a sprinkle of silver.
Organised by breast cancer charity Walk the Walk, The MoonWalk Scotland will be the final event in the charity’s trilogy of MoonWalks in 2023, following The MoonWalk London, at Clapham Common on Saturday 20th May and The MoonWalk Iceland, at Lake Myvatn on Tuesday 13th June.
For all the events, Walkers can choose between half and full marathons, as well as a virtual option to take on the MoonWalk in their local area.
Those looking to experience Scotland and London can enter both and receive a special 10% discount on entry.
For the ultimate challenge take on the 3 Land Challenge and do all three MoonWalks!
Money raised by Walk the Walk through its MoonWalks is granted to help other charities and organisations across Scotland and the UK in their united aims.
The one and only iconic, original night-time walk – The MoonWalk London – was created in 1998 by Nina Barough CBE and celebrates 25 years of MoonWalking.
MoonWalks in Scotland (2006) and Iceland (2011) followed. All three MoonWalks are organised by the cancer charity Walk the Walk, founded by Nina.
Latest addition to Glasgow’s Mural Trail shines a light on health inequalities
A new mural has been officially unveiled at the Princess Royal Maternity Hospital at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, adding to Glasgow’s growing mural trail and raising awareness of health inequalities which exist in Scotland.
The Black mother and baby mural was developed in partnership between NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) and local campaigner, Rachel Dallas. The mural marks NHSGGC’s own commitment to tackling health inequalities in maternal health and baby outcomes in the UK.
The 20 x 30ft design can be seen above the main entrance to the maternity unit on Wishart Street and features the image of a real mother and baby from the local community.
It comes following research which reveals significant racial disparity in maternal care and baby outcomes within Black and ethnic minority groups across the country. A number of partnership groups within NHSGGC are helping to drive forward and further reduce inequalities by promoting diversity in all areas of healthcare, including public health and staff messaging.
Jackie Sands, senior arts and health lead at NHSGGC, said: “Art plays a powerful role in helping raise awareness of major issues in captivating and thought provoking ways.
“The Black mother and baby mural unveiled today will feature in the landscape of Glasgow for years to come, shining a light on, and reminding people of the continued drive to reduce health inequalities – particularly for Black women and babies.
“NHSGGC is delighted to play host to such a mural and to play a part in helping reduce some of those inequalities which do exist.
“A huge thanks to Artisan Artworks for painting the mural and to Rachel Dallas for joint fundraising to make the mural possible.”
Campaigner, Rachel Dallas, said: “This mural is a tribute to the women behind the statistics on racial disparities in maternal health.
“As a mixed Black woman living in Glasgow, I hope it reminds all who enter the hospital (staff, patients, and visitors) of the right to equality of both health care and health outcomes, as well as providing a beautiful representation of the strength and resilience of motherhood.”
Frank Carty of Artisan Artworks, added: “I am honoured have been involved in painting this mural which it is hoped will highlight inequality in maternal care for Black mothers.
“The image should also be very welcoming and maternal to all visitors to the maternity Hospital, and I’m hoping it will provide a really positive focus for that part of the hospital.”
Devolved governments call for more cash for NHS pay
The UK Government has been urged to increase the amount of funding available for NHS pay.
Ahead of the Autumn statement, Scottish Health Secretary Humza Yousaf and Welsh Health Minister Eluned Morgan have written to UK Health Secretary Steve Barclay to ask for additional funding to help avert strike action this winter in the NHS.
The letter reads:
“We wanted to write to you in advance of the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement on 17th November to once again make the case for additional funding for our hardworking NHS staff.
“In recent weeks the Deputy First Minister of Scotland and the Welsh Government Minister for Finance and Local Government have written to His Majesty’s Treasury to make clear the need for additional funding for public services.
“The Royal College of Nursing have announced a sweeping legal mandate for industrial action across the UK. In Scotland, they have joined several other unions representing NHS staff in gaining a legal mandate for industrial action with ballots expected to confirm a mandate in the rest of the UK.
“The risk to the NHS of industrial action this winter is profound, and we all need to do all we can to avert industrial action in any form. The NHS across the UK continues to feel the effects of the pandemic as it recovers and remobilises, and any action is likely to have catastrophic effects in all parts of the UK.
“We are experiencing a cost of living crisis and the anger of NHS staff is entirely understandable. Sky rocketing inflation combined with high interest rates, a direct result of the havoc caused by the UK Government’s mini-budget, means that we are simply unable to come close to matching the expectations of NHS staff across the country. While the support provided by the UK Government on areas such as support for energy bills is welcome, it has not gone nearly far enough.
“Media reports suggest that the Chancellor is considering reimposing austerity on the people of the UK again, for which there is no mandate, through extensive spending cuts. That would be a disaster for our public services, including the NHS, at a time when they need more investment, not less.
“We would therefore implore you to work with us to make the case to the Chancellor in advance of his Autumn Statement for increased funding for the NHS and the devolved governments as a whole, primarily to pay our hard working NHS staff a fair pay rise in the face of the cost of living crisis this winter, and avoid what could be catastrophic industrial action in the NHS.”
Responding to the latest Emergency Department performance figures published by NHS England for October 2022, Dr Adrian Boyle, President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said: “The crisis in Emergency Care is dire. October saw nearly 44,000 patients face a 12-hour DTA wait – we know 12-hour waits measured from decision-to-admit are just the tip of the iceberg and hides the reality.
“We know far more patients wait for 12-hours measured from their time of arrival. NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care will still not commit to publishing this data, despite it being collected by all Trusts. We believe this is a barrier to tackling the root of the crisis.
“We know excessively long waits and dangerous crowding are associated with patient harm and increased risk of mortality. Scientific studies have shown that there is one death for every 67 patients waiting between eight and 12-hours from their time of arrival in the Emergency Department.
“The ONS continue to report worryingly high excess mortality figures and we believe that dangerous crowding, long delays, and the crisis in urgent and emergency care are contributing to a significant proportion of these excess deaths.
“We are increasingly concerned about the winter and the health system’s ability to cope. We are already at 94.3% bed occupancy for all general and acute beds and each month patients face the longest waits on record. The system is failing in its core function – the quick and effective delivery of emergency care.
“We need meaningful action now – sticking plasters like setting up tents or handover units will do nothing to resolve these long-waits and may actually cause more harm to patients. We know we need to be able to admit patients, we know ambulances need to handover patients quickly, we agree that it is vital that ambulances must return to Urgent and Emergency calls in the community – but to achieve this we must tackle the issue of poor flow in our hospitals.
“Many patients in hospital no longer meet the criteria to reside, they are occupying beds to which we could be admitting patients. Around 13,000 people are in hospital unable to be discharged. We urgently need an effective social care workforce to help with the discharge of these patients, so we can admit patients, receive patient handovers promptly, and get ambulances back out to the community.
“It is crucial that those in power understand that this is not a demand issue, attendances are not causing crowding and long waits. Crowding and long waits are a consequence of the inability to move patients through the hospital, a consequence of patients who are unable to be discharged because of severe cuts to social care.
“If you can’t discharge patients, beds are indefinitely occupied and the whole system is blocked. The government must get a grip of the social care crisis to fix flow.”
Commenting on the news that the RCN have voted in favour of strike action, Dr Adrian Boyle said: “In Emergency Medicine there is a retention crisis, particularly amongst our nursing colleagues.
“Emergency Medicine nurses are a critical part of the workforce – EM is a team sport. We know and understand that many EM staff, including nurses, are burned out, exhausted and overwhelmed.
“They are skilled, competent professionals who deliver excellent care for our patients. It is vital that our nursing colleagues feel valued and appreciated.”
Last month there were 97,350 general and acute beds available, an increase of 0.71% from September. The occupancy rate was 94.3%, 0.7 percentage points higher than September, the highest monthly figure on record
The occupancy rate for adult general and acute beds was 95.6%, also the highest figure on record.
Patients leaving the department before being seen stood at 5.2%. This is a decrease of 0.2 percentage points from August 2022, but a decrease of 0.7 percentage points from September 2021.
Unplanned reattendance rate was 8.5%. This is 0.4 percentage points lower than September 2022, but 0.3 percentage points higher than September 2021.
Median time in department for admitted patients was 404 minutes. This is an increase of 29% compared with September 2021 (314 minutes). For all patients, the median wait was 192 minutes.
● The All Blacks stopped off in Edinburgh today on their Northern Hemisphere tour to inspire children across Scotland to get moving.
● This is the All Blacks’ first visit to Scotland since 2017, and tomorrow they will face Scotland in the highly-anticipated Autumn Internationals match.
● The All Blacks are supporting The Daily Mile to help millions of children improve health & wellbeing by exercising for 15 minutes a day.
● All Blacks Captain Sam Whitelock said:“It’s fantastic to be in Scotland supporting the charity of our sponsor INEOS and getting the chance to run alongside the kids and teach them some of our best rugby moves! We’ve been so impressed by the work The Daily Mile is doing to get kids more active and bring communities together through daily exercise – it’s something so simple but effective that everyone can benefit from.”
The All Blacks took time out from their Northern Hemisphere tour today to visit schoolchildren in Edinburgh to help inspire more children across the country to get active through The Daily Mile.
60 local school children from Leith Walk Primary School had the opportunity to take part in a very special Daily Mile with their guests from New Zealand and receive rugby skills coaching from All Blacks players at an event day hosted at Drummond Community High School.
This comes as Scottish children stepped their way into the history books in October, making Scotland the world’s first Daily Mile Nation. It means that more than half of Scottish primary schools are now participating in The Daily Mile.
The initiative encourages children to run, jog, wheel or walk for just 15 minutes a day in the fresh air with friends – promoting mental and physical wellbeing, which is especially important to help reduce the strain on the NHS this winter. Teachers can also take part alongside children, strengthening important school relationships and attainment outcomes.
It was started by former Head Teacher Elaine Wyllie MBE of St Ninian’s Primary in Stirling in 2012 and has grown every year, with the support of INEOS. Globally, there are now nearly 4 million children taking part in 16,000+ schools in 87 countries around the world. It is endorsed by some of the most successful athletes including marathon world record holder Eliud Kipchoge, British track and field athlete Eilidh Doyle and the All Blacks.
Founder of The Daily Mile Elaine Wyllie MBE, said: “We are forever grateful for the incredible support we receive from athletes around the world and we can’t thank the All Blacks enough for taking time out of their busy schedules to come down and share their passion for daily exercise with the local schoolchildren.
“Their influence really does go a long way to inspire kids to get active outdoors and join in with their schoolmates. Just 15 minutes of daily physical activity improves a child’s mood, concentration and memory – enhancing their ability to learn.”
All Blacks Captain Sam Whitelock, said: “It’s fantastic to be in Scotland supporting the charity of our sponsor INEOS and getting the chance to run alongside the kids and teach them some of our best rugby moves!
“We’ve been so impressed by the work The Daily Mile is doing to get kids more active and bring communities together through daily exercise – it’s something so simple but effective that everyone can benefit from.”
Headteacher at Leith Walk Primary Mr. Gorrie, added: “This has been a terrific opportunity for the children at Leith Walk Primary School to take part in the Daily Mile alongside the All Blacks, and to receive some rugby coaching from the most famous of all international teams.
“The children have had a terrific time today. They were so excited to meet the All Blacks. “Seeing the amazing skill and fitness of the All Black players first hand, will certainly have increased the children’s motivation to be active and participate in sport.
“On behalf of everybody who attended I would like to say a huge thank you to the All Blacks and wish them all the very best for the rest of their Northern Hemisphere tour. I hope they visit us again soon!”
