Tag: Health and wellbeing

Find What Moves You: Edinburgh Leisure’s Mind & Body Event returns this October

Bookings go live today, Tuesday, 30th September for Edinburgh Leisure’s latest Mind & Body Event, a full-day celebration of movement, mindfulness, and wellbeing.

Taking place on Saturday, 25th October at Meadowbank Sports Centre, this special event invites both members and non-members to explore the variety of mind/body classes available across Edinburgh Leisure venues.

Whether you’re looking to build strength, improve flexibility, or simply find a moment of calm, this event offers something for everyone. Attendees can choose from energising sessions in Studio 1 or calming, restorative classes in Studio 2 and the Cycle Studio, with expert instructors guiding each experience.

Classes include:

Studio 1 – Higher Energy

  • 09:00 – Fitness Pilates (Sterenn L)
  • 10:15 – Shapes: Pilates & Barre Conditioning (Alex S & Krista B)
  • 11:15 – Pilates (Kris F)
  • 12:30 – M1ND: Unwind (Sara K)

Studio 2 – Slow It Down

  • 08:00 – Hatha Yoga: Restorative Flow (Simone B)
  • 09:00 – Vinyasa Yoga: Energy Flow (Cat P)
  • 10:15 – Body Balance (Mari A)

Cycle Studio

  • 11:15 – Ashtanga Yoga: Strength Flow (Mark S)
  • 12:30 – Yin Yoga: Unwind (Zosia R)

Additional classes are still to be confirmed, promising even more opportunities to explore what moves you.

All classes are just £5.25 for non-members and are free for Edinburgh Leisure Members. Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or simply curious, this is your chance to try something new in a welcoming, relaxed space.

Book via the Edinburgh Leisure app or on the website from 30th September and join Edinburgh Leisure for a day of movement, mindfulness, and feel-good energy.

For more information:  https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/mind-body-fitness-event/

Detecting colorectal cancer earlier

£1.5m INVESTMENT IN REDESIGNED AND ACCELERATED DIAGNOSTIC PATHWAY

A new way to diagnose colorectal cancer will help ensure patients get quicker treatment.

Scotland’s Colorectal Optimal Cancer Diagnostic Pathway has been designed by clinical experts at NHS Golden Jubilee’s Centre for Sustainable Delivery (CfSD).

Supported by £1.5 million on funding from the Scottish Government’s Detect Cancer Early (DCE) programme, it sets out a new model for NHS Scotland to follow.

Patients will be able to receive multiple tests at one time – where clinically appropriate – reducing visits to hospital, speeding up time to diagnosis and improving the quality and safety of care.

Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common malignancy in Scotland, representing 11% of all cancer deaths.

Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “Bowel cancer touches thousands of families in Scotland every year, and we know the difference early diagnosis can make – more treatment options, more time with loved ones, and better outcomes.

“That’s why I am so pleased to see the publication of Scotland’s Colorectal Optimal Cancer Diagnostic Pathway. By speeding up diagnosis and improving the way services are delivered, we can give patients and their families greater peace of mind, faster answers, and the very best chance of recovery.”

One patient who credits early diagnosis with saving his life is Nick Rimmer, 55, from Crieff.

Nick was diagnosed with stage one bowel cancer in 2019 following a routine NHS screening test which arrived just after his 50th birthday. Initially hesitant, he now says taking the test “saved my life and my future.”

Nick said: “I consider myself lucky because it was detected at a stage where I had absolutely no symptoms and no idea. Okay, I had to go through a major operation, but after that I didn’t require chemotherapy. I’ve been healthy for the last five years.

“If you’ve got any unusual, persistent symptoms, go to your GP practice. Please don’t delay. Even if you don’t have symptoms, when that test lands on your doormat – do it. The more people that do the test and find cancer earlier, the easier their life is going to be.”

Dr. Lisa Wilde, Director of Research and External Affairs at Bowel Cancer UK, said: “We’re delighted to see the launch of Scotland’s new optimal bowel cancer diagnostic pathway and toolkit.

“Bowel cancer is treatable and curable, especially if diagnosed early. The earlier patients are diagnosed with the disease, the greater their chance of survival.

“By supporting earlier diagnosis and reducing waiting times, this work has the potential to improve efficiency across the system and importantly deliver better outcomes for patients.”

Looking After Your Eyes

👁️ National Eye Health Week | 22–28 September

Your eyes matter. Whether it’s a minor irritation or a serious condition, knowing where to turn for trusted advice is key.

NHS inform offers clear, reliable guidance on a wide range of eye conditions—from conjunctivitis and diabetic retinopathy to deafblindness and eye cancer.

If you or someone you know is waiting for treatment or support, RNIB Scotland ’s Waiting Well service is also available to provide advice.

🔍 Check out the links in our comments and explore symptoms, treatments, and when to seek help!

#EyeHealthWeek

#NHSInform

#EyeCare

#RNIB

Funding long COVID services

£4.5 million a year to address long-term health effects

New year-on-year investment in specialist services will help address long-term effects caused by COVID-19 and other similar health conditions.

The Scottish Government is allocating £4.5 million to health boards this year and in future years on a recurring basis, to recruit skilled staff and develop sustainable services. Patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and similar conditions will also be eligible for referral.

Services could include managing fatigue or breathlessness, physiotherapy and rehabilitation.

During a visit to services at the Astley Ainslie Hospital in Edinburgh, Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “I recognise the significant impact which the symptoms of long COVID and ME/CFS can have on those most severely affected. I want to ensure these patients are listened to and receive appropriate assessments and referrals.

“Being able to meet professionals involved in Astley Ainslie Hospital’s existing long COVID service, I am heartened to hear first-hand how our funding so far has allowed people living with the condition to be given advice and support to improve their quality of life.

“Recurring funding will enable health boards to develop new support on a sustainable basis and help the retention and recruitment of the skilled members of staff required for the delivery of these services.”

Director of Allied Health Professions at NHS Lothian, Dr Heather Cameron, welcomed the recurring funding and added: “In Lothian, we are taking a holistic approach to supporting people with long-term health conditions such as ME, CFS and Long Covid.

“Our clinical teams work collaboratively across a range of services, including medical, psychology, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy and occupational therapy, to provide care and support people to better manage their condition and improve their quality of life.

“This funding is vitally important, and it means that we are able to further develop our services in the longer term to ensure that established care pathways are available when people need it most.”

Lothian MSP backs National Eye Health Week

Scottish Conservative MSP Sue Webber is highlighting National Eye Health Week by visiting local opticians, ClearVue Opticians, on Lanark Road West. 

She is backing the awareness week’s key message that going for regular eye examinations, which are free for everyone in Scotland, remains as important as ever in protecting your sight.  

Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, says: “I’m proud to support National Eye Health Week and highlight just how important regular eye examinations are. 

“In Scotland, these checks are free for everyone and play a vital role in spotting eye conditions early, as well as identifying wider health issues like diabetes and high blood pressure. 

“I would urge people to book an appointment with their local optometrist at least every two years, or more frequently if recommended.” 

National sight loss charity RNIB Scotland, and Optometry Scotland, the representative body for optometrists and dispensing opticians in Scotland are promoting this year’s National Eye Health Week which takes place from 22 to 28 September 2025 to highlight the importance of good eye health and the need for regular eye tests for all. 

RNIB Scotland Director, James Adams, says: “Regular eye tests are vital, not just for protecting sight but also for detecting a range of wider health conditions at an early stage. We’re encouraged to see more people coming forward for eye examinations, but it’s important that everyone feels confident and comfortable accessing them. 

“At RNIB Scotland, we’re here to support anyone who is experiencing changes in their vision and may be worried about what this means. Together with other charities, we can offer advice and guidance to help people make informed choices about their health. No one should face an eye condition diagnosis without the right support.” 

Optometry Scotland, says: “During National Eye Health Week we are pleased to collaborate with RNIB to raise awareness about the importance of regular eye examinations.

“As part of our commitment to public health in Scotland, we want to remind everyone that NHS-funded eye exams are available and accessible to all. 

“Eye examinations not only check vision, but also play a crucial role in detecting eye and general health conditions early to support overall wellbeing. We’re also proud to work with RNIB in facilitating MSP visits across the country which help to spotlight the value of eye health at both local and national levels.

“Together, we can ensure more people understand the importance of these services and take proactive steps to protect their sight.” 

Scotland’s new health and social care app

MyCare is set to be rolled out to Scots in Spring

MyCare.scot, Scotland’s new health and social care online app, will be made available to everyone across Scotland from April 2026, following an initial launch in Lanarkshire in December.

The new online service will transform how people access and interact with health and social care services. Users will be provided with a secure digital identity, access to some personal information and the national service finder from NHS inform.

The initial launch in Lanarkshire will be targeted at dermatology outpatients. It will be evaluated thoroughly, with the app’s development reflecting user feedback and experience before being rolled out progressively across Scotland from April.

Following initial roll-out, MyCare will be expanded to hospital-based services, before including other areas of the health and social care system, including GP practices, pharmacy, social work and social care.

Today’s announcement coincides with the final day of Scotland’s National Innovation Week. Once the rollout is complete, MyCare will be the most wide-ranging app offered to patients anywhere in the UK.

Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “MyCare.scot is the single biggest digital innovation in Scotland’s health and social care system and will revolutionise how people manage and receive their healthcare.

“The introduction of this app will be a landmark moment for Scotland and aligns with the commitments this Government has made to bringing down waiting lists, and making care more personal and closer to home.

“Our initial launch in NHS Lanarkshire will help us ensure the MyCare app is robust, safe, secure, and meets peoples’ needs. I am delighted we will then see a population-wide rollout from April and we have today published a high-level summary rollout plan setting out our approach.

“We have worked closely with NHS Education for Scotland and key stakeholders to develop MyCare.scot, and I want to thank everyone who has worked hard to help us reach this stage and to ensure we deliver rollout of the app across the country from April.” 

Further information is available at Digital Front Door – Digital Healthcare Scotland

Tesco extends national Fruit & Veg for Schools programme in Edinburgh

More than 500 schools across the UK set to receive free fruit & veg

  • Scheme will give thousands of young people fruit and vegetables every day at school
  • Last academic year (24/25), around 140,000 children were supported with over 10 million portions of fruit & veg

Tesco has announced that its Fruit & Veg for Schools programme, developed in partnership with the British Nutrition Foundation, is to be expanded for another year to reach even more schools across the UK.

For the whole of the next academic year (2025/2026), free fruit and veg from local Tesco stores will give children in more than 500 schools a nutritious boost that they might not ordinarily get.

The Tesco Fruit & Veg for Schools programme launched in September 2024 as part of the supermarket’s Stronger Starts funding and community support for children. 

The second year of funding will continue to be specifically targeted in areas where the proportion of pupils receiving free school meals is above 50%. The focus on areas with higher free school meal participation is particularly important because data shows that families on lower incomes struggle to afford a healthy diet.  

Only 12% of children aged between 11 and 18 are meeting the five-a-day recommendation and for children taking part in the scheme, Tesco expects to see their overall fruit and veg intake increase by 23%, based on the average five-a-day intakes in school-aged children. 

The schools taking part in the scheme will be able to shop for the fruit and veg the school needs in stores local to their school. 

Most popular fruits in year one, were:

1.  Apples (225,585kg)

2. Bananas (108,602kg)

3. Oranges (92,597kg)

4. Grapes (39,771kg)

5. Strawberries (37,735kg)

Ashwin Prasad, Tesco UK CEO, commented: “Schools have told us what a positive impact the Tesco Fruit & Veg for Schools programme has made on their children, so we are delighted we are able to support even more schools in year two.

“The first year of our programme has been a huge success and by expanding it we can ensure that even more young people in some of the most challenged communities in the UK get access to more fruit and veg.”

Astral Blanchard, Head Teacher at Twerton Infant School in Bath, said: “The Tesco Fruit & Veg for Schools programme has given our children the opportunity to try so many new fruit and vegetables, while also helping us build healthy eating into a valuable part of our daily routine.

“Snack time is now a calm and enjoyable moment where we read stories, talk about flavours and explore new tastes together in ways we hadn’t before.

“Children are helping to prepare the fruit, trying things they’ve never eaten, and even asking for fruit and vegetables at home. It has been a joy to see their curiosity grow and their enthusiasm for healthy eating thrive.”

Elaine Hindal, Chief Executive of the British Nutrition Foundation, said: “Tesco’s Fruit & Veg for Schools programme has helped to improve the diets of our young people by helping them get more of their five a day, try new varieties and develop healthy habits that we hope will stay with them through life.

“We’re delighted to see the programme expanded to provide daily fruit and vegetables to even more children who might not normally be able to access them.”

Immediate action needed to secure future of Edinburgh South Community Football Club, warns Ian Murray MP

Ian Murray, MP for Edinburgh South, has called on the City of Edinburgh Council in a formal open letter today to take urgent steps to secure the future of Edinburgh South Community Football Club (ESCFC), one of Scotland’s biggest and most successful community clubs.

ESCFC, has over 1,000 players across 75 teams and more than 200 volunteers, collectively contributing over 40,000 hours of unpaid time, is facing severe challenges due to a shortage of pitches and lack of long-term security over its facilities. Every week, 5–10 children are being turned away, while six full teams, around 120 young people, risk having nowhere to train from September.

Despite more than seven years of talks with the Council, the club still does not have the land security or access to facilities it needs. Edinburgh Leisure has not responded since March regarding long-term Astro pitch availability, and without action the club has missed out on major investment opportunities, such as the £8.6m Scottish FA Pitching In fund.

The club’s impact stretches far beyond football, with initiatives including:

  • Free after school club and holiday camps (averaging 600 free places weekly across the year)
  • Free mental health counselling and physiotherapy
  • Racism and disability awareness training
  • Free use of club facilities for local schools
  • Fee waivers and discounts for families in need
  • Completely free Soccer School every Saturday for up to 120 children aged 5-8

ESCFC is a Platinum-level accredited club, the highest recognition awarded by the SFA, and has been nominated for National Community Club of the Year.

Ian Murray MP said: ““Edinburgh South CFC is a shining example of everything that is good about grassroots football. The scale of the club’s impact from free school holiday places to counselling, mentoring, and a boot exchange programme is extraordinary.

“But that success is now under threat. It is simply unsustainable for children to be turned away week after week because of a lack of facilities and security, and miss out on repeated funding rounds.

“This has gone on far too long. The Council must now step up, work with the club, and deliver the long-term security and pitches it desperately needs.”

Joe Sneddon, Chair of Edinburgh South CFC, said: “Our ethos has always been simple: if you want to play, you play. Thanks to our incredible volunteers we’ve been able to make that a reality for decades, but the lack of facilities and long-term backing is now putting that at risk. We don’t want to turn children away, yet that’s exactly what is happening. 

“The Council cannot allow a club of this standing, delivering this scale of community benefit, to be held back by lack of facilities and short-term agreements. The time for warm words is over, we need action to allow us to continue delivering for our communities.”

Ian Murray has written formally to the Council setting out a series of practical steps, including a new Astroturf pitch at Inch Park, guaranteed access to the new Liberton High School Astro, and long-term leases at key facilities across South Edinburgh.

ESCFCletterDownload

Whitburn woman’s husband’s tragic death saves four lives

Sudden loss, lasting legacy: Whitburn woman urges Scots to discuss organ donation

Louise Johnstone (46) from West Lothian is calling on Scots to register their decision on organ and tissue donation following the sudden death of her husband.

Loving grandpa and postman, Jed Johnstone (53), was treated at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh in 2023 after suffering from a brain aneurysm and subsequent stroke but tragically passed away.

Speaking out for Organ and Tissue Donation Week, Louise said:“My husband Jed was full of fun – he was an amazing person. We’d met later in life and married just over a year before he died and we’d been looking forward to our future together.”

When medics confirmed Jed wouldn’t be able to recover, specialist nurses informed Louise that Jed had registered as an organ donor and supported her as transplant teams identified four patients in urgent need of a transplant.  

Louise said: “We’d talked about life after death so I knew that organ donation was what he wanted and I respected his wishes.

“I was asked if I wanted to turn the machine off to let his heart stop. I couldn’t do it because I knew that then there was a chance that it couldn’t be used and what a waste of a good heart because Jed had the most beautiful heart.

“He’s left a hero’s legacy – Jed’s wishes provided four other families with a chance at life. For me, that is something really special. Two years later, I’ve got this amazing feeling that Jed’s heart is living on.”

A short video of Louise’s story is available to download at: https://vimeo.com/1119753689/1b19e60b3f

People in Scotland aged 16 or over have the choice to be an organ and tissue donor, or to opt out. If you do nothing, it is assumed you agree to be a donor if you die in circumstances where donation is possible.

In Lothian, over 610,000 people have registered their decision already, which is 67.4% of the population.

Louise is urging others to register their decision on organ donation and make their wishes known to friends and family.

Professor John Casey, Clinical Director and Transplant Surgeon at Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, NHS Lothian said: “Jed’s decision to join the Organ Donor Register is a powerful reminder of the positive impact one person can have, and how important it is to discuss organ donation with loved ones.

“Although we have an opt-out policy, it is still important for individuals to make their wishes clear and have those conversations with their families.”

For details about organ donation and to register your decision, visit:

organdonationscotland.org.