Business premises will be able to access a £25 million package to improve ventilation and reduce the risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission.
Grants will target a wide range of high risk settings where people come into close proximity, including restaurants, bars and gyms, with support available to help companies undertake work such as the installation of carbon dioxide monitors and altering windows and vents.
An expert advice group, chaired by Professor Tim Sharpe from the University of Strathclyde, unanimously recommended that businesses should be supported to improve ventilation. The Group was established in August to advise how enhanced ventilation can help reduce transmission of the virus.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “As we step away from other mitigations, improved ventilation will play a significant role in reducing transmission indoors, support the sustained opening of society and contribute to our wider Covid recovery.
“Many of the businesses we are targeting have been closed for long periods and it is right that they are helped to undertake this work. We are allocating up to £25 million to assist small and medium-sized enterprises and expect to begin making payments in November.
“The package will initially target higher risk sectors where people spend significant amounts of time in close proximity to each other, such as hospitality and leisure, and will make indoor settings safer, especially through the winter months.”
Further details of the grants, including eligibility and timing, will be published on findbusinesssupport.gov.scot in due course.
Can a healthy lifestyle combat undernutrition and dementia?
The PROMED-COG (PROtein enriched MEDiterranean diet to combat undernutrition and promote healthy neuroCOGnitive ageing) Consortium brings together unique expertise to better understand how the balance between diet and physical activity could reverse undernutrition during ageing and, ultimately, prevent dementia.
The research led by Queen’s University Belfast will provide new and critical insight into the role of undernutrition in cognitive health. It will explore how diet and exercise can work to combat undernutrition and the effect of factors – such as age, gender, and genetics -on the risk of dementia in older age.
One in ten adults aged 60 years+ are undernourished, which means that they have low levels of proteins, calories, vitamins, and minerals caused by reduced food intake or because the body does not process food properly.
Undernutrition has a negative impact on the health of older people as it leads to weight loss and increases the risk of dementia in later life.
PROMED-COG project co-ordinator, Dr Claire McEvoy from the Centre for Public Health at Queen’s University Belfast, said: “Weight loss increases the risk of dementia by up to 40% but occurs a decade or more before the symptoms of memory loss become apparent.
“This gives us an opportunity to intervene early with preventative strategies to counteract undernutrition and, potentially, the onset of cognitive impairment.”
Dementia is a major health priority. It already affects around seven million people in Europe, a figure set to double by 2030, with socioeconomic costs rising to over €250 billion.
While factors, such as age and genetics, influence the onset of dementia and cannot be changed, some lifestyle changes could make a difference. PROMED-COG will use existing datasets in Italy to study the links between undernutrition, cognitive decline, and dementia.
The project will also test the effect of adopting a diet and exercise intervention over six months on undernutrition and cognition in older adults living in Northern Ireland. This will inform the recommendations developed to slow down cognitive decline and prevent dementia in older European citizens.
Dr McEvoy added: “Dementia is a huge problem affecting our ageing population. There is a significant lack of research in this area and this new grant will bring together a range of European experts to develop evidence-based recommendations for the prevention of undernutrition and cognitive impairment during ageing.
“This will not only prolong the period of life spent in good health but will also reduce the societal and economic burden of dementia.”
The European Horizon 2020 Joint Programming Initiative “A Healthy Diet for a Healthy Life”, and ERA-NET Cofund ERA-HDHL (GA N° 696295) has awarded a grant of over 680,000 euros to the PROMED-COG consortium. Led by Queen’s University Belfast, the Consortium includes The National Research Council Italy, The University of Padova, University College Dublin, Wageningen University, and The Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg.
The national programme to eliminate mental health stigma and discrimination has been awarded £5 million of Scottish Government funding for five years.
The continuing investment in See Me, which has been announced alongside the launch of their new strategy, With Fairness in Mind, will allow See Me to carry on their important work as part of the wider national response to the mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mental Wellbeing Minister Kevin Stewart said:“I am pleased to announce continued funding for See Me of £1 million a year until March 2026. This is not only a sign of our trust and belief in See Me but also in recognition of the importance of tackling the stigma and discrimination.
“We know that the pandemic has had a substantial impact on the mental health of the population, and is likely to continue to do so. It has never been more important to look after our mental health. That is why we are working to create a Scotland where people can get the right help at the right time, and to fully enjoy their rights, free from stigma and discrimination.
“Tackling stigma is crucial to mental health improvement, because of the barriers it presents for recovery, prevention and early intervention. Reducing stigma creates the best conditions for positive mental wellbeing, enabling more people to access the support, care and treatment they need.”
Wendy Halliday, See Me Director, said:“Stigma and discrimination can have a devastating impact on the lives of people with mental health problems. It can stop people from getting the right help and support, it can cause people to lose their jobs, it can leave people isolated and, for young people, they can find themselves being judged and dismissed when trying to reach out.
“That’s why the launch of our new five-year strategy, With Fairness in Mind, and the continued investment in the See Me Programme from the Scottish Government is so important. There must be this ongoing commitment to ending the deep rooted stigma that exists in Scottish society, especially in workplaces, education, health and social care and communities.
“At See Me we want to see a change in the way support and treatment for mental health is thought about, so tackling stigma and discrimination, and addressing the barriers they create, is seen as essential to any action to improve mental health.”
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome affects up to 13% of women and can lead to cancer and infertility, but two-thirds of women are unable to identify symptoms like weight gain and hair growth
September is PCOS Awareness Month and new research has revealed that more than half of UK women can’t identify the main symptoms, despite the condition potentially leading to cancer and infertility.
The survey, conducted by Livi, the digital healthcare provider, asked 1,000 women about the most common signs of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
The complex disorder causes elevated levels of sex hormones and affects 8-13% of women and people with uteruses globally. In the long term, it can lead to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and uterine cancer.
The most common symptoms of PCOS include:
Irregular periods, long gaps between periods, or no periods
Excessive hair growth on the face, chest and abdomen
Weight gain
Acne
However, the majority of women don’t recognise these as potential symptoms of PCOS.
When asked to identify the signs, almost half failed to select irregular periods (47%) and around two-thirds didn’t pick excessive hair growth (63%) and weight gain (67%).
Acne is the least well-known PCOS symptom, with four out of five (80%) UK women not acknowledging it as a possible red flag.
Millennials (25-34-year-olds) are the least likely age group to know what to look for, despite most PCOS diagnoses happening when women are in their 20s or 30s.
The PCOS symptoms that people are least aware of are:
1) Acne – 80% (didn’t identify as a symptom)
2) No periods – 77%
3) Long gaps between periods – 70%
4) Weight gain – 67%
5) Excessive hair growth – 63%
Two in five (40%) people selected at least one incorrect symptom. Nausea (16%), increased sweating (15%) and insomnia (14%) are the most likely signs to be mistakenly identified as PCOS.
Many women discover they have PCOS when they see a GP about possible fertility issues.
Dr Elisabeth Rosen, Lead GP at Livi and a specialist in gynaecology and obstetrics, explains the link: “As PCOS is a condition that causes problems with the release of eggs from the ovaries, it can make getting pregnant more difficult.
“Polycystic ovaries contain fluid-filled cysts known as follicles, in which eggs develop but usually never mature enough to ovulate. This affects the menstrual cycle, leading to irregular bleeding and problems ovulating.”
If you’re concerned about symptoms, Dr Rosen advises speaking to a doctor and says you can help speed up a diagnosis by keeping track of symptoms and your menstrual cycle.
“Keep track of your symptoms and menstrual cycle to help you spot patterns. You can use a cycle tracker app or a physical diary. A doctor will ask questions about your symptoms and experiences and then refer you for a blood test to check your hormone levels. They will also request an ultrasound to check for signs that your ovaries are polycystic.”
Three brothers with a rare genetic kidney disorder have all now received life-saving kidney transplants within three years of each other, thanks to organ donors across the UK.
John, Bill and Robert Whiteford all suffer from autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADKPKD) – a genetic degenerative illness which sees kidney function gradually decrease to the point of failure, meaning all would have required ongoing dialysis.
Luckily, thanks to donors, the brothers all have a brand new lease of life, and a new kidney, with John Whiteford successfully receiving his transplant last week at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, following seven months of dialysis.
Each brother received their kidney through separate routes – each with their own unique story – but all being reliant on donors.
Mr Marc Clancy, lead consultant for transplant surgery at NHSGGC, who also performed John’s transplant, said: “The three brothers highlight the different routes people can receive transplants and we’re delighted to have been part of the process for John and Bill, as well as John’s daughter Sonia’s kidney donation. Furthermore, it’s fantastic to see them all recovering, albeit at different stages, and we wish them well for the future.
“Across NHSGGC we’ve been fortunate in being able to maintain a full kidney transplant service across the West of Scotland Renal Transplant Centre. This means a total of 224 transplants have taken place since April 2020.
“Thanks to the new opt-in rules which came into effect earlier this year we expect the numbers of transplants to take place across the UK to increase upwards of 30% over the next 5 years. This is fantastic news for our patients, and despite the pandemic, we are in a strong position within NHSGGC and anticipate similar growth in figures within our own service.”
Meet the brothers
John Whiteford – received a kidney through the Living Kidney Sharing Scheme
John, who was discharged earlier this week, received his transplant at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, thanks to his daughter Sonia who was not a match, but was happy to donate her kidney as part of the UK Living Kidney Sharing Scheme. The scheme means if a donor is unable to donate directly, as was the case here, they are registered in a national scheme which matches them up with other pairs throughout the UK. This means Sonia’s kidney helped save a life elsewhere, while another donor’s kidney was given to John.
The retired minister, who is married with four children, is looking forward to getting his life back on track, and especially to spending time back in Sweden where his wife is from.
John said: “I am massively thankful to everyone working in dialysis and in the transplant arena. The team at the QEUH was excellent throughout and the care has been second to none.
“I couldn’t believe it when I was matched, it really is life changing news. The dialysis keeps me alive but I’m tethered to a machine three days per week and you’re energy levels are low. Transplant is the long-term solution and I’m incredibly thankful to my daughter Sonia, and to the UK Living Kidney Scheme.”
Daughter and 38 year old mum of two, Sonia, said: “The Living Kidney Sharing scheme has allowed me to help my dad and that is a huge privilege and an amazing thing to be part of.
“I can already see him getting better and his kidney function is improving every day. There’s a real feeling of joy and relief at the same time, and while I was only discharged this week, I’m already feeling my energy levels returning. As a mum of two getting that back fully is essential!
“The genetic condition which runs in our family means 50% of us will have kidney issues so we really are all in this together, and it’s inspiring to see how well programmes like the Living Kidney Sharing scheme work in practice.”
Bill Whiteford – received a kidney from a friend
Retired BBC journalist Bill Whiteford is well on his way to recovery having received his kidney two weeks ago at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (07/08/21). Bill was lucky enough to have a friend who turned out to be a match.
Bill, who worked for the BBC for years, presenting the likes of Good Morning Scotland and BBC Drivetime, commented: “First and foremost I am grateful to my friend. It’s a massive decision to give up a kidney and I am humbled for his support, without which, I would inevitably still be on the waiting list and fast approaching the need for regular dialysis.
“I’d urge everyone to consider donating an organ – whether that’s through the living donor programmes or by having that important conversation with family to let them know your organ donation wishes in the event you pass away.”
Robert Whiteford – received his kidney from an altruistic donor through the Living Kidney Sharing Scheme
Robert, 67, was the first of the brothers to receive a kidney transplant. The retired vet who stays in Scone also received his kidney through the Living Kidney Sharing Scheme, with ex-wife Linda donating her kidney as part of the process. Luckily Robert was matched up in the first round of checks which meant he was able to avoid going on to dialysis. Three years on and he remains extremely grateful to Linda and the altruistic donor he was matched with through the programme.
Robert said: “I started developing symptoms around 10 years ago, and following a scan it was confirmed that I had the condition. Following that, my kidney function gradually fell to 8% but luckily through the programme I was matched very quickly.
“I’m extremely thankful to Linda and the altruistic donor, who joined the Kidney Sharing programme and helped facilitated my transplant, and others.
“I would tell anyone who is considering donating to a friend or loved one, to seriously consider the programme – even if you’re not a match, by donating your kidney you can ensure your loved one is matched with someone else.”
Researchers in Scotland are investigating a new treatment for diabetes which they hope could reduce one of the most common complications of the condition – sight loss.
The team of scientists, funded by the British Heart Foundation (BHF), are aiming to find new ways of preventing diabetic retinopathy (DR) and have been given a grant of £286,000 for the study, which is being led by Professor Mirela Delibegovic in collaboration with clinical colleagues Professor John Forrester and Dr Lucia Kuffova at the University of Aberdeen.
People living with cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure can develop a condition called retinal microvascular disease and this is increased in the presence of diabetes.
Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most common complications of diabetes. Those with DR develop damage, often permanent, to the retina – the light-sensing layer inside the eyeball – and as a result, are at risk of losing their sight.
People in the UK known to have diabetes are offered retinal screening once a year to detect signs of changes in the retina caused by DR. This new project aims to identify physical signs of DR when they occur, but before they lead to loss of vision, and to help find treatments to prevent it from developing.
Professor Delibegovic (above), who is the Director of the Aberdeen Cardiovascular Disease Centre at the University of Aberdeen, explains: “Given its nature, DR is a significant and worrying complication of diabetes and so it is important that we understand more about it and find ways to reduce and prevent it.
“In addition, as Type 2 diabetes – the most common type of diabetes – can often go undetected and undiagnosed for many years, up to 40% of people with Type 2 diabetes already have signs of DR when they are first diagnosed with the condition. Being able to intervene sooner could make a real difference for people living with diabetes.”
Over the next 3 years, the team will investigate if inhibition of an enzyme, called PTP1B, will lead to protection against retinal microvascular disease and diabetic retinopathy.
The BHF is the largest independent funder of research into heart and circulatory diseases in Scotland and this project is one of more than 100 research projects currently underway in ten universities across Scotland.
James Jopling, Head of BHF Scotland, said: “This is an important project which could benefit patients living with heart and circulatory disease and diabetes. As such, it is vital we understand more about diabetic retinopathy.
“Research projects like this one in Aberdeen help inform how we treat patients, identify those at particular risk and ultimately find new ways to save and improve lives.”
For more information on the BHF’s life saving research and the work of the BHF visit www.bhf.org.uk
The BDA fully supports community water fluoridation as a safe and effective public health intervention, as part of a package of measures to improve dental health, where technically feasible and appropriate for local needs. The Health and Care Bill, currently before Parliament, is set to simplify the rollout of the policy in England. Dentist leaders are now urging all 4 UK administrations to restate their positions on water fluoridation in light of the statement.
Public Health England modelling shows water fluoridation more than pays for itself in medium term, owing to reduction in treatment need. £1 spent equates to £12.71 savings in five years, rising to £21.98 in ten. The BDA has stressed that upfront investment by Government is vital to unlock these benefits.
In their statement, the four UK CMOs recognise water fluoridation should be seen as a complementary strategy, and not a substitute for regular dental check-ups and other effective methods of increasing fluoride use.
The BDA backs a joined-up approach in which tried and tested policies like water fluoridation and supervised tooth brushing in early years settings are expanded, with parallel effort applied to rebuilding high street dental services.
Oral health inequality is anticipated to widen, given combination of unprecedented access problems, the suspension and ongoing disruption to public health programmes and changes to dietary habits since the start of the pandemic. Over 30 million appointments have been lost in NHS dentistry since lockdown, in England alone.
Around 5.8 million people in England receive fluoridated water, the lion’s share artificially added, but in some locations the appropriate level exists naturally within local water supplies.
British Dental Association Chair Eddie Crouch said: “Every dentist will thank the CMOs for recognising the lasting benefits water fluoridation could bring to the nation’s oral health.
“However, these gains are purely theoretical without upfront investment. Spending here will pay for itself, and Ministers need to show they are willing to seize the moment.
“We need a joined-up approach. COVID has left millions unable to access care, and deep inequalities are now set to widen. The four Governments must double down on tried and tested policies while rebuilding the services millions depend on.”
An independent review of the Scottish Government and COSLAs 10-year Autism Strategy has been published today.
The strategy, which comes to an end this year, set out with the vision that by 2021 autistic people would be “respected, accepted and valued by their communities and have confidence in services to treat them fairly so that they are able to have meaningful and satisfying lives’.
The review concludes: “After ten years, valuable resources have been created and new and additional services delivered. However, real change for many autistic people, both in how they engage with services and in how they are supported to live productive lives, is not as evident. To have a greater impact, the services and support need to have greater reach, become embedded and be sustained.”
This echoes the findings from the Cross-Party Group on Autism’s own 2020 review the ‘Accountability Gap’ which found (from a survey of 900) that 72% of autistic people and families did not have enough support to meet their needs across a number of areas including education, care and employment.
In the lead up to the May Holyrood Election National Autistic Society Scotland together with partners Scottish Autism and ENABLE Scotland campaigned under the banner of ‘Our Voice Our Rights’ for a Commissioner to promote and protect the rights of individuals and their families.
This resulted in a commitment in the SNP Manifesto to introduce a Commissioner as part of a Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity Bill. Scoping work on this is due to begin shortly.
Nick Ward, Director of National Autistic Society Scotland, (above) said: “What is clear from today’s review of the Scottish Strategy for Autism is that autistic people and their families are still, after ten years, not getting the vital support that they need to live meaningful and fulfilled lives.
“The review echoes findings from last year’s ‘Accountability Gap’ report produced by the Cross-Party Group on Autism which found that while progress had been made, 72% of individuals and their families did not get enough support to meet their needs.
“Today’s review sets out some positive ways forward and we are delighted that Scottish Government has committed to establishing a Commissioner. We believe a Commissioner with robust powers to uphold rights, challenge bad practice and promote good will lever real change.”
Suzanne from Dunfermline was part of the ‘Our Voice Our Rights’ campaign and has an autistic son called Callum. She said: “Callum has a lot of challenges, he is constantly having to deal with sensory issues and sounds and he needs someone supporting him most of the time.
“It’s difficult for people to understand what he is saying and so we need to be with him when he is out to help as well as explain his compulsion to touch people.
“When Covid hit a lot of the services withdrew leaving us to deal with health education and social work issues. Over time that has got better but we’re still not receiving the level of support we had before the pandemic.
Suzanne (with Callum, above) added: “I think there needs to be a lot more joined up thinking, sometimes we end up going from service to service – there needs to be someone holding the system together, someone at a national level I can go to if there is an issue.
“My hope is that when Callum leaves school he doesn’t end up sitting in a day centre all the time and that there are opportunities for him. He loves buses and would love to be a bus driver. That may not be possible but working or volunteering in and around buses would be amazing for him.”
