Tag: Health and wellbeing

Almost 1000 people sit on waiting list for ‘life changing’ diabetes technology in NHS Lothian

New figures have revealed that almost 1000 people within the NHS Lothian region are waiting for life changing hybrid closed loop (HCL) system.

This is a devastating blow for diabetic patients who face extensive wait times to receive the technology.

Hybrid closed loop systems work to automatically adjust glucose levels depending on a patient’s blood sugar.

This is in stark contrast to the current system where the patient must manually adjust and administer the insulin themselves.

Paul Hughes, who works for Edinburgh Council and has had diabetes for 24 years, finds himself stuck on the waiting list for a HCL system.

Mr Hughes originally requested to be added to the waiting list in 2021 but found out, after inquiry, that he had not been added until 2023.

He is concerned that the ‘postcode lottery’ will mean he is not able to access an HCL system for the foreseeable future.

Mr Hughes has previously suffered a broken cheek and elbow from collapsing due to his blood sugar levels dropping too low.

He believes an HCL system is critical to improving his diabetes control and avoiding similar incidents in the future.

These figures were first revealed via FOI, by Labour MSP for Lothian, Sarah Boyack.

Ms Boyack has written an open letter (above) to Cabinet Secretary for Health, Neil Gray to ask what actions the Scottish Government is taking to urgently reduce these waiting lists.

Earlier this year, Ms Boyack hosted a roundtable of diabetic constituents who raised access to diabetes technology as a critical issue.

Commenting on these figures, Ms Boyack said: “The size of the waiting list is extremely alarming. This is life changing technology and patients across Lothian are in limbo waiting to receive it.

“I have had many constituents contact me, anxious about the lack of clarity for when they will receive an HCL system.

“The Scottish Government have announced funding to expand the HCL rollout, but it means nothing if it is not reaching people on the ground. That is why I have written to Neil Gray to ensure that type 1s across NHS Lothian are not left out in the cold when it comes to getting a HCL system”.

Paul Hughes added: “This technology would be life changing for me. I would no longer have to worry about my blood sugar dropping during the night, which currently keeps me awake.

“I am incredibly concerned about the long waiting list for those in NHS Lothian.

“I have sustained serious injury from collapsing due to low blood sugar so this technology cannot come soon enough.”

PCHP: Embrace Nature and Connection This Winter

As the days grow shorter and the nights longer, it’s more important than ever to prioritize our well-being. Spending time in nature and with loved ones can be a powerful antidote to the winter blues.

Here’s why:

Boosts Mood and Reduces Stress: Nature has a calming effect on our minds. A walk in the park or a hike in the woods can lower stress levels and improve mood. 🌳

Enhances Physical Health: Fresh air and physical activity are great for our bodies. Even a short outdoor stroll can boost your immune system and keep you active. 🚶‍♂️

Strengthens Relationships: Spending quality time with friends and family fosters deeper connections and provides emotional support. Whether it’s a cozy indoor gathering or an outdoor adventure, these moments are invaluable. ❤️

Combats Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Exposure to natural light, even on cloudy days, can help alleviate symptoms of SAD. Pairing this with social interactions can further enhance your mental health. ☀️

Encourages Mindfulness: Nature encourages us to slow down and be present.

This mindfulness can help us appreciate the beauty around us and find joy in the little things. 🌼

So, bundle up, step outside, and make time for the people who matter. Let’s make this winter a season of connection and wellbeing! ❄️

PCHP’s Community Wellbeing Programme has lots to offer you this #Winter, why not pop in and take a look at our sessions or speak to one of the team.

#WinterWellness

#NatureTherapy

#StayConnected

#MentalHealthMatters

News from Heart of Newhaven

Welcome to your November newsletter

Before reading about all the exciting things that are happening this month at The Heart, please take a few minutes to do our survey.

In August 2022 Heart of Newhaven Community secured the purchase of Victoria Primary School.

In January 2023 we opened the buildings, now known as The Heart, for community uses in support of our vision- an Intergenerational Community Hub where everyone is better connected, less socially isolated and more actively engaged with their community.

In our first year of operation we focused on the buildings and their spaces and this year we undertook essential repairs to the fabric of the building.

We’ve also begun to develop community projects including the Dementia Meeting Centre, an intergenerational heritage project, a community lunch with Cyrenians and our ‘open4 coffee’/knit and natter/ IT support with AceIt, Newhaven Friendship Group.

We now need to know, from you, how we are doing?
Are we meeting your needs?
What are we missing?

The Survey

Please do our survey and share as widely as possible
The closing date is November 30th
Thank you!

The Knitted Christmas Tree News

Firstly a massive thank you to everyone who donated green squares, beautiful decorations, knitted articles,the amazing tree trunk and the time you have given us to help raise money for easier access to The Heart for everyone.

We are almost there, the trunk is ready, the knitting is prepared and the Newhaven Fishwife has arrived. The next thing is to erect The Tallest Knitted Christmas Tree in the atrium of the Heart, ready for the Grand Opening on 30th  November.

The official opening is at 11am. The craft fair will be open from 10am-4pm and there will be a raffle, tombola, children’s raffle and bottle stall. There will be the chance to choose the Fishwife’s name, guess the number of leaves on the tree and the number of decorations on the tree.  Any contributions and donations to our stalls would be very well received.  

On Sunday 1st December from 2.30-5.30 there will be a craft afternoon with the chance to make a Christmas Wreath, a Christmas Ornament and other crafts. Tickets for these activities will be on sale on the Saturday and Sunday.

On both days there will be refreshments including mulled wine.

Come along and see the Tallest Knitted Christmas, meet the creators, support a good cause and start the Christmas season at the Heart of Newhaven.

The Tree can be seen every day from 30th November until 22nd December. Call in to meet us and find out what the Heart can offer you.

Leith Creative Trail

The Leith Creative Trail running from 30th November – 8th December is an initiative designed to encourage people to explore their local creative community, art studios, organisations and services.

Follow the MAP and drop in on 19 different venues across North East Edinburgh including The Heart.

We’re open Saturday 30th Nov & Saturday 7th Dec 10am to 4pm with open studio visits, handmade artisan gifts and artwork for sale, craft demonstration, mulled wine, festive nibbles and cheer.

Meeting Centre Update October/November

Members of the Heart Dementia Meeting Centre have been enjoying our Wednesday morning meetings, working on creative projects with Tortoise in a Nutshell Theatre Company and continuing our intergenerational School Days sessions with students from Victoria Primary School. We celebrated Halloween with spooky bread making and enjoyed some home-made tattie scones.

Meeting Centre Manager Jan Brown also organised ‘Start from the Heart’ two dementia inclusive walks around Newhaven with local poet Ken Cockburn, piloting the idea of celebrating local heritage through poetry and song with a gentle health-walk. Feeback on these Monday afternoon walks was very positive, and we hope to start a series of monthly walks in the Spring.

Jan recently ran a Dementia Awareness session for volunteers at The Heart of Newhaven, if you or a family member is interested in becoming a member of the Heart Dementia Meeting Centre or volunteering with us, please contact: 

jan.brown@heartofnewhaven.co.uk

Schooldays Project

The Heritage Lottery Funded, Schooldays Project is underway, featuring intergenerational workshops with local primary school students from Victoria, Trinity, Wardie, and Holy Cross.

The students are collaborating with groups that regularly meet in our building, including the Dementia Meeting Centre, the Knit and Natter Group, the Newhaven Friendship Group, as well as new groups such as Feniks.

We’re thrilled about the creative workshops happening and being led by resident and local artists and look forward to sharing these experiences with our groups in the coming months.

Stay tuned for regular updates in future newsletters!

simone.kenyon@heartofnewhaven.co.uk

Keep an eye on our social media and hope to see many of you in the Heart!

Healthy Heart Tip: Protein and heart health

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

Healthy Heart Tip: Protein and heart health

Many people know the benefits of protein for muscle growth and repair, but do you know the other benefits for your health? Protein is one of the main forms of nutrients you need for your body to function.

In the UK, on average, there is an over consumption of the recommended amount of protein but often from few sources. 

It is essential that your body is getting protein from a range of different foods to ensure you meet all your body’s requirements. Did you know that approximately 16% of the UK population follow a meat-free diet? These people may need to focus more attention on meeting their protein requirements than those who regularly eat meat. 

In this healthy tip we discuss the importance of protein, different sources and how to get protein into your diet: 

Importance of protein 

Protein is required for general health, growth and maintenance of the body’s tissues. It helps your bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments and skin to stay healthy and have structure, strength and elasticity. Protein helps your muscles to repair and rebuild after exercising and helps to increase your muscular strength.

It also supports the immune system by helping to form antibodies that fight against disease-causing bacteria and viruses.  

Protein has a satiating effect on the body and helps you to feel fuller for longer. It provides energy to your body, but only as a last resort if all your carbohydrate and fat stores have been used up. It should make up 10% to 35% of your total daily energy intake.  

Sources of protein 

Animal proteins are often more known and more commonly consumed than other protein sources.

These include meat and poultry, fish and seafood, eggs, and dairy products.

However, more people are beginning to follow a diet rich in plant proteins and consuming more nuts and seeds, beans, chickpeas, lentils and tofu.  

Getting protein into your diet 

You should try and include a portion of protein in every meal of the day, as well as in the snacks you eat. This will help to keep you feeling fuller for longer and reduce those cravings for foods with low nutritional value. 

For better heart health you should aim to eat a diet that is rich in plant foods. This simply means you need to consume lots of plant-based foods and proteins, and lower amounts of proteins from animal sources. This will not only benefit your heart health but also the sustainability of the planet.  

If you are consuming animal proteins, then red meats and processed meats are often high in fat and it is more beneficial for your health to consume leaner protein sources such as plant proteins, poultry and fish where possible. 

Edinburgh’s Youth Groups urged to join ASH Scotland’s new Youth Conversation Hub

ASH Scotland is encouraging youth groups in Edinburgh to join its new Youth Conversations Hub where learning and resources on smoking and vaping are being shared to enable young people to make confident, informed decisions to protect their long-term health.

The charity will be hosting a series of in-person and online events via the hub in upcoming months to give people working or volunteering for youth organisations opportunities to connect and further their understanding of how health harming tobacco and related products such as e-cigarettes affect young people.

The hub is also providing a space for young people to share their views and experiences of smoking and vaping through its youth survey which is running until Friday 29 November.

Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive for ASH Scotland, said: “We are delighted to launch our new Youth Conversations Hub which can equip youth group organisers and volunteers in Edinburghand across Scotland to share and obtain ideas about starting conversations with young people, to increase their knowledge about smoking and vaping so that they can make informed choices to protect their physical and mental health.

“We hope that, by signing up to the hub, youth organisations can support local young people to become more aware of the tobacco and e-cigarette industries’ marketing tactics targeting children, and will inspire youngsters to exercise their rights to live healthy lives by rejecting smoking or vaping.

“ASH Scotland believes that is vitally important that young people’s views are heard, so we are running a survey through youth organisations which join the hub so that youngsters themselves can directly drive the action that is needed to ensure Scotland becomes a tobacco-free generation by the target of 2034.”  

To join ASH Scotland’s Youth Conversations Hub, visit www.ashscotland.org.uk/hub

ENU student Sophia travels to celebrate graduation following recovery from colon cancer

A resilient Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) student has celebrated her graduation after recovering from colon cancer – and thanked the staff who supported her along the way.

Sophia McIntosh studied for a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) from her home in Kingston, Jamaica, alongside her work as a university lecturer there.

She took time out from her studies after receiving her cancer diagnosis in 2019 but was later able to return to and complete the course.

Sophia crossed the stage at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall on Wednesday to collect her degree, having travelled from the Caribbean with her mum for the ceremony.

Sophia said: “I am just so full of joy, not just for me but for all of my family members and friends who have supported me.

“I am happy that I went on this journey, I am liberated and more confident. The doctorate is the icing on the cake, but the journey has transformed me.

“I still have my thesis on leadership sitting on my table at home and sometimes I just open it to have a look!

“I’m so proud of myself – I never knew I had it in me to read and learn so much.”

Having felt unwell for some time, it was through a chance meeting with a doctor at church that Sophia was referred for health checks and discovered her cancer diagnosis.

She underwent surgery and chemotherapy in the autumn of 2019, followed by more treatment the following year.

She said: “When I was told the news, I just went numb. I was told we would have to move quickly and have surgery.

“All the horror stories about chemotherapy happened to me. I had complications from my surgery, and my parents came down from another part of Jamaica to look after me.

“I had two major surgeries, and we lost my adopted brother around the same time. But despite these traumatic events, I resumed my studies after the year.”

Sophia’s graduation comes after taking time out from the course because of illness and the Covid pandemic. She is now receiving checks every six months.

Now that Sophia has completed her degree, she has paid tribute to ENU staff members past and present who supported her, including Dr Ciarán McFadden-Young, Dr Janice McMillan, and Professor Gerri Matthews-Smith  – as well as Professor Alison McCleery, who sadly passed away last year.

“It was difficult going back to the doctorate, but my research supervisors helped me settle,” Sophie added. “They were patient with me and not judgemental. They were respectful and they gave me space.

“I can’t find the words to thank them – they held my hand. I never felt alone, I never felt unsafe. I had them all behind me.”

Sophia has graduated alongside fellow students from Edinburgh Napier University’s Business School today.

ENU’s autumn graduation ceremonies were held at the Usher Hall between 29 – 31 October.

Here’s Why You’re Waking Up Early This Week

As the clocks went back this past weekend, many people are noticing an early start to their mornings. Naplabs, a leader in sleep wellness, has partnered with a top sleep expert to explain why the recent time change could be responsible for these pre-dawn awakenings and how to adjust.

According to sleep experts Naplab, the main reason for this shift is “the body’s natural circadian rhythm, which becomes temporarily out of sync during time changes.” The extra hour gained over the weekend has thrown internal body clocks slightly out of balance, causing people to wake up earlier as their bodies adjust.

“Whenever clocks change, it can take about a week for our internal clocks to readjust,” explains Naplab. “For some, the shift to waking up earlier is amplified by stress, screen exposure, and modern lifestyle demands.”

Here are five expert tips from our experts to help you adjust to the recent clock change and get back on track with restful sleep:

Ease into Evening Relaxation: Spend 30 minutes before bed winding down with a calming activity, like reading or meditating, to help your body recognise it’s time to sleep. This supports your circadian rhythm in adjusting to the new time.

Get Natural Morning Light: Expose yourself to natural light soon after waking to signal to your body that it’s morning. This helps reset your internal clock, particularly during the shorter autumn days.

Avoid Screens Before Bed: Limit screen exposure at least an hour before bedtime. The blue light from devices can suppress melatonin, the hormone that promotes sleep, making it harder to drift off.

Gradually Adjust Bedtime: Go to bed 10-15 minutes later each night if you find you’re waking up too early. This gradual shift will help your body adjust to the time change more smoothly than a drastic schedule alteration.

Stick to a Consistent Routine: Aim to wake up and go to bed at the same time each day, even on weekends. This consistency helps your internal clock stabilise, leading to more refreshing, uninterrupted sleep.

In addition to the recent time change, factors like exposure to evening light from screens and high-stress levels can contribute to early wakefulness. Naplabs recommends a few tips for resetting your sleep schedule, such as limiting evening screen time, using blackout curtains to prevent early light exposure, and practicing relaxation techniques before bed.

“The seasonal clock change provides a great opportunity to fine-tune our sleep habits. By making small adjustments, we can support a more balanced internal rhythm and enjoy the benefits of restorative sleep.”

Thousands of online grooming crimes in Scotland during past five years

  • More than 3,000 Communicating Indecently with a Child offences have been recorded by Police Scotland during the past five years
  • NSPCC urges Ofcom to significantly strengthen its approach to child sexual abuse and for the UK Government to ensure the regulator can tackle grooming in private messaging

Over 3,000 online grooming crimes across Scotland have been recorded by Police Scotland during the past five years, new data compiled by the NSPCC has revealed.   

The figures provided by Police Scotland show 3,234 Communicating Indecently with a Child offences were recorded since 2019, with 672 offences recorded last year (2023/24) – an increase of 13% from the previous year.  

The NSPCC has issued these findings a year on from the Online Safety Act being passed.

The charity is urging Ofcom to significantly strengthen the rules social media platforms must follow to tackle child sexual abuse on their products.

They say the regulator currently puts too much focus on acting after harm has taken place rather than being proactive to ensure the design features of social media apps are not contributing to abuse.

The NSPCC is also calling on the Government to strengthen legislation to ensure child sexual abuse is disrupted in private messages such as on Snapchat and WhatsApp.

The charity’s Voice of Online Youth young people’s group were not surprised at the prevalence of Snapchat in offences.

Liidia, 13 from Glasgow, said: “Snapchat has disappearing messages, and that makes it easier for people to hide things they shouldn’t be doing.

“Another problem is that Snapchat has this feature where you can show your location to everyone. If you’re not careful, you might end up showing where you are to people you don’t know, which is super risky.

“And honestly, not all the rules in Snapchat are strict, so some people take advantage of that to do bad things. Apps should have better ways for us to report bad things, and they should always get updated to protect us better with the latest security tech.”

Sir Peter Wanless, NSPCC Chief Executive, said: “One year since the Online Safety Act became law and we are still waiting for tech companies to make their platforms safe for children.

“We need ambitious regulation by Ofcom who must significantly strengthen their current approach to make companies address how their products are being exploited by offenders.

“It is clear that much of this abuse is taking place in private messaging which is why we also need the UK Government to strengthen the Online Safety Act to give Ofcom more legal certainty to tackle child sexual abuse on the likes of Snapchat and WhatsApp.”

National Police Chief’s Council Lead for Child Protection and Abuse Investigations (CPAI) Becky Riggs said: “The numbers in this NSPCC data are shocking and policing joins partners in urging tech companies and Ofcom to fulfil their legal and moral obligations to keep children safe from harm within the online communities they have created.

“A year on from the Online Safety Act being passed, it is imperative that the responsibility of safeguarding children online is placed with the companies who create spaces for them, and the regulator strengthens rules that social media platforms must follow.

“Policing will not stop in its fight against those who commit these horrific crimes. We cannot do this alone, so while we continue to pursue and prosecute those who abuse and exploit children, we repeat our call for more to be done by companies in this space.”

Kids Operating Room and Smile Train roll out solar surgery system to improve care of children in Nigerian hospitals

  • Kids Operating Room and Smile Train successfully install solar surgery systems in 23 hospitals across Nigeria
  • The Solar Surgery system ensures reliable power for medical equipment during surgeries, addressing frequent power cuts
  • Initiative boosts patient safety and surgical outcomes, and reduces carbon emissions
  • Partnership aims to upgrade more than 30 paediatric theatres across Africa by 2025

Kids Operating Room (KidsOR), the Scottish charity dedicated to ensuring every child has access to safe surgery in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and Smile Train, the world’s largest cleft-focused charity, announce the successful implementation of the Solar Surgery system in 23 hospitals across Nigeria.

In their groundbreaking partnership, the two organisations are taking significant strides to enhance surgical care in Nigeria through the creation of new surgical facilities, training of local surgical teams, and now the deployment of solar powered operating theatres to ensure every child has access to a safe operation, free from the risks of power outages.

Solar panels have been installed on the roofs of the operating facilities in Nigeria, charging smart battery units that power vital medical equipment in an operating room. This innovative approach combats the frequent power cuts experienced in many African hospitals, ensuring uninterrupted care and better outcomes for patients.

The system monitors what power is needed by the surgical team and provides that directly from the panels, meaning children across Nigeria are now having operations powered entirely by the sun. However, the system can seamlessly switch to a blend of solar and battery power on cloudy days and can go on to provide 8-hours of continuous use into the night. Only when there is no sunlight, and the reserve is being depleted will the system start to pull power from the local grid. 

The partnership between KidsOR and Smile Train promises to deliver reliable power to Nigerian hospitals, improving patient safety and improving surgical results while also reducing the carbon emissions of the facilities – setting a sustainable standard for medical treatment across Africa.

Globally, one in 700 babies are born with a cleft lip and/or palate. Sadly, many of these children miss out on the vital reconstructive surgery they need, which can lead to challenges in eating, breathing, and speaking. Smile Train is the world’s leading charity focused on transforming the lives of these children and recently announced supporting their 2 millionth cleft surgery.

Nkeiruka OBI, Vice-President and Regional Director, Africa of Smile Train, commented: “Erratic power supply is a norm in Nigeria, like most developing countries. Interruption of power during a surgical procedure could jeopardise the life of the patient. It is not a desirable experience.  

“By harnessing clean and renewable solar energy, which by the way we have in abundance in this part of the world, surgical teams can confidently operate critical medical equipment and ensure that children with clefts can receive safe, timely surgeries regardless of power outages.  

“The solar-powered theatre is a game changer, in transforming healthcare delivery across Africa, especially in areas where unreliable power limits access to safe surgical care. 

“With each solar-powered theatre, we take a step closer to universal access to safe surgery, amplifying the impact on children, families, and entire communities. Smile Train and KidsOR’s partnership truly serves as a model on how meaningful collaboration and innovation can overcome healthcare challenges and drive sustainable change across the continent.”

David Cunningham, CEO of KidsOR, commented: “Our partnership with Smile Train is making a life changing difference to children in developing countries across the globe. In Nigeria, and across Africa, we are working with Smile Train to pave the way for a future where no child has to fear a power outage as a significant risk to their life during an operation.

“In Nigeria, we will shortly have moved 30 operating rooms onto the exciting Solar Surgery system, which means surgical facilities across the country will be able to operate at full capacity and are no longer restricted by frequent power outages.”