Students across Lothian are encouraged to ensure their vaccinations are up to date before heading off to college or university this year.
Infectious diseases such as meningitis, septicaemia (blood poisoning) and measles can spread easily in universities and colleges. Vaccination offers the best protection against these diseases, which is why it’s important to check your vaccines are up to date.
Students are 11 times more likely to develop invasive meningococcal disease, which causes meningitis and septicaemia. The meningitis ACWY (MenACWY) vaccine helps to protect against these very serious diseases. Students who have missed having the vaccine, can get it up to the age of 25 years.
Parts of the UK and other countries in Europe have been seeing an increase in the number of people getting measles, and evidence suggests students are at higher risk. That’s why it’s important to check you’ve had two doses of the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella and has saved over 4,500 lives across the UK.
Pat Wynne, Nurse Director for Primary and Community Care, NHS Lothian, said: “These diseases can be severe and, in some cases, life threatening.
“Students are at increased risk due to the large amounts of mixing with new people in enclosed spaces. Increasing cases of measles and meningococcal disease in particular were observed earlier this year.
“Vaccines are the best way to ensure you’re protected and these are offered for free on the NHS in Scotland. These vaccines are offered as part of the routine childhood immunisation schedule however if they’ve been missed, it’s not too late to catch up.
“Ideally, they should be given at least two weeks before the new semester starts.”
There is also still time to get the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. It helps protect against HPV-related cancers including head, neck and cervical cancer and also protects against over 90% of genital wart infections. Most students will have had the HPV vaccine at school if eligible but if not, students may still be able to get it up until the age of 25.
If you are under 25 years and you’ve missed any vaccinations, call the Vaccination Enquiries Line on 0300 790 6296. If you are 25 or over, call your GP practice. They can check your records and arrange a referral if it is required.
International students may be able to get additional vaccines that were not available where they lived before.
MSP MILES BRIGGS REPEATS CALL FOR REPLACEMENT EYE HOSPITAL
Urgent repair work will have to be carried out at the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion at the end of October.
Extensive work is required on the plumbing system, meaning that all patient appointments which were scheduled to take place from October 28 will now be moved to other NHS Lothian facilities.
It is anticipated that the PAEP building will be vacated for around six months while contractors replace two waste pipes and remove asbestos material from a sealed cavity where the pipework is located.
The decision to move to other locations temporarily while the work takes place is designed to protect patients, staff and visitors.
Jim Crombie, Deputy Chief Executive, NHS Lothian, said: “We are very sorry for the inconvenience this will cause our patients and it is not a decision we have taken lightly.
“Whilst patients and staff are not at risk, the work is essential and the advice we have received from our contractors is that this can be done more speedily and safely if the building is temporarily vacated.
“Patient and staff safety are always our chief consideration. Our teams are working hard to minimise disruption and to ensure patients continue to be seen and treated throughout this period.”
Teams are currently developing plans to ensure that inpatient and outpatient appointments continue throughout this period and it is expected that all appointments will be held in NHS Lothian facilities.
Patients do not need to do anything differently.
The vast majority of patients due to be seen at the PAEP between now and Friday October 26are unaffected. A very small number of appointments scheduled to take place before then may need to be rescheduled. These patients do not need to do anything as they will be contacted individually by their clinical teams at least two weeks in advance.
Those who already have appointments booked for dates from Monday October 28 will be contacted by letter, text or both in good time to arrange their new appointments, starting with patients who have appointments in the week beginning October 28.
Mr Crombie added: “We are really grateful to all of our patients for their patience and understanding.
“I would like to reassure them they do not need to do anything. All affected patients will be being contacted with details of the new location of their appointment.
“Our staff and teams throughout PAEP are working really hard to make the move as smooth as possible at short notice and I can’t thank them enough.”
Lothian MSP urges residents to make their voices heard over unacceptable lack of a replacement Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion
Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, has called on Edinburgh and Lothian residents to send a clear message to SNP Ministers and the Scottish Government that the failure to deliver a replacement Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion is unacceptable.
On Tuesday NHS Lothian announced that the eye hospital would be closing for six months due to urgent plumbing repairs (see above).
Previous FOIs to NHS Lothian showed a list of 125 outstanding items of maintenance work, totalling £2.3 million, that needed carried out at the hospital.
Since April 2022 the list of outstanding maintenance work has remained the same, with MSP Miles Briggs, calling the building “unfit for purpose”.
A scheduled visit to the hospital with Lothian MSPs and the Cabinet Secretary for Health is scheduled for next month to see the extent of work required at the hospital and the urgent need for a replacement Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion.
Figures from Sight Scotland show that over the last ten years there has been a 230% increase in ongoing waits for ophthalmology outpatients in NHS Lothian. The number of people waiting over sixteen weeks has increased by 5600% and those waiting over 12 weeks has increased by 2752%.
This closure to the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion is only going to worsen ophthalmology waits in NHS Lothian.
Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said:“Residents in Edinburgh and the Lothian’s must let SNP Ministers know how angry they are with the lack of funding being delivered for a replacement Edinburgh Eye hospital
“Waits for Ophthalmology services in NHS Lothian have grown dramatically, especially over the last 3 to 5 years and people are having to wait excessive lengths of time for treatment.
“As with any medical treatment, the sooner that you are seen the better the expected outcome and this is especially the case for ophthalmology.
“People who want to make their voices heard can sign my petition online to restore funding for a new Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion.”
If you would like to support Mr Brigg’s petition to reinstate funding for a replacement Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion, you can find the petition here:
Thanks to colleagues who looked after me following my hip replacement
AN EXPERIENCED care home nurse with more than 43 years of service is back at work post-hip replacement – after a being cared for by her own colleagues.
Eileen Crawford, 64, who currently works as the Charge Nurse at luxury care home Cramond Residence underwent the treatment earlier this year after years of arthritic pain.
Upon hearing about her need for surgery, her colleagues and managers immediately offered to help her with her post-operative care, including a stay at the home.
Following the operation, they provided her with a week-inclusive stay, including intensive physiotherapy and wound care, before Eileen continued her recuperation at her home in Edinburgh.
Eileen, who has worked at Cramond Residence for three years said: “I’m incredibly grateful that during my recovery process, I was being treated by my friends and colleagues at Cramond Residence.
“As soon as the team learned about my surgery, they instantly offered me support including transport to and from the hospital as well as post-operative physiotherapy care.
“I’ve seen many patients previously go through these procedures; I was quite anxious about my recovery. However, knowing that I would be receiving this care instantly put my mind at ease, as I knew from working with my colleagues just how professional they are in providing care.”
Eileen was discharged from the Spire Hospital two days after the procedure and transferred to Cramond, where she received five days of intensive physiotherapy and wound care.
The team went above and beyond by offering a tailored plan, ensuring Eileen’s recovery was comfortable and well-supported by familiar staff.
She returned home with improved mobility, and following a period of recuperation has successfully returned to work.
Eileen added: “Cramond Residence made what could have been a daunting recovery process so much easier. Their support allowed me to get back on my feet and return to work much sooner than I expected.
“The care I received was exceptional. From the moment they picked me up from the hospital, I felt completely supported and in good hands, I really can’t thank them enough.”
Ross Bijak, General Manager at Cramond Residence, said: “Eileen does a great job looking after the community here. I’m so glad we were able to pay that back and support her when she needed it.
“It’s brilliant to have her back and to know the team here played a role in her swift recovery.”
Cramond Residence combines luxury accommodation with the highest quality of care, offering a unique small-group living experience within its purpose-built, five-star facility.
With a resident-to-staff ratio designed to ensure personalized attention, the residence provides a range of specialized services, including dementia care, to meet the diverse needs of its residents.
Opened in October 2018 at a cost of £8 million, Cramond Residence continues to deliver outstanding clinical standards in a setting designed for comfort and community.
For more information about Cramond Residence, visit:
FREE HEART SCREENING SERVICE AT ASDA CHESSER ON THURSDAY
Heart valve disease (HVD) is a leading cause of death in Scotland – affecting 73,000 people – but many have the condition without knowing it
Scottish cardiologist is concerned that almost 30,000 people may not know they have HVD which can be life threatening
A free heart check truck is coming to Edinburgh – and hopes to screen over 200 people in just one day!
In Scotland it is estimated that 73,000 people have heart valve disease, but studies suggest that 1 in 3 patients (~26,000) are unaware of it and are undiagnosed.
Disease that affects the valves in the heart, such as aortic stenosis, place individuals at high risk of heart failure and if left untreated could lead to sudden, unexpected death. While HVD can cause symptoms like fatigue, reduced energy levels, and chest pains, it can be symptomless.
This is why the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and Glasgow Jubilee Hospital will be offering the people of Scotland free heart checks this week (Thursday 19th September) at the ‘Your Heart Matters’ Truck which will be in Asda Chesser Supercentre, Edinburgh. The truck hopes to check the hearts of over 200 members of the public completely free of charge.
“We would welcome any members of the public aged over 50 to come down and have a free heart check whether they are experiencing symptoms or not,” urges Louise Axten, TAVI and Structural Heart Nurse, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
“We can estimate that in Scotland alone there are almost 30,000 people living with heart valve disease who don’t know it. Undiagnosed and untreated heart conditions like aortic stenosis can be fatal.”
Despite the serious risks associated with heart valve disease, treatment rates remain worryingly low. Scotland has two of the best cardiac units in the world, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and Golden Jubilee Hospital in Glasgow, which perform pioneering heart treatments such as TAVI and TEER and keyhole surgeries like SAVR.
Recent data suggests that less than 2,000 people in Scotland are having the most effective treatments (heart valve procedures and surgery) in the country’s specialist cardiology centres. This is just a fraction of the total number of HVD patients who could benefit.
There are ~600 TAVI procedures performed annually in Scotland. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat severe aortic stenosis by enhancing blood flow in the heart by replacing an aortic valve that fails to open completely. During TAVI, a new valve is inserted via a catheter through a small incision, usually in the groin (transfemoral approach) or chest (transapical approach). Initially, TAVI was an alternative for patients too frail for open-heart surgery to replace their aortic valves. Now, it’s also used for those at lower risk of complications from heart surgery, as research shows its equally effective as traditional surgery after one year.
In Scotland, there are ~ 200 Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair (TEER) procedures performed per year. TEER is used to treat mitral regurgitation (TR), a condition where the mitral valve in the heart doesn’t close properly, causing blood to flow backward into the heart. During TEER, a small clip is attached to the mitral valve via a catheter inserted through a vein in the leg. This clip helps the valve close more completely, reducing the backward flow of blood.
Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement (SAVR) is a traditional open-heart surgery used to treat severe aortic stenosis. There are less than 1,000 SAVR performed annually in Scotland. SAVR is typically recommended for patients who are suitable for surgery, including those who are at high risk for complications from less invasive procedures like TAVI. During SAVR, an incision is made along the breastbone to access the heart and the damaged valve is replaced with a mechanical or biological one.
Dr Stuart Watkins, Consultant Cardiologist at Glasgow Jubilee Hospital, said: “We believe a significant number of individuals with this potentially life-threatening condition may be undiagnosed.
“Considering the estimated prevalence of heart valve disease and the fact that fewer than 2,000 people in Scotland are receiving the most effective treatments, there appears to be a critical gap in diagnosis, awareness, or access to healthcare—putting many lives at serious risk.”
Dr Jonathan Byrne, UK Lead of the UK’s Valve for Life programme and a Consultant Cardiologist at King’s College Hospital, explained: “There is capacity in Scotland to undertake thousands more procedures and keyhole surgeries annually for people with moderate and severe heart valve disease, but underdiagnosed patients represent a huge challenge for us as they will remain undertreated“,
According to the Scottish Cardiac Audit Programme (SCAP), complication and mortality rates associated with TAVI remain very low. In 2022/23, there were 575 TAVI procedures performed in Scotland, marking a 17.8% increase from the previous year.
Despite the rise in procedures, the safety and effectiveness of TAVI continue to be affirmed by these low complication and mortality rates.
Learn to self-manage symptoms and improve your physical and emotional wellbeing at the same time.
Our Wellbeing Team is now running over 20 sessions, from techniques to help you manage your breathing to ‘A Wee Blether and Brew’, we can help you build confidence and take back control of your life.
Support is also available to family, friends, carers and those who are recently bereaved.
Meningitis Now, the UK’s leading meningitis charity, says it is concerned following the release of new data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) showing a significant rise in cases of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) across England over the past 12 months.
According to the report, there were 396 confirmed cases of IMD during 2022/23, compared to 205 cases in 2021/22—an increase that includes 33 deaths.
The charity says the near doubling of cases of the disease in England in one year has brought the figures close to pre-pandemic levels.
In light of the rising cases, Meningitis Now is urging the public to stay informed about the signs and symptoms of meningitis and to ensure they and their loved ones are protected by up-to-date vaccinations. The charity says early recognition and treatment are crucial in saving lives and preventing long-term complications.
The report, which presents laboratory-confirmed data, reveals the majority of the cases are caused by the MenB strain, which remains the most prevalent form of meningococcal disease.
These figures reveal that the highest number of cases of IMD were found among 15–19-year-olds and 45–65-year-olds. The next highest age groups affected were the over 65s, 20–24-year-olds and 25–44-year-olds.
Dr Tom Nutt, Chief Executive at Meningitis Now said, “While the decrease in cases during the pandemic provided some respite, this recent surge is a clear reminder that meningitis remains a critical health threat.
“We want to stress the importance of vigilance and vaccination. We urge everyone, particularly those in unvaccinated age groups, to familiarise themselves with the symptoms and to act swiftly if they suspect meningitis.”
Figures collated by the charity from all available data show the number of cases across the UK has more than doubled in a year, with 497 cases of IMD in 2022/23, compared to 242 cases in the previous year.
Meningitis is an inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi, with bacterial meningitis being the most severe form.
The disease can progress rapidly, leading to serious health complications such as brain damage, hearing loss, or even death if not treated promptly.
Common symptoms include a high fever, headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, confusion, and in severe cases, seizures. Infants and young children, teenagers, and older adults are particularly vulnerable to meningitis.
Founded in 1986, Meningitis Now is the first and leading meningitis charity in the UK, driven by the vision of a future where no one loses their life to meningitis and where everyone affected gets the support they need to rebuild their lives. The charity’s work includes:
– Support: Providing dedicated support to individuals and families affected by meningitis, including financial aid, counselling, and peer support networks.
– Awareness: Conducting nationwide campaigns to raise awareness about the signs, symptoms, and prevention of meningitis, ensuring that more people are informed and able to act quickly in the face of this disease.
– Research: Funding groundbreaking research to develop better vaccines, improve treatments, and ultimately find a cure for meningitis.
– Advocacy: Working closely with healthcare providers, government bodies, and communities to advocate for better meningitis prevention and treatment policies.
Dr Nutt added, “If someone is ill and getting worse, trust your instincts and seek urgent medical attention. Call 111 or your GP. In an emergency dial 999.”
For more information about meningitis or the work of Meningitis Now please visit our website at meningitisnow.org or follow us on Instagram, Facebook or TikTok at @meningitisnow.
Join us for an exciting new Dramatherapy group starting next Wednesday 18 September. Block one explores the theme of ‘origins’ over 6 weeks and provides a safe space for you to explore what this theme means to you, using a range of creative techniques.
Songs from your childhood
Songs that remind you of friends
Songs that make you feel happy
Songs that you danced to at school discos
Songs that are linked to your faith
Songs that are associated with your sports team
Songs from your favourite films and TV shows
