NHS Lothian: normal service is resumed

Jim Crombie, Deputy Chief Executive, NHS Lothian, said: “Services in NHS Lothian will return to normal as the snow begins to thaw and the transport situation is much improved. Our outpatient appointments service returned to schedule on Monday and outpatients who had their appointment cancelled last week will receive a letter offering a new appointment date.

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Weekend services at NHS Lothian

The priority over the weekend at NHS Lothian’s acute hospitals must continue to be on urgent cases and on maintaining safe, quality ​patient care. 

Jim Crombie, Deputy Chief Executive, NHS Lothian, said: “The extreme weather has pressed our services and our heroic staff to the limit and I am so proud of the way they have responded and risen to every challenge. Continue reading Weekend services at NHS Lothian

NHS Lothian: severe weather update

Statement issued yesterday Thursday 1 March:
Due to severe weather conditions and transport difficulties, NHS Lothian has taken the difficult decision to cancel all routine, non-urgent  elective procedures and all hospital outpatient appointments today (Thursday 1 March) and tomorrow (Friday 2 March).   

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Extreme weather: NHS 24 battles to provide service as staff struggle to get to work

Service Update: statement from NHS 24

NHS 24 has been affected, as with all public services across Scotland, by the extreme weather over the past 24 hours. This has meant that many staff have been unable to get to work and we have been operating on approximately 50% capacity. Overnight we answered 1730 calls. Continue reading Extreme weather: NHS 24 battles to provide service as staff struggle to get to work

Tens of thousands of drivers get increased fines for using mobiles at wheel

More than 26,000 motorists have been caught using a handheld mobile phone while driving in the first year since harsher penalties came into force. Among these are 500 novice drivers who have had their licences revoked for using their phone behind the wheel in their first 2 years of driving. Continue reading Tens of thousands of drivers get increased fines for using mobiles at wheel

Scots urged Scots urged to stay well in wintry conditions, to look after themselves and vulnerable neighbours.

NHS 24 is advising people to take a few simple steps to stay well during this blast of wintry weather and what to do if illness does strike. Continue reading Scots urged Scots urged to stay well in wintry conditions, to look after themselves and vulnerable neighbours.

Significant rise in human trafficking numbers

“Trafficking and exploitation can take place in any community and does not only affect people from overseas. It is essential that if we see or suspect something then we contact the appropriate authorities.”

The number of potential human trafficking victims identified and given help in Scotland has risen over the last year. There were 213 referrals to Police Scotland in 2017, a 42% increase from 2016. The greatest increase was in labour exploitation referrals, and over half of reports referred to a male victim, a rise of 64% from the previous year. Continue reading Significant rise in human trafficking numbers