Eight key areas to improve brain tumour diagnosis have been identified in Scotland following a roundtable discussion with healthcare experts.
The Brain Tumour Charity and Dxcover Ltd. facilitated a discussion with GPs, NHS representatives, researchers, the co-convenor of the Cross Party Group on Cancer and representatives from the Chief Scientist’s Office, to improve diagnosis for people with a suspected brain tumour.
Each year, more than 1000 people in Scotland are diagnosed with a brain or central nervous system tumour (1), leading to urgent calls to prioritise better care and improve pathways to a faster diagnosis.
Following the discussion with the panel of experts in February 2024 and further research, a report was produced in partnership with The Brain Tumour Charity and Dxcover which identified eight key areas as having the most potential for improving brain tumour diagnosis.
They include ensuring that patients are monitored throughout their diagnosis until symptoms are explained or resolved, enabling optometrists to refer directly to neurology if a person presents with concerning visual symptoms and prioritising innovation to improve diagnosis of brain tumour.
12 recommendations have now been made to NHS Scotland and the Scottish Government about the changes required to ensure diagnosis pathways are effective.
The recommendations include providing guidelines to improve care and raise awareness of brain tumours, allowing opticians to refer directly to neurology and establishing a diagnostic/triage tool that would help diagnose people faster (2).
The roundtable also started a discussion on where a diagnostic tool would be most suitable in healthcare pathways. Dxcover Ltd is a Glasgow based company developing diagnostic tools for brain tumours and has developed a liquid biopsy test with artificial intelligence that could be used in the brain tumour diagnosis pathway.
The Brain Tumour Charity and Dxcover will continue to work with NHS Scotland and the Scottish Government to ensure that people with a suspected brain tumour are prioritised and that the pathway to diagnosis is improved for patient benefit.
Cameron Miller, Director of External Affairs and Strategy at The Brain Tumour Charity said: “The recommendations we are suggesting to improve the brain tumour diagnosis pathway in Scotland are based on a fruitful and impactful discussion The Brain Tumour Charity and Dxcover initiated with Scottish healthcare professionals and policymakers.
“These are stepping stones to improving diagnosis for people living in Scotland and we are committed to ensuring that people facing a brain tumour diagnosis have the support they need to ensure they are diagnosed faster and have the quickest access to the best treatments available.”
Prof. Matthew J. Baker, CEO of Dxcover said: “Dxcover was founded to enable the earliest detection of cancer. We believe that the combination of Dxcover’s multi-omic spectral analysis and machine learning will lead to the greatest impact on patient recovery, lifespan and quality of life post-diagnosis.
“We have recently launched our EMBRACE study, a pan-Europe 2,200 patient performance evaluation of the Dxcover® Brain Cancer Liquid Biopsy which will enable CE marking and provide a much-needed tool for patients.”
Rachel’s personal journey leads to educational Degree Show project
A pop-up shop being showcased as part of Edinburgh Napier’s Degree Show is providing food for thought to attendees as it aims to debunk the myths and stigma surrounding type 1 diabetes.
“Food for Thought” has been created by Edinburgh Napier fourth year graphic design student Rachel Cartledge.
The speculative shop is stocked with fun, eye-catching products that aim to address specific issues relating to type 1 diabetes, including some of the misunderstanding around diagnosis, hypos, carb counting and more.
Cereals called ‘Dia-wheaties’ and ‘Hypos’ bury some of the myths around the condition alongside providing information on what to do if a diabetic is experiencing low sugar levels.
‘In A Pickle’ jars provide information on what you can do to help someone with type 1 diabetes and drink cans called ‘Shots’ share more on type 1 diabetes and drinking alcohol.
‘Myth Milk’ again looks into some of the different myths around type 1 diabetes and tins called ‘Can you carb count’ provide knowledge on the importance of weighing out portions of food – something that is vital when using insulin.
Rachel – who is 22 years-old and from Edinburgh – was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was just four years old.
The project, and its items, have been created as a direct response to some of the misconceptions and stigma that Rachel has experienced being a type 1 diabetic throughout her life so far.
Rachel said: “I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when I was 4. As I grew up, and as I started to understand more about the condition myself, it became obvious that there wasn’t a great deal of information out there that gave people knowledge on what type 1 diabetes is and its causes and symptoms.
“People kept on telling me that I had it because I ate too much sugar, which simply isn’t true. I remember visiting the hospital and the diabetes posters were quite extreme. People don’t realise that type 1 is vastly different from type 2 diabetes.
“Type 1 is an auto-immune condition. There is no way of preventing it and it can happen to anyone.
“This led me to creating Food for Thought. I wanted to catch people’s attention and use design to express how I feel about the stigma and misinformation surrounding the condition. Creating it has been a bit like therapy – but it has been a lot of fun too.
“I’m in a lucky position that I’ve grown up with it. I’ve had a supportive family and friend network around me, and I’ve adapted my lifestyle – it hasn’t stopped me from doing anything that I’ve wanted to do. However, if you were in your mid 20s and got diagnosed with it tomorrow, I’m not sure the resources would be there to help you understand the condition and how to live with it. That’s been a key driver behind the whole project.”
Alongside exhibiting at Edinburgh Napier’s Degree Show, Rachel’s Food for Thought project has also been in display at a recent diabetes discovery day organised by the JDRF charity in Aberdeen.
If you would like to see Rachel’s project, and others from the University’s School of Arts and Creative Industries, the Edinburgh Napier Degree Show runs from 24 – 30 May at Merchiston campus.
CALL FOR END TO VAPES MARKETING TARGETING YOUNG PEOPLE
ASH Scotland is marking World No Tobacco Day by urging youth groups in Edinburgh to join the health charity’s campaign calling for the end of vapes advertising and marketing being targeted at children and young people.
‘Protecting young people from tobacco industry interference’ has been chosen by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the theme for this year’s campaign.
ASH Scotland is aiming to amplify the voices of youth groups and youngsters who want to stop the marketing of sweet flavoured, brightly coloured vapes and their promotion by organisations funded by tobacco firms targeting young people.
The charity believes concerns by the next generation of voters about marketing luring young people to start using and becoming addicted to health harming vapes should be heard loud and clear by all candidates in the General Election.
Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland, said: “In supporting WHO’s World No Tobacco Day 2024 campaign in Scotland, we are keen to hear from children’s and youth groups in Edinburgh who want to speak out about predatory tobacco industry marketing tactics promoting vapes and creating a new wave of addiction.
“For decades, tobacco industry promotions lured young people into starting to use their addictive and harmful products and, in recent years, the same is now happening with vapes.
“Vapes contain high levels of nicotine, which is very addictive, as well as toxic chemicals that have not been safety tested for breathing in and can damage lungs over time.
“We want to support young people in Edinburgh to raise their concerns about vape marketing that is targeted at them and their friends, and there is no better opportunity than during the General Election campaign!”
Software to reduce hospital waiting times and enhance operating theatre efficiency will be rolled out in NHS boards across Scotland over the next year.
Developed by clinician-led tech company Infix, the national theatre scheduling tool improved operating room efficiency by up to 25% without the need for extra medical staff or additional theatres during successful pilots across three health boards. It also enabled the completion of additional operations for patients which resulted in significant financial savings.
The platform will now support all NHS Boards to increase productivity, remove paper processes, and reduce the overall administrative burden in the creation and approval of theatre lists, which can delay patient treatment.
In a speech in Edinburgh later today, Health Secretary Neil Gray will outline the role of innovation and collaboration in the future of Scotland’s health service.
He said: “Better use of data and digital technology is critical to how we drive improvements in healthcare and is a key part of our plans to reform services.
“This technology is backed by more than five years’ worth of NHS operating times data and is just one of the initiatives that will help enable us to schedule 1.5 million procedures per year – while improving data quality to help safely increase productivity. This will help maximise capacity, build greater resilience and reduce waiting lists.
“Reducing the administrative burden on staff will give them more time to spend on patient care. This is a shining example of how we are embracing cutting edge tools to tackle the challenges facing health and social care.”
The committee has published its report “Screen time: impacts on education and wellbeing”.
There has been a 52% increase in children’s screen time between 2020 and 2022; nearly 25% of children and young people use their smartphones in a way that is consistent with a behavioural addiction.
Screen use has been found to start as early as six months of age. One in five children aged between three and four years old have their own mobile phone, increasing to one in four children by age eight and to almost all children by age 12. The amount of time those aged 5–15 years old spent online rose from an average of nine hours per week in 2009, to 15 hours per week in 2018.
As well as harms to mental and physical health, screen time can disrupt pupils’ learning both at home and in the classroom, as it can take up to 20 minutes for pupils to refocus on what they were learning after engaging in a non-academic activity such as browsing the internet or noticing a notification on their phone.
The report strongly supports the tougher guidance on keeping phones out of the classroom and breaktimes that the Department recently issued. However, the Committee heard mixed evidence on how well taken up this will be, we therefore recommend formal monitoring and evaluation of this approach by the next Government with the possibility of a statutory ban if needed.
The Committee also concludes that screen time should be minimal for younger children and better balanced with face-to-face socialisation and physical activity for older ones.
Parents need clear guidance from Government on managing children’s screen time, and in particular advice to parents of babies and young children should be revised to ensure it gives sufficient attention to face-to-face interaction and warns of the risks of screen time in reducing opportunities for this.
While the Online Safety Act 2023 will undoubtably play a role in keeping children safe from online harms, the Committee is concerned that children will not feel the full protections of the Act until implementation is completed in 2026.
79% of children have encountered violent pornography before the age of 18, with the average age that children first see pornography being 13 years old. Some 81% of girls aged 7-21 have experienced some form of threatening or upsetting behaviour, and online sexual crimes committed against children online has risen by 400% since 2013.
One in five children (19%) aged 10-15 experienced at least one type of bullying behaviour online, and out of them, around three-quarters (72%) said they experienced at least some of it at school or during school time.
It is clear that the entire system surrounding the digital age of consent and how it is verified is not fit for purpose. The Committee heard no evidence to suggest that 13 is an appropriate age for children to understand the implications of allowing platforms access to their personal data online.
Yet even with the digital age of consent currently formally set at the lowest possible level, it is widely ignored and not effectively enforced. This must change urgently. The next Government should consult on raising the age of digital consent and should recommend 16 as a more appropriate age.
The report also calls for the level of digital age of consent to be effectively enforced. The Online Safety Act 2023 allows for substantial fines or even imprisonment for executives of companies who breach its rules, and the Government should consider how this approach can be applied to social media companies who knowingly breach age verification requirements and expose children to addictive content which is not appropriate for them.
Within the first year of the new Parliament, the next Government should work alongside Ofcom to consult on additional measures regarding smartphones for children under 16 years old, including the possibility of a total ban of smartphones (internet-enabled phones) for children under 16 or parental controls installed as default on phones for under 16s.
The next Government should work with mobile phone companies and network operators to promote children’s phones, a class of phone which can be used for contact and GPS location but not access to the internet or downloading apps.
Chair of the Education Committee, Robin Walker MP, said: “Excessive screen and smartphone use has a clear negative impact on the mental and physical wellbeing of children and young people. Our inquiry heard shocking statistics on the extent of the damage being done to under-18s, particularly those who are already extremely vulnerable, such as those in care.
“Without urgent action, more children will be put in harm’s way. From exposure to pornography, to criminal gangs using online platforms to recruit children, the online world poses serious dangers.
“Parents and schools face an uphill struggle and Government must do more to help them meet this challenge. This might require radical steps, such as potentially a ban on smartphones for under-16s.
“Our report found that digital age of consent checks are not fit for purpose. We heard no evidence demonstrating that thirteen-year-olds understood the ramifications of sharing personal information online and today’s report urges the Government to increase this age to sixteen.
“It’s also clear that children require face-to-face and in-person social contact in order to thrive. Our report found that screen time is inversely associated with working memory, processing, attention levels, language skills and executive function.
“Whilst there can be some benefits from the online world and sharing information or interests with their peers, ready, unsupervised and unrestricted access to the internet leaves children vulnerable, exposing them to a world they are not equipped for. Their safeguarding and protection must be our priority.”
Edinburgh Leisure is serious about doing social good and adding social value to people’s lives and will be marking the first ever Seriously Social Week in May as part of a national campaign that showcases the work of charities, like theirs, putting people above profit, connecting communities, and helping people to become healthier, happier, and more creative, regardless of age or ability.
Seriously Social has been organised by national body Community Leisure UK. Starting Monday 27 May, each day of the week will focus on a theme to show how companies like Edinburgh Leisure help create social impact and create happier, healthier communities and will showcase the outcomes around health & wellbeing, the community, inclusion, employment and skills and the environment.
Jen Holland, CEO of Edinburgh Leisure said: “We are proud to be part of a network of charities operating with a social conscience, delivering social good when providing public leisure services. Our core business isn’t about making profit, it is about purpose – helping people first.
“We’re about supporting society to get healthier and happier, employing local people, creating safe spaces for everybody, connecting communities, working towards net zero and supporting people with quality health and wellbeing services for everybody regardless of age or ability.
“Seriously Social is a brilliant way to showcase not only the difference we make but also why we do what we do.”
As the largest provider of sports and leisure facilities in the city, Edinburgh Leisure provide activities for everyone as they move through their lives.
As a charitable trust, every penny goes back into taking care of the health and wellbeing of Edinburgh. Being active improves physical and mental health. Edinburgh Leisure is here to support as many people as possible to feel as good as possible.
A recent study commissioned by Public Health Scotland concluded that of the 62,941 deaths that occurred in Scotland in 2022, more than 3,000 would have been attributed to physical inactivity, with cancer and cardiovascular disease (CVD) accounting for around one third of these.
Last year Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities team supported over 12,500 people a year to be active to improve their health and wellbeing.
They develop and run projects to help make a positive difference to communities in six key project areas.
People living with health conditions are supported by Active for Health
People on low incomes and experiencing inequalities are supported by Wellbeing for All
Older adults are supported to stay active and connected through Staying Active
Children and young people are supported to live healthier, happier lifestyles through Active Futures
People with disabilities or additional support needs are supported through Everybody Active
People living with mental health conditions are supported through Mental Wellbeing
Kirsty Cumming, CEO of Community Leisure UK, said: “Our members don’t just deliver public leisure and cultural services, they support social change for the better every day of the week, 365 days a year.
“As social enterprises and charities, they put people above profit. They are run by local people and have everyone’s best interests at heart. The Seriously Social Week is about showcasing how they go above and beyond supporting individuals and communities.
“This is a selfless sector, quietly going about supporting people and communities every day. Not because it makes them money, but because it’s the right thing to do. And we thought it was high time more people know about the great work they do and the difference they make.”
More than 110 Charitable Trusts and Social Enterprises deliver public leisure and culture in Scotland, Wales and Ireland as part of the Community Leisure UK network. Together in 2023 they:
Welcomed more than 209 million visits
Worked with 170+ Local Authorities
Collaborated with more than 100,000 Community Groups
73% Reduced Carbon Emissions
75% provided holiday food and activity programmes.
Saved the state and NHS £893million through their work getting people more active and healthier *
Next Tuesday 28th of May at 1pm Pilton Community Health Project (PCHP) will be hosting a COPD workshop. If you have COPD, researchers from NHS Lothian and The University of Edinburgh, want to hear about your experience of having COPD, so they can design their research to meet you needs.
You can expect nice and welcoming atmosphere, a warm cup of tea and £20 voucher for you time.
If you are struggling to get to PCHP, transport can be provided too.
To sign up for workshop please fill in a form https://bit.ly/3WS3VCZ or use a QR code on a poster or Call Sammy Waite Patient and Community involvement in research officer 07385347040
Consultation asks whether newly qualified dentists should commit to delivering a minimum amount of NHS work after graduating or repay some training fees
Proposals would require dental graduates to work in the NHS for several years after graduating or repay their training fees
Part of Westminster government and NHS plan to recover dentistry and boost the dental workforce through 40% training expansion
Training an individual dentist can cost up to around £300,000, of which costs in the region of £200,000 are not repayable by the student.
However, a growing proportion of dentists are opting to go straight into private practice or are choosing to deliver little to no NHS work shortly after completing postgraduate dental foundation training.
Of more than 35,000 dentists registered with the General Dental Council in England, just over 24,000 delivered some NHS care in England in 2022 to 2023. This means nearly one-third of registered dentists are not contributing to NHS dentistry and may be working solely in private practice.
Under its consultation, which will run for 8 weeks, the government is asking whether newly qualified dentists should commit to delivering a minimum amount of NHS dental care for a minimum number of years after graduating, and whether they should repay some of the public funding invested in their training if they do not.
Health and Social Care Secretary Victoria Atkins said: “I want to make access to dentistry faster, simpler and fairer for everyone – and part of this is ensuring that dentists are supporting the NHS with their skills and expertise.
Taxpayers make a significant investment in training dentists, so it is only right to expect dental graduates to work in the NHS once they’ve completed their training.
“This builds on our dental recovery plan, which set out how we will create up to 2.5 million extra appointments this year alone and is already showing results with an extra 500 practices providing appointments.”
Thursday’s proposals form part of the government’s overall plan to accelerate the recovery of NHS dentistry from the COVID-19 pandemic and reform how NHS dentistry operates.
They build on the aims of NHS Long Term Workforce Plan to expand the dental workforce and improve access to NHS dental care, especially in under-served parts of the country.
The UK government believes working in the NHS will give dental graduates the best start to their careers, by giving them the broadest range of experience, great support from strong teams of dental professionals and the most comprehensive training.
Experience in NHS dentistry helps to produce well-rounded clinicians who can work alongside different professions and deliver high quality and safe patient care, and can be supplemented by additional work in private dentistry. The government believes this balance is better for our skilled dental workforce and better for the patients they treat.
NHS dentists are currently delivering a greater volume of NHS treatment than the year before, with ‘courses of treatments delivered’ increasing by 23% in 2022 to 2023, compared to the previous year.
Primary Care Minister Andrea Leadsom said: “I want to thank our hard-working dentists for their efforts in treating more and more patients over recent years and helping us improve access to care.
“Through our dental recovery plan, we’re helping the sector recover from the pandemic and making NHS dentistry a more attractive career choice.
“Today’s proposals will ensure dental graduates benefit from the broad experience and comprehensive training of working in the NHS, while also delivering value for money for the taxpayer.”
There is currently no requirement for dentists to work in the NHS following the completion of their training. In contrast, a graduate medic in the UK must undertake a minimum of one year of foundation training to register as a doctor, followed by an additional year of foundation training and at least 3 years of general practice specialty training to become a GP.
Jason Wong, Chief Dental Officer for England, said: “Dental services were severely impacted by the pandemic, and it is a priority for the NHS to improve access, so it is easier for people to see a dentist.
“We launched our dental recovery plan earlier this year to deliver millions more appointments across England – and boosting the workforce is one step we can take to achieve this.”
Neil Carmichael, Executive Chair of the Association of Dental Groups, said: “We welcome the chance to engage with this consultation and ensure the NHS benefits from the skills of our graduate dentists.
“We need to see more trained dentists entering the profession and we will work with the government to ensure these proposals reflect the sector’s mixed economy and considers the needs of both NHS and private dentistry.”
Louise Ansari, CEO at Healthwatch England, said: “We welcome the opportunity for the public to have their say about these long-term proposals to address dental workforce issues, especially as access to NHS appointments continues to be one of the main issues we hear about from people across the country.
“We also look forward to seeing separate government proposals on reforming the NHS dental contract in the coming months, as set out in the dental recovery plan.
“In the meantime, NHS bodies that plan and fund dentistry across England should take concerted and imaginative action to ensure people in greatest need can get dental care quickly.”
The launch of the consultation is the latest milestone in the delivery of the Westminster government’s dental recovery plan.
Since the plan was published in February, the government and NHS have worked to:
introduce a new patient premium, supporting dentists to take on new patients – with more than 500 more practices saying they are now open to new patients compared to January
launch the ‘golden hello’ recruitment scheme to incentivise dentists to work in under-served areas
raise the minimum units of dental activity (UDA) rate to £28 this year, making NHS work more attractive and sustainable
Responding to the proposal that Dental graduates in England could be compelled to work in the NHS work or face repaying some training costs,Prof. Grant McIntyre, Dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, commented: “As most dental graduates already start their careers in the NHS and contribute to NHS patient care as an undergraduate student and during their early professional career, we are uncertain of what practical benefits this proposal will have.
“Most dental graduates have also accrued significant personal debts to complete their dental training, usually in excess of £100,000. Therefore, we believe this proposal is likely to make NHS dentistry even more unattractive for dentists to provide NHS dental care as their career develops.
“As per our election manifesto, we believe a more constructive approach is needed that focuses on creating a positive working environment to encourage sustained delivery of NHS practice. This means reforming the current dental contract, improving workforce planning and a renewed emphasis on preventative health and reducing health inequalities.
“We believe positive rather than punitive steps are required to lift morale, improve dental recruitment and retention, and improve access to services for the benefit of patients and the population.”
An ambitious new report by Scottish Book Trust has revealed that one in three librarians in Scotland believe that their whole service is at risk of reduction or loss.
The Survey of Public Librarians, as part of the Value and Impact of Scotland’s Libraries research, published by Scottish Book Trust, Scotland’s national book charity, also revealed a vital service under threat from underinvestment. It reports:
82% of public libraries reported a restriction in their resources and funding
One in three public librarians said they had lost librarians and other library staff
One in three public librarians reported that their whole service is at risk of reduction or losses
The report reveals the vital role libraries play in the community as they help to close the poverty-attainment gap. Librarians overwhelmingly agreed that they not only provide free access to all forms of books, but offer a safe, warm and accessible space where those without computers can access digital resources and support, with help from knowledgeable and approachable staff.
While libraries across Scotland are facing ongoing cuts, librarians reported a widespread lack of understanding from their local authorities about the social, long-term impact of their service.
Two thirds of the librarians surveyed reported that their community faces digital poverty, and libraries are bridging the divide.
96% of librarians reported that their library offers access to Wi-Fi, 99% to computers with internet, 71% to ebooks and eReaders and 40% to courses in digital skills
These are lifelines for those with limited resources, including the homeless, the elderly and those who have been released from prison.
Librarians also reported that their libraries are a safe space for refugees and asylum seekers, LGBTQ+ people and disabled or neurodiverse people.
As one librarian stated: “We are the first place that people come when they need help, possibly the only place in a landscape of shrinking services. When we are gone then these other agencies will need to foot the time bill and the mental health crisis we are averting.”
This survey of public librarians is part of a wider study of both public and school libraries in Scotland, as conducted by Scottish Book Trust, in partnership with the National Library of Scotland (NLS), the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC), and the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in Scotland (CILIPS).
Preliminary findings from school librarians will be published over the summer, with the final report published later this year.
Marc Lambert, Chief Executive of Scottish Book Trust, said: ‘Libraries are a vital lifeline for communities across Scotland. Not only do they provide free access to books in a warm and safe environment, but, as this wide-ranging report reveals, they are also a levelling up factory that sends people in a positive direction.
‘There is no other public space where people can access information, combat digital poverty, learn new skills, socialise with others, express themselves creatively, and seek to self-improve, entirely for free. It’s incredibly concerning that these important institutions are endangered.’
Scottish Book Trust is also conducting a survey of public library users, which will be open for responses until the end of June 2024.
Charity calls on businesses to see the benefits of walking at work
SCOTLAND’s walking charity is calling on businesses to get walking at work as part of National Walking Month this May, with a scheme that recognises the importance of staff being active during the working day.
The Paths for All Walk at Work Award recognises and celebrates employers across Scotland who help to promote everyday walking in their workplace, creating a healthier work force, both physically and mentally.
Aimed at encouraging workplaces around the country to explore different ways to get staff active, in and around the working day, the award scheme also promotes wellbeing and a green environment in the workplace.
The charity recently awarded the 50th certification to East Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership, who used the scheme to encourage their staff to remain active during the working day by providing a programme of lunchtime Health Walks for staff.
As part of the programme, it also provided links and information which were made readily available to staff through a dedicated a wellbeing website, as well as facilities for staff who travel actively to and from work.
Councillor Katie Pragnell, East Renfrewshire Integration Joint Board Vice-Chair and Convenor for Health and Social Care accepted the award on behalf of the Partnership.
She commented: “We are delighted to have received the Walk at Work Award, and being the 50th organisation to do so, makes it even more special.
“Staff wellbeing is incredibly important to the HSCP. Our weekly walks have brought people from across services together and have been a positive addition to our programme of activity. We will continue to encourage more people to take part and enjoy a stroll over the summer.”
With the 50th certification being awarded, Paths for All hope that more workplaces around the country will now want to get involved with the scheme.
Kevin Lafferty, CEO of Paths for All stated: “Walking a little more each day has proven benefits to mental and physical health, which is why it’s important that we recognise the workplaces who have received the Walk at Work Award.
“We hope that the work East Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership has done will help to inspire other businesses to get certified, and help them become a happier and healthy workplace.
“The Walk at Work Award is an important scheme, which can benefit businesses across the country to not only get fitter but also help to improve the environment.
“By choosing to walk for short trips instead of driving, an individual is improving their health while also reducing air pollution and emissions that are damaging the planet.”
Paths for All’s mission is to support Scots to have the opportunity to walk, wheel, scoot or cycle every day, creating a happier, healthier and greener Scotland and is celebrating National Walking Month by encouraging everyone to put a “Spring in your Step” this May.
For workplaces, Paths for All provides support which includes a free Workplace Walking online course and bespoke Step Count Challenges. The national spring Step Count Challenge, run by Paths for All, kicked off on Monday, 29th April, with over 800 teams taking part.
The charity works to create more opportunities and better environments for everyone in Scotland, no matter who they are or where they live, to stay active through walking, wheeling, scooting or cycling.
