Tag: Health and wellbeing

Samaritans Scotland urges politicians to make suicide prevention a priority

Life can be wonderful. Life can be tough. Relationships. Work. Money. Loneliness. Mental health. Self-harm. We can all struggle. Any place. Any time. One in four of us have had suicidal thoughts.  

Ahead of the 2026 Holyrood Election, leading national suicide prevention charity, Samaritans Scotland, is asking all political parties to make suicide prevention a priority, keeping it in mind across all policy areas to help people not only in their moment of need, but before they reach crisis point.

The charity says that suicide is and needs to be treated as an issue of inequality, with the rate of suicide mortality in the most deprived areas in Scotland being 2.5 times higher than the least deprived area. The charity says that tackling inequalities across Scottish society and in services is the only way to reduce the number of lives lost to suicide in our communities.

Developed alongside its Lived Experience Advisory Group, Samaritans Scotland’s manifesto outlines Five Priorities to Save Lives that it wants to see taken forward by the next Scottish Government.

These priorities include increasing funding for mental health services, delivering a minimum income guarantee, using workforce training to end stigma and discrimination, increasing support for people in prison, and increasing resourcing for community services.

The asks aim to target the root causes of circumstances that can contribute to someone experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviour, before they reach crisis point.

Speaking at the launch event, Neil Mathers, Executive Director for Scotland, said: “As we look ahead to the 2026 election and next parliament, Scotland faces many big challenges. Our communities are still grappling with the cost of living, cuts to frontline services, and the ongoing impact of inequality on mental health and wellbeing.

“But there are also real opportunities at next year’s election to make lives better – to reduce poverty, improve wellbeing, to make sure the right support is there at the right time, and ultimately, to reduce deaths by suicide.

“Suicide remains one of the most urgent public health issues facing Scotland. At Samaritans Scotland, we’re calling on all political parties, candidates, and policymakers to make suicide prevention a real priority ahead of the election.”

Mark Diffley, Founder and Director of the Diffley Partnership, was in attendance to deliver an overview of the political landscape ahead of election day. It was highlighted that three out of four people in Scotland are already supportive of a Minimum Income Guarantee, with the top priorities of voters at the moment including healthcare and the cost-of-living crisis.

Research by Samaritans Scotland in partnership with Strathclyde University released last year indicated just how closely connected economic insecurity was with suicidal ideation, as well as the importance of social connection and community support networks, which is why the charity is urging politicians to prioritise these areas.

With the most recent probable suicide rate for people in prison in Scotland standing at 18.9 per 100,000 people, higher than the probable suicide rate of 12.7 per 100,000 in the general population, the charity is also calling for increased support for people in prison.

Nancy Loucks, Chief Executive of Families Outside, who was also in attendance, spoke about the potential for delivering a Minimum Income Guarantee for Scotland, saying: Having a Minimum Income Guarantee is so important.

“So much of what we see (at Families Outside) is a result of poverty and trauma. We expect prisons to solve problems that start much earlier. It’s about giving people the opportunities at the start, that prevent these issues from arising.”

Scott Thomson, member of Samaritans Scotland’s Lived Experience Advisory Group, said: “My key ask of the next Scottish Government would be to increase funding for mental health services.

“The NHS and frontline services are under too much strain; waiting lists are too long, and people need support now.

“Nurses and doctors are at a higher risk of suicide, with burnout and workplace pressures being significant factors. I think that by increasing funding towards these services, we can impact and potentially alleviate many other challenges that arise from a system that is struggling to cope with demand.”

Suicide is complex and touches every part of society. It is vital that politicians recognise the devastating impact that suicide has on people’s lives and make clear commitments to address the factors that contribute to suicide risk. 

Services in Scotland are working tirelessly to improve the lives of the people that need support, but statutory mental health services must have greater investment to enable them to keep up with growing demand.  

Suicide is preventable. Samaritans Scotland’s vision is that fewer people die by suicide, that people feel able to ask for help when they are struggling, and where the right support is available at the right time. 

Read the full manifesto here. 

RCEM: Scottish government must act now to avoid a “truly ugly winter”

12-hour waits in EDs joint worst on record for October

The Scottish government must take urgent action on overcrowding and delayed discharges, or Emergency Departments (EDs) in Scotland will be completely swamped – and patients will be the ones who suffer. 

ED performance figures, released today (2 December 2025) by Public Health Scotland (PHS) for October 2025, showed that one in 16 (7,362) patients waited 12 or more hours before being admitted, transferred or discharged in that month.  

That is the same proportion as last October, which was the worst since records began in 2007 for 12-hour waits.  

The figures also showed:  

  • 16,659 patients, or 14.1% of all attendances, waited eight or more hours, the worst of any October on record, and an increase of 1,211 on last year 
  • Only 62.8% of patients were seen within four hours at major (Type-1) Emergency Departments, which is the worst four-hour performance for any October since records began and far below the target of 95% 
  • There was an average of 1,981 beds each day occupied by patients medically fit to be discharged 

These figures come shortly after the publication of the Scottish government’s winter plan, in which it pledged £20m to tackle delayed discharges across the devolved nation.  

Dr Fiona Hunter, RCEM Vice President for Scotland, said: “The figures for October demonstrate the unacceptable pressures our departments are under, and just how bad things are as we go into winter. 

“Now, seasonal pressures such as flu are beginning to hit EDs and the system is starting to crack under pressure,which means patients and staff are suffering. And we are only in the early stages of winter so it will likely become even worse for patients if nothing changes. 

“As our hospitals deal with the inevitable strains and stresses on vital resources that the colder weather brings we’ll once again see the consequences of the failure to properly tackle the issues EDs face; overcrowding, long delays and avoidable deaths. 

“The number of patients experiencing the longest waits is utterly unacceptable and something must change. Clinicians, through no fault of their own, are struggling to provide our patients with the care they deserve and need. 

“Last month, we welcomed the government’s £20 million funding announcement to boost social care capacity this winter, and its accompanying plan for the health service to tackle the cold months.  

“This showed that the government understood the issue. But we need that understanding to translate into further meaningful short and long-term action. Urgent action is needed to ensure that health boards can make the improvements that are needed to improve patient flow and tackle delayed discharges.   

“Our EDs will only get through the coldest months if the government steps in – or we all need to brace ourselves for a truly ugly winter.”  

Graphs of the data can be found on the RCEM website.

#ResuscitateEmergencyCare

Dunfermline children learn lifesaving skills at Amazon

The children of Amazon employees in Dunfermline are one step closer to becoming lifesavers after taking part in a special first aid and CPR training session at the Amazon fulfilment centre in Dunfermline.

The mini medics course welcomed 23 Amazon employees and their children for a fun and interactive session that introduced them to essential first aid skills, learning how to check for danger and practising CPR techniques.

Mini Medics is a basic first aid course designed for children between the ages of seven and 16. The course introduces children to health knowledge, lifesaving skills and administering first aid. 

Jamie Strain, General Manager at the Amazon fulfilment centre in Dunfermline, said: “First aid and CPR are important skills for young people to have and I’m pleased that our mini medics course has been so popular with our employees and their families.

“I’d like to say a big thank you to our colleague, Anna, for facilitating the training for our team.”

Anna Soltysiak, an associate at Amazon in Dunfermline who led the training, added: “The children who attended our mini medics events were enthusiastic and keen learners. I had a great time teaching them about first aid.

“It’s important for young people to have basic medical skills, as it may one day help save a life.” 

Community donations and employee volunteering are just two of the ways Amazon supports the communities where it operates. Amazon co-founded The Big House Multibank in Fife with former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown to support families in need.

The Multibank network has now donated more than 12 million surplus goods to over 800,000 families across Scotland, Wales, Greater Manchester, London, Tees Valley and Birmingham. This year, the Multibank will send 1 million orders to families across the UK. 

Amazon has supported more than one million students across the UK with free STEM education programmes through Amazon Future Engineer and helps community organisations transport meals and other essentials to families in need through its pro bono logistics programme, Amazon Local Good.

Amazon partners with Comic Relief and is the official home of the charity’s iconic Red Nose. Together with its employees, customers, and partners, Amazon has raised over £4.8 million to fund projects that support people across the UK, and around the world.

Craigmount High School projects promote healthy lifestyle choices

Craigmount High School S2 pupils displayed great initiative in creating promotional materials encouraging young people to make positive lifestyle choices which were showcased during their recent ‘Live It!’ healthy living fair.

Several pupils chose to research the topic of e-cigarettes and addiction as part of their project work and created a campaign presenting information about the risks to health caused nicotine dependency.

The project work by students Owen Adams, Murray Bruce, Max Green and Olly Hay which also provided tips suggesting how young people could take steps to quit vaping, is being commended by health charity, ASH Scotland.

The pupils used the charity’s website to find details about the importance of tackling youth vaping, which is a major public health concern as e-cigarettes contain high levels of addictive nicotine as well as toxic chemicals.

Murray Bruce said: “Vaping isn’t only bad for your lungs. I’m concerned about young people getting addicted. I’ve found out it’ young people that are targeted with the bright colours and different flavours.

“I’d like to see more ‘fake customers’ going into shops to try to buy vapes from the shops that sell them to underage people and catch them. More people need to be caught so that they stop selling them.”

Project Learning Lead at Craigmount High School, Laura Thompson, who led the project said: “I’m pleased to see a number of our S2 pupils chose to focus on the issue of youth vaping, as it is a real concern to society.

“Banning smoking from public places seemed like such a game changer when that was brought in. Over 20 years on and we’ve just created a new problem. We don’t yet know the full extent of the issue, as long-term impacts of vaping are not yet known.

“I do worry about the health implications moving forwards. It’s important for young people to take the lead in finding out more and looking at what can be done to raise awareness of this problem.”

Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland, said: “We congratulate all the S2 students at Craigmount High School for their dedicated work to raise awareness about the issues of addiction among young people and the challenges to health presented by tobacco and recreational nicotine products such as vapes.

“The information campaign developed by Owen, Murray, Max and Olly raised much-needed awareness about the damage that tobacco and e-cigarettes can cause young people in their excellent project work promoting healthy living.”

For information about young people and vaping, visit:

www.ashscotland.org.uk/young-people-vaping.

Specsavers Home Visits partner puts mental health first with new qualification

A PARTNER who leads the Specsavers Home Visits team across Edinburgh, the Lothians and the Scottish Borders has placed the mental health of her team and customers front and centre by completing a mental health first aid qualification.

Lynne Seebaluck, director at Specsavers Home Visits, recently completed the Mental Health First Aid course, enabling her to better recognise the subtle signs of mental health struggles within her team or when visiting customers at home. 

With the training, she can also offer practical advice and coping techniques for anyone feeling pressure on their mental wellbeing.

The Specsavers Home Visits team provides essential care to customers who, due to a multitude of reasons, are unable to pay a visit to a high street store to receive eye health and hearing services.

Speaking about the training, Lynne says: ‘As we work remotely most of the time and are not always in each other’s company, it can be sometimes difficult to spot when someone is struggling.

“With this new qualification, I now feel like I have the skill set to promote open and honest conversations with my colleagues if they need to confide in someone.

“It’s also going to be useful for our patients, as many of the people we see experience depression, loneliness and isolation. Sometimes, it’s just good to have someone who can listen without judgement and who can also signpost that person to other groups who can provide the support they need.”

Following Lynne’s completion of the Mental Health First Aid course, the remainder of the team will also undergo mental health first aid training, enabling the entire Home Visits team to provide key mental health support when visiting customers.

For more information about the Specsavers Home Visits team, visit:

https://www.specsavers.co.uk/home-eye-tests/request-a-free-home-visit 

or call 0808 239 4492 to book a home visit.

Sustained progress in clearing waiting times in Scotland

New outpatient waits over 52 weeks reduce for fifth month in a row

New figures show long waits have fallen for the fifth month in a row with significant progress reported by health boards across a number of specialties.

Latest data from Public Health Scotland shows, between April 2025 and October 2025, new outpatient waits of over a year reduced by 17.9% and that these waits reduced for five consecutive months. In the same time period, the total over 52 week waiting list size for new inpatient/daycase procedures also reduced by 26.1%.

On a visit to Gartnavel General Hospital in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Health Secretary Neil Gray welcomed the progress, saying: “These figures show we are turning a corner in our efforts to reduce the backlog caused by the pandemic and our plan is working – long waits are reducing and we are treating patients more quickly.

“We are seeing downward trends across nearly all waiting list indicators and this is testament to the tireless work of our NHS staff – I thank them for their outstanding efforts.

“The First Minister put health at the very heart of this year’s budget and we are seeing the tangible impact of our additional targeted investment of £135.5 million. Outpatient waits over a year are down 17.9% and inpatient/daycase waits over a year have reduced by 26.1% – this is the first time we have seen this level of sustained improvement since the pandemic.

“Thousands more appointments, operations and procedures are being delivered this year and we are determined to continue to build on this momentum, ensuring people receive the treatment they need as soon as possible.

“I was pleased to meet the Gartnavel ophthalmology team and hear about their progress – since April 2025 new outpatient waits for ophthalmology are down by 72.6% across NHS GGC and we have a 53% decrease in new inpatient/daycase waits for orthopaedics – reducing the over 52 week waiting list in Scotland by 6.3%.”

Between April 2025 and October 2025 health boards reporting significant reductions in new outpatient waits, including:

• a 72.2% decrease in Ear, Nose & Throat waits at NHS Ayshire & Arran
• a 74.1% reduction in Gynaecology waits and a 60.6% drop in Orthopaedic waits at NHS GGC
• a 23.9% decrease in Ophthalmology waits at NHS Lothian
• a 80.6% reduction in Neurology waits at NHS Highland.

Between April 2025 and October 2025, health boards reported reductions in inpatient/daycase waits, including:

• a 52.98% reduction in Orthopaedic waits and a 54.66% drop in General Surgery waits at NHS GGC
• a 60.86% decrease in General Surgery waits at NHS Lothian
• a 29.59% reduction in Urology waits at NHS Tayside.

The new statistics also show increased levels of patients being seen and treated in shorter periods. In October 2025, 58.3% (14,235) of inpatient/daycases were seen within 12 weeks – up compared to 55.5% in March 2025. For new outpatients waits, 61.9% (72,698) were completed in 12 weeks or less compared to 60.8% in March 2025.

For ongoing waits – at the end of October 2025, 42.8% (234,414) of new outpatient waits had been waiting less than 12 weeks, an increase from 41.4% at the end of March 25. For inpatient/daycase waits, 36.9% (57,468) had been waiting less than 12 weeks, an increase from 34.6 % in March.

Brain tumour patients and bereaved families call on Scottish Government to increase innovation investment and access to clinical trials 

Brain tumour patients and family members who have lost loved ones gathered at the Scottish Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence, a game-changing collaboration with Beatson Cancer Charity, in Edinburgh to learn more about the world-class research taking place there and call on the Scottish Government to increase investment in and widen access to clinical trials.  

This urgent call comes ahead of the Scottish Parliament Cross Party Group (CPG) on Brain Tumours meeting today (Tuesday 25 November), convened by Brain Tumour Research. Attendees, including Convener Beatrice Wishart MSP and MSP Finlay Carson, will hear about the latest clinical innovations in the field, and about inequitable access to genomic testing. 

Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of brain tumour tissue reveals powerful information about the underlying biology driving tumour growth and helps to inform what drugs could be used to target specific cancer-causing pathways. This information unlocks access to clinical trials based on cancer biology rather than location in the body. Without it, the pool of trials that patients can be part of shrinks.  

In Scotland, WGS is not routinely offered through the NHS and access is largely limited to research studies. The lack of routine testing means patients are not accessing treatment options based on the biology of their individual tumour when needed. It also means that patients won’t be eligible for more personalised treatments such as immunotherapy that may become available in the coming years.  

Among the families calling for more action is Nadia Majid, from Airdrie, who lost her four-year-old son Rayhan to a brain tumour. On 13 December 2017, an MRI scan revealed that little Rayhan had a high-grade medulloblastoma brain tumour.  

Two days later, Rayhan underwent a 10-hour operation. Surgeons removed most of the tumour, but not all, as it was touching his brainstem. Despite three further surgeries and six weeks of radiotherapy, Rayhan tragically died just four months after diagnosis, shortly after starting chemotherapy.   

“You think that with medicine today, there would be effective treatments and even a cure,” Nadia said. “But shockingly, brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer.

“Added to this, just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease since records began in 2002. It shouldn’t be left to charities to fund research.

“We can’t allow Scottish families to be left behind in the search for more effective, kinder treatments and ultimately a cure.”

Brain Tumour Research Patron Theo Burrell will join supporters at the CPG this week. Theo is supporting our active campaigning on the need for greater access to, and patient-led uptake in clinical trials.  

Theo Burrell, Brain Tumour Research Patron and glioblastoma patient, said: “Being diagnosed with a brain tumour is devastating enough, without finding out that patients in Scotland are being left behind in the hunt for new treatments due to a lack of routine testing.

“I am working with Brain Tumour Research – the Secretariat of the Brain Tumours Cross Party Group in the Scottish Parliament – to make it clear to the Scottish Government that 100% of brain tumour patients should be offered genome sequencing. The technology is there – let’s use it to stop this injustice.” 

Two thirds of Scottish hospices making cuts within the next year

New figures from Hospice UK reveal that two thirds of Scottish hospices either have already made cuts or are planning to make cuts within the next year. 

Hospice UK says this reflects severe and unsustainable financial pressures across the hospice sector in Scotland at a time when demand for palliative care is at an all-time high. Hospices have had to make redundancies to both clinical and back-office staff, cut beds and reduce vital community services.

They are struggling to keep pace with rising costs, leaving people at risk of missing out on vital care at the end of life. 

Helen Malo, Senior Policy and Public Affairs Manager for Scotland at Hospice UK said: “Hospices are an essential part of Scotland’s health and care system, easing pressure on the NHS by helping people stay out of hospital and receive expert care in their own communities. These are the services that should be growing to meet rising demand. 

“But years of underfunding have left them stretched to breaking point, with many now being forced to cut services at a time when they’re needed more than ever. Without urgent action, more families will face the end of life without the expert care and compassion they deserve.” 

The figures come as MPs debate amendments to the assisted dying bill today (Tuesday 25 November) including Jackie Baillie’s amendments to assess and mitigate the impact of the Bill on palliative care and create a code of practice for palliative care providers.

These amendments are vital to support hospices and the palliative care sector to be robustly prepared should the Bill become law and to ensure assisted dying is not introduced at the expense of existing palliative and end of life care services. 

Helen Malo said: “Hospice UK has no collective view on whether the law should change on assisted dying, yet we feel it would be a moral and practical failure if a single person in future felt compelled to seek an assisted death due to a lack of available palliative care. Every person in Scotland should be able to access high-quality care and support at the end of life, wherever they live.” 

With the Scottish Budget approaching, Hospice UK is urging the Scottish Government to include dedicated funding for hospices in the 2026/27 budget to protect vital care and support. 

Looking ahead to the Holyrood elections, we’re also calling on the next Scottish Government to make palliative and hospice care a national priority and commit to a long-term plan to reform and invest in palliative and end of life care. 

Jackie Stone, CEO, St Columba’s Hospice Care, said: “Demand for hospice care is rising year after year, yet the funding we rely on continues to fall behind. Hospices are being asked to deliver more complex care for more people, but with resources that are already stretched to breaking point. That gap is simply not sustainable. 

 “Hospice care is not optional; it is a vital part of Scotland’s healthcare system. We need the Scottish Government to recognise the essential role hospices play and to commit to fair, sustainable funding, so that every family can rely on the care and compassion they deserve when it matters most.” 

Jacki Smart, Chair of the Scottish Hospice Leadership Group, said: “Without secure, long-term funding, hospices across Scotland are facing devastating choices – cutting back services, reducing staff, or even turning patients away for the first time. These hospices care for thousands of people every year, offering comfort and dignity at life’s most difficult moments. 

“If funding falls short, families will lose vital support, and pressure on the NHS will grow. Hospices are a lifeline for communities, and we need urgent action to protect them.” 

Hospice UK says that with the right investment, hospices stand ready to help the Scottish Government deliver its long-term ambition to shift more care into communities, providing expert, person-centred care closer to home.