Tag: Health and wellbeing

Briggs hails 2,444 local people helped by warm homes scheme

Lothian MSP Miles Briggs has welcomed the impact in his constituency of a scheme aimed at helping homes become warmer, more comfortable and more affordable to heat.

Warmer Homes Scotland, the Scottish Government’s national fuel poverty scheme, has supported 2,444 people in Lothian since it was launched in 2015, with each of them saving an average of £264 off their energy bills.

The Warmer Homes Scotland scheme provides a step-by-step service to identify where energy improvements can be made in the home and arranges for this work to be carried out. The scheme offers new central heating systems, including renewable heating technologies such as air source heat pumps, in all property types and in all regions of Scotland.

All of the work delivered under the scheme is carried out by registered and accredited local sub-contractors, working to rigorous quality standards across the country, with completed work independently checked to guarantee that these standards are met. In the last year, 99% of Warmer Homes Scotland customers said they were satisfied or very satisfied with the work carried out in their homes.

Warmworks-SROI-Report-2020-21-FinalDownload

A new report also found that the scheme has wider benefits for the health, wellbeing and social lives of those people who received support.

It also identified positive outcomes from the scheme for all levels of society, from householders through to the NHS and the Scottish Government.

Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said: “I’m pleased to learn that the Warmer Homes Scotland scheme has supported so many people in my constituency to be warmer and more comfortable in their homes.

“It’s also great to learn about Warmworks Scotland’s new report and the positive benefits from the scheme on householders’ health, wellbeing and day-to-day living.

“I’m delighted to know that the scheme has helped many of my constituents save money on their fuel bills. I’d encourage all of my constituents to check if they are eligible to receive help under the scheme, as the improvements it offers could make a real difference this winter and in the years to come.”

Warmworks Scotland Managing Director, Ross Armstrong, added: “The Warmer Homes Scotland scheme has been helping people right across Scotland feel warmer and more comfortable in their homes for six years.

“But we also now know that the benefits of the scheme go even further, and that it’s making a real difference in terms of supporting people with their health, wellbeing and day-to-day lives.

“I’m delighted that we have been able to help 2,444 people in Miles Briggs MSP’s constituency to be warmer and more comfortable in their homes, and that they have saved £264on their fuel bills thanks to the improvements made under the scheme.

“We look forward to building on this work and helping many more people throughout Lothian and across Scotland in the years to come.”

Scottish Government: More funding to improve services for patients

£82.6 million has been allocated to health boards to expand teams within GP practices and modernise systems. The funding will allow healthcare professionals to be established in every GP practice including increased:

  • pharmacy support for repeat prescriptions and medication reviews
  • nursing support for routine tests and wound treatment
  • access to physiotherapy services

These measures will ensure patients can see the right healthcare expert at the right time while giving GPs more time with patients most in need of their skills and allowing doctors to focus on complex diagnosis, such as suspected cancer cases.

A further £2m has also been allocated to modernise telephone systems within practices which will improve call waiting times for patients.

This investment is part of £360m allocated under the 2018 GP Contract to health boards over four years to ensure that all patients get the support they need from an extended community healthcare team – this announcement of £77.5m is the final allocation of the four-year fund with an additional £3.1m from this year’s budget.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “It has been a pleasure to visit the Dunblane Health Centre where the multi-disciplinary team of health professionals has been successfully supporting patients for some time.

“GP surgeries provide a wide range of services, supporting both the physical and mental health of patients. The contribution general practice makes to the health and wellbeing of communities is invaluable. This funding will improve how general practice services are delivered and in turn enhance the patients’ experience of accessing care.

“We have now delivered every penny we committed to Health Boards and GPs as part of our ongoing commitment to help support practices deliver care. The NHS is facing the biggest challenge this winter and this investment will have real benefits for both patients and front-line staff.”

Chair of British Medical Association Scotland’s GP committee Dr Andrew Buist said: “Things continue to be really tough for GPs and teams working in practices across Scotland. We need help to cope with demand – both while the pandemic continues and looking longer term, including as restrictions begin to ease following the Omicron wave.

“A crucial part of this is building the teams around GPs and ensuring there are the right skilled staff in place to ensure people at treated by the most appropriate professional, freeing up GPs time to focus on the highest priority patients who need our time the most.

“This funding will make a crucial contribution in that sense, so is very welcome and we hope it will make a real difference for practices and patients across Scotland.”

Chief Executive of NHS Forth Valley Cathie Cowan said: “NHS Forth Valley was one of the first Health Boards in Scotland to pilot the introduction of physiotherapists and mental health nurses in local GP practices and has invested in the development of multidisciplinary teams to support local GP across the area.

“The feedback from local patients who used these services has been very positive as they really appreciate being able to see a wider range of healthcare staff, including physiotherapists and mental health nurses, in their local GP practice. It also supports GPs by freeing up time to spend with patients  with more complex health conditions.”

Walk for Autism fundraiser set to return for a fifth year

The team at Autism Initiatives are dusting off their trainers once more for its annual fundraising campaign Walk for Autism, which returns this March.

The charity hopes to make it the biggest one yet in its five-year history when participants from up and down the country walk 10,000 steps per day for the eight days between March 26th and World Autism Awareness Day on April 2nd.

Last year, the campaign’s participants collectively walked over an impressive 194 million steps and raised more than £621,000, making it their most successful year to date.

The money raised goes towards helping individuals with autism while supporting autism projects in the UK & Ireland that encourage the pursuit of specialist interests, promote physical activity and help autistic adults and children learn and develop every single day.

Walk for Autism Fundraising Manager Liz Oakley said: “This campaign is especially important to us as we have seen first-hand how much it can improve peoples’ lives; not just with the money raised but for all those who take part. Our aim is to create a wonderful community of likeminded people who are passionate about autism and believe they can make a difference.

“These past two years have been tough for everyone, and walking has been proven to help with mental wellbeing, which is just another positive reason to get involved. 

“Walkers can complete their steps at any time and in whatever way suits them; whether it’s walking the dog, stepping on the treadmill or conquering a long-distance hike. It’s important to remember that each and every step counts so even if you can’t get out and about steps around the garden or even around your home will all contribute.

“You can track your steps easily using a pedometer or smart phone apps to make sure you’re hitting your target. The concept is simple, but the rewards are huge.”

For this year’s theme of ‘We Walk for Autism’, Walk for Autism is encouraging people to do their walking with friends and family. Walkers can sign up on the charity’s website and begin their fundraising straight away, with the charity providing helpful tips on the fun and varied ways to raise money.

Those who sign up and pledge an upfront £20 will get a Walk for Autism t-shirt to assist in their fundraising, as well as a tutorial on how to create their very own homemade confetti canon using household items to celebrate their completion of the challenge.

Liz added: “Autism affects more than 700,000 people in the UK and Ireland each year and it’s vital that we continue to help as many of those people as possible through our fundraising efforts.”

Walk for Autism is a campaign led by charity Autism Initiatives Group who have been working to improve the lives of autistic people and their families across the UK and Ireland for almost 50 years.

You can get involved by visiting their website at:

 https://www.walkforautism.co.uk/register/walk-for-autism-2022/registrationform

£12m funding boost for research announced on World Cancer Day

Experts from Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow will receive funding from Cancer Research UK to conduct ground-breaking work as part of a chain of research hubs around the UK.

Photograph of University of Edinburgh's Institute of Genetics and Cancer

The £12 million investment over the next five years will be used to accelerate the Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre’s work into diagnosing and treating cancers which are among the most prevalent in Scotland, including bowel cancer, mesothelioma, liver cancer and brain tumours.

The Scotland Centre, comprising scientists from Edinburgh and Glasgow, has been chosen as one of just seven locations to secure funding in the latest review of the Cancer Research UK Centres network of excellence.

Understanding cancer

The work taking place in Edinburgh includes Professor Malcolm Dunlop and colleagues studying the faulty genes that underpin bowel cancer. Prof Dunlop’s team is aiming to understand how our genes influence the risk of developing the disease and the chances of surviving it.

Professor Steve Pollard and his team are developing potential new treatments for the most common type of brain tumour in adults, known as glioblastoma multiforme.

Professor Ian TomlinsonCo-Director, Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, said: “This investment will give us the tools we need to deliver high quality research which will make the biggest difference for patients.

“It means we will be able to further develop our work in translational research – getting cutting edge discoveries from the laboratory to patients and learning as much as possible from patients to initiate new research.

Dr Iain Foulkes, Executive Director of Research and Innovation, Cancer Research UK, added: “This past year proves, more than any other, the value of investing in science and medical research, and what can be achieved with collective focus and collaboration.

“Just like science is our route out of the pandemic, science is our route to beating cancer. Despite the impact of the pandemic on the charity’s income, we are funding some of the best and most promising research in Scotland to help more people survive.”

Help for people living with dementia

Extra £1 million will help people shape the services they need

A £1 million investment over two years will fund work with people with dementia and their families to design and shape the support they need following diagnosis.

The funding, part of the £120 million Mental Health Recovery and Renewal fund, will see the Scottish Government working with Age Scotland to enhance support giving people a bigger say in what works for them.

COVID-19 has had a disproportionate impact on people with dementia. Through this partnership with Age Scotland, the Scottish Government will grow the community support that have been so critical to people and their families during the pandemic.

Early investment will be focused on building community capacity with a small grant programme, with a broader community grant programme to follow in the second year.

Social Care Minister Kevin Stewart said: “During the latest phase of the pandemic I have listened to people with dementia and their families about the need for additional flexible support and investment to help address some of the particular challenges they are facing.

“COVID-19 has impacted all of us but I know just how challenging it has been for people living with dementia, their families and carers.

“Trying to reduce this impact is the basis of our Dementia and Covid Action Plan, which we have worked with a wide range of partners to implement, since its publication in December 2020.

“There is a lot of positive work to point to, and the pandemic has particularly highlighted the importance of community-led work, responding to local need. I want to build on this work and enable more local people and communities to design and shape the support they need.

“Through this partnership with Age Scotland we will invest an extra £1 million over two years to support local communities to do that.”

Brian Sloan, Chief Executive of Age Scotland, said: “We’re delighted to be working with the Scottish Government to deliver this funding, which will support the development of dementia-friendly communities across Scotland.

“The pandemic has compounded challenges faced by people living with dementia and their unpaid carers. This funding will help address some of these challenges by shaping communities that work for those who have lived experience of dementia.

“Our role is to bring the voices of carers and people living with dementia to the forefront as plans are developed, ensuring those voices are heard at every stage of the design and delivery process. By doing so, we can build communities that truly support and empower people living with dementia and those who care for them.”

Dementia and COVID-19: Action Plan

ASH Scotland: small grants available

Our small grants are proving to be very popular and applications have been rolling in. We only have a limited number of grants to give.

If your organisation would like help to improve people’s health and wellbeing by addressing smoking, you can apply at:

http://ashscotland.org.uk/smallgrants.

Healthy Heart Tip: Stopping smoking

Approximately 6.9 million people over the age of 18 are smokers. Smoking harms almost all organs in the body, including your heart and blood vessels, increasing your risk of having a heart attack.

Quitting smoking can be extremely difficult, but it is an important step in reducing your risk of heart disease. We provide some tips to help you stop smoking:. 

Decide when to stop and make a plan

The sooner you decide to quit smoking, the better. Choose a date within the next two weeks. If you leave it too long, you will give yourself time to change your mind.

Identify triggers that make you want to smoke and work out how you will overcome them in advance. For example, if you usually smoke during your break at work, plan to go for a walk instead. 

Notify friends and family of your intention to stop smoking and ask for their support.

Manage your cravings

Cigarette cravings are intense urges to smoke and they can last for 5 minutes.

Quitting smoking requires a huge amount of willpower. When you get a craving, try to distract yourself for 5-10 minutes until it passes. You could try planning a healthy dinner or plan a route for a cycle ride or a walk.

Once the craving has passed, you can give yourself a pat on the back.

Get support

Getting support to stop smoking can increase your chances of success. You could try contacting your local Stop Smoking Services or chatting to your GP.

You could also seek advice from a friend or family member who has successfully stopped smoking, or from someone who is also trying to quit.

Perhaps consider using a stop smoking aid, such as nicotine patches, gums, lozenges or nasal sprays to help stop the cravings.

As well as reducing your risk of developing serious diseases, such as cancer and heart disease, quitting smoking can also help to improve your mental wellbeing.

Why not reduce your risk by choosing a date to quit smoking today?

For more tips on how to stay healthy, sign up for our weekly healthy tips at:

www.heartresearch.org.uk/healthy-tips

To help keep your heart healthy, why not try out some of our Healthy Heart recipes from our website: 

https://heartresearch.org.uk/heart-research-uk-recipes-2/

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

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

Looking after wellbeing of Scotland’s social work and social care staff

A new £1 million fund has been established to support projects which look after the wellbeing of staff working in social care.

The Workforce Wellbeing Fund for Adult Social Work and Social Care will be managed by Inspiring Scotland and provide grants of up to £10,000 until December 2022.

Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care Kevin Stewart said: “Everyone working across social work and social care has shown an invaluable commitment to delivering a first class service and compassionate care through the most difficult of times.

“This fund is about giving staff anything which makes them feel better and supports their resilience. Applications can be as creative as possible, as long as they focus on our most valuable asset, our people.

“Grants could be given for activities or to purchase equipment that will improve the wellbeing of the workforce. Ask your staff what they most want or need, and please take advantage of this fund to help them get it.

“Workforce wellbeing must remain a priority as we continue to move through this pandemic and recovery. We will overcome the challenges ahead if we look after our people.”

Head of Funds at Inspiring Scotland Kaylie Allen said: “We are delighted to be working with the Scottish Government on this programme. The importance of the people providing frontline care and the challenges they have faced delivering the most essential services over the last 18 months cannot be overstated.

“This fund will provide a flexible and easy way for adult social care and social work staff to access support for their own wellbeing.”

The Scottish Government has made £12 million available to support the wellbeing of the health and social care workforce. This new fund, which is open to applications until 29 July 2022, will ensure £1 million of targeted support towards the wellbeing of staff in the social work and social care sector, which faces unique challenges in accessing available funding since it consists of a mix of local authority, private and voluntary sector provision.

See here for further information and details of how to apply to the Workforce Wellbeing Fund for Adult Social Work and Social Care.

Long waiting times continue to put patient safety at serious risk

The latest A&E activity and waiting times for major Emergency Departments in Scotland for December 2021 show:

  • 73.7% of attendances were seen and resulted in subsequent admission, transfer or discharge within four hours
  • There were 97,644 attendances, a 6% decrease when compared to the previous month, November 2021
  • More than one in four patients were delayed by four hours or more
  • 5,342 patients were delayed by eight hours or more, equal to 5.5% of all attendances
  • 1,605 patients were delayed by 12 hours or more

Responding to these figures, Dr John Thomson, Vice President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine Scotland, said: “With fewer attendances performance has plateaued but be in no doubt that the health service and its staff in Scotland remain under unprecedented pressure and increasing burnout.

“One in four patients face delays over four hours, while both eight- and 12-hour waits are still at record high levels not seen before 2021. What is deeply concerning is the pattern and the potential for these long waiting times to become the status quo in perpetuity.

“Both our own report Crowding and its Consequences (below) and a recent article in the Emergency Medicine Journal ‘Association between delays to patient admission from the emergency department and all-cause 30- day mortality’ detail the real harm, and in some cases death, that long waiting times can cause patients.

“The impact of this continued poor performance is distress and moral injury to staff and serious discomfort and risk to the safety of patients. This must be an urgent signal and call to action for system change. We have long called on the government to open 1,000 more beds in the system in Scotland, and to commit to publishing a long-term workforce plan. While there remains an urgent need to address the social care crisis to help patients be discharged from hospital in a timely way.

“Quite simply things cannot continue as they are, more patients will come to harm and staff will face increasing distress at the quality of care they are or, more significantly, aren’t able to provide. The government must recognise the severity of the situation and the risk that continued poor performance, long waiting times, patient harm, and sinking quality of care will continue to spiral.”

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