In March 2021 there were 90,833 attendances to major Emergency Departments across Scotland. This is a 30% increase compared to February 2021 and a 7% increase when compared to March 2020.
Despite this increase, 87.5% of attendances to major Emergency Departments in Scotland were seen within 4 hours, meaning one in eight patients are waiting for four hours or more before being seen. Although, this represents an increase of 1.6 percentage points compared to February 2021.
In March 2021, 315 patients spent 12 hours or more in an Emergency Department, this is down by one third compared to February 2021 and down by over one quarter compared to March 2020.
Data also show that 1,358 patients spent eight hours or more in a major Emergency Department, this is down by over 22% compared to the previous month and down six percentage points on the previous year.
Dr John Thomson, Vice President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said: “We are beginning to reach pre-pandemic levels of hospital activity and demand for urgent and emergency care services. We fear a return of the pre-pandemic crowding that put patient safety at risk.
“The health service is in recovery, elective care waiting lists are growing, attendances at Emergency Departments are increasing, and the already depleted workforce is exhausted.
“As a result, some hospitals are beginning to face pressures with patients delayed for hours. We must rapidly assess and address our resources, capacity, and the way we deliver care.
“The College launched its campaign Summer to Recover: Winter Proofing the Urgent and Emergency Care system for 2021 which presents a series of actions the Scottish Government, NHS Boards and ED Leadership Teams can take to prepare their departments for the challenges ahead.
“There are threats of a further wave of covid in the late summer and a potentially gruelling winter with seasonal flu in the community. We saw how the NHS in Scotland was underprepared and under-resourced for the pandemic and the brutal winter which followed, now we have a chance to learn and do what we can to ready ourselves for the next phase.
“Staff are exhausted after a difficult year and are facing new challenges on every front, by preparing now and ensuring that departments are ready for this next phase, we may be able to manage demand and cope with system pressures.”
Celebrating the outstanding efforts of midwives and midwifery students across the UK:
Responding to the International Day of the Midwife, Andrea Sutcliffe CBE, Chief Executive and Registrar for the Nursing and Midwifery Council, said: “Today is an important opportunity for us to recognise and celebrate the incredible efforts of UK midwives and midwifery students who, despite facing uncertainty and adapting to new ways of working, have continued to provide safe, kind and effective care and support for women and their families throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
“Babies didn’t stop for Covid-19 and midwives and midwifery students have made such an important contribution to the way the UK has responded. I’m glad we have this opportunity to celebrate their skill and professionalism and thank them for their positive impact on the women, new born infants and families they care for and support.”
Midwives have shown resilience and steadfast support for pregnant women and their babies this past year throughout NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s maternity services.
NHSGGC is celebrating the International Day of the Midwife, which always is a day of reflection of the valuable role that midwives play across the world, and especially important in the face of the pandemic.
And the Labour Ward staff team at the Princess Royal Maternity have shown the incredible contribution midwives make to the wider community too. 65 staff took part and raised £8,400 for Quarriers last month by walking an incredible 9850.88 miles – equivalent to walking to Australia from Glasgow!
The 6500-mile adventure was the brainchild of Charge Midwife Jen Johansson, who wanted to do something to help people who might be struggling in these difficult times.
Jen Johansson, Charge Midwife, Labour Ward, Princess Royal Maternity, commented: “Our role as midwives is to empower and support women during their pregnancy and birth to enable them to have a positive experience.
“It’s a very special and precious time for women. When we are with ladies in labour, that can be our full 12 hour shift – we have to ensure a safe outcome for mum and baby.
“I always wanted to be a midwife from the age of 14 and have now done it for 15 years. We get to spend a lot of time with women and their families getting to know them. Especially in the labour ward, we have a special rapport with women. We are ensuring the safe arrival of precious life, it’s amazing.”
The restrictions to hospital visiting across Scotland meant that midwives were often the only support for women other than their partners while in hospital.
Evelyn Frame, Chief Midwife, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde,said: “the theme for this year’s International Day of the Midwife is ‘Follow the data: Invest in Midwives’ and we look forward to coming together as a global community to advocate for investment in quality midwifery care around the world”.
This year’s theme is timely as it will coincide with the launch of the 2021 State of the World’s Midwifery Report that provides an updated evidence base and detailed analysis on the impact of midwives on maternal and newborn health outcomes and the return on investment in midwives.
As Chief Midwife Evelyn is extremely proud to be part of such a wonderful midwifery family across NHS GGC and would like to pass on her personal thanks to each and every member of the team who have gone above and beyond over the past year, putting women and their families at the heart of the care they provide.
Dr Margaret McGuire, Director of Nursing, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “Midwives always provide skilled, high quality care and understand what matters to the woman and her family.
“They put women first and this past year they have gone above and beyond to provide woman centred and safe care. At the core of everything they do is making the pregnancy, birth and postnatal experience as positive as possible for the woman and those who matter to her.
“My sincere thanks and praise goes out to every midwife in Greater Glasgow and Clyde on this the International Day of the Midwife.”
Three in four will keep walking as lockdown restrictions ease to stay physically healthy, whilst a third will do so to reduce their carbon footprint.
Over half of 18-24 year olds walked to keep in touch with loved ones during lockdown.
Poll also revealed what would encourage people to return to their local high street with over one in four saying they would visit more if there was less traffic.
Living Streets is urging people to #WalkThisMay and pledge to walk their short journeys.
Poll results are for Great Britain.
The past year has seen people walking more and new research released for Living Streets’ National Walking Month reveals what Brits have enjoyed most about it.
Living Streets, the UK walking charity for everyday walking polled Brits to find out what they have enjoyed most about walking more and what would encourage them to keep walking as lockdown restrictions ease.
The vast majority of people enjoyed the health benefits offered by a daily walk, with 76 per cent naming physical health benefits and 56 per cent the mental health benefits of being active.
Walking was also seen as a good way to meet friends and family in a safe and legal way (36%) and to discover new places (29%), whilst one in five (21%) enjoyed the financial savings from walking instead of driving.
Meeting up with friends and family was particularly important to younger people, with over half (56%) of 18-24 year olds using a walk to keep in touch during lockdown.
Traffic levels initially fell during lockdown, leading to improvements in congestion, air quality and noise pollution. Living Streets wants people to keep walking their short journeys and polled people to find out what would encourage them to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Health benefits came out top, with 74 per cent saying they would continue walking to maintain their physical health and 54 per cent to maintain their mental health. Respondents also recognised the wider benefits from walking more with 33 per cent saying they would keep walking to reduce their carbon footprint, 27 per cent to reduce air pollution and 22 per cent to reduce traffic.
Living Streets is urging the public to ‘Walk this May’ for National Walking Month. The charity has launched an online pledge, asking people to commit to walk a certain number of short journeys each week. After making their pledge, people are shown how many miles they will walk, calories they will burn and the amount of CO2 they will avert compared to if they drove those journeys.
Mary Creagh, Chief Executive, Living Streets said:“Walking is good for our minds, our bodies and our neighbourhoods and has helped us stay active and connected this past year.
“As well as the mental and physical health benefits, we have seen the improvements to congestion and air quality when people drive less. That’s why we want people to #WalkThisMay. By walking the roadmap out of the pandemic, we can emerge healthier and happier.”
As non-essential shops re-open, the poll also asked what would encourage people to return to their local high street. Over a third of respondents would visit if there were more outdoor eating areas (38%), more public toilets (36%) and less cluttered pavements (34%).
Respondents also identified measures to make their high streets more welcoming, including more places to stop and rest (31%), more trees (30%) and less pollution (29%).More than one in four would visit their high street more if there was less traffic (27%).
Ahead of elections nationwide on 6 May, Living Streets has produced A Manifesto for Walking, asking candidates to pledge to make walking easier and cut pavement clutter. The manifesto sets out four key asks of candidates: end pedestrian deaths and injuries on roads; tackle air pollution; make school streets safe; and make walking easier and cut pavement clutter.
Mary Creagh continues:“Our towns and cities rely on people getting out and visiting their local high streets.
“By making streets safer and more welcoming with slower speeds, less traffic and more green space, candidates can protect jobs and help local businesses bounce back.”
The TUC is interested in the experiences of people with Long Covid in work, including people who have lost their jobs because of Long Covid.
Long Covid is the term used to describe COVID-19 symptoms that extending beyond the initial infection. Evidence on Long Covid points to symptoms of COVID-19 lasting for weeks, months and possibly years after the infection.
This survey asks questions to better understand how workers with Long Covid have been treated in the workplace.
Despite the recent easing of national COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, many parents of neonatal babies in Scotland continue to face significant challenges in being with their premature or sick baby.
Before the pandemic parents typically had unrestricted access to their baby 24 hours a day, with neonatal units encouraging full participation in care giving. But in the past 12 months, parental access at many units has been restricted, with parents often unable to attend the unit together, and some having limits imposed on the length of time they can be with their baby.
Restrictions vary from unit–to–unit and the picture across Scotland is extremely varied, with some units continuing to facilitate full parental presence and involvement in their baby’s care. Policies have also changed over time, depending on national COVID-19 restrictions and local infection rates.
As part of this year’s Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month, taking place throughout May, Bliss is raising awareness of our new research which shows the devastating impact of these restrictions. Parents whose babies required neonatal care during the COVID-19 pandemic have told us how they struggled to access mental health support and experienced high levels of isolation.
In a Bliss survey of over 500 UK parents of neonatal babies born in the past 12 months, 92% of parents said they felt isolated and 69% said their mental health has become worse following their neonatal experience.
Parents with a neonatal experience are already at a high risk of experiencing mental health difficulties, and many parents feel they have not been able to get support for their mental health and wellbeing while their baby is in neonatal care.
Parents are the most important people in their baby’s lives and unit access restrictions have had a substantial impact on families. The implications on family bonding and mental health will be felt long into the future.
That’s why Bliss is calling on the NHS to introduce a National Roadmap for a return to usual 24/7 parent access on neonatal units as a matter of urgency, and to work with NHS Trusts in Scotland and beyond to implement it consistently across the country.
Our smallest and sickest babies need their parents at their side to give them the best chance of survival and quality of life.
TV’s Trisha Goddard takes up new role to raise awareness of healthy bones in response to new research
Presenter and Journalist Trisha Goddard is sharing her experience with breast cancer to raise awareness of the life-changing importance of strong bones, as new research reveals a worrying lack of action among the public.
Osteoporosis will affect half of women and 1 in 5 men over 50, but despite this, new research by You Gov and commissioned by the Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS) shows that only 40% of Scots under 55 actively try to prevent it.
The condition weakens bones, making them more likely to break and affects 3.5 million people in the UK.
In 2008, Trisha was warned that her bones would lose strength as a result of her breast cancer treatment – unless she took decisive action.
Today, Trisha is sharing the lessons from one of the toughest periods of her life as a message of hope for people of all ages: that by taking action to strengthen your bones, we can all live better in older age and avoid the pain and disability of osteoporosis.
Trisha said: “I never really gave osteoporosis or my bone density a thought until it came to my breast cancer treatment. My surgeon explained that the medication I would be on for the next ten years would affect my bones.
“While I was ill, the hospital tested my bone density and I was pleasantly surprised to find out that at the age of 50, it was still really good. All the weight training and powerwalking I had done for half my life had paid off. There was no need for me to be prescribed any additional medication to help preserve my bones through the cancer treatment.
“After five years of being on breast cancer medication, my surgeon checked my bone density again. Great news! I’d barely lost any of my bone density. My surgeon happily explained that this was a direct result of me continuing to weight train, power walk and stay active.
“All that time, my aim had been to stay physically and mentally strong. Without even realising it, not only had I maintained my muscle strength, I had also maintained my bone strength.
“I’m not going to pretend it was easy – far from it – but a little bit of exercise most days was what got me through cancer. I’ll always have worries about my health, but it gives me peace of mind knowing that I’m in control of my bone health.”
Despite the huge impact for individuals and society, the research shows that 54% of people living in Scotland have never even had a conversation about bone health. In comparison, 69% actively try to maintain a healthy weight.
Trisha continued: “The whole experience made me realise how important it is, not just for cancer patients, but for everyone to look after their bones.
“Bone health is so overlooked when it comes to wellbeing. It absolutely brought home to me that prevention is better than cure. That’s why I’m joining forces with the Royal Osteoporosis Society to raise awareness of the importance of bone health.”
The ROS has announced that Trisha is to become an Ambassador for the charity as part of its mission to bust myths and improve the bone health of the nation.
More people die of fracture-related causes than deaths caused by lung cancer and diabetes.
The disease costs the NHS £4.5bn per year, a figure set to rise as the population ages. The ROS has warned this may climb even higher following the effects of lockdown, as the research shows that worryingly over a third of people in Scotland (37%) have exercised less during the pandemic.
Craig Jones, Chief Executive of the Royal Osteoporosis Society said: “Trisha is living proof that the fatalism about osteoporosis and broken bones being just part of getting older is plain wrong.
“There are many things that can increase your risk of osteoporosis, and sadly some cancer treatments are one of them. Many people will need to take a drug treatment for their bones to counteract the effects of their cancer treatment which will reduce their risk of bones becoming fragile.
“Thankfully, taking weight-bearing exercise, getting enough vitamin D and eating the right foods can also make a big difference, not just for cancer patients but for everyone who wants to proactively manage their bone health.
“It’s typical of Trisha’s openness and can-do attitude that she’s sharing this inspiring message about how to age better and stop osteoporosis in its tracks.”
The popular presenter launched her 30-year career in television in Australia, before becoming a household name in the UK, where she fronted her celebrated BAFTA-winning talk show, which ran for 12 years.
Trisha is a life-long advocate for mental health services, and her time in the public eye has been characterised by her willingness to share candidly her own experiences to support people who are battling adversity.
Trisha is poised to return to our screens this summer as host of a new, more holistic version of Channel 5’s show, You Are What You Eat. Trisha will also be part of campaigning efforts by the ROS to raise awareness of bone health and work towards its goal of a future without osteoporosis.
With the Holyrood Elections next week, 80 disabled people, families and carers came together to grill representatives of the major political parties at an online hustings event on Thursday, April 22nd.
As many as one in five people in Scotland are disabled or have a long-term health condition meaning they are a sizeable portion of the electorate. Despite this, very little time has been given to debating the issues that directly affect disabled people and families as campaigning has gone on.
Last week’s event was organised by a consortium of nine major charities who are trying to rebalance the debate so the voices of disabled people and families are heard and their views considered.
At the hustings disabled people questioned candidates from the five main Scottish political parties on a wide range of issues including social care, the impact of the pandemic, social security, employment as well as rights and access.
The panel was chaired by award-winning freelance journalist and broadcaster Pennie Taylor, who specialises in health and social care issues and covered by STV on Wednesday.
Rob Holland, External Affairs Manager for the National Autistic Society Scotland and one of the organisers of the hustings said: “Around one million people in Scotland have a disability or long-term health condition yet their views are often excluded from the national debate.
“Given the uncertainty about the post-COVID landscape it is more important than ever for political parties to hear from disabled people and families, understand the challenges they face and do something about it.”
The hustings event was organised by ENABLE Scotland, Health and Social Care Scotland (the ALLIANCE), Leonard Cheshire Disability, MS Society Scotland, National Autistic Society Scotland, RNIB Scotland, Scottish Autism, Sense Scotland and Sight Scotland.
QUOTES from disabled people that attended the Hustings:
David Weir, is 30, autistic and from Glasgow. He said: I always vote and encourage other autistic people to vote.
“I feel that many politicians don’t listen – so the more disabled people speaking up the more they will understand the challenges we face and hopefully do something about it.”
Cat Johnson, 34 from Edinburgh, was diagnosed with MS at the age of 21 in 2007. She said: “As someone with MS who has acquired disability rather than being born with one, you see both sides and remember how things were before.
“The way that we view and treat disabled people in society is so far off what is OK and that’s frustrating.
“It’s good to see politicians and their parties engaging at this stage but we need a longer term push for real change to provide better support for disabled people.
“Things like the new Scottish social security system holding on to the 20-metre-rule, which sets a baseless measure for the highest level of mobility support, need to change if we want to build a better, fairer society.”
Kirin Saeed, 52, from Edinburgh is blind. She said: “I as a visually impaired Asian woman believe events like these offer me and others to question the main decision makers, politicians, as well as to create greater awareness in the hope greater change may happen, although we have come a long way there is so much still yet to do.
“COVID19 has shown the importance in investing in the vulnerable of society to benefit all.
“I am a pragmatic optimist and feel the only way we will have greater say is to be at the heart of the legislative process. And having the chance to question and getting a small response is a positive start. It is what happens afterwards that I really look forward towards.”
Representing the main political parties at the event were Jeremy Balfour (Scottish Conservatives), Pam Duncan-Glancy (Scottish Labour), Neil Gray (SNP), Gillian Mackay (Scottish Green Party) and John Waddell (Scottish Liberal Democrats).
The Stroke Association is funding the world’s first study to determine the long-term impact of Covid-19 on stroke survivors.
Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic there have been widespread reports of adults with the virus also having strokes. The charity announces this new study today, amid concerns that the virus may be causing more severe strokes in patients whom doctors are struggling to treat.
It is thought that the virus could be increasing the chance of blood clots forming in the brain and blocking blood flow.
The Stroke Association is funding this vital research to investigate the difference the virus could make to stroke recoveries, which are already at risk due to disruption to stroke services caused by the pandemic.
The study will establish which differences in patients with and without the virus may influence their needs for treatment and care, including how to avoid the risk of having further strokes.
Researchers at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) led by Dr Richard Perry will follow up to 4,000 stroke survivors, with and without Covid-19 from across 13 emergency stroke units.
Stroke recovery, rehabilitation and health will be tracked for up to 18 months after their stroke. Researchers will collect and assess comprehensive, specialist medical information from stroke patients, including brain scans, blood samples and measures of disability.
The findings will help to understand how Covid-19 impacts stroke recovery and which treatments might best support survivors’ recoveries.
Dr Terry Quinn at the University of Glasgow works with the UCLH team on their Covid-19 and stroke research. Hhe said: “Research that compares stroke in patients with and without Covid-19 is essential to understand if Covid-19 results in more severe strokes, where survivors will need more support to recover from its devastating effects.
“From the beginning of the pandemic, I would see patients admitted with unusual strokes, who would then go on to have a positive Covid-19 test. This vital research will help us understand why this happens.
“The findings from this year-long study will inform decisions about the most effective treatment and the rehabilitation needs of this group of patients, including prevention of recurrent stroke. We already know that from the moment a person has a stroke or mini-stroke they are at substantial increased risk of further strokes.
“We’ve come a long way since the start of the pandemic. In the early days of the pandemic, stroke teams from across the UK came together to share their experiences and data. I was part of this collaborative activity and the exchange of information was crucial for delivering the best possible stroke care.
“This work had no external support and was reliant on busy clinicians giving up their time. Stroke clinicians will continue to engage with the new project, but the Stroke Association funding will allow us to achieve things that would not be possible without this support.”
Stroke is a sudden brain attack, stroke strikes every five minutes in the UK, and there are more than 128,000 stroke survivors living in Scotland. It’s estimated there will be around 173,000 by 2035.
Dr Rubina Ahmed, Research Director at the Stroke Association, said: “Stroke is a leading cause of adult disability in the UK and the second biggest killer in the world. It’s extremely concerning that we’re seeing strokes happening in ways we have not seen before.
“This research is absolutely critical in understanding and treating stroke after Covid-19, to help reduce the devastating effects and ultimately improve lives. Covid-19 is here to stay, so it’s vital we can prevent and treat strokes linked with the virus.
“The pandemic has shattered our fundraised income and is threatening research that drives life-changing breakthroughs in stroke care. As a result of the pandemic, we have had to halve our budget for stroke research.
“Research improves treatment and care for people affected by stroke so they can live their best lives possible, and that’s why stroke research is worth saving. Now more than ever, we need the public’s support. If you can, please help us find a way through the research funding crisis by donating today, so that we can fund more life-saving research.”
In February, the Stroke Association announced the world’s largest study to confirm if Covid-19 increases the risk of stroke and by how much. Together with the new research announced today, the two studies will help doctors to prevent and best treat Covid-19 strokes in the people who are most at risk.
Over the past 30 years the Stroke Association has played a crucial role in supporting stroke research in the UK. Research helps stroke survivors rebuild their lives, but the pandemic has hit research hard. By saving stroke research, more sure stroke survivors can live life to the full.
Find out how stroke research helps rebuild lives at stroke.org.uk/rebuildinglives or to donate, please visit: stroke.org.uk/saveresearch
Domestic abuse charity, Hestia, receives £655,000 of support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery
More than 200,000 victims of domestic abuse will now be helped as pandemic causes soaring demand for services
Charity Hestia’s UK SAYS NO MORE campaign is to dramatically expand its Safe Spaces scheme for victims of domestic abuse across the UK, in response to rising levels of abuse during the pandemic.
The Safe Spaces scheme offers access points, through high street partners, where victims can discreetly use consultation rooms to access specialist domestic abuse services.
Thanks to an award of £655,000 raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, more than 200,000 victims of domestic abuse will be helped. The funding has been awarded as part of the Postcode Recovery Fund, designed to help communities recover from problems exacerbated by the pandemic.
The Covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on victims of domestic abuse, with the number of cases escalating and support networks cut off overnight. Since lockdown on November 5, 2020, Hestia has seen a 30 per cent increase in demand for support.
Currently, people living with domestic abuse can access over 5,300 Safe Spaces in pharmacies nationwide as well as accessing Online Safe Spaces on many websites. The new funding will allow Safe Spaces to extend to other high street businesses and online, to build a long-lasting infrastructure of support for victims of domestic abuse.
To support the expansion of the Safe Spaces project, 32,000 staff in participating organisations will be trained in domestic abuse responses so victims can access the help they need.
Laura Chow, head of charities at People’s Postcode Lottery said:“Hestia’s Safe Spaces initiative is a great example of a charity that is addressing the demand which has escalated during the pandemic.
“Thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery, the charity received the funds to create additional safe spaces for those needing help. Thanks to this funding, more support will be available in our communities and on our high streets, bringing benefits well beyond the pandemic, to those who need a safe space.”
Sue Harper, Head of Domestic Abuse Prevention at Hestia, said:“Right now there are victims of domestic abuse that don’t know where to go or are trapped at home with their abuser.
“Safe Spaces was born in the midst of lockdown as a bridge for victims to specialist support, but it has the potential to support thousands more victims to safety in the future. With the generous support of the players of People’s Postcode Lottery we can now expand this vital initiative, enabling communities to be play a critical role in tackling domestic abuse.”
A survivor of domestic abuse who used a Safe Space told Hestia:“Safe Spaces has saved my life. I had been experiencing coercive control for 5 years of a 10 year relationship. During lockdown, I was shielding and the abuse escalated to aggression and violence, making me fear for my life.
“When I saw that independent pharmacies were offering Safe Spaces, I scrolled through the list with my heart in my mouth and found that my local village pharmacy was listed. Over the weeks I used the Safe Space, I developed a plan to get the abuser out of my home. I am now beginning to feel safe in my home again, but without this support, things could have been very different and far, far worse.”
