Members of the public are being asked not to visit NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde hospitals if they are displaying symptoms of COVID-19, flu or Norovirus.
Those who plan to visit loved ones in hospital should only do so if they are not displaying any symptoms and all visitors should wear a mask, if eligible, during their time on site.
Symptoms of Norovirus include:
Suddenly feeling sick
Projectile vomiting
Watery diarrhoea
Slight fever
Headaches
Painful stomach cramps and aching limbs
Symptoms of COVID-19 include:
Continuous cough
High temperature, fever or chills
Loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell
Shortness of breath
Unexplained tiredness, lack of energy
Muscle aches or pains that are not due to exercise
Not wanting to eat or not feeling hungry
Headache that’s unusual or longer lasting than usual
Sore throat, stuffy or runny nose
Diarrhoea
Feeling sick or being sick
Symptoms of flu include:
A sudden fever
A dry, chesty cough
A headache
Tiredness and weakness
Chills
Aching muscles
Limb or joint pain
Diarrhoea or abdominal (tummy) pain
Nausea and vomiting
A sore throat
A runny or blocked nose
Sneezing
Loss of appetite
Difficulty sleeping
Taking precautions against viral infections have become part of our everyday life in recent years and we can all continue to help each other by following guidance around slowing the spread of the viruses and practicing good hygiene.
You can protect yourself and others by:
Staying at home if unwell, have a fever or are displaying symptoms of COVID-19 or Norovirus
Wearing a face covering in healthcare settings and not visiting loved ones if unwell
Wearing a face covering in indoor public places and on public transport
Cleaning hands and surfaces regularly
Opening windows when meeting indoors
Socialising outdoors when possible
Morag Gardner, Deputy Nurse Director for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Acute Division said: “During the winter months viral infections, such as COVID-19, flu and Norovirus, can further add to the pressures hard-working staff are facing across our sites.
“Our dedicated members of staff are working around the clock to continue to provide the highest standard of patient-centred care possible. To help protect yourself, your loved ones and our services, we are asking members of the public not to visit our hospital sites if they are displaying symptoms of any of these viruses. We are also asking anyone who does attend the site to follow infection control guidance, such as washing your hands regularly and wearing a mask during your time at the hospital.”
NHSGGC is urging people to only attend Emergency Department (A&E) across its sites if their condition is very urgent or life-threatening.
Any patient unsure of who to turn to has a range of options available to them:
As the holiday season approaches, for many families their celebrations could be looking very different this year due to the cost of living crisis, increasing fuel bills and squeezes on household budgets.
Educational and Child Psychologists from the British Psychological Society (BPS) have offered their expert advice to manage children’s expectations this festive season, and how to focus on the smaller things that can mean a lot.
“Families might be having to cut back not just on presents and gifts this year, but visiting family and friends, and it may not feel the same as previous years.
“This can cause anxiety and stress for both parents/carers and children and young people when anxiety is already high about paying bills and everyday costs during the winter” says Dr Abigail Wright from the BPS’s Division of Educational and Child Psychology (DECP).
“The festive season can often bring a whole range of different emotions for people, including joy and happiness, but also sadness and worry. These are likely to be heightened given the incredibly difficult times we are living in, and also following the disrupted Christmases of the last two years due to Covid,” adds Dr Denise Miller from the DECP.
However despite these challenges, BPS experts say there are ways to make sure children and the whole family enjoy the festive season, and find the joy in the little things:
Preparation is key. If you are worried about your children being disappointed with gifts, or not seeing as many friends and relatives, gently explain this to them early on, but also explain that it will still be a very special time for everybody.
Explain to children that the most important part of the festive season is spending time with family and friends. When they look back, children’s memories of the happy experiences of the time spent with loved ones will be far more important to them than the number of presents they receive.
In this vein, there may be opportunities to spend time with family and friends which create happy memories and experiences, but cost very little, such as going for a walk, visiting lights, watching a movie on television or playing games, going to a carol service or free musical performance, or borrowing books from the library.
Both children and adults may also enjoy creative activities including making things, drawing, and writing stories and poems. Acts of kindness in the community can also provide a sense of purpose. Perhaps you could set up a Christmas treasure hunt activity for your children and your friends.
If children do become upset because things are not as they expect and show ‘big’ emotions, a good approach to use is ‘emotion coaching’. This is an approach which acknowledges how the child may be feeling while naming the emotion and showing empathy before looking to simply ‘fix’ the problem. This might be discussing an activity which may support them feeling calmer and less upset, or simply having a hug!
Finally, Alison Greenwood of the DECP emphasises the need for parents and carers to look out for themselves, as well as their children at this time of year.
“As parents and carers, do make sure you also take care of yourselves and practice some self-care,” she adds. “Take part in activities you also enjoy, and that promote your emotional wellbeing. Connect with yourself and what is around you – and if you can, use the support of friends and family.”
Those eligible for the free COVID-19 and flu vaccinations are being urged to get their jabs as winter sets in and hospitalisations increase.
The reminder comes as Public Health Scotland (PHS) data shows that in Scotland, in the week ending 11 December 2022, there were on average 735 patients in hospital with COVID-19, an 18.2% increase from the previous week.
Admissions for flu are also on the rise with the highest hospital admission rate noted in patients aged less than one year old (18.5 per 100,000).
Parents and carers are encouraged to get their children vaccinated as soon as possible if they haven’t done so already. All primary and secondary school pupils and all pre-school children aged 2 to 5 (on 1st September 2022) are eligible for the vaccine, as well as children aged 6 months and over with an eligible health condition. The flu vaccine for children is a painless nasal spray which will help protect them and reduce the risk of them spreading the virus to more vulnerable people.
The vaccines are safe, effective and offer the best protection to those most at risk of serious illness from COVID-19 and flu while also helping to protect the NHS at this, the busiest time of year.
Adults over 50 are entitled to get both free vaccines and further information on eligibility for each jab is available at nhsinform.scot/wintervaccines.
Pat Wynne, Nurse Director for Primary and Community Care with NHS Lothian, said: “We’d like to thank all those who have come forward for vaccination so far. The vaccines are the best protection we have against flu and COVID-19, and with hospital admissions due to the virus rising, it’s really important that that those who are eligible get vaccinated.
“If you are eligible and you’ve not yet had your winter vaccines, or if your child has still to receive their flu vaccine, please arrange to get this as soon as possible.”
For information on the flu vaccines for children, please visit NHS Lothian’s website.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “Uptake for the winter vaccine programme is very encouraging with Scotland delivering more jabs per head of the population among over 50’s than any other UK nation. However, the number of hospitalisations from both COVID-19 and flu are on the rise.
“The vaccines help to prevent serious illness and the need for hospital treatment freeing up capacity as we move into what could be the most challenging winter in the history of our health and care service.
“We are concerned that flu-related hospital admissions have been rising, with admission rates highest among very young children, and we urge parents and carers to get their children vaccinated with the painless nasal spray offered to this group.
“As well as protecting the child, the vaccine helps to reduce the risk of children spreading flu to family and friends who are more vulnerable, which is especially important at this time of year when families are getting together more.”
Join us and our friends from Health in Mind at PCHP this Saturday for a Winter Wellbeing Workshop – booking essential please contact Beth on tel: 0131 225 8508
With Christmas right around the corner and freezing temperatures across Scotland, the charity Scleroderma and Raynaud’s UK (SRUK) is urging people to look out for signs of Raynaud’s – a painful condition that affects blood circulation and is triggered by the cold.
SRUK says many in the UK are “woefully unaware” of Raynaud’s, despite around one in six people living with the condition. According to the charity, more than one in two UK adults don’t know any of the signs and symptoms with millions likely to dismiss symptoms rather than visit their GP.
The charity is also concerned that high energy prices are preventing many from properly heating their homes, meaning those in Scotland who are living with Raynaud’s are likely to spend Christmas suffering in silence. According to SRUK, keeping warm is ‘crucial’ for living well with the condition, but a recent survey by the charity found that nine in 10 Scottish people with Raynaud’s (90 percent) reported being worried about the cost of their energy, with many choosing to limit their heating or keep it off altogether.
Recognising the signs of Raynaud’s
For someone with Raynaud’s, cold temperatures and stress can cause painful flare-ups, also called Raynaud’s attacks. This is when the blood temporarily stops flowing to parts of the body, most commonly the hands and feet.
When this happens, the skin can change colour to white, then blue and finally to red as the blood starts to return. The condition can also be extremely painful, preventing many from carrying out everyday tasks like handling bank cards and house keys, unbuttoning a coat and even driving.
Sue Farrington, SRUK Chief Executive, said: “Winter is well and truly upon us and we know that people with Raynaud’s can find this time of year extremely difficult. We all get cold hands and feet when the temperature drops, but for those affected by Raynaud’s the impact can be seriously debilitating, so it’s important not dismiss it and seek advice and support.”
Signs of Raynaud’s include:
Colour changes to the skin in areas such as the hands or feet, often in response to cold conditions
Cold and numbness in the affected areas, such as the fingers and toes
Tingling or pain, especially as the circulation returns to the affected areas.
For around 300,000 people with Raynaud’s, the condition can be a sign of a serious underlying condition, such as the autoimmune diseases lupus and scleroderma, which is why SRUK is urging people in Scotland to visit their GP if they think they may have Raynaud’s.
The charity also has an online test people can take to check if they may have the condition. This is available at www.sruk.co.uk/testme
A warning to stay warm this winter
SRUK is also warning that many people with Raynaud’s could be jeopardising their health by cutting back on their heating this year.
From a survey of more than 1,600 people with Raynaud’s, the charity found that in Scotland specifically:
More than four in five respondents (86 percent) said they rely on their heating to prevent painful Raynaud’s attacks
More than eight in 10 people surveyed (83 percent) said they had experienced a Raynaud’s attack as a result of choosing not to put their heating on. Of these, one in three (33 percent) believe it could happen again
More than four in 10 respondents (42 percent) are trying to find other ways to stay warm, such as wearing thick jumpers and gloves
Of those surveyed, the number of people in Scotland paying between £200 and £300 each month for their energy more than doubled between October 2021 and October 2022 (from 16 to 37 percent). Meanwhile, those paying less than £200 almost halved during the same period (from 59 to 32 percent).
Farrington said:“We know that high inflation and the cost of living are making things difficult for lots of people right now but keeping warm is the key to living well with Raynaud’s.
“We understand that not everyone will be able to afford to keep their homes heated at a consistent temperature, so you can also stay warm by wearing lots of thin layers, thermal socks and gloves, and using heated slippers and blankets. We would hate for anyone to suffer in silence this winter.”
The charity has written to the UK government calling for more support to keep heating affordable for people with Raynaud’s this winter and beyond. Read the full letter at www.sruk.co.uk/about-us/news/raynauds-energy-campaign
SRUK also has a factsheet available, which is packed with tips to help people keep warm this winter. This is available from the SRUK website at www.sruk.co.uk
Those eligible for the free COVID-19 and flu vaccinations are being urged to get their jabs as winter sets in and hospitalisations increase.
The reminder comes as Public Health Scotland (PHS) data shows in the week ending 11 December 2022, there were on average 735 patients in hospital with COVID-19, an 18.2% increase from the previous week.
Admissions for flu are also on this rise with the highest hospital admission rate noted in patients aged less than one year old (18.5 per 100,000). Parents and carers are encouraged to get their children vaccinated as soon as possible if they haven’t done so already. The flu vaccine for children is a painless nasal spray which will help protect them and reduce the risk of them spreading the virus to more vulnerable people.
The vaccines are safe, effective and offer the best protection to those most at risk of serious illness from COVID-19 and flu while also helping to protect the NHS at this, the busiest time of year.
Adults over 50 are entitled to get both free vaccines and further information on eligibility for each jab is available on the NHS Inform website.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “Uptake for the winter vaccine programme is very encouraging with Scotland delivering more jabs per head of the population among over 50’s than any other UK nation. However, the number of hospitalisations from both COVID-19 and flu are on the rise.
“The vaccines help to prevent serious illness and the need for hospital treatment freeing up capacity as we move into what could be the most challenging winter in the history of our health and care service.
“We are concerned that flu-related hospital admissions have been rising, with admission rates highest among very young children, and we urge parents and carers to get their children vaccinated with the painless nasal spray offered to this group.
“As well as protecting the child, the vaccine helps to reduce the risk of children spreading flu to family and friends who are more vulnerable, which is especially important at this time of year when families are getting together more.”
Are you dreaming of a green Christmas? If so, you’re not alone.
With the cost-of-living crisis biting, a simpler, more environmentally friendly festive celebration is top of many people’s Christmas list this year – with fresh air and free fun on the cards instead of expensive gifts, excess and waste.
With that in mind, the Woodland Trust, the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity, has come up with a guide to its best woods for a glorious – and completely free – winter walk for all the family to enjoy.
The Woodland Trust has more than 1,000 woods which are free to visit and open every day – so you’re spoilt for choice. Even Santa and his reindeer would struggle to get round them all!
This Christmas is a perfect time to embrace the simpler things in life, whether that’s time spent with friends and loved ones, enjoying nature’s magnificent scenery or just getting outdoors and enjoying some fresh air.
Woodland Trust site manager James Jesson said: “If you’d rather not spend the entire festive season overindulging, head out for a woodland adventure. Our woods are real winter wonderlands – so whether it’s a crisp, frosty morning or a damp soggy afternoon, it’s great to pull on your boots and thermals or waterproofs and head out for an invigorating stroll.
“Winter woods take on a whole new character. Spectacular, frosty landscapes and bare branches expose elusive wildlife and hidden history. The fact they are all free to visit is just the icing on the Christmas cake!”.
Woodland Trust sites are open all year round so come prepared for nature in its natural state, unmissable views, clean air and birdsong. And by following the woodland paths, you won’t disturb the winter wildlife and will allow nature to thrive in its woodland surroundings.
You can locate your nearest free woodland escape easily – just enter your postcode at woodlandtrust.org.uk/findawood or take a look at the Trust’s pick of the best winter walks from around the UK.
CENTRAL
Archers Wood – Cambridgeshire
An ancient woodland haven nestling in an agricultural landscape, Archers is a real oasis for nature. Wander among majestic oak and field maple trees and watch carefully for a shy fox or deer in the distance.
Just a stone’s throw from historic Belton House and neighbouring a wild deer sanctuary, Londonthorpe is perfect for a winter stroll. There are new all-weather paths and there’s a mix of old and new woodland to explore.
Tring Park – Hertfordshire A 10-minute stroll from Tring’s famous Natural History Museum, there are lots of hidden treasures to find at Tring Park. Climb the hill for amazing views of Hertfordshire and the Chilterns.
An important haven for people and wildlife on the outskirts of Durham, Low Burnhall is a real beauty. Look out for signs of otters in the rivers which border the site and you might also spy owls, kestrels and sparrowhawks. Waymarked trails lead you past some interesting features – including a sculpture of a miner in a nod to the wood’s historic coal mine.
Set in a 350ft gorge along the River Ure on the edge of the village of Grewelthorpe this fragile ancient woodland habitat has been restored since the Woodland Trust took over. Stroll along footpaths and woodland walks and spot grottos and glades, temples and waterfalls as well as kingfisher, dipper and grey wagtail.
The Woodland Trust’s largest site is steeped in history and shadowed by the famous Winter Hill TV mast, with panoramic views across to Bolton and Manchester. You’ll really be able to stretch your legs here in its vast expanses of moorland, patches of woodland and peat bog. Keep your eyes peeled for the elusive brown hare on the horizon.
Hainault Forest – London Herds of majestic red deer roam this ancient hunting forest, which once provided venison for the King’s table, and it’s just 15 miles from central London. With 158 species of bird recorded, it’s a bird-lover’s dream.
Eight miles of pathway through this mosaic of old and new woodland habitats will tire out the most energetic Boxing Day walker. Look up and see if you can spot a red kite or a kestrel wheeling overhead.
Hucking Estate – Kent Perfect for wintry family adventures, Hucking serves up breathtaking views of the Kent Downs, ancient woodland to explore and swathes of open grassland where the kids can run off steam. It’s a must-visit in the South East – with a handy pub nearby for warming chilly toes.
A hidden treasure in the rolling hills of South Hams, the Avon Valley Woods cluster along the valley side. Winter is a great time to spot a whole range of finches, blue tits and long tailed and great tits that tend to flock in large groups at this time of year. While the riverside walk can be muddy, the extensive path network at the top of the site offers grassy tracks and views across Devon.
Credenhill Park Wood is a local landmark on an imposing wooded hill, topped by one of the largest Iron Age Hill forts in England and thought to have once been an Iron Age tribal capital.
The walk to the top, where you can revel in views to Wales, is well worth it and when trees are bare, you’re more likely to spot woodpeckers tapping the trees.
A patchwork of ancient woodland, recent planting and limestone grassland creates a diverse haven for wildlife where rare plants and fungi flourish. The wood lies within the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and offers breathtaking views across Cheltenham and the Malvern Hills.
With awe-inspiring views of Belfast and the coast, Carnmoney Hill is a must visit. Steeped in history and folklore with a mix of ancient woodland, grassland and wetland, it is home to a wealth of wildlife and has a wide range of walks to suit all abilities. With easy access from the city and plenty of interest for history buffs, Carnmoney Hill is a great destination for a day out.
With sweeping vistas across Loch Crinan to Duntrune Castle and the Argyll coastline, there are few woods with a more breathtaking outlook than Crinan Wood. This ancient Atlantic oakwood is a wonderful example of Scotland’s rare and special rainforest and is brimming with wildlife, including the iconic red squirrel. It’s definitely one of our must-see gems.
Once part of the hunting grounds of Chepstow Castle, Wentwood offers walks with breathtaking views over the Severn Estuary. Its diversity of habitats means it is home to some wonderful wildlife. Make sure to visit the ancient Curley Oak while you’re there!
“We are deeply concerned about this winter; the crisis continues to escalate. Patients continue to face exceptionally dangerous long waits. We estimate that one in 72 patients waiting between eight to 12-hours in an Emergency Department can die as a result of these waiting times (30-day all-cause mortality).
“But these are data, the reality is Emergency Departments are overcrowded and in extremis. Patients with an array of different needs and care are packed in, facing high-risk and uncomfortable waits on trolleys in corridors. There is a lack of privacy, a lack of dignity, staff are stretched thinly meaning patients find it difficult to get the things they need – be it food or water or bathroom facilities, while they wait hours for a bed. Meanwhile, ambulances queue outside our Emergency Departments with more patients waiting to simply get in.
“Emergency Medicine staff and ambulance crews and paramedics are highly skilled, highly trained competent professionals, but the inability to move patients through the system means they are overstretched and overwhelmed, and unable to provide the high-quality care that they are trained to provide. Patients are worried and anxious, staff are increasingly distressed, unable to provide the real care that they want and should be providing.
“The solutions are simple; bolster the social care workforce to ensure the timely discharge of patients; tackle the recruitment and retention crisis among all health workers; increase capacity by opening an additional 1,000 beds in the acute system across Scotland. These will begin to address the root of the crisis.”
Addressing the concern around Strep A and the increase in attendances at Paediatric Emergency Departments in Scotland, Dr JP Loughrey said:“In recent weeks we have seen a marked increase in the number of children attending our Paediatric Emergency Departments, cases of Strep A remain high.
“Emergency Departments remain open to those who need it. If children have symptoms, or parents are unsure, please seek care first through NHS 24, your GP or local pharmacist. If the symptoms are severe or your child’s condition worsens, do not hesitate to seek the necessary emergency care. We are here to help.”
The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC), an alliance of leading providers of specialist care and education to vulnerable children and young people, has raised concerns over an increase in the number of pupils identified with additional support needs (ASN), against a backdrop of a lack of support and proposed budget cuts.
It has also voiced similar concerns over a declining number of those with complex needs receiving a co-ordinated support plan (CSP), the only education plans that are legal documents. This is despite a Scottish Government promise that there would be no decline in the numbers of those receiving them.
The figures were released yesterday (13th December) in the Scottish Government’s annual census of pupils and teachers in publicly funded schools.
These figures show that the number of pupils with ASN, such as autism, dyslexia and mental health problems in 2022 has reached a record high of 241,639. Of this total 57.2% are boys. This represents 34.2% of the pupil population, rising from 118,011 in 2012, and a more than doubling (104.8%) in numbers from that year.
An increase in demand is however set against a backdrop of proposed budget cuts and a lack of specialist ASN teachers, support staff and the resources needed to support this. This is also exacerbated by the ongoing impacts of Covid-19 lockdowns and the cost-of-living crisis, with those with ASN drawn proportionately from the poorest backgrounds, as well as an increase in those experiencing mental health problems.
The SCSC has also raised concerns over a decline in the number of those receiving a CSP. These are statutory education plans prepared by local authorities to identify and ensure the provision of services for children and young people with complex or multiple ASN.
The only education plans that are legal documents, CSPs require services such as education, health and social work to work together to give a child or young person the support they need. This provides some guarantees of entitlement to additional resources and legal redress, placing statutory duties on local authorities to review and ensure the provisions contained within it are being met.
Despite a Scottish Government promise that there would be no reduction in the proportion of pupils receiving them since their introduction in 2004, there has been a significant fall in the number of pupils with a CSP. Declining from 3,448 in 2012 3 to 1,401 in 2022, this amounts to a drop of 59.4%. This is a reduction from 2.9% to 0.6% of those with ASN.
A spokesperson for the SCSC commented: “While more children and young people are being identified as having ASN, this is against the increasingly challenging backdrop of a lack of specialist teachers, support staff and the resources needed to support them. This clearly has an impact not only on the individuals concerned but also on their peers and teachers.
“Such support is critical, especially post the Covid-19 pandemic and the damaging impact this has had on many of our children and young people, exacerbated by the cost-of-living crisis, which is hitting the poorest hardest.
“We are also concerned that despite an increase in the numbers of those with ASN we are experiencing a decline in the use of CSPs, which are designed to support those with the most complex needs.
“The Scottish Government and local authorities need to work in collaboration with the private and third sectors to provide the necessary resourcing and support to address the needs of children and young people with ASN. They must also work together to ensure that those who are entitled to a CSP receive one.
“With those with ASN drawn disproportionately from poorer neighbourhoods, if we are to genuinely close the educational attainment gap they must get the care and support they need when they need it.”
People across the Lothians are being encouraged to check they have basic home remedies in ahead of the Festive and New Year holidays to avoid having to find a pharmacy on a bank holiday.
Dr John McAnaw, a pharmacist and NHS 24’s Associate Clinical Director says most seasonal illnesses can be looked after at home with self-care and things like paracetamol: ‘Christmas is a fun but hectic time for most people. It’s easy to get swept up in the festive atmosphere and forget that health should be on your priority list.
‘Making sure you have home remedies for common ailments will save you time and help you focus on the celebrations. NHS 24’s 111 service is there to help if you need urgent health care support, but we know that roughly 30% of people who call 111 need self-help advice on common illnesses and conditions that can normally be managed at home.
‘Avoiding the need to call 111 means the service can help those who need urgent help more quickly, and also save you the bother of trying to find a local pharmacy.
Dr McAnaw continues: ‘I would recommend you have pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen at home. For little ones get age-appropriate pain remedies which you can also get in liquid form. In the case of fevers, a thermometer is also a good idea as it means you can monitor temperatures accurately.
‘To cover accidents, I’d recommend reviewing your first-aid kit and make sure it is stocked with things like plasters, antiseptic, and bandages. For common conditions such as rashes, tummy upsets and earaches, NHS inform has lots of information on how to treat these at home and when to seek medical help.
Dr McAnaw’s advice is part of an NHSScotland national health campaign ‘Healthy Know How.’ The campaign provides advice on how to stay well and enjoy the festivities, avoiding the need to get medical help over the holidays. Tips include:
Know how to stay on top of prescriptions. Order only what is needed and in plenty of time before the festive holidays.
Know how to be prepared for common illnesses. Ensure you have some remedies in the house.
Know how to check symptoms if you do become unwell. NHS inform’s symptom checkers can give you all the health advice you need online.
Know how to get the right care, in the right place. Further medical advice can be found during the week by contacting your GP, pharmacist, dentist or optometrist. For out of hours or during holiday closures call NHS 24 on 111.
