People across Scotland are being encouraged to sign up to a free UK-wide health research registry, which is aimed at helping to improve health and care and ultimately save lives.
NHS Research Scotland (NRS) believes that research participation is the single most important contribution we can make to help improve health and develop the best means to prevent, diagnose, and treat conditions — representing an essential cornerstone of an effective, modern health service.
It is therefore supporting the push to sign up to 1.5 million people to Be Part of Research — a UK-wide partnership between the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the UK’s devolved administrations including Scotland, and the NHS.
The UK-wide volunteer registry helps people find suitable health research studies based on their interests, where they live, as well as their age, sex, and ethnicity.
More than 90,000 people have already been matched to over 100 studies, including the UK’s first norovirus vaccine trial.
Those signing up online can choose the health conditions that are of interest to them. They are then sent clear information about suitable study opportunities, making it easier than ever to find and take part in vital health and care research.
A key aim is to help people make informed choices about taking part in health and care research and make sure everyone has the chance to get involved if they want to.
Scotland’s Chief Scientist (Health) Professor Dame Anna Dominiczak said: “We welcome this launch as part of a unified UK approach to heightening research participation.
“I encourage people across Scotland to get involved. Stepping forward and volunteering to take part in research helps develop and provide access to new treatments, helps to improve NHS Scotland, enhances patient outcomes, and saves lives.
“However, people can only take part in research if they know that it’s happening. Online services like Be Part of Research provide an opportunity to help members of the public discover what research is currently happening and make informed choices about taking part.”
She added: “The difference which patients and the public can make through their participation in research is immeasurable, and nothing can be achieved without a diverse group of volunteers.”
People in Scotland can also register with SHARE, Scotland’s Health Research Register and Biobank, to be informed of future opportunities to participate in research studies that they could be suitable for.
One participant who volunteered for an Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) study at the Glasgow Clinical Research Facility (GCRF) called it “such a positive experience”.
They added: “I took part because I think it is vital that more work is done in the treatment of an illness that is largely misunderstood and an illness that can strip away your very existence.
“I was nervous going into the trial, but I can’t speak more highly of all the medical staff that I have worked with. They have created an environment where you feel very safe and fully supported.
“I would encourage anyone to take part in a trial like this if they are considering it.”
A stroke study participant, Jennifer Hanlin, said: “I found taking part in a research programme very helpful in my rehabilitation and would encourage others to participate in research programmes if given the chance.”
Professor Lucy Chappell, CEO of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and Chief Scientific Adviser to the Department of Health and Social Care, said: “Tomorrow’s treatments are today’s research.
“We are calling on the British public to sign up to Be Part of Research, our world-leading register, to find studies that they can take part in. Whether you are a healthy volunteer, or have a particular condition, you can be part of research that makes a difference.
“It is vital that health and care research represents society, reflecting the diversity within it to produce the best treatments. Research that includes people from all backgrounds and from across the country will produce findings that benefit and serve everybody.
“Being a part of research is a great way to get involved and give back in a way that can change lives, accelerate knowledge and benefit us all. Members of the public will be able to be matched to vital trials through the Be Part of Research service.”
People across Scotland can sign up to be contacted about opportunities to take part in studies that are right for them by creating a free Be Part of Research account at bepartofresearch.uk.
New details on the Government’s welfare reforms will be published today ahead of Second Reading of the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill on Tuesday.
Terms of reference for the first comprehensive review of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment in a decade to be published today.
Comes alongside draft regulations for the new Right to Try Guarantee – enshrining protections in law for disabled people and people with health conditions who want to try work.
Reforms to deliver greater certainty, independence, and dignity for disabled people, while ensuring the system is fair, sustainable, and fit for the future as part of the Plan for Change.
New details on the government’s welfare reforms will be published today (Monday 30 June 2025) ahead of Second Reading of the Universal Credit (UC) and PIP Bill on Tuesday.
The terms of reference for the first ever comprehensive review of the PIP assessment in over a decade will be published today. The review – led by Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms – will ensure the system is fair, supportive and reflects the realities of modern life.
It will be co-produced with disabled people, the organisations that represent them, and MPs with the core objective of delivering better experiences and better outcomes for disabled people and people with health conditions.
The review aims to respond to the changing picture of population health over the last decade including the rising prevalence of long-term health conditions and disability in the working-age population.
Monthly PIP awards have more than doubled since the pandemic, rising from 13,000 to 34,000 – a rate of around 1,000 new claims per day, or the population of Leicester every year. Much of this increase is driven by mental health conditions with awards for anxiety and depression having tripled from 2,500 per month in 2019 to 8,200 in 2023.
To better help those with mental ill health, the government has recruited more than 6,700 extra mental health workers since July while rolling out more access to occupational health services and developing digital resources, so employers better support their staff’s mental wellbeing.
Many people have also reported poor experiences with the assessment process. The current system often fails to reflect the real-world impact of disability on daily life and is no longer fit for purpose – making reform urgent and essential.
Alongside the review, draft regulations for the new Right to Try Guarantee will be laid in Parliament. This will, for the first time, enshrine in law the right for people receiving health and disability benefits to try work without fear of reassessment. This includes disabled people and people with health conditions – such as those recovering from illness – who want to return to work now their health has improved.
This responds directly to concerns raised by disabled people and people with health conditions – 37% of whom say they want to work but are held back by fear of losing their benefits according to a DWP survey.
Fixing the broken welfare system this government inherited is central to breaking down barriers to opportunity and driving up living standards – delivering on the government’s Plan for Change.
The government says reforms will ensure disabled people have the support they need to live independently, with dignity, and will unlock opportunities to get into work without facing the prospect of losing the help they need.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said: “We must build a welfare system that provides security for those who cannot work and the right support for those who can. Too often, disabled people feel trapped – worried that if they try to work, they could lose the support they depend on.
“That is why we are taking action to remove those barriers, support disabled people to live with dignity and independence, and open routes into employment for those who want to pursue it.
“This is about delivering a fairer, more compassionate system as part of our Plan for Change which supports people to thrive, whatever their circumstances.”
The Government will also set out details today of the changes they intend to make to the Bill as part of the government’s welfare reforms.
The Government says it has has listened to MPs who support the principle of reform but are worried about the pace of change for those already supported by the social security system.
That’s why ministers have confirmed that as part of the Bill:
All existing PIP recipients will remain on the current system and the proposed changes to eligibility as part of the bill will only apply to new claims from November 2026.
200,000 individuals in the Severe Conditions Criteria group – individuals with the most severe, lifelong conditions who are unlikely to recover – will not be called for a UC reassessment.
All existing recipients of the UC health element and new customers with 12 months or less to live or who meet the Severe Conditions Criteria will see their standard allowance combined with their Limited Capability for Work Related Activity (LCWRA) rise at least in line with inflation every year from 2026/27 to 2029/30.
Nearly 4 million households will receive an income boost with the main rate of UC set to increase above inflation every year for the next four years – estimated to be worth £725 by 2029/30 for a single household aged 25 or over. This is around £250 higher than an inflation only increases.
The Bill will also rebalance UC rates by reducing the health element for new UC claims to the equivalent of £50 per week from April 2026, fixing a system which incentivises people to define themselves as incapable of work by paying health element recipients more than double the standard amount.
These reforms will be also underpinned by a significant investment in employment support. Funding will be brought forward to accelerate tailored employment, health and skills support to help disabled people and those with health conditions get into work as part of our Pathways to Work guarantee.
£300 million will be brought forward over the next three years, increasing total employment support by £2.2 billion over four years – upholding our commitment to spend £1 billion per year by the end of the decade.
This investment will accelerate the pace of new planned investment in employment support programmes, building on and learning from successes such as the Connect to Work programme, which already provides disabled people and people with health conditions with one-to-one support at the point when they feel ready to work.
And for people whose health challenges make it difficult to find or stay in work, our initiative in partnership with the NHS, WorkWell, will offer personalised support to help individuals manage their health while preparing for or returning to employment. This will build on progress already made to get 384,000 people into work since this government entered office and will come alongside fundamental reforms to patient support as part of the landmark 10 Year Health Plan.
Health professionals will be on hand to connect people with services like physiotherapy, mental health support, and more. They will also be supported by a dedicated employment adviser who understands their specific health needs and guide them every step of the way.
For too long, meaningful reform to our welfare system has been ducked and delayed – stunting productivity, slowing down growth and ultimately holding British people and our country back. The government is taking decisive action and the difficult decisions needed to restore trust and faith in the system, providing opportunities for those who can work, and security for those who cannot.
Further information
The UC and PIP Bill is scheduled for Second Reading in the House of Commons Parliament on Tuesday 1 July 2025.
The UC and PIP Bill legislates for:
A new additional eligibility requirement for the daily living component of PIP so that from November 2026 new claimants must score a minimum of 4 points must be scored on at least one daily living activity to be eligible for the daily living component.
Rebalancing of UC health and standard elementsincluding reducing the health top-up for new claims to £50 per week from April 2026.
Ensure that all existing recipients of the UC health element – and any new claimant meeting the Severe Conditions Criteria and/or that has their claims considered under the Special Rules for End of Life (SREL) – will receive the higher UC health payment after April 2026.
Increasing the UC standard allowance above inflation for the next four years – worth an estimated £725 by 2029/30 for a single adult aged 25 or over.
Exemptions from reassessment for those with the most severe, lifelong conditions.
The Government has also confirmed that it will amend the Bill at Commons Committee stage to:
Provide protection for existing PIP claimants—ensuring they remain on the current system and are unaffected by new eligibility rules.
For all existing recipients of the UC health element – and any new claimant meeting the Severe Conditions Criteria and/or that has their claims considered under the Special Rules for End of Life (SREL) – the LCWRA rate for this group will now be uprated each year this Parliament to ensure their combined rate of the Universal Credit standard allowance and LCWRA is protected in real terms.
The Bill currently includes a 13-week transitional period for the PIP changes, but this will be superseded by long-term protections for existing claimants.
The Terms of reference for the PIP review, draft regulations for the Right to Try Guarantee, the draft amendment to the Bill which will enact the change to PIP, and analysis of poverty impacts will be published later today.
Latest data published last week shows almost one-in-four adults in England have common mental health conditions – and that adults with problem debt and those out of work are far more likely to experience mental health conditions.
To better help those with mental ill health, the government is boosting access to support, with more than 6,700 extra mental health workers since July, marking a significant milestone towards its goal of 8,500 by the end of this Parliament.
It has also started rolling out more access to occupational health services and developing digital resources so employers can better support their staff’s mental wellbeing as part of its drive to get people back to health and back to work.
More than 100 charities unite to say Scottish MPs must stand against social security cuts
More than 100 charities and civil society organisations have urged Scottish MPs to stand against social security cuts, uniting to tell Scottish MPs that it’s not too late to change course on controversial cuts.
They have written a joint letter to Scottish Secretary Ian Murray and copied it to all of Scotland’s MPs at Westminster.
They warned that will mean destitution and misery for many sick and disabled people, as well as others in their households – including children and unpaid carers
Peter Kelly, chief executive of The Poverty Alliance said: “People are desperate for the UK Government to deliver a just and compassionate society – but these proposals will deliver the opposite.
“If enacted, these cuts will mean more disabled people living in poverty, relying on foodbanks, and pushed into destitution. That’s not the change people voted for at the last general election.”
In the letter they say: “This is a question of about the kind of society we want to be. Scotland is a country that believes in justice and compassion and people want our governments to make decisions which align with those values.
“We urge Ministers to drop these proposals. We urge Scottish MPs to vote against these cuts, sending a strong, positive message to disabled people and carers in Scotland that this Government will build a country free from poverty, not one that forces people into deeper poverty and destitution.”
MPs are expected to get their first chance to vote on the cuts in the Commons on 1 July. The Government is facing defeat after dozens of Labour MPs signalled their opposition.
Fiona Collie of Carers Scotland said: “We need a government that will reduce the poverty that unpaid carers face. If these cuts go ahead, even more of them will be pushed into crisis – leaving people struggling to afford food, heating, and other essentials.
“We estimate that around 150,000 unpaid carers across the UK stands to lose carers’ benefits as a direct result of these changes. That’s completely wrong – and any MP who votes to inflict that kind of deliberate harm on people in their constituency will have to justify themselves to electors.”
Tressa Burke of the Glasgow Disability Alliance said: “It is shameful to try to balance the nation’s books on the backs of disabled people. We have around 6,000 members who have already suffered the worst impacts of the cost-of-living crisis, and more than a decade of austerity and social security cuts.
“These plans will cause untold harm to many disabled people and push them into destitution. It will undermine their human rights and leave them facing even greater inequality and discrimination. If MPs in Scotland support these heartless cuts, it will be a bleak day indeed. They will absolutely not get people into work, and will act as a reason to fall out of work too, where PIP has been topping up low-paid work.’
In a survey last year, 71% of Glasgow Disability Alliance members said they didn’t have enough money to manage the cost of their needs, 68% couldn’t afford utilities, and 58% couldn’t manage the costs of food and essential groceries.
A substantial number of Labour backbenchers remain resolute and refuse to back the watered-down Bill.
RACHAEL Maskell MP said: “I have spent my life standing up for sick and disabled people, professionally and personally, and while progress is welcome, to introduce a system which leaves sick and disabled people in the future in poverty, those with fluctuating conditions, in uncertainty, including those with MS or a cancer relapse, no security, is unacceptable.
“Taking someone’s independence, does not make them better, more able to work or keep people in work. It creates poverty, dependency and places more pressure on social care and the NHS.
“Most chilling, according to Refuge, 29% of domestic violence survivors are disabled people and are far less likely to flee their home if they lose this crucial support.
“Work by the Women’s Budget Group demonstrates that this policy is highly gendered, impacting women significantly.
“Disabled people have not battled all their lives to then pull the ladder up behind them.
“I cannot support the ableist perception of sick and disabled people, where they have been given no agency in these proposals.
“Instead I draw on the substantial evidence, the voices of those impacted and my conscience which determines that I cannot cross by on the other side and have no choice but to vote against the UC & PIP Bill.”
More than 75,000 people have signed Richard Burgon MPs petition on Change:
The Scottish Parliament’s Health, Social Care and Sport Committee is seeking views on the Scottish Government’s mental health spending for 2026-27, as part of its pre-budget scrutiny.
The Committee is considering the effectiveness of current spending and whether investment is aligned with the right priorities.
In 2023-24, mental health services received £1.5 billion in funding—equivalent to 9% of total NHS expenditure. The Committee is now seeking views on whether this level of investment is appropriate, how spending decisions are made, and the extent to which preventative approaches are being supported.
The Committee is particularly interested in:
The adequacy and transparency of current mental health spending;
Evidence of preventative investment in mental health;
Whether national priorities—such as CAMHS, suicide prevention, and community-based support— are the right priorities for mental health investment and to what extent these priorities are reflected in mental health service delivery.
The Committee’s scrutiny takes place ahead of the publication of the Scottish Budget, expected later this year, and aims to inform Scottish Government’s spending decisions while they are still in development.
Speaking as the call for views was launched, Clare Haughey MSP, Convener of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, said:“It’s vital people dealing with mental health issues are able to access appropriate and effective care, support and treatment.
“That’s why we are scrutinising the funding for these services and ensuring any money spent is going to the right places to help people get the support they need.
“Through this call for views, we want to hear from individuals, professionals and organisations about what’s working, what’s not, and where investment should be focused for the greatest benefit.
“Your insights will help us hold the Government to account and ensure that mental health services are properly resourced and effectively delivered.”
Scotmid has partnered with leading cancer support charity Maggie’s and greeting card brand Hallmark to become the only retail store selling a unique and heartfelt collection of cancer support cards, helping customers show they care while supporting a vital cause.
Developed by Hallmark in collaboration with Maggie’s, the six-card range was created to provide honest, compassionate messages for those living with cancer and their loved ones.
Each card features thoughtful, emotionally resonant wording such as “I’m here for you”, “Treatment completed”, and “I loved you before cancer and love you now”, offering a powerful way to express support and solidarity during difficult times.
The collection is illustrated by Hallmark designer Lisa Ellson, who was inspired by her own cancer diagnosis and the loss of both parents. Her personal insight brings warmth and authenticity to each design, moving away from traditional ‘battle’ language and focusing instead on empathy and connection.
As part of Scotmid’s 2024–2025 charity partnership with Maggie’s, 10p from every card sold in Scotmid stores will be donated to Maggie’s, helping to fund expert, free cancer support services through their network of welcoming centres across Scotland and the UK.
Lynne Ogg, Head of Membership & Community at Scotmid, said: “We’re proud to be the exclusive retail partner bringing this beautiful and meaningful card range to our customers.
“These designs help say the things that are often hardest to express, and every card sold helps Maggie’s continue their extraordinary work supporting people through cancer.”
Hannah Harding, Partnerships Lead at Maggie’s, added: “This partnership with Scotmid and Hallmark brings together compassion, creativity, and community.
“These cards offer a way to connect and comfort – and by purchasing them in Scotmid, customers are also helping Maggie’s be there for more people when they need us most.”
The cards are available now, in Scotmid stores across Edinburgh, offering a way to support loved ones with sincerity, while raising vital funds for one of the UK’s most trusted cancer support charities
Scotland-born charity reaches global goal FIVE YEARS EARLY!
A WORLD-LEADING surgical charity is marking a major milestone in its efforts to transform global access to children’s surgery, celebrating the opening of both its 100th and 101st dedicated operating rooms.
Kids Operating Room, headquartered in Edinburgh, will hit its 100th operating room on Tuesday 24 June with the opening of a new high-tech and specialised surgical theatre in Gaborone, Botswana.
Just two days later, the team is set to open its 101st facility in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, underscoring the rapid pace and sustained impact of the charity’s work.
The charity, founded in 2018 by husband-and-wife, Garreth and Nicola Wood MBE, set a bold target to install 100 operating rooms for children in low and middle-income countries by 2030. That goal has now been met five years ahead of schedule.
Its paediatric rooms, often the only specialised spaces for children’s surgery in a country, have to date enabled more than 680,000 life-changing operations, across Africa, South and Central America, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
Dr Kutlo Moalosi, Head of Paediatric Surgery at Princess Marina Hospital in Gaborone, said: “This new operating room will be truly life-changing for children in Botswana. It allows us to treat conditions earlier, avoid complications and help children grow up healthy and strong.
“More than that, it provides hope. It signals that children here matter just as much as children anywhere else in the world.”
Nicola Wood, Co-Founder, said: “To have completed 100 dedicated operating rooms is a deeply emotional moment for all of us.
“This is not just a number. It represents lives saved, disabilities prevented and a global movement that believes every child deserves access to safe surgery.”
The 100th operating room was made possible by the philanthropic support of entrepreneur Steve Lansdown and his wife, who have been central to the charity’s wider surgical initiative across Botswana.
Each Kids Operating Room is designed to create capacity for around 2,000 lifesaving or life-changing operations every year. The global network now enables approximately 200,000 procedures annually.
Working across more than 40 countries, Kids Operating Room has embedded permanent surgical infrastructure, trained clinical teams, and delivered vital resources to regions where paediatric surgical care was previously unavailable or inconsistent.
As well as providing the infrastructure for safe surgery, the charity ensures its operating rooms are uplifting and child-focused, with colourful murals and specialist paediatric surgical equipment designed to create a calming environment.
The charity’s approach is centred on sustainability and local empowerment. Its solar-powered surgical systems help hospitals operate safely during blackouts and its training model builds long-term capacity in each region.
Garreth Wood, Co-founder and Executive Chairman, said: “When Nicola and I founded Kids Operating Room, it was with a vision that no child should suffer or die simply because they were born in the wrong place.
“This milestone shows what can be achieved through collaboration, local leadership and relentless commitment. But we are not stopping here and have already re-focused on how we build on this success, so no child is left behind.
“We believe surgery is not a luxury, it’s a fundamental right. The children we serve deserve dignity, opportunity and care. This is the work we’ll continue to do until every nation can provide for its children independently.”
David Cunningham, Chief Executive at Kids Operating Room added: “Since we began this work, every 27 days our team has opened a new operating theatre, always in complex and/or low-resource settings.
“These are world-class, solar powered surgical facilities but before they’re deployed the hospitals have to be surveyed, the staff interviewed, the patient demand assessed, and the funds raised. Then, despite often working around conflict and natural disasters, our amazing people build amazing facilities.
“I could not be more grateful to everyone who has contributed to this success and look forward to continuing to scale that impact in the years to come.”
NHS Lothian’s Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion has, from today (25 June) fully reopened to patients. The hospital was temporarily closed in Autumn 2024 to enable urgent repair work to be carried out.
The return of services, which began in early June, has been carefully managed over a number of weeks to ensure a smooth transition.
Michelle Carr, Chief Officer, Acute Services, NHS Lothian explained, “Moving our range of diagnostic and treatment equipment, microscopes, ophthalmoscopes and devices for measuring eye pressure, along with all the lenses and instruments that our healthcare staff require for the many and varied eye conditions that individual patients may present with is nothing short of a mammoth task.
“Our teams have worked tirelessly, planning for the return of services and the reopening of the building. I would like to thank them for their professionalism and ongoing commitment to patient care.”
Patients will continue to receive tailored communications by letter, text or both with information about their appointments.
Recognising patient feedback, an element of the macular service (including some IVT) will now also be available for patients within the East Lothian Community Hospital, in addition to the service provided at the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion.
Jim Crombie, NHS Lothian Deputy Chief Executive explained, “For many patients, the move back to the familiar surroundings of the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion, will be most welcome.
“We are incredibly grateful to all of our patients for their understanding while the building was temporarily closed and would like to thank them for the valuable feedback they provided.”
The Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion holds an average of 152 outpatient clinics a week, using 40 consultation rooms every day. In all, there are 1,400 outpatient appointments every week and more than 130 inpatient slots.
This year the MoonWalk Scotland is going to be super special as 2025 will be the final time in Edinburgh! We are SO excited to break the news that the MoonWalk will be going on tour to a new city
With just a few more weeks to go, there is still time to enter and stride through beautiful Edinburgh by night, all whilst fundraising for an amazing cause!
Sign up now and get ready for a weekend of fun, inspiration and smiles:
Thousands more young people to benefit from August
More than 6,000 high school pupils will be eligible for free school meals from the beginning of the next school year, further supporting the Scottish Government’s national mission to eradicate child poverty.
This trial phase of the free school meals programme will see S1 to S3 pupils in receipt of the Scottish Child Payment, who attend selected schools in eight local authority areas, receive a nutritious and healthy meal. This takes the number of pupils being offered free school meals in Scotland to over 360,000.
An investment of £3 million will support almost 60 schools across eight proposed areas of Aberdeen, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Fife, Glasgow, Moray, North Ayrshire, Shetland and South Lanarkshire from August 2025.
First Minister John Swinney made the announcement during a visit to Springburn Academy in Glasgow, where 140 more pupils could benefit.
The First Minister said: “The free school meals programme is key in our national mission to eradicate child poverty, which saves families who take up the offer around £450 per eligible child per year. This next phase of the rollout will ensure that this offer is available to more families across the country.
“We know the positive impact that access to a healthy and nutritious meal can have on a pupil’s learning and achievement in school.
“This demonstrates how important the programme is in our efforts to close the poverty-related attainment gap in Scotland, ensuring that every child is given an opportunity to succeed in education regardless of their background.
“The Scottish Government will also continue its broader support to tackle the cost of the school day, including our £14.2 million School Uniform Clothing Grant and our investment in the £1 billion Scottish Attainment Challenge.”
