Tag: Health and wellbeing

Help Josie Find Her Match this August

Josie from Alness and her sister Adeline have a rare and serious genetic condition. Adeline had a stem cell transplant, and now the family are searching for a stem cell donor for Josie, so she can also have a second chance at life.

DKMS will be at the Bridge of Allan Games on 3 August and Black Isle show on 7 August adding people to the stem cell register

Josie Davidson is 6 and her older sister Adeline is 8. Sadly, the two sisters from Alness in Ross and Cromarty share a rare and life-threatening diagnosis.

Both girls were born with Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome (SDS), a rare genetic disorder that poses serious health challenges, including bone marrow failure. Both girls were told that they would need a stem cell transplant from a stranger to give them the best possible chance.

Their mother, Steph, explains, “Our eldest daughter, Adeline, was diagnosed in February 2019, and it was a huge shock. At that time, I was also 6 months pregnant with twins.

“It took almost two years for Adeline to have her life-saving transplant, and at times, we thought it was never going to happen. We thought it was over until a new person popped up on the register as a match for Addie – that person gave her a new life.

“In that long wait, of course, the twins were born. At around 6 months old, I had a strong feeling that Josie had the same condition. I just thought, ‘We have to go through it all again.’

“At the moment, there is no match for Josie on the register, so we’re still searching. Because she is so fragile and her condition is so rare, it is so important that we find a perfect match for her.

“It’s a waiting game really – we either wait for that perfect match or we need to wait until she gets poorly, which we don’t want, so the more people on the register, the more likely it is that she’ll get her second chance too.”

Josie’s illness currently requires weekly appointments with many different medical professionals. But a perfect stem cell match could give Josie the chance to enjoy a carefree childhood with her twin brother, Jude, and older sister Adeline.

“Josie is a sweet, loving little girl, strong-willed but a free spirit,” explains Steph. “She loves dressing up, playing games, and doing crafts and activities – the messier, the better for Josie! 

“She adores her big sister, and they sing and dance together daily. She doesn’t let her condition stop her. She just loves life and people.”

The family is working closely with blood cancer charity, DKMS, to encourage more people to join the stem cell register. Joining the DKMS stem cell register is a quick and easy process involving some mouth swabs, which takes just a few minutes.

There’s an urgent need for more people to sign up as every 14 minutes, someone in the UK is diagnosed with blood cancer.

Anyone aged 17 – 55 years who is in general good health can register. Thousands of people have already joined the register in response to Josie and Adeline’s story, with some of them being called forward to give other patients a second chance at life. However, Josie is still waiting on her match. 

The DKMS Scotland Volunteer Hub will be at the Bridge of Allan Games on 3 August and the Black Isle Show on 7 August and will be helping members of the public to join the stem cell register.

Chris Bain is a stem cell donor from Aberdeenshire and now leads the Scotland volunteer hub for DKMS. He says, “For patients like Josie, stem cell donors offer a crucial second chance.

“The fact that her sister is now doing so well shows the life-changing impact of the stem cell donor register, and having been through this process from the donor side, I know just how easy it is.

“Only a third of patients find a match in their family, so joining the register means that you could give someone more time with the people they love, and potentially save a life.

“We’ll be at the Bridge of Allan Games and the Black Isle Show signing people up to the register, so come say hello and get signed up! It just takes a few minutes – we’ll be there to answer any questions that you have”. 

Things you didn’t know about blood cancer:

  • Every 14 minutes, someone in the UK is diagnosed with blood cancer.
  • Blood cancers are the third most common cause of cancer death in the UK.
  • Every year, nearly 13,000 people die from blood cancer in the UK.
  • At any one time there are around 2,000 people in the UK in need of a stem cell transplant.

Marginalised Edinburgh communities could receive major funding as national Parkinson’s charity launches new grants offer

Parkinson’s UK has launched a new physical activity grants programme for marginalised communities across the UK to help more people living with the condition to get active. 

The pilot grants programme will run from Monday 2 June to Sunday 10 August 2025. It will run in conjunction with the charity’s established physical activity grants programme, which has been delivering funding of up to £3,000 for exercise professionals and local Parkinson’s groups since 2021. 

In that time, more than £700,000 has been delivered and more than 200 physical activity projects have benefitted from the funding.   

The grants for marginalised communities aim to deliver more innovative exercise, wellbeing and physical activity projects in targeted areas across the UK. They will also offer more opportunities for those in these communities to shape the future delivery and development of the Physical Activity Grants programme. 

Funding of up to £3,000 is available for any of the following social groups affected by Parkinson’s: 

  • Global majority (including all those who are previously categorised as ethnic minorities)
  • People with other disabilities, be it a physical, neurodiverse or hidden disability
  • People from a low socio-economic background
  • People from the LGBTQIA+ community 
  • People from Refugee, Asylum Seeker and Migrant communities
  • Women 

The following community groups and organisations that support the Parkinson’s community are also eligible to apply: 

  • Community-based not for profit organisations (including charities, CICs, and constituted community groups, excluding Parkinson’s UK Local groups/branches) 
  • Community Amateur Sports clubs (CASCs) 
  • Community benefit societies and Co-operatives 
  • Social Enterprises

Funding can be offered for exercise classes, consultation with the Parkinson’s community and towards engagement events. 

Applicants will need to complete a brief project description and discuss their ideas with local Parkinson’s UK staff and area managers. Once they have spoken with a local Parkinson’s UK representative, applicants will be invited to complete an application form.

Selected locations across the UK are now eligible to receive funding if they work with Parkinson’s communities from marginalised groups. 

A full list of these locations can be found by visiting the Parkinson’s UK grants for marginalised communities page. 

Roma Hashim, Physical Activity Grants Manager at Parkinson’s UK, said: “We’re really excited about launching the Physical Activity Grants for Marginalised Communities pilot programme this year.

“The Physical Activity Grants Programme was established to support the Parkinson’s community and the leisure industry to develop and deliver opportunities to be active at a local and regional level. 

“However, we’ve since recognised that there is an increasing number of people from marginalised communities getting a Parkinson’s diagnosis who have limited access to support groups or programmes. 

“Every grant aims to support people with Parkinson’s from marginalised communities to engage in physical activity, to improve their wellbeing. Their insights will also help us understand their needs and shape the future development of exercise and physical activity from Parkinson’s UK.”

For more information about the pilot grants programme for marginalised communities, contact physicalactivity@parkinsons.org.uk 

or visit 

www.parkinsons.org.uk/information-and-support/physical-activity-grants-marginalised-communities 

New discovery could halt secondary breast cancer growth

Finding could prevent disease spreading

Scientists at the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute have made a discovery which could help stop the spread of breast cancer – one of the leading causes of death from the disease.

The research, published in the journal Embo Reports, found there are key metabolic changes which occur in the body before the cancer spreads, offering a vital window to intervene.

Detecting these changes early could allow therapies to stop cancer cells being able to move around the body and grow tumours elsewhere. 

The study was conducted in the labs of Professor Jim Norman and Professor Karen Blyth at the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute and the University of Glasgow.

Study lead Dr Cassie Clarke, of the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute and University of Glasgow, said: “This study represents a major shift in how we think about preventing the spread of breast cancer.

“By targeting these metabolic changes as early as possible we could stop the cancer progressing and save lives.”

With around 56,800 people diagnosed with breast cancer in United Kingdom each year * and around 11,300 people sadly losing their lives to the disease each year, finding new ways to tackle it is vital.**

Thanks to research, breast cancer has become a far more treatable disease, but once it spreads to other areas within the body it becomes harder to control effectively.

Understanding how and why breast cancer spreads is key to preventing the disease becoming unmanageable with current therapies.

Cancer Research UK’s Director of Research, Dr Catherine Elliott, said: “Discoveries in cancer research have made huge strides in making breast cancer a far more treatable disease than ever before.

“However, metastasis – when cancer spreads – is a major factor in breast cancer becoming harder to treat especially if the cancer returns months or even many years later.

“This discovery gives us new hope for detecting and stopping metastasis early and ensuring people have many more years with their families and loved ones.”

This new study focused on how breast cancer changes the immune system so it can’t tackle cancer cells as they begin their spread.

The researchers found that cancer changes the metabolism (the way cells make and use energy) of specific immune cells, resulting in them releasing a prominent metabolite called uracil.

Uracil is a molecule key to essential processes in the body which was found to help distant organs build a “scaffold” to grow secondary tumours elsewhere in the body.

By blocking an enzyme called uridine phosphorylase-1 (UPP1), which produces uracil, the scientists were able to stop this scaffold forming in mice and restore the ability of the immune system to kill secondary cancer cells to prevent metastasis.

This opens the door to new potentially powerful new tools to tackle cancer – detecting uracil in the blood could help spot early signs of cancer spread then blocking UPP1 with drugs could stop the spread before it starts.

The research was funded by Cancer Research UK, the Wellcome Trust, the Medical Research Council, Breast Cancer Now and Pancreatic Cancer UK.

Simon Vincent, chief scientific officer at Breast Cancer Now, said: “This is an exciting piece of joint research that expands our understanding of how secondary breast cancer develops.

“The researchers discovered that high levels of a protein called UPP1 may make some cancers, including breast cancer, more likely to spread to other parts of the body, where the disease becomes incurable.

“In mice, targeting the UPP1 protein before secondary breast cancer developed led to fewer secondary breast tumours and a boosted immune response in the lungs.

“Now we need more research to see if this new insight can be turned into new drugs that stop secondary breast cancer, and potentially other secondary cancers, in their tracks. With around 61,000 people living with secondary breast cancer in the UK, research like this is vital.”

The team are now further investigating exactly how UPP1 changes the behaviour of immune cells, exploring the role of immune cell metabolism in early breast cancer initiation, and testing the ability of drugs that block immune cell metabolism to prevent cancer occurring.

Local care home residents enjoy canal cruise

Residents from Strachan House care home in Blackhall, Edinburgh, were delighted to visit Ratho Canal for an afternoon with The Seagull Trust Cruises.

Residents were able to engage in some nature spotting and enjoy a brief history of the canal, including its bridges and famous aqueduct.  Residents were able to spend the day cruising along the canal, and enjoyed an incredible afternoon tea provided by the home’s hospitality team.

Fran Fisher, General Manager of Strachan House, said: “Our residents have enjoyed their day out on the water.

“Trips out in the homes’ mini bus are a regular event for the residents, and we always ask for ideas on where they would best like to go. The day was so much fun. Residents were delighted to see such a diverse range of wildlife. ”

Strachan House Care Home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals. Strachan House provides residential, nursing and dementia care for short and long-term stays.

Change Mental Health: Save the Stafford Centre

Our Stafford Centre in Edinburgh is under threat.

Proposed cuts by the EIJB would effectively end community mental health support in the city. This cannot happen.

We know that early intervention and prevention is key to better outcomes. Removing this funding just wouldn’t make sense: meaning more expensive support and longer waiting times elsewhere.

Stafford Centre and other community mental health services are vital for Edinburgh.

Sign the petition and urge the EIJB to stop these cuts: 

👇

https://buff.ly/0WNd2HG

NHS Lothian: Right Care, right place

If you suddenly need urgent medical care, please contact NHS 24 on 111

If it’s a critical emergency, always call 999.

#RightCareRightPlace

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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.

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 Our #RightCareRightPlace guide can help you make the right choice, quickly, safely and as close to home as possible.

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 Share our #RightCareRightPlace guide with your friends, family, and community.

Unacceptable Lothian gynaecology waits show women’s health being ignored, says local MP

 Tracy Gilbert MP has condemned the SNP Government over damning figures showing years long waits for vital gynaecological treatment, with NHS Lothian among the health boards  failing women across Scotland. 

New data obtained by Scottish Labour reveals that, despite repeated promises to prioritise  women’s health, the average wait for inpatient gynaecology treatment in NHS Lothian has  barely improved, in fact, it has fallen by just 12% since 2019/20, even as demand has  surged. 

Tracy Gilbert MP said: “This data shows a staggering failure of leadership from the SNP. Women in Lothian are  being forced to wait far too long for care, often in pain, often in silence, while the  Government spins promises that never materialise. A 12% decrease over five years is not  progress: it’s complacency. Women deserve better.  

“They deserve a health system that works for them, not against them. Scottish Labour will  tackle waiting times head-on, because women’s health can’t wait.”

Self-care 24/7 – the simple things you can do to help yourself, and the NHS

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is urging people to mark International Self-Care Day by thinking carefully about how they can take care of their own health and wellbeing.

Self-care is anything we do to keep ourselves mentally, emotionally, physically, socially and spiritually healthy. It could be something as simple as taking a walk, eating healthily or spending time with friends.

International Self-Care Day is observed every year on the 24th of July to underscore the role of self-care as a “24/7” consideration in preventing illness, managing chronic conditions, improving mental health, and helping to support the NHS.

Beatrix Von Wissmann, Consultant in Public Health at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “Self-care is one of the simplest and most effective ways people can help themselves while also supporting the NHS.

“We often view self-care as a ‘luxury’ and it’s usually the first thing to go when our life or work gets busy, demanding and challenging. However, if we don’t practice and prioritise self-care, we risk our well-being and invite burnout.

“Being active, having a healthy diet and planning ahead are all small steps that can make a huge difference.”

Here are a few simple ways to take care of yourself, and support the NHS: 

  • Get active: Do what works for you. A gentle walk, wheel or some exercise can get you out in nature and fresh air, simple steps that are proven to lift your spirits and boost your physical health.
     
  • Eat a balanced diet: Healthy eating is essential for maintaining overall wellbeing. You can find advice here.
     
  • Find support: Our dedicated mental health app can help you recognise and manage triggers, be aware of your symptoms, and discover tips for managing your mental health and wellbeing, including sleep, breathing exercises, eating healthy food or starting a new routine.
     
  • Quit smoking: You can get support to stop smoking through the Quit Your Way service.
     
  • Get the right help when you need it: Getting the right help, from the right place, at the right time is one of the best things we can all do to look after ourselves and to help ease the pressure on the NHS. By doing this, people help us to prioritise care for the most urgent and life-threatening cases, while also being more convenient and simpler for you. Every community pharmacy in Scotland provides the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland service, which offers advice, support and treatment for a range of minor ailments from coughs and colds to earache and heartburn. Anyone can walk in and be seen by a qualified member of the pharmacy team, with no appointment necessary.
     
  • Get ready: Here are some common treatments and can be useful to have to hand to treat minor symptoms. If you are unsure about symptoms or have concerns or questions about taking any treatment, please speak to your local community pharmacist:
    • Painkillers – paracetamol and ibuprofen tablets for headaches, pain or fever.
    • Antiseptic cream – to help clean minor cuts and abrasions.
    • Plasters and bandages – having a small selection to hand will help with a range of cuts and scrapes.
    • Antihistamines – to treat mild allergic reactions and hay fever.
    • Practice good hand hygiene to stop the spread of infection.


Choosing self-care where appropriate helps to support a sustainable NHS for everyone. For further information about prioritising self-care, you can download more tips here.

For urgent conditions which are not life-threatening, we would ask people to contact NHS 24 on 111. They will ensure you are referred to the most appropriate service for your condition, which could include a Minor Injuries Unit or our Virtual A&E.

Help is also available in the community, with GPs, pharmacies, dentists and opticians providing a range of services. Accessing the right care is as easy as ABC:

  • Ask yourself: Do I need to go out? For information on keeping yourself well and treating minor illnesses and injuries from home, go to NHS Inform or download the NHS24 app.
  • Be aware: There is help right on your doorstep. Your local GP, pharmacy, dentist, or optician offer a range of services.
  • Call 111: If it’s urgent, or you’re not sure, call NHS24 on 111. They’ll make sure you get the help you need.

Please remember, if you think your condition or injury is very urgent or life-threatening, you should call 999 or go to A&E immediately.

For more information on accessing the care you need, please go to: 

Right Care, Right Place – NHSGGC

CHI in Local Government: Improving Outcomes through Partnership

CHI in Local Government Project brings together key partners to deliver better outcomes for citizens

A new project exploring the use of the Community Health Index (CHI) number in Scottish Local Government has been awarded £590,000 funding from the Scottish Government.

The ‘CHI in Local Government’ project, led by COSLA, the Digital Office for Scottish Local Government, and Public Health Scotland, seeks to improve information sharing across health, social work, and social care services.

The Community Health Index (CHI) System, which has underpinned NHS Scotland’s digital infrastructure for over 40 years, provides a unique patient number used across the health service. It supports everything from immunisation and screening programmes to primary and secondary care delivery.

The CHI In Local Government project aims to use the CHI number to improve the quality of the data services hold, allow services across health, social work, and social care to better match data, and ultimately deliver better outcomes for our citizens.

Accessing health, social work, and social care services all too often requires people to repeat their information. Using the CHI number as a common identifier across health, social work, and social care will reduce this duplication and improve integration of services. To deliver the highest standard of care, it is essential that our workforce have access to the right information at the right time.

The aims of the CHI in Local Government project align clearly with the ambitions set out in the joint COSLA and Scottish Government Digital strategy, Care in the Digital Age, and Data strategy, Greater Access, Better Insight, Improved Outcomes.

Both strategies emphasise the importance of robust information governance and seamless data sharing across health and social care.

Councillor Paul Kelly, COSLA Health and Social Care Spokesperson, said: “I am delighted that the CHI in Local Government project has received funding to progress to the Discovery phase.

“By using CHI more widely across our Councils we can improve data matching and, crucially, reduce the amount of times people accessing our services have to repeat their information.

“I look forward to continuing to champion this work as it progresses and ultimately delivers better outcomes for our citizens.”


Tom Arthur, Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing, said: “In line with the priorities recently set out in the Health and Social Care Service Renewal Framework, I am pleased to support this project.

“Using CHI numbers in social care means people will get a better level of service. By allowing information to be shared safely and confidentially between professionals, we can reduce duplication of work, and the time staff have to spend on administrative tasks.

“It will further embed the integration of health and social care and help in preparations for the health and social care online app, launching in Lanarkshire later this year.”

Martyn Wallace, Chief Digital Officer, Digital Office for Scottish Local Government, said: “I am thrilled with this significant investment as we continue to work closely with our public sector partners to enhance our digital services for citizens.

“By utilising the Community Health Index (CHI), we will streamline access to services, reduce the need for individuals to repeat their information, and ensure timely delivery of care.

“This initiative will also promote better integration of health and social care services, support other collaborative digital projects like the new Health & Social Care App, and ultimately improve outcomes for our citizens.”

Scott Heald, Director of Data and Digital Innovation, Public Health Scotland said: “Our vision at Public Health Scotland (PHS) is focused on ensuring communities can flourish across Scotland.

“We bring together data and intelligence to shape decisions affecting health and care. This work to adopt the Community Health Index (CHI) in Scottish Local Government will make a huge contribution towards how we can work with partners to maximise the benefits of digital and data in ways that will empower individuals and communities.

“PHS already collects and analyses data from across the domains of health and social care, much of which Is sourced directly from Local Government systems.

“The opportunity to integrate the CHI into those underlying systems will lead to faster, more efficient, and accurate production of whole-system data on health and social care services and provide insights on outcomes for individuals across Scotland.”

Healthy Heart Tip: The importance of hydration for heart health

Did you know that over 66% of the UK population doesn’t drink enough water? Lauren Hewitt, Registered Associate Nutritionist at Heart Research UK, breaks down why staying hydrated is essential for overall heart health:

Water makes up over half (60%) of your body weight, and every single cell in your body, including the cells that make up your heart, needs to be properly hydrated to work well.

Water performs many roles, such as regulating body temperature through sweating, lubricating joints and removing waste products.

Proper hydration is especially important when thinking about heart health because it impacts the cardiovascular system in several ways, and we share how you can ensure that you’re getting enough water to keep your heart healthy.

How does dehydration affect your heart?

Dehydration occurs when the body loses more water than it takes in. Fluids can be lost through breathing, sweating and if we are unwell or sick. When vital fluids are not replaced, your body may feel tired and lethargic. You could suffer from feeling thirsty, having a dry mouth, dark-coloured urine or headaches.

Lauren Hewitt, Registered Associate Nutritionist at Heart Research UK, explains: “Being dehydrated causes the amount of blood circulating in our body to decrease. When this happens, the heart must beat faster, which increases our heart rate and our blood pressure, which can increase our risk of a cardiac event. This is of particular concern if you already have high blood pressure or have been diagnosed with coronary heart disease.

“Many studies have found that adequate hydration is associated with reduced long-term risks of heart disease. Being hydrated helps your heart to pump blood more easily through your blood vessels and to your muscles. This means that your muscles, including your heart, do not have to work as hard.

“Older adults are at a higher risk of dehydration. As you age, your fluid reserve becomes smaller, you can struggle to sense when you are thirsty, and your ability to conserve water reduces.

“Hydration also plays an important role in aiding the digestive system to function effectively, preventing constipation and removing waste products from the body. It allows your brain to function optimally and supports your memory, mood, concentration and reaction times.”

How much should you aim to drink?

The NHS recommends that adults consume six to eight glasses or 1.5 to 2 litres of fluids per day. If it is a hot day or you do physical activity, which makes you sweat, you’ll need to drink more.

You will also need to drink more fluids if you are unwell, recovering from illness, or if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. All of these require your body to lose more water and fluids, and you need to replace them to prevent dehydration.

“An easy way to monitor your hydration levels is by looking at the colour of your urine,” says Lauren. “You should aim for it to become a clear, pale-yellow colour throughout the day.

“If it remains dark after your first morning trip to the toilet, it’s a sign you need to drink more. The key to optimal hydration is to drink at regular intervals throughout the day.”

How do you stay hydrated?

Drinking water is the best way to remain hydrated however, other non-alcoholic drinks such as milk, juice and herbal teas count towards your daily fluid goals.

Fruit juices and smoothies also contribute towards hydration however, these should be limited to one small glass or 150ml per day, as they can contain high levels of sugar, and they should always be consumed with a meal to minimise the impact on your teeth.

Carrying a water bottle around with you and refilling it throughout the day may help you to remember to drink regularly.

Fruits and vegetables can also help to hydrate you. They contain electrolytes, which are minerals that play a role in fluid balance, and your body needs adequate levels of electrolytes to function optimally. Cucumbers, celery, strawberries and watermelons are all great options as they contain over 90% of water.

Hydration is a fundamental part of maintaining heart health. By staying hydrated, you help your heart to function efficiently, reducing stress on your heart and supporting your overall wellbeing.

Try the Heart Research UK 30-day hydration challenge and download it today to keep your heart healthyheart healthy: 

https://heartresearch.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/30-Day-Hydration-Tracker.pdf