Seasonal health advice from NHS Lothian

Holiday Health Advice

Check you have cold and flu remedies

Many children and adults pick up common winter ailments such as a cold or flu-like illness. These can often be effectively treated at home with readily available medicine. Parents are reminded to restock their medicine cabinet with remedies suitable for children.

Use your local pharmacy

Your local pharmacy is an accessible resource for you and your family. Your pharmacist can offer advice or help if you have run out of any prescribed medication. You can also collect medicine for minor ailments or illnesses.

Make sure you have repeat prescriptions. Only order what you need and pick it up in plenty of time.

If you, or someone you care for, require medicines regularly, check that you have enough and if you need more remember to order and collect repeat prescriptions in good time to ensure you or your family have enough medicine to last over the Christmas holiday period. Only order what you need.

Know when your GP surgery will be open

Your local doctor’s surgery will be open on Wednesday December 24^th and will then reopen on Monday 29th December. This means there are four days when it is closed – Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Saturday 27^th and Sunday 28^th.

Doctors Surgeries will follow normal opening hours on Wednesday 31 December and will then reopen on Monday 5 January.

Happy and healthy young people: new guidance published

Pupils and parents should expect high quality education on relationships, sexual health and parenthood to prepare them for a healthy, happy life, Minister for Learning Dr Alasdair Allan said yesterday.

Speaking as updated guidance for schools is published, Alasdair Allan also welcomed the high level of participation in the consultation held earlier this year.

Dr Allan, Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland’s Languages, said: “The fundamental purpose of Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood education is to teach children and young people to have respect for themselves and others. This refresh of the guidance reflects the societal changes that have taken place since the old version was published, changes in laws and the successful introduction of Curriculum for Excellence.

“Our engagement on the guidance, which began last year, generated debate and attracted a number of responses and I am grateful to all who contributed.

“The issues covered by RSHP can be seen as the building blocks to how pupils look after themselves and engage with people for the rest of their lives. These classes allow pupils to think about their development and the importance of healthy living surrounded by their peers who will have similar experiences to them.

“The guidance recognises the professionalism of teachers, the expertise they bring to making lessons age appropriate and an invaluable addition to discussions that parents are likely already having with their children at home.”

Tam Baillie, Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People, said: “This guidance puts into practice the commitment made in the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, that the Government would actively promote the rights and wellbeing of children and young people.

“Recent high-profile cases of Child Sexual Exploitation and sexual abuse have highlighted the importance of ensuring that education in schools equips children and young people with information to help keep themselves safe. Giving children and young people the knowledge and understanding of healthy, respectful and loving relationships and the opportunity to explore issues in a safe environment protects them from harm and promotes tolerance.

“Young people have a right to get comprehensive, accurate and evidence-based information to help them to make positive, healthy and responsible choices in their relationships.

“Furthermore, there is extensive evidence that high-quality RSHP education helps reduce teenage pregnancy; delays the onset of sexual activity and increases the likelihood of young people using contraception when they do start sexual relationships.

“The implementation of this guidance in all schools across Scotland will be a positive step in keeping our children and young people safe.”

Martin Crewe, Director of Barnardo’s Scotland, said: “We warmly welcome the publication of the guidance on the conduct of relationships, sexual health and parenthood education. We think it delivers a much clearer link between the child protection system and the advice given to teachers on this important subject.

“We feel particularly pleased to see the inclusion of information about the steps that need to be taken to address the dangers of child sexual exploitation.

“We hope the guidance will be an important step in ensuring all Scotland’s children are supported and protected through high quality evidence-based relationships, sexual health and parenthood education.”

The guidance can be found at www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2014/12/8526

Good food for ALL: a taste of things to come?

Do we have the ingredients for a well-fed North Edinburgh?

That was the question posed at a conference organised by Pilton Community Health Project at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre last week – and more than forty delegates replied: yes we have!

The event examined food poverty in Scotland – what it is and it’s impact on poorer communities – and what is being done to tackle the problem. The conference was also an opportunity to celebrate successes and to showcase good work, share ideas and discuss and develop a plan to bring to bring more resources to North Edinburgh to tackle food poverty in the area.

A broad spectrum of speakers helped fashion the discussion over the course of the day. Bill Gray of Community Food & Health (Scotland) set the food poverty context, Broomhouse Health Strategy Group’s Lucy Aitchison talked specifically about their health project and explained why it works well and Mary Anne Macleod of the Poverty Alliance gave a presentation on national best practice.

There was also an opportunity to ‘tour’ information stalls to find out what’s happening locally – the Granton Gardeners, Fresh Start and Edinburgh North West Foodbank were all on hand to offer advice and information, while Granton Improvement Society also had an information stall.

The event was all about information, ideas and discussions and all of these ingredients were present in abundance – look on the conference as an appetising starter … a taste of things to come, maybe?

A conference report is currently being produced and it’s hoped the Good Food for ALL conference will result in an agreed community manifesto to tackle food poverty in North Edinburgh.

Call for clarity on free school meals

The Scottish Government has welcomed progress being made across Scotland in preparation for the introduction of free school meals for all P1 – 3 pupils next month – but Green MSP Alison Johnstone says the policy must be supported with modern facilities.

The measure, which comes into effect on 5 January, is expected to benefit around 135,000 pupils across Scotland and will save families of every eligible child at least £330 a year.

Following agreement with COSLA, the Scottish Government is providing revenue funding of £70.5 million over two years to deliver the commitment, supported with additional capital funding for local government of £24.8 million to ensure demand is met.

The introduction of free school meals for all P1-3 pupils has been supported by campaigners against child poverty, including Child Poverty Action Group Scotland, Children in Scotland, One Parent Families Scotland, the Church of Scotland and trade unions.

Last week Learning Minister Dr Alasdair Allan welcomed the hard work that has been ongoing across Scotland to prepare for the increased demand in schools. He said: “School lunches are hugely important in supporting a pupil’s ability to learn and January 5, 2015 marks the beginning of a new era in Scottish education.

“This Government is proud to be implementing free school meals for all P1-3 pupils. Delivering a saving of at least £330 a year for eligible families is just one aspect of this Government’s work to tackle the scourge of child poverty in Scotland.

“Free school meals will also play an important role in improving attainment in schools, through offering children healthy and nutritious lunches that will help them achieve their best in class.

“It’s never too early for children to start learning about the benefits of healthy eating and free school meals, in addition to learning through Curriculum for Excellence, will play a big role in helping to deliver that message.

“The implementation of free school meals for P1-3 comes in addition to a range of legislation and policies that have been developed by the Scottish Government over the past decade to ensure that our children and young people are offered balanced and nutritious meals at all stages of their school life. Most recently, the Better Eating, Better Learning guidance sets the agenda for the coming decade to drive further improvements to both school food and food education.

“I have been impressed with the work that local authorities are doing to prepare. I encourage everyone with an interest to make sure they are up to date with the new arrangements.

“The Scottish Government has worked very closely with COSLA and local authorities throughout this process and I look forward to January 5, when we will see this very positive measure coming into effect.”

Positive progress indeed, but Green MSP Alison Johnstone is calling for more details of how the policy will work in practice.

Earlier this year Freedom of Information requests by Ms Johnstone, the Scottish Greens’ education spokesperson and MSP for Lothian, revealed that many local authorities had no school kitchens and dining facilities already at capacity.

She said: “Free school meals is a sound policy but it must be matched with modern facilities. We know that many local authorities are struggling to cope as it is, so I want to hear in detail how well they have been supported in preparing for this welcome initiative.

“We have a great opportunity to improve our supply chains and invest in the skills of the catering workforce. The Scottish Government should be ready to find the funds necessary to make the most of this opportunity.”

Ten years on, EMRS still has STARring role in saving lives

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, Shona Robison, met members of the Emergency Medical Retrieval Service (EMRS) and ambulance paramedics to mark the 10th anniversary of the life saving service yesterday.

Originally set up as a pilot with just eight volunteer consultants from emergency medicine, anaesthetics and intensive care backgrounds, EMRS now operates a 24/7 service across the country from the heliport in Glasgow with 27 consultants, and is an integral part of Scotland’s new national retrieval service, ScotSTAR.

ScotSTAR is the world-class national specialist transport and retrieval service for critically ill NHS patients in Scotland, which was launched in April this year. The £9.5 million initiative brings together the three transport and retrieval services: the Scottish Neonatal Service (SNTS), the Transport of Critically Ill and Injured Children Service and the Emergency Medical Retrieval Service with the Scottish Ambulance Service, which co-ordinates the teams using road and air ambulances.

EMRS doctors take the resuscitation room to the patient wherever they may be, working closely with ambulance crews on Service air ambulance aircraft, MOD/Coastguard helicopters and by road. The service has completed more than 3,000 retrievals since it’s launch in 2004. The team also responds alongside ambulance staff to trauma cases, serious accidents and major incidents in the Greater Glasgow area and beyond using their own rapid response cars.

Health Secretary Shona Robison said: “Critical illness or injury can strike anywhere, at any time, and patients can often be some distance from the essential medical treatment they need. Scotland’s Emergency Medical Retrieval Service have, for the last decade, provided these people with a lifeline.

“Over the last ten years, this service has meant the difference between life and death to some people – and it is important the heroic efforts of the team are recognised.

“Since the EMRS was initially established, it has grown and developed in to a national service that now provides care to patients across Scotland. This Government has supported that roll-out, demonstrating our continued commitment to providing a world-class dedicated transport and retrieval service to patients in remote and rural communities.”

David Garbutt, Chairman, Scottish Ambulance Service said: “Since its establishment in 2004, EMRS has proved to be a pioneering life-saving service, internationally recognised and now an integral part of Scotland’s new world class national retrieval service, ScotSTAR.

“ScotSTAR’s co-ordinated approach brings greater efficiencies and ensures there is consistency across Scotland for how our most critically ill adults, babies and children are transported.”

Dr Stephen Hearns, Clinical Lead, Emergency Medical Retrieval Service, said: “The EMRS service, which started as a pilot ten years ago, has proved its value as a specialist life saving service that delivers critical pre-hospital care wherever it is needed across Scotland, whether on a remote island or at the scene of a road accident.

“It is a fantastic example of cross specialty working with consultants in emergency medicine, anaesthesia and intensive care from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee. They work closely as a team with ambulance paramedics and Bond’s pilots to provide a first class service that meets the challenges of Scotland’s geography and rurality.”

On primary retrievals the EMRS team can provide advanced interventions at the scene such as intubation and ventilation, surgical airway, surgical chest intervention, joint and fracture reduction, blood transfusion and triage to the most appropriate hospital for definitive care.

ScotSTAR expects to undertake around 2,200 cases every year in Scotland where specialist, highly skilled, clinical teams are required to manage the care of patients during transport by air and road. These specialised retrievals are clinically complex and take much longer than a normal emergency response.

Setting the agenda: North Edinburgh's Physical Activity Forum

How can we improve access to open spaces in North Edinburgh?

Looking forward to seeing you at next weeks’ NEPAF meeting where the theme will be ‘How can we improve access to open spaces in North Edinburgh?’ Response to this months’ forum meeting has been really positive; here is the agenda so far:

Presentation, sharing good practice- ‘Friends of Dalmeny Park’- Tom Hoon/Out of the Blue
West Pilton Park- Lianne Pipskyj/Clare Symonds PCHP
Community Growing- Kate Wimpress/NEAC
Informal/structured play on local green/brown sites- Kate Wimpress/NEAC
Forth Neighbourhood Partnership Community plan (physical activity priority)- Jim Pattison/FNP
Edinburgh Physical Activity and Sports Strategy- Active Lives- Sean Webster/ECC

The meeting takes place on Wednesday 10 December from 2 – 4pm

at Pilton Community Health Project, Boswall Parkway

It looks like it’s going to be a good one, can’t wait! It would be very helpful if we have an idea on numbers so if you could confirm attendance and add any agenda items by this Friday ( 5 December) that would be great!

Lianne Pipskyj (on behalf of NEPAF)

Development Worker- Physical Activity, Pilton Community Health Project

0131 551 1671

liannepipskyj@pchp.org.uk

www.pchp.org.uk

Greens urge fresh approach to tackle obesity

Alison Johnstone, Green MSP for Lothian and health spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, has urged new Health Secretary Shona Robison to take a fresh approach to tackle obesity and make active lifestyles the norm.

New figures show that 65 per cent of adults in Scotland are overweight, with 27 per cent obese, a rate that has remained unchanged since 2008. The proportion of adults who are physically active to the recommended level has only increased by 2 per cent in a year.

One in eight children spends more than four hours a day watching TV or another screen, and there has been no change in the proportion of adults and children walking or cycling to work and school.

Alison Johnstone MSP said: “People are suffering from poor health and the cost to our NHS is climbing. You only have to look at the situation in Edinburgh where the public funding squeeze threatens cuts to leisure facilities and programmes that help young and old stay active.

“With the appointment of a new Health Secretary we have a chance to turn things around. I will be pushing for the forthcoming Scottish budget to prioritise preventative spending so we invest in walking and cycling infrastructure, leisure facilities and a healthy food culture, all of which will benefit our communities and the public finances.”

Edinburgh turning red for World Aids Day

World AIDS Day: Monday 1 December 2014

Edinburgh turns red and asks: ‘What Will You Do about HIV’?

On World AIDS Day (Monday 1 December) organisations across Edinburgh are joining the Scotland-wide campaign to ask: ‘What Will You Do’ about HIV – the virus that when left untreated can lead to AIDS.

Fifteen buildings and landmarks across Edinburgh – including St John’s Church, St Andrew’s House, Harvey Nichols, Jenners and the Usher Hall – are turning their lights red to mark 1 December, events are being held across the city and information and leaflets about HIV are being sent to GPs, colleges, businesses and clinics.

The campaign, run by a coalition of charities, campaigners and local health boards, is asking everyone in Scotland – from individuals and businesses through to politicians – to think actively about what they can do to reduce new cases of HIV and to tackle the stigma and prejudice people living with HIV in Scotland still face.

Across this weekend and 1 December itself, the campaign will see:

events held at the Scottish Parliament, Glasgow City Chambers and across the country
HIV information materials distributed across GP surgeries, colleges, and businesses;
campaigners asking #WhatWillYouDo on social media and inviting everyone to add red ribbons to their profile pictures; and 80 buildings and landmarks across Scotland turning their lights red on 1 December to show support.

George Valiotis, CEO of HIV Scotland – the national HIV policy charity for Scotland – said:“It’s fantastic to see people and organisations across Edinburgh and the Lothians supporting World AIDS Day and talking about HIV. Historically as a society we’ve chosen to be either actively terrified of HIV or to ignore it. Neither approach is the answer. As a nation we must use World AIDS Day this year to take a good hard look at where we are in our response to HIV.

“People living with HIV tell us they can still face stigma and prejudice in every area of their lives; and we know that rates of new cases of HIV haven’t reduced significantly across the last 10 years. This simply isn’t good enough, and that’s why our campaign this year is to ask everyone in Scotland – from members of the public, right through to key decision-makers – to stop and think: what will you do about HIV?

“For members of the public, the answer to that question might be simple: visit www.aidsdayscotland.com and learn a few facts about HIV, use condoms, get tested, or help spread the word by tweeting using hashtag #WhatWillYouDo or adding a red ribbon to your social media profile picture.

“Decision-makers can answer the question by making concrete commitments to work together and find new ways to reduce new cases of HIV and to tackle the stigma people living with HIV face. As Scotland’s Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework comes to an end in March, we have to grasp the opportunity right now to build a new, more effective response to HIV.”

Various events are also taking place in the city on and around 1 December to commemorate the day – including a Community Gathering for World AIDS Day at St John’s Church and a sponsored sea-swim in Portobello.

Maureen Watt, Minister for Public Health, said: “World AIDS Day is a chance for Scotland to unite with the world in tackling HIV. It is also a time to remember those who have died, as well as reflect on the progress that has been made over the past 30 years. The Scottish Government continues to work with NHS, third sector and local authority colleagues through the Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework to reduce new infections and improve diagnosis, treatment and care for those living with HIV. I hope that the #WhatWillYouDo campaign will make people more aware of HIV and help us work together to ensure that people with HIV live longer healthier lives, free from stigma and discrimination.”

The latest Health Protection Scotland figures show that there are an estimated 4,800 individuals diagnosed and living with HIV in Scotland and that an estimated 24% of those living with HIV haven’t been diagnosed. Evidence suggests that most new HIV cases are a result of transmission from individuals who are unaware of their status – highlighting the need for earlier and more frequent testing.

An average of 356 new cases of HIV have been reported each year for the last four years in Scotland – close to one each day. While many of those diagnosed with HIV are accessing treatment, in 2013, half of those newly diagnosed were already at a late stage of infection – reinforcing the importance of widening access to HIV testing and getting people into treatment and care as early as possible.

Full information about the ‘What Will You Do’ campaign, events and HIV and AIDS are available at www.aidsdayscotland.com. Red ribbons can be added to social media profiles at www.bit.ly/getribbon and campaigners invite everyone in Scotland to tweet using #WhatWillYouDo to show support.

Dr Owl's wise winter advice

Dr Owl will soon be making an appearance in Edinburgh offering his “wise” winter health tips as part of a major public health campaign.

With Christmas only a few weeks away, NHS Scotland’s Be Health-Wise this Winter campaign is visiting the capital next Thursday (4 December) to offer advice on some simple steps locals can take to help themselves and their families enjoy a healthy festive period.

Dr Owl is advising people to check they have cold and flu remedies in their medicine cabinet, make sure they have enough repeat prescription to last over the festive period, and to make sure they know when their GP surgeries are open over Christmas and New Year.

Staff from Scotland’s national telehealth service, NHS 24, will be on hand at the event to offer advice on how to stay well this winter and answer questions about winter health issues.

This year’s Be Health-Wise this Winter campaign is being supported by The Co-operative Pharmacy and winter health packs – containing an information leaflet, lip balm, hand sanitisers and plasters – will be available to visitors to the roadshow.

NHS 24’s Medical Director Professor George Crooks said: “The Be Health-Wise This Winter roadshow in Edinburgh offers the ideal opportunity for locals to take some time out from their Christmas shopping to get some important information about their health this winter.

“By preparing ahead, people can ensure they make the most of the festive period, by not allowing winter coughs and colds to spoil their holiday. Listen to the wise words of Dr Owl and make sure you have cough and cold remedies at home to deal with any winter ailments that may strike this winter.

“Your local pharmacist is also a good source of information and advice on what to have in your medicine cabinet. If you need to visit your GP, try to schedule an appointment before the festive period and make sure you submit your repeat prescription request in plenty of time and pick it up in plenty of time.”

Nisith Nathwani, Regional Development Manager for The Co-operative Pharmacy and General Council Member for Community Pharmacy Scotland, said: “We are very pleased to support NHS Scotland’s Be Ready for Winter campaign and our Co-operative Pharmacy branches up and down the country will be on hand to offer health advice and winter remedies to our local communities throughout the winter.

“Our pharmacists are trained to offer health and medication advice and should be the first port of call throughout the winter months.”

This year, GP surgeries throughout most of the country will be closed for four days at Christmas (25-28 December), before re-opening on Monday 29 December and again for four days at New Year (1-4 January), before re-opening again on Monday 5 January.

The national Be Health-Wise this Winter campaign is supported by NHSScotland in partnership with NHS 24, the Scottish Ambulance Service and all 14 Scottish Health Boards.

General advice and information on how to stay healthy this winter can be found at www.nhsinform.co.uk or contact NHS inform on 0800 22 44 88.

The Be Health-Wise This Winter roadshow will be at the Wester Hailes Healthy Living Centre on Thursday 4 December between 10am and 4pm.

Check you have cold and flu remedies

Use your local pharmacy

Make sure you have repeat prescriptions. Only order what you need and pick it up in plenty of time.

Know when your GP surgery will be open

Doctors Surgeries will follow normal opening hours on Wednesday 31^st December and will then reopen on Monday 5^th January.

Community Health's in safe hands

Scotland’s senior community health project still forging ahead

PCHP chair Tom Kirby and Cllr Lesley Hinds, who chaired the meeting

The oldest community health project in Scotland, Pilton Community Health Project has played a key role in promoting healthy lifestyles in North Edinburgh for thirty years. And if their recent annual general meeting is anything to go by, PCHP will be at the forefront of community health initiatives for a long time to come!

Annual general meetings can often be fairly dull affairs, but Pilton Community Health Project used their AGM to showcase the many elements that go into making a very successful community project.

Yes, there was the tedious but necessary business, but then the packed meeting was treated to the highlights of the past twelve months, courtesy of PCHP staff who gave presentations on the wide range of activities that are taking place at the Health Project’s Boswall Parkway base and, increasingly, out in the wider community.

Food development workers Memes Molina and Joe Jones kicked of the presentations with the launch of a new educational toolkit, then Women Supporting Women development worker Alison Hughes gave an overview of the PEEP programme.

Lianne Pipskyj and Clare Symonds shared the news of the Physical Activity Project’s ongoing success and Carol Targett, who leads PCHP’s counselling team, focused her contribution on the team’s work with young people in North Edinburgh.

As you can imagine there was a lot of information to take in – but fortunately you don’t have to! The morning’s other presentation saw PCHP manager Jen Richards launch PCHP’s bright new website, which contains all the information you need on everything that’s happening at PCHP!

Read all about it at www.pchp.org.uk

And here’s the Annual Report:

pchp-annual-report-2013-14