Specsavers at Shandwick Place in Edinburgh is celebrating it’s over two decade long commitment to promoting better eye health in the local community this National Eye Health Week (22nd – 28th September).
As a locally owned and run store, Specsavers Shandwick Place is dedicated to supporting the health and wellbeing of people in the area. The high street retailer is keen to raise awareness about the importance of regular eye checks this National Eye Health Week, which runs from 22nd – 28th September 2025.
With figures from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) revealing that one in five people will experience sight loss in their lifetime*, Specsavers Shandwick Place is urging locals to prioritise their eye health.
Store director, Aly Uka says: ‘Many people don’t realise that sight loss can often be prevented or treated if a condition is caught early.
“Regular eye tests are essential for everyone, even if you think your vision is fine. Eye tests are not just about glasses, they can detect serious conditions like glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and even high blood pressure or risk of stroke.’
National Eye Health Week highlights how preventative care and early diagnosis are crucial in reducing unnecessary sight loss.
According to RNIB, 250 people in the UK begin to lose their sight every day, and this number is expected to rise as the population ages*.
Eye health can also be affected by screen fatigue, especially as more people spend time on devices. Specsavers recommends following the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away to help reduce strain and preserve vision.
As a long-standing part of the Shandwick Place community, Specsavers is focused on highlighting that essential health services must be accessible and visible to everyone.
For more information on Specsavers Shandwick Place or to book an appointment, call the store on 0131 240 8860 or visit:
Children First, Scotland’s national children’s charity, is calling for investment in a national rollout of a ‘life-saving’ approach to improve children’s mental health. The call comes following the publication of an independent evaluation showing that the charity’s family wellbeing model has reduced repeat child mental health visits to GPs by more than 86%.
The evaluation of the Children First family wellbeing service, by Iconic Consulting, found that it has made a “significant difference for children, families and the overall support system” and strongly supports its replication across Scotland. The call has been backed by young people, their families and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH).
Mary Glasgow, Chief Executive of Children First, said: “Despite good intentions and a continued spotlight on children’s mental health, many children and young people in Scotland are still suffering for far too long before help is available.
“Not every child referred to CAMHS has a clinical condition, many are overwhelmed by the pressures of growing up today. The challenges they face have never been higher and the expectations on them are greater than ever.
“The evaluation of the Children First family wellbeing service shows that supporting children and their families to understand and tackle what’s causing their distress rather than just treating their symptoms can save lives.”
Between June 2019 and September 2024, 723 families were referred to the family wellbeing service in East Renfrewshire. It was developed with funding from the Robertson Trust, which aimed to support charities and the public sector to innovate and put more resources towards prevention.
Key findings from the independent evaluation of the service include:
Improved mental health for children, young people and their parents.
Strengthened family relationships and communication.
Better support for neurodivergent children and young people.
Increased engagement by children with education.
Reduced pressure on GP services and CAMHS.
While CAMHS waiting times remain lengthy, 90% of children referred to the family wellbeing service began getting support within two weeks over a three-year funding period.
Eighteen-year-old Lily started getting support from the Children First family wellbeing service three years ago. She said: “When I met Children First I couldn’t go to school. My anxiety was constant. I saw danger everywhere and reason to fear to everything. I couldn’t cross the road because I thought I’d be hit by a car. I couldn’t even answer the door.
“Now I’ve started my dream course at my dream university – I couldn’t have done it without Children First.
“Children First’s family wellbeing service has given me a second chance and set me up for the future. Every child who needs it should be able to get support from the family wellbeing service. It is absolutely, genuinely life changing.”
Helen, a parent, interviewed for the evaluation said: “If it wasn’t for Children First I don’t think me or my son would be here. He was feeling suicidal. It is a lot better now.”
Despite its success and the best efforts of partners, funding for the Children First family wellbeing service in East Renfrewshire is precarious.
The Scotland-wide pressure on public finances has resulted in a reduction in funding from £670,000 annually to just £320,000 in 2024/25.
Staff have had to be reduced, resulting in a drop in referrals from between 12 and 14 to less than three per month.
Mary Glasgow said: ““Children urgently need this model to be rolled out, with long-term, sustainable funding across Scotland direct to the third sector. The family wellbeing service is a clear example of how Scotland can deliver on its promise to prevent problems before they escalate.
“With public finances contracting, we need to make sure that CAMHS is available quickly for children with acute mental health needs and that other children who would benefit from an alternative, such as the Children First family wellbeing service, get rapid support to avoid more serious and costly interventions later.
“It eases pressure on the NHS and most importantly, it helps children recover and thrive.”
The call has been backed by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH). Dr Mairi Stark, RCPCH officer for Scotland said: “Every child deserves the highest standard of physical and mental health. That means ensuring they receive the right support, at the right time.
“Scotland is facing a mental health crisis, with childhood mental health problems becoming increasingly common. There is a real need for greater investment in community services to tackle the unmet need and prioritise the wellbeing of our children and young people.
“RCPCH Scotland has long called for the expansion and sustained investment in community-based mental health services, and I welcome this pilot service developed by Children First.
“The Scottish Government must not only act on the evidence of the independent evaluation, but it must also listen to the voices of children and families who have benefited from Children First’s Family Wellbeing Service.
“Their experiences are compelling evidence of what works and should help shape the future of mental health support for children and young people in Scotland.”
Children First unveiled its manifesto for the 2026 Holyrood elections earlier this week, urging the next Scottish Government to take action to tackle the national childhood emergency, protect children and safeguard childhood.
New service expected to free up 20,000 hospital appointments a year
A new eye care service is expected to reduce hospital admissions with approved Independent Prescribing (IP) optometrists receiving funding to treat more conditions in the community.
The new Anterior Eye Service, part of the Scottish Government’s record £139 million investment in eye care this year, will support approved IP optometrists to treat nine complex eye conditions which normally require a hospital visit.
The service will free up an estimated 20,000 hospital appointments a year, with patients being treated closer to home, offering greater appointment flexibility and continuity of care.
Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said: “This new service will mean people can get treatment for more eye conditions in the community, without the need to travel for a hospital appointment. It will get people the treatment they need faster, improving outcomes while also freeing up vital hospital capacity for more serious cases.
“This is an excellent example of the Scottish Government’s approach to shifting the balance of care towards the community, and is part of our record £139 million investment in community eyecare this year.
“I am very grateful to our community optometry profession, including Optometry Scotland, for taking part in this programme, which we estimate will save around 20,000 hospital admissions a year.
“Scotland remains the only part of UK to provide free universal NHS-funded eye examinations. This National Eye Health Week I would remind people of the importance of having free regular examinations with a community optometrist, even if they don’t think there is a problem with their vision.
“An eye examination helps with early detection of a range of sight and non-sight threatening conditions and community optometrists should always be people’s first port of call for all eye-related issues.”
Confused about where to go when you or a loved one needs medical help?
It can be tricky to know where to get advice when you are ill or in pain, and choosing the wrong service can mean longer waits, more stress, and extra pressure on OUR NHS.
Our #RightCareRightPlace guide can help you make the right choice, quickly, safely and as close to home as possible.
Improved monitors to reduce the risk of further strokes
New investment in mobile heart-rate monitors could help prevent nearly 700 secondary strokes over the next five years, potentially preventing more than 300 deaths in Scotland.
Scottish Government funding of £1.9 million will support the deployment of Ambulatory Electrocardiogram (ECG) patch monitors for around 8,000 recent stroke patients each year. These small and easy-to-use chest patches will replace the larger and more cumbersome models currently in use.
As well as being more practical, they provide more accurate readings to allow doctors to make faster and more effective decisions about follow-on treatment.
A research paper found that over the next five years, use of the patches in NHS Scotland could prevent 689 secondary strokes and 319 deaths, while also freeing up the equivalent of 15.7 full-time cardiac physiologists for other vital services. Cost-savings for the NHS could amount to £14.6 million in the same period.
The compact, wireless, and water-resistant devices are worn on the skin for up to 14 days to detect rhythm abnormalities in the heart, particularly atrial fibrillation – a leading cause of stroke. The ECG patch monitors are expected to be four times more effective at detecting atrial fibrillation than current methods, reducing diagnosis and treatment times from up to 24 months to just three weeks.
Patients will also benefit from reduced travel, as patches can be applied during diagnosis or conveniently posted to their homes. Standardised access across Scotland will help eliminate regional disparities in diagnosis and treatment.
Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “The Scottish Government is clear that innovation will play a key role in reforming Scotland’s health service, and ensuring it remains able to meet the health challenges of a changing world.
“Projects such as this one are vital to improving patient outcomes, saving lives and enabling the NHS to treat people quicker and more effectively.
“This investment in innovative technology will make a real difference to the lives of thousands of stroke patients across Scotland. By accelerating diagnosis and treatment, we can help prevent recurrent strokes and improve health outcomes.
“The use of these new patch monitors is a fantastic example of how we are adopting cutting-edge solutions to renew Scotland’s NHS and ensure it can continue to deliver high-quality, efficient care.”
Katie Cuthbertson, National Director for the Centre for Sustainable Delivery, said: “Through the Accelerated National Innovation Adoption (ANIA) pathway, we are rapidly scaling technologies that have the power to transform lives.
“The rollout of ECG Patch Monitors is a prime example of how innovation can drive better outcomes across the NHS.
“By detecting atrial fibrillation earlier and more accurately, we are not only preventing recurrent strokes but also freeing up vital clinical capacity to support other cardiac services. This is innovation with impact, delivered at pace and scale.”
Professor Jann Gardner, Chief Executive of NHSGGC, said: “At NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, we are proud to be at the forefront of using technology to improve patient care.
“The ECG patch programme is a powerful example of how innovation can enhance diagnosis, reduce waiting times, and ultimately lead to better outcomes for patients.
“We’re pleased that this work is now being adopted nationally, and we remain committed to leading the way in delivering smarter, more effective healthcare.”
NHSGGC Consultant Cardiologist and ANIA Clinical Lead for the CfSD Dr Faheem Ahmad, who is also Cardiology Innovation Lead for the West of Scotland Innovation Hub, has worked directly with patients using the ECG patch. “The introduction of the ECG patch has been a game-changer for both patients and clinicians.
“We’re now able to diagnose atrial fibrillation more quickly and accurately, which means we can start treatment sooner and reduce the risk of serious complications like stroke.
“The patches can be worn just like a plaster, and in comparison to the older, traditional Holter devices, they are more comfortable and easier for patients to use.”
If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, it’s recommended you go for your screening appointment when invited. It’s an important part of your NHS diabetic care.
There is no evidence that taking #paracetamol during pregnancy causes autism in children.
Always follow NHS guidance and report any suspected side effects via the Yellow Card scheme https://bit.ly/2A6B165
Dr Alison Cave, Chief Safety Officer at the MHRA, said: “Patient safety is our top priority. There is no evidence that taking paracetamol during pregnancy causes autism in children.
“Paracetamol remains the recommended pain relief option for pregnant women when used as directed. Pregnant women should continue to follow existing NHS guidance and speak to their healthcare professional if they have questions about any medication during pregnancy.
“Untreated pain and fever can pose risks to the unborn baby, so it is important to manage these symptoms with the recommended treatment.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1970506529125064995
“Our advice on medicines in pregnancy is based on rigorous assessment of the best available scientific evidence.
“Any new evidence that could affect our recommendations would be carefully evaluated by our independent scientific experts.
“We continuously monitor the safety of all medicines, including those used during pregnancy, through robust monitoring and surveillance. We encourage anyone to report any suspected side effects to us via the Yellow Card scheme.”
Paracetamol is recommended as the first-choice painkiller for pregnant women, used at the lowest dose and for the shortest duration.
If pain does not resolve, then patients are advised to seek advice from their healthcare professional.
Scottish Autism is aware that pronouncements regarding autism from the US Government will be a source of anxiety and worry for many in our community.
We are clear that public policy should be focused on recognising and accommodating the needs and rights of autistic people rather than stigmatising neurodivergence as something to be ‘treated’ or prevented. Spreading misinformation about the identified reasons why some people are born autistic does nothing to further this aim.
Scottish Autism’s focus is on finding better ways to support autistic people and their families. Our research, campaigning and service provision reflect this priority and always will.
Our Advice Line is open 10am-4pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday and our Community Advisors can help you to identify what support may exist in your area.
You can call the Advice Line on 01259 222022, email advice@scottishautism.org or LiveChat with us via our website.
Five-figure investment and physio partnership set a new standard
RESIDENTS at one of Scotland’s most luxurious care homes are stepping into a new era of wellbeing, thanks to a bold investment in their physical health.
Cramond Residence, located in Edinburgh, has unveiled a dedicated physiotherapy gym – transforming a lounge into a vibrant space designed to help residents stay stronger for longer.
Already, the specialist equipment is proving popular with residents, helping them rebuild strength, mobility and confidence as part of the wider physiotherapy offering.
Ross Bijak, General Manager at Cramond Residence, said: “The idea came directly from listening to some of our residents, and our physiotherapy partners.
“We’re already seeing residents gain confidence, move more freely and enjoy their sessions in a way that just wasn’t possible before. We could see the demand and the opportunity to do something far more impactful and really took that onboard.”
A standout feature of the transformed space is a £10,000 state-of-the-art exercise bike, usually found in elite rehab clinics or high-performance sports centres.
The ground-floor suite has now been fully refurbished in consultation with Balanced Edinburgh, who provide expert one-to-one therapy on-site. Every detail has been carefully thought of, from slip-resistant flooring and therapy bars to wall mirrors and guided physio videos.
The new suite puts an end to scheduling clashes and brings clinical-quality therapy into a calm, private and bespoke setting.
Judith at Balanced Edinburgh, said: “We collaborated closely with the team at Cramond to create a space that meets the needs of both residents and therapists. From the flooring and mirrors to the overall layout, every aspect has been designed to enable focused, effective therapy.
“This dedicated space allows us to deliver consistent one-to-one sessions without interruption, helping residents to progress more steadily and confidently. It’s already making a noticeable difference.”
The new space has also allowed for a wider range of session times, increased privacy and a stronger therapeutic focus – especially important for residents undergoing rehab or recovering from injury.
Staff training on the new equipment is already under way, ensuring every team member can confidently support residents in getting the most from the facility.
Richard Annan, Client Liaison Manager at Cramond Residence added: “This is a real leap forward for us. Residents are already using the new equipment and feeding back on how it’s helping them day to day.
“When providing any service, we want to ensure we are giving residents the kind of environment and support that most people wouldn’t expect from a care home. We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve built here, and even more excited about the impact it will have.”
Cramond Residence offers a wide range of activities tailored for dementia care, enhancing residents’ quality of life and providing relief and support through specialist facilities and trained staff.
Patients with a potentially deadly illness will be diagnosed sooner thanks to a new life saving patient safety initiative called Jess’s Rule
GPs across England to take “three strikes and rethink approach” after three appointments – as Jess’s Rule rolled out nationwide to prevent avoidable deaths
Move will save lives and help catch serious, deadly conditions earlier, particularly in young people
Named after Jessica Brady, who tragically died of cancer aged 27 after twenty appointments at her GP surgery failed to diagnose her condition
Patients with a potentially deadly illness will be diagnosed sooner through a new life-saving patient safety initiative called Jess’ Rule that is being rolled out across the NHS in England today [23 September 2025].
Jess’s Rule is named in memory of Jessica Brady, who died of cancer in December 2020 at the age of 27, and will help avoid tragic, preventable deaths as GPs are supported to catch potentially deadly illnesses sooner.
In the five months leading up to her death, Jessica had more than twenty appointments with her GP practice but eventually had to seek private healthcare. She was later diagnosed with stage 4 adenocarcinoma. With such an advanced disease there was no available treatment. She was admitted into hospital where she died three weeks later.
The new initiative will ask GPs to think again if, after three appointments, they have been unable to offer a substantiated diagnosis, or the patient’s symptoms have escalated.
While many GP practices already use similar approaches in complex cases, Jess’s Rule will make this standard practice across the country, aiming to reduce health inequalities and ensuring everyone – no matter their age or background – receives the same high standard of care.
Designed in collaboration with the Chair of Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and NHS England, Jess’s Rule will help to catch serious conditions earlier and support GPs with guidelines that bolster their clinical judgment, while encouraging them to reflect, review and rethink if they are uncertain about a patients’ condition.
Jess’s mum Andrea Brady said: “Jess lived for just three short weeks following her terminal cancer diagnosis. Despite her shock and devastation, she showed unfailing courage, positivity, dignity, and love. Jess was determined that people should understand how desperately she had tried to advocate for herself and seek a resolution for her declining health.
“In the bleak weeks following the loss of Jess, I realised it was my duty to continue what she had started. It has taken nearly five years to bring about Jess’s Rule. I would like to dedicate this initiative to all the young people who have been diagnosed too late.
“It has only been made possible because of the people who have listened — politicians, medics, and the nearly half a million who supported the campaign.”
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “Jessica Brady’s death was a preventable and unnecessary tragedy. I want to thank her courageous family, who have campaigned tirelessly through unimaginable grief to ensure Jessica’s legacy helps to save the lives of others.
“Patient safety must be the bedrock of the NHS, and Jess’ Rule will make sure every patient receives the thorough, compassionate, and safe care that they deserve, while supporting our hard-working GPs to catch potentially deadly illnesses.
“I don’t want any family to endure the pain Jessica’s family have been through. This government will learn from such tragedies and is taking decisive action to improve patient safety.”
Jess’s Rule could support GPs to ensure continuity of care for patients with persistent health concerns. This could involve arranging face-to-face consultations if previous appointments were remote, conducting thorough physical examinations, or ordering additional diagnostic tests.
It also encourages GPs to review patient records comprehensively, seek second opinions from colleagues, and consider specialist referrals when appropriate.
Research shows that younger patients and those from ethnic minority backgrounds often face delays in diagnosis of serious conditions, as their symptoms may not match typical presentation patterns seen in older or white patients.
A report from the Nuffield Trust and the Health Foundation found that half of 16 to 24-year-olds required three or more interactions with a healthcare professional from a GP practice before being diagnosed with cancer, compared to one in five across the whole population.
Jess’s Rule emphasises the need to remain alert to symptoms that might suggest serious conditions, regardless of a patient’s age or ethnicity, thereby reducing health inequalities.
Dr Claire Fuller, National Medical Director at NHS England says: “I am very humbled by the efforts of Andrea and Simon Brady, who have campaigned for this important initiative which will undoubtedly save lives by avoiding missed or delayed diagnoses and ensuring patients receive the right treatment at the right time.
“Many clinicians already apply a version of “three strikes and rethink” in their routine practice, but Jess’s Rule formalises this instinctive approach, providing a consistent structure to support reflection and timely action for patients.”
Professor Kamila Hawthorne, Chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: “No GP will ever want to miss signs of serious illness, such as cancer. Ensuring a timely diagnosis often means better outcomes for patients – but many conditions, including many cancers, are challenging to identify in primary care because the symptoms are often similar to other, less serious and more common conditions.
“Alternative diagnoses are often more likely, particularly when considering risk factors such as age.
“If a patient repeatedly presents with the same or similar symptoms, but the treatment plan does not seem to be making them better – or their condition is deteriorating – it is best practice to review the diagnosis and consider alternative approaches.
“We hope that by formalising this with Jess’s Rule, it will remind GPs to keep this at the forefront of their minds. The College has also worked with Jess Brady’s family and the Jessica Brady CEDAR Trust to develop an educational resource for GPs on the early diagnosis of cancer in young adults, based around the principles of Jess’s Rule.”
Jessica Brady’s legacy will ensure that patient voice is at the heart of healthcare – a key commitment in the government’s 10 Year Health Plan.
This initiative, targeting primary care, builds on the recent rollout of Martha’s Rule to every acute hospital in England, which empowers patients, families, and carers to request urgent clinical reviews if they are concerned about deteriorating conditions not being adequately addressed.
Jess’s Rule is just one of the ways the government is supporting GPs to provide worldclass healthcare for patients as part of the Plan for Change.
This includes recruiting over 2,000 extra GPs in a year, providing vital cash for over 1,000 GP surgeries to create additional space to see more patients, and securing a record funding boost for practices – over £1 billion in 2025-26. Public satisfaction with GP services is finally on the rise, with 73.6% of patients describing their GP experience as “good” according to recent ONS statistics, up 6.2% since July 2024.
By catching illnesses at earlier stages, Jess’s Rule will help reduce hospital backlogs, improve outcomes for patients, and save lives.
800 EXCESS DEATHS ASSOCIATED TO LONG A&E WAITS IN SCOTLAND LAST YEAR
The Royal College of Emergency Medicine will today reveal that there were more than 800 deaths associated with long A&E waits before admission in Scotland last year.
Shockingly this is an increase of a third (202) from the 2023 figure.
The latest analysis will form part of a presentation by RCEM Scotland’s Vice President, Dr Fiona Hunter, at the College’s Future of Emergency Care event being held this afternoon (Tuesday 23 September 2025) in Edinburgh.
The event, which will be attended by RCEM Officers, clinicians, healthcare leaders, policy makers and politicians, will focus on Scotland’s Emergency Care crisis and what can be done to alleviate it.
Provide Scotland with enough Emergency Medicine staff to deliver safe and sustainable care
Resource NHS Scotland to ensure equitable care is provided throughout the emergency care system
It comes as Scotland’s Emergency Departments faced a summer of unrelenting pressure with an unacceptable number of people enduring long and dangerous waits.
Over the warmer months (1 June until 31 July 2025) one in 24 people (9,881) endured a stay of 12 hours or more from their time of arrival at an Emergency Department in Scotland.
This is 7,003 more patients than the entire year of 2018.
When looking at July alone, 4,686 people experienced this extreme wait – over 2,400 more than in the winter month of January 2022 (2,266).
Meanwhile, further analysis for the previous year (2024) reveals a record 76,510 patients waited 12 hours or more to be admitted, discharged or transferred from A&E.
That’s 20,432 more people who endured an extreme wait compared to 2023.
Of these patients, 58,906 people were waiting to be admitted to a ward for further care.
Using the Standard Mortality Ratio – a method which calculates that there will be one additional death for every 72 patients that experience an eight–12-hour wait prior to their admission – RCEM estimates that there were 818 associated excess deaths related to stays of 12-hours or longer before being admitted in 2024.
That’s equivalent to 16 people losing their lives every week.
Dr Fiona Hunter, Vice President of RCEM Scotland, said: “The fact that the deaths of more than 800 patients have been lost due to a system in crisis is a national tragedy.
“Behind this statistic are stories of heartbreak. Because these are people. Mums, dads, brothers, sisters, grandparents – their deaths shattering the lives of families and friends.
“These are patients who are sick and need further care on a ward. So they are forced to endure extreme wait times for an inpatient bed to become available for them. Often, they will be experiencing this, counting the hours they have been in ED, on a trolley in a corridor, cupboard, or simply any available floor space.
“It doesn’t have to be this way – the crisis is fixable and it comes down to patient flow in hospitals – getting people out of ED and into a ward bed and getting them out of hospital when they are well enough to go home.
“We urge all political parties to adopt the recommendations in our manifesto to give Scotland a Emergency Care system that we can be proud of once again. Because without government action, the cost will continue to be measured in lives.”
The College’s census highlights that there is a shortage of key decision makers to provide quality care to patients.
RCEM’s ‘Scotland Emergency Medicine Workforce Census 2025’ provides a comprehensive assessment of the state of the Emergency Medicine workforce, providing an insight into the working patterns of clinicians and allowing a forecast to be made around the future workforce needs of Emergency Departments in Scotland.
This is the second national Scottish census, the first having been conducted in 2021.
Responses were received from 28 major Emergency Departments, along with three Rural and Remote hospitals and found:
There is one whole time equivalent (WTE) consultant for every 4,692 attendances. While it’s an improvement compared to RCEM’s census in 2021, (1:6,444) it’s still below RCEM’s recommended figure of 1:4,000.
Of the 329 consultants, 38 are planning to retire in the next five years, along with 10 SAS doctors.
There were 16 gaps in the consultant rota – the same when compared to RCEM’s last census in Scotland. Meanwhile, there were 32 in the SAS rota, up from 23, and 26 in the resident doctor rota, down from 28 compared to four years ago. Recruitment issues were highlighted among the main reasons for rota gaps.
The average weekday consultant presence was 14 hours a day, down from 15 hours in 2021. Given RCEM’s recommendation that consultants are present at least 16 hours a day in all medium and large systems, this decline is a worrying find.
Responding to RCEM’s census, Dr Fiona Hunter said, “The College’s workforce census is a vital piece of work which reveals the true extent of workforce pressures our departments in Scotland are facing.
“While there have been some slight improvements compared to our first census in 2021, it is still abundantly clear that EDs are not adequately staffed, with senior decision makers, to deliver high quality patient care.
“Going into work, caring for patient, after patient, on a trolley in a corridor takes an immense toll. It’s no wonder they are burnout and stressed as they struggle to do the one thing they came into medicine to do, provide care.
“To futureproof our workforce, we have published a set of recommendations to the Scottish government. It must read this report and act. Because if they don’t, our Urgent and Emergency Care workforce will continue to be pushed beyond their limits, and patients will ultimately bear the brunt.”
Confused about where to go when you or a loved one needs medical help?
Our 
Share our 
