Tag: Health and wellbeing

Additional mental health support announced

Additional support to help people look after their mental health and wellbeing during and after the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has been announced by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

The support includes an investment of more than £1 million towards the expansion of the Distress Brief Intervention (DBI) programme to help people in distress, and the launch of a new mental health marketing campaign across television, radio, print and online.

The DBI programme, which was previously operating in four pilot areas, will roll-out across Scotland, giving people over the age of 16 who are in emotional distress due to COVID-19 the opportunity to speak to specially trained staff. People who are in distress but do not need clinical intervention will be referred to the DBI programme by frontline staff, including NHS 24.

The first phase of the new mental health campaign will launch this month and provide people with practical advice on coping with the current restrictions. Signposting to existing advice will be included and those who need extra support will be directed to NHS Inform as a key information resource and helplines operated by NHS 24, Breathing Space, SAMH and Samaritans.

The First Minister said: “COVID-19 restrictions have affected all of our lives. People who may never have been affected by mental health issues in the past, are now facing emotional distress due to financial loss, bereavement and social distancing. 

“NHS 24 has experienced an increase in calls, including to Breathing Space, in recent weeks and we anticipate this will continue to grow. It is vital that during this period of uncertainty anyone who requires support for their mental health can receive it.

“Since 2017 more than 6,600 people have accessed the DBI programme and I am pleased that people across the country will now be able to access this support. Early intervention like this is such an important part of how we treat mental and emotional health and the DBI is all about equipping people with the skills and support to manage their own health and to prevent future crisis.

“This £1 million investment is in addition to the £3.8 million we invested last month to increase capacity of our telephone and digital mental health services. This national marketing campaign will equip us all with some practical things we can do to feel better and help us cope until things return to normal.”

The DBI programme, which launched in 2017, currently operates in Lanarkshire, the Borders, Inverness and Aberdeen.

Around £1,038,000 will now be invested in recruiting staff to expand and develop the Distress Brief Intervention programme nationwide.

Funding will be distributed to NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Borders, third sector partners Penumbra, Support in Mind and SAMH, and to Stirling University for evaluation and Glasgow University for training.

The nationwide DBI programme will mean that people in distress related to COVID-19 who have no need for clinical intervention will be either linked directly by phone to NHS 24 by the first responder, or directed to phone NHS 24 if they are able to. Once through to NHS 24 an initial assessment will be made as to next steps, and whether they should then be referred to the DBI programme. If they are referred the distress responder will follow up with a phone call within 24 hours of referral.

Reassurance for students

Prospective university and college students are being reassured that they will receive their results on time, and universities and colleges will assess qualifications as part of the admissions process.

Minister for Further Education and Higher Education Richard Lochhead has written to students emphasising that their educational futures are being protected during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Universities are also being urged to observe a moratorium on changing offers made to undergraduate students.

In a letter to principals, Mr Lochhead underlined the need for a stable Higher Education admissions system while the country collectively responds to the challenges of COVID-19.

Mr Lochhead said: “I understand that many students who have applied to university or college this year will be anxious that school exams cannot go ahead as a result of the impact of COVID-19.

“The Scottish Government took this action to prioritise the health and wellbeing of our children, young people and staff.

“While the protection of life remains our utmost priority, I am absolutely clear that we must ensure that the interests and life chances of our young people are protected, and that they will be rewarded for their hard work.

“Despite the disruption, students will quite rightly have their achievements recognised, and gain the qualifications and awards that they deserve after so many years of hard work.

“I am also confident that institutions will act responsibly, and recognise that our shared priority now must be to ensure the stabilisation of the Higher Education admissions system, which is in all of our interests, whilst we respond to the unprecedented challenges COVID-19 presents.”

The letter to University and College applicants has been published on the SAAS Student Information Scotland website.

Letter to University Principals

14 April 2020

You may be aware of a letter issued by Michelle Donelan, the UK Government Universities Minister, on 3 April informing Higher Education providers in England of the moratorium, until 20 April, on changing offers made to undergraduate students, such as converting conditional offers to unconditional offers or changing entry requirements.

I know you will understand very well that this practice risks destabilising the admissions system, increasing financial uncertainty and volatility for all institutions at a time when universities are already facing significant pressures.

I firstly want to thank you all for not having changed offers to students, or participated in any activity that has led to the moratorium being necessary. I am, however, writing to you in expectation that Scottish institutions maintain this position and observe the moratorium until 20 April, to ensure consistency with English providers.

I am confident institutions will act responsibly and recognise that our shared priority now must be to ensure the stabilisation of the Higher Education admissions system, which is in all of our interests, whilst we collectively respond to the challenges Covid-19 presents.However, I feel it’s important to provide some reassurance to our prospective students about the admissions process at what is an extremely worrying time for them.

I will therefore shortly be issuing a message to reassure applicants that they will receive their exam results in good time for universities to assess qualifications in the usual way; and to remind them that the UCAS May deadlines are being extended by two weeks to give students more time to make decisions about their future.

My purpose in writing to you at this time is to seek your support to ensure our sector continues to act in a way which maintains the stability of the university admissions system and ensures students’ best interests are safeguarded.

I am aware that the sector in Scotland is already working with SQA and my officials to ensure that the admissions process works for this year’s applicants. I would like to commend you for that and my hope is that we can continue to work collaboratively on this matter in the coming weeks and months.

I would like to extend my thanks to all universities and colleges in Scotland for their support in dealing with these unprecedented circumstances.

Yours sincerely

RICHARD LOCHHEAD

Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science

National helpline established for those without family or community support

A new national helpline is being set up to provide essential assistance to those who don’t have a network of support but who are at high risk of contracting COVID-19.

The service – which opens today (Tuesday) – will offer help to those who do not have family or existing community support and cannot get online and who are over 70, disabled, require the support of mental health services, are pregnant or receive a flu jab for health reasons.

This service is in addition to localised support already available for people who have received letters advising them to shield themselves. However, any of those in the shielding category who are not yet receiving assistance, who do not have family and cannot get online can access support via this new helpline.

Anyone not in these categories but still looking for support should visit readyscotland.org

The helpline – 0800 111 4000 – will initially operate during core working hours of 9am to 5pm while plans are developed and implemented to extend it to operate for a longer period each day.

Callers will be automatically connected to their local authority who will support them to access the service they need, such as:

  • essential food and medication
  • links to local social work services for vulnerable children or adults
  • emotional support
  • contact with local volunteer groups.

Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government Aileen Campbell said: “The coronavirus outbreak is impacting all our lives but for some it is more than a disruption – it is a severe restriction on their ability to access food, medicine or other essential services.

“This national helpline will allow our most vulnerable, who do not have a network support group, to access the essential help they need.”

COSLA President Councillor Alison Evison said: “These are unprecedented times. Coronavirus is having an impact on all our daily lives – but for many without any support network it is even worse.

“This national helpline and support arrangements will provide reassurance to our most vulnerable citizens. It is there to support those who are at home with nobody around to help them and with no other way of seeking local assistance. It will allow them to immediately access the essential help they need.

“The approach to getting this helpline up and running has been multi-agency and I would like to thank not only Council Chief Executives and their staff for the work they have done, but our other partners, volunteers and the third sector too. I hope it gives many residents, struggling alone in very challenging situations, the reassurance they deserve at this incredibly difficult time.”

Healthy cooking with children

Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, by Dr Helen Flaherty, Head of Health Promotion at Heart Research UK

Healthy cooking with children

Getting children involved in cooking from an early age can help them to develop the skills they need to plan and cook healthy meals throughout their lives as well as overcoming picky-eating.

With most children being schooled at home during the Coronavirus pandemic, now could be a good opportunity to teach them some healthy cooking skills. With fast food outlet closures, it may also be a great time to get your child to ditch the junk food and start enjoying some nutritious home-cooked meals.

Below are some tips for involving kids in cooking some simple and healthy meals at home. It is important that children are supervised by an adult, particularly when using sharp equipment or heat.

Meal planning

Try to involve the kids in planning meals by looking through the cupboards, fridge and freezer together to plan a healthy main course and a dessert. Use recipe books or find recipes online to get some inspiration. Encourage your child to include a good source of protein (e.g. eggs, fish, lean meat, lentils, beans or yoghurt), plenty of fruit and vegetables and a portion of carbohydrate (e.g. rice, pasta, bread or potatoes).

Develop your child’s technical skills in the kitchen

Younger children can safely learn how to use basic equipment in the kitchen, such as stirring food in a bowl with a wooden spoon or pouring ingredients into a bowl. Older children can be supervised when weighing out ingredients, breaking eggs, chopping up fruit and vegetables and using the hob/oven.

Encourage your child to taste a range of foods

Encouraging children to taste a range of different foods in a relaxed and fun environment can help overcome picky-eating. Making a simple fruit salad with your child, using fresh, frozen and/or tinned fruit can provide the opportunity for your child to taste small amounts of a wide-range of different fruits. For older children, this activity can also develop their skills in peeling and cutting fruit as well as opening tins.

You can find lots more healthy tips, advice and recipes at heartresearch.org.uk

Prime Minister released from hospital

Prime MInister Boris Johnson was released from hospital yesterday after having spent seven nights in hospital.

Mr Johnson was taken to St John’s Hospital in Westminster on Sunday 5th April – ten days after testing positive for coronavirus.

The PM was moved to an Intensive Care ward on Monday where he spent three nights before returning to a ward on Thursday.

He will now continue his recuperation at Chequers, the PM’s official country residence.

This was the statment from Downing Street:

The PM has been discharged from hospital to continue his recovery, at Chequers.

On the advice of his medical team, the PM will not be immediately returning to work. He wishes to thank everybody at St Thomas’ for the brilliant care he has received.

All of his thoughts are with those affected by this illness.

The Prime Minister was released from hospital on the day that the number of deaths from coronavirus in the UK topped 10,000. This figure does not include people who die in other community settings, including care homes, so that figure may well be substantially higher.

 

Artificial intelligence aimed at improving diagnosis and treatment of coronavirus

With limited knowledge of COVID-19 worldwide, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is using its artificial intelligence resources to improve understanding of the virus. This information will be used as it becomes available to frontline clinicians to help diagnose and treat COVID-19.   

The team at the Industrial Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research in Digital Diagnostics (iCAIRD) develops artificial intelligence solutions in the NHS.

They are now developing algorithms that will analyse all available datasets on COVID-19 within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, working with iCAIRD industrial partners Bering Research Limited and Canon Medical Research Europe.

This includes clinical information that is already collected like virology tests, diagnostic tests and chest x-rays and patient data such as health records, GP referral letters, discharge notes when available.

The data will then be made available to NHS staff treating people with COVID-19 on the frontline to assist their decision making.

Dr Jennifer Armstrong, Medical Director of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, welcomed the move and said: “We are mobilising all of our resources in order to respond as best we can to COVID-19. This initiative shows real teamwork across our organisation as we link together real-time research to the frontline. 

“I want to thank all of our staff for their efforts in an incredibly challenging time.”

Julie Brittenden, Director of Research and Development, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said:  “We are using artificial intelligence at scale to look at all of our available data on COVID-19. The power in our approach is that the data will become more and more accurate as time goes on as we identify patterns and trends about COVID-19.

“Our research, development and innovation teams continue to work tirelessly on clinical trials related to diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19.”

Dr. Ignat Drozdov, Managing Director of Bering Limited said: “Since the beginning of March, we’ve been working with doctors on the frontline to develop new defences against the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our experience in interpreting medical images has allowed us to rapidly adapt our tools to help spot the signs of this disease.”

Alongside collecting data on diagnosis and care, the research also aims to predict hospital admissions, days spent in hospital and resources required for each patient.

Work at iCAIRD and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is underway to analyse available data with the aim of information getting to frontline staff in the coming months.

iCAIRD is primarily funded by Innovate UK.

Stroke: Act FAST!

A stroke survivor is appealing to people to call 999 if they think they’re having a stroke.

The call comes following interim Chief Medical Officer, Dr Gregor Smith’s statement that some hospital wards are “eerily quiet” amid the coronavirus outbreak.  Charity Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland are concerned that people are putting off going to hospital because of the virus and don’t want to be a burden on the NHS. 

Debbie, 44 from Comrie, has joined forces with the charity to remind people that stroke is a medical emergency and that people still need to seek medical attention if they think they’re having a stroke. 

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland is urging people to act FAST and call 999 as soon as you experience symptoms.

FAST is a simple acronym to remind people of the key signs of stroke: 

FACE – Can the person smile, does one side of their face droop?

ARM – Can they lift both arms? Is one weak?

SPEECH – Is their speech slurred or muddled?

TIME – If these symptoms are present, call 999

Debbie Matthew, stroke survivor from Comrie, said: “If my husband hadn’t called 999 so quickly and I hadn’t gone to hospital straight away, I can’t bear to think about what position I would find myself in today. 

“It’s been 4 years since I had my stroke and I can’t believe how far I’ve come. I’m just so thankful that my family were able to get me the help I so desperately needed.

 “FAST has become really important to my family. My son, Finlay, got such a fright seeing me after my stroke that he decided spread the FAST message to local school children.

“Finlay feels that it’s especially important for children to learn the message so that that they know what to do if they find themselves alone with a parent or grandparent who might be experiencing a stroke. 

“Hearing that people might not be seeking emergency help is terrifying, it’s more important now than ever to make sure people know to Think FAST and call 999 if you think you’re having a stroke.” 

Jane-Claire Judson, Chief Executive at Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, said: “Stroke doesn’t stop because of coronavirus; it can happen at any time and anywhere. 

“By the end of today, 25 people across Scotland will have suffered a stroke. The same will happen tomorrow. 

“Coronavirus is at the forefront of our minds right now, but it’s vital that people don’t forget that a stroke is a medical emergency. NHS stroke staff are on-hand to help you and save people’s lives.

 “It is important that people are aware of the signs and symptoms of stroke and phone 999 immediately if someone needs urgent medical attention. 

“These symptoms aren’t something for deliberation, if you see these signs, act FAST and save a life.”

 Scottish Conservative health spokesman Lothian MSP Miles Briggs said: “NHS Scotland have rightly shifted their focus to fighting to Covid-19, but people are still going to get ill and emergency services are continuing as normal.

“It is vital that if you, or someone you are with, is showing symptoms of having a stroke, that you call 999 immediately, to be taken to hospital. The FAST acronym is an easy way to remember the signs of a stroke – Face, Arms, Speech and Time.

“This is an important message, not just for people who are showing signs of a stroke, but for anyone who is having a medical emergency during the Coronavirus outbreak, call 999 immediately.”

Voiceover artists say: Keep Talking

Over 70 male, female and child voiceover artists have donated their voices to a specially-made radio commercial to encourage listeners to ‘keep talking’ whilst the UK is in lockdown.

“Voiceovers United” is a project created, written and produced by Voiceover Artist and award-winning Radio Commercial Producer, John Calvert. The message encourages listeners to ‘stay at home, protect the NHS, stay safe… And Keep Talking.”

John Calvert said: “Voiceovers often spend hours and hours cooped up in a small booth or room.  Most of us in the trade are perfectly used to that. But for those who aren’t so used to isolation, the long lonely lockdown could have adverse effects on mental health. We all know talking is a great way to get things off your chest and who better to promote this than voiceovers?”

Some of the UK’s leading voiceover artists have joined the project. These include X Factor voice Peter Dickson; ‘Voice of the Balls’ Alan Dedicoat; film trailer voice Redd Pepper; Big Brother Voiceover Marcus Bentley; Flash Gordon, Blackadder and Star Wars character actor Brian Blessed and many more familiar voices from the world of TV, radio, film, advertising, gaming, animation and automation. Everyone who participated, including voiceover agents, animation companies and music publishers gave their services for free.

The voiceovers were sent a script and recorded the lines in their own studios. The audio was then sent back to the studio at Airforce Radio Commercial Production in Wiltshire and seamlessly mixed together.

John Calvert added: “So many leading voices uniting for something like this has never been done before, and the response to the initiative was far beyond anything I expected.

“What we have ended up with is a very powerful, yet entertaining message. I hope everyone will feel reassurance from hearing the message, share it with others and … Keep Talking.”

Voiceover Artist Emma Clarke (voice of ‘mind the gap’ and ‘Avalon’ in the Hollywood blockbuster feature film ‘Passengers’) said: “During this unprecedented period, we’re all alone together.

“I love the idea of lone voices coming together to create a whole in this gorgeous piece of audio. It reflects what’s happening in the world – that we all have to play our part as individuals to help the whole world.

“Everyone I speak to is feeling the same – tired, scared, overwhelmed, angry, powerless… and also joyful, connected, needed, loved, hopeful. We’re all feeling the same vulnerabilities. There’s something very powerful in that shared experience and for me, that’s what this piece of audio is about.”

The Voiceovers United project is inviting radio stations across the UK to broadcast the commercial at any time they see fit. It is available to download for free on Soundcloud.

80 second version: https://soundcloud.com/airforce-co-uk/voiceovers-united-keep-talking-final-80

60 second version: https://soundcloud.com/airforce-co-uk/voiceovers-united-keep-talking-final-60

30 second version:  https://soundcloud.com/airforce-co-uk/voiceovers-united-keep-talking-30

Charity provides Emergency Supply Packs to Sick Kids’ Hospital

An Edinburgh children’s charity is providing emergency supply packs to support children and families in hospital through the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC) – which supports the Royal Hospital for Sick Children – has launched an emergency appeal to help families having to cope with the impact of the outbreak on top of the distress of having a sick or injured child.  

The free emergency packs contain non-perishable food products and essential items including nappies, toilet roll, tinned soup, beans and tea bags so parents and carers do not have the additional stress of shopping for their families while their child is in hospital.  

As well as emergency parcels, ECHC is working hard to continue to provide its services to the RHSC during the pandemic. The charity’s hospital shop is staying open to fuel NHS staff over the coming weeks; it has launched a telephone support service to give advice and assurance to families; play specialists continue to provide smiles and distraction while the ward playrooms are closed; and it is continuing to provide parent accommodation so families can stay close to their children during lockdown.  

Roslyn Neely, CEO of ECHC, said: “The safety of children, families and NHS staff is our immediate priority. These are unprecedented times for all of us and, just like at home, things are different at the ‘Sick Kids’. Children and families are anxious as the pandemic progresses. 

 “Right now, people may be feeling scared, stressed, isolated from family and friends or worrying how they will keep themselves and their family fed and occupied. Now imagine if you also had a child in hospital. 

“The incredible NHS staff are working round the clock to make sure every child gets exceptional care throughout the crisis and we at ECHC are doing everything we can to help to reduce fear and isolation and to comfort and support families when they need it most.   

“This is why we have launched our COVID-19 Emergency Appeal as we urgently need donations to continue to do this. Times are difficult for all of us, but if anyone would still like to give, donations could provide a family with a much-needed food pack, fund a special play session at a child’s bedside or pay for a mum and dad to stay in our parent accommodation and be close to their child at the toughest of times.”  

A donation of £10 could fund an emergency supply pack for one family, £15 could fund a special bedside play or creative session and £50 could pay for parents and carers to stay in ECHC’s parent accommodation for one week. 

Donations can be made online at https://echcharity.org/support-us/covid-19-appeal 

One Year No Beer steps up to support frontline workers

Local Edinburgh start up, One Year No Beer, has sacrificed salaries to ensure a free service to support NHS staff, frontline support workers, all key workers, the unemployed and anyone who needs additional help in taking a break from alcohol during this challenging time.

The bold decision follows reports that confirm alcohol sales in the UK are up 22% in March.

 Ruari Fairbairns, founder and CEO of One Year No Beer, said: “We are currently experiencing the worst global pandemic of our lifetime, which has caused two-thirds, if not more, of adults across the UK to experience anxiety.

“The major problem here is that people are using alcohol as a coping mechanism and this is probably the worst thing that they could do because it is a depressant. We want to help people to look after their mental health and live a better life.”

The brand’s plea follows a recent statement from a World Health Organisation (WHO) expert who warned that alcohol is an “unhelpful coping strategy” for the possible stress and isolation of coronavirus lockdown.

 Fairbairns continued: “The NHS is under increased pressure and this is only set to worsen in the next few weeks as we hit the peak, so in addition to this, the last thing we want people to do is incur any other alcohol-related health issues resulting in an urgent trip to hospital.

“Reducing your alcohol intake and making positive decisions about your health are both great ways to help keep the NHS safe and protect others, all from the safety of your home.”

 Recent research has also revealed that there has been a huge rise in mental health calls, as well asGP’s highlighting an increase in domestic violence and according to step counters, steps are down 50-100% inEurope, suggesting that as a result of COVID-19, people are exercising less and drinking more.

Professor Kevin Moore, one of London’s leading liver specialists with more than 35 years of experience comments: “There is so much positive research and work going on right now in the fight against COVID-19, but it’s vital that people don’t overlook the hugely negative impact that alcohol could have during these challenging times.

“It is well known that excessive alcohol consumption can lead to liver disease and various cancers. What is less well known is that people who drink excess alcohol are more likely to develop pneumonia, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

“That makes it almost certain that if you drink too much alcohol, you are more likely to develop COVID-19 and complications. Further since, alcohol impairs your immune system, if you develop COVID-19 infection, the chronic use of alcohol will impair your ability to recover from infection.”

 Passionate about transforming the world’s relationship with alcohol, One Year No Beer will offer its 28-day intervention programme free for all support staff, all key workers, all unemployed and anyone else who needs additional help during these challenging times.

The digital network, which has been designed to transform behaviour and support mental health, will also include full access to the Challenge Group community, offering daily support as well as online meetings.

Fairbairns concludes: “We are giving away our 28-day challenge for free over the coming weeks because we genuinely believe that this is the right thing to do.

“We strongly believe that NOW, during this pandemic, is more important than ever to look after ourselves and one of the ways we can do this is by reducing our alcohol intake.

“Like most businesses right now, we are having to adjust to the current situation. Our team is working tirelessly to deliver this offering and I feel so grateful that all of our staff have agreed to take a salary sacrifice so that together, we can continue to support everyone in this time of need.”

For more information visit and to get your 28-day challenge for free, visit https://www.oneyearnobeer.com/