Health and wellbeing – Page 6 – The NEN

Scottish Children’s Services Coalition: 137 children wait over a year for mental health treatment

New figures show 137 children waiting more for a year for mental health treatment

The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC), an alliance of leading providers of specialist care and education to vulnerable children and young people, is calling for the Scottish Government to renew its focus on tackling the child mental health emergency.

The SCSC has also warned that the Scottish Government is in in danger of missing its Programme for Government commitment to Increase direct investment into mental health by the end of the parliamentary term, noting that only 75p in every £100 is spent on specialist child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS).

While health is a devolved matter, it has also noted that the General Election provides an ideal opportunity to talk about this crucial matter in Scotland.

The call comes as the latest waiting time figures from Public Health Scotland, published on 4th June, indicate that 137 children and young people had been waiting over a year for treatment from CAMHS in the quarter ending March 2024.

The figures also show that a total of 5,557 children and young people were still stuck on waiting lists to start treatment at the end of that quarter.

In addition, just 86.0 per cent of patients with mental health problems were seen within 18 weeks from referral to treatment at CAMHS. This falls short of the Scottish Government’s waiting time target of 90 per cent being seen within 18 weeks.

This comes against the background of an increasing level of violent incidents in the classroom, a result in part due to the current mental health emergency, exacerbated by the long shadow of the Covid lockdown and cost-of-living crisis.

Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, cases of poor mental health in children and young people were at unprecedented levels, with under-resourced services struggling to keep pace with growing demand, leaving an increasing number of vulnerable individuals unable to access support.

The Scottish Government in its NHS Recovery Plan 2021-2026 committed to Increase direct investment into mental health by the end of the parliamentary term in 2026, ensuring that 10 per cent of the frontline NHS budget is invested in mental health, with 1 per cent directed specifically to children and young people through CAMHS.²

However, it should be noted that despite greatly increased demand, only 0.75% of the total frontline NHS budget was spent on CAMHS in the 2022/23 financial year, amounting to £114.799 million (real terms), just 75p in every £100 of the NHS budget.

The mental health budget overall amounts to only 8.53% of total frontline NHS expenditure, a decrease of 0.59% from 9.12% in the past decade (2011/12).³

The SCSC is calling the Scottish Government to refocus on the treatment of mental health issues, prioritising spending and avoiding a potential lost generation of children and young people with mental health problems.

A spokesperson for the SCSC commented: “The latest figures, highlighting that 137 children and young people have been waiting over a year for treatment from mental health services, is extremely alarming.

“We are facing a mental health emergency, and many of our children and young people are at breaking point, with stress and anxiety reaching alarming levels. Despite this, too many are waiting too long for treatment, and if the Scottish Government is to reach its financial commitment to spend 1 per cent of the frontline NHS budget on CAMHS, it will need to radically increase investment.

“While health is a devolved matter, this General Election provides an opportunity to talk about it, and we would urge the Scottish Government to refocus its efforts on delivering services that adequately address the needs of our children and young people.”

RCEM calls for next Westminster government to end “degrading” A&E waits in Scotland

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine is urging whoever forms the next Westminster Government to ensure the Scottish executive has sufficient funding for Emergency Medicine as the country’s A&E crisis continues.

The call comes after the latest Emergency Department (ED) performance data for Scotland was released today (4 June 2024).

Published by Public Health Scotland, the data shows that in April:

112,005 people visited a major Scottish ED (down 4.6% on March 2024)
64% of those people were treated, discharged or admitted within the target time of four hours
14,237 people waited more than eight hours (12.7%) and 6,412 (5.7%) patients had to endure waits of more than 12 hours

This represents the worst four-hour, eight-hour and 12-hour performance for any April since records began in 2011.

The number of patients who were unable to leave hospital despite being well enough to do so – which is a key contributor to overcrowding in Emergency Departments – was up 12% on the same month the previous year.

Dr John-Paul Loughrey, Royal College of Emergency Medicine Vice President for Scotland, said: “Extreme waits in A&Es are degrading and dehumanising and critically they are dangerous.

“We must not allow this vitally important message to be drowned out by the posturing and political coverage which naturally comes ahead of an election.

“The crisis in our departments continues and whoever forms the next Westminster Government must be pragmatic, proactive and provide adequate resources so the devolved governments including here in Scotland can really address this issue.

“It is nothing less than our members and their patients deserve.”

A graphic illustration of the data can be found here. The full data can be found here.

Richard Gadd helps survivors move ‘Beyond The Silence’

Male sexual abuse charity, We Are Survivors, has launched its brand new quarterly magazine, Beyond The Silence, with the help of the creator of the Netflix international smash hit Baby Reindeer, Richard Gadd.

This is the first ever magazine from the organisation and has been created to ensure that space is created for the important discussion on male victims / survivors of sexual abuse, rape and sexual exploitation.

Magazine Editor, Grahame Robertson, said: “Whilst the newsletter format served us well, our organisational vision is for a society where NO male survivor is left behind and with such a bold vision, we need an equally bold way to get the UK talking.”

This first edition is packed full of the latest news from the sexual violence sector; the lowdown on the organisation’s two new digital campaigns that look at ChemSex and being the best survivor ally you can be; and even takes the reader on a tour of the amazing new community space.

But is the issues cover star that we’re most excited to present. For around a decade now, writer, comedian, actor and now creator of the biggest Netflix series – Baby Reindeer, Richard Gadd has been an ambassador of the organisation and stood with us as a male survivor and in support of male survivors.

Talking exclusively in the magazine, Richard talks about the positive effect Baby Reindeer has had and why he is such a proud supporter of We Are Survivors.

In the interview, Richard describes how talking about using his lived experience as a survivor has been cathartic and how that conversation with the charity’s founder, Duncan Craig OBE, helped him see how vital the support for male survivors is from a first hand perspective.

To get your free copy of Beyond The Silence, sign up here: BEYOND THE SILENCE – SIGN UP

Luxury Scottish care home opens its doors to families

Open day offers first-hand insight into home more akin to a lux hotel

FAMILIES are being given an opportunity to visit Scotland’s most upmarket care home as it opens its doors for the public to see its “luxury hotel” facilities.

Taking place on June 8th between 10am-2pm, Cramond Residence is set to host a family-friendly day featuring arts and crafts for kids, along with homemade baked goods, teas, and coffees.

The day aims to give those looking at care options a glimpse into the home’s world-class amenities including a private cinema, library, salon, and bespoke therapy areas.

It will also allow guests to find out more about the nurse-led care provision and expertise in supporting residents living with forms of dementia.

Christian Daraio, Client Liaison Manager at Cramond Residence said: “This open day will be the perfect occasion for families to witness first-hand the comforting, homely atmosphere that we pride ourselves on.

“Our open days are always an enjoyable experience for both our team and those who come to see us.

“We have a fun-filled day planned with plenty of arts and crafts to entertain the kids. Meanwhile, adults can enjoy a cup of coffee and some delicious baked goods from our incredible kitchen team, while our specialist staff will be available to answer any questions you might have about our home.”

Set in a purpose-built facility that represents a £8m investment, Cramond Residence boasts small group living in nine distinct houses. Each house provides a nurturing environment where residents can socialise, dine, and engage in activities, contributing to a vibrant community life.

The residence not only offers a high staff-to-resident ratio but also features advanced dementia care within its general setting or in a specialised area tailored for those in more advanced stages of the condition.

Christian added: ” At Cramond Residence, residents can look forward to exceptional care in an environment designed for them to thrive during their golden years.

“Our fantastic lifestyle team constantly arranges wonderful activities, ensuring there’s always something to look forward to. The residence itself offers a warm, homely feel that provides comfort to those who stay with us.

“We’re excited to welcome guests into our home and address any questions they may have. Choosing a care home is a significant, life-altering decision, and our team is here to help ease any concerns, providing the information needed to make this important choice with peace of mind.”

Cramond Residence offers a wide range of activities tailored for dementia care, enhancing residents’ quality of life and providing relief and support through specialist facilities and trained staff.

For more details on the open day or to learn more about Cramond Residence, please visit Cramond Residence’s website or contact them directly at enquiries@cramondresidence.co.uk.

Corridor care: Royal College of Nursing declares ‘national emergency’ and demands political action

Nursing staff are regularly forced to provide care to patients in chairs and corridors, compromising patient safety and dignity. RCN IS asking members to call it out and join their fight to eradicate the practice.

An RCN report reveals more than 1 in 3 (37%) nursing staff working in typical hospital settings delivered care in inappropriate settings, such as corridors, on their last shift. Our survey of almost 11,000 frontline nursing staff across the UK shows the extent to which corridor care has been normalised.

Patients are regularly treated on chairs in corridors for extended periods of time, sometimes days. We say that these instances must now be determined as ‘Never Events’ in NHS services, in the same way that having the wrong limb operated on or a foreign object being left inside a patients’ body already are.

We’re asking for mandatory national reporting of patients being cared for in corridors, to reveal the extent of hospital overcrowding, as part of a plan to eradicate the practice. We also need members to raise concerns when care in inappropriate settings takes place.

In a new RCN report, Corridor Care: Unsafe, Undignified, Unacceptable, our survey findings and member testimonies show the full grave picture of corridor care across the UK.

Of those forced to deliver care in inappropriate settings, over half (53%) say it left them without access to life-saving equipment including oxygen and suction. More than two-thirds (67%) said the care they delivered in public compromised patient privacy and dignity.

Thousands of nursing staff report how corridor care has become the norm in almost every corner of a typical hospital setting. Heavy patient flow and lack of capacity sees nursing staff left with no space to place patients. What would have been an emergency measure is now routine.

The report says corridor care is “a symptom of a system in crisis”, with patient demand in all settings, from primary to community and social care, outstripping workforce supply. The result is patients left unable to access care near their homes and instead being forced to turn to hospitals. Poor population health and a lack of investment in prevention is exacerbating the problem, the report says.

Professor Nicola Ranger, Acting RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive, said: “This is a tragedy for our profession. Our once world-leading services are treating patients in car parks and store cupboards.

“The elderly are languishing on chairs for hours and patients are dying in corridors. The horror of this situation cannot be understated. It is a national emergency for patient safety and today we are raising the alarm.

“Treating patients in corridors used to be an exceptional circumstance. Now it is a regular occurrence and a symptom of a system in crisis.

“Patients shouldn’t have to end up at the doors of our emergency departments because they can’t get a GP appointment, a visit from a district nurse or a social care package. But that is the reality. Corridor care is a scourge in our hospitals, but we know the solution is to invest in our entire health and care system – and its nursing workforce.”

Don’t allow corridor care to become normalised, call it out. Find out more about how to raise a concern.

Healthy Heart Tip: How to have a healthier barbecue

Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by the Health Promotion and Education Team at Heart Research UK

Healthy Heart Tip: How to have a healthier barbecue

Enjoying the sun with your friends and family can often mean overindulging on barbecue foods that are high in salt and saturated fats.

This will increase both your blood pressure and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, putting an increased strain on your heart and arteries.

Choosing healthier food options means that you can continue to enjoy the barbecue season without having to worry about your heart health. On average people in the UK have over 10 barbecue’s a year, this gives you plenty of time to experiment with new foods and flavours whilst still meeting your health goals.

National barbecue week is running from 27th May to 2nd June, so here are some tips to help you have a healthier barbecue.

Add fruit and vegetables

By adding fruit and vegetables to your barbeque spread, you’re increasing the amount of fibre you’re eating. This will help to lower your LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and your blood pressure, as well as helping you to reach your five a day.

You could make a vibrant mixed salad to have on the side, or add mushrooms, courgettes, tomatoes, onions and peppers to a skewer and pop it on the grill. These are simple ways you can add more vegetables to your barbecue.

For a tasty dessert, you could add fruit such as pineapple to the grill. It gives it a delicious, caramelised flavour, which is great served with fat-free frozen yoghurt.

Add wholegrains

Why not add wholegrain bread or pitta breads as options for your barbecue? These are full of fibre and great for your cholesterol and blood pressure. You could pop your breads onto the grill for a crunchier texture and to add some more flavour.

You could also mix wholegrain couscous with dried fruit, nuts, vegetables, or herbs and spices for a tasty and healthy fibre-rich side dish.

Choose a healthier protein source

Often at barbecue’s meats that are high in saturated fats are used such as beef burgers or sausages. Saturated fat increases your LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and can be detrimental to your heart health.

Choose leaner protein sources such as chicken breasts or tofu, or if you’re wanting to stick to a more traditional style barbecue then why not choose turkey burgers or chicken sausages. These contain less saturated fat and are better for your heart, however, make sure you check the food labels as some of these may be high in salt.

Why not add some fish to your barbecue? Salmon tastes great when it’s put on the grill with some lemon and it’s full of omega-3 fatty acids, which helps to keep your cholesterol levels healthy.

Choose lower salt & sugar sauces and dips.

When thinking about what sauces and dips you want to compliment your barbecue dishes, make sure you take into consideration their salt and sugar content.

Many ready-made sauces and dips have added salt and sugar so make sure you pick the reduced salt and sugar versions with green traffic light food labels. Alternatively, you could make your own using fat-free Greek or natural yoghurt mixed with herbs and spices.

Watch your portion sizes

It is easy to overindulge at a barbecue, especially if it is spread out over the course of a day or evening. Try and be mindful about how much you are eating and recognise when you’re feeling full. If you are grazing throughout the day or evening then try to eat small amounts at a time, rather than having several platefuls.

If you are having one plateful then try to have a quarter of your plate full of lean protein, another quarter of wholegrain carbohydrates and the remaining half full of veggies.

Young ‘bravehearts’ inspire Scotland’s Euro 2024 squad

The Scotland Euro 2024 Men’s Squad surprised patients at the Royal Hospital for Children (RHC), Glasgow this afternoon with an unexpected meet and greet, ahead of jetting off to Germany next week.

There were squeals of excitement and joy throughout the hospital as Captain, Andrew Robertson, led the team of Scotland’s best male footballers and coaches to visit patients and their families on the wards.

The UEFA Euro 2024 tournament kicks off on Friday 14^th June, with Scotland playing Germany in the tournament’s opening match. Having noted the incredible work of the RHC staff and the care that they provide for children from across the country, the squad visited to give thanks to the hospital – and, of course, to drum up excitement among their youngest supporters.

Scotland Team Captain, Andy Robertson said: “It was a privilege for us to visit the Royal Hospital for Children and see the dedicated work of the staff up close.

“We have a squad of players from different backgrounds, at different ages and stages, but the vast majority will have a personal story to tell about loved ones who have benefited from the care and expertise on offer from RHC or somewhere similar.

“It was impossible not to be moved by the kids we met, especially as the father of young children myself. They’re all facing into their own difficult, varied challenges but, in every case, their resilience shines through and it’s reassuring to know they’re being looked after as well as they are by hospital staff, and the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, who are doing everything they can for them.

“We are not short on motivation for the Euros, but it meant a lot to hear how excited they all are to watch the games and follow our progress. They won’t be far from our thoughts when we’re in Germany.”

The RHC and the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity work hard throughout the year to bring experiences to patients and their families that extend ‘further than the medicine’ – including visits like these.

Mandy Meechan, Chief Nurse at the Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow explained: “We can’t believe how lucky we have been to have the Scotland team visit us today.

“We thank them from the bottom of our hearts for the smiles they created today, and we hope they take that energy and have great success in Germany. We pride ourselves on our person-centred care, and this visit has inspired hope, strength and tenacity in the kids and their families. It was just what we all needed”.

Kirsteen Watson from Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity added: “We are so grateful to the squad for visiting the children’s hospital today.

“The children felt like VIPs when they realised that the players had taken time away from the training pitch to pay them a special visit, and many have made memories that will last a lifetime.

“There was a sense of unity, hope and positivity during the visit, which can truly transform the hospital experience for children and young people. I’d like to thank our donors and volunteers who help to create moments like this all year round by supporting our hospital play programme.”

New restrictions on puberty blockers

The UK Government has introduced regulations to restrict the prescribing and supply of puberty-suppressing hormones, known as ‘puberty blockers’, to children and young people under 18 in England, Wales and Scotland.

The emergency ban will last from 3 June to 3 September. It will apply to prescriptions written by UK private prescribers and prescribers registered in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.

During this period no new patients under 18 will be prescribed these medicines for the purposes of puberty suppression in those experiencing gender dysphoria/incongruence under the care of these prescribers.

The NHS stopped the routine prescription of puberty blocker treatments to under-18s following the Dr Cass Review into gender identity services.

In addition, the government has also introduced indefinite restrictions to the prescribing of these medicines within NHS primary care in England, in line with NHS guidelines.

The new arrangements apply to gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues – medicines that consist of, or contain, buserelin, gonadorelin, goserelin, leuprorelin acetate, nafarelin, or triptorelin.

This action has been taken to address risks to patient safety.

Patients already established on these medicines by a UK prescriber for these purposes can continue to access them. They will also remain available for patients receiving the drugs for other uses, from a UK-registered prescriber.

Patients seeking more information should speak to their clinician.

Improving the lives of people with Type 1 diabetes

Increased access to Diabetes technologies

Access to technologies which will transform the lives of those living with Type 1 Diabetes is set to be expanded, the Scottish Government has announced.

Up to £8.8 million will be used to rollout of loop systems this year to support all children living with Type 1 Diabetes access Closed Loop System technology and increase the provision of these life changing technologies for adults with this condition.

A closed loop system uses a glucose sensor linked to an insulin pump to automatically calculate how much insulin should be delivered – removing the burden of people needing to calculate their insulin dosage and take injections.

A national team will enable training, education and support to be given remotely from health professionals, including Diabetes specialist nurses and dietitians, as well as peer support from others living with diabetes.

Cabinet Secretary Neil Gray spoke to staff at the new Usher Institute building at Edinburgh University.

During his speech he outlined his vision for how technology and innovation can help make the NHS more sustainable in the future.

Mr Gray said: “Closed loop systems are an incredible asset for those living with Type 1 Diabetes. It not only improves sugar control and reduces the risk of long term complications, but also removes a lot of the burden that people living with type 1 Diabetes face on a day to day basis.

“The use of this technology can make it much easier for people to manage their Diabetes, greatly reducing the risk of the health complications that can be associated with the condition.

“This is an example of the kind of innovation that can help transform healthcare, equipping the NHS to meet the challenges it currently faces. It will also greatly improve the lives of people living with Diabetes, particularly children and their parents.”

Type 1 Diabetes is a lifelong condition which affects over 35,000 people in Scotland and around 3,340 children.

Udderly Amazing: Tracey no longer carries weight of the world on her shoulders

Being active is one of the Five Steps to Wellbeing that form the cornerstones of Farmstrong Scotland. We meet a dairy industry stalwart who has lifted her way to a glass (of milk, of course) half full outlook on life …

Tracey Roan is in many ways a modern multi-tasking farmer. By day she holds down a demanding job as NFU Scotland Dairy Policy Manager, coming home at night to feed both her calves and her family.

It is her hobby of weightlifting that sets Tracey apart; something she discovered she had a talent for completely by accident when she ventured – full of trepidation – down to the local gym.

“I hated PE at school and have never liked sport,” recalls Tracey, who many will remember from when her family’s Roan’s Dairy in Dumfries and Galloway featured on This Farming Life. The television series charted the ups and downs of farming life for Tracey and her husband Steven, brother-in-law Stuart and his wife Aylett along with both couples’ then young children.

“I was turning 40, had put on a bit of weight and felt sluggish. Diagnosed with an underactive thyroid and – with some health issues in the family such as diabetes and high blood pressure – I decided to try the gym to shift a bit of mum tum.”

As well as the usual running machine and exercise bike, staff at the gym introduced Tracey to weights, explaining that working on strength is good for female bone health, helping in the fight against conditions in later life such as osteoporosis.

“It was really quite funny – and I put it down to a lifetime carrying buckets of milk, chucking tyres on the silage pit and so-on – but I naturally found the weights easy,” recalls Tracey.

“I just expected to be doing half an hour of traditional aerobic exercise but have inadvertently found something I love doing among a really friendly and supportive community I would never have met in my normal life.

“It’s also a bonus that when I look around the gym, or at weightlifting competitions, everybody is drinking milk and eating protein yoghurts. The fitness community are definitely supporters of the dairy industry!”

That first visit to the gym was back in the autumn of 2022 and Tracey, who is now 42 and mother to Andrew, 15, and 13 year-old Lucy, remembers turning up wearing an old t-shirt for her first weightlifting competition.

“There were all these cool outfits, but everybody was really friendly and I came third in this first strong woman competition, with the deadlifting – using the legs – my strongest event, lifting 135kg for 11 reps in 60 seconds,” recalls Tracey.

“I’m never going to be Scotland’s strongest woman, but I enjoy going to competitions as it gives me a goal to train for. I still go down to the gym at least twice a week, it helps clear my head and I feel so much better for it.”

Tracey heard New Zealand farmer Marc Gascoigne speak about Farmstrong at the NFU Scotland Conference last year and “totally related” to all that he was saying.

“Dairy farming is a seven-day-a-week way of life and with calving all year round it’s difficult to take any time off,” says Tracey.

“The Farmstrong message that to farm well you need to live well is absolutely true. Even now, I still feel guilty for taking some time away, but the difference is I now realise you cannot be productive if you aren’t looking after yourself.”

Not only does Tracey have plenty on her plate at home on the farm, but her job which also includes responsibility for the Government-funded Scottish Dairy Hub, a signposting service for the dairy sector, can leave her “living and breathing farming and all its problems.”

“Going to the gym definitely helps clear my head,” explains Tracey. “I love my job, but before the weightlifting I was feeling drained and unmotivated. The thing is, it’s so hard not to get emotionally involved as I typically speak to other farmers when they are having a tough time.

“Clearing my head through exercising has helped me realise that I can’t wave a magic wand – I wish I could – when it comes to big issues like milk prices.

“Lifting the weights and taking some time out – away from the farm and away from work – helps me think things through much clearer, which has to be a good thing for everybody.”

Another area that Tracey feels has helped her overall wellbeing is the body positivity aspect of weightlifting.

“I was the chubby kid at school whose PE report always said, ‘could do better’ and it’s taken me 40 years to realise that there is no such thing as a perfect body,” explains Tracey.

“My aim when I first went to the gym was to lose a bit of weight and feel fitter, not so out of breath, when doing jobs on the farm. Looking back, I have got so much more out of it than that. The gym and the weightlifting world are full of people of all different shapes and sizes; it has shown me you certainly don’t have to be thin to be fit and healthy.

“Especially with social media, it’s so easy to always be comparing ourselves to others and I have learnt you shouldn’t judge others – or more importantly yourself – on looks.

“I definitely plan to take my children down to the gym, so they can learn that body positivity and the importance of looking after themselves. I also think it’s very healthy when you live on a farm – or any rural place – to push yourself out of your comfort zone and meet people who are from a different walk of life to those you normally mix with.”

Tracey’s three favourite events are deadlifting using her legs, with a personal best of 180kg and aiming to lift 200kg this year, and the appropriately named Farmers’ Walk, carrying around 75kilos in each hand for a distance of 40 metres.

“It must have something to do with all the buckets of cattle cake I’ve carried over the years,” smiles Tracey, whose other speciality event is yoke carrying – a weight of around 150 kilos carried across her shoulders.

And what does Steven, who milks 240 pedigree Holstein cows just outside Dalbeattie, make of his wife’s weightlifting?

“Just the other day they had a cow that was struggling to get up, Steven proudly told everybody ‘Not to worry, Tracey will be able to help her’…”

Trio & Tested: Three simple steps that helped set Tracey Roan on the path to better wellbeing:

There is no such thing as the perfect body; stop comparing yourself to others. “If you spend your life trying to be everybody’s cup of tea, you’ll just end up being a mug,” says Tracey.
Taking some time for yourself isn’t selfish; to be productive you have to look after yourself.
Meeting people from outside your usual friendship and family circles is good, widening your outlook and understanding of other people’s lives.