Tag: Health and wellbeing

Scots ‘strongly in favour’ of organ and tissue donation

A new report from Healthcare Improvement Scotland has found that nearly three-quarters of Scots surveyed support the opt-out system for organ and tissue donation in Scotland.

The statistics were revealed in the 18th Citizens’ Panel report, which gathered views from 646 people. They were asked about their attitudes to organ and tissue donation after death.

A large majority of respondents (76%) were in favour of the current system. Scotland uses an opt-out system for organ and tissue donation, meaning people are considered willing to donate their organs when they die, unless they have chosen to opt out or belong to an excluded group.

Family or loved ones will always be consulted and asked about known views, faith, and beliefs before any donation goes ahead.

A large majority of respondents were aware of the opt-out system of organ and tissue donation in Scotland (88%), and understood that the opt-out system means that they may be presumed to be willing to donate unless they have stated that they do not wish to do so (86%).

The majority of respondents (82%) also feel that they have enough information to make an informed choice about their organ and tissue donation.

Three quarters of respondents (73%) felt that their family or close friends know what their wishes are regarding organ and tissue donation, including 46% who felt that their family or friends “definitely” know their wishes.

However, respondents were less likely to know how to register their organ and tissue donation decision (55%).

One person who responded noted: “More advertising is needed to explain how to donate, how this affects your end of life and how your family is involved.”

And another noted: “It would be good if more information was available to help people decide and discuss with family and friends.”

Others were unsure if they would be able to donate due to concerns about their age, health conditions and eligibility to donate.

Diana Hekerem, Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s Associate Director of Transformational Change, said: “The issue is a very sensitive one, but the findings from Citizens’ Panel 18 clearly show strong public support for organ and tissue donation in Scotland.

“Three-quarters of those who responded supported the current opt-out system. Most who replied felt they had enough information to make an informed decision, although understanding of some aspects of the donation system aren’t always clear.”

There was positive feedback to the idea of organ and tissue donation.

One respondee said: “I’m in favour of a system that makes as many organs available as possible and minimises decisions for family.’

Another added: “If someone else could benefit from my death, it will not matter to me but could matter a huge amount to the recipient.”

And another concluded: “To give another person the gift of life is a privilege not to be missed.”

The report has six conclusions, including that there should be more communications on how the opt-out systems works, the need for an awareness campaign, and encouraging people to talk about their decision to donate or opt-out.

The full report is now available to read online:

https://www.healthcareimprovementscotland.scot/htmldocs/eighteenth-citizens-panel-report/

The Space Between Us: Sisters stage exhibition at North Edinburgh Arts

16 – 29 OCTOBER

Free Exhibition – donations welcome for Brain Tumour Support

Information leaflet (1)Download
The Space Between Us PDF 2Download

WHO GETS CARE? Medical directors and leading ethicists to clash over NHS rationing at the Edinburgh Union

With the National Health Service under intense financial pressure, leading healthcare directors and academics debate over whether access to medical care should depend on personal lifestyle choices.

TONIGHT – Monday, 12th of October, the Edinburgh Union will host its next debate of the term on one of Britain’s most urgent healthcare and ethical questions with the motion: This House Would Prioritise NHS Patients With Healthy Lifestyles.

Under increasing financial strain, the National Health Service faces pressure concerning resource allocation. The proposition that patients should take accountability for their health, such as losing weight or quitting smoking, has raised concerns over medical ethics.

However, the widening gaps in health outcomes and equality make the question of healthcare rationing and patient responsibility more urgent than ever.

The debate brings together a panel of healthcare leaders and academic experts.

Arguing for the proposition to prioritise patients with healthy lifestyles is Dr Shaun O’Connell, Former Joint Medical Director at the Vale of York CCG, who implemented a controversial 2016 policy asking obese patients and smokers to lose weight or quit cigarettes at the risk of delays to routine operations.

On the opposition, he will face Jonathan Pugh, Deputy Director of the Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics at the University of Oxford, and Richard Cookson Professor for the Centre for Health Economics at the University of York.

This event will take place in Rainy Hall at New College, with doors opening at 6:30 pm and the debate commencing at 7 pm. Continuing with Edinburgh Union tradition, audience members will have the opportunity to challenge guest speakers and deliver speeches during the debate.

Euan Morgan, President of the Edinburgh Union, said: “The question of NHS resource allocation is central to the future of the United Kingdom’s healthcare system. 

“By bringing the architect of one of the UK’s most controversial health policies face-to-face with medical ethicists, we are providing the rigorous debate the Edinburgh Union was built for.

“We are pleased to offer students the floor to challenge these experts in order to engage with a policy issue that impacts every citizen.”

RUNNING ON EMPTY? Scotland’s toughest all-female rowers help spark conversation on low iron and energy

  • New research from Make It Scotch reveals over half (52%) of adults in Scotland have experienced or suspect they have experienced low iron.
  • With almost half (49%) of Scots taking on – or planning to take on – a new fitness challenge, there’s no better time to get the nation talking about iron.
  • To mark World Iron Awareness Week (12-18 October), the brand is teaming up with Saltire Tides, Scotland’s only all-female crew taking on this year’s World’s Toughest Row, to get the nation talking about iron, energy and diet.

Brand new research released to mark World Iron Awareness Week (12-18 October) reveals that more than half of adults in Scotland have experienced, or suspect they have experienced, low iron at some point in their lives. Almost a third (29%) have received a formal diagnosis of iron deficiency, while 14% say they are currently living with low iron levels.

The findings expose a knowledge gap. While most people know iron helps reduce fatigue (67%), fewer realise it also contributes to the normal function of your immune system (46%) and even mental function (43%).

Confusion runs deeper when it comes to food sources: over half (56%) of Scots know beef is a source of iron, yet barely one in seven (15%) realise that lamb and pork contribute to the improvement of iron absorption when eaten with other foods containing iron such as green vegetables and beans.

With almost a third (29%) of Scots having taken on a new fitness challenge in the past two years, and a fifth (20%) planning to within the next 12 months, Make It Scotch is determined to close this gap. The brand is teaming up with Saltire Tides, Scotland’s only all-female crew taking on the World’s Toughest Row across the Atlantic this December, to raise awareness of just how much iron matters, and where to get it.

Ellen Clark, Jenna Volpert and Lauren Wilde-Arnold are about to put their own iron levels to the ultimate test when they take on one of the most extreme endurance tests on the planet.

Setting off in December from La Gomera in the Canary Islands, the trio will row more than 3,000 nautical miles completely unsupported, all the way to Antigua.

All working as healthcare professionals, the Scottish women are aiming to cross in under 40 days, which would break the current record for a female trio on this route. To do it, they’ll row in shifts around the clock, surviving on minimal sleep while battling 40ft waves, salt sores and total physical exhaustion for weeks at sea.

During the row, the crew expect to burn through around 5,000 calories a day just to keep going, while juggling hydration, recovery, protein, carbs – and iron, which becomes even harder to maintain under that level of sustained physical stress.

Jenna Volpert, a trainee paediatric surgeon and Saltire Tides team member said: “We’re going to be asking a lot of our bodies out there – rowing in shifts around the clock with barely any sleep, for weeks on end – so getting our iron levels right isn’t optional for us. It’s essential.

“I’ve actually had my own experience with iron deficiency in the past, and I know first-hand how much it can impact fitness and training.

“That’s why we’ve made a huge effort to ensure we’re fuelling our bodies with the highest quality produce and the best nutrients we can find. Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb and Prime Scottish Pork are a big part of that plan, especially in the final weeks before we set off.”

Emma Health, Director of Marketing at Quality Meat Scotland added:“What’s brilliant about teaming up with Saltire Tides is that they’re not just talking about the importance of iron in everyday life and fitness, they’re living it.

“Every stroke they take during their training and every mile they row on the Atlantic is powered by how well they’ve fuelled their bodies, and that’s the most honest demonstration of why iron matters that we could ask for.

“Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb and Prime Scottish Pork are sitting in supermarket fridges and on butchers’ counters across the country, and most people have no idea that pairing them with other foods as part of a healthy balanced diet helps your body absorb even more iron. We hope this partnership will change that.”

For recipe inspiration to support your overall health and wellbeing or more information on Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb or Prime Scottish Pork, please visit Make it Scotch.

Iconic Scottish landmarks light up blue for World Arthritis Day

Some of Scotland’s most recognisable landmarks, including the Kelpies and Glasgow Science Centre, will light up blue on Monday 12 October for World Arthritis Day as Arthritis UK calls for a dedicated Scottish action plan for arthritis and musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions.

The illuminations will highlight the impact of MSK conditions on the 1.7 million people in Scotland who live with them — around one in three — many experiencing daily pain, fatigue and reduced mobility.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of World Arthritis Day and Arthritis UK’s 90th anniversary. It offers an opportunity to celebrate progress in research and support while highlighting how much work remains.

More than 4,500 people have signed the charity’s ‘Don’t Turn Your Back on Arthritis’ open letter to First Minister John Swinney, calling for a dedicated MSK Action Plan.

The proposed plan would help people get a diagnosis and support sooner, improve access to rehabilitation and supported self-management, and help them stay active and independent.

It would also provide stronger national leadership and investment in MSK health.

Edinburgh nurse Rebecca Murray was 12 when she woke with a hot, swollen elbow. Initially dismissed as a swimming injury, her symptoms led to a year of appointments and unsuccessful treatments before she was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Pain and fatigue forced her to give up competitive swimming, while at school she often had to fight for support.

“At such a young age, it felt like I’d lost a big part of who I was after my diagnosis,” she said. “It’s an invisible illness that many people wrongly associate with older age.”

Originally from Aberdeenshire, Rebecca found support through Arthritis UK’s Young People and Families Service, which connected her with others facing similar challenges.

“At times, I have felt pretty hopeless with my condition, but the friends and connections I made through Arthritis UK really helped change not only my outlook on my condition, but the outlook on my life.”

Michaela Brown, 34, from Campbeltown, manages three forms of arthritis while raising her daughter as a single mum. She said: “On World Arthritis Day, I want people to understand that arthritis affects younger people too. I’m 34, and it affects my work, my family life, and what I can do with friends.

“We need a dedicated MSK Action Plan for Scotland, covering earlier diagnosis, timely treatment, physiotherapy and support to stay active and in work.

For those of us living in rural communities, it must also address the long journeys and practical difficulties of getting specialist care.

We need support that reflects the everyday reality of living with arthritis.”

Lauren Bennie, Head of Arthritis UK Scotland, said: “We are delighted to be celebrating our 90th anniversary and the progress we have made in research support and awareness over the last nine decades.

“However, for the 1.7 million people in Scotland living with a musculoskeletal condition, there is still plenty of work to be done. Arthritis remains one of Scotland’s few major health conditions without a dedicated strategy.   

“Unfortunately, it is all too common to wait too long for a diagnosis, treatment, or the support people need to live independently. Lighting up these landmarks is a small way of saying to those experiencing this, you are not alone, and your voices are heard.  

“We are calling on the First Minister to face the facts about arthritis and commit to Scotland’s first-ever MSK Action Plan.”  

The campaign will continue throughout the autumn, with Arthritis UK also working to secure the first dedicated debate on arthritis in the Scottish Parliament.

The landmarks taking part are:

  • University of Glasgow Tower
  • Glasgow Science Centre
  • Ness Bridge
  • The Falkirk Wheel
  • The Kelpies

People can add their names to the open letter and call on the First Minister to face arthritis head-on at:

https://www.arthritis-uk.org/news/first-minister-don-t-turn-your-back-on-arthritis

Mental Health Foundation: Talking about our emotions should never feel taboo

WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY

Talking about our emotions should never feel taboo.💜

This #WorldMentalHealthDay let’s not just check in with those around us, but let’s also create space for open and honest conversation about our mental health.

Let’s move past “I’m fine”.

For tips, advice and support on talking about mental health, check out our website: https://shorturl.at/KZ8RX

#WMHD

#WorldMentalHealthDay

#MentalHealthAwareness

#TalkAboutIt

#Conversation

Support for bereaved families

Raising awareness of help available this Baby Loss Awareness Week

Social Security Scotland is highlighting the financial support available to families that have lost a baby this Baby Loss Awareness Week (9 – 15 October 2026).

Families that already receive qualifying benefits can apply for additional support if they have experienced a stillbirth or have lost their baby after being born.

Bereaved families may be able to access Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment to help relieve financial pressures if their baby has died. In addition, Funeral Support Payment is available to help cover the costs of a baby’s funeral.

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Shirley-Anne Somerville, said: “Losing a baby can have a devastating impact on families. During a time where parents should be able to grieve the loss of their infant, many are faced with added financial pressures that can make their loss even harder to process.

“This Baby Loss Awareness Week, I am letting families know about the package of financial help the Scottish Government offers to help ease some of those strains, giving parents the chance to mourn without added financial worries.”

An estimated 1 in 4 people in the UK experience pregnancy or baby loss. Social Security Scotland recognises the profound impact loss can have on families and is committed to providing support to clients and colleagues.

Social Security Scotland’s Deputy Director of People and Place, Nicola Rudnicki, added: “We understand that losing a baby is one of the hardest experiences a family can face.

“For families looking to apply for support, our teams are specially trained to manage bereavement cases with compassion and respect, meaning our clients can speak to our colleagues knowing they will be treated with dignity.

“We are also proud to have signed Miscarriage UK’s Pregnancy Loss Pledge, recognising that every loss matters and reaffirming our commitment to creating a supportive and understanding environment for those affected by pregnancy and baby loss.”

Rowena Pailing, Director of Bereavement Support Services, Community and Volunteering, Sands commented: “Baby loss has a huge emotional impact. It can also have a financial impact.

“At Sands, we hear from families who may be struggling because of their employment situations, or who are concerned about funeral costs. We would encourage anyone who loses a baby to check whether they are eligible for financial help from Social Security Scotland.”

Baby Loss Awareness Week (9 – 15 October 2026) brings people together to create a supportive space to share their experiences about pregnancy and baby loss. The awareness week also marks the annual Wave of Light memorial on 15 October where families around the work are invited to light a candle at 7pm in remembrance of all babies that have died too soon.

Sands is the charity speaking up about pregnancy and baby loss, saving babies’ lives and supporting bereaved families.

Miscarriage UK’s latest figures from March 2026 estimate that 1 in 4 pregnancies in the UK end in loss. To find out more about the research, visit: Miscarriage UK research report – March 2026 | Miscarriage UK

NHS Lothian: Bridge Builders

VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES WITH NHS LOTHIAN

Are you currently studying for a career in healthcare? Want to make a difference to the patient experience?

Apply to become a Bridge Builder Volunteer today!

Bridge Builders support patients to attend and engage with their outpatient appointments, providing practical and emotional support throughout their healthcare journey.

For more information, please visit: https://www.nhslothian.scot/…/bridge-builders…/