Tag: Health and wellbeing

‘Deeply concerning’: One in 20 patients face 12-hour waits in Scotland’s A&Es

Latest data show more than one in 20 patients attending A&Es in Scotland faced a 12-hour wait in October, as RCEM Scotland describes the data as “deeply concerning”

Monthly A&E performance figures for Scotland for October 2023 published by the Scottish government show:

  • In October 2023, there were 111,179 attendances at major A&Es in Scotland.
    • This is a decrease of 2.4% from the previous month.
  • 64.8% of patients were seen within four-hours at major A&Es (Type 1 EDs)
    • 39,157 (35.2%) patients waited over four-hours in major Emergency Departments, this is a 2.7% increase from the previous month and a 3% decrease from October 2022.
    • The number waiting more than four-hours has increased more than five times since October 2016 (7,793).
  • 13,800 (12.4%) patients waited eight-hours or more in an Emergency Department.
    • This is the highest number of patients waiting eight-hours recorded this year.
    • The proportion of patients waiting eight hours has increased by 2 percentage points from the previous month and has decreased by 1.4 percentage points compared with October 2022.
    • The number waiting more than eight hours is more than 21 times the number waiting in October 2016 (654).
  • 5,927 (5.3%) patients waited more than 12-hours before being seen, admitted, discharged, or transferred.
    • This is equal to more than one in 20 patients waiting 12-hours or more in major A&Es in Scotland.
    • The proportion waiting this long has increased by 1.6 percentage points from the previous month. And has decreased by 0.7 percentage points compared with October 2022.
    • The number waiting more than 12-hours is more than 54 times the number waiting in October 2016 (109).
  • There were 1,831 beds occupied due to delayed discharges, an increase of 20 from the previous month and the second highest October on record.

Commenting, RCEM Scotland Vice President, Dr John-Paul Loughrey said: “These data from October are deeply concerning. Now, in December, the situation has changed, the weather is extremely cold with much of Scotland covered in snow and dangerous ice – and things are much more difficult and precarious for both patients and staff.

“This is the most challenging time of year for the health service. Norovirus and other infections are putting significant pressure on a system already under immense strain.

“Staff continue to do their very best to deliver effective care in a timely way, reduce waiting times and mitigate any risks. However, the NHS in Scotland is not as prepared as it could be.

“We do not have a sufficient number of beds and this is driving these delays for care and the long waiting times in overcrowded A&Es. This has a knock-on effect as ambulances are stuck queuing outside A&Es, unable to attend to calls in the community.

“Our patients deserve better than this, they deserve better than to wait for 12 hours for the care they desperately need. But with no beds available, staff are unable to admit them and move them onto the next stage of their care.

“It is a disheartening situation, distressing for patients and difficult for staff.

“The Scottish government’s winter plan did not go far enough and we urge the Scottish Government to revisit their plan and rapidly open more beds and provide additional resources to help the health service through this challenging time and protect patients.

“We have the priorities to #ResuscitateEmergencyCare, the government must adopt these before we see performance deteriorate drastically and patients come to further harm.”

Keeping Edinburgh Active



Edinburgh Leisure’s Danceability is featured in the new ‘Keeping Edinburgh’ podcast which has recently launched for people across Edinburgh to help boost social connections across Scotland’s Capital.

Danceability, funded by Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership (EHSCP), is one of several activities on offer as part of Edinburgh Leisure’s Fit & Active Programme – supporting those with disabilities to access socially connected, wellbeing-boosting fitness activities. 

Support to get Fit & Active can be accessed by making a referral to Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities team. Everybody who is referred gets an access card that gives them reduced-cost access to activities such as the gym, swimming, or fitness classes for 1 year. 

Edinburgh Leisure takes referrals from the Local Area Co-ordination Team supporting young adults, from support providers and social workers or people with a learning disability can also self-refer to request support.  

Using their card, participants can attend any of Edinburgh Leisure’s gym, swim or fitness class sessions, as well as their specific Fit & Active activities for adults with learning disabilities that are available at Meadowbank Sports Centre and Leith Victoria Swim Centre. 

Sara Kemp, Equalities Community Development Officer for Edinburgh Leisure, explains:  “The funding from EHSCP is around supporting people to have more good days and physical activity is key to this. 

“There is a lot of data out there that says that people with physical and learning difficulties were among the most affected by services closing and not restarting after the pandemic. They also experienced the most social isolation.  

“If you think about lockdown, a lot of people who come to our classes rely on support workers to go out and meet other people so they can have fun in social situations – and all that was taken away.

“A lot of services didn’t restart after COVID-19 and that was due to a lack of funding for some of them, and at the beginning, due to restrictions on space. But Edinburgh Leisure has managed to restart Danceability and customers have started to come back after this period of potentially quite long isolation with the disabled community once again able to get out and socialise, and have a good time.”

The benefits of exercise are well documented.  Beyond the physical benefits, keeping active can improve mental health, quality of life and overall well-being. The second episode, Keeping Edinburgh Active, explores how organisations are offering opportunities to improve accessibility for anyone to keep active, and how keeping active is helping build confidence amongst those facing emotional or physical struggles or other disadvantages. 

The new ‘Keeping Edinburgh podcast’ launched in late November and is presented by Edinburgh-born singer-songwriter (and keyboardist to Callum Beattie) Gus Harrower. As well as a touring musician, Gus was approached for this project thanks to his ongoing work as an established Community Musician, working with major charities and organisations to empower and improve people’s well-being through music. 

The initial six-episode pilot series is an investment by the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership, with the podcast designed and delivered in collaboration with partners across NHS Scotland and the third and independent sectors. 

The series aims to highlight just some of the thousands of opportunities across the capital to support people’s well-being and launches at the start of the winter period – a time that sees increased pressure on health and social care services with research showing that those experiencing loneliness are more likely to visit their GP or A&E during this time.

Each half-hour episode provides an immersive audio journey into some of the many free-to-access social-prescribing experiences across the Capital, that are helping individuals and communities to have more good days. The first two episodes are available now to download via Apple and Spotify and feature experiences from several established Edinburgh organisations including Capital Theatres, Edinburgh Leisure, and Volunteer Edinburgh.

Dr Linda Irvine Fitzpatrick, Strategic Programme Manager at the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership is committed to addressing social isolation as it is the number one public health issue globally.

She says, “It’s an issue we all have to try and tackle. Part of that comes from increasing our individual and collective awareness of the breadth and range of opportunities out there that can offer people the opportunity to connect with one another and have more good days.”

“Whether it’s arts initiatives, community meals, physical exercise, mindfulness, or simply getting outdoors, there are many different options to benefit from. We want to showcase a ‘tip of the iceberg’ view of what’s out there, as well as help listeners, get a taste of what it’s like to be part of different groups and activities – experience what it’s like to be in the room or places alongside people already benefitting from these activities.

“We hope to build that shared knowledge as well as that confidence with listeners to take their own first steps by hearing directly from others who are benefitting from these wonderful programmes.”

Launching with an initial two episodes – Keeping People Connected (ep 1) and Keeping People Active (ep 2) – further episodes of the initial six-episode series will be released monthly covering initiatives and spaces across the arts, physical activities, community gardens, volunteering, and more. 

The ‘fly on the wall’ audio experience aims to offer an engaging content experience for anyone. For avid podcast listeners, its content and style of storytelling is one that sits within multiple genres, with a strong slant towards society and culture, as well as the podcast’s health and well-being-boosting intentions. 

Listen now: www.podfollow.com/keepingedinburgh

Find out more:  www.edinburghhsc.scot/moregooddays

More information on Fit & Active: https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/fit-and-active 

To discuss a referral to Fit & Active get in touch by emailing: 

active@edinburghleisure.co.uk

TONIGHT: M Club Xmas Night In!

PILTON COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECT from 6 – 9pm

At M Club tonight we’ll be meeting at Pilton Community Health Project for some snacks, hot drinks, Christmas crafts and good chat.

Join us and SHE Scotland CIC from 6pm.

Mum puts her voice at the heart of work to raise standards of care

The mother of a baby, born with a hole in his heart, has shared her experiences as part of an initiative to raise standards of care for congenital heart disease across Scotland.

Helen Zollinger has welcomed the country’s first ever standards for congenital heart disease (CHD), produced by Healthcare Improvement Scotland. The standards aim to ensure that consistently high levels of care and services are offered to all patients diagnosed with CHD and their carers.

Helen’s son Woody was diagnosed with a hole in his heart at her 20 week scan while she was pregnant.

Helen said: “It was a complete and utter shock. All of a sudden my husband Stewart and I had to come to terms with the fact that when our baby was born he was going to need major heart surgery.

“As parents, finding out your child has a heart problem is traumatic enough without then feeling you have nowhere to go to for support. I just found that baffling.”

Helen and Stewart, who live in Musselburgh, East Lothian, have spent a lot of time at the cardiac ward of the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, the specialist unit for the type of heart defect Woody suffers from, since he was born five years ago.

It was during that period she felt there was a difference in the availability of services and support in Glasgow and other parts of the country.

She said: “I had a meeting with some key members of the cardiac team in Glasgow and they explained that the structure for cardiology care was different across the country.

“I found this really problematic as I felt the support we were able to access in Glasgow fell away when we were discharged and returned home and this seemed wrong to me.” 

At that point Helen was invited on to a group set up by Healthcare Improvement Scotland to develop national standards for adult and paediatric CHD care in Scotland.

Helen has been able to share her experiences along with other patients, carers and healthcare professionals which have been used as the basis of what the standard for services should be in future.

She has also highlighted more accessible mental health support throughout the country as being a need, following her own experiences after the birth of Woody.

Among the recommendations in the standards, are also to improve detection rates of CHD in unborn babies.

CHD is the most common congenital abnormality, affecting approximately 1% of babies. A quarter of babies with congenital heart disease require medical intervention in the first year of life. Around 20,000 people with CHD currently live in Scotland.

Helen, who has since given birth to a daughter Bobbie (3), said: “The standards have shone a light on how beneficial it will be to have consistent levels of care across the country and the same level of support available to all patients and families.

“There’s a huge community of parents of children with CHDs in Scotland and I was able to connect a lot of them to Healthcare Improvement Scotland during the consultation period to add their own thoughts and experiences.

“I’m proud to have been able to add the voices of people from outside of the healthcare system and I’m hopeful that the new standards will make a big difference in helping families access a consistent level of care and support across the country.”

Fiona Wardell, Head of Standards at Healthcare Improvement Scotland, said: “I’m delighted to see the publication of the CHD standards – they set out clearly what people can expect to experience.

“Crucially, you can hear the voices of people and their families throughout the standards. They reflect what matters to patients and carers and their passion, commitment and enthusiasm in the development group has been a key part of this process.”

The standards have also been welcomed by the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

David McColgan, Head of BHF Scotland, said: “The parents and families of babies born with congenital heart disease are already facing terrific stress, so it is wrong that levels of care and support differ across Scotland.

“Everyone who has a congenital heart condition deserves the best start in life, irrespective of their postcode.

“We are delighted that Healthcare Improvement Scotland has shone a light on the inequalities and developed national standards to reinforce best practice across our health services.”

The lone voice of older victims highlighted during Safer Ageing Week

Hourglass (Safer Ageing) announces fourth Safer Ageing Week – starting on 01/12/23 highlighting the lone voices of older victim survivors and how Hourglass is helping to challenge this.

Safer Ageing Week, launched by Hourglass in 2020, is an opportunity to raise awareness of the abuse of older people and shine a light on older victim-survivors and the relative taboo nature of this unspoken issue.

The theme this year is ALONE VOICE – focusing on the unique lone voice of Hourglass in dealing with the abuse of older people and the often-forgotten voice of an older victim survivor.

Currently not all abuse types, victims or perpetrators are treated equitably in the UK. The Government’s Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) strategy has been a one useful development. But Hourglass is partly using this Safer Ageing Week to call for a unique strategy and specialist support for older people and therefore removing the additional barriers this group face.

Older people, as Hourglass states, should not be the last in line for support.

During this week the charity will also launch the Safer Ageing Index for Wales and, later in the week, the Safer Ageing Index for London, in partnership with the Hallmark Foundation.

These studies assess and compare how well local areas perform in helping people grow old safely. In 2022 the charity launched the first-ever Safer Ageing Index for Northern Ireland and by early 2024 the organisation plans to unveil a Safer Ageing Index for every part of the UK.

2023 also marks the 30th anniversary of Hourglass and during this week the charity will be looking at the advances made over the last three decades and what progression is needed in coming years.

The week of events, supported by a range of like-minded charities and organisations, will also see the launch of Hourglass’s Economic Abuse Hub in Wales. This unique provision will deliver vital specialist support to older people – as Financial or Economic abuse numbers and instances have steadily grown to be the majority of Hourglass casework.

Throughout the week we will be releasing messages from policy makers and thought leaders on how we can add our voices in support of older victim-survivors who too often are ALONE VOICE.

Richard Robinson, CEO of Hourglass, said: “This will be the fourth Safer Ageing Week. This year we will focus on the lone voices in our community who speak out against abuse and neglect of older victim-survivors.

“It’s our collective duty to create environments where older people can thrive free from abuse, fear, and neglect.

“For Safer Ageing Week 2023, we hope more people will add their voices to our calls for a strategy to tackle abuse and neglect of older people.”

Baroness Margaret Ritchie, Hourglass Patron, said: “Safer Ageing Week plays a vital role in amplifying the voices of older victim-survivors of abuse and neglect.

“Let’s build communities where every older person feels cherished, valued, and secure – where age is celebrated, and safety is assured. And most of all, where the voices of older victim survivors are heard and believed”

Hourglass operates in England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. It runs the only 24/7 helpline for older people suffering abuse or neglect.

The helpline, instant message service, SMS and chatbot provides unique support and advice – as well as Europe’s only Knowledge Bank on the abuse and neglect of older people. The team can be reached on 0808 808 8141.

The charity is urging those keen to support the charity to make a donation by visiting www.wearehourglass.org.uk/donate or Text SAFER to 70460 to donate £10. Texts cost £10 plus one standard rate message and you’ll be opting in to hear more about our work and fundraising via telephone and SMS.

If you’d like to give £10 but do not wish to receive marketing communications, text SAFERNOINFO to 70460.

Healthy Heart Tip: A Low Alcohol Christmas

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

Healthy Heart Tip: A Low Alcohol Christmas

December is the time of year for gathering with family and friends, and these social occasions often revolve around alcohol.

Consuming too much alcohol can have a negative impact on your heart, and even if you don’t drink often, a few drinks can cause you to sleep poorly and be tired the next day making you reach for unhealthy foods for a quick energy fix.

In this week’s healthy tip, we share some ideas for how you can reduce your alcohol consumption this festive season and enter the new year feeling full of energy.

Alcohol-free drinks

Many of the big-name brands now offer alcohol-free versions of their popular drinks. If you haven’t found a good alternative to your regular drink, keep trying until you find one that you like.

There are some great options available that taste very similar to their alcohol counterpart. Even if you don’t quit drinking entirely, you can reduce the amount of alcohol you consume by alternating your regular drink with an alcohol-free version.

Mocktails

Cocktails without alcohol are a great way to enjoy a tasty drink this festive season. Most bars and restaurants will have a selection of mocktails for you to choose from and they’re usually cheaper too.

Just be mindful of choosing ones that are low in sugar, try to avoid those containing sugar syrups and fruit juices and opt for the ones using ingredients like mint, lime juice and soda water.

A fancy glass makes all the difference, so why not buy some decorative cocktail vessels, and make some indulgent mocktails at home.

Enjoy alcohol in moderation

We don’t have to stop drinking completely to look after our heart, the key is to enjoy alcohol in moderation and adopt other healthy lifestyle habits in conjunction with limiting our alcohol consumption.

The NHS recommends drinking no more than 12 units of alcohol a week, spread across three or more days, so just make sure you don’t exceed this.

This looks like six medium (175ml) glasses of wine or six pints of 4% beer.

Drinkaware: Two thirds of drinkers in Scotland feel their country has an unhealthy relationship with alcohol

  • Two thirds (66%) of Scottish drinkers feel their country has an unhealthy relationship with alcohol which lowers to 63% in Northern Ireland, 56% in England and 38% in Wales.
  • But only one in ten Scottish drinkers (10%) feel they personally have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol.
  • Concern in Scotland is most likely to be for a friend’s drinking, with 36% of those with a concern indicating it relates to a friend, rising to 48% among men.

Two thirds of adult drinkers in Scotland (66%) feel that their country has an unhealthy relationship with alcohol according to the Drinkaware Annual Monitor, published today (Thursday 30 November).

The figure lowers to 63% in Northern Ireland, 56% in England and 38% in Wales.

While many Scottish drinkers believe their country as a whole has an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, when asked about their own or, family and friends, only one in ten felt it was unhealthy (10% & 10%).

The Drinkaware Monitor 2023 is the annual ‘state of the nation’ survey conducted for Drinkaware by YouGov, that provides an insight into the drinking habits of the UK. This year’s Monitor looked at how we talk about alcohol and have honest conversations.

The Monitor asked 10,473 people from across the UK about their perceptions, and those surveyed highlighted their concerns about how alcohol is seen in society.

Karen Tyrell, Chief Executive of the charity Drinkaware said: “Our research shows the difference between perception and reality when it comes to our relationship with alcohol. Most people think the country has a drinking problem, but it is not them, it is someone else.

“We need to be more open and honest about our own relationship with alcohol and talk more about our drinking habits. We can learn from the change we’ve seen in how we talk about mental health, and make people feel more comfortable talking about their drinking.

“One way to understand more about your drinking habits is by doing the Drinkaware Drinking Check. This short quiz is a quick and easy way to find out if you’re putting your health at risk and is a great way to encourage a conversation.”

The report found that two thirds of (65%) Scottish adults do not think our society is understanding of people with drinking problems, the highest across the nations.

When it comes to Scottish people who are concerned about someone else’s drinking, under one in five (16%) haven’t done anything specific, 56% have spoken to them about it, 42% have made a comment about it to them, and 26% have encouraged them to seek help or treatment.

Having a conversation is more effective in helping people take action about their own drinking, rather than making a comment. Across the UK, only 32% of cases resulted in action when a comment was made, compared to 44% when a conversation was initiated.

The Monitor focus groups revealed that conversations can have an impact on an individual’s drinking, but this can take time and often happens after several conversations. Their effectiveness depends on the drinker’s openness to the issues with their drinking.

The Monitor is the only UK-wide nationally representative survey that dives into peoples’ drinking habits and behaviour. Looking at Scotland specifically, it also found:

  • Those drinking at home alone in Scotland at least once a week is down from 23% in 2021 to 20% in 2023.
  • Only 25% of Scottish adults would feel very comfortable having a conversation with family and 21% with friends about their drinking, compared to 35% with a partner or spouse.
  • Women feel most uncomfortable about having this conversation, with a third (30%) not very comfortable or not comfortable at all starting a conversation about a friend’s drinking (vs. 23% of men).
  • Wine is the most commonly consumed drink among Scottish drinkers, with approximately three in ten Scottish drinkers always or often drink it (31%), then beer and spirits are tied second (29%) when drinking.
  • Pubs in rural Scottish areas are more likely to get support from their local community than those living in urban areas (19% vs 12% in urban areas).

People can learn more about their drinking habits and get free tips and advice by doing the Drinkaware Drinking Check.

This short quiz helps you find out if your drinking is putting your health at serious risk, visit www.drinkaware.co.uk

A full copy of The Monitor 2023 report is available to download for free at:

https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/monitor23

MSP supports ASN Reform Scotland

Foysol Choudhury MSP pursues support for children with additional support needs

ASN Reform Scotland recently attended the Scottish Parliament to hold a drop-in session for MSPs. Their mission was to raise awareness amongst MSPs about the issues that children with ASN and their parents are facing, how to improve ASN education in Scotland, and to help raise awareness of children with ASN ‘s educational needs.  

Training for people who work with children and young people with complex additional support needs emerged as a key theme from the Scottish Government’s recent 2023 report, ‘Pupils with complex additional support needs: research into provision’. These findings about challenges in accessing training were echoed by parents in the ASN Reform Scotland Group, who raised concerns that the environment provided by mainstream schools is often not appropriate for children with additional support needs due to, for example, a lack of appropriate training for teachers.

Foysol Choudhury MSP hosted the ASN Reform Scotland Group’s drop-in session for MSPs at the Scottish Parliament, after meeting the group outside the Scottish Parliament before the Parliament’s summer recess and offering his assistance to the group. Mr Choudhury says it was saddening to hear about the lack of appropriate support some children are getting at school, with some parents reporting having to take on the burden of teaching their own children.

Foysol Choudhury MSP said: “It was made clear at the drop-in session that parents feel unsupported. 

“The group are calling to increase ASN provisions in Scotland and ensure all teachers get specific ASN training to bring the best for all our children.

“There should be support for children with ASN in school along with school staff members getting provided with the correct training in all types of schools, so parents can feel they are sending their children to a safe and beneficial environment”. 

Parents from the ASN Reform Scotland group also raised with Mr Choudhury their concerns over stretched funding and called for accountability over how funds are spent to support a child with ASN.

The group says this will not just benefit the children’s development but will also help their families, as parents will be assured are that their children are getting the right support and care when they are at school. 

A rolling presentation was played at the meeting, to convey the concerns of parents of children with ASN across Scotland. One parent noted they want “All teachers to have ASN training in mainstream schools”. Another noted: “My child deserves to thrive, not just survive in school”. 

Mr Choudhury says he will continue to support the ASN Reform Group and other parents wherever he can.

Be carbon monoxide aware to save your life, says RoSPA

  • Carbon Monoxide Awareness week runs 20 – 26 November
  • RoSPA: Carbon monoxide is a silent killer that can cause symptoms mistaken for other ailments like headaches and the flu
  • Awareness and having carbon monoxide alarm(s) is key to reducing accidents 

This Carbon Monoxide Week, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has issued a stark warning to be aware of the dangers of the silent killer that causes over 4000 A&E visits and 440 hospital admissions a year in England alone.

According to RoSPA, carbon monoxide poisoning is an underdiagnosed problem in the UK, with the signs and symptoms of low-level carbon monoxide toxicity confused for other ailments like headache, nausea, flushing, the flu, muscle pain, food poisoning and depression.

Poisoning is more prevalent in the winter months, likely related to the increased indoor use of heating and other devices which are common sources of carbon monoxide, such as incorrectly installed fuel-burning appliances, blocked chimneys, gas ovens inappropriately used for heating, and barbecues or gas stoves used in enclosed spaces.

What to do if you are exposed to carbon monoxide

If your carbon monoxide alarm sounds or you believe there to be a leak (unignited gas does not contain carbon monoxide):

  • stop using all appliances and evacuate the property immediately
  • call the relevant National Gas Emergency Service number to report the incident or the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Gas Safety Advice Line on 0800 300 363
  • do not go back into the property (wait for advice from the emergency services)
  • get immediate medical help.

If you think you have been exposed to carbon monoxide and feel unwell or are worried call NHS 111, contact your GP or in an emergency contact emergency services on 999.

The relevant National Gas Emergency Service number you need depends on where in the UK you’re based and the type of gas that’s involved:

CountryNatural Gas (NG)Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG)Towns Gas/Mains Gas**
England, Wales and Scotland0800 111 999Contact number on bulk storage vessel or meter*N/A
Northern Ireland0800 002 001Contact number on bulk storage vessel or meter*N/A
Isle of Man0808 1624 4440808 1624 4440808 1624 444
GuernseyN/A01481 74900001481 749000
JerseyN/A01534 75555501534 755555

Phil Le Shirley, Public Safety Advisor at RoSPA said: “With the colder months almost upon us and more people using fuel-burning appliances, it’s vital to be aware that carbon monoxide poisoning is silent and can often be confused with other ailments like a headache, nausea, flushing, the flu, muscle pain, food poisoning and depression.

“Carbon monoxide is colourless, tasteless and odourless, so it is essential that you fit an audible carbon monoxide alarm that meets British or European Standards (BS Kitemark or EN 50291).

“We recommend testing the alarm at least once a week, changing the batteries regularly and replacing the whole alarm before its expiration date.

“Finally, if you’re camping or caravanning, irrespective of how cold or rainy it gets, ensure that there is adequate ventilation when using fuel-burning products and always have a carbon monoxide alarm with you.”

Phil went on to describe what you should do depending on the type of fuel appliance you have at home: “We recommend only using a qualified Gas Safe engineer to install gas boilers and appliances and advise that they are serviced annually by Gas Safe approved technicians.

“Solid fuel appliances should be installed and serviced annually by a qualified HETAS engineer, and chimneys and flues should be kept clean by being swept from top to bottom at least once a year by a qualified chimney sweep and should not be blocked.”

“It is also advised that oil heaters should be installed and serviced annually by a qualified OFTEC engineer.”

For further information on carbon monoxide, please visit RoSPA’s carbon monoxide pages.