Tag: Health and wellbeing

The smoking ban: ten years on

Ahead of it’s tenth anniversary tomorrow, Public Health Minister Maureen Watt reflects on the impact of the smoking ban.

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“We know in Scotland we have some really deep rooted public health challenges to deal with. But we also have a proud record of taking brave and innovative steps to make our country a healthier place. 

“There is no doubt the ban on smoking in public places ranks highly amongst the steps that, as a country, we have taken together.

“As we approach the tenth anniversary of the smoking ban, it is clear that this was, without doubt, the right thing to do. The positive impact on our health and our future health is without question.

“Things have had to change. But few would argue they haven’t changed for the better.

“Scotland was the first country in the UK to ban smoking in public places. Since then, evidence shows that the smoking ban has contributed to a 39 per cent reduction in second-hand smoke exposure in adults and 11-year old children, a 17 per cent reduction in hospital admissions for acute coronary syndrome and improvements in the respiratory health of bar workers.

“Nearly nine out of ten Scottish adults – and almost two thirds of smokers – support the smoking ban.

“It has increased awareness of the risks associated with second-hand smoke and there is some evidence of changing social norms around exposing others to second-hand smoke. There was also a 15 per cent reduction in the number of children with asthma being admitted to hospital in the three years after the ban came into force. And just last month, a study suggested that the ban may have helped reduce the number of teenagers taking up smoking by a fifth.

“But we know there is much more to do, and we remain firmly committed to creating a tobacco-free generation by 2034.

“We’ve taken further action to reduce the harm caused by tobacco: banning the display of tobacco products in shops, banning cigarette vending machines, creating a new tobacco retail register, supporting plain packaging and making it illegal to smoke in cars where children are present. Most recently we passed legislation to restrict the sale and availability of e-cigarettes to under-18s and make it an offence to smoke near buildings on hospital grounds.

“Since the ban came into place, Scotland has continued to pursue a bold and innovative approach towards public health. We remain committed to minimum unit pricing, which we know is the most effective pricing measure to tackle Scotland’s harmful relationship with alcohol.

“And we are taking advice on how Scotland could fortify flour with folic acid, which we believe can help to save many families from the heartbreak of being told their baby has Spina Bifida.

“Together, and with the public’s support, all of these steps take us closer to our goal of a healthier Scotland.”

The smoking ban was introduced in Scotland on 26 March 2006

Continue reading The smoking ban: ten years on

Twilight treat as Scotland turns purple this Saturday

WATCH the skyline glow this Saturday as landmarks from Shetland to the Borders help to highlight international Purple Day for epilepsy – and look out for purple sheep!

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Several local councils, public bodies and commercial companies are supporting Epilepsy Scotland’s public awareness campaign by having Scottish landmarks Turn Scotland Purple to get people talking about epilepsy. Continue reading Twilight treat as Scotland turns purple this Saturday

Changing minds: government supports new physical activity programme

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People with mental health problems will be encouraged to become more physically active following a near £1 million investment from the Scottish Government. The programme, a collaboration between the Scottish Government and mental health charity SAMH, will build on the well-established links between physical activity and improved mental wellbeing. Continue reading Changing minds: government supports new physical activity programme

Funding for community health projects

£900k for schemes that support local communities

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Over £900,000 of grants have been awarded to voluntary organisations working to improve Scotland’s health.

Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health, Jamie Hepburn, announced the awards during a visit to the Food Train in Dumfries, one of the successful bidders, on Friday.

The funding has been awarded as part of the Section 10 grants scheme. Including on-going grants, this year’s pot of £912,990 brings the current Scottish Government investment in this scheme to £2.7 million.

The Food Train, which received a grant for £42,890, delivers food to older people who are unable to go shopping. It started in Dumfries in 1995 and now helps more than 1,400 people a year across Dumfries and Galloway, West Lothian, Dundee, Glasgow, Renfrewshire, Stirling and North Ayrshire. This additional funding will help them to expand their services to help more older people in Scotland.

The full break down of grants is as follows:

Headway, various locations, £80,000
SAMH, Glasgow, £90,000
Scottish Huntington’s, Paisley, £73,000
PAMIS, Dundee, £100,000
People First (Scotland), Edinburgh, £79,568
Sandyford Thrive, Glasgow, £35,000
Stop it Now, Edinburgh, £90,000
Arthritis Care Scotland, Glasgow, £30,000
COSCA, Stirling, £70,000
SDEF, Alloa, £80,132
Contact the Elderly, Kilmacolm, £42,400
Food Train, Dumfries, £42,890
Alzheimer Scotland, Edinburgh, £100,000

Mr Hepburn said: “Through these grants the Scottish Government helps the third sector in its vital work in Scotland’s communities. These organisations are all working to improve health, reduce inequalities and build social inclusion. Many are run largely by dedicated volunteers, who give up their free time and expertise to help others.

“I’m delighted to be here in Dumfries to visit the Food Train, which has been doing excellent work for more than two decades, both here in the south west and now right across Scotland. Food Train is typical of the kind of organisation that want to help through this scheme. They help their members to live independently and to play a full and active role in society.”

Michelle McCrindle MBE, Chief Executive of the Food Train said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive this funding support from the Scottish Government who continue to play a key role in the national expansion of our food access service to older people.”

PEOPLE FIRST is based on Easter Road – click on link below to find out more about the member-led organisation

https://youtu.be/eCBpNiwSMls

Continue reading Funding for community health projects

Benefits support for cancer patients

Funding for Macmillan advice services

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Cancer patients and their families will receive help to apply for benefits and access debt and money saving advice through a £450,000 investment, it was announced yesterday.

Funding for the Macmillan Benefits Services is supporting cancer patients, their families and carers to access benefits, claim grants, free white goods and deal with debt.

Last year Macmillan’s financial advice services in Glasgow, Dundee, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness helped clients access £16.9 million of benefits and grant schemes, they would have otherwise missed out on.

Research from Macmillan has found 80 per cent of Scottish cancer patients are £420 worse off every month after they are diagnosed, through a mix of lost income and extra costs.

The £450,000 for Macmillan is part of the £2.5 million package of support for advice services confirmed in the 2016-17 draft budget.

Welfare Minister Margaret Burgess announced the funding on a visit to meet support workers at the project in the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre in Glasgow.

She said: “It is extremely stressful for people coming to terms with a cancer diagnosis to find themselves hundreds of pounds worse off and worried about paying their bills.

“Trying to navigate the benefits process while dealing with the physical and emotional problems cancer brings can be very difficult.

“Our investment in the Macmillan Benefits Service is removing some of the financial stress and uncertainty that comes when people are diagnosed, but are faced with increased heating, transport and healthcare costs.

“This funding is part of our £2.5 million package for advice services and sits alongside other measures like the Scottish Welfare Fund which helps vulnerable people in crisis and enables people to live independently.”

Macmillan’s Head of Services Janice Preston said: “Money worries are a real issue for many people who have been diagnosed with cancer. Some people will need to give up work and this can come at the same time as they face increased costs like travelling to hospital for treatment, or higher heating bills as many cancer patients feel the cold more.

“Services like this are vitally important in helping patients access the money they need and Scottish Government support and funding make these services possible.”

Continue reading Benefits support for cancer patients

It’s good to talk … and listen

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Monday was National Breathing Space Day and it also marked the launch of Scotland’s Year of Listening.

The annual awareness day, which urges people in Scotland to take some ‘breathing space’ to look after their mental wellbeing, encourages us to take time to listen.

The Year of Listening is an initiative promoted by Breathing Space and Living Life mental health telephone services to highlight that listening, and being listened to, is good for your mental health.

Tony McLaren, Breathing Space National Coordinator, said: “We like to think we are good listeners but often find ourselves not truly listening. Talking through your problems is great but it can only help if you feel like you are being heard and perhaps understood.

“Relationships and friendships, where we feel listened to, can have a huge positive impact on our sense of wellbeing. This Year of Listening is a reminder for us all to try to be better listeners. Whether you are a friend, parent, sibling, colleague, spouse, neighbour or carer, take time to listen.”

Breathing Space is a free telephone service where advisors offer listening and advice to anyone feeling low, depressed or anxious. The service is open evenings and weekends on 0800 83 85 87.

The Year of Listening launch is being promoted by a number of national organisations and supported by Jamie Hepburn MSP, Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health.

Mr Hepburn said: “Looking after our mental health and wellbeing is crucial. An important part of this is listening empathetically to friends, family or colleagues. Listening carefully and providing support in response can help people to feel a stronger sense of connection, helping to support confidence and wellbeing.

“The Breathing Space telephone advice line and the NHS Living Life service provide an invaluable service for people experiencing low mood, depression and anxiety. It can make such a difference to know that there’s someone there who is willing to listen and offer an empathetic ear. I’d like to thank the Breathing Space and NHS Living life teams for the tremendous work they do to support positive mental health and wellbeing.”