Tag: Health and wellbeing

Joint long-term alcohol and drugs strategic plan launched

A new plan to reduce deaths and harms caused by alcohol and drugs has been published.

The joint Scottish Government and COSLA plan aims to improve collaboration between government and grassroots delivery with a locally-led, accountable system, guided by clear national direction and support.

Backed by more than £160 million in 2026-27, the plan builds on the Scottish Government’s five-year National Mission on Drugs which ends in April.

A key priority is to expand treatment standards to include alcohol and all drugs. It has a renewed focus on prevention, with specific measures to stop people from developing problem alcohol and drug use. It also maintains support for residential rehabilitation with a focus on improving pathways through detox, crisis care and stabilisation.

The plan is underpinned by a human-rights based approach. This ensures that people with first-hand experience help shape the design and delivery of services and receive person-centred support.

Speaking at the Haven residential rehabilitation service, which has received £600,000 for eight additional beds, Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister Maree Todd said: “The last five years have seen record investment in alcohol and drugs services, with significant progress, but we want to do more. This plan marks the next phase in our response to tackling alcohol and drug harms.

“We are already widening access to treatment, residential rehabilitation and life-saving naloxone, and Glasgow hosts the UK’s first Safer Drug Consumption Facility. As we respond to new challenges – including an increasingly toxic drugs supply – this plan refocuses our efforts in a more co-ordinated and sustainable way.

“As a joint Scottish Government and COSLA initiative, this plan will strengthen national and local partnership working so that people can receive the right help when and where they need it.”

The plan is aimed at preventing initial harm and supporting long-term recovery and wellbeing and focuses on four interconnected areas:

·       prevention and early intervention

·       harm reduction

·       treatment and care

·       the wider circle of support.

Priorities include strengthening local delivery, supporting the voluntary sector and workforce and improving data, research and evidence.  

COSLA Health and Social Care spokesperson Councillor Paul Kelly said: “Far too many individuals and families continue to be affected by drugs and alcohol harms. We need to do everything we can to support people, which requires us to work across spheres of government.

“Bringing local and national government together for the first time in this way represents a step change in how we plan and deliver support for people affected by drugs and alcohol.

“Local government works closely with our communities, across a range of preventative services, and has strong local knowledge of the challenges our communities face.

“No single service can respond to the ongoing challenge of drugs and alcohol harms. It is only by working in partnership, investing sustainably in vital supports and through the co-ordinated efforts of the whole system, that we prevent issues before they arise and support people to sustain recovery.”

The Haven Chief Executive Gary Lister said: “Through its holistic, recovery-focused programme, The Haven supports individuals to rebuild their lives, restore family relationships and move towards long-term recovery.

“The Scottish Government’s support for the current expansion of the facility — including eight additional residential beds and enhanced living spaces — will help ensure more people can access the safe, structured support they need to begin that journey.”

Paul Waterson, SAIP Chair said: “The Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership is committed to promoting responsible consumption and tackling harmful drinking. The data show that progress is being made in tackling harmful consumption, but more needs to be done.

“Scotland has had in place for many years a wide-ranging whole population approach. What is needed to make further progress is greater focus and more action to deliver targeted interventions such as community alcohol partnerships, and a greater use of assertive outreach.

“We welcome the commitment to engagement with business and industry on the alcohol harm prevention plan to be published later in 2026.”

Preventing Harm, Promoting Recovery: Scotland’s Alcohol & Drugs Strategic Plan 2026 – 2035

650,000 Scots urged to quit tobacco on No Smoking Day

650,000 Scots are being urged to quit tobacco this No Smoking Day (Wednesday 11 March 2026)to boost their health, wellbeing and personal finances.

The call is coming from health charity ASH Scotland, Public Health Scotland and the Scottish Government as part of the 2026 national ‘Quit and Win’ No Smoking Day campaign.

The campaign is highlighting that an average smoker who gives up tobacco could save ?3,332 after a year, reduce feelings of anxiety, decrease the risk of coronary heart disease and, within 10 years, cut the risk of lung cancer by half.

Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland, said: “There is an average of 172 preventable smoking-attributable deaths in Scotland every week, with people in our poorest communities among those most affected.

“Free expert advice offered by NHS Scotland’s Quit Your Way services, however, can improves the chances of quit smoking success by three to four times. We encourage everyone who wants to live tobacco-free to mark No Smoking Day by reaching for Quit Your Way’s specialist support which is the best thing to do to improve health, wellbeing and personal finances.”

Jenni Minto MSP, Public Health Minister, said: “If you are a smoker, please let this No Smoking Day be the start of your journey to a tobacco-free future. I know that quitting is hard but, in Scotland, there is free support available through the NHS stop smoking service Quit Your Way.

“The website offers expert advice and you will be directed to local services where you can access a range of free support, medications and products.”

Dr Garth Reid, Consultant in Public Health at Public Health Scotland, said: “Smoking is one of the biggest causes of ill health and premature death in Scotland. Giving up smoking is the best thing you can do for your health, and the benefits start to happen quickly ?– even for people who have smoked for a long time. 

“Whether you’re ready to stop, or just beginning to think about it, the NHS Scotland stop smoking service, Quit Your Way, and your local pharmacy are here to help you stop smoking and stay stopped in a way that is right for you.”

Anyone who has the goal of giving up smoking is advised to contact QuitYourWay.scot or call the free helpline on 0800 848484.

Playlist for Life: Getting Started

Want to make a personal playlist for yourself or someone you know, but not sure where to start?

Our ‘conversation starters’ leaflet has easy-to-use prompts to get people talking about the songs that give them that flashback feeling.

Use one prompt or all, each one will give you a start in creating a personal playlist for use in dementia care and support.

Access and download here for free: https://sbee.link/cx3vby6jwd

Foysol Choudhury MSP praises Scottish charity expanding access to life-saving surgery for children

Foysol Choudhury MSP visited Kids Operating Room in Edinburgh last week to see first-hand the charity’s pioneering work improving access to safe surgery for children globally.

During the visit, the MSP met with Project Manager Kristyna A. Rycovska and members of the Kids Operating Room team to discuss the urgent global need for paediatric surgical care and the role Scotland can play in addressing this challenge. Millions of children worldwide still cannot access the operations they need, leading to preventable deaths or lifelong disability.

Kids Operating Room, a Scottish global health charity dedicated exclusively to children’s surgery, works with partners across Africa, South Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean to design, build and equip dedicated paediatric operating rooms in low-resource settings.

The charity also trains local surgical teams and supports biomedical engineers to maintain vital medical equipment.

To date, the organisation’s work spans 38 countries, with 125 dedicated paediatric operating rooms, creating capacity for more than 780,000 surgical procedures for children who would otherwise struggle to access life-saving care.

In Scotland, in addition to its Edinburgh office and Glasgow headquarters, Kids Operating Room also has a presence in Dundee, where the organisation supports biomedical engineering and the preparation of equipment for operating rooms deployed internationally.

This facility plays an important role in ensuring that surgical equipment is ready for use in partner hospitals.

Foysol Choudhury MSP said: “It was inspiring to visit Kids Operating Room and see the incredible impact this Scottish charity is having around the world.

“No child should be denied life-saving surgery simply because of where they are born. Their work shows how Scottish expertise and commitment are helping give children the chance to grow, thrive and reach their full potential.”

Local MP warns women in Scotland are being failed by NHS waiting times

An Edinburgh MP has warned that long NHS waiting times are having a serious impact on women across the Lothians, as concerns grow about a two-tier healthcare system emerging in Scotland.

Private healthcare admissions in Scotland recently hit a record high, raising fresh concerns that patients are increasingly being pushed to pay for treatment due to long NHS wait times.

Tracy Gilbert MP says these delays are particularly affecting women, who are often left waiting the longest for treatment, including for gynaecological conditions and diagnostic tests.

Edinburgh North and Leith MP Tracy Gilbert said: “Across Edinburgh and the Lothians, too many women are being left waiting far too long for the care they need.

“For many women, these delays aren’t just frustrating; they mean months or even years living with pain, uncertainty or conditions that are affecting their daily lives.

“When people feel forced to consider paying privately just to be seen sooner, it raises serious concerns about a two-tier system emerging in our NHS.

“Women across Scotland deserve timely, high-quality care through our NHS, regardless of their ability to pay.”

Edinburgh’s Capital Theatres leads the way as Scotland urged to “Rethink Dementia”

Pic – Greg Macvean

Dementia affects each person differently, and even day-to-day experiences can change. The Scottish Government has launched the Rethink Dementia campaign to encourage Scots to support people living with the condition to stay socially active, to help them stay well for longer.

Capital Theatres (the charity who runs Festival Theatre, King’s Theatre and Studio Theatre in Edinburgh) is one of the many organisations across the country showing what’s possible when it comes to supporting people living with dementia. The theatre group have redesigned their buildings and continue to train their staff to ensure that people living with dementia feel welcome and supported.

Capital Theatres’ dementia-friendly approach encourages people living with dementia to stay socially connected and continue doing things that matter to them. 

Head of Creative Engagement at Capital Theatres, Claire Swanson explains: “When someone receives a diagnosis of dementia, it means they have a diagnosis of dementia.

“It doesn’t change who they are, what they’ve achieved, or the things that matter in their life. They’re still the person that they have always been.”

Helping someone living with dementia stay connected can help them stay well for longer and at Capital Theatres, this idea is as at the core of the organisation’s mission:

“It’s very important to us that the people in the community of Edinburgh and beyond feel that every one of our venues is a  welcoming place for them,” says Chief Executive Fiona Gibson.

That welcome starts with the physical space. Following a dementia-friendly audit in 2015, the team at Capital Theatres made small but impactful changes to their buildings, such as putting nosing on the edge of the stairs, so that there’s a very visual barrier, and changing the toilet seats to be a solid, contrasting colour.

These details reduce cognitive load and anxiety, making navigation easier.

However, a building is only as welcoming as its people. To counter the anxiety people may feel when arriving, every single staff member, from the people working in the café to the box office staff, is dementia trained. 

Claire Swanson adds, “We also encourage all our new staff to come along to our dementia-friendly events and spend time speaking with someone living with dementia.  Just sitting together and having a chat can relieve a lot of anxiety for those who may not know how to interact with someone living with dementia.”

The more comfortable individuals become around those living with dementia, the more confident they will become in supporting people with dementia to live well.

On the foundation of a welcoming space and a confident workforce, Capital Theatres runs a  dedicated dementia-friendly programme, consisting of a range of vibrant, in-person community events, led by a passionate creative engagement team, including Alex Howard, Gus Harrower, and Lucie Jeffrey.

The programme’s ethos is one of total accessibility. 

Alex Howard, Creative Engagement Coordinator and DementiArts magazine editor, explains: “Here at Capital Theatres, everything in our dementia-friendly programme is completely free, so there are no barriers to entry.

“We have five regularly running events: Tea & Jam, Brew & Blether, Comfy Ceilidh, Relaxing Rhymes and Together in Song. We invite people to come down, tea and coffee is on us, and you can get talking to people and join in. It’s important to us that cost isn’t a barrier.”

Each session is designed to create joy and connection. For Lucie Jeffrey, Creative Engagement Coordinator and Dance Lead, the work is a privilege “It’s an honour to be able to support these individuals,” she says.

Her advice is simple: “My top tips for working with those living with dementia is to treat them as individuals, give them their time and their space and just be kind.”

It’s important to give people living with dementia extra time, avoid interrupting them, and respond with understanding if confusion arises. Small acts of patience make a big difference.

Creative Engagement Coordinator and Music Lead, Gus Harrower connects this daily practice back to the national campaign. He says, “It’s important to treat people with dementia the same as anyone would want to be treated.

“Treat them with kindness, treat them with respect, get on their level and give them the time that they need to respond – patience is key. Events like ours and campaigns like Rethink Dementia are really battling that stigma, which is amazing to see.”

Capital Theatres also produces DementiArts magazine, which features articles and personal stories contributed by members of the dementia community, alongside a comprehensive listing of dementia-friendly events taking place across Edinburgh and the Lothians.

For Claire Swanson, it all comes back to the campaign’s central challenge to every Scot. “We need to change the way we think about people living with dementia and put the person, not the diagnosis, back at the front of the conversation. We’re proud to be championing that approach here at Capital Theatres.”

It’s time to rethink dementia. For more information and practical tips, visit nhsinform.scot/rethinkdementia.

Drylaw Walkers off to Davidson’s Mains on Monday

MONDAY 9 MARCH at 10am

Join the Walking Group this Monday, 9th March at 10am for our next walk to Davidson’s Mains Park.

We’ll be setting off for a fun-filled morning of exploration, so don’t forget to bring your walking shoes, a waterproof jacket, and a bag for your essentials.

This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and immerse yourself in the beauty of our local areas.

Date: Monday 9th March

Time: 10am -1.30pm (meet at the centre for 10am)

Lunch: Picnic lunch provided, but bring a bag, walking shoes and a waterproof jacket, please

Destination: Davidson’s Mains Park

Leith-based neurological therapy charity announces new name

Leith-based charity Compass Therapy Support Community has rebranded and is now The Neuro Therapy Place.

The Neuro Therapy Place supports people living with neurological conditions through a range of affordable therapies including oxygen therapy, specialist physiotherapy, and other targeted therapeutic interventions.

Our historical and ongoing commitment to fundraising in support of our charitable mission and to improve the lives of our neurological clients, enables us to subsidise our therapies meaning our clients can access them at significantly reduced rates.

Services are also available to individuals without non-neurological conditions at a lower level of subsidy, helping to generate income that supports the charity’s wider mission.

Why The Neuro Therapy Place?

“This change has come from listening,” said Genevieve Harrison, CEO. “When we spoke with the people who know us best, there was a strong sense that our name should clearly reflect both our expertise in neurological therapy, and the sense of belonging people feel when they walk through our doors.

“The Neuro Therapy Place captures who we are: specialist, supportive, and rooted in community. We’re incredibly proud to step into this next chapter with a name that feels truly aligned with our purpose.”

The new name has been carefully selected to reflect the organisation’s specialist focus on neurological conditions, while strengthening its ability to communicate clearly with clients, healthcare professionals, funders, and partners.

The decision follows consultation with external marketing and branding specialists, alongside feedback from members, client representatives, volunteers, and supporters. Research indicated that the previous name did not convey the charity’s specialist focus to prospective clients, health professionals, or funding partners.

Why the change?

The Neuro Therapy Place was selected for several key reasons:

  • Clarity – The name immediately communicates the organisation’s neurological focus.
  • Distinctiveness – It stands out within the health and wellbeing sector.
  • Accessibility – It feels welcoming, personal, and easy to understand.
  • Referral friendly – Clear and memorable for busy healthcare professionals.
  • Stronger fundraising potential – Clearer messaging enables donors and funders to better understand and connect with the charity’s impact.

Strengthening Partnerships and Sustainability

The name change coincides with a renewed strategic focus on long term sustainability and partnership development. In 2025, the organisation appointed a Business Development Manager, and Community Fundraiser to expand external partnerships, increase awareness, and connect with members of the community who may not yet know about its services. 

Commitment to Community Remains Unchanged

While the name is changing, the charity’s mission remains constant: to provide high quality neurological and oxygen therapy, alongside community-based programmes, delivered at subsidised, affordable rates.

This rebrand is not about leaving the past behind. It is about ensuring the organisation’s identity accurately reflects the vital specialist work it delivers today and positions it confidently for future growth.

With continued support from funders, partners, and the wider community, The Neuro Therapy Place aims to reach more people, strengthen partnerships, and deepen its impact in the years ahead.

People with dementia at increasing risk of accidental poisonings at home  

  • Accidental poisonings (excluding narcotics and hallucinogens) have soared by 63% in a decade, with 5,770 deaths in 2024.* 
  • Older adults are at highest risk — people aged 65+ are more than twice as likely to die from a poisoning of this type as the general population. 
  • Hospitals in England saw 17,252 non-narcotic and hallucinogen poisoning‑related admissions last year, including nearly 5,000 older adults, who were 55% more likely to require hospital care. 

Accidental poisoning is fast becoming a hidden home‑safety crisis, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has warned, as new figures show 5,770 people died from accidental poisonings in 2024, a 63 per cent increase in just ten years.  

Older adults are bearing the brunt: 2,371 lives lost were among people aged 65+, making them more than twice as likely to die from a poisoning as the general population. To tackle this, RoSPA has published  new guidance, highlighting how people living with dementia are among those at particular risk.  

The surge isn’t only seen in fatalities. Hospitals in England recorded 17,252 poisoning‑related admissions last year — almost 5,000 involving older adults, who were 55% more likely to require urgent care. 

The charity’s guidelines help households protect vulnerable loved ones and include simple steps to prevent dangerous chemicals from being mistaken for everyday items. Many products in the home can be opened and swallowed in moments, especially when confusion, memory loss or impaired visual recognition makes hazardous substances look harmless.  

These cognitive changes can turn ordinary domestic spaces into high risk environments, with the sharp rise in poisoning incidents tragic evidence that too many preventable emergencies are happening in homes across the UK, often without families realising how quickly a situation can escalate. 

Rebecca Guy, Senior Policy Manager, said: “Families with vulnerable relatives can often deal with genuinely frightening moments. Turning away for just a few seconds and realising someone has swallowed a cleaning product is sadly a reality that some of the public have experienced. 

“These aren’t freak accidents. They are predictable, preventable events, and our new guidance is designed to help people act fast to make their homes safer.” 

What you can do RIGHT NOW now to lower the risk  

  • Lock away cleaning and laundry products: high cupboards or secured storage only. 
  • Keep medicines tightly controlled: use organisers, track doses and store out of sight. 
  • Check packaging: ensure harmful products stay in their original containers. 
  • Remove confusion triggers: keep look-alike bottles (e.g., bright drinks and cleaning fluids) apart. 
  • Supervise more closely when unfamiliar items, visitors or new products are around. 
  • Conduct weekly hazard sweeps of kitchens, bathrooms and utility areas. 

Paul Edwards, Chief Nursing Officer at Dementia UK, said: “Laundry and cleaning products are often easily accessible in our homes, and many have brightly coloured packaging which can cause confusion for people with dementia, who may mistake them for other, edible items.

“One of the challenges of supporting someone with dementia is balancing the risk between an individuals’ autonomy against their safety.   

“It is impossible to eliminate risk completely, but these guidelines offer simple steps people can take to reduce the chance of these accidents happening, and provide a helpful checklist for both professional care environments and in the home.”  

Alzheimer’s Society Senior Knowledge Officer, Simon Wheeler, said: “Staying safe is important for people with dementia who want to keep living at home for as long as possible, as well as for those who support them.    

“As a person’s dementia progresses, they might have trouble telling the difference between something that’s safe to eat and something that isn’t.    

“If you want to reduce the risk of accidents, make sure that you store your cleaning products like laundry detergents safely in a cupboard and out of sight. 

“Don’t leave them out on a worktop or near any food or drinks, especially if they might be mistaken for sweets or drinks.”

RoSPA’s latest advice underscores a growing national concern: without simple protective steps, vulnerable people are at real and immediate risk inside their own homes. 

checklist-poisoning-prevention-for-people-with-dementiaDownload

Sarah Boyack hosts Holyrood roundtable for Tourette’s families

Sarah Boyack hosted families of children with Tourette’s in Holyrood on Thursday to meet with a Minister and Scottish Government officials.

The roundtable, which was co-organised with Tourette’s Scotland allowed families to raise the lack of support facing their children in Scotland’s education system.

Natalie Don-Innes attended the meeting in her capacity as Minister for Children and Young People, alongside the Unit Head for Additional Support for Learning and the Promise.

Every parent agreed that many issues stemmed from the lack of training for teachers and school staff.

Many attendants highlighted that their children had been punished due to their involuntary tics because of a lack of understanding of Tourette’s.

Tourette’s Scotland offers training for schools and creates bespoke profiles for each child with Tourette’s for their new school to utilise but both the training and reading of the reports are optional.

One participant revealed that their child was told they weren’t allowed to do one of their tics in the classroom and would have to go to the bathroom to do it, despite tics being involuntary.

Another highlighted that despite having a horrible time in school, their daughter was now thriving in university and getting far better support for her Tourette’s.

The Minister, along with the Scottish Government official, agreed to liaise further with Tourette’s Scotland to examine these issues.

The roundtable came after awareness of Tourette’s has skyrocketed due to the success of “I Swear”.

Ms Boyack also hosted a Holyrood debate about Tourette’s at the start of the year where she highlighted the challenges facing kids in the education system with the condition.

Speaking after the roundtable, Sarah Boyack said: “I was honoured to host this roundtable and give parents the opportunities to tell their stories to the Minister.

“I was deeply moved by the stories I heard of children suffering due to a lack of understanding from those in the education system and the stress it has caused their parents.

“It is obvious that with a greater understanding and robust training, the education system can be a place for those with Tourette’s to thrive in rather than a challenge they have to manage.

“I hope that the next parliament picks up the baton on this issue and ensures increased support for Tourette’s is a priority.”

Tourette’s Scotland commented: “We were delighted to have the opportunity for our families to share their stories directly with the minister for children and young people.

“Our families felt heard and that it was a productive meeting with lots of ideas on how to progress with awareness and understanding.”

You can find more out about Tourette’s Scotland and their work here:

https://www.tourettescotland.org/