Figures published this week reveal that 2,945 young carers in Scotland have received one or more annual payments of Young Carer Grant since its launch on 21 October 2019 until 30 April 2021.
The Young Carer Grant quarterly statistics show that 3,615 payments were issued up to 30 April 2021 and that the total value of Young Carer Grant payments issued to clients by 30 April 2021 was £1.1 million.
The payment is £308.15 each year for young people who provide care for an average of 16 hours a week.
Applications were received from young people living in all local authorities throughout Scotland. The highest number of applications were 780 from Glasgow – accounting for 14% of all applications received to the end of April 2021. The next highest was 435 from North Lanarkshire, 350 from Fife and 310 from South Lanarkshire.
GP reveals what to do if you have post-natal depression
A third of UK mothers experience some form of post-natal depression, with 12% considering self harm
Dr. Elisabeth Rosen gives advice for those experiencing post-natal depression
30-year-old Rebecca Lockwood shares her experience with post-natal depression
The study, conducted by Livi, the digital healthcare platform, surveyed 1,000 UK mothers and found over a quarter (29%) of young mothers (aged 18-24) considered self-harming after giving birth, but they are the least likely age group to ask for support.
The main signs include persistent depression or low mood, lack of energy and lack of interest in the wider world. Problems sleeping, difficulty bonding with your baby and having disturbing thoughts can also be symptoms.
Sadly, such thoughts result in nearly one in eight (12%) new mothers considering self-harm. This is more than twice as common amongst younger parents, with the figure rising to over a quarter for mothers aged 18-24 (29%) and 25-34 (26%).
One of the best ways to address these negative feelings is to talk about them with other people. Unfortunately, however, more than one in seven (15%) say they found it difficult to talk about their post-natal depression, with one in ten (10%) calling it a taboo subject.
This could explain why so many new mothers are reluctant to admit their symptoms and ask for support (15%), despite it being a great way to alleviate the strain. Young mums (18-24) in particular feel uncomfortable asking for help with their babies (22%) and they are the least likely to seek professional advice for their depression (4%).
An often-overlooked aspect of the condition is that it is not always exclusive to the mother. Over a quarter (27%) of fathers experience depression after their baby is born and a third (33%) of those with symptoms consider self-harm2.
If you or your partner are experiencing symptoms of post-natal depression, there are a number of things you can do to help.
Dr. Elisabeth Rosen, a doctor specialising in obstetrics and gynaecology at Livi, has given her top five pieces of advice:
1) Talk to family and friends
Tell them how you’re feeling and don’t be afraid to ask for help with things like looking after the baby, so you can catch up on sleep or socialising.
2) Find local support
If you don’t have anyone to turn to – for example, if you’re a single mother with no friends or family close by – look for local support groups. A doctor should be able to help you find one in your area.
3) Rest
Try not to be a perfectionist. It doesn’t matter if your house doesn’t look immaculate, or all of the chores aren’t done. It’s more important that you catch up on sleep and rest when you can.
4) Eat healthily
Having a baby makes demands on the body, so eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly (or when you can) is crucial.
5) Seek expert help
Your doctor can refer you for a course of therapy with a psychologist. Cognitive behavioural therapy is shown to be effective in treating postnatal depression. Antidepressants may also be recommended in certain cases where depression is severe and other treatments haven’t helped.
Rebecca Lockwood, 30, experienced post-natal depression when she was 24 after the birth of her first child. She said: “For the first six weeks, I would find myself sobbing uncontrollably and feeling helpless.
“Then I would feel even worse because I was wracked with guilt. At first, I found it hard to ask for help as I was terrified that if anyone knew how I was feeling my baby would be taken away.
“Eventually I was able to admit to myself how bad I really felt and ask for help from my doctor. It started with medication for a short time and then counselling, CBT and psychotherapy over a 12-month period. This helped and left me feeling a bit better, but it wasn’t until I trained in Neuro Linguistic Programming, timeline therapy and hypnotherapy that I finally felt completely better.
“I became aware of the judgement I held towards myself and my whole perception shifted as I realised that I needed to be much kinder to myself. I understood how my mind works and why I was behaving the way I was.”
Dr. Rosen adds: “There is an expectation of women that they should feel super happy after having a baby, but many women are hesitant to admit that they don’t feel this way.
“In fact, it’s common for new parents to feel depressed, confused, frustrated, tired and disillusioned – that’s nothing to feel ashamed of. Support and treatments are available, so speak to a doctor, who can help you to work out what the best options are for you. Whatever you do, don’t suffer in silence.”
For more information and advice about post-natal depression, visit:
Minister welcomes figures but pledges further action
Overall alcohol consumption in Scotland fell to a 26-year low during 2020, according to a comprehensive report published today by Public Health Scotland.
The annual Monitoring and Evaluating Scotland’s Alcohol Strategy (MESAS) report brings together data on alcohol consumption, price and related harms into a single publication. It shows that total alcohol sales fell 5% on the previous year, to the lowest level recorded since 1994.
Last year, COVID-19 restrictions affected alcohol sales from premises such as pubs, clubs, and restaurants. Nine in every ten units of alcohol sold in Scotland in 2020 were sold via off-trade outlets including supermarkets and other off-licences – an increase from seven in every ten units in 2019.
In addition to the evidence from 2020 – the year of the pandemic – today’s MESAS report also details a 10% year-on-year reduction in the number of deaths wholly caused by alcohol in 2019.
Commenting on the results of the studies, Public Health Minister Maree Todd said: “I welcome this report showing that total alcohol sales in 2020 fell to their lowest level for 26 years.
“The study provides valuable insight allowing us to gauge the impact of alcohol sales and consumption during the period of the pandemic. Clearly COVID-19 and the associated restrictions have had a dramatic impact on the hospitality trade, but these figures demonstrate that the restrictions in place did not simply translate into an increase in the total amount of alcohol being consumed. In fact, the opposite is the case.
“We have already seen that alcohol sales were falling since the introduction of our world-leading Minimum Unit Pricing policy in 2018. We know that it will take longer for the full impact of reduced consumption to feed through into health related statistics, but I am more convinced than ever that MUP is one of the main drivers in reducing alcohol harms.
“Although this is the largest recorded year-on-year reduction in alcohol sales – and also the narrowest recorded gap between sales north and south of the border – it is important to bear in mind that the average number of units drunk during this period was still nearly 30% per cent more than the UK Chief Medical Officers’ guidelines of drinking no more than 14 units a week.
“In addition to these 2020 figures, the report also details a 10% reduction in the number of deaths caused wholly by alcohol in 2019. While we are on the right trajectory, this still equates tragically to nearly 20 deaths every week across Scotland – each one preventable.
“We continue to make progress in reducing inequalities across a number of public health areas – remaining focussed on addressing the underlying causes that drive health inequalities and doing more to address harms from alcohol. I am determined to build on this progress including consulting on potential restrictions to alcohol advertising and promotion.”
LOST SUMMER?
Scottish licensed trade operators are braced for “potentially another lost summer” after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said this week that it is “unlikely” that any part of Scotland will move down a level from June 28.
Responding to the First Minister’s suggestion that current restrictions will remain in place for a further three weeks, and national clinical director Jason Leitch’s widely-reported comments that Scotland’s lockdown exit plans could be pushed back by up to 10 weeks due to the more infectious Delta strain of coronavirus, the SLTA said: “Another summer season, essential for business survival, will be lost.”
The trade association’s managing director Colin Wilkinson pulled no punches, stating: “The hospitality sector is at breaking point with Tuesday’s announcement that the brakes are on for further easing of restrictions.”
Calling for further financial aid to ensure the survival of the licensed hospitality industry as it plays its part in rebuilding the economy, Mr Wilkinson said: There needs to be an extension to the current support schemes available such as furlough, VAT reduction, deferral of loan repayments and so on.
“Our pubs and bars have already invested millions to provide a safe environment as we all learn to live with this virus and we need to be able to open without restrictions as soon as we can.
“Currently, we can only operate at around 30% of our capacity, but with increased staff costs to provide table service and fewer tables because of social distancing rules, most business continue to operate at a loss, racking up further debt every time they open the doors.
“For those still unable to open because of their size or the entertainment they provide, such as late opening premises and night clubs, it is another devastating blow for an abandoned sector crippled by restrictions and with no route map out of the pandemic.
“Tuesday’s announcement created further uncertainty for the industry and the people it employs. We understand the need for caution but the Scottish Government must also understand that this delay will cost an already beleaguered industry millions of pounds and puts in jeopardy the future survival of many of the pubs, bars, restaurants, hotels and late night operations that form part of Scotland’s social fibre.
“Our big fear is that the Glasgow fan zone could lead to further Covid outbreaks followed by a fresh lockdown, forcing licensed premises to close again when they have only just managed to start reopening.”
The award-winning project, Ageing Well, run by Edinburgh Leisure in partnership with NHS Lothian, will be starting two new activities in July, to support people to become, and remain active in later life.
Starting on Thursday, 8th July, there will be a regular Walk around Saughton Walled Garden with a volunteer walk leader.
The walk is suitable for people who have not walked much before, and are looking to be more active, or are returning from injury or illness. The walk will take up to 30 minutes on flat ground or gentle slopes with firm surfaces and generally no steps.
Register your interest with active@edinburghleisure.co.uk. Participants should meet at the Garden Bistro, at 10.50am for an 11am start. A contribution of £1 is welcomed towards the activity.
There will also be an 11 weeks’ Cycle Skills Course, starting on Monday, 12th July. This will meet at Saughton Sports Centre initially, with a further 4 weeks on the cycle paths leaving from Ainslie Park Leisure Centre and a further 4 weeks leaving from Meggetland. Good quality bikes and helmets are supplied to trainees so there is no need to own your own.
This course is suitable for those who wish to take up cycling again after a lengthy absence but lack confidence. The course will give participants an opportunity to improve confidence on a bike; increase bike-handling skills; put in to practice the skills they are learning; and the introduction to cycle paths, on the last two weeks of the course.
The course is very relaxed, sociable, and fun and is based on the Cycling Scotland Bikeability material adapted for adults. A contribution of £2 per week is asked from trainees to help towards the running costs of the programme.
Since their activities reopened after COVID-19 restrictions lifted again at the beginning of April, they have been supporting 120 older adults to be active again. The emphasis is on meeting new people and making physical activity accessible and enjoyable. All activities are either led by or supported by fully trained volunteers, who are all older adults themselves.
For further information, to register your interest and/or to book a slot, contact the Active Communities team on active@edinburghleisure.co.uk
· 46% of 18–24-year-olds have never checked themselves
· Nearly a quarter (23%) of men don’t recognise lumps as a symptom of cancer
· Leading GP gives her step-by-step guide on how to check for signs
Shockingly, more than a quarter (26%) of UK males have never checked themselves for signs of testicular cancer, while a further 15% only check themselves once a year or less.
A new study, commissioned by health experts at Livi, the online GP service, for Men’s Health Week (14th-20th June) has found that surprising numbers of men are not checking themselves for testicular cancer, despite it becoming increasingly common, with an increase of 24% since the 90s1.
Younger generations appear to be significantly less likely to check their testicles, with nearly half (46%) of 18–24-year-olds admitting that they had never checked themselves for cancer. This is particularly concerning as testicular cancer is the most common form of cancer amongst young men, particularly those in their early 30’s2.
However, older generations appeared to be significantly more likely to check themselves. Those aged 25–34 years old were found to be the most likely, with only 21% stating they had never checked their testicles.
The survey also revealed which signs of the cancer men are most likely to recognise, with over three quarters (77%) of men recognising lumps as a symptom, but only a third (34%) identifying heaviness in the scrotum and a difference in appearance between the testicles (33%) as potential signs.
The 5 most recognisable signs of testicular cancer
1. Lumps – 77% knew this was a sign
2. Enlargement of testicles – 58%
3. Pain or discomfort in testicles – 46%
4. Heaviness in scrotum – 34%
5. Difference in appearance between testicles – 33%
Additionally, many men incorrectly identified unrelated symptoms as signs of cancer, including sexual impotence (18%) and discomfort in the penis (21%).
Dr Rhianna McClymont, Lead GP at Livi, provides a step-by-step guide for checking for signs of testicular cancer:
· The best time to check yourself is during, or after a warm bath or shower. This helps to relax the testicles and make them easier for you to examine.
· Hold your testicle in your palm and gently examine each one with your thumb and forefinger.
· You’re looking for any type of abnormality, or difference in feel. Your testicles should feel smooth and firm, but not hard.
· Make sure you check yourself regularly and if you notice any lumps, or hardness in the testicles, get yourself checked by a medical professional as soon as possible.
Dr. McClymont adds: “Testicular cancer, like any form of cancer, can strike at any age, but it’s more common in younger people, so we recommend beginning checks in puberty.
“If you notice any lumps or difference in the feel of your testicles, then it’s important to speak to a doctor to get checked out immediately. These symptoms are not a guarantee you have cancer, but they can be indicators, so it’s always vital to see a medical professional if you spot any signs.”
For more information on how to spot testicular cancer, visit:
Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by Dr Helen Flaherty, Head of Health Promotion and Education at Heart Research UK
14th to 20th June is Nutrition and Hydration week. Staying hydrated is important for keeping your heart and circulatory system healthy. Thirst often feels similar to hunger, so drinking plenty of fluid can prevent over-eating and weight-gain. We have some tips to help you stay hydrated.
Am I dehydrated?
Symptoms of dehydration include headaches, tiredness, irritability and difficulty concentrating. If your urine is pale and clear then you are hydrated. If your urine is more yellow, brown or dark in colour with a strong smell, you are probably not drinking enough.
How much should I drink?
Aim to drink six to eight cups or glasses of fluid every day. You may need to drink more during hot weather, or if you are doing a lot of physical activity.
What should I drink?
Water is best, but if you don’t like water, you could try herbal teas or sugar-free squash. Coffee and tea also count, but try to cut out any added sugar.
You can get water from fruit and vegetables, such as cucumber, watermelon, tomatoes, oranges and apples. Avoid drinking too much alcohol as it causes you to urinate more, which can lead to dehydration.
The Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership and Edinburgh Alcohol and Drug Partnership have launched a new app to connect those recovering from drug or alcohol addiction to local support services.
The Addition Recovery App (ARC) is the first to offer a personalised emergency button, quickly connecting users to help when things get tough.
The app offers easy access, at any time, to a range of professional support services and help from others dealing with drink and drug problems. There is also a calendar to help plan recovery time, the capability to track mood, prompts for motivational exercises and inspirational quotes.
Today the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership and Edinburgh Alcohol and Drug Partnership have launched the new Addiction Recovery Companion (ARC) – an app that puts drug and alcohol recovery into people’s own hands.
The app is the first to offer a personalised emergency button, making it even easier for Edinburgh citizens to reach out to the people most important in recovery when things get tough, or something goes wrong.
The app also provides live information from all drug and alcohol support services in Edinburgh including:
Information about local recovery networks in Edinburgh, keep you motivated and help you manage your time
Live information on recovery meetings taking place every day across the Capital, where people can meet and share their experience, strength and hope
Up to date information on professional services available
a calendar function to help people plan their day, stay motivated and manage your time
a diary to keep track of recovery progress and record the ups and downs of recovery
Inspirational quotes and exercises aimed at those who need a mental boost
The ARC app provides a personalised experience for every user, as everyone’s recovery journey is different. It allows users to make a plan that is right for them alongside giving them the opportunity and the space to reflect on their journey and follow their progress.
Judith Proctor, Chief Officer of the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “The recovery community is a huge force in Edinburgh. There is lots of professional support available across the Capital, but more importantly, people are also increasingly helping each other to deal with drink and drug problems.
“That’s why the Addiction Recovery Companion app is so important. It is filled with information to support and guide people in their recovery, alongside tools to immediately connect them to those who can help if things get tough.”
Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said:“I welcome the launch of the new Addiction Recovery Companion App to support people accessing services for drug and alcohol recovery.
“Using technology to improves access to drug and alcohol services, for people recovering from addiction, is a clever initiative from Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership and Edinburgh Alcohol and Drug Partnership.
“Edinburgh and Scotland face a real challenge to reduce the number of drug related deaths in Scotland and this tool can be part of a bigger strategy for peoples road to recovery.
“It is important that people who do not have access to a smart phone are still able to easily access these services.”
When asked about the benefits of the app, users have said:
“It’s such a useful tool. I can see me using it more and more the further we go back to normal.“
“I’m quite disorganised and the calendar/map is great. I like that, when I’m in town, I can just pull up the map to find out what’s happening nearby.”
“It’s a clever app. The inclusion of the reflection section is useful for the days where I need some motivation.”
“For me, structure is important, and the Arc App helps with that.“
As the covid crisis hopefully eases, concerns are being focused on the impact of lockdown on other health conditions. With health centres forced to postpone routine screenings last year, there are fears some conditions may have worsened in the absence of early diagnosis and treatment.
During Diabetes Week this week [June 14-20th], the national sight loss charity RNIB Scotland is emphasising it is more important than ever that people with diabetes attend their regular check-up appointments, now that these have resumed.
RNIB director James Adams said: “Diabetic retinopathy, a complication of diabetes, can affect the small blood vessels at the back of the eye and is a major cause of sight loss among working-age adults. But damage to vision can be arrested if detected early enough.
“While it’s possible that diabetes won’t cause any changes to your sight, the most effective thing you can do to prevent this is to go to your retinal screening appointments and eye examinations, where safety measures are in place.”
The message is also being emphasised by NHS Scotland. Dr Mike Gavin, clinical lead for the national Scottish Diabetic Eye Screening Programme said: “We are working hard to see patients for screening, after the service was temporarily paused during the first lockdown in 2020. Patients should always attend screening whenever they are invited to prevent avoidable loss of sight.”
Each year, 5,500 patients with diabetes in Scotland need to undergo further imaging or see an NHS eye specialist for the first time due to worsening in their retinopathy.
There are 3.5 million people in the UK who have been diagnosed diabetes, and an estimated 500,000 people living with undiagnosed diabetes. Within 20 years of diagnosis, nearly all people with type 1 diabetes and almost two-thirds of people with type 2 diabetes will have developed some form of diabetic retinopathy. People with diabetes are also at increased risk of glaucoma and cataracts.
People from a South Asian or African-Caribbean background are two to four times more likely to get type 2 diabetes. They tend to develop it at a younger age which means they live with the condition for longer.
The risk of complications increases with the length of time people have the condition. It is not known why this is the case, but it is likely to be a mixture of genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors.
RNIB Scotland is on the steering committee of a five-year study that is following 1,100 retinopathy patients from across Scotland.
The LENS (Lowering Events in Non-proliferative retinopathy in Scotland) trial is testing whether a cholesterol-lowering medicine, fenofibrate, can slow the progression of retinopathy.
LENS is being co-ordinated by the Universities of Oxford and Glasgow in partnership with Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh, and with NHS Scotland’s Retinal Screening Service. More information about the trial is available at: www.ctsu.ox.ac.uk/lens.
* If you’re worried about your vision, contact RNIB’s Sight Loss Advice Service on 0303 123 9999 or visit www.rnib.org.uk/eyehealth.
With a fun disco theme, fantastic fundraisers turned out in force to Walk the Walk on the streets of Scotland and across the UK on Saturday 12th June, during the first ever Virtual MoonWalk Scotland!
Streets were awash with colourful psychedelic costumes, sparkle and glitter as these amazing walkers put on their boogie walking shoes and took on challenges between 6 and 52 miles in their own areas.
For the first time, The MoonWalk, organised by breast cancer charity Walk the Walk, took place during daylight. Walkers wearing the iconic Walk the Walk bra t-shirts, many with their decorated bras attached to their bumbags, raised an incredible amount of awareness in local communities as they were greeted on the streets by well-wishers!
All the men taking part wore a specially created Men Get Breast Cancer Too t-shirt, with a blue checked bra emblazoned on the front, playing their part ahead of Men’s Health Week.
Walk the Walk is about having fun, raising awareness and raising money. The event brought fun and laughter to thousands, as the walkers brightened up neighbourhoods.
Funds raised will be granted towards the mental and physical support of those living with cancer, to help where possible with the devastating impact that cancer patients have experienced throughout the pandemic.
Kate Brook from Tranent was diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2020 and completed the 13.1 mile Half Moon with Kate’s Dream Team, including her husband Matt and local friends.
Kate (back row, second from left) said: “The Western General Hospital in Edinburgh, where I continue to receive treatment, has benefitted from grants from Walk the Walk and many a time I have looked at their plaque in the waiting room and promised myself that, when I was better, I would be part of The MoonWalk again.
“Today has been amazing – it’s been a real focus for me during my treatment and it has not disappointed – super company, lovely scenery and lots of support from people along the way! We are all delighted to have raised so much money and awareness”.
Tricia Young from Edinburgh completed her 14th MoonWalk Scotland, walking the 26.2 mile Full Moon. She said:“It was so much fun taking part in the Virtual MoonWalk, I was delighted that this year’s event still happened.
“Since my sister sadly died from breast cancer in 2013, I’ve been really motivated by her memory and the fact that we need to keep on raising awareness of breast cancer. I was walking on my own, but it was wonderful to bump into several other MoonWalkers on the streets of Edinburgh.
“The kindness of local people was so touching – one lady in Portobello even offered me the use of her toilet! I am thrilled to raise so much money too for such a deserving cause, I’ll keep on taking part as long as I can”.
Nina Barough CBE, Founder and Chief Executive of Walk the Walk said: “Whilst we would just love to be at Holyrood Park, hugging our intrepid challengers as they cross the Finish Line, it was not to be this year.
“It is incredibly positive that our first Virtual MoonWalk Scotland has encouraged Walkers and fundraisers across Scotland to take part, as well as people from across the length and breadth of the UK, and indeed countries across the world.
“Well-wishers and supporters on the streets of local communities have been incredibly generous, with much needed fundraising for those living with cancer.
“For many, the focus of training, and preparing for this day, has been an absolute life saver. Once again regular walking has proven to be a lifeline for mental and physical well-being during the ongoing uncertainty of Covid.
“We thank all our fundraisers for raising much needed funds and look forward to being back at Holyrood next year with a live MoonWalk Scotland”!
To register your interest for The MoonWalk Scotland 2022, go to:
