Tag: Health and wellbeing

New GP walk-in services announced

More than 30 services will be opened across Scotland

First Minister John Swinney has announced 24 more areas will benefit from new GP-led walk-in services across Scotland, bringing the number of centres planned or operational to 40.

Work is underway with health boards to establish new walk-in services for communities including Angus, Dumbarton, East Kilbride, East Renfrewshire, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Glasgow, Inverness, North Ayrshire, Paisley, Shotts, Tweeddale and West Lothian. Many will be able to open within a year.

Proposals are also in development for walk-in services in communities in Ayr, East Dunbartonshire, Glasgow, Glasgow North East, Glenrothes, Grangemouth, Inverclyde, Musselburgh, North Lanarkshire and Oban.

It comes as First Minister John Swinney marked the official opening of the 11th GP walk-in service in Buckhaven in Fife and announced an extension of the pilot programme until April 2029.

The GP walk-in pilot is testing new ways of accessing same-day care from GPs, Advanced Nurse Practitioners or other clinicians at a wider range of times. They have been designed to provide more choice for patients while helping to relieve pressure on wider NHS services. 

Speaking at the service at Randolph Wemyss Community Hospital, the First Minister said:  “I promised that my government would break from the status quo and introduce a new way for patients to access same day care – and we are delivering on that commitment.

“We are listening and want to create more choice for patients, closer to home and without the need for a pre-booked appointment. 

“In the first six months since we opened the first service in February, more than 10,500 walk-in cases have been seen. As these services are phased in to become fully operational, seven days a week, I am confident that many more people will benefit. 

“The opening of our newest GP walk-in service, in Fife, is an important milestone in the roll-out of this pilot project, fulfilling my government’s commitment to open five new walk-in centres within our first 100 days of office. We have done this in Aberdeen, Dunoon, Invergordon, Cardonald and Buckhaven. 

“This is part of my Government’s wider agenda to provide patients with greater choice and access to care closer to home – in turn relieving pressure on hospitals and acute services. It will complement our trusted network of GP practices across the country, which we are bolstering with historic additional investment to recruit more GPs with £531 million to 2029.” 

Letter: Protect your hearing health

Dear Editor, 

Some of life’s best moments come with a soundtrack – whether it’s at a music event, a festival or a night out with friends. It’s how many people connect, celebrate, and make memories. To keep it that way it’s really important to protect your hearing health. 

Our new research found that a startling 83% of young people aged 20-29 have experienced ringing, buzzing or muffled hearing after listening to loud music or attending an event, and 10% experience it regularly. This could be you, your children or your grandchildren. 

While these effects can initially be temporary, repeated exposure to loud sounds can risk hearing damage becoming permanent, leaving people to manage hearing loss or invasive tinnitus for the rest of their lives. 

Despite this, only 7% of young people said they wore earplugs at music events in the last 12 months, and just one in five said they wear them often. 

The good news is that protecting your hearing doesn’t have to be complicated. Small actions such as wearing good quality earplugs, which also make a thoughtful gift for festival lovers, stepping away from the speakers, or taking listening breaks can make a big difference and improve their experience.  

By following these simple steps, you can enjoy music more safely while keeping sound quality clear. 

RNID’s ‘Don’t Lose the Music’ campaign is helping music lovers understand the risks of loud music and take simple steps to look after their hearing.

Find out more at rnid.org.uk   
 

Sincerely, 

Franki Oliver 

Audiology Manager at RNID 

Young people with sight loss still shut out of job opportunities

Senior Pupil Warns of Barriers Young People with Visual Impairment Face in the Workplace

A Portobello High School pupil is speaking out about the challenges visually impaired young people face in securing work experience and employment opportunities, after overcoming barriers of her own through a summer internship with Sight Scotland.

Millie Williams, who is in sixth year and has the rare genetic eye condition Leber’s congenital amaurosis, says many young people with sight loss struggle to gain employment and valuable workplace experience because employers are often unsure how to support them.

Millie, who has been visually impaired since birth but was not diagnosed until the age of five because of the rarity of her condition, faced repeated challenges in securing work experience, with many employers uncertain about what adjustments might be needed for a young person with a visual impairment.

Determined not to let those barriers stand in her way, she secured a placement through the Career Ready programme with Sight Scotland. Millie joined Sight Scotland’s People and Culture team earlier this summer, where she used her lived experience to help improve accessibility, engagement and recruitment processes across the organisation.

The four-week internship has boosted her confidence, developed valuable workplace skills and given her first-hand experience of professional life, leaving her feeling ready to enter the world of work when she completes her studies.

She said: “I’d never had any work experience before, and finding opportunities can be really challenging when you have a visual impairment.

“Some employers simply haven’t worked with someone who has sight loss before, so they can be unsure about what support might be needed and are sometimes reluctant to offer placements. That can be really discouraging when you’re trying to gain experience and build your confidence.

“When I was matched with Sight Scotland, I was delighted. It felt like the perfect place to start because everyone understood the challenges that I face on a daily basis, but more importantly they also focused on what I can do rather than what I can’t. I’ve had the chance to learn new skills, meet new people and gain valuable experience in a real working environment.

“During my placement, I had the opportunity to visit a range of Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans services, including the Royal Blind School, the Scottish Braille Press and the Veterans Activity Centres.

“I was also involved in the People and Culture team’s ARO project, which stands for Attraction, Recruitment and Onboarding. As part of this, I reviewed websites and digital platforms used by the organisation to see how welcoming and engaging they were, particularly for younger people like me.

“I also looked at how accessible they were for people with visual impairments, helping to identify ways to make them more inclusive for everyone.

“Working with Sight Scotland has been an amazing experience. Being part of an organisation where people genuinely understand visual impairment has made a huge difference. The team has been incredibly welcoming and supportive from day one. They’ve given me opportunities to learn, develop new skills and gain experience that will help me in the future.”

Millie added: “Before I started, I could be quite nervous about introducing myself or asking for help when I needed it.

“Now, I feel much more comfortable communicating with others and taking part in conversations. It’s also given me a real insight into what working life is like and what it means to be part of a team. The placement has really boosted my confidence and shown me that my visual impairment doesn’t have to hold me back.”

Carol Ann Boyer, Director of People and Culture at Sight Scotland, said: “It has been fantastic to welcome Millie to the team and watch her grow in confidence throughout her placement.

“Work experience plays a vital role in helping young people develop skills, explore career options and prepare for the future, and we are proud to provide those opportunities in an inclusive and supportive environment.

“Young people with vision impairments should have the same opportunities to gain workplace experience and pursue their career ambitions as anyone else. We hope Millie’s story encourages more organisations to open their doors to disabled young people and recognise the talent, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives they can bring to the workplace.”

Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans’ 2027 internship programme is now open for applications. To register an interest or find out more, visit sightscotland.org.uk or email Lesley Sweeney at lesley.sweeney@sightscotland.org.uk.

Cancer in Scotland: Health inequality ‘shameful’

‘WE NEED TO GRASP THE NETTLE’ SAYS CHARITY CHIEF

New figures published by Public Health Scotland reveal that after adjusting for age, people who live in the most deprived areas of Scotland are 22% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer than people who live in the least deprived areas.

Full data here: https://publichealthscotland.scot/publications/cancer-incidence-in-scotland/cancer-incidence-in-scotland-to-december-2024/

Peter Hastie, External Affairs Manager Scotland at Macmillan Cancer Support said: “It’s shameful that in 2026, we’re still seeing that people living in the most deprived areas of Scotland are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer than those living in the least deprived areas.

“Worse still, we know someone’s experience of cancer can be made much worse simply because of who they are or where they live.

“As we’ve seen with today’s data, we need to grasp the nettle by ensuring all routinely published cancer data includes a breakdown for deprivation as standard. It’s only by understanding where people are getting left behind that we can tackle this inequity once and for all.”

Key facts

  • The latest official statistics for Scotland show that after adjusting for age, people who live in the most deprived areas of Scotland are 22% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer than people who live in the least deprived areas[i]
  • The deprivation gap remains even greater for certain types of cancer, with people who live in the most deprived areas of Scotland more than three times as likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer and around twice as likely to be diagnosed with head and neck cancer, compared to people in the least deprived areas[ii]
  • Women and people assigned female at birth who live in the most deprived areas of Scotland are also 2.6 times more likely to be diagnosed with cervical cancer than those in the least deprived areas[iii]
  • Macmillan’s analysis of other recent official data for 2024 shows people who live in the most deprived areas of Scotland have a 78% higher risk of dying of cancer than people who live in the least deprived areas[iv]
  • There are around 3.5 million people living with cancer in the UK, the highest figure ever reported for the UK and including around 290,000 people in Scotland[v]  
2026-08-18-cancer-incidence-report-summary-finalDownload

If you or someone you love is affected by cancer, we’re here, whatever you need to ask. Call Macmillan’s free support line on 0808 808 00 00, open every day 8am to 8pm or visit our website at www.macmillan.org.uk.    

RoSPA supports Health Equals campaign

Your postcode shouldn’t determine your shelf life.

Right now, people in parts of the UK are living up to 18 years less than in others. That’s not because of bad luck or just individual choices, but because things like mouldy homes, toxic air, and the struggle to afford the basics are cutting lives short.

We are proud to support the Health Equals campaign, which is calling for a change in the law to tackle health inequalities.

Explore the campaign and find out how to get involved here:

👉https://bit.ly/4bGLDLR

Protecting young people from online harms

Surveys to explore families’ experiences of smartphones, social media and going online

Families are being invited to share their experiences of using smartphones, social media and the internet through surveys aiming to identify what support they need to stay safe online.

The first survey explores how children and young people use screens, apps and social media, as well as assessing the possible effects on their wellbeing and their confidence in staying safe on the internet.

The second asks parents or carers about their own screen use, how confident they are in supporting their children’s screen use, and what resources they would find helpful, among other questions.

While legislation to manage online safety lies with the UK Government, Scottish Ministers are focused on what more can be done within devolved powers.

The Scottish Government is therefore also conducting a review of more than 140 post-Covid research papers examining the impact of digital media use on the wellbeing of children and young people. The findings from the surveys and the review will be used to deliver new policy to reduce the impact of online harms.

Children and Young People Minister Siobhian Brown said: “Going online and using social media gives young people access to huge amounts of information, which can have positive benefits for their learning and connection to friends, family and the world.

“However, it can also have a harmful impact on their physical and mental health and wellbeing. We also know parents and carers are worried about how long young people spend online, what content they may be viewing and the addictive nature of some apps.

“We will continue to push the UK Government to go further – for example we want to see a Social Media Levy applied to online platforms which can then be reinvested back into our young people. However, we are also focused on what we can do within our powers in Scotland to ensure children and young people are safe and supported in their online lives, as part of a public health approach to online safety.

“To that end, we are seeking the views of as many people as possible, particularly around what support and information they would find most helpful. The surveys are completely anonymous and will help us to inform any public health campaign on this important issue.

“This work comes on top of our action to create phone-free learning environments to ensure pupils can learn free from the disruption associated with mobile phones.”

Digital wellbeing survey – children and young people

Digital wellbeing survey – parents and carers

The Scottish Government has provided funding to organisations supporting the emotional health and wellbeing of children and young people, including:

  • Mind Yer Time, an online hub on digital wellbeing designed by children and young people from the Children’s Parliament and the Scottish Youth Parliament
  • the AyeFeel online hub and award-winning ‘This is How AyeFeel’ podcast, delivered by Young Scot in collaboration with children and young people.

Parent Club provides advice for parents and carers on supporting the mental health and wellbeing of their children and families, including on how to manage screen time and ensure children have a healthy balance of screen-based activities and offline play and exercise.

Underbelly raises £20,000 for Brain Cancer Research through Big Brain Tumour Benefit

  • The eighth annual Big Brain Tumour Benefit has raised £20,000 for groundbreaking research into new treatments for brain tumours.
  • Eight acts performed for this year’s benefit: Nish Kumar, Rosie Jones, Rhys James, Larry Dean, Catherine Bohart, Emmanuel Sonubi, Felicity Ward and Justin Moorhouse.

Underbelly announces the 8th Annual Big Brain Tumour Benefit has raised £20,000 for Professor Richard Gilbertson’s lab at The Cancer Research Centre in Cambridge, helping to fund new treatments for the most aggressive forms of brain tumours in children.

This year’s star-studded lineup included performances from Nish Kumar, Rhys James, Rosie Jones, Larry Dean, Catherine Bohart, Emmanuel Sonubi, Felicity Ward and Justin Moorhouse.

Underbelly created the Big Brain Tumour Benefit in 2017 following co-founder Ed Bartlam’s son Alfie being diagnosed with Ependymoma, a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer. Alfie passed away two years later, at the age of seven. 100% of the profits from the Big Brain Tumour Benefit will be donated to Professor Richard Gilbertson’s lab to fund brain cancer research.

Ed Bartlam, Underbelly’s co-founder said: I am so grateful to everyone who attended Underbelly’s 8th annual Big Brain Tumour Benefit last night, and to the fantastic line up of comedians who gave their time and talent to make it such a success.

“It’s incredible that as a community we have raised more than £20,000, with all of the funds going to Professor Richard Gilbertson’s lab and directly funding cutting-edge tumour prevention and treatment.

“The Big Brain Tumour Benefit is always such a special night, and together we can continue to raise vital funds that save lives.”

Professor Richard Gilbertson said: “We are truly excited and humbled by the amazing partnership with Underbelly and Angel Child. Everyday, we work to end the devastation caused to children and their families by brain tumours.

“We will accept nothing less than total eradication of these devastating childhood cancers. Thanks to the support we have already received we are about to take a completely new therapy to the clinic.

“We could not have done this without Underbelly and Angel Child. Together with our collaborators, we have developed a number of other, completely new and kinder treatments, taking us even closer the day when no child will suffer or die from a brain tumour.

Brain tumours are the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in people under 40. They shorten life expectancy by an average of 27 years, the most of any cancer. Despite this, brain tumour research is underfunded compared to many other cancers.

The principal aim of Professor Richard Gilbertson’s Lab is to improve the accuracy of brain tumour classification and treatment, with a particular focus on children’s brain tumours.

Their research involves conducting genomic analyses of brain tumours to identify cancer-causing abnormalities, and using that knowledge to develop effective new cancer cures through clinical trials of molecular targeted therapies.

Underbelly’s Big Brain Tumour Benefit is a one-night-only show. For more information on the wider programme for the remainder of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, please visit the website here.

Cole-Hamilton calls for more respite care and holiday hubs in Edinburgh after a tough summer for families

This week, Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, visited Oaklands School in Edinburgh with Edinburgh Northern MSP, Sanne Dijkstra-Downie where they received a warm welcome from both staff and pupils.

Oaklands provides a supportive and significantly adapted learning environment for those with profound learning disabilities and associated health care needs.

The main topic of conversation centred on respite care throughout the school holidays, as many pupils and families from the school struggled to secure some, if any. This pressure on families, often unpaid carers, can be difficult to sustain.

Alex is now calling for the Scottish Government to support the City of Edinburgh Council in providing a higher level of provision for families, especially in the school holidays.

Speaking after the visit, Alex said: “Visiting Oaklands School always brings me so much joy. The staff and pupils are a delight and welcome you into their space with such kindness.

It is so hard to see these pupils struggle outside of term time, as well as their families, by not having access to appropriate levels of respite care and holiday hubs.

“Many families are also going without Section 23 assessments. The awareness amongst families of their right to a Section 23 assessment is not nearly high enough. The Scottish Government needs to act on this to ensure families have the support they need.

 “Councils need support from the Scottish Government as to how we up the ante for those who need it most during the summer months and other school holidays. We need to get it right for them and their families.”

Health: First Minister launches heart and lung MOTs

Checks to enable earlier treatment and improve life chances

People in Scotland will be empowered to make better, more informed choices about their health with access to heart and lung MOT-style checks, First Minister John Swinney has announced.

Fulfilling one of the commitments made for the Scottish Government’s first 100 days, the Healthy Heart and Lung Checks are part of wider action to identify those most at risk of cardiovascular and respiratory disease, helping to prevent illness and support earlier intervention where needed.

Delivered by Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland (CHSS) and supported by local NHS services, the scheme will see people take part in a range of health tests, including blood pressure and BMI measurements, heart rate, cholesterol and pulse checks and a lifestyle assessment.

People will receive advice and support based on their individual needs, allowing them to take control of their heart and lung health in a way that is relevant, achievable, and sustainable.

Initially available to people in Tayside, Glasgow and Grampian, the Scottish Government and CHSS will work together over five years to develop and extend the model. The programme will prioritise people and communities that are more likely to experience poorer health outcomes and less likely to access traditional health services, helping to reduce health inequalities and improve early diagnosis.

The First Minister will visit the CHSS Health Defence Hub in Dundee to mark the beginning of the strategic partnership today (Thursday 20 August).

He said: “We know illnesses related to heart and lung issues affect too many families in Scotland. As our population ages and our healthcare system faces growing pressure, proactive measures to keep people healthier are more important than ever.

“These Healthy Heart and Lung Checks will not only help identify people at risk of cardiovascular and respiratory conditions at an earlier stage but will also empower people to make better, more informed decisions about their health in a way which works for them.

“They will also help reach people who might not otherwise come forward, particularly in more disadvantaged communities where the burden of ill health is greatest.

“Alongside existing interventions, our new GP walk-in clinics, and additional investment in planned care, my government is delivering a strengthened NHS by reducing pressure on acute services and enabling people to get the care they need, when and where they need it.”

CHSS Chief Executive Jane-Claire Judson said: “Around one in five people in Scotland are living with a chest, heart or stroke condition, and we know that too many opportunities to prevent serious illness are missed because risks are identified too late.

“Our CHSS Health Defence Hubs are designed to take prevention directly into communities, helping people understand their health, identify risks earlier and access the support they need before life-changing conditions develop or worsen.

“We know that people experiencing the greatest barriers to good health are often the least likely to access traditional services. That is why this five-year partnership, with indicative funding of £3 million investment, will focus on reaching communities that experience poorer health outcomes, helping to tackle health inequalities that continue to affect too many people across Scotland.

“By working in partnership with the Scottish Government, the NHS and local communities over the next five years, we have an opportunity to prevent avoidable illness, improve health and give more people a fairer chance of living longer, healthier lives. Together, we can help create the conditions for a healthier Scotland, now and for the future.”

Further information on Healthy Heart and Lung Checks can be found on Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland’s website.

Helpline referrals for children experiencing domestic abuse in Scotland increased last year

  • Last year, the NSPCC Helpline made 276 referrals to agencies in Scotland where the main concern was domestic abuse – 73% higher than when the charity began recording this data.
  • The NSPCC is appealing to the public to reach out to its Helpline if they have any concern, no matter how small, about a child experiencing domestic abuse.

Referrals about a child experiencing domestic abuse made by the NSPCC Helpline to agencies in Scotland increased by more than a quarter last year.

Between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026, the charity’s Helpline made 276 referrals to local agencies in Scotland, including the police and children’s social work, where the main concern was domestic abuse. This is an increase of 27% from the previous year when there were 217 referrals, and 73% from 2021/22 when the NSPCC began recording this data*.  

The NSPCC Helpline has specially trained advisors who can speak to the public if they are worried about a child who may be experiencing or witnessing domestic abuse – whether that is physical violence or coercive and controlling behaviour.

The charity makes a referral when concerns about a child reported to the Helpline are considered to be serious enough to warrant further investigation or if it is felt a family needs support.

An adult in Scotland who contacted the NSPCC Helpline said:

“I’m worried about my little brother and my mother. I believe my mother’s boyfriend is subjecting her to ongoing domestic abuse. He restricts access to her car and regularly monitors her phone to see who’s she’s been speaking to. I’ve witnessed him being verbally aggressive, shouting, swearing, and throwing objects around the flat.

“He has also threatened to report mum to children’s services, even though he’s the one who should be reported. Mum is too frightened to ask for help which is why I’m reaching out on her behalf.”

Domestic abuse can include coercive control, and emotional, verbal, physical and financial abuse. Although the majority of domestic abuse victims are women, men can also be affected, and   it is vital support is made available to each person according to their needs.

It can have a lasting, harmful effect on a child’s wellbeing, with the repercussions extending well into the future.

Signs that a child has experienced domestic abuse can include aggression, anti-social behaviour, bed wetting, attention seeking, tantrums, withdrawal and problems in school.

Margaret ** who suffered years of abuse by her ex-husband spoke about the impact this had on her children and is urging victims ask for help:

She said: “I had always known Tony* was controlling, but after our wedding he became emotionally and psychologically abusive, threatening me and belittling me all the time. Then he started being physically abusive.

“We had two children and he became abusive towards them too, shouting and beating them with belts and shoes when I wasn’t there. I could see that they were really affected. They were subdued, sullen and didn’t really behave like children at all.

“One day, I finally snapped and called the police. They helped get us to a safe house.

“I was really worried about whether my children would be able to get over the abuse they had witnessed and endured. They took part in the NSPCC’s domestic abuse programme, and the light has come back into their eyes. They changed from quiet and subdued children to boisterous and playful – like they’ve released whatever they’d been holding on to.

“If there are any parents reading this and going through something like us, or you know someone who is, help is out there. I know my children will be OK, but without help, they may not have been.”

Paddi Vint, NSPCC Helpline Service Head, says: “It’s worrying that referrals made by the NSPCC Helpline to agencies in Scotland increased by more than a quarter last year.

“Domestic abuse is often hidden, with stigma and shame making it harder to ask for help. Children and young people might also feel frightened and confused, keeping the abuse to themselves.

“If you’re worried about a child, you can speak to our free NSPCC Helpline in complete confidence. Reaching out can be the first step to help families begin to move forward.”

Anyone with any concerns about the welfare of a child can call the NSPCC Helpline free on 0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk. Children can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or visit childline.org.uk. If an adult or child is in immediate danger, call 999.