The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE or “the College”) is pleased to announce the launch of its new Global Health Scholarships, a major initiative aimed at increasing the number of specialist physicians in low- and lower-middle income countries across sub-Saharan Africa.
Working in partnership initially with the Kenya Associations of Physicians and the Malawi College of Physicians, the scholarships will support postgraduate training in internal medicine through the East, Central and Southern Africa College of Physicians (ECSACOP). Beginning in the 2026/27 academic year, the programme will initially fund four trainee doctors, covering tuition and examination fees for the full four-year training programme.
This initiative responds to a critical shortage of doctors in the region which limits access to care, constrains training capacity for future healthcare professionals, and slows progress toward universal health coverage.
The ECSACOP programme, established in 2015 with support from international partners, provides high-quality, locally delivered specialist training aligned with international standards. By enabling doctors to train within their home countries, the programme strengthens national health systems and improves retention of skilled professionals.
The RCPE Global Health Scholarships aim to reduce financial barriers that prevent many qualified doctors from pursuing specialist training. Selection will be competitive, recognising clinical excellence, leadership potential, and a commitment to serving local health needs, particularly in underserved and rural communities.
While modest in scale, the initiative is expected to have a lasting impact by strengthening clinical leadership, enhancing training capacity, and improving access to specialist care across the region.
This programme aligns closely with RCPE’s strategic commitment to promote high standards in medical education globally and to develop meaningful partnerships with low- and middle-income countries.
Commenting Dr Conor Maguire, Vice-President (International) of the College, said:“We are delighted to be co-operating with colleagues in Kenya and Malawi to offer these Global Health scholarships.
“ This initiative reflects our commitment to global health equity and to working alongside partners in low- and middle-income countries to advance medical education, improve health outcomes and support the development of a sustainable specialist workforce.”
Professor Mark Strachan, President of the College said:“We very much hope that this initiative will help strengthen local health systems in Kenya and Malawi and allow doctors to train and remain in their home countries.
“This is a pilot that, if successful, we hope to extend in future years.”
Associate Professor Ndaziona Peter Kwanjo Banda, President of Malawi College of Physicians said:“We are so excited and grateful for this financial support to our trainees from The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.
“We are very happy to be among the first beneficiaries of these global health scholarships. This support will help in increasing the number of much needed qualified specialist physicians in a country and regional overburdened by both communicable and non-communicable diseases.
“Additionally, the qualified Specialist Physicians will become clinical educators and research mentors for future trainees under ECSACOP fellowship training program’’.
More than 800,000 people in Scotland are already living with cardiovascular disease as doctors warn popular ‘summer body’ trends could be putting thousands more at unnecessary risk
Doctors are warning that Scotland’s annual rush for a “summer body” could be creating the perfect storm for heart health, as crash diets, intense workouts, dehydration, alcohol and rising temperatures combine to place extra strain on the cardiovascular system.
More than 800,000 people in Scotland are currently living with cardiovascular disease, with 17,444 deaths recorded in 2024, making heart and circulatory conditions one of the country’s leading causes of death.
Despite cardiovascular disease remaining one of Scotland’s biggest public health challenges, experts are warning that many people could be unknowingly placing additional strain on their hearts this summer by combining crash dieting, dehydration, increased alcohol consumption, hot weather and sudden changes to their exercise routines.
Every summer, thousands of people across Scotland attempt to achieve a “summer body” before holidays and special occasions by drastically cutting calories, dramatically increasing exercise, spending longer outdoors and enjoying more social occasions where alcohol is consumed.
While each of these lifestyle changes may appear harmless on its own for most healthy adults, experts say the combination can create what they describe as the “perfect storm” for people living with high blood pressure, raised cholesterol, obesity or existing cardiovascular disease, many of whom may not even realise they have an underlying condition.
Olivia Wickens, Associate Medical Director at Panthera Clinic, explains:“People often think they’re doing something positive for their health before a holiday, but it’s the cumulative effect of several sudden lifestyle changes that concerns us.
“We see people drastically cutting calories, dramatically increasing the intensity of their workouts, drinking more alcohol, sleeping less because of social events and spending long days in the hot weather at this time of year. Individually and as occasional changes, these behaviours may seem harmless, but together they create what I would describe as a ‘perfect storm’ for the heart.
“For somebody living with raised cholesterol, high blood pressure or an existing cardiovascular condition, which can develop silently, often without obvious symptoms, the cumulative effect can become much more significant. As a result, this can place unnecessary strain on the heart and increases the risk of cardiovascular complications.
“Although many people are often looking for a ‘quick fix’ solution prior to going on holidays or attending an important social event, it is important to ensure weight loss is done gradually and safely. Heart health is built through small, consistent habits over many months and years.
“Summer should be about enjoying yourself safely, not placing unnecessary strain on your cardiovascular system through extreme lifestyle changes.”
One of the biggest challenges surrounding cardiovascular disease is that many of its risk factors develop without noticeable symptoms.
Around one in three (30%) UK adults have high blood pressure, equivalent to approximately 16 million people, with as many as five million thought to be living with the condition without knowing it. High blood pressure is associated with around half of all heart attacks and strokes, while raised cholesterol also commonly develops silently.
According to the latest figures from the British Heart Foundation, more than 8 million people are currently living with cardiovascular disease, with 169,205 deaths recorded in 2024, 47,257 of them under the age of 75.
Deaths from, and number of people living with cardiovascular disease (2024):
Region
No. people dying from CVD (2024)
No. people under 75 dying from CVD (2024)
Estimated no. people living with CVD
England
137, 572
37,723
7 million+
Scotland
17,444
5,195
800,000+
Wales
9,260
2,660
400,000+
Northern Ireland
4,416
1,330
230,000+
UK total
169,205
47,257
8 million+
In Scotland, more than 800,000 people in Scotland are living with cardiovascular disease, with 17,444 deaths recorded during 2024, including 4,755 people under the age of 75.
7 Summer heart health myths, debunked:
Olivia addressed seven of the most common misconceptions about heart health, explaining why some seemingly harmless habits can place unexpected strain on the cardiovascular system:
Myth: “Hot weather is only dangerous if you get sunburnt.”
Reality: Hot weather doesn’t just make you feel uncomfortable; it makes your heart work harder.
When temperatures rise, the body diverts more blood to the skin to help regulate its temperature; on a hot day, the heart can pump two to four times as much blood per minute as on a cool day. At the same time, sweating depletes fluid, reducing the volume of blood the heart must circulate. For people living with cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure or raised cholesterol, this additional workload can place extra strain on the cardiovascular system. Heat also widens bloods blood vessels, which can cause blood pressure to fall, bringing dizziness or fainting, particularly for people taking blood-pressure medication.
Myth: “A few drinks in the sunshine won’t affect my heart.”
Reality: Alcohol and hot weather are a risky combination.
Alcohol accelerates dehydration, precisely what the heart doesn’t need in high temperatures. It also affects blood pressure, heart rhythm and sleep quality, all of which are important for maintaining good cardiovascular health.
Myth: “Crash dieting before a holiday is good for my heart.”
Reality: Sustainable weight loss with a balanced diet supports heart health and crash diets can do the opposite.
Many people preparing for holiday dramatically cut calories, skip meals or attempt restrictive “detox” diets to lose weight quickly. Rapid, extreme restriction can deplete electrolytes, such as potassium and magnesium that keep the heart’s rhythm stable and very low-calorie diets have been linked to heart rhythm disturbance. Anyone with a heart condition should take medical advice before attempting any crash diet.
Experts say the concern isn’t healthy weight loss itself, but rapid, unsustainable calorie deficit combined with dehydration, heat and increased exercise, which may leave the body under greater physiological stress.
Myth: “It doesn’t matter when or how I eat while I’m on holiday.”
Reality: Your eating routine changes more than you realise.
Summer often disrupts normal habits. People skip breakfast before flights, eat larger and later evening meals, consume saltier restaurant food, drink more alcohol, all shift the pattern your body is used to. One indulgent meal won’t damage your heart, but weeks of disrupted routine, layered on the other factors here, place additional demands on the cardiovascular system.
Myth: “Flying has no impact on heart health.”
Reality: Travel can put additional strain on the cardiovascular system.
Long journeys and flights can contribute to dehydration, prolonged immobility, disrupted sleep and medication routines. People living with cardiovascular disease should make sure to stay hydrated, limit alcohol and caffeine while travelling, move around regularly on longer flights, continue taking prescribed medication and speak to their healthcare professional before travelling if they have concerns about their condition.
Myth: “If I had heart disease, I’d know about it.”
Reality: Many cardiovascular risk factors develop silently, but it is checkable.
One of the biggest challenges surrounding cardiovascular disease is that many people don’t realise they’re already at risk. Around 16 million UK adults have high blood pressure, and up to five million adults could be living with the condition without knowing it.
Both can be picked up by simple, free checks: in England, everyone aged 40 to 74 is entitled to an NHS Health Check every five years, and pharmacies offer free blood-pressure checks for over-40s with no appointment needed. A five-minute check is a better pre-holiday investment than another week of crash dieting.
Myth: “Getting fit quickly before my holiday is always good for my heart.”
Reality: More exercise isn’t always better, especially if too much, too soon.
Regular physical activity is one of the best things you can do for your heart – being active can reduce the risk of heart and circulatory diseases by up to 35%.
But leaping from a sedentary winter into high-intensity training, particularly in hot weather asks the heart to cope before the body has had time to adapt.
Build up gradually, stay hydrated and allow time for recovery is far more beneficial than trying to get fit fast: fitness gained over months will always beat fitness forced in a fortnight.
Olivia added:“Summer holidays should be about making memories, not creating avoidable health risks.
“It is very important to stay well hydrated, particularly if you’re exercising or travelling, build up your activity levels gradually rather than pushing yourself too hard too quickly, avoid restrictive crash diets in favour of balanced, nutritious meals; and be mindful that alcohol contributes to dehydration, especially in hot weather.
“Most importantly, never ignore warning signs such as chest pain, severe breathlessness, dizziness, fainting or heart palpitations. While many summer activities are perfectly safe, persistent or severe symptoms should always be assessed urgently.”
Mauled by midgies, tormented by ticks, chomped by clegs?
Scotland’s summer wildlife is out in full force and they’re hungry!
Whether you’re hiking the Highlands or just enjoying a garden BBQ, insect bites can be more than just annoying. Some can cause allergic reactions or even carry infections like Lyme disease.
Top tips to stay bite-free:
Use insect repellent
Wear long sleeves and trousers in grassy or wooded areas
Keep food covered
Avoid strong perfumes that attract bugs
If you’re camping, avoid pitching your tent near water like rivers or lochs
If you’ve been bitten and it’s swollen, painful or not healing, get it checked. Your pharmacist can provide helpful advice or visit our bites and stings page on #NHSinform.
Importance of legal documents highlighted as new partnership is announced
Lawyers will donate a percentage of their fees to charity to support its work with older people
Age Scotland Chief Executive Katherine Crawford and Grant Johnson, Partner and Head of Private Client Services at Lindsays, marking the organisations’ partnership promoting Powers of Attorney. Picture: Ryan McGoverne / Lindsays July 2026
A new partnership has been forged to encourage more people in Scotland to put a Power of Attorney in place.
Age Scotland has joined forces with independent Edinburgh-headquartered legal firm Lindsays to help people appoint someone they trust to manage their finances and make welfare decisions on their behalf, should they need extra help.
The move comes as new research by the charity reveals that more than one million over-50s in Scotland do not have a Power of Attorney – with its staff fielding high numbers of queries from older people and their families around the legal process.
They are now making referrals to Lindsays, whose headquarters are at Caledonian Exchange, who will help clients draw up Powers of Attorney.
Lindsays is making a donation from every referral to the charity, which supports people across the country to grow old securely, with a good quality of life.
A Power of Attorney is a document that an individual creates to set out who they would like to take decisions for them around critical issues such as money and care if they become incapacitated. They are relevant whatever someone’s age or personal circumstances.
Katherine Crawford, Chief Executive of Age Scotland, said: “One of the most common requests for support older people and their families make to our helpline and information service is for advice about Power of Attorney.
“Our research shows more than one million over-50s in Scotland do not have a Power of Attorney. If life takes an unexpected turn, it is important to know that the support you need will be available, but barely one in five people in their fifties have this important tool set up.
“Having a Power of Attorney in place can give you peace of mind, as you know you will have the support of someone you trust if you are unable to make decisions for yourself. It is an essential part of planning for the future and retaining control of how you wish to live your life.”
She added: “Our new partnership with Lindsays deepens the level of professional advice and legal support we are able to signpost people to, at the same time as helping to raise vital funds for the services we offer older people and their families. We’re grateful for their support and look forward to working closely with them on this important issue.”
Lindsays has been raising awareness about the importance of Powers of Attorney for a number of years.
Grant Johnson, a Partner and Head of Private Client Services at Lindsays, said: “Too few people have Powers of Attorney in place.
“Having one gives clarity, reduces uncertainty, and helps avoid difficult decisions and potentially additional delays and costs later on. It gives people and their loved ones peace of mind at what are challenging and stressful times.
“Age is not a factor. Any one of us can become unexpectedly incapacitated at any time, whether temporarily or permanently.
“For small business owners, having a Power of Attorney in place can ensure your company can continue should something unforeseen happen to impair your ability to work, or even if you are simply unavailable to manage things for an extended period of time.”
He added: “We are delighted to be working with Age Scotland not only to increase awareness in its network about the importance of having a Power of Attorney, but to also be able to directly support the charity’s critical work.”
Powers of Attorney are lodged with The Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland).
Age Scotland’s latest Big Survey questioned 4,400 over-50s across Scotland.
About half of respondents (49%) said they had yet to put a Power of Attorney in place. If translated to Scotland’s entire over-50s population, that would equate to more than one million people – a number the charity says needs to dramatically reduce.
Only 21% of those aged 59 and younger said they had a Power of Attorney.
More details about the Age Scotland and Lindsays partnership – and the importance of Powers of Attorney – are available at www.lindsays.co.uk/age-scotland/.
Baroness Hallett, Chair of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, yesterday published her fifth report. It examines how the UK government and devolved administrations procured and distributed vital healthcare equipment during the Covid-19 pandemic and makes recommendations for the future.
Module 5 Procurement’, the fifth of the Inquiry’s 10 investigations, highlights multiple failings, particularly at the outset of the pandemic.
The Chair concludes that systemic flaws, inadequate planning and other failures caused unnecessary delays in health and social care staff getting the personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilators and testing equipment they desperately needed.
As the pandemic worsened, many doctors, nurses and care sector staff worked without adequate PPE or sufficient healthcare equipment such as ventilators. This left them unable to properly protect themselves, or those in their care, from dangerous infection.
Baroness Hallett finds that the UK entered the pandemic with its PPE stockpile in a perilous state – without enough vital supplies and with large quantities of expired equipment. There were no plans in place for emergency procurement or distribution. Additionally, the UK was “simply not ready to compete” in the global market race to secure vital healthcare equipment and ministers and officials were forced to improvise – establishing new procurement systems within days.
The Chair concludes that the “waste of taxpayers’ money was vast”. This significantly damaged public trust and undermined the hard work of many procurement officials.
The ‘High Priority Lane’, also known as the ‘VIP Lane’, was a misguided attempt at prioritisation that embedded unfairness in emergency procurement. Some suppliers received favourable treatment because they had connections to government, undermining public trust at a moment when it was needed most.
Although the Inquiry has not identified cronyism or corruption on the part of ministers and officials in final contracting decisions, the Chair concludes that the ‘High Priority’ Lane should not have been established and must not be repeated.
Of the approximately £14.9 billion spent on PPE, nearly two thirds – almost £10 billion – was wasted. The total spent across the UK government and devolved administrations on PPE, ventilators and testing equipment between January 2020 and June 2022 exceeded £42 billion.
In spite of these failings, today’s report cites the successes of pandemic procurement. Businesses, the public and the UK’s domestic life sciences and advanced manufacturing sectors rallied enthusiastically to help. The Army provided vital logistical expertise. The collaboration between the public and private sectors should serve as a model for how governments respond to future pandemics.
Overall, the Chair concludes that had ministers and officials been better equipped with appropriate plans, information and systems, procurement decisions would have been easier, fairer and far less costly – and equipment would have reached those who needed it faster.
Baroness Heather Hallett, Chair of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, said: “When the Covid-19 pandemic struck, the world entered a desperate race to secure vital healthcare equipment and supplies. In the global battle to procure equipment and supplies, the UK was simply not ready to compete – the bodies responsible were caught off-guard, with inadequate and untested plans to increase emergency procurement and distribution operations rapidly.
“The waste of taxpayers’ money was vast. The public must be able to trust that their money is being spent with propriety, fairness and transparency. Public confidence – so important in an emergency – was undermined by the failures in procurement.
“The changes I recommend are an investment in the resilience and preparedness of the UK. They are a small price to pay to ensure that, next time, the public can be confident in the crucial spending decisions that will have to be made and that key healthcare equipment gets to those who need it at the right time. A better prepared emergency procurement system will reduce the cost of obtaining essential supplies and save lives.”
The report sets out 11 recommendations which – if implemented promptly, in full and in concert with recommendations in other Inquiry reports – form a blueprint for how the UK can better prepare for, and respond to, future pandemics.
A four-page brief summary of the report can be found on the Inquiry’s website and is available in a variety of languages and accessible formats.
The report addresses the award of contracts to PPE Medpro Ltd, which is the subject of an ongoing criminal investigation. The Module 5 report contains a chapter that sets out the Inquiry’s findings on evidence related to PPE Medpro – this chapter cannot be published on 14 July 2026 as it is covered by a Restriction Order granted by the Chair to ensure that current or future criminal investigations are not undermined.
Unless the Order is varied or revoked in the meantime, the chapter will be published once the Order has been lifted following the conclusion of any criminal proceedings.
In total, 48 witnesses gave oral evidence for the Module 5 investigation over 16 days of public hearings held in London in March 2025. The Inquiry heard from a wide range of witnesses including serving and former senior politicians, leading scientists, key medical professionals and civil servants.
Some of Baroness Hallett’s conclusions are as follows:
The UK was unprepared for emergency procurement at pandemic scale. The UK entered the pandemic with an inadequate stockpile of PPE and plans that had never been stress-tested. Officials and ministers were forced to improvise, establishing new emergency procurement and distribution systems within days.
The waste of public money was vast and could have been avoided. Of approximately £14.9 billion spent on PPE, nearly two thirds – almost £10 billion – was wasted. Better planning would have resulted in fairer, faster and less costly procurement decisions.
The ‘High Priority Lane’ was a misguided attempt at prioritisation that created unfairness and undermined public trust. Some suppliers received favourable treatment on account of their connections with the government. Although the Inquiry has not identified cronyism or corruption on the part of ministers or officials in final contracting decisions, the ‘High Priority Lane’ should not have been established and must not be repeated.
Public confidence was damaged by a lack of transparency. Priority was given to speed of procurement over openness with the public. Although understandable at the outset, this lack of transparency, combined with the unfairness of the High Priority Lane, diminished public trust in emergency procurement.
The UK’s over-reliance on a single country for supplies left it dangerously exposed. The UK’s supplier base was too concentrated in China and domestic manufacturing capabilities had not been adequately considered in planning, leaving the country vulnerable at a critical moment.
The Chair considers that all Module 5 recommendations should be implemented in full and in a timely manner. The Inquiry will monitor the implementation of the recommendations during its lifetime. In summary, the Inquiry recommends:
Radically overhauling supply chain resilience and emergency procurement and distribution systems, establishing clear and tested plans before the next pandemic.
Creating an emergency international trade and domestic industrial strategy, treating key healthcare equipment as a strategic national asset.
Setting specific objectives for international trade and domestic industry during a pandemic, encouraging investment, research and development in advanced manufacturing of healthcare equipment.
Digitalising procurement and distribution systems within three years, enabling the real-time collection, sharing and analysis of data across the UK government and devolved administrations.
Improving the composition and management of the pandemic stockpile to reflect the full range of pandemic risks and the diversity of the health and social care workforce.
Establishing a training programme for procurement officials, ensuring sufficient numbers of skilled staff are ready for deployment in an emergency.
Improving transparency, governance and accountability in emergency procurement, so that the public can be confident that money is being spent with propriety and fairness.
A full list of the Inquiry’s recommendations can be found in the full report.
A Glasgow mum is urging young people to come forward for vaccination against meningococcal group B (MenB), after her son became critically unwell with meningitis in 2023.
The MenB vaccine, which helps to protect against meningitis and sepsis (inflammation throughout the body) caused by meningococcal group B bacteria, is now being offered for young people in clinics across Scotland.
The programme aims to protect young people who are at higher risk of infection, especially those who are preparing to start university or college in the 2026/27 academic year, where close contact and shared living arrangements can increase the risk of meningococcal disease.
Gaynor Simpson, mum to Ross who fell ill with meningitis during his first year at university in 2023, said:“Ross became critically unwell after just feeling a bit under the weather. It quickly escalated into a situation where it was unclear whether or not he would survive.
“To see your healthy, thriving 18-year-old child go from feeling a bit off colour to fighting for his life in ICU within the space of a few hours is a feeling that we, as parents, will never forget.
“We are immensely grateful that despite the severity of the infection, he is still with us. It is a very long road to recovery from meningococcal disease and as we have seen from recent outbreaks in the UK, others are not so lucky.
“It is a cruel and unforgiving disease that takes effect at terrifying speed. Given our experience, I can’t stress enough to young people and to their parents how important it is to take up the full two-dose offer of the MenB vaccine.
“It could save your child’s life.”
The MenB vaccine is being offered to:
young people born between 1 March 2008 and 28 February 2009, and any others who were in S6 during the 2025-26 academic year, regardless of future education plans
undergraduate university entrants under the age of 25 who are starting for the first time in the academic year 2026-27, including international students
college entrants under 25 starting for the first time in the academic year 2026-27 while living away from home in shared student accommodation, including international students.
It’s essential to receive two doses of the MenB vaccine, at least 28 days apart, for full protection. Ideally, both doses should be completed before starting college or university.
All health boards in Scotland are offering the vaccination by either appointment or drop-in clinic, or a combination of these. To find out how to get your MenB vaccine in your area, visit www.nhsinform.scot/menb-youngpeople
Dr Sam Ghebrehewet, Head of Vaccination and Immunisation at Public Health Scotland, said:“Immunisation is the most effective way of preventing illness from meningococcal disease.
The roll out of the MenB vaccination programme is an opportunity for all eligible young people to receive vital protection from such a serious and life-threatening disease. We encourage all those who are eligible to take up the offer, and to ensure both doses are received for full protection.”
With bowel cancer cases rising among under 50’s in Scotland, extending bowel cancer screening could save more lives.
Public Health Minister @MareeToddMSP has asked the UK National Screening Committee to consider reviewing the recommended age for bowel cancer screening.
Every copy sold is supporting Salvesen Mindroom Centre’s mission
As charity Salvesen Mindroom Centre (Mindroom) marks its 25th anniversary, founder Sophie Dow launches the English edition of her internationally acclaimed memoir, with proceeds from the limited 1,000-copy run helping ensure “No Mind Is Left Behind.”
What happens when a Mother refuses to accept a broken system? For journalist, writer and Mum Sophie Dow, the answer was to change it.
Now, twenty-five years after co-founding Scottish neurodiversity charity Mindroom following the birth of her daughter Annie, Dow is publishing the first English-language edition of her acclaimed memoir, “When Life Doesn’t Follow the Script”, an extraordinary true story of love, resilience and one family’s determination to create a better future for neurodivergent people.
Inspired by Annie, who lives with a unique and rare chromosome deletion now informally known as “Annie’s syndrome”, the book tells the deeply personal story behind a decision that has gone on to transform the lives of thousands and thousands of families.
The book was officially launched at an intimate soft launch on Wednesday, 9 July, as part of Mindroom’s 25th anniversary celebrations. In a special limited-edition print run of just 1,000 copies, every penny of proceeds will support the charity’s work with neurodivergent children, young people and families across Scotland.
Originally published in Sweden in 2018 as “När livet inte följer manus”, the memoir received widespread critical acclaim and has now been updated and translated into English by Sophie and her husband Robin for the first time.
At the heart of both the charity and the book is a simple belief: society should stop focusing on what neurodivergent people cannot do and instead recognise what they can.
‘When Life Doesn’t Follow the Script’ is an inspiring, personal detective drama written with humour, passion and a determined focus on the question: Why aren’t all minds valued equally?
Each chapter is illustrated with artwork created by Annie herself, making the book not only a memoir but also a celebration of creativity, individuality and the many ways people experience the world.
Author Sophie Dow says:“When Annie was born, everything changed. We found ourselves navigating systems that often focused on limitations rather than possibilities. I found that totally unacceptable.
“We are certainly not alone. There are thousands of other families out there in the same situation. This is a public health issue that needs to be addressed. So, Salvesen Mindroom Centre was founded 25 years ago to ensure that no mind is left behind.”
That vision has flourished into an influential organisation with a trusted reputation for advice, advocacy and practical support for neurodivergent children, young people, families and people in the workplace across Scotland and beyond, whether or not they have a formal diagnosis.
Photography for Salvesen Mindroom Centre in Leith Edinburgh
Alan Thornburrow, CEO for Mindroom, continues:“In 2025 alone, Mindroom supported 2,172 families. We received 1,801 NEW enquiries over the course of this year alone and trained 3,546 delegates. Since 2020, we have experienced a 309% increase in the number of families seeking support.
“Sophie and Robin’s story is one I recognise, and I know so many other parents and carers will too. Every day, families tell us about the challenges of navigating fragmented systems while trying to secure the understanding and support their children need.
“That’s why we work so hard to help parents, carers, children and young people – as well as employers and employees – find a path through those barriers and access the support that enables everyone to feel valued and thrive.”
As Mindroom celebrates 25 years, the publication represents both a reflection on how far understanding of neurodiversity has come and a call for much more to be done.
Every copy sold will help fund the charity’s continuing work to ensure neurodivergent children, young people and neurodivergent people in the workplace have equal opportunities to thrive.
As demand for its services continues to grow, Mindroom also works alongside leading researchers to deepen understanding of neurodiversity and help drive lasting change.
Whether it’s a walk to the shops or taking the stairs, regular physical activity adds up to real health benefits
The UK Chief Medical Officers have refreshed their Physical Activity Guidelines for adults to reflect new evidence on how moving more improves your health:
The benefits of physical activity at all stages of life for health
Professor Chris Whitty writes for The i paper on the update to the UK CMOs’ physical activity guidelines
Almost everybody reading this will be aware in broad terms that physical activity is good for health. To exercise more is one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions in the UK according to surveys.
Quite how good it is for physical and mental health has however become steadily clearer from multiple studies over the last few years, and the evidence base in both men and women is now very robust. Among the diseases physical activity makes less common, delays or prevents are coronary heart disease, stroke, dementia, diabetes, breast cancer and bowel cancer, arthritis and depression.
The UK Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) have just updated their main physical activity guidelines to reflect the new data.
We have made clearer that for those who do almost no physical activity even small amounts will significantly improve their overall physical and mental health, and this increases rapidly with every increment of activity up to 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week, with the benefits increasing more slowly after that.
Do not therefore be put off if you think you cannot make 150 minutes – make a start and see how you go. Every extra bit will benefit you.
In addition to this general improvement in health, it is important to do things which maintain strength and balance. As we age we all lose muscle mass – keeping strength and balance into older age can be the difference between an active and independent later life and earlier frailty and dependency.
Since the last time CMOs reviewed the guidelines many people have started GLP-1 agonist drugs for diabetes and weight loss and it is important those taking the drugs concentrate on strength as weight decreases to protect muscle.
Physical activity is far more likely to be sustained if it is either useful, enjoyable or both and ideally built into a routine. Active transport including walking, cycling and wheeling; all sports; gyms and running; and dancing are examples of the wide range of activity that help.
Whether it is in groups, with friends or alone, if it works for you it is a good thing to do – and mid-July is often a lot easier to start than the beginning of January.
Top tips to stay bite-free:
Use insect repellent
Registration is now open for PCHP’s Community Flow Yoga Class which will start back on Thursday the 20th of August 1pm – 2pm.
