Dangerous crowding and corridor care has returned to Emergency Departments in England.
NHS England Performance figures for October 2020 show that patients waiting for treatment on trollies has increased by 50%, with patients waiting longer than 12 hours from decision to admission having quadrupled from September 2020.
The data also shows:
patients waiting longer than 12 hours (from decision to admit) has nearly doubled from the same month last year
the proportion of patients attending A&E who require admission is up by 3 percentage points on last year
the number of ambulances dispatched by NHS111 is higher than last month
ambulances response times are up on last month and the same month last year
Performance of the four-hour target is down by 4.1 percentage points in type 1 Emergency Departments from last month, with nearly 1 in 4 patients waiting longer than four hours to be seen
Dr Katherine Henderson, President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said: “I am appalled and alarmed; the data is massively worrying.
“Despite our repeated calls for action, crowding and corridor care is back and it has to stop. It is a dangerous and unsafe situation that puts enormous pressure on staff and departments and now increases the risk of hospital acquired infection to patients.
“We simply cannot leave patients for hours in crowded corridors without social distancing, making infection prevention control measures impossible; potentially exposing them to infections.
“Hospitals and trusts must, as a necessity, implement and follow strict IPC guidance ensuring staff are using the right PPE and are trained in how to fit it correctly to maximise safety for themselves and their patients. We welcome the news that there will be regular staff tests and look forward to hear how this will be operationalised. We need patients to be confident they are not being seen by staff who might be carrying the virus.
“But this only tackles part of the problem. To function as it should and provide the best care possible for patients, the Emergency Care system must have good flow. Without it ambulances are stuck waiting to offload patients and paramedics are unable to return to the community; waiting times increase across the board and patients suffer.
“The recent rise in covid infections in the community and a rise in general hospital admissions means there has been an increase in the number of patients in hospital. We already had a bed base far smaller than required, and the consequence of too few staffed beds is that patients are becoming stranded in EDs, putting them unnecessarily at risk. Hospitals need to be given guidance about how to prioritise the multiple demands they are trying to balance.
“Winter has only just begun and with the rise in community covid transmission it is only likely to get worse. We must stop crowding and corridor care now, we must ensure patients and staff are safe, we must ensure there is good flow so ambulances can admit patients into EDs quickly and waiting times are reduced. If these practices continue and we do not act I dread to think of the suffering this winter will bring.”
A pioneering, inter-agency partnership, led by NHS Lothian, NHS Fife, NHS Borders and the six local authorities in the region, is working together to reduce type 2 diabetes across the East of Scotland.
Type 2 diabetes has been on the rise across the country for the past decade, having a significant impact on the lives of individuals and health of Scotland’s population as a whole.
Over 62,000 people are living with type 2 diabetes in the East of Scotland – around 5% of the total population – and there are over 3,700 new cases in the region each year.
Recognising that diet and excess weight is driven by a range of environmental, societal and individual factors, regional health and social care providers have joined forces with stakeholders from the public, third and private sectors to advance sustainable change.
Growing evidence of the link between obesity and an increased risk of complications from COVID-19 has reinforced the importance of this shared vision, compounded by the measures recently revealed as part of the UK government’s new obesity strategy.
With national investment of £1.46 million in the East of Scotland programme this year, regional director Nicky Waters said: “Our programme is a priority initiative – reflecting the need for urgent action to reduce the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in Scotland and support people to lead healthy lifestyles.
“By adopting a Whole Systems Approach and bringing a wide range of partners together, our programme is centred on tackling structural, systemic root causes – such as poverty, inequality and childhood trauma – and the part that we all need to play in addressing them.”
Four core intervention programmes – Get Moving with Counterweight, Type 2 Diabetes Remission through Counterweight Plus, Gestational Diabetes education and Let’s Prevent Diabetes – are being rolled out across the region, with partners taking advantage of technology to support people throughout the pandemic.
Over 1900 adults have been referred to Get Moving with Counterweight and the remission programme since October 2019, with 60 patients currently taking part in Counterweight Plus.
Counterweight Plus, a free two-year programme being delivered by specialist NHS dietitians, is based on ground-breaking evidence from the Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial (DiRECT).
A combination of intensive, long-term support and Total Diet Replacement (TDR) of nutritional shakes and soups, is key to the intervention’s success.
Jenny*, a patient going through Counterweight Plus in Lothian, has overcome various hurdles to continue on the programme at home throughout the pandemic – receiving virtual support whilst juggling family and working life under lockdown.
Despite the challenges, Jenny’s blood glucose results, weight loss and largely positive experience to date, all indicate that she’s heading in the right direction. She said: “The programme hasn’t been easy but the consistent emotional support and awareness of the long-term health benefits has really spurred me on. I’ve lost twenty kilos since I was first diagnosed and feel great because of it.”
Jonathan Hayes, the dietitian supporting Jenny, reflected: “It’s brilliant to see that, despite this unprecedented situation, there are people out there like Jenny who have turned things around for the positive. And who stand a very good chance of coming out of the pandemic, having put their type 2 diabetes into remission. That is an incredible outcome.”
Regional health and social care providers are further committed to improving the working environment for their 84,000 employees and local areas are rolling out community based pilot projects to test a Whole Systems Approach (WSA) to diet and healthy weight.
Laurie Eyles, one of the newly appointed professional advisers for diet and healthy weight at the Scottish Government, who prior to this had been supporting partners as the programme’s clinical lead, said: “From delivering targeted interventions, to addressing the widespread issue of weight stigma and tackling the health inequalities which exist across the region – partners are committed to making lasting improvements to the environment in which we live.
“It is this that will allow us to build an East of Scotland where we eat well, have a healthy weight and are physically active – reducing our risk of developing type 2 diabetes for the long-term.”
For weight management and type 2 diabetes support during this time, please visit:
Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by Dr Helen Flaherty, Head of Health Promotion at Heart Research UK
Cut down on sugar in your drinks
TODAY 14th November is World Diabetes Day. Consuming too much sugar in your diet can lead to weight-gain as well as increasing your risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Over a quarter of the added sugar in our diets is believed to come from the drinks we consume. The focus of this week’s tip is on reducing the amount of sugar in your drinks.
Choose sugar-free or reduced-sugar drinks
When you feel thirsty, water is always the best option. Try swapping your sugary soft drink for a glass of water or a sugar-free or reduced-sugar drink. If you are not keen on the taste of water, you could try adding a slice of lemon and/or some mint leaves.
Save sugary drinks for an occasional treat
If you don’t want to stop drinking your favourite sugary drink permanently, try limiting the amount you drink by consuming it less frequently and in smaller quantities. Unsweetened fruit juices and smoothies also contain sugar, so try to limit your intake to no more than 150ml a day.
Avoid adding sugar, syrups and honey to hot drinks
If you usually add sugar, syrups or honey to hot drinks, why not gradually reduce the amount you add, until you can cut it out altogether. Alternatively, you could use an artificial sweetener, however this will not help you to adjust your taste preference for sweet drinks.
Cut down on sugar from alcoholic drinks
Alcoholic drinks can be high in sugar. A pint of cider contains around five teaspoons of sugar. Try to reduce your sugar intake by consuming alcoholic drinks less frequently, in smaller measures and by combining alcoholic drinks with sugar-free or reduced-sugar mixers, such as sugar-free tonic water.
Anti-bullying toolkit launched by NSPCC Scotland and respectme
Children’s Minister Maree Todd says toolkit will ‘help guide adults across Scotland on how to best support youth-led anti-bullying work’
A toolkit to help schools across Scotland run youth-led campaigns to tackle online bullying has been launched by NSPCC and respectme.
The Think B4 You Type toolkit, which was designed by the two children’s organisations alongside a group of young people from Angus, gives guidance to adults on setting up anti-bullying campaigns.
The resource was born out of a campaign run last year by NSPCC Scotland, respectme and Angus Council, which saw eight secondary schools in the area work to raise awareness of online bullying and find local, youth-led solutions to prevent and address it.
The activities put on by the young people in the schools included arranging sessions with peers to discuss online bullying, making a film on the impact of text bullying and social media comments, holding peer support drop in sessions and giving presentations in assemblies.
Rachel Talbot, who attends Brechin High School in Angus, was on the youth advisory group for the original campaign.
The 13-year-old said: “By working with our peers in our schools and sharing our own experiences, together we were able to create the Think B4 You Type campaign and make recommendations to Angus City Council regarding their anti-bullying policy in our schools.
“This issue matters to me so much personally, because when I was in primary school I was bullied both in person and online.
“It’s important to me to do as much as I can to try to stop anyone from going through the same thing and to help the ones who unfortunately do.
“I believe the activities that we ran at school during anti-bulling week, made everyone really think about the issue and the impact it can have on people’s lives.”
Every year, hundreds of young people from across Scotland contact the NSPCC’s Childline service about their bullying concerns, with cyberbullying becoming increasingly prevalent.
A 14-year-old girl told Childline: “I am being bullied by a girl at school. She has taken photos of me and posted them on Snapchat calling me fat and ugly and how I will never have a boyfriend.
“I have been having suicidal thoughts as this girl is really popular and she has turned my whole year against me.”
Another teenage girl told a counsellor: “Every day I wake up scared to go to school, scared about the comments people will make and scared about walking home.Then I get in and log onto my social networking site and there are horrible messages everywhere.
“It’s like there’s no escaping the bullies. I’m struggling to cope with how upset I feel so sometimes I cut myself just to have a release but it’s not enough. I can’t go on like this.”
Carla Malseed, NSPCC Scotland’s campaigns manager, said:“All children who are affected by bullying can suffer harm – whether they are bullied, they bully others or they witness bullying – and the effects of bullying can last into adulthood.
“Our Childline counsellors talk to hundreds of children in Scotland about bullying each year. Many young people talk about it affecting their self-worth and feeling trapped and isolated.
“While this toolkit focuses on online bullying, it is important that this is looked at in the wider context of relationships, and that any campaign considers the link between online and offline bullying.”
Wendy Harrington, director of respectme, Scotland’s anti-bullying service, said:“The youth-led campaign and activities run in Angus schools last year showed the power of young people to create change in their communities.
“It is vital that young people are empowered to support improvement in their own and their peers’ lives; they are the experts in their own experiences, and their understanding, ideas and solutions are essential to make these campaigns a success.”
Scotland’s Minister for Children and Young People, Maree Todd said:“All forms of bullying, including online bullying, are totally unacceptable. It is great to see young people coming together to take charge and make changes for the better.
“The hard work the young people in Angus have invested into the ‘Think B4 You Type’ campaign which has led to the development of the toolkit, shows the true passion and commitment of everyone involved.
“The toolkit will help guide adults across Scotland on how to best support youth-led anti-bullying work and it will act as a valuable legacy for the campaign.”
As well as providing guidance for adults, the toolkit includes templates and further learning for direct use by the young people themselves. Schools can download a copy of the toolkit from respectme.org.uk
Education, flexibility, training and risk assessment are some ways that employers up and down the country can provide support to diabetic employees.
Health and safety experts at CE Safety have revealed actionable steps for employers to ensure that they have the correct workplace procedures to deal with a diabetic emergency.
It is World Diabetes Day on November 14th, prompting CE Safety to offer guidance about first aid and diabetes in the workplace. With 4.8 million people in the UK living with diabetes, employers should be clued up and support staff who have the disease.
This is especially important in the time of Covid-19, as research has revealed that people with diabetes are at greater risk of dying from the virus. People with diabetes should be taking steps to look after themselves to avoid complications, such as maintaining healthy blood sugar targets and staying fit and healthy.
It is a basic minimum standard to ensure workplaces are risk assessed and suitable for diabetics.
A spokesperson for CE Safety says: “Diabetes is a lifelong serious condition and involves having to control the blood glucose levels in the body to stop it getting too high, which can be dangerous. Among the different types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2 are the most common.
“Huge efforts to raise awareness about the chronic condition are being made around the globe, and not without reason. The statistics on people who already have the disease are stark enough, however, experts also believe there are more than 13 million people in the UK who are at risk or already have undiagnosed type 2 diabetes.
“The team at CE Safety deliver health and safety training in the workplace and feel passionate about ensuring every place of work has the correct procedures and policies to look after their staff.”
Here are practical steps for business owners to support employees with diabetes:
Open up the conversation
Allowing the conversation to open up, and having an honest chat around diabetes can help in a variety of ways. It can improve the mental health and wellbeing of the employee; remove any discrimination; employers can gain an understanding of how staff are coping, and provide a forum to outline initiatives and measures which everyone gains from.
Educate yourself on the disease
There are alarming numbers of people out there who don’t even understand the disease they’re living with, so it’s unlikely that employers without diabetes will fully understand it. There are many resources out there so a quick read will give you a lot of insight. For example, did you know that there’s a link between diabetes and depression?
Be flexible
Understanding what your staff with diabetes need, means you can then put measures in place to help them. Be accommodating for attending healthcare appointments for starters, but also support them around working hours, any modified equipment they need or simply show patience for when the disease becomes debilitating. It’s not easy to balance work with managing a disease.
Provide privacy
Staff with diabetes may need to take injections of insulin or check blood sugar levels throughout the working day. Give them a private and clean space to do this, which will provide peace of mind and inclusivity, and even reduce stress.
Revisit working practices
Do your terms allow for assessing a worker on an individual basis? For example, some employees may benefit from flexible working patterns or a higher level of sick leave. Diabetes can cause short and long term complications, so factor this into any relevant policies.
Train your staff in first aid
Your workforce should know what to do in an emergency situation, but do they know what to do in a diabetic emergency? Pass on the information you have gathered.
Do a diagnostic diabetes risk assessment
Get the overall picture of your workforce. Understand the full health picture of your staff, then you can take steps towards pinning down your approach, ensuring the workplace is prepared, safe and supportive to those who need it.
Look at your company culture
As well as supporting people who already have diabetes, there are many improvements employers can make to do their bit in eradicating the disease. We know there is plenty that can be done to avoid getting type 2 diabetes. Promote healthier choices in available food and drink, encourage work-life balance and exercise, and have policies around mental wellbeing.
Stop sitting down
A study in the journal Diabetologia discovered that people who sit still for long periods of time double the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, even if they exercise too.
The NHS says many adults in the UK sit for about nine hours a day, and that living a sedentary lifestyle is linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, some types of cancer and early death.
Because many people spend hours sitting at a desk while at work, employers should be finding ways to reverse this problem. For example, encourage people to take the stairs, set reminders to stand, create standing workstations, go for a walk while speaking on the phone or regular coffee breaks.
For further information on diabetes and first aid, please see –
England death rate up to 6 times higher from coronavirus during the first wave of the pandemic than the general population, Public Health England study finds.
It found 451 per 100,000 people registered as having a learning disability died with COVID-19 between 21 March and 5 June, a death rate 4.1 times higher than the general population after adjusting for other factors such as age and sex.
But as not all deaths in people with learning difficulties are registered on these databases, researchers estimated the real rate may have been as high as 692 per 100,000, 6.3 times higher.
Deaths were also spread much more widely across the age spectrum among people with learning disabilities, with far greater mortality rates in younger adults, compared to the general population. The death rate for people aged 18 to 34 with learning disabilities was 30 times higher than the rate in the same age group without disabilities, researchers found.
Among people with learning disabilities, the rate of COVID-19 deaths for adults in residential care was higher than the rates of COVID-19 deaths of adults with learning disabilities generally. This difference is likely in part to reflect the greater age and disability in people in residential care.
People with learning disabilities are more likely to have other physical health problems such as obesity and diabetes, and certain kinds of learning disability, such as Down’s syndrome, can make people more vulnerable to respiratory infections, which can increase their risk of dying from COVID-19.
Professor John Newton, Director of Health Improvement at Public Health England, said: It is deeply troubling that one of the most vulnerable groups in our society suffered so much during the first wave of the pandemic. We must do everything possible to prevent this happening again.
“There are now regular tests in care homes to make sure cases of coronavirus can be quickly identified and isolated, even if people do not recognise the symptoms themselves.
“But with cases developing across the country, it is essential to practice rigorous infection control if you are in contact with someone with a learning disability, whether or not they live in a care home.
“Wash your hands, wear a mask and keep a safe distance. The fewer people you meet, the more you’ll stop the spread.”
A learning disability is a significantly reduced ability to understand new or complex information and learn new skills and a reduced ability to cope independently which started before adulthood, with a lasting effect on development.
That means that people with learning disabilities often may find it harder to manage basic everyday skills, and rely upon support for many tasks, including communicating, managing money or looking after themselves.
People with learning disabilities are likely to have had difficulty recognising symptoms of COVID-19, or following government advice about getting tested, self-isolation, social distancing and infection prevention and control, the report says. It may also be more difficult for people caring for them to recognise the onset of symptoms if these cannot be communicated.
Helen Whately, Minister of State for Social Care, said: “Every death from COVID-19 has been a tragedy, and my deepest sympathies go out to everyone who has lost loved ones during the pandemic. I know how difficult this pandemic has been for people with a learning disability and those who care for them.
“A third of those with learning disabilities who sadly died were living in residential care. There is now regular testing of staff and residents in care homes, and testing has also been rolled out to supported living settings in high risk areas.
“We’re also offering free PPE, and the Joint committee on vaccines and immunisation has proposed those living and working in care homes should be top of the list for vaccination.
“This report adds to our knowledge of COVID-19 and how those with learning disabilities are affected by this cruel disease. I am asking SAGE to review the findings and give advice on what more we can do to keep people safe.”
The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on home care has been revealed following an online survey by the Scottish Parliament’s Health and Sport Committee.
Published yesterday, the survey found that 54% of recipients of home care saw their care either reduced or stopped completely. In one instance, a respondent reported having their care stopped for more than six months. Reduction in care was a recurring theme from respondents with families feeling that they were “left to get on with it”.
The survey, which ran during August and September, sought to hear the experiences of both carers and care recipients during the pandemic. Key concerns raised include:
In the event of a second wave, the most important issue for those surveyed was safety. They told us it was vital to have access to appropriate PPE as well as frequent testing, and that carers should receive adequate training in both infection control and social distancing.
Additional pressures and a loss of routine led to increased anxiety for unpaid carers, who stressed the need for respite. Respondents felt “mentally exhausted” and “frightened to let staff back into their homes”.
It was agreed that there needs to be greater recognition of unpaid carers who were often “left to pick up the slack”. There were calls for more support and financial help as well as a ‘professionalisation’ of the system, with a move towards a professional career model.
A fear of services shutting down again left respondents feeling determined to “not be forgotten about” or “left to manage entirely on [their] own”. They called for the continuity of care services and care packages to remain in place in the event of future outbreaks.
Speaking as the findings of the survey were published, Committee Convener Lewis Macdonald MSP said:“The first wave of Covid-19 had a devastating impact on the social care sector in Scotland.
“Now that we’re in the midst of a second wave, and continuing national restrictions, it is vital that we hear the voices of home care workers and those receiving care at home across the country. These findings are deeply concerning suggesting over 50% of those receiving care at home saw their care reduced or stopped completely during the pandemic.
“Other concerns raised around mental health, safety, and the prospect of care shutting down again, make it clear that things must improve.
“The Committee recognises the hard work of carers, paid and unpaid, who have gone above and beyond during this unprecedented challenge and we also want to thank all those who took part in the survey for sharing their experiences in what are still very difficult times.”
Refreshed ‘Ready Scotland’ website to help communities work together
Communities are being encouraged to continue to support each other as the country moves into winter.
The Scottish Government’s recently refreshed Ready Scotland website (ready.scot) provides a range of information for anyone looking for support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, as well as advice on preparing for winter weather.
It also provides guidance for those who wish to help out those around them, whether on an individual basis or through volunteering with local community groups or charities.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1326608249685151745
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “In any year, winter weather can be a challenge for many of us, and this year it will come while we are already managing the effects that COVID-19 is having on so many aspects of our lives.
“As we have seen in previous winters, and as we saw so clearly during our lockdown in the spring and in the months since, the strength and kindness of our communities and our desire to look out for our neighbours is one of our greatest resources.
“These support networks are no less important now than they were in the spring, especially to older, disabled and at risk people, and those who are on their own or feeling lonely. While we can’t visit each other as we might have done in previous years, a phone call or a text can go a long way, and there are a wide range of services standing ready to provide support.
“I would encourage people to continue to take time to check in with those around you and offer any help that you are able.”
Guidance on giving and finding help during the coronavirus pandemic, preparing for winter weather, and forming community groups is available on the Ready Scotland website.
For those without digital access, coronavirus support can be sought from the National Assistance Helpline by telephoning 0800 111 4000.
Clearyourhead.scot has a range of advice and resources, also offering practical assistance for anyone feeling low or needing to speak to someone for emotional support.
Ruari Fairbairns, CEO and Founder of One Year No Beer, explains what happens to your body after you stop drinking, and draws a timeline of all the amazing benefits you can expect to enjoy from quitting alcohol
Ruari Fairbairns said: “Quitting alcohol comes with so many amazing benefits! You will start to notice improvements in your overall health from week one. As you continue on your path of being alcohol-free, you will notice your body becoming a well optimised machine.“
The inescapable fact is boozing causes a lot of health issues plus foul moods, crazy sugar cravings, poor sleep, unpleasant toilet habits and poor concentration. Booze also massively contributes to depression and anxiety.
Whilst we seek its numbing qualities to ease mood, booze is playing a cruel game. It is medically classed as a depressant, and over time it depresses your natural body chemistry and leads to that gnawing anxiety and heaviness.
Ruari says, “One of the most common questions we get asked is ‘what happens when you stop drinking?” There are so many benefits of not drinking alcohol, including sleeping more deeply and, as a result of this, increased physical and mental energy; restored hydration (leading to dewier and more youthful skin); weight loss and improved fitness; improved moods and a feeling of contentedness.”
Ruari explains in more detail with the following timeline …
What happens when you quit drinking:
Alcohol timeline
Short term benefits
The good news is our bodies LOVE being booze-free and respond really quickly. The lift in mood and depression is one to the key reasons people continue to stay booze free with the help of OYNB – because the natural high feels so good!
What happens to your body in the first few days?
1 – 12 HOURS
An hour after your last drink, your liver starts working overtime, clearing the alcohol from your bloodstream to prevent alcohol poisoning. Yep! Booze is poison and the liver has to alter its chemical structure so it doesn’t kill us – changing alcohol to acetaldehyde and then acetate.
Acetaldehyde, a highly toxic substance and a known carcinogen, so although acetaldehyde exists in the body only for a brief time before it is further broken down into acetate, it has the potential to cause significant damage. You may experience nausea and tremor as your body deals with all this. At the time your pancreas also starts producing extra insulin, which causes intense carb cravings.
12 – 24 HOURS
Your blood sugar has potentially normalised, if you haven’t created a glycemic roller-coaster by sugar and carb binging. To rebalance, eat healthy foods and drink lots of water.
48 -72 HOURS
For most, the worst is over by now. Although you may still feel groggy and tired depending on how much booze your body had to process. If, however, you had a bigger booze problem than you realised, then sweating, increased pulse, tremor, anxiety and agitation may continue or kick in at this time. A serious alcohol problem may need medical support from your GP to prevent fits or DTs.
72 HOURS ONWARDS
Any hangover side effects are now officially out of your system, you finally feel back to yourself physically and mentally. And to think this is only 72 hours into your quest to stop drinking alcohol for a month.
When you stop drinking alcohol for a week:
· You start sleeping more deeply and your physical and mental energy to increase as a result.
· Your skin begins to look dewier and more youthful as hydration restores.
· Skin conditions such as dandruff, eczema, and rosacea may also improve.
Sleep & hydration
After only one week of not drinking you will be making better decisions as well as benefiting from improved learning and problem solving. You will also find yourself feeling more creative. Even if you don’t have a huge appetite you will find your eating pattern improving day by day.
One of the most obvious benefits of not drinking alcohol for a week is that your body will be hydrated. This means you will have more energy, increased physical performance and you will be experiencing less headaches.
Calories & money saved
As well as the mental and physical benefits of not drinking alcohol, your wallet will also be feeling fuller.
· Wine drinkers can expect to save around £22.
· Beer drinkers would save £18 for giving up alcohol for a week.
The benefits of not drinking alcohol for 2 weeks include:
· No more acid reflux
· Stomach lining returns to normal
· Continued sleep and hydration improvements
· Noticeable weight loss
Now that you have quit drinking for two weeks, your body will be improving on the inside and you will be starting to look different on the outside too. You will have saved 2160 calories (six pints or six 175ml glasses of wine on average) by giving up alcohol for two weeks.
Drinking 12 pints of beer in two weeks is the equivalent to eating ten large slices of cake, 2160 calories.
Total money saved now from giving up alcohol for two weeks, £45 for wine and £35 for beer.
The benefits of not drinking alcohol for 3 weeks:
· Reduced risk of stroke and heart problems
· Better kidney health
· Improved vision
Congrats! 3 weeks of giving up alcohol is no mean feat! It is well known that drinking too much alcohol can lead to increased blood pressure. Now that you have stopped drinking for three weeks your blood pressure will start to reduce. This is one of the most important benefits of not drinking alcohol.
Calories & money Saved
Now you will have saved yourself a very healthy:
· £54 if you average 6 beers a week
· £67 if you consume 6 glasses of wine a week over the last three weeks.
You could put that saved cash to good use and start a gym membership to help burn off all the extra energy you have since you have had no alcohol for three weeks.
What happens when you stop drinking for 4 weeks?
· Reduce liver fat by up to 15%
· Better looking skin
· More likely to have reduced drinking for 6 months after the end of your challenge
Another health benefit from giving up alcohol for a month is improved liver function. After four weeks of no drinking your liver will start to shed excess fat. With the liver playing a part in over 500 vital processes, you also give your body a better chance of removing contaminants, converting food nutrients, storing minerals and vitamins.
Giving up alcohol for a month will have a positive impact on your skin due to your increased hydration levels. You could even reward yourself with an alcohol-free beer one night, which are also lower in calories and there are now so many to choose from.
Calories & money saved
You will also have reduced your calorie intake by 3840 for the month, if you used to drink six glasses of 175ml wine a week, or 4320 calories over the month if you used to drink six pints of lager a week.
For your bank balance that equates to saving:
· Over £70 if you drink beer
· And just under £90 by giving up wine for a month.
What happens when you give up alcohol for a month?
Your liver fat reduces by up to 20%, allowing it to flush toxins out of the body more efficiently.
Your cholesterol (a risk factor in heart disease) drops up to 5% and your glucose stabilises (decreasing your risk of developing type 2 diabetes). All the inward changes begin to show through in a healthy glow of the skin and eyes.
Benefits of not drinking alcohol for 3 months or more
There is a lot to expect when you stop drinking for 3 months. Alcohol is related to 7 different cancer types.
By giving up alcohol for 3 months you reduce your chances of getting cancer.
After a year of not drinking, you and your life will be transformed.
At OYNB we’ve been on this journey with 100s who’ve gone long-term booze-free and we see it every time:
* Weight loss and improved fitness * Improved moods and a feeling of contentedness * Better relationships * Increased productivity and focus at work * More pound in the pocket (if you spent an average of £75 a week on drinking at home and going-out, that’s a saving of £3900 over a year) * Ability to absorb vitamins and minerals increases * Reduced risk of cancer and decreased stress levels * Quicker immune response
The first step towards a national thrombectomy service for stroke patients is underway with the launch of a pilot in the North of Scotland.
Thrombectomy is a highly skilled procedure in which blood clots are removed mechanically rather than broken down by medicines (thrombolysis). It is used to treat those with severe stroke and reduce their risk of long-term disability.
NHS Tayside developed a training programme in Mechanical Thrombectomy (MT), supported by the Scottish Government. Key staff were trained by Professor Iris Grunwald, one of the UK’s leading stroke thrombectomy interventional neuroradiologists, using advanced simulation techniques.
Initially the thrombectomy procedures in Dundee will be performed on patients in Tayside before the service is extended to patients across the North.
A fully operational 24/7 service is anticipated in Tayside by 2023, and will form part of a national network in line with the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government commitment.
In the West of Scotland, the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital campus will provide a ‘hub’ thrombectomy service for the West of Scotland by 2023, while the NHS Lothian service will also be operating from the Little France site within the same timeframe.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “Over the past 10 years, the number of people dying from stroke in Scotland has decreased by more than 35%. While this is significant progress, we can still achieve even better outcomes.
“A quality and clinically safe thrombectomy service is part of our wider commitment in this year’s Programme for Government to ensure those who experience severe stroke receive the best possible treatment and care.
“It is testament to our healthcare professions that we are now seeing this first step towards a national roll-out, despite the additional pressures placed on them during the pandemic and I want to thank them for their hard work.
“Funding will continue to be made available to other boards to develop the programme and the framework.”
Honorary consultant interventional radiologist in NHS Tayside Professor Graeme Houston said: “We are delighted to be able to launch this service to provide mechanical thrombectomy for patients in the North of Scotland.
“Thrombectomy delivers a significant benefit for some patients who have sudden onset of stroke with significantly improved outcomes and a reduced level of disability.”
Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland Chief Executive Jane-Claire Judson said: “It’s good that we are seeing tangible progress towards thrombectomies being available to stroke patients in Scotland.
“People in Scotland must be given the best possible chance of living without disability or dependency after a stroke. We know that at least 600 people a year in Scotland would benefit from a thrombectomy. Developing the skills to deliver this procedure is a key part of establishing the service in Scotland.
“This progress is being driven by inspirational stroke survivors campaigning for change. Together, we will keep campaigning to make sure that this game-changing stroke treatment is available as soon as possible.”
The Stroke Association in Scotland welcomes the announcement that mechanical thrombectomy is to be made available to some Scots for the first time since 2018.
This is a long overdue but a significant first step towards delivery of a national thrombectomy service for the whole of Scotland which should be in place by 2023.
Thrombectomy is vital. Around 700 stroke patients are eligible for the procedure in Scotland each year. Patients who have a stroke caused by a large blood clot in the brain would potentially benefit from a thrombectomy procedure.
It involves inserting a catheter into an artery, usually within six hours of someone having their stroke, to remove the blood clot. This allows blood flow to resume and oxygen to reach brain tissue.
The treatment can dramatically reduce the devastating consequences of stroke such as losing the ability to walk and talk. Around one in three people who receive a thrombectomy after their stroke will be less disabled as a result, and around one in five of those who receive it will be able to function completely independently afterwards.
Andrea Cail, Director Scotland for the Stroke Association said: “Thrombectomy is a game-changing treatment, and it is good to finally have it available in Scotland again. But it is only the first step. Stroke is now a clinical priority in Scotland and restarting a thrombectomy service for those need it will be the difference between living or dying; living permanently disabled or without any disabilities at all.
“Thrombectomy is an extraordinary, highly-specialised, procedure that can save lives, reduce disability and is absolutely cost effective. One thrombectomy patient is estimated to save the NHS £47,000 over a five year period.
“We congratulate everyone involved in the North of Scotland thrombectomy planning group on making this happen. We know it’s not been easy. It has required serious commitment from everyone involved. By working together, hundreds of people affected by stroke and their families will benefit over the next few years.
“All Scots deserve the same. Thrombectomy must also be made available to the larger population centres of Glasgow and Edinburgh as soon as possible.
“We urge all those involved in developments for these next two sites to work together with purpose, and for the Scottish Government and Health Boards involved to urgently resolve or remove any barriers towards implementation and delivery. The time it has taken and is taking Health Boards to sort this out is lengthy and unacceptable.”
Professor Rustam Al-Shahi Salman, consultant neurologist in Edinburgh and President of the British Association of Stroke Physicians, says: “Mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischaemic stroke is one of the most effective treatments in modern medicine.
“We knew this in 2015. In the last five years, about 45 people in Scotland have had this treatment, but about 700 people should have it each year. I am relieved that this dire disservice to patients with stroke is beginning to come to an end in Tayside. Patients elsewhere in Scotland deserve the same.”
Case study
Norrie Andrews, 77, from Glasgow had his stroke in Majorca last year. Only a few days into the holiday, Anne, Norrie’s partner, had gone to check on some electricity issues they had been experiencing. On her return, she found Norrie slumped over the side of his chair unable to talk and unable to move. Norrie had had a massive stroke.
He was taken to the local hospital quickly, and was administered with thrombolysis, a drug to break up the clot. Unfortunately the thrombolysis had no effect and the doctors decided Norrie would benefit from thrombectomy. He was immediately transferred to Son Espases University Hospital in Palma.
Anne had to give consent for Norrie to undergo thrombectomy (on his behalf.) It felt like an endless series of questions and forms that needed answered.
The procedure took 15 minutes and when Anne went up to the intensive care unit to see him she was amazed. He was alert, his speech was starting to come back and some movement too. They could hardly believe how something so horrifying had turned on its head.
Norrie still had some mild impairments, but the seriousness of his disability was saved (they believe,) by thrombectomy. And just over two weeks later, Norrie walked out of hospital without any difficulty and his speech was fine.
Anne said: “The doctors told me that had Norrie not had thrombectomy, he would never have been out of a wheelchair or spoken again. I was so relieved to hear this and we both felt very fortunate to have been in Majorca at the time.
“After returning home, I discovered thrombectomy would not have been available at the time of Norrie’s stroke. I was amazed to think a small island like Majorca had the treatment my husband so badly needed. Norrie is now back to his old life again.
“He walks every day and I am thrilled he has started to play golf again. He keeps his brain ticking over with puzzles, crosswords and word searches. He’s seeing his friends now, which has lifted his spirits and I’m able to see my own friends too.
“I am thrilled to hear thrombectomy is available in Scotland now. Stroke is a devastating illness and the disability caused by a stroke can be lifelong, destroying lives. I hope now there will be more people in Scotland making better recoveries from stroke because of thrombectomy.”
