Health and wellbeing – Page 5 – The NEN

Children’s coalition demands action as mental health problems soar

A leading coalition of children’s services providers has challenged political parties to “stop talking and start delivering” after a dramatic surge in additional support needs (ASN) conditions among Scotland’s pupils.

New analysis of Scottish Government data reveals a sharp rise in complex needs over the past decade. Between 2015 and 2025:

Mental health problems have surged by 526%
Communication support needs have risen by 296%
Autism diagnoses have increased by 252%
Interrupted learning has jumped by 497%
Social, emotional and behavioural difficulties are up 144%
Physical health problems have grown by 142%
Dyslexia has increased by 129%
Substance misuse has increased by 245%

Overall, the number of pupils identified with ASN has almost doubled—from 153,143 to 299,445—now accounting for 43% of all pupils, experiencing an increased complexity of need.

The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC), an alliance of leading providers of specialist care and education for vulnerable children and young people, has warned that rising need is being met with falling support.

Despite the sharp increase in demand:

Specialist ASN teachers have droppedfrom 3,038 in 2015 to 2,864 in 2025.³
Educational psychologist numbers have barely shifted, rising only from 370 to 396.⁴

The SCSC notes that the gap between need and provision is being driven by a combination of improved diagnosis, the lasting impact of Covid-19, social media pressures, and the cost-of-living crisis.

Associated with this, we are witnessing increasing levels of classroom disruption, a key cause of this being the increase in the number of those with ASN, who are not receiving the support they are entitled to.

The SCSC has also raised concerns about the effectiveness of mainstreaming—where pupils are educated in mainstream classrooms unless exceptional circumstances apply—warning that without adequate support, it is failing many children.

An SCSC spokesperson said: “Scotland’s politicians must stop talking and start delivering. The scale of this increase in need is staggering—but the support simply isn’t keeping pace.

“Too many children with ASN are being left without the help they are entitled to. That is failing them, their classmates, their teachers and support staff.

“Mainstreaming can work—but not without the resources to back it up. Right now, that support just isn’t there, and we are seeing the consequences in rising classroom disruption and unmet need.

“The next Scottish Government must act decisively, providing adequate support for children and young people with ASN, who disproportionately come from the most disadvantaged backgrounds.”

Reasons for support for pupils with ASN (pupils may have more than one reason for additional support).

Reason for support	2025	2015	% change on 2015
	Total	Total
Dyslexia	39,036	17,034	129
Other specific learning difficulty (e.g. numeric)	30,720	17,552	75
Other moderate learning difficulty	30,484	23,228	31
Visual impairment	5,739	3,839	49.5
Hearing impairment	4,376	2,738	59
Deaf blind	64	47	42.5
Physical or motor impairment	8,618	7,528	14.5
Language or speech disorder	20,758	14,704	41
Autistic spectrum disorder	41,285	11,722	252
Social, emotional and behavioural difficulty	77,405	31,684	144
Physical health problem	21,961	9,059	142
Mental health problem	14,638	2,338	526
Interrupted learning	15,931	2,669	497
English as an additional language	61,107	21,997	178
Looked after	10,673	7,530	42
More able pupil	3,075	3,123	-1.5
Communication Support Needs	19,374	4,894	296
Young Carer	10,302	1,653	523
Bereavement	7,261	1,304	457
Substance Misuse	762	221	245
Family Issues	31,865	9,700	228.5
Risk of Exclusion	2,610	925	182
Learning disability	12,241	15,324	-20
Other	25,406	14,156	79.5

Grateful patient urges others to act early on bowel cancer

A patient who feels his life was saved by a simple bowel screening test is encouraging people to act early – by completing their screening test or contacting their GP if they notice symptoms.

Colin Mearns, a photographer from Glasgow, shared his experience after sending away his screening sample led to the early discovery of bowel cancer.

Like thousands of people across Scotland, Colin received a bowel screening test through the post. Everyone aged 50 to 74 is invited to take part every two years, and the test takes just a couple of minutes to complete and return.

For Colin, those few minutes were life‑changing. Because his cancer was found early, he was able to have surgery at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital to remove the affected part of his bowel, and he is now cancer free.

“I had no idea anything was wrong,” Colin said. “If I hadn’t done the test and sent it back quickly, my cancer might not have been picked up until much later.

“Hearing the word ‘cancer’ was frightening but knowing it had been caught early made all the difference. Because of that early diagnosis and treatment, I can now look forward to the future.”

Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers in Scotland, with around 4,000 people diagnosed each year, according to Public Health Scotland. However, it is also one of the most treatable cancers when found early. When bowel cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, nine in ten people survive.

This April, during Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, people are being urged to be aware of the symptoms and to seek advice as soon as possible if they notice changes.

Bowel cancer can affect anyone, whatever their age, gender, ethnicity or where they live. Symptoms can include bleeding from your bottom, blood in your poo, changes in bowel habits such as going more or less often or having diarrhoea or constipation that comes and goes, unexplained weight loss, feeling very tired all the time, or pain or a lump in your tummy.

Having these symptoms does not always mean you have bowel cancer, but it is still important to find out what is causing them. Not everyone will have all the symptoms, and they may appear at different times. Even if you have only one symptom, your GP will want to see you.

Dr Alison Potts, Bowel Screening Lead for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said early action saves lives.

“We know that talking about poo or bowel habits can feel embarrassing, but GPs are used to having these conversations every day,” she said. “If you’ve noticed any changes or have symptoms that concern you, please make an appointment with your GP as soon as you can.

“When bowel cancer is detected early, it is highly treatable and, in the vast majority of cases, curable. The earlier it is diagnosed, the more straightforward treatment is likely to be.”

She also stressed that people should not wait for their next screening invitation if they have symptoms. “Your GP may ask you to complete an at‑home test to help decide whether further checks are needed. Acting early gives everyone the best possible chance of an early diagnosis.”

Public Health Scotland data shows that around two‑thirds of people who are sent a bowel screening test complete it and return it.

“People like Colin show just how powerful this simple test can be,” Dr Potts added. “Even if you’ve put it off before, taking a few minutes to complete it when it arrives could save your life.”

Returning a screening test does not usually lead to further procedures. Only around 2–3 per cent of people are asked to have a colonoscopy, and if cancer is found at that stage, it is often early enough that surgery alone can remove it.

For more information about bowel screening or to order a replacement test kit, visit NHS Inform or call the Scottish Bowel Screening Centre on 0800 0121 833.

Woman running 200 marathons in 200 days for charity brings message of hope and resilience to Edinburgh

Megan Boxall is aiming to become the fastest woman to run the entire coastline of Britain and is raising funds for Samaritans, a charity close to her heart.

Megan, who has been running a marathon almost every day since she set off from Suffolk on the 18^th October, made it to Edinburgh on Saturday (11^th April).

Since arriving in Scotland on the 19^th January, Megan has run the length of the West coast of mainland Scotland, and is now on the home straight having run back down the East coast. She aims to have completed the entirety of the challenge by the 18^th May, making her the fastest woman to do so.

In taking on this marathon challenge, Megan combines endurance sport with open conversations about mental health and suicide prevention. Not only has Megan raised £30,000 for the suicide prevention charity, but she is also spreading a message of resilience and hope, as well as raising awareness of mental health and help-seeking in rural and coastal communities.

In 2024, Megan was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and faced struggles with her mental health. She made five calls to Samaritans that year which helped her through some of her most difficult moments.

Megan spoke about how important it was for her to have the live-saving opportunity to talk to a Samaritan about how she felt. She said: “Every 90 minutes someone dies by suicide in the UK.

“Samaritans is an amazing charity which is helping to prevent that number from becoming much higher. Its volunteers pick up the phone to someone in need once every ten seconds.

“In 2024, I made five calls to the charity (116 123). Their volunteers were there for me when the pain in my brain was so intense I couldn’t pick myself up off the floor.

“I only wish I had picked up the phone to them sooner.”

Megan follows in her late uncle’s footsteps, who walked the route aged 33 after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.

Running 200 marathons in 200 days is no mean feat, and a grueling task even in the brightest of weather. The weather in Scotland can offer little encouragement during the early months of the year, but something which has brightened up each daily marathon for Megan has been the people of Scotland that have cheered her on so far.

Megan said: “I have really had some amazing experiences in Scotland so far. Overall, I have been blown away by the Scottish welcome. It really has been so uplifting and what Run Britain is all about.

“I hope that by talking more about my experiences with Samaritans and raising some money while I circle the country, I can help anyone who might be struggling.”

Running and being in nature alongside her dog, adopted from Dog’s Trust in 2022, helped Megan to find a way to cope and carry on. Megan hopes that her run will help raise awareness of Samaritans for anyone struggling with their mental health, as well as the benefits of spending time in nature enjoying the beauty of the coastline.

Megan’s dog, Shadow, accompanies her on some parts of her journey wearing her PitPat GPS tracker to stay safe and track her miles.

Megan started her 5,240-mile (8,433km) journey at Sizewell Beach in Suffolk on the 18^th October, and hopes to finish at the same place in May.

Running groups and clubs are invited to join Megan on sections of her journey and can sign-up here.

You can donate to Megan’s fundraiser through her JustGiving page.

ACAS: Feeling stressed at work

Feeling stressed at work?

Stress can affect anyone, and it’s often linked to things like workload, support or communication.

This Stress Awareness Month, talk to someone or ask for support if work is affecting you.

See below for simple steps you can take

#StressAwarenessMonth

#MentalHealth

#Jobs

NHS Inform: Chickenpox advice

Chickenpox is a common and usually mild illness, especially in children

It causes an itchy rash of spots that turn into blisters before crusting over. You or your child may also feel unwell, have a fever or aches before the rash appears.

Most children get better at home without seeing a GP, but it’s important to keep them off nursery or school until all spots have crusted over to help stop the spread.

There is no treatment for chickenpox. But, you can get remedies from your pharmacy that can help symptoms. These include:

– paracetamol to help bring down a fever

– calamine lotion and cooling gels to ease itching.

In most children, the blisters crust up and fall off naturally within 1 to 2 weeks.

Find out more about symptoms, what to expect and when to get advice at #NHSinform

Playlist for Life: Free Webinar

TUESDAY 14th APRIL at 7pm on ZOOM

If you would like to know more about how personal playlists can be used in dementia support, we are hosting a free webinar on Tuesday 14th April.

The one hour session will cover:

How personal playlists can help someone live well with dementia

Tips for finding music that sparks memories, conversation, and connection

Simple ways to listen – no technology experience is needed to enjoy playlists!

An opportunity to share songs from your own playlist and connect with others

This free session is open to anyone affected by dementia.

Book here: https://sbee.link/n4xyvw86hc

Letter: It’s time for politicians to hear deaf people

Dear Editor,

With just a few weeks to go before a pivotal election in Scotland, now is the time to urge our local representatives to address a major public health issue that has been overlooked for far too long.

As I write, the needs of the 1.5 million people in Scotland who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus are being neglected, and this must change.

It’s unacceptable that people with hearing loss in Scotland face routine waits of up to 18 months for audiology services, with some forced to wait even longer.

Too often, healthcare services in Scotland also fail to meet the communication needs of deaf people and those with hearing loss, such as providing an accessible alternative to the telephone, or a BSL interpreter for those who need one. This leaves people unable to fully understand or participate in decisions about their own care.

We want Scotland to be a country where the 1.5 million deaf people and people with hearing loss or tinnitus are fully included and treated with respect, dignity and understanding.

In the run up to the election, RNID is urging people to raise these issues with their local MSP candidates. You can contact your local candidates by visiting www.rnid.org.uk or by clicking here.

Regards,

Ruth MacLeod,

Health Policy Advisor, RNID – the national charity supporting people who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus.

Macmillan Cancer Support finds 10-year Scottish cancer plan ‘not delivering’, as Holyrood election looms

New data from Macmillan Cancer Support shows almost one in four people with cancer in Scotland are lacking specialist nursing support during their care – a figure basically unchanged since June 2022
Additionally, one in two people living with cancer in Scotland have been affected by local variation in their treatment and care, despite Scottish Government pledges.
Carrol Pollock, 61, a retired schoolteacher from Larbert, said: “No-one should have to fight for basic standards of cancer care,” after she was left to process the trauma of her cancer diagnosis and treatment alone.

In the buildup to the Holyrood election on Thursday 7 May, Macmillan Cancer Support has launched its Manifesto, calling for bolder and faster action to address a patchwork system that is failing the people.

Three years into the Scottish Cancer Strategy, the charity is concerned that progress to ensure people get the support they need is flatlining, and too many people are still not having their needs met.

New data from Macmillan shows almost one in four people with cancer in Scotland (24%) either do not have the support of a specialist cancer nurse during their NHS care but would like it, or the support they receive from a specialist cancer nurse isn’t enough to meet their needsⁱ. This figure, from the charity’s January 2026 survey, has shown no signs of significant improvement since at least June 2022ⁱⁱ.

In addition, other recent data from Macmillan shows 49% of people living with cancer in Scotland have been affected by local variation in their treatment and care, including 46% who have had to travel for an hour or more for a test, scan or treatmentⁱⁱⁱ.

Everyone with cancer, no matter who they are or where they live, should be able to get the best possible cancer treatment and care that Scotland has to offer. 

Carrol Pollock, 61, from Larbert, a retired primary school teacher and long-standing Macmillan volunteer, was abruptly told she had cancer. This happened following a routine mammogram that led to further tests that were consistently downplayed. She felt distressed and unprepared as result.

Initially she received compassionate support from a Macmillan-trained nurse who helped her cope with the shock of diagnosis. However, once transferred to her local hospital care became fragmented and her treatment was delayed well beyond the 35 days stated by Scottish cancer guidelines. Carrol waited for weeks without a clear plan despite being told in mid-January 2025 that the cancer may be incurable.

Carrol eventually received chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy but felt support dropped away at the end of treatment.

Carrol says: “The delays and the impact of the uncertain incurable update was huge and left me feeling overwhelmed, powerless and unable to advocate for myself.

“No one should have to fight for better standards of cancer care. Better communication, less fragmented treatment and care and keeping to cancer waiting time targets are vital for improving outcomes for people with cancer in Scotland.”

Peter Hastie, Macmillan’s External Affairs Manager for Scotland, said: “Without decisive action that goes further and faster than ever before, the gaps in outcomes for people with cancer in Scotland will remain unacceptably wide. The system is at crisis point and the pressures are growing. The people of Scotland deserve better from their cancer strategy.

“Macmillan is committed to being a partner in the challenges ahead. We will do whatever it takes to work alongside government, the health system, professionals, sector partners and most importantly, people living with cancer in Scotland – wherever they live, whichever community they’re from – to make it happen.”

Macmillan’s Manifesto launch on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile

People living with cancer, Macmillan professionals, local politicians and others gathered on Tuesday 17 March at The Scottish Storytelling Centre to launch Macmillan’s Manifesto calls, in the build to what is being termed the most consequential election at Holyrood since devolution.

Macmillan is calling for:

Bold action to tackle inequities in cancer care. We need to move faster to reduce inequity in cancer outcomes for people in the most deprived areas.
Clear steps to address unwarranted variation in treatment and care. 49% of people living with cancer in Scotland have been affected by local variation in their treatment and care^iv – this situation is wholly unacceptable and must change. 
A revolution in cancer data and digital infrastructure. The publication of vital statistics since the Strategy was released has been infrequent and incomplete. Macmillan is calling for the annual publication of detailed cancer statistics, broken down by deprivation and ethnicity, so we can build an equitable system 
Renewed commitment to delivering person-centred care. Macmillan is the proud delivery partner of our innovative Improving the Cancer Journey (ICJ) which will cover the whole of Scotland by Spring 2026. We’re calling for the renewed commitment to embedding this community-based across the country

For information, support or just someone to talk to, call Macmillan’s free, confidential Support line 7-days a week on 0808 808 00 00 or visit:

macmillan.org.uk/whateveryouneed. 

macmillan-manifesto Download

Cancer charity concern as latest bowel screening statistics published

The latest report by Public Health Scotland (PHS) provides an annual update to key performance indicators for the Scottish Bowel Screening Programme. The report includes uptake, laboratory and clinical outcomes of screened individuals, for those invited from May 2023 to April 2025.

For the two-year period from 01 May 2023 to 30 April 2025, over 1.9 million people were invited to complete a home bowel screening test:

Two-thirds of people successfully returned their kit (65.2% uptake), meeting the programme minimum uptake target of 60%. Uptake was higher in females (67.7%) than males (62.7%).

Bar chart showing percentage uptake of screening program across SIMD quintiles, for males and females with a red dashed line indicating a 60% program target. Uptake is highest in least deprived quintile 5 for both sexes, exceeding the target, and decreases progressively toward most deprived quintile 1, where uptake falls below 60%. — Image captionUptake by deprivation category and sex, May 2023 to April 2025

There was a 22.1 percentage point gap between uptake in the most (52.3%) and least (74.4%) deprived population quintiles as measured by the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD). Uptake for both men and women in the most deprived areas was below the programme target of 60%.
34,676 people (2.8% of the tests) had a positive result and were referred for a colonoscopy – a more detailed investigation. Three-quarters received a colonoscopy, while most of the remaining quarter either chose not to proceed or had medical reasons that made it unsuitable. This was similar to last year’s report.
While waiting times for screening colonoscopies have improved generally, only four out of 10 (41.5%) people received their colonoscopy within four weeks of their positive referral. This was an increase of 12.7 percentage points since last year’s report. However, two out of 10 people (18.6%) waited more than eight weeks for their colonoscopy. This was a reduction of 10.0 percentage points since last year’s report.
Overall, 5.0% (1,295 people) of those having a colonoscopy following a positive screen were found to have bowel cancer. Three out of five cancers (63.4%) were diagnosed at the earliest two stages, when treatment is most likely to be successful.
In people eligible to participate, about one third of bowel cancers are identified through screening. These cancers are often at an earlier, more treatable stage which is why anyone sent a bowel screening test is encouraged to complete the test and return using the pre-paid envelope provided.
For further information, visit NHS Inform.

Peter Hastie, Macmillan External Affairs Manager in Scotland, comments on the latest bowel screening figures issued by the Scottish government: “This latest data continues to show an extremely worrying picture – there is a gap of 22 percentage points in the take up of bowel screening between the most and least deprived areas of Scotland. This isn’t fair, and it has to change.

“Macmillan is committed to working to address the huge gaps and the unfairness that exists in cancer care in Scotland. But we need to see more joined up action, so everyone gets the early diagnosis and support they need, whoever they are and wherever they live.

“As the election looms, we need commitments from the next Scottish Government to work with the health system, professionals, sector partners, community organisations and most importantly, people living with cancer, to fix this unfairness. We deserve nothing less.”

See Macmillan’s Holyrood election manifesto below:

macmillan-manifesto Download

People living in Scotland aged 50 to 74 are sent a home bowel screening test every two years.

The test can be done in the privacy of your home and returned using the pre-paid envelope provided.

For more: http://nhsinform.scot/bowelscreening

#BowelScreeningScotland

#BowelCancerAwarenessMonth

2026-04-07-bowel-screening-publication-summary-final Download

Charity warns lives are at risk as specialist funding withdrawn

Deaf Action says EIJB decision has left some people in dire situations

The lives of deaf people have been put at risk by Edinburgh Integration Joint Board’s (EIJB) decision to withdraw specialist social work funding, according to Scotland’s leading deaf-led charity.

Deaf Action is urging Edinburgh’s health and social care body to reinstate the services, including social work support, specialist equipment and preventative, community-based assistance with immediate effect.

The organisation argues that the EIJB’s decision contradicts council leader Jane Meagher’s claim that a four percent rise in Council Tax will see it “protecting frontline services for those most in need of our support”.

Deaf Action has highlighted numerous examples of how the decision has affected the deaf community in the city, including one of a woman who had a ‘Do Not Resuscitate’ (DNR) order added to her medical records after a stroke because staff thought she couldn’t communicate.

In fact, as a British Sign Language (BSL) user she needed an interpreter and it was only an ad hoc welfare visit to the woman in hospital by a BSL-using Community Care Assistant that identified the problem. The woman involved was too unwell to be interviewed for this press release.

Deaf Action’s campaign has won the support of several MPs and MSPs, including the deputy first minister, Kate Forbes.

Philip Gerrard MBE, chief executive of Deaf Action, said: “Edinburgh once had specialist, deaf-led BSL-first services that helped people navigate daily life in their own language. Those services have been dismantled, one after another, and the result is that deaf people are now being pushed into generic systems that are not designed for BSL users.

“When you take away that language provision, you take away accessibility. It increases the risk of people being misunderstood, left isolated or falling through safeguarding gaps. The Council must restore these services as a matter of urgency.”

Jennifer Staples, who was born deaf and has lived in Edinburgh all her life, relied on Deaf Action’s specialist BSL-led support for more than four decades.

Through regular access to a dedicated social worker and later community-based services, she was able to manage everyday tasks, understand important correspondence and live independently with confidence.

Since the withdrawal of these services, Jennifer says she has been left struggling to navigate basic aspects of daily life, facing increasing isolation and uncertainty.

Jennifer said: “Every Thursday I knew that there was a two-hour slot, I could see a social worker, a person I knew, and I would go regularly. They could sign fluently and we communicated directly. But then the contract was changed and I was lost. It’s so different going through an interpreter. There were barriers everywhere.

“For example, I had a problem with my gas meter. The company stopped sending me printed bills and sent emails instead. They put on my account that I was deaf, but they kept trying to call me and I obviously can’t take a phone call.

“Nowadays I have to ask my family for help, but they don’t have any time, so I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. It’s really stressful. I’m worrying about it all the time and I don’t sleep well because of it.

“I really hope that the Council brings something back for deaf people in Edinburgh – we need support.”

Deaf Action points to a further example of a deaf man with special educational needs who went without heating for four months over the winter due to communication failures within generic social care services.

Despite raising concerns, he did not fully understand the advice given by a visiting social worker about arranging an engineer, leaving the problem unresolved from November until February.

Deaf Action argues that the replacement of specialist provision with generic services is a false economy. The charity produced a cost analysis study which concludes that removing specialist deaf-led support does not eliminate need or reduce public spending; instead, it shifts demand into far more expensive crisis services.

Three key services have been cut in sequence over the past 18 months:

Deaf Social Worker (cut September 2024) – specialist, deaf-aware support with cultural understanding and BSL-first assessment and safeguarding
Specialist Equipment (March 2025) – deaf-specific equipment such as alerting systems, with repairs, replacements and specialist advice
Community Care Assistant Service (November 2025) – deaf-led, preventative support helping deaf people navigate health, care and day-to-day life

Philip Gerrard added: “The cuts contradict Scotland’s stated ambition under the British Sign Language (Scotland) Act, passed a decade ago, to be the best place in the world for BSL users to live, work, learn and visit,

“And this all comes just a few months after a UK Government report (link below ^[1] ) called for the reintroduction and strengthening of the role of specialist social workers and sensory teams across local authorities”.

As well as calling for the reintroduction of the specialist services, Deaf Action wants the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership to publish a full equality and social impact assessment that considers the cumulative effect of the cuts.

Philip Gerrard, who has met with the City of Edinburgh’s leader, Jane Meagher, and Connor Savage, the Chair of its Integration Board, said he hopes constructive discussions can continue.

REPORT: Locked out: Exclusion of deaf and deafblind BSL users from health and social care in the UK (full report – BSL and English versions)