Tag: Health and wellbeing

GHF-run food distributions in Gaza are sites of “orchestrated killing”

A REPORT BY MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES

  • The GHF-run food distributions in Gaza, Palestine, have become sites of “orchestrated killing and dehumanisation”, not humanitarian aid.
  • A new MSF report documents the horrors witnessed by MSF staff at two clinics that regularly received mass influxes of casualties following violence at sites run by the GHF.
  • MSF calls for the immediate dismantling of the GHF scheme and the restoration of the UN-coordinated aid delivery mechanism.

An analysis of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) medical data, patients’ testimonies, and first-hand medical witnessing at two MSF clinics in Gaza, Palestine, point to both targeted and indiscriminate violence by Israeli forces and private American contractors against starved Palestinians at food distribution sites run by the so-called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). 

MSF calls for the immediate dismantling of the GHF scheme; the restoration of the UN-coordinated aid delivery mechanism; and calls on governments, especially the United States, as well as private donors to suspend all financial and political support for the GHF, whose sites are essentially death traps.

A new MSF report, This is not aid. This is orchestrated killing, documents the horrors witnessed by MSF staff at two clinics that regularly received mass influxes of casualties following violence at sites run by the GHF, an Israeli-US proxy that has militarised food distribution.

Between 7 June and 24 July 2025, 1,380 casualties, including 28 dead, were received at MSF’s Al-Mawasi and Al-Attar clinics in southern Gaza, located near the GHF-run distribution sites. 

During those seven weeks, our teams treated 71 children for gunshot wounds, 25 of whom were under the age of 15. Faced with no alternatives to find food, starved families frequently send teenage boys into this lethal environment, as they are often the only males in the household physically able to make the journey.

In May 2025, the genocide in Gaza, Palestine, took a further disturbing turn as Israeli authorities sought to dismantle the UN-led humanitarian response and replace it with a militarised food distribution scheme run by a previously unknown entity — the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). All four distribution sites operated by the GHF are located in areas under full Israeli military control and “secured” by private American armed contractors.

MSF’s report ‘This is not aid. This is orchestrated killing’ draws on medical data, patient testimonies and first-hand medical witnessing to demonstrate that what has been branded as “aid distribution” is in fact a system of institutionalised starvation and dehumanisation.

MSF calls for an immediate cessation of the GHF distribution mechanism and urges states and private donors to refrain from funding what is essentially a death trap.

This is not aid. This is orchestrated killing.pdf — 2.63 MBDownload

MSF operates two primary healthcare centres in southern Gaza located in close proximity to the GHF distribution sites. Between 7 June and 24 July 2025, these health centres received 1,380 injured people, including 28 dead bodies from the GHF sites.

This represents only a fraction of the total number of people killed and injured at the distribution sites. MSF’s two health centres — due to their sheer proximity to the GHF sites — now place biweekly orders for body bags.

Over a seven-week period in June and July 2025, MSF staff treated 174 people for gunshot wounds originating from the GHF sites. The vast majority of those injured — 96 per cent — were young men. This reflects a grim survival strategy: families are sending the youngest and fittest to retrieve food.

The injured who arrive in our clinics are normally covered in sand and dust from time spent lying on the ground while taking cover from bullets.

A significant number of injured patients coming from the Khan Younis distribution centre (SDS3) had gunshot wounds to the lower limbs. The anatomical precision of these injuries strongly suggests intentional targeting of people within the distribution sites, rather than accidental or indiscriminate fire.

Of the 28 dead bodies received in our health centres, all but one were young men (aged 20–30 approximately) with gunshot wounds to the upper body.

Helping to identify cancer earlier

NEW REFERRAL GUIDELINES FOR SUSPECTED GUIDELINES PUBLISHED

Clinicians will be able to refer patients with symptoms which might indicate cancer for tests more quickly following the introduction of new revised guidelines, the Scottish government has announced.

For the first time, the guidelines include referral criteria for people with non-specific but concerning symptoms such as unexplained fatigue, nausea or weight loss – helping ensure more patients can be assessed earlier, even when their symptoms don’t point clearly to a single type of cancer.

The updated Scottish Referral Guidelines (SRGs) for Suspected Cancer provide primary care clinicians with the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidance to help identify patients with signs and symptoms suspicious of cancer who require urgent referral for specialist assessment.

Visiting the Forth Valley Royal Hospital’s recently opened Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Service (RCDS), Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “We are treating more cancer patients now than ever before, and these guidelines are a vital tool in helping GPs and primary care teams identify symptoms that may indicate cancer and make swift referrals to specialist services.

“For the first time, we now have nationally agreed guidance to support clinicians in referring patients with non-specific symptoms, which is a significant step forward in our mission to detect cancer earlier.

“I’m particularly pleased to mark this milestone at NHS Forth Valley, where Scotland’s newest Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Service is already delivering faster answers for patients. This is a clear example of our ongoing commitment to ensuring the right person is on the right pathway at the right time.”

Dr Phil Hodkinson, Co-Clinical Lead of the Centre for Sustainable Delivery’s Cancer Improvement and Earlier Diagnosis Team and Chair of the SRG Review, said: “The clinical review of the Scottish Referral Guidelines (SRG) for Suspected Cancer was a collective effort from the clinical community across NHS Scotland.

“We all want to find cancer as early as possible for our patients when it’s easier to treat and even cure. These guidelines, based on latest available evidence, will help support these endeavours by ensuring the right patient is put on the right pathway at the right time.”

Cancer Research UK’s head of strategic evidence, Samantha Harrison, said: “We put people affected by cancer at the heart of everything we do so welcomed the opportunity to support this key part of the Cancer Action plan for Scotland.

“By reviewing and sharing insights, we’ve helped ensure health care professionals have the evidence they need to spot cancer earlier and refer patients quickly. Early diagnosis of cancer is vital. The earlier a cancer is diagnosed, the more options there are for treating it, and the better people’s outcomes are likely to be.”

The review of the guidelines was led by the Centre for Sustainable Delivery (CfSD), in partnership with Healthcare Improvement Scotland and Cancer Research UK. It involved extensive clinical engagement and a detailed assessment of the latest international evidence and Scottish cancer data.

The updated SRGs are now available to all healthcare professionals and supported by educational materials, with the aim of ensuring consistent use across the country.

MMR vaccination clinic at Pennywell All Care Centre tomorrow

THURSDAY 7th AUGUST 10am – 3pm

Has your child missed an MMR vaccine? Our vaccination team will be at Pennywell All Care Centre on tomorrow (Thursday 7 August).

For more information check:

http://nhslothian.scot/vaccinations

or call the vaccination enquiries helpline on 0300 7906 296

Free children’s book launched for families living with multiple sclerosis

Edinburgh parents helped develop the book, which supports adults to discuss MS with their children

A free children’s book aimed at supporting families to discuss multiple sclerosis (MS) has been launched by the UK’s leading charity for people affected by the condition.

The MS Society’s ‘What is MS to me?’ book features Tingo, a nerve cell, who helps young children understand MS with kindness, curiosity, and play.

The national charity created the book alongside a group of people living with MS and healthcare professionals including Dr Alison Thomson from Queen Mary University of London. Playful illustrations are provided by Margie Sturton.

There are around 150,000 people living with MS in the UK, more than 17,000 of whom live in Scotland, and 135 people are diagnosed each week. Many of these will have children or go on to have children in the future.

The MS Society found that outside of medical outreach programmes like Digesting Science, there’s was little available for children in the UK to help them understand and accept an MS diagnosis in their family.

Tingo guides readers through what they know about MS and encourages them to ask questions and make notes and drawings. A limited-edition Tingo toy was given away with some of the first books sold after its launch on Monday 28 July. The Tingo soft toy is a safe haven for children to return to during conversations about MS. Readers can pick Tingo up and keep them close for comfort and reassurance.

Robert Oldham, 45, from Greenbank, Edinburgh, was diagnosed with MS in 2005. He was part of the group of people who helped create ‘What is MS to me?’

Robert says: “As the father of three kids I know how important it is to explain MS to children in a simple, non-scary way so that is why I wanted to help create something that fitted this.

“I’ve had MS for 20 years and our eldest is 15, so all the children have grown up knowing that daddy has MS, but that’s just a badge. They don’t necessarily understand what that means. They know that I get tired, and can’t walk that far so being kids, they just accept that.

“The book has been great for my youngest who’s nine. We read it together and then I ask her if she has any questions she wants to ask. She loves to read and found the book engaging and helpful.”

Sian McSorley, 57, from Corstorphine, Edinburgh, was also involved in the production of the new book. She was diagnosed with MS in 2017 and her symptoms include fatigue, pain and cognition issues.

She says: “From my own experience I wasn’t sure how to explain MS to my daughter without frightening the life out of her. I couldn’t find anything that could help me with that.

“Being part of the group was a great opportunity to get Cara-Maria involved too. She was able to help with the information and designs, and it really helped to normalise MS for her a little.

“We talk about MS quite top level, that it’s something that makes me tired and she accepts that. But this book will be great to explain what else can happen in MS. It’s great that we can also share this resource with other people.”

The MS Society is the UK’s leading charity for people affected by MS. For 70 years it has been at the forefront of support, research, and campaigning to improve the lives of people with MS. 

Gavin Atkins, Executive Director of Services and Support at MS Society, says: “We worked with an amazing group of people living with MS to create this book. We found that there was a need for families experiencing MS to have something tactile to help explain and explore the condition.

“Most people are diagnosed with MS in their 30s or 40s and many of those will already have children or be thinking about starting a family.

“We’re proud to have created this free resource to help adults have what can be difficult conversations with the children in their life. We hope this book and Tingo will be something families can come back to time and again to learn more about MS and make it easier to talk about.”

What is MS to Me (1)Download

You can order your free copy of ‘What is MS to me?’ at :

www.mssociety.org.uk/tingo

Number of people facing extreme waits in Scotland’s A&E ‘unacceptable and dangerous’

Unacceptable numbers of people are still being exposed to extreme long waits in Scotland’s Accident &Emergency departments, new analysis by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine shows.

The latest Emergency Department performance figures – released yesterday 4 August 2025 by Public Health Scotland – which cover June 2025 reveal that despite fewer people attending, performance is still worsening, and the number of patients waiting 12 hours increasing.

The data reveals for major EDs in Scotland in June 2025:

  • There were 119,383 attendances at major EDs, a 5% decrease from the previous month of May 2025.
  • 69.7% of patients were seen within four hours (78,857) which is a decrease of 1.1 percentage points on May 2025 but up 1.6 percentage points on June 2024.
  • Those experiencing long waits also increased with more than one in every 10 patients (10.8%) attending waiting more than eight hours.
  • And almost one in every 20 patients (4.35%) had to endure a stay of 12 hours or more before they were treated, admitted or discharged.

Responding to the latest data RCEM Vice President for Scotland Dr Fiona Hunter said: “These figures clearly evidence that the issues in our Emergency Departments are not caused by too many people attending.

“In June the number of people coming to our departments fell, but yet performance across every measure worsened when compared to the previous month.

“Most worrying is, that despite fewer attendances, thousands of our patients are still enduing extremely long waits. And we know that those who do are more likely to be the most unwell, often with multiple and complex needs. A fact that is unacceptable, and dangerous.

“The crisis in A&E is something our communities are deeply worried about. Politicians should respond to those concerns now and address these issues. Otherwise in a few short months we will be staring down the barrel of another awful winter where patient safety will again be put a risk.”

Graphic representations of today’s data, as well as the long-term trends, are available on the RCEM Website.

Menopause Goals at Spartans

Join us for the next block on Menopause Goals:

Come along and meet like-minded women who understand the challenges that all stages of menopause bring!

Contact Jenni for info 07831 721086, jenniferpullen@spartanscf.com

Register:

https://app.upshot.org.uk/signup/5f23b8a1/a680edb0155db8c3/

Keeping children safe online: Changes to the Online Safety Act explained

How new laws that keep children safe on the internet work

Keeping children safe

The way children experience the internet has fundamentally changed, as new laws under the Online Safety Act have come into force to protect under-18s from harmful online content they shouldn’t ever be seeing. This includes content relating to:

  • pornography
  • self-harm
  • suicide
  • eating disorder content

Ofcom figures show that children as young as 8 have accessed pornography online, while 16% of teenagers have seen material that stigmatises body types or promotes disordered eating in the last 4 weeks.   

To protect the next generation from the devastating impact of this content, people now have to prove their age to access pornography or this other harmful material on social media and other sites.    

Platforms are required to use secure methods like facial scans, photo ID and credit cards checks to verify the age of their users. This means it will be much harder for under-18s to accidentally or intentionally access harmful content. 

It’s clear in Ofcom’s codes that we expect platforms to ensure that strangers have no way of messaging children. This includes preventing children from receiving DMs from strangers and children should not be recommended any accounts to connect with.  

Data privacy

While people might see more steps to prove their age when signing up or browsing age-restricted content, they won’t be compromising their privacy.    

The measures platforms have to put in place must confirm your age without collecting or storing personal data, unless absolutely necessary. For example, facial estimation tools can estimate your age from an image without saving that image or identifying who you are. Many third-party solutions have the ability to provide platforms with an answer to the question of whether a user is over 18, without sharing any additional data relating to the user’s identity. 

 The government and the regulator, Ofcom, are clear that platforms must use safe, proportionate and secure methods, and any company that misuses personal data or doesn’t protect users could face heavy penalties.

Services must also comply with the UK’s data protection laws. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has set out the main data protection principles that services must take into account in the context of age assurance, including minimising personal data which is collected for these purposes.  

Virtual Private Networks

While Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are legal in the UK, according to this law, platforms have a clear responsibility to prevent children from bypassing safety protections. This includes blocking content that promotes VPNs or other workarounds specifically aimed at young users.   

This means that where platforms deliberately target UK children and promote VPN use, they could face enforcement action, including significant financial penalties.  

The Age Verification Providers Association (AVPA) reports that there has been an additional 5 million age checks on a daily basis as UK-based internet users seek to access sites that are age-restricted.

Legal adult content

Online Safety laws do not ban any legal adult content. Instead, the laws protect children from viewing material that causes real harm in the offline world, devastating young lives and families.    

Under the Act, platforms should not arbitrarily block or remove content and instead must take a risk-based, proportionate approach to child safety duties.

Protecting freedom of speech?

As well as legal duties to keep children safe, the very same law places clear and unequivocal duties on platforms to protect freedom of expression. Failure to meet either obligation can lead to severe penalties, including fines of up to 10% of global revenue or £18 million, whichever is greater.

The Act is not designed to censor political debate and does not require platforms to age gate any content other than those which present the most serious risks to children such as pornography or suicide and self-harm content.

Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said: This marks the most significant step forward in child safety since the internet was created.

“The reality is that most children aren’t actively seeking out harmful, dangerous, or pornographic content – unfortunately it finds them. That’s why we’ve taken decisive action.

“Age verification keeps children safe. Rather than looking for ways around it, let’s help make the internet a safer, more positive space for children – and a better experience for everyone. That’s something we should all aspire to.”

Support for the Online Safety Act

NSPCC Chief Executive, Chris Sherwood: “We regularly hear from children who have suffered sexual and emotional abuse online, or who have been exposed to harmful and dangerous content.

“These experiences can have devastating impacts both immediately and long into the future. While the Online Safety Act can’t erase this pain and anger, it can be a vehicle for significant and lasting change.

“Thanks to this piece of ground-breaking regulation, algorithms are now being redesigned. Age checks are now in place. Harmful material that promotes eating disorders and suicide should no longer proliferate on social media platforms.

“This will – without a doubt – create safer, more age-appropriate online experiences for young users across the UK.”

Barnardo’s CEO, Lynne Perry: “These new protections are an important stepping stone towards making sure that children are safer online.

“They must be robustly enforced.”

Internet Matters: “Today marks an important milestone for children’s online safety […] towards ensuring that online services are designed with children’s safety in mind – from limiting children’s exposure to harmful content to creating age-appropriate experiences. 

“This milestone matters because the risks children face online remain high. Our latest Internet Matters Pulse shows that 3 in 4 children aged 9-17 experience harm online, from exposure to violent content to unwanted contact from strangers.

“With the Codes now enforceable, Ofcom must hold platforms accountable for meeting their obligations under the law.”

Emotional Eating EXPOSED

What Your Cravings Are Really Telling You

Summer holidays are in full swing, and as people unwind and enjoy the break, unhealthy eating habits often creep in, with studies showing that over a third admit to ditching their healthy meals when the sun comes out.

While occasional indulgence is completely normal, when does it become a serious health concern?

With 90% of people experiencing food cravings at some point, ZAVA, with the expert advice of Doctor Crystal Wyllie, breaks down the most common causes of cravings beyond hunger, the smartest strategies to overcome them, and the red flags that could mean it’s time to seek support.

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Why is junk food so irresistible? Here’s the truth: junk food is designed to be addictive. High-sugar, high-fat, and full of flavour and texture, these foods light up the pleasure centre in our brain, triggering feel-good chemicals like dopamine and serotonin. It’s no wonder we reach for them when we are stressed or tired.

While occasional indulgence is perfectly normal, frequent junk food cravings can come with real health consequences. That overwhelming urge for chocolate, crisps, or a midnight snack often has little to do with true hunger. In fact, most cravings are your body, or your brain, trying to tell you something. But what exactly?

The most common causes of food cravings:

Emotions and stress

Cravings often start in the brain, not the stomach. Studies show nearly 1 in 3 people engage in emotional eating. Comfort foods, especially those high in sugar and refined carbs, offer a temporary serotonin lift, helping you feel better in the moment. But when stress hits, cortisol spikes, increasing appetite and impulsive eating.

Hormones and menstrual cycles

Hormonal changes during menstruation, pregnancy or menopause can trigger intense cravings, especially for sweet or salty foods. In particular, the drop in estrogen and rise in progesterone during the luteal phase (the week before your period) are known to increase appetite.

Lifestyle factors

Lack of sleep, stress, skipping meals or falling into habitual eating patterns –such as always grabbing a treat with your tea– can all fuel cravings. Ultra-processed foods are literally engineered to keep you coming back for more.

Deficiencies and dehydration

Cravings can also be clues. Your body may be low on magnesium, zinc, sodium, or might just need water. Dehydration can mimic hunger signals. Skipping meals or blood sugar dips can also spark intense cravings, especially for carbs and sugar.

The 6 smartest strategies to manage food cravings:

ZAVA’s new Cravings Calculator helps uncover the reasons behind your eating habits. But regardless of what’s driving your cravings, Doctor Crystal Wyllie, ZAVA Online Doctor, shares the most effective ways to manage them and take back control:

  1. Find the root cause

Cravings can be physical, emotional or habitual, or a combination of all three. Identifying your triggers is the key to changing your behaviour. 

“Noticing when and why cravings strike can help you respond more intentionally. Is it boredom? Hormones? A stressful day? Awareness is the first step to change. Once you’ve identified the underlying reason, be it emotional eating or a lack of self care, you can then tackle your cravings head on and make some long-term changes”

  1. Crave smarter, not harder

Going cold turkey often backfires. Instead, satisfy cravings with smarter swaps such as fruit, yoghurt, nuts, or protein-based snacks. Choose foods you actually enjoy so you don’t feel deprived.

“It’s better to satisfy a craving in a controlled way than ignore it and end up bingeing later”

  1. Eat balanced meals

Skipping meals or relying on snacks throughout the day can trigger cravings. Aim for meals rich in protein, fibre and healthy fats to help regulate blood sugar, keeping you full and focused.

“A well-balanced plate helps reduce cravings by keeping you full and energised throughout the day. Eating a colourful, nutrient-rich diet can also help correct underlying deficiencies that may be driving those cravings”

  1.  Support mental wellbeing

Stress and poor sleep affect appetite hormones. Mindfulness techniques, meditation or even a brisk walk or, simply talking to a friend, can help curb emotional eating. 

“Taking a moment to pause and ask whether a craving is emotional or physical can benefit both your body and your mental health”

  1. Stay hydrated

Your body can mistake thirst for hunger. Try drinking a glass of water, waiting 10-15 minutes and reassessing the craving. 

“Hydration is often overlooked, but it’s essential, especially when it comes to managing sugar cravings”

  1. Recognise the right time to seek support

If your cravings feel constant, overwhelming, or difficult to control, don’t hesitate to seek support. While only 1 in 4 people with binge eating disorders currently receive treatment, speaking to a GP, nutritionist, or therapist can make a meaningful difference. If you’re unsure whether it’s time to ask for help, here are some signs your cravings might be more than just the occasional urge:

🚨 Weight fluctuations: Frequent overeating in response to cravings can lead to weight gain and make weight loss more difficult.

💬 Low mood: Indulging too often can lead to guilt or shame. In ZAVA’s recent study, 48% of people reported low self-esteem linked to their weight.

🩺 Health problems: Craving-driven diets high in sugar or refined carbs can weaken immunity, cause mood swings, and leave your body undernourished.