Tag: Health and wellbeing

Edinburgh AI eyecare innovation to be ‘game-changer’ for NHS staff and patients

A formal NHS Scotland partner has welcomed the prospect of eyecare waiting times being cut thanks to new artificial intelligence (AI) innovation, calling it ‘a real showcase of homegrown expertise’.

Edinburgh-based Eye to the Future’s clinical software support tools are designed to help optometrists optimise referrals to hospital eye services during a critical period which has seen NHS ophthalmology waiting lists grow by 138% since 2012.

The company’s innovative, collaboration-driven technology – incorporating background technology developed by the Universities of Edinburgh and Dundee – analyses images from routine eye examinations to help identify early signs of conditions like glaucoma and reduce blindness.

It has also commanded widespread interest which has led to strong support – from universities and eye care professionals to Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Edge, Innovate UK, and more.

InnoScot Health’s Innovation Manager Frances Ramsay believes that Eye to the Future, a culmination of 20 years of collaborative research, represents an important Scottish success story.

She said: “Harnessing the potential of software like this could be a game-changer for both NHS Scotland staff and patients by optimising existing resources and adopting a more efficient approach to tackling backlogs.

“Eye to the Future has benefited from a package of support to transform academic research into commercial technology. This very much mirrors our approach at InnoScot Health – tapping into the vast knowledge and expertise across NHS Scotland, before collaborating further to turn ideas into commercial reality, and importantly, improving patient outcomes.

“It shows how just one individual’s moment of inspiration can lead to a big impact when the knowledge and support of others is drawn upon to catalyse great ideas, echoing our own assistance for pressured ophthalmology through the encouragement of Scotland’s next generation of clinical entrepreneurs.”

Professor Emanuele Trucco, co-founder of Eye to the Future said: “Only 24% of NHS eye units currently believe they have enough consultants to meet demand.

“By using sophisticated analytics tools to help optometrists make more accurate referral decisions, we can ensure the right patients get specialist care at the right time, while reducing unnecessary hospital appointments. This is crucial as every delay risks worsening eye conditions and ultimately irreversible sight loss.”

Eye to the Future was named runner-up in the Converge Challenge category of the 2022 Converge Awards, which works in close partnership with universities to encourage academic entrepreneurs.

Through Converge, the company received funding – part of a broader package of support – to help accelerate, what Professor Trucco called, “academic research towards real commercial impact,” while benefitting from “valuable insights into how our technology could make a meaningful difference to patients and clinicians”.

Frances continued: “We wish Eye to the Future well as it prepares to launch its product this year, with a pilot currently underway at Glasgow Caledonian University’s School of Optometry.”

More innovative solutions are needed to tackle growing pressure on NHS eye care across Scotland with ideas welcomed through InnoScot Health’s ophthalmology innovation call. It offers a package of support for NHS Scotland staff including advice and guidance in areas of intellectual property protection, regulation, funding, project management, and commercialisation.

The organisation has supported and worked with innovators on solutions including Peekaboo Vision, an app created by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, and the iGrading platform, a diabetic retinopathy screening tool developed alongside NHS Grampian and the University of Aberdeen.

New survey suggests benefits system is letting down people with mental health conditions who want to work

Many sick and disabled people say they want to work to help boost their living standards – but aren’t given the right support, according to new data published on Time to Talk day [6 February].

  • New survey suggests 200k people claiming health and disability benefits are ready for work now if the right job or support were available.
  • Comes as number of young people with a mental health condition who are economically inactive due to long-term sickness reaches over a quarter of a million (270,000).
  • Overhaul of health and disability benefit system set to be unveiled in Spring to ensure it provides meaningful support to help long term sick back into work.

New research published by the Department for Work and Pensions shows that nearly half (44%) of people with a mental health condition expect to be able to work in future if their health improves.

This comes as the number of young people (aged 16 to 34) who are economically inactive due to long-term sickness and have a mental condition reaches 270,000. This number has been rising consistently over the past decade and has increased by 60,000 (26%) in the last year alone. The equivalent figure for all people of working-age (16 to 64) is 790,000 – an increase of 140,000 (22%) over the last year.

The Work Aspirations of Health and Disability Claimants survey also finds that a third (32%) of those claiming health and disability benefits believe they can work now or in future.  (5%) say that they would be ready now if the right job or support were available. This equates to around 200,000 individuals.

The survey also finds that those out of jobs overwhelmingly see work as a key part of their identity and a route to higher self-esteem, happiness and security.

In further evidence that the current system pushes people away from work, the survey revealed that 50% of people who are on health and disability benefits and are not currently in work said they were worried they would not get their benefits back if they tried paid employment and it did not work out.

 It comes as the Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall visited Workbridge charity which offers support to people who are unable to work due to mental ill health, to hear how they’re supporting people with mental health conditions into work.

Responding to the stark survey results, the Work and Pensions Secretary has said the report demonstrates the need to reform the current welfare system, so that it offers better, meaningful support to give disabled people and people with long-term health conditions a real opportunity to find work.

The upcoming reforms will be a key part of the government’s Plan for Change to boost employment by breaking down barriers to opportunity – creating a welfare system that promotes tailored pathways into work and accommodates the complex nature of disabilities and health conditions – and consequently, improving people’s living standards.

Work and Pensions Secretary, Rt Hon Liz Kendall MP said: “Today’s report shows that the broken benefits system is letting down people with mental health conditions who want to work.

“People claiming Health and Disability benefits have been classed by the system as “can’t work” and shut out of jobs and have been ignored – when they’ve been crying out for support.

“That is a serious failure. It’s bad for people, bad for businesses, which miss out on considerable talent, and bad for the economy.

“For young people in particular, being out of work can have a scarring effect that lasts a lifetime.

“On Time to Talk day, it’s time to change how we support people with long-term health conditions, such as a mental health condition, so that they have a fair chance and choice to work.”

On her visit to Workbridge, Kendall spoke to experts to hear their insights on how government and employers can better accommodate the fluctuating nature of people’s mental health – ensuring that people’s views and voices are at the heart of changes that affect them.

Being in work has a positive effect on people’s mental and physical health – providing people with confidence and independence, as well as financial benefits.

The UK remains the only G7 country that has higher levels of economic inactivity now than before the pandemic, with the benefits bill spiralling – largely driven by the increase in people claiming incapacity benefits for mental health conditions, who had not received the care and treatment they deserve.

The reforms to the health & disability benefit system due to be unveiled in a Green Paper in Spring will consider these issues and how the government can tackle these barriers to employment, and the government will work closely alongside charities, organisations and disabled people to ensure their voices help shape any proposals for reform.

The Green Paper will set key ambitions for creating a system that is fairer on disabled people – offering support into work which takes into consideration the realities of their health condition and life circumstances, and fairness for the taxpayer by bringing down the benefits bill.

The reforms are expected to build on the Get Britain Working White Paper, which set out the first steps to achieving the government’s target 80% employment rate, driving up growth and driving down poverty in every corner of our country. 

Successful steps have already been taken to offer work and life-changing support, with a record number of people with mental health conditions receiving employment advice through the NHS Talking Therapies programme.

Alongside this support, the Laobur Government has settled record funding for the NHS – so that all people can get the care they need – and have pledged:

  • 8,500 more mental health staff
  • Mental health support teams in every school
  • Open-access mental health hubs in every community

Amazon Dunfermline provides support to Scot Baby Box Appeal

The team at Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Dunfermline has delivered products worth £2,500 to Scot Baby Box Appeal.

The Scot Baby Box Appeal supports families with newborns in Ukraine. The charity distributes pre-loved baby boxes filled with essential items, alongside supplies for relief efforts and other critical necessities, helping to ensure that every newborn has a safe and nurturing start.

A group of 92 employees from Amazon in Dunfermline packed and delivered the sorted pallets to the charity’s hub in Coatbridge. The donation included essential items such as toiletries, clothing and drinks.

Alongside the delivery of pallets, seven employees from the Amazon fulfilment centre in Dunfermline volunteered at the charity’s warehouse to support with the team’s sortation and space management support to ensure safe and efficient working conditions for the staff and volunteers at Scot Baby Box Appeal.

The charity has been supported by Amazon since 2022, with the fulfilment centre team in Dunfermline making donations and volunteering for almost three years.

Speaking on the donation, Jamie Strain, General Manager at Amazon in Dunfermline, said: “The team at Scot Baby Box Appeal provides excellent support to families across Scotland and Ukraine.

“Amazon in Dunfermline has a longstanding relationship with the team at Scot Baby Box Appeal and we’re pleased to contribute once again to the efforts of the staff and volunteers with this donation.”

Christina Watson, an employee from Amazon in Dunfermline who took part in the kitting event, said: “I’m pleased that I can take part in supporting the charity for a second time this year and I can’t wait to see the relationship between Amazon Dunfermline and Scot Baby Box grow even further.”

Gail Maguire, from Scot Baby Box Appeal, added: “Thank you to Jamie and the team at Amazon in Dunfermline for their continued support with this donation. Their help is always greatly appreciated, especially on the run up to Christmas.”

Community donations and employee volunteering are just two of the ways Amazon supports the communities where it operates. Amazon co-founded The Big House Multibank in Fife with former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown to support to families in need.

The Multibank network has now donated more than 3 million surplus goods to over 400,000 families across Scotland, Wales, Greater Manchester, and London.

Amazon has supported more than 700,000 students across the UK with free STEM education programmes through Amazon Future Engineer and helps community organisations transport meals and other essentials to families in need through its pro bono logistics programme, Amazon Local Good.

Amazon partners with Comic Relief and is the official home of the charity’s iconic Red Nose. Together with its employees, customers, and partners, Amazon has raised over £4.8 million to fund projects that support people across the UK, and around the world.

Improving miscarriage care

£1.5 million to support delivery of compassionate, high-quality care

Women can expect improved miscarriage care Public Health and Women’s Health Minister Jenni Minto has pledged, after unveiling a new framework, backed by £1.5 million funding.

The framework sets out a range of actions for Scotland’s NHS boards to implement, including ensuring that women going through miscarriage have a separate, private space. It will introduce a graded model of miscarriage care across the country. This means all women can receive tailored support and services, and won’t have to wait until a third miscarriage. This will include access to progesterone prescriptions – where clinically appropriate – both for threatened and recurrent miscarriage.

These changes will be supported by £1.5 million Scottish Government funding and aim to ensure that early pregnancy care is equitable so that no women are disadvantaged, regardless of where they access and receive care.

The Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health said: “The loss of a baby, no matter at what stage of pregnancy, has a profound and lasting impact on women and their families.

“To all who have experienced such a tragedy, I offer my deepest sympathy. The Scottish Government recognises this impact and is clear that women and families who have experienced pregnancy or baby loss must be provided with the right information, care and support, tailored to their individual circumstances.

“I am very grateful to everyone in Scotland’s NHS who works to provide miscarriage care and support.

“I know there is already a lot of good work underway within NHS Boards to improve miscarriage care services. The 2025-26 Budget, if approved by Parliament, will provide £1.5 million to support NHS Boards to improve delivery of sensitive and compassionate miscarriage care.”

Kath Abrahams, Chief Executive of pregnancy charity Tommy’s commented: “We are delighted to see the Delivery Framework for Miscarriage Care in Scotland launching today.

“The Framework is a real milestone on the path to excellent care for women and families in Scotland and Tommy’s has been pleased to work closely with our colleagues in Scottish Government as they have developed the Framework, which aims to ensure the right support and care for parents after every tragic loss.

“With compassionate care at its heart, we are looking forward to continuing to support our Scottish colleagues as they oversee the rollout.”

The Miscarriage Association’s Chief Executive Vicki Robinson said: “We are extremely pleased to see the publication of this important Framework for Miscarriage Care in Scotland, which represents a significant step forward in ensuring that those experiencing miscarriage receive the compassionate, high-quality care they deserve during such a heart-breaking time.

“This framework is a vital step in providing evidence-based care and offering women additional support in early pregnancy. We are proud to have contributed to its development and look forward to seeing it bring positive change. This is a crucial milestone in ensuring that miscarriage care is accessible, equitable, and compassionate across Scotland.”

Acas tips for Time to Talk Day

Julie Dennis, Head of Inclusive Workplaces Policy at Acas (The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service), said: “Time To Talk Day is a great opportunity for employers to raise awareness of well-being at work and to be approachable and available for workers that want to talk about their mental health.

“Taking the time to talk openly about mental health can avoid problems building up and lead to improved morale at work. It might be difficult for someone to talk about their mental health so it’s important for managers to be respectful, supportive and reassuring.” 

Acas has some top tips for employers on talking about mental health at work:

  • Be approachable, available and encourage team members to talk to you if they’re having problems.
  • Keep in regular contact with your team to check how they are coping.
  • Address any individual communication preferences such as asking team members if they prefer to talk face-to-face, over the phone, through video meetings or by email.
  • Respect confidentiality and be calm, patient, supportive and reassuring if a staff member wants to have a chat about their mental health.
  • Look after your own mental health and get support if you feel under more pressure than usual. This support could be a colleague at work, a mental health first aider or a counsellor.

New Tips for “making walking a habit”

80 percent of us drop our fitness resolutions by early February

  • The founder of one of the UK’s leading health charities is sharing her five brand new tips for making walking a habit 
  • Research conducted by YouGov* shows that by the second week in February, 80% of us have thrown in the towel, particularly in relation to fitness goals. 
  • But Nina Barough CBE, Founder and Chief Executive of health charity Walk the Walk has the perfect solution for us all – make walking part of your life! 

Nina’s new tips for making walking a habit:-

1.  Put a walk in your diary! 
Having a routine, no matter how small, makes it easier to turn going for a walk into a habit.  Pick a time of day which suits you best and add it into your diary as an appointment. 

2. Plan several walking routes for different distances and times
Whether you have time for a quick ten- minute walk or a longer session, having different routes planned means you will always know where you are going, how far and for how long

3. Have suitable comfortable clothing and shoes for any weather
Never let the weather stop you walking. The weather doesn’t change the impact a walk can have – some of the worst weather days can deliver the best walks! 

4. Invest in a tracking device or app
A device or app which can track your walking steps and distance each day can be really motivating, tracking how far you go each day and helping you watch your progress. 

5. Every step counts! 
Whether you walk one mile, or the distance from your desk to the kettle to make a tea – engage your core, allow your shoulders to relax and think about your posture! 

Nina’s tips are backed up by Public health expert Prof Nick Cavill, who is a huge advocate for physical activity including walking:-

“I’m often asked about what I think is the best exercise. My reply is that it’s the exercise you will do every day and keep doing for life. For most people that is walking – for fun, for relaxation, for exercise or for transport.

“Walking for half an hour a day is associated with improvements in over 20 health conditions, from reducing the risk of heart disease and some cancers to improving mental health and wellbeing.

“So, if you’ve ditched the New Year’s fitness resolutions, try the most natural exercise around – walking!”

*YouGov 2017

Scotland’s national children’s charity urges the public to protect the future of Scotland’s children

With worrying levels of children experiencing anxiety, distress and fear, this children’s mental health week, Children First is asking people to leave a gift in their Will to help protect the next generation of children in Scotland.

With Scotland’s children in the grip of a mental health crisis, Scotland’s national children’s charity predicts their support services will be needed more than ever.

In November, the charity revealed that nearly 100 referrals a day were being made to child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) across Scotland, following a freedom of information request (FOI). More than 60 percent of people who call Children First’s national support line are worried about a child’s emotional wellbeing.

The charity has launched a campaign asking the public to make their legacy a brighter future for Scotland’s children.

Michelle Supple, director of fundraising, marketing and communications at Children First, said: “There is a childhood emergency in Scotland and an increasing need for the vital services we offer children and families across Scotland.

“By leaving a gift in your Will to Children First, you are leaving a legacy to protect Scotland’s children and give them a brighter future, a gift for generations.

“These special gifts ensure we can keep babies, children and young people safe and help them recover from trauma today, tomorrow and in the years to come.”

For over 140 years Scotland’s national children’s charity has protected children from harm and supported them to recover from trauma and abuse through its national and local services, including a support line for anyone in Scotland who is worried about a child.

Thanks to gifts left in Wills to Children First, young people  can have a better future, due to the emotional and practical support the charity provides for children and young people to recover and move forward after difficult experiences.

Reflecting on their experience with Children First, one young person said: “Children First really helped me. I’ve grown more confidence, have volunteered at a mental wellbeing group and got my first proper job.”

Anyone interested in leaving a gift in their Will to Children First or receiving a free legacy guide can visit www.childrenfirst.org.uk/legacy.

Children First’s new legacy advert began airing on STV yesterday, which you can view here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRz7wEn6Qcc 

World Cancer Day is chance for NHS to be ‘United by Unique’ innovation for more people-centred care

World Cancer Day is an opportunity to inspire Scotland’s diverse healthcare innovators to unite for patient equity in the fight against the country’s leading cause of death, says an NHS partner.

Taking place today on Saturday 4 February, the theme of World Cancer Day 2025 is ‘United by Unique’ with organisers, the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), believing that the day’s focus on a people-centred, tailored approach to cancer care is a vital one.

With around 16,000 people in Scotland dying from cancer every year, UICC say that everyone’s experience of it is unique and are encouraging the sharing of personal stories and help in shaping the call to action. 

Formal NHS Scotland partner InnoScot Health insists that health service innovators must also be ‘United by Unique’ in putting forward their ideas to improve cancer care, highlighting the diverse skillsets that the country’s workforce can draw on in finding new ways to identify and treat cancer.

Executive Chair of InnoScot Health, Graham Watson said: “The World Cancer Day 2025 campaign explores different dimensions of people-centred cancer care and new ways of making a difference. That represents real opportunity for positive change.

“Healthcare innovators here in Scotland can reach out, answer that call with their unique perspectives, and make real progress in reducing the global impact of cancer, in turn helping to realise equity of access to innovative treatments.

“It is paramount that NHS Scotland patients get the care they need, and innovation holds the potential to offer more equal access to new treatments and technologies, while empowering patients to actively participate in the decision-making process.

“Scotland is also uniquely placed to contribute to such patient-centred, innovation-driven endeavours by bringing together the NHS, industry, and academia thanks to its history of effective collaboration, and lack of geographical barriers.”

UICC is dedicated to taking a lead in uniting the cancer community to reduce the disease’s global burden and integrating cancer control into the world health and development agenda.

World Cancer Day 2025 is the start of a three-year journey – from raising awareness to taking action, according to UICC.

Mr Watson added: “This important date will be marked by hundreds of events happening across the globe, all envisioning a future for cancer care where the needs of people and communities come first.

“The World Cancer Day ethos of ‘United by Unique’ is something that touches us all – and it can be a meaningful call to action for NHS Scotland innovators who can feel inspired in the knowledge that their unique thinking is more welcome than ever in tackling challenges.

“This includes sustaining the significant progress made in the fight against cancer in recent years.

“InnoScot Health believes that fresh ideas have the power to significantly improve health and social care, while supporting an ambitious, forward-thinking NHS.”

On World Cancer Day, InnoScot Health is encouraging healthcare staff to make a difference to NHS Scotland by submitting new ideas with innovative potential.

Incredible, life-changing projects are already underway across the country, including artificial intelligence (AI) being leveraged for the development of a 25-minute skin cancer diagnosis test, analysis of chest X-rays in near real time, and a new screening method that combines laser analysis with AI to identify patients in the earlier stage of breast cancer.

It is all part of collective efforts to use technology to drive forward cancer diagnosis, treatment and care with Scotland’s Chief Scientist for Health Professor Dame Anna Dominiczak recently highlighting that AI innovation in cancer was continuing to develop apace in Scotland.

She commented: “These programmes are developing and progressing and will be perhaps gaining momentum as we go forward.”

JRF report shows ‘shockingly high’ number of children in poverty living in working families, says TUC

The latest Joseph Rountree Foundation (2025) UK Poverty 2025 Report clearly shows that work doesn’t protect families from poverty.  

In particular, the report highlights the “shockingly high” number of children living in poverty in working families:   

  • 50% of children in families where at least one adult is (but not all adults are) in work live in poverty.  

Working-age adults are also impacted: 

  • Two-thirds (68%) of working-age adults living in poverty are in a household where at least one adult works.  

Responding to these figures, TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said: “Every worker deserves to earn a decent living. But many working households are struggling to keep their heads above water.  

“This is unacceptable. Working people should be able to put food on the table for their families and keep their children warm during the winter.   

“After 14 years of Tory chaos and stagnation, we urgently need to boost living standards.   

“That’s why this government’s Make Work Pay agenda is so crucial for millions of families up and down the country. 

“More money in working people’s pockets means more spend on our high streets – that’s good for workers and good for local economies.  

“And the Employment Rights Bill will mean more good and secure jobs – boosting productivity for businesses and giving workers more control over their lives and better chances to progress.  

“Better work is crucial for ending child poverty, but decent social security matters too. The Government must remove the two-child benefit cap which is keeping too many children in working households in poverty.” 

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