School staff will be offered new support as part of a £1.5 million funding package to help manage additional pressures as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Barnardo’s Scotland and mental health charity Place2Be will offer new mental health support for staff with the intention this will be available after the October break.
Education Scotland and the General Teaching Council for Scotland will also offer new professional learning opportunities for post-probation teachers and develop a new coaching and mentoring offer for teachers who need it most.
The funding package also includes the continuation of the Scottish Government’s commitment, in partnership with the Hunter Foundation, to the values-based leadership programmes delivered by social enterprise and charity Columba 1400.
The package of support for school staff has been developed in partnership with organisations represented on the Education Recovery Group.
Education Secretary John Swinney said: “Supporting the health and wellbeing of teachers and other staff is of paramount importance.
“This was true before COVID-19, but it is of crucial importance as school staff support our children and young people to recover from the pandemic. This additional package of measures will complement the excellent practice which is already taking place to support the wellbeing of staff in schools across Scotland.”
Ken Muir, Chief Executive, of the General Teaching Council for Scotland, said: “GTC Scotland is pleased to deliver this important support to hard-working teachers in collaboration with our partners in education.
“GTC Scotland has invested heavily in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of education professionals and we look forward to continuing to do so.”
Gillian Hamilton, Strategic Director at Education Scotland, said: “Ensuring school staff feel well supported, particularly at this time, is essential.
“This new support package, designed collaboratively with partners in the Education Recovery Group, provides direct access to a range of focused supports including coaching, reflective supervision and opportunities for school staff to learn together through the challenges presented by COVID-19.”
Laurence Findlay, Aberdeenshire Council Director of Education and Children’s Services, said: “I am delighted with the support package being put forward as part of ongoing efforts to support the education workforce. I hope as many practitioners as possible make use of these resources.”
Edinburgh Leisure reopens six of its leisure venues
Edinburgh Leisure, the city’s largest sports and leisure operator, will be reopening its doors at six of its venues, today, Monday, 14 September 2020.
The venues reopening on 14 September are: Ainslie Park Leisure Centre (badminton, fitness, gym, swim), Craiglockhart Leisure and Tennis Centre (badminton, fitness, gym and indoor and outdoor tennis and squash), Drumbrae Leisure Centre (badminton, fitness, gym, swim), The Royal Commonwealth Pool (fitness, gym, swim) Leith Victoria (fitness, gym, swim), and Gracemount Leisure Centre (badminton, fitness, gym, swim).
They will initially be reopening their gyms, fitness classes, tennis, badminton and squash courts, and lane swimming in these centres. Bookings went live for members at 9pm on Thursday, 10 September and for non-members on Friday, 11 September.
Their six golf courses have been open since 4 June, and there has been a big upturn in demand for tee times. Their outdoor tennis courts have also been open since June and have been free to play.
Whilst First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon brought forward the date that indoor leisure venues could reopen to 31 August 2020, Edinburgh Leisure has always been working towards the original date that was indicated of 14 September.
An Edinburgh Leisure spokesperson explained: “We’re delighted to be re-opening the doors at six of our venues on 14 September and have been busy preparing for our customers return. We’ve missed them, as I know, many of them us.
“As you can imagine, bringing Edinburgh Leisure’s diverse range of venues and services ‘back to life’ in a COVID-19 environment is a big and complex task. We had over 900 staff on furlough, and it’s been necessary to check and refresh/update relevant compliance training before we could reopen, for example. Our number one goal is to provide our customers with a clean, safe and enjoyable Edinburgh Leisure experience.”
The Edinburgh Leisure experience will be different from before but customers will still receive the warm, Edinburgh Leisure welcome.
The main changes that customers will see are:
All activities must be pre booked via the Edinburgh Leisure app or website;
They will be operating in a cashless environment, accepting contactless payments;
Safety guidance will be on display throughout the venues;
Additional sanitisation stations have been installed throughout the venues for use before and after each visit;
All activities are timetabled with staggered session start times to reduce congestion;
Customers will be encouraged to wear face coverings in communal areas, but not for their activities.
Edinburgh Leisure has produced a series of videos and guidelines to virtually help customers through their first visit, and have a new ‘Ask Us’ section, which is available on their website, advising and supporting customers to make a booking and answering any questions they may have.
Edinburgh Leisure, like every leisure trust in Scotland, is facing huge financial challenges. They continue to lobby the Government for financial support for the sector to ensure the sector survives and can continue to contribute to the country’s health and wellbeing.
June Peebles, CEO of Edinburgh Leisure said: “Edinburgh Leisure is committed to ‘building back better’ to a sustainable Edinburgh Leisure and to continue making a positive impact to the citizens of Edinburgh’s health and wellbeing – as we have done for the last 22 years.
“Never before has health and wellbeing been so important. And Edinburgh Leisure remain committed to supporting the people of Edinburgh to be active and enjoy good health.”
Edinburgh Leisure is a charity dedicated to creating opportunities for everyone to lead more active, healthy lives. They do this by running over 30+ sports and leisure facilities across the city and deliver their Active Communities programme, which helps improve the lives of people affected by health conditions, poverty, inequalities and disabilities.
New National Garden Scheme report highlights the importance of gardens and outdoor spaces during lockdown
A new report from the National Garden Scheme emphasises the vital role that gardens and outdoor spaces played – and continue to play – in the physical and mental health and wellbeing of the nation during lockdown.
Bringing together feedback from garden owners, viewers of their unique Virtual Garden Visits that aired throughout lockdown, and an online survey conducted in August, the National Garden Scheme report confirms that the power of gardens to do good has never been more important.
George Plumptre, Chief Executive of the National Garden Scheme said, “Anecdotally, from the responses we received to our Virtual Garden Visits during lockdown, we knew that gardens (real and virtual) were playing a significant and important role in people’s lives.
“In August, to back this up, we ran an online survey entitled ‘The importance of our gardens and outdoor spaces during lockdown’. Over 2,400 people responded giving us a set of key statistics which confirmed much of the feedback we had already established; that access to gardens and green spaces can play a vital role in our ability to cope in times of crisis.
“The report lays out our findings, the statistics along with some of the long-form stories that survey respondents shared with us, and the feedback from a selection of our own National Garden Scheme garden owners.”
KEY FINDINGS:2,419 people responded to the online survey
92% said their gardens and outdoor spaces were ‘extremely important’ to them during lockdown in terms of health and wellbeing
87% said that a key benefit gained from access to their garden/outdoor space during lockdown was ‘It helped to relieve stress.’
100% of those with balconies or window boxes (35 respondents) said a key benefit was the reduction in stress – all of these respondents were within an urban or suburban environment
Of respondents with access only to a public outdoor space (20 respondents) 95% said that a key benefit was that ‘It helped to relieve stress’ (as opposed to 87% overall)
78% said that a key benefit gained from access to their garden/outdoor space during lockdown was ‘It helped them appreciate nature’
69% said that a key benefit gained from access to their garden/outdoor space during lockdown was ‘It kept them fit and contributed positively to their physical fitness’
86% said they used their gardens more during lockdown77% used their gardens for relaxation
81% spent their time growing and propagating seeds
70% grew their own produceEnjoying time to watch and encourage wildlife, connecting with neighbours ‘over the garden gate’, completing overdue garden projects and enjoying the sanctuary of their outdoor spaces were common themes in the long form responses.
My mother, Jean, died of sarcoma cancer nine years ago. Yet if she were alive today, she would still face the same excruciating wait for a diagnosis.
Delays to diagnoses are costing lives and devastating families across the UK. This has to change.
Shockingly, one in three (30%) sarcoma patients in the UK face an agonising wait of six-months or more for an accurate diagnosis of their cancer after first seeking medical help. One in six (17%) patients wait a year before being diagnosed.
This delay is unacceptable. Time is something those affected by sarcoma can ill afford. Sarcoma is one of the least understood but most aggressive forms of cancer and only 55% of patients survive more than five years. My mother fought the odds to survive for three years after being diagnosed and I count myself lucky to have had that time with her.
Put simply, late diagnosis costs lives, which is why I’m supporting the calls for change detailed in a new report launched by national bone and soft tissue cancer charity Sarcoma UK. Poor awareness, coupled with a complex diagnostic pathway, mean sarcomas often go misdiagnosed or are simply ignored and dismissed.
No one should ever find themselves in the position my mother and family did. People are needlessly losing their lives to this disease and will continue to do so if change doesn’t take place. The starting point for that begins here.
Delays Cost Lives: A call to policy makers to improve early diagnosis of sarcoma and more information about sarcoma, is available on the Sarcoma UK website.
Breast cancer charity Walk the Walk has brought together a global group of charities, collaborating to spread awareness that Men Get Breast Cancer Too. Together the charities’ goal is to reach millions of people across the world with the aim of saving lives.
Cancer charities from all over the UK have committed to supporting Walk the Walk’s campaign:- Maggie’s started in Scotland and supports people with cancer across the UK; Tenovus Cancer Care is a Welsh charity, focusing on support and research; FACT (Fighting All Cancers Together) helps people with cancer in the North East of England; Penny Brohn UK works across the country from its base in Bristol; Action Cancer provides early detection, support and prevention services in Northern Ireland; CoppaFeel creates awareness about breast cancer amongst young people across the UK; UK charity Breast Cancer Now funds research and care, providing support and hope; Breast Cancer Haven is a UK charity, offering emotional, physical and practical support to anyone affected by breast cancer.
They are joined by the Male Breast Cancer Coalition, an American awareness and campaigning charity.
In 2017, Walk the Walk recognised that there was very little awareness of male breast cancer and with the support of six men diagnosed with the disease, launched the Men Get Breast Cancer Too! campaign.
Over the last three years the campaign has gone from strength to strength, with the six men becoming nineteen. As the charities come together, the men’s voices will be heard even louder.
“It is an absolute privilege to work with these incredibly brave men, who have found the courage to speak out, with the hope that it will save lives. Their voice can be so much stronger if charities come together on this, and to see such a collaboration between charities is such a positive message in these challenging times.” – Nina Barough CBE, Founder and Chief Executive of Walk the Walk
“We are delighted to be working with Walk and Walk and all other partner charities to raise awareness of breast cancer in men. Our centres are for anyone living with cancer and see the fullest possible range of cancer types, ages and situations, but sadly not a lot of men with breast cancer. I would love to see many more come through the doors of our centres and benefit from our professional practical, emotional and psychological support.” – Dame Laura Lee, Chief Executive of Maggie’s
“In our work supporting cancer patients in the North East, we have only known two men who have had breast cancer. Sadly, both of them found out about their cancer too late and are no longer with us. Awareness of breast cancer in men is crucial and that is why FACT is delighted to support this campaign” – Joanne Smith, Founder and Chief Executive of FACT (Fighting All Cancers Together)
“Men in Wales get breast cancer, too. It can be a particularly lonely illness. Tenovus Cancer Care are therefore delighted to be working with Walk the Walk and others across the UK – not least a wonderful and pioneering group of men – to get the word out to save men’s lives. We can provide support and advice in Wales, so if you or someone you know is affected by male breast cancer, do get in touch.” – Judi Rhys, Chief Executive, Tenovus Cancer Care
“Men get breast cancer too is such a crucial message. Giving men the confidence to speak up and find support is vital in the help to save more lives. We are thrilled to be partnering with Walk and Walk and all other partner charities to raise awareness of breast cancer in men. Penny Brohn UK is welcoming a growing number of men seeking emotional and practical support to help them live well with cancer.
“Anything we can do to encourage more men to check their chest and to seek help is invaluable” – Andrew Hufford, Commercial Director, Penny Brohn UK
“We are delighted to be partnering with Walk the Walk and the other cancer charities in this pan UK initiative to raise awareness of breast cancer in men. Action Cancer is passionate about breast cancer.
“We first introduced breast cancer screening for women in 1978, a lifesaving service that continues today, but one that is now supplemented by the provision of information, advice and an extensive range of therapeutic interventions for both women and men with the disease.
“We look forward, through this great collaborative initiative, to raising in Northern Ireland the awareness and profile of male breast cancer and to providing for men impacted by the disease the much needed psychological and physiological help required” – Gareth Kirk, CEO, Action Cancer
“Our mission is to ensure that all breast cancers are diagnosed early and correctly, which is why we are delighted to be a part of Walk the Walk’s campaign to ensure that men are not excluded from the conversation. Whatever your gender, getting to know your body is important so you’re in the best position to notice any changes at an early stage, and see your doctor about it.” – Natalie Kelly, Chief Executive, CoppaFeel
“It is vital that all men are aware of the signs and symptoms of the disease, and know what to do should they notice a change. At Breast Cancer Now, we fund research into male breast cancer as well as providing trusted information to those affected by the disease.
“We are delighted to support this campaign and the nineteen men affected by breast cancer who are sharing their stories and experience as part of it. Anyone who has questions or concerns about male breast cancer can contact us for support and information.” – Baroness Delyth Morgan, Chief Executive at Breast Cancer Now
“We are absolutely delighted to be joining Walk the Walk’s Men Get Breast Cancer Too! campaign. Raising awareness of breast cancer in men is vital and we are thrilled to be collaborating with the other partner charities to get this important message out there.
“Breast Cancer Haven provides vital support to anyone affected by breast cancer, and we want men affected by the disease to know that we are here for them too. We want to do all we can to ensure men with breast cancer get the help and support they need.” – Sally Hall, Chief Executive at Breast Cancer Haven
“It is wonderful to work with Walk the Walk and fantastic that charities in the UK are also collaborating to raise even more awareness of male breast cancer. Educating people across America and the world that breast cancer does not discriminate and that Men Have Breasts Too! is what we are all about!” – Cheri Ambrose, Founder of the Male Breast Cancer Coalition
Adoption of Fever Free Zone (FFZ) will instil confidence as well as support business continuity and the avoidance of further closures
Fitness centres across Scotland have been amongst some of the worst affected as a result of lockdown restrictions
Temperature checks on entry, activating a six-hour pass will inspire confidence and afford both customers and staff, a safer environment for activity
Boutique fitness chain, Tribe has become the first wellness business in Scotland to adopt a pioneering technology developed by Medical doctor, clinical epidemiologist and public health consultant, Dr Paul Nelson.
The early adopters will afford their customers and staff the confidence of a Fever Free Zone across their three Edinburgh studios situated in the New Town, Quartermile and Leith Walk.
Tribe MD James Wilson said: “Fever Free Zone have enabled us to adapt to the new normal. As you would expect from a wellness business, the health and wellbeing of our members and staff is paramount.
“So it was a logical and progressive step to enlist the expertise of Dr Paul Nelson to ensure all of our studios are fully equipped with Fever Free Zone during what has been the most challenging episode we’ve ever faced into.
“Our clientele are passionate about wellness and want to resume that valuable part of their daily lives as quickly as possible, but they also want reassurances that they will be perfectly safe in doing so, which is where Fever Free Zone has played a pivotal role.”
The boutique fitness chain re-opened their studios last week after months of closure due to C19 and have received a strong positive response with many classes already fully booked. Welcoming around 22,000 unique users each year, they have also been able to bring back instructors and staff from furlough to prepare for such footfall.
Dr Paul Nelson commented, “Our technology supports responsible businesses to become gatekeepers to the economy as well as reassuring customers of a fever free space in which they can spend their time.
“The six-hour temperature checks should serve as a strong reminder that the right to enter economically vulnerable spaces and ultimately the shape of our future is tied to our individual responsibility to do what we can, not to infect others.”
Emma Fraser, Head of Operations – “I think it is not only important for the staff, but we can also portray to the clients and confidently say that we are taking all the safest precautions that we can. It is really empowering for not only the team, but for the clients as well.”
Fever Free Zone could be the missing piece for the eradication of C19. The simple integrated symptom screening membership service designed to enable businesses and customers to reduce the risk of exposure to people with Covid-19 is completely non-invasive and simple to operate.
Temperature checks on entry, activating a six-hour pass will afford shop workers and patrons a safer environment inspiring confidence and boosting economic activity. If high temperature is detected, the shopkeeper will encourage the person to go home and the app will prompt them to pass on details to the contact tracing services (if they agree), who will get in touch with the person to be sent a test.
Government guidelines should be followed at all times, such as wearing a face covering and maintaining social distancing guidelines. For more information visit: www.feverfree.zone
Scottish charities call to cut deaths from our biggest killers
Dear Editor,
Heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic lung disease and diabetes are responsible for around two thirds of all deaths in Scotland – around 39,000 every year – and are among the world’s biggest killers. And yet sadly deaths from these conditions are often preventable. The burden of these diseases on families and on our society cannot be underestimated.
This week, as a global campaign takes place raising awareness of the impact of these non-communicable diseases (NCDs), we have come together – representing ten of Scotland’s leading health charities – to call for action.
We believe many of these deaths and lost healthy years of life are preventable through addressing modifiable and societal risk factors. Official statistics estimate that each year around 14,000 deaths in Scotland could be prevented through public health interventions.
As a collective, we have set out a series of priorities to tackle three of the biggest risk factors that affect people today – tobacco use, alcohol consumption and unhealthy diets – to improve the health of everyone in Scotland.
Evidence shows the environment around us heavily influences whether we smoke, the amount of alcohol we drink and what we eat. The visibility of products on our high streets and the way they are marketed all contribute to Scotland having one of the lowest healthy life expectancies in Western Europe.
This is particularly true in our most deprived communities where levels of smoking, harmful alcohol use and overweight and obesity are often at their highest. Research shows us that this is in part due to the higher presence of outlets in these areas selling alcohol, tobacco and unhealthy food and drink. We must act now to ensure that the healthy choice is an easy choice for everyone in Scotland.
Covid-19 has also provided a wake-up call on these issues. We are becoming aware of possible links between smoking, alcohol intake and obesity on the severity of Covid-19 infections, highlighting the need to take action now more than ever as we continue to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic.
Scotland has been a pioneer in public health. It was the first country in the UK to ban smoking in enclosed public spaces and the first in the world to introduce a minimum unit price for alcohol.
In this week of awareness, we are calling on all political parties to place the prevention of Scotland’s biggest killers as a priority and to give a strong commitment, ahead of next year’s Scottish Parliamentary elections, to work with us to create a step change in the health of the nation.
Yours sincerely,
Alison Douglas, Chief Executive, Alcohol Focus Scotland Shelia Duffy, Chief Executive, ASH Scotland Lorraine Tulloch, Programme Lead, Obesity Action Scotland Lindsay Paterson, Interim Director, SHAAP Joseph Carter, Head of the Devolved Nations, Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation Dr Charmaine Griffiths, Chief Executive, British Heart Foundation Michelle Mitchell OBE, Chief Executive, Cancer Research UK Andrea Cail, Scotland Director, Stroke Association Angela Mitchell, National Director, Diabetes Scotland
NHSGGC’s Director of Public Health has produced a helpful video for parents worried about when to get their children tested for Covid.
Dr Linda de Caestecker worked with Glasgow City Council on the video, after a dramatic rise in requests for tests for children after the schools returned in mid August.
Dr de Caestecker said: “The idea of the video is to explain in some detail the work that goes on in Public Health when a positive case is confirmed in a particular school.
“In each case a Public Health doctor will work with teachers, the headteacher of the school and the Education Department to carefully calculate who are close contacts of a case.
“There is also lots of information in the video about the symptoms to look out for and who does and does not need to be tested.
“I really do understand the anxiety that some parents may have but it’s vital we make sure the system is not overloaded. This means it’s really important to keep those testing slots for the people who really need them.
“I hope parents find the video reassuring in what are fairly uncertain times. The NHS inform website is another great source of information – www.nhsinform.scot.”
Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by Dr Helen Flaherty, Head of Health Promotion at Heart Research UK
Reducing your sugar intake
Around 63% of adults in the UK are either overweight or obese. Excess weight gain occurs when you consume more calories (energy) than you need. Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce your risk of heart disease. Sugar provides energy and consuming too much can lead to weight gain.
In this Healthy Tip, we provide some tips for lowering your intake of sugary foods and drinks to help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
Check food labels
When checking food labels be aware that added sugar can be listed in a variety of ways, such as sucrose, glucose, maltose, fructose, dextrose, honey, syrup, molasses, treacle or fruit juice concentrates. The food label may also provide information on how much sugar is contained.
High in sugar – Foods that are high in sugar contain 22.5g or more of total sugars per 100g
Low in sugar – Foods that are low in sugar contain 5g or less of total sugars per 100g
Save sugary foods and drinks for an occasional sweet treat
We all like to have a treat from time to time, but if we consume sugary foods and drinks too often, it can be a risk to our health. Sugar is added to many commonly consumed food and drink products, such as cakes, biscuits, puddings, sweets, chocolate, soft drinks and sweetened yoghurts. Try to limit the amount of these foods and drinks in your diet by eating them less often and in smaller portions.
Reduce sugar in your drinks
If you usually add sugar to hot drinks, why not cut back gradually on the amount of sugar you add, until you can cut it out altogether. Alternatively, you could opt for an artificial sweetener, however this will not help you to adjust your taste preference for less sugary drinks. Try swapping sugary soft drinks for water, sugar-free or reduced-sugar drinks. Unsweetened fruit juices and smoothies also contain sugar so try to limit your intake to no more than 150ml a day.
Reduce your sugar intake at breakfast time
Frosted, chocolate or honey-covered breakfast cereals tend to be high in sugar. Try replacing these with unsweetened wholegrain breakfast cereals. For added sweetness, you could top your breakfast cereal with fruit, such as sliced bananas or berries and this will also contribute to your 5 a day.
Switch to low-sugar desserts
For a low-sugar dessert try adding fruit to a low-fat and low-sugar yoghurt. If using tinned fruit, choose tins in juice rather than syrup. If you cannot resist a sugary pudding, eating a smaller portion is a better option as it will contain less sugar than a regular-sized portion.
What about the sugars contained in fruit?
Fruit contains naturally occurring sugars as well as fibre, vitamins, minerals and water. In this combination fruit is generally regarded as being good for our health. Eating at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day is recommended as part of a healthy balanced diet.
Are honey and brown sugar healthy options?
Although they are often marketed as healthier options, brown sugar and honey are not better for you than white sugar. These products are simply different forms of sugar and they are all high in calories. Brown sugar is the same as white sugar, with a small amount of molasses added in to give it a brown colour and a different flavour. Although honey is a natural product, it has a low nutritional value and it is also high in calories. Therefore, you should try to reduce your intake of honey and brown sugar as well as other types of sugar and syrups.
Patients with chronic eye conditions will be now be able to be assessed by community optometrists as part of a new plan supported by £3 million in funding.
Due to changes in hospital services because of COVID-19 – including health, safety and physical distancing measures – there has been limited capacity to see all patients with chronic and sight-threatening conditions.
Under the new plan, the skills of community optometrists will be utilised to support hospital eye services, ensuring more patients can be seen for their appointments.
Community optometrists are qualified to undertake this care – and the new initiative will help patients as well as supporting the existing optometry workforce.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to accelerate the reform of NHS eye care services.
This includes funding to support an additional 50 optometrists to train as independent prescribing optometrists, who can safely treat more patients within the community.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “As we steadily re-mobilise, we are implementing new ways of working to enable our highly skilled workforce across the whole NHS to deliver care in a safe and timely manner.
“I’m pleased that as we continue to see positive results in dealing with the virus, hospital patients with eye conditions will now be able to be reviewed by community optometrists.
“Community optometrists have worked very hard during the pandemic to embrace new ways of working, and these clinicians will now also play a key role in this initiative.
“This plan utilises the capacity within community optometry – their expertise, staffing and readily equipped practices can support the NHS both during the COVID-19 pandemic recovery, and beyond.”
Director of Royal National Institute of Blind Scotland James Adams said: “We welcome any move that ensures people receive timely eye-care examinations and treatment. It remains as crucial as ever that eye problems are diagnosed as quickly as possible so that people don’t lose sight unnecessarily.
“As with all our health sector staff, optometrists have worked incredibly hard to maintain their vital service in very challenging conditions. RNIB Scotland has worked closely with them to assure the public that it is safe, and important, to attend appointments.”
