New figures show that more than 7,000 consultations were held at Scotland’s first GP walk-in services.
The number of consultations at the centres increased to a high of 2,299 in June as services were established, Public Health Scotland data shows.
The services are part of an innovative pilot, testing a new way of accessing same-day care from GPs or Advanced Nurse Practitioners at a wider range of times. They have been designed to provide more choice for patients while helping to relieve pressure on wider NHS services.
Between February and June GP walk-in pilot services were opened in six locations.
Health Secretary Angela Constance said: “We have promised to end the frustrating 8am rush for GP appointments and this new data shows that more people are benefiting from appointment-free care, at a time that works best for them.
“Some 7,082 walk-in consultations have already been carried out – giving patients access to urgent, same-day care – and we will roll this out to many more communities over the weeks and months ahead.
“Our focus is not simply on counting every patient, but on making every patient count. The pilot is just getting started and as it grows we will know more about how it is working.
“But behind every attendance is a person who has received timely assessment, reassurance, treatment or advice that may have improved their experience, supported earlier intervention, or prevented a more serious outcome.
“We have opened ten of the originally planned 16 GP walk-in services in five months and will soon be announcing even more locations as the pilot expands.”
‘Scheme more about politics rather than practicality’
Dr Iain Morrison, chairman of the BMA’s Scottish GPs committee, told BBC Radio Scotland’s Breakfast programme that doctors had expressed reservations about the walk-in clinics when they were first announced – and it now looked like a case of ‘I told you so’.
He said: “In terms of any pilot it’s important to learn to fail fast. My concern is that we’re not going to learn to close this down when all the evidence suggests that it’s not working. “It’s going to continue to be worked upon, potentially expanded, despite evidence crying out that it’s not having the impact that’s desired.
“The way you improve capacity, to provide as many appointments as are required, is to invest into core services. It’s not to put in additional money into separate services that fail to alleviate the core problem”
New findings from neurodiversity charity Salvesen Mindroom Centre (Mindroom) highlight 88% say caring responsibilities have limited their career progression, while more than half provide the equivalent of a full-time working week of unpaid care.
Leading neurodiversity charity Salvesen Mindroom Centre (Mindroom) has published a pioneering national survey examining the workplace experiences of parents and carers of neurodivergent children, revealing thousands are being forced to reduce hours, turn down career opportunities or leave work altogether because of gaps in health, education and family support.
Based on responses from over 250 parents and carers surveyed across Scotland and the UK in Autumn 2025, Holding It All Together: Workplace Experiences of Parents and Carers of Neurodivergent Children (supported by Baillie Gifford’s Neurodiversity Network) suggests the biggest barriers to employment are not caring responsibilities alone, but delays in diagnosis, fragmented services and inconsistent support.
The full findings will be unveiled at an online launch event on 4 August, where Mindroom will present the research for the first time, explore what it means for families, employers and policymakers, and outline the action needed to tackle the issues identified. Registration is now open.
The report paints a stark picture of parents trying to balance employment with caring responsibilities:
88% said caring responsibilities had limited their career progression
80% reported a negative impact on household income.
98% said the experience had negatively impacted their mental health.
55% provide 30 hours or more of unpaid care each week.
74% have changed their working patterns, and 58% have reduced their hours.
Despite this, 69% continue to balance professional or management roles and 44% work in hybrid roles.
Mindroom’s report’s central message is that the difficulties experienced by parents and carers are not caused by neurodivergent children themselves, but by systems that fail to provide timely and coordinated support. The report is launched alongside Mindroom’s 2025 Impact Report, which highlights rising demand across Scotland.
In 2025 alone, the charity supported 2,172 children, young people and families, received 1,801 new enquiries, and has seen demand increase by 309% since 2020. *
Aileen Shrimpton, Mindroom’s Director of Development, says:“Supporting parents and carers is not a niche issue.
“When support is delayed or inconsistent, families carry the consequences, and so do workplaces. This report provides a baseline for action.”
Gill Christie, Baillie Gifford, Chair of employee-led Neurodiversity Network, on behalf of the project team, continues: “Parents and carers of neurodivergent children are still holding work, family life and overstretched systems together, often invisibly.
The challenges described in this report arise not from them or their children, but from the fallout of systemic pressures outwith their control.”
Alan Thornburrow, CEO of Mindroom, concludes:“This research exposes an invisible workforce issue that has been hiding in plain sight.
“Parents and carers of neurodivergent children are not stepping back from work because they lack ambition or ability. They are doing so because they are carrying the consequences of delayed diagnoses, fragmented services and inadequate support systems.
“When skilled people reduce hours, turn down progression opportunities or leave employment altogether, families lose income, employers lose experienced staff, and the economy loses valuable talent. Supporting these families isn’t simply a welfare issue, it’s an economic one.”
To register for the official online launch event for Holding It All Together and discover the full extent of the findings, please visit: ‘Holding It All Together’ Launch**
First Minister: Delivering better access to care will be Scottish government’s legacy
Reducing long waits for NHS treatment in Scotland is the focus of the government’s new £90 million investment in planned care.
First Minister John Swinney said substantial progress had been made in the past year but the government remains focused on accelerating delivery to eradicate long waits for good.
Visiting the National Treatment Centre in Fife, Mr Swinney announced the additional funding for health boards to spend directly on bringing down outpatient waiting lists and for scheduled operations and procedures such as hip and knee replacements.
The First Minister said: “Over the past year we have seen long waits falling with new outpatient waits over 52 weeks reducing for 12 months in a row. Our network of National Treatment Centres have been key to this success with thousands more procedures taking place.
“The direction of travel is positive, but there is more work to do – I am determined that ending long waits for NHS treatment will be my government’s lasting legacy.
“This dedicated funding of £90 million will support those waiting the longest for treatment and help to create more capacity within our wider healthcare system. I am confident we will continue to see long waits reduce but I need our health boards focused on accelerating progress.
“People can expect delivery with my government. I have been clear with health boards that I will expect to see month-on-month reductions on the back of this new investment.
“This investment supports our commitment to building an NHS fit for the future. Initiatives including GP walk-in services and Hospital at Home are expanding access so patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time. We have also committed to publishing a new hospital flow plan during our first 100 days in office.”
Chief Executive of NHS Fife William Edwards added: “The National Treatment Centre in Fife is helping transform access to planned care, having delivered more than 2,550 operations and supported nearly 15,700 outpatient appointments in 2025/26.
“With high theatre utilisation, shorter hospital stays and most patients returning home within a day, our teams are making a real difference for patients across Scotland. This additional investment will help us continue to work towards reducing waiting times and help us treat more people, sooner.”
Healthy weight loss takes time, not shortcuts. As demand for weight-loss medicines continues to rise, the MHRA is reminding people how to use GLP-1 medicines safely, spot illegal sellers and avoid diet changes that could interfere with their medicines
With prescription weight loss medicines being advertised illegally on social media alongside quick-fix slimming claims, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), warns Brits to not let summer slimming put their health at risk.
From over-dosing on prescription weight-loss meds to buying dangerous fakes online, the MHRA reveals the mistakes that could leave you seriously ill, and the simple steps to lose weight safely.
1. Follow doctor’s orders if you are prescribed a GLP-1
If you’ve been prescribed a GLP-1 weight-loss medicine, don’t be tempted to fast-track your weight loss by upping your dose. Semaglutide (Wegovy), tirzepatide (Mounjaro) and liraglutide (Saxenda) should only be taken as prescribed by a healthcare professional.
Follow doctors’ orders and take your prescribed GLP-1 alongside a healthy diet and a fitness regime. Whether you’re taking it for diabetes management or weight loss, maintaining good nutrition and exercise can help support muscle, bone, and overall health as your calorie intake changes.
2. Steer Clear of Fake Weight-Loss Meds
If you’re not eligible for a prescription for weight-loss medicines, don’t be tempted to buy them from unregulated websites or social media sellers. GLP-1 medicines authorised in the UK have only been shown to be safe and effective for people with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 27 or more. Buying from rogue sellers is a huge risk. You can’t be sure what’s in the product, and some fake medicines are contaminated with toxic substances.
Don’t be tempted by the online hype around retatrutide. It has not been authorised for use in the UK, meaning anyone selling this product is doing so illegally. These products haven’t been tested for safety, quality or effectiveness and there’s no guarantee that they even contain retatrutide. You could be putting your health at serious risk.
Head of the MHRA’s Criminal Enforcement Unit, Andy Morling, said: “Rogue sellers are driven by profit, not your safety, and the fake medicines they sell could put your health at serious risk.
“These products may not contain the GLP-1 medicine you think you’re buying and could be contaminated with bacteria and other harmful substances.
“Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true and check the pharmacy is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council. The simple rule for staying safe is that if you’re offered a GLP-1 medicines without the need for a prescription – walk away.”
3. Check Your Meds Before Changing Your Diet
Trying to eat more healthily before your holiday? Great – but make sure your diet doesn’t clash with your medication. Always read the patient information leaflet before making dietary changes, as some foods could compromise medicines’ effectiveness. People taking simvastatin to lower their cholesterol should avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice as they slow the rate the body breaks down the medicine, increasing the risk of serious side effects.
Thinking about intermittent fasting? Remember that some medicines need to be taken with food to work most effectively and lower your risk of side effects. Metformin, used to treat diabetes, and the painkiller naproxen should both be taken with or after food to help prevent stomach upset.
MHRA’s Chief Safety Officer, Alison Cave said: “There’s no shortcut to safe weight loss. If you’re trying to slim down, follow medical advice, avoid fake medicines and remember that healthy eating and regular exercise are still the safest ways to get in shape for summer.”
Counterfeit Weight-Loss Pills Could Be the Next Online Health Scam
Pharmacist reveals the warning signs that a weight-loss medicine may be fake as the first GLP-1 tablet is approved in the UK
Consumers are being warned to watch for fake weight-loss tablets appearing on social media and unregulated websites following the approval of the first oral GLP-1 medicine for weight management in the UK.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency approved the semaglutide tablet for weight loss on 11 June 2026, creating a needle-free alternative to injectable treatments.
However, Sobia Qasim, Superintendent Pharmacist at Curely, warns that growing public interest in weight-loss pills could also create a new opportunity for illegal sellers.
Unlike injectable pens, tablets can be placed in ordinary bottles, blister packs or envelopes and posted without specialist equipment, potentially making counterfeit products appear more convincing to consumers.
Fake medicines may contain the wrong dose, no active ingredient or entirely different and potentially harmful substances. The MHRA has already uncovered organised criminal networks manufacturing illegal weight-loss medicines and seized almost £45 million worth of illegal medicines during 2025.
Sobia said: “The arrival of an approved weight-loss tablet is an important development for patients, particularly those who are uncomfortable with injections. However, high demand and widespread online interest can also attract illegal sellers looking to exploit people who want quick or cheaper access.
“A tablet may look less suspicious than an injection because consumers are accustomed to receiving pills through the post. But a professional-looking box, blister pack or website does not prove that the medicine is genuine.
“Prescription weight-loss medication should only be supplied after an appropriate clinical assessment by a qualified healthcare professional. Any seller willing to bypass that process should immediately raise concern.”
Seven signs a weight-loss pill could be fake
Warning sign
Why it should raise concern
It is sold through social media messages
Genuine prescription medicines should not be bought through private messages, marketplace listings or informal social media accounts.
No medical consultation is required
Weight-loss medication is not suitable for everyone. A regulated provider should assess your health, current medicines and eligibility before prescribing it.
The seller guarantees a specific amount of weight loss
Results differ between patients. Guaranteed outcomes are a marketing tactic, not responsible clinical advice.
You are pressured to act quickly
Countdown timers, limited stock claims and urgent payment requests may be used to stop consumers checking whether a provider is legitimate.
The price appears unusually low
A price substantially below recognised providers may indicate that the medicine is fake, unlicensed, incorrectly stored or obtained illegally.
The tablets arrive loose or in unfamiliar packaging
Medicines should arrive in sealed, labelled packaging with clear dosage information and a patient information leaflet.
There is no registered pharmacy information
Consumers should be able to identify the pharmacy supplying the medicine and verify that it is registered with the appropriate UK regulator.
A familiar brand name does not guarantee a genuine product
Sobia warns that counterfeiters may copy recognised brand names, logos, batch numbers and packaging to make illegal products appear authentic.
In February 2026, the MHRA confirmed that a falsified version of a Mounjaro injection had been supplied through an online pharmacy in the UK. The regulator said fake medicines may contain incorrect ingredients, no active ingredient or harmful substances.
Previous fake GLP-1 injections discovered in the UK have also contained insulin, creating a risk of dangerously low blood sugar for people who unknowingly used them.
Sobia continued: “Counterfeiters can reproduce colours, logos and packaging extremely convincingly. Consumers should never judge a medicine by appearance alone.
The checks around the medicine are just as important as the product itself. Who prescribed it? Was a proper consultation completed? Which registered pharmacy supplied it? Can you contact a healthcare professional if something goes wrong?
“If those questions cannot be answered clearly, do not take the tablets.”
What consumers should check before ordering
Before purchasing weight-loss medication online, Curely recommends checking that:
Genuine clinical assessment is required
Qualified prescriber reviews the order
The dispensing pharmacy is registered in the UK
The provider asks about existing health conditions and medication
Clear contact details are available
The medicine arrives sealed and properly labelled
Instructions and patient safety information are included
Follow-up support is available throughout treatment
The NHS warns that medicines bought from unregistered websites may be out of date, diluted, fake or unsuitable for the person taking them.
What to do if you think a weight-loss medicine is fake
Anyone who believes they have received a counterfeit or suspicious medicine should not take another dose until they have spoken to a pharmacist or doctor.
Consumers should keep the packaging, receipt and details of the website or seller. Suspected fake medicines and side effects can be reported through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.
Those who experience severe or persistent abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness or symptoms of dangerously low blood sugar should seek urgent medical assistance.
Sobia added: “People may feel embarrassed if they have bought medication from an unofficial seller, but healthcare professionals need to know exactly what may have been taken so they can provide the right treatment.
Do not throw the packaging away and do not assume that feeling unwell is simply a normal side effect. With an unregulated product, there is no reliable way to know what the tablet contains or what dose has been supplied.
The safest route is always a properly regulated service offering clinical assessment, genuine medication and ongoing professional support.”
The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE or “the College”) is pleased to announce the launch of its new Global Health Scholarships, a major initiative aimed at increasing the number of specialist physicians in low- and lower-middle income countries across sub-Saharan Africa.
Working in partnership initially with the Kenya Associations of Physicians and the Malawi College of Physicians, the scholarships will support postgraduate training in internal medicine through the East, Central and Southern Africa College of Physicians (ECSACOP). Beginning in the 2026/27 academic year, the programme will initially fund four trainee doctors, covering tuition and examination fees for the full four-year training programme.
This initiative responds to a critical shortage of doctors in the region which limits access to care, constrains training capacity for future healthcare professionals, and slows progress toward universal health coverage.
The ECSACOP programme, established in 2015 with support from international partners, provides high-quality, locally delivered specialist training aligned with international standards. By enabling doctors to train within their home countries, the programme strengthens national health systems and improves retention of skilled professionals.
The RCPE Global Health Scholarships aim to reduce financial barriers that prevent many qualified doctors from pursuing specialist training. Selection will be competitive, recognising clinical excellence, leadership potential, and a commitment to serving local health needs, particularly in underserved and rural communities.
While modest in scale, the initiative is expected to have a lasting impact by strengthening clinical leadership, enhancing training capacity, and improving access to specialist care across the region.
This programme aligns closely with RCPE’s strategic commitment to promote high standards in medical education globally and to develop meaningful partnerships with low- and middle-income countries.
Commenting Dr Conor Maguire, Vice-President (International) of the College, said:“We are delighted to be co-operating with colleagues in Kenya and Malawi to offer these Global Health scholarships.
“ This initiative reflects our commitment to global health equity and to working alongside partners in low- and middle-income countries to advance medical education, improve health outcomes and support the development of a sustainable specialist workforce.”
Professor Mark Strachan, President of the College said:“We very much hope that this initiative will help strengthen local health systems in Kenya and Malawi and allow doctors to train and remain in their home countries.
“This is a pilot that, if successful, we hope to extend in future years.”
Associate Professor Ndaziona Peter Kwanjo Banda, President of Malawi College of Physicians said:“We are so excited and grateful for this financial support to our trainees from The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.
“We are very happy to be among the first beneficiaries of these global health scholarships. This support will help in increasing the number of much needed qualified specialist physicians in a country and regional overburdened by both communicable and non-communicable diseases.
“Additionally, the qualified Specialist Physicians will become clinical educators and research mentors for future trainees under ECSACOP fellowship training program’’.
More than 800,000 people in Scotland are already living with cardiovascular disease as doctors warn popular ‘summer body’ trends could be putting thousands more at unnecessary risk
Doctors are warning that Scotland’s annual rush for a “summer body” could be creating the perfect storm for heart health, as crash diets, intense workouts, dehydration, alcohol and rising temperatures combine to place extra strain on the cardiovascular system.
More than 800,000 people in Scotland are currently living with cardiovascular disease, with 17,444 deaths recorded in 2024, making heart and circulatory conditions one of the country’s leading causes of death.
Despite cardiovascular disease remaining one of Scotland’s biggest public health challenges, experts are warning that many people could be unknowingly placing additional strain on their hearts this summer by combining crash dieting, dehydration, increased alcohol consumption, hot weather and sudden changes to their exercise routines.
Every summer, thousands of people across Scotland attempt to achieve a “summer body” before holidays and special occasions by drastically cutting calories, dramatically increasing exercise, spending longer outdoors and enjoying more social occasions where alcohol is consumed.
While each of these lifestyle changes may appear harmless on its own for most healthy adults, experts say the combination can create what they describe as the “perfect storm” for people living with high blood pressure, raised cholesterol, obesity or existing cardiovascular disease, many of whom may not even realise they have an underlying condition.
Olivia Wickens, Associate Medical Director at Panthera Clinic, explains:“People often think they’re doing something positive for their health before a holiday, but it’s the cumulative effect of several sudden lifestyle changes that concerns us.
“We see people drastically cutting calories, dramatically increasing the intensity of their workouts, drinking more alcohol, sleeping less because of social events and spending long days in the hot weather at this time of year. Individually and as occasional changes, these behaviours may seem harmless, but together they create what I would describe as a ‘perfect storm’ for the heart.
“For somebody living with raised cholesterol, high blood pressure or an existing cardiovascular condition, which can develop silently, often without obvious symptoms, the cumulative effect can become much more significant. As a result, this can place unnecessary strain on the heart and increases the risk of cardiovascular complications.
“Although many people are often looking for a ‘quick fix’ solution prior to going on holidays or attending an important social event, it is important to ensure weight loss is done gradually and safely. Heart health is built through small, consistent habits over many months and years.
“Summer should be about enjoying yourself safely, not placing unnecessary strain on your cardiovascular system through extreme lifestyle changes.”
One of the biggest challenges surrounding cardiovascular disease is that many of its risk factors develop without noticeable symptoms.
Around one in three (30%) UK adults have high blood pressure, equivalent to approximately 16 million people, with as many as five million thought to be living with the condition without knowing it. High blood pressure is associated with around half of all heart attacks and strokes, while raised cholesterol also commonly develops silently.
According to the latest figures from the British Heart Foundation, more than 8 million people are currently living with cardiovascular disease, with 169,205 deaths recorded in 2024, 47,257 of them under the age of 75.
Deaths from, and number of people living with cardiovascular disease (2024):
Region
No. people dying from CVD (2024)
No. people under 75 dying from CVD (2024)
Estimated no. people living with CVD
England
137, 572
37,723
7 million+
Scotland
17,444
5,195
800,000+
Wales
9,260
2,660
400,000+
Northern Ireland
4,416
1,330
230,000+
UK total
169,205
47,257
8 million+
In Scotland, more than 800,000 people in Scotland are living with cardiovascular disease, with 17,444 deaths recorded during 2024, including 4,755 people under the age of 75.
7 Summer heart health myths, debunked:
Olivia addressed seven of the most common misconceptions about heart health, explaining why some seemingly harmless habits can place unexpected strain on the cardiovascular system:
Myth: “Hot weather is only dangerous if you get sunburnt.”
Reality: Hot weather doesn’t just make you feel uncomfortable; it makes your heart work harder.
When temperatures rise, the body diverts more blood to the skin to help regulate its temperature; on a hot day, the heart can pump two to four times as much blood per minute as on a cool day. At the same time, sweating depletes fluid, reducing the volume of blood the heart must circulate. For people living with cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure or raised cholesterol, this additional workload can place extra strain on the cardiovascular system. Heat also widens bloods blood vessels, which can cause blood pressure to fall, bringing dizziness or fainting, particularly for people taking blood-pressure medication.
Myth: “A few drinks in the sunshine won’t affect my heart.”
Reality: Alcohol and hot weather are a risky combination.
Alcohol accelerates dehydration, precisely what the heart doesn’t need in high temperatures. It also affects blood pressure, heart rhythm and sleep quality, all of which are important for maintaining good cardiovascular health.
Myth: “Crash dieting before a holiday is good for my heart.”
Reality: Sustainable weight loss with a balanced diet supports heart health and crash diets can do the opposite.
Many people preparing for holiday dramatically cut calories, skip meals or attempt restrictive “detox” diets to lose weight quickly. Rapid, extreme restriction can deplete electrolytes, such as potassium and magnesium that keep the heart’s rhythm stable and very low-calorie diets have been linked to heart rhythm disturbance. Anyone with a heart condition should take medical advice before attempting any crash diet.
Experts say the concern isn’t healthy weight loss itself, but rapid, unsustainable calorie deficit combined with dehydration, heat and increased exercise, which may leave the body under greater physiological stress.
Myth: “It doesn’t matter when or how I eat while I’m on holiday.”
Reality: Your eating routine changes more than you realise.
Summer often disrupts normal habits. People skip breakfast before flights, eat larger and later evening meals, consume saltier restaurant food, drink more alcohol, all shift the pattern your body is used to. One indulgent meal won’t damage your heart, but weeks of disrupted routine, layered on the other factors here, place additional demands on the cardiovascular system.
Myth: “Flying has no impact on heart health.”
Reality: Travel can put additional strain on the cardiovascular system.
Long journeys and flights can contribute to dehydration, prolonged immobility, disrupted sleep and medication routines. People living with cardiovascular disease should make sure to stay hydrated, limit alcohol and caffeine while travelling, move around regularly on longer flights, continue taking prescribed medication and speak to their healthcare professional before travelling if they have concerns about their condition.
Myth: “If I had heart disease, I’d know about it.”
Reality: Many cardiovascular risk factors develop silently, but it is checkable.
One of the biggest challenges surrounding cardiovascular disease is that many people don’t realise they’re already at risk. Around 16 million UK adults have high blood pressure, and up to five million adults could be living with the condition without knowing it.
Both can be picked up by simple, free checks: in England, everyone aged 40 to 74 is entitled to an NHS Health Check every five years, and pharmacies offer free blood-pressure checks for over-40s with no appointment needed. A five-minute check is a better pre-holiday investment than another week of crash dieting.
Myth: “Getting fit quickly before my holiday is always good for my heart.”
Reality: More exercise isn’t always better, especially if too much, too soon.
Regular physical activity is one of the best things you can do for your heart – being active can reduce the risk of heart and circulatory diseases by up to 35%.
But leaping from a sedentary winter into high-intensity training, particularly in hot weather asks the heart to cope before the body has had time to adapt.
Build up gradually, stay hydrated and allow time for recovery is far more beneficial than trying to get fit fast: fitness gained over months will always beat fitness forced in a fortnight.
Olivia added:“Summer holidays should be about making memories, not creating avoidable health risks.
“It is very important to stay well hydrated, particularly if you’re exercising or travelling, build up your activity levels gradually rather than pushing yourself too hard too quickly, avoid restrictive crash diets in favour of balanced, nutritious meals; and be mindful that alcohol contributes to dehydration, especially in hot weather.
“Most importantly, never ignore warning signs such as chest pain, severe breathlessness, dizziness, fainting or heart palpitations. While many summer activities are perfectly safe, persistent or severe symptoms should always be assessed urgently.”
Mauled by midgies, tormented by ticks, chomped by clegs?
Scotland’s summer wildlife is out in full force and they’re hungry!
Whether you’re hiking the Highlands or just enjoying a garden BBQ, insect bites can be more than just annoying. Some can cause allergic reactions or even carry infections like Lyme disease.
Top tips to stay bite-free:
Use insect repellent
Wear long sleeves and trousers in grassy or wooded areas
Keep food covered
Avoid strong perfumes that attract bugs
If you’re camping, avoid pitching your tent near water like rivers or lochs
If you’ve been bitten and it’s swollen, painful or not healing, get it checked. Your pharmacist can provide helpful advice or visit our bites and stings page on #NHSinform.
Importance of legal documents highlighted as new partnership is announced
Lawyers will donate a percentage of their fees to charity to support its work with older people
Age Scotland Chief Executive Katherine Crawford and Grant Johnson, Partner and Head of Private Client Services at Lindsays, marking the organisations’ partnership promoting Powers of Attorney. Picture: Ryan McGoverne / Lindsays July 2026
A new partnership has been forged to encourage more people in Scotland to put a Power of Attorney in place.
Age Scotland has joined forces with independent Edinburgh-headquartered legal firm Lindsays to help people appoint someone they trust to manage their finances and make welfare decisions on their behalf, should they need extra help.
The move comes as new research by the charity reveals that more than one million over-50s in Scotland do not have a Power of Attorney – with its staff fielding high numbers of queries from older people and their families around the legal process.
They are now making referrals to Lindsays, whose headquarters are at Caledonian Exchange, who will help clients draw up Powers of Attorney.
Lindsays is making a donation from every referral to the charity, which supports people across the country to grow old securely, with a good quality of life.
A Power of Attorney is a document that an individual creates to set out who they would like to take decisions for them around critical issues such as money and care if they become incapacitated. They are relevant whatever someone’s age or personal circumstances.
Katherine Crawford, Chief Executive of Age Scotland, said: “One of the most common requests for support older people and their families make to our helpline and information service is for advice about Power of Attorney.
“Our research shows more than one million over-50s in Scotland do not have a Power of Attorney. If life takes an unexpected turn, it is important to know that the support you need will be available, but barely one in five people in their fifties have this important tool set up.
“Having a Power of Attorney in place can give you peace of mind, as you know you will have the support of someone you trust if you are unable to make decisions for yourself. It is an essential part of planning for the future and retaining control of how you wish to live your life.”
She added: “Our new partnership with Lindsays deepens the level of professional advice and legal support we are able to signpost people to, at the same time as helping to raise vital funds for the services we offer older people and their families. We’re grateful for their support and look forward to working closely with them on this important issue.”
Lindsays has been raising awareness about the importance of Powers of Attorney for a number of years.
Grant Johnson, a Partner and Head of Private Client Services at Lindsays, said: “Too few people have Powers of Attorney in place.
“Having one gives clarity, reduces uncertainty, and helps avoid difficult decisions and potentially additional delays and costs later on. It gives people and their loved ones peace of mind at what are challenging and stressful times.
“Age is not a factor. Any one of us can become unexpectedly incapacitated at any time, whether temporarily or permanently.
“For small business owners, having a Power of Attorney in place can ensure your company can continue should something unforeseen happen to impair your ability to work, or even if you are simply unavailable to manage things for an extended period of time.”
He added: “We are delighted to be working with Age Scotland not only to increase awareness in its network about the importance of having a Power of Attorney, but to also be able to directly support the charity’s critical work.”
Powers of Attorney are lodged with The Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland).
Age Scotland’s latest Big Survey questioned 4,400 over-50s across Scotland.
About half of respondents (49%) said they had yet to put a Power of Attorney in place. If translated to Scotland’s entire over-50s population, that would equate to more than one million people – a number the charity says needs to dramatically reduce.
Only 21% of those aged 59 and younger said they had a Power of Attorney.
More details about the Age Scotland and Lindsays partnership – and the importance of Powers of Attorney – are available at www.lindsays.co.uk/age-scotland/.
Baroness Hallett, Chair of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, yesterday published her fifth report. It examines how the UK government and devolved administrations procured and distributed vital healthcare equipment during the Covid-19 pandemic and makes recommendations for the future.
Module 5 Procurement’, the fifth of the Inquiry’s 10 investigations, highlights multiple failings, particularly at the outset of the pandemic.
The Chair concludes that systemic flaws, inadequate planning and other failures caused unnecessary delays in health and social care staff getting the personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilators and testing equipment they desperately needed.
As the pandemic worsened, many doctors, nurses and care sector staff worked without adequate PPE or sufficient healthcare equipment such as ventilators. This left them unable to properly protect themselves, or those in their care, from dangerous infection.
Baroness Hallett finds that the UK entered the pandemic with its PPE stockpile in a perilous state – without enough vital supplies and with large quantities of expired equipment. There were no plans in place for emergency procurement or distribution. Additionally, the UK was “simply not ready to compete” in the global market race to secure vital healthcare equipment and ministers and officials were forced to improvise – establishing new procurement systems within days.
The Chair concludes that the “waste of taxpayers’ money was vast”. This significantly damaged public trust and undermined the hard work of many procurement officials.
The ‘High Priority Lane’, also known as the ‘VIP Lane’, was a misguided attempt at prioritisation that embedded unfairness in emergency procurement. Some suppliers received favourable treatment because they had connections to government, undermining public trust at a moment when it was needed most.
Although the Inquiry has not identified cronyism or corruption on the part of ministers and officials in final contracting decisions, the Chair concludes that the ‘High Priority’ Lane should not have been established and must not be repeated.
Of the approximately £14.9 billion spent on PPE, nearly two thirds – almost £10 billion – was wasted. The total spent across the UK government and devolved administrations on PPE, ventilators and testing equipment between January 2020 and June 2022 exceeded £42 billion.
In spite of these failings, today’s report cites the successes of pandemic procurement. Businesses, the public and the UK’s domestic life sciences and advanced manufacturing sectors rallied enthusiastically to help. The Army provided vital logistical expertise. The collaboration between the public and private sectors should serve as a model for how governments respond to future pandemics.
Overall, the Chair concludes that had ministers and officials been better equipped with appropriate plans, information and systems, procurement decisions would have been easier, fairer and far less costly – and equipment would have reached those who needed it faster.
Baroness Heather Hallett, Chair of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, said: “When the Covid-19 pandemic struck, the world entered a desperate race to secure vital healthcare equipment and supplies. In the global battle to procure equipment and supplies, the UK was simply not ready to compete – the bodies responsible were caught off-guard, with inadequate and untested plans to increase emergency procurement and distribution operations rapidly.
“The waste of taxpayers’ money was vast. The public must be able to trust that their money is being spent with propriety, fairness and transparency. Public confidence – so important in an emergency – was undermined by the failures in procurement.
“The changes I recommend are an investment in the resilience and preparedness of the UK. They are a small price to pay to ensure that, next time, the public can be confident in the crucial spending decisions that will have to be made and that key healthcare equipment gets to those who need it at the right time. A better prepared emergency procurement system will reduce the cost of obtaining essential supplies and save lives.”
The report sets out 11 recommendations which – if implemented promptly, in full and in concert with recommendations in other Inquiry reports – form a blueprint for how the UK can better prepare for, and respond to, future pandemics.
A four-page brief summary of the report can be found on the Inquiry’s website and is available in a variety of languages and accessible formats.
The report addresses the award of contracts to PPE Medpro Ltd, which is the subject of an ongoing criminal investigation. The Module 5 report contains a chapter that sets out the Inquiry’s findings on evidence related to PPE Medpro – this chapter cannot be published on 14 July 2026 as it is covered by a Restriction Order granted by the Chair to ensure that current or future criminal investigations are not undermined.
Unless the Order is varied or revoked in the meantime, the chapter will be published once the Order has been lifted following the conclusion of any criminal proceedings.
In total, 48 witnesses gave oral evidence for the Module 5 investigation over 16 days of public hearings held in London in March 2025. The Inquiry heard from a wide range of witnesses including serving and former senior politicians, leading scientists, key medical professionals and civil servants.
Some of Baroness Hallett’s conclusions are as follows:
The UK was unprepared for emergency procurement at pandemic scale. The UK entered the pandemic with an inadequate stockpile of PPE and plans that had never been stress-tested. Officials and ministers were forced to improvise, establishing new emergency procurement and distribution systems within days.
The waste of public money was vast and could have been avoided. Of approximately £14.9 billion spent on PPE, nearly two thirds – almost £10 billion – was wasted. Better planning would have resulted in fairer, faster and less costly procurement decisions.
The ‘High Priority Lane’ was a misguided attempt at prioritisation that created unfairness and undermined public trust. Some suppliers received favourable treatment on account of their connections with the government. Although the Inquiry has not identified cronyism or corruption on the part of ministers or officials in final contracting decisions, the ‘High Priority Lane’ should not have been established and must not be repeated.
Public confidence was damaged by a lack of transparency. Priority was given to speed of procurement over openness with the public. Although understandable at the outset, this lack of transparency, combined with the unfairness of the High Priority Lane, diminished public trust in emergency procurement.
The UK’s over-reliance on a single country for supplies left it dangerously exposed. The UK’s supplier base was too concentrated in China and domestic manufacturing capabilities had not been adequately considered in planning, leaving the country vulnerable at a critical moment.
The Chair considers that all Module 5 recommendations should be implemented in full and in a timely manner. The Inquiry will monitor the implementation of the recommendations during its lifetime. In summary, the Inquiry recommends:
Radically overhauling supply chain resilience and emergency procurement and distribution systems, establishing clear and tested plans before the next pandemic.
Creating an emergency international trade and domestic industrial strategy, treating key healthcare equipment as a strategic national asset.
Setting specific objectives for international trade and domestic industry during a pandemic, encouraging investment, research and development in advanced manufacturing of healthcare equipment.
Digitalising procurement and distribution systems within three years, enabling the real-time collection, sharing and analysis of data across the UK government and devolved administrations.
Improving the composition and management of the pandemic stockpile to reflect the full range of pandemic risks and the diversity of the health and social care workforce.
Establishing a training programme for procurement officials, ensuring sufficient numbers of skilled staff are ready for deployment in an emergency.
Improving transparency, governance and accountability in emergency procurement, so that the public can be confident that money is being spent with propriety and fairness.
A full list of the Inquiry’s recommendations can be found in the full report.
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