Tag: NHS 24

New Chief Exec for NHS 24

NHS 24 has welcomed the appointment of new Chief Executive Jim Miller, who will join Scotland’s digital health and care service in the spring of 2021.

Mr Miller, is currently Director of Procurement, Commissioning and Facilities at NHS National Services Scotland. He will take up his appointment with NHS 24 on 5th April 2021 and over the coming months will work closely with current CEO Angiolina Foster to ensure an effective transition.

NHS 24 Chairman, Dr Martin Cheyne said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Jim Miller as our new Chief Executive to NHS 24. His appointment follows a detailed interview process which was carried out with a selection of highly experienced candidates for this senior position.

“Jim has worked in management and leadership for over 20 years and prior to joining the NHS, he led technology, data and resilience programmes in the construction and aviation sectors. He leads national organisations delivering a range of services across acute, primary and community based health and social care.

“He has also recently led strategic responses to the COVID 19 pandemic, including the building and equipping of the Louisa Jordan and establishing PPE routes across the system. I am delighted that he will be bringing this experience and talent to NHS 24.” 

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: ”I want to congratulate Jim Miller on his appointment as the new Chief Executive of NHS 24. As the current Director of Procurement, Commissioning and Facilities at NHS National Services Scotland, Mr Miller is respected for his collaborative leadership and professionalism.

“I look forward to welcoming him into post and am confident NHS 24 will continue to deliver a high quality service under his leadership, working in partnership across the health and care system to ensure NHS 24 is fully prepared for future challenges.

“I am pleased Mr Miller will be working closely with current CEO Angiolina Foster in the coming months as he familiarises himself in his new role. I would like to thank Angiolina for the leadership she has provided and the many achievements and improvements delivered during her tenure as Chief Executive over the past four years. I wish her the very best for her retirement.”

Jim Miller said: “Joining NHS 24 is an exciting move and one which I am greatly looking forward to. NHS 24 has delivered exceptional services to the public and to the wider health and care system with its range of telephone and digital services during 2020.

“It has provided critical support to the public and the health system during the COVID pandemic and is helping to transform services through the delivery of 24/7 urgent care.

“I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to work with colleagues across NHS 24, and am looking forward to continuing to build on this success and to further develop the role of NHS 24 with colleagues and partners across Scotland.”

Together Let’s Care for your Mental Health this Festive Season

You’re not alone with your mental health. We’re here to help you.

NHS 24, Police Scotland and the Scottish Ambulance Service are working together to support mental health and wellbeing for people across Scotland ahead of the Festive Season 2020.  

After a year like no other for the people of Scotland and our NHS and emergency services, the Together Let’s Care for your Mental Health campaign aims to raise awareness of a range of mental health information and services that support mental health.

The three organisations have been working together to develop new ways to support people in mental health distress when they contact the services.

People calling Police Scotland in mental health distress may now be offered access to the NHS Mental Health Hub service. The Scottish Ambulance Service is also able to support some callers through a similar pathway.

Under the banner ‘Together Let’s Care for your Mental Health’ the partners are able to signpost to a range of self-help guides and options for further support. Online information is available for a range of day to day concerns such as anxiety, depression, young people’s mental health needs, alcohol, gambling and drug use.

NHS 24 offers a range of online mental health guides through NHSinform.scot as well as the 111 Mental Health Hub and Breathing Space’s telephone and web chat services.

Stephanie Phillips, Director of Service Delivery, NHS 24 said: “We are pleased to be working together with Police Scotland and the Scottish Ambulance Service to provide the best possible outcomes for people in mental health distress.

“We know this Festive Season is going to be very different for everyone and many people will feel more anxious than usual. Our online resources are a good place to look for the first steps to support and self-care. If you need help now there are a range of services available to you. Our team are here to help those getting in touch with our services with a compassionate response.”

Tony McLaren, National Coordinator for Breathing Space said: “We know that this time of year can be a particularly poignant and difficult time for some.  This year there will be many people who are facing bereavement, anxiety and stress, perhaps for the first time.

“Talking about how you feel, and being listened to, can make all the difference. Our Breathing Space advisors are here to listen and respond when you need someone to support you.”

Assistant Chief Constable, Police Scotland, Gary Ritchie said: “It is the challenge of all in public service to ensure that when people need help, they get it at the right time from the most appropriate agency.

“This is why we have strengthened our work with NHS and SAS colleagues, to make sure that those callers who are suffering mental ill health can now be referred directly to a qualified health professional. We will never step away from people in crisis where they have nowhere else to turn.”

Vicky Burnham, Consultant Paramedic in Dementia and Clinical Lead for Mental Health with the Scottish Ambulance Service, said: “We have been faced with many different challenges this year as a result of Covid-19 and all key workers have gone above and beyond, providing exceptional care throughout the year during an unprecedented global pandemic.

“With social interactions being limited as a result of restrictions this year, it’s vital that health care providers and emergency services are able to provide additional support to those who require help related to anxiety, depression, young people’s mental health needs, alcohol, gambling and drug use.

“We look forward to working alongside our colleagues at Police Scotland and NHS24 to ensure we continue to provide the very best care to patients across Scotland.”

Make sure repeat prescriptions are top of your Christmas list

NHS 24 is reminding people who take regular medication to make sure their repeat prescription is top of their Christmas list.

The reminder is part of the winter health campaign ‘Show you care. Prepare’ which encourages people to take care of themselves, their loved ones and the NHS by being prepared for winter ailments.

This year will see four day festive and Hogmanay breaks when opening times at GP practices and community pharmacies will be different so it’s important that people check their prescription, order only what they need and in plenty of time.

NHS 24’s Head of Pharmacy, John McAnaw said: “This can be a really busy time of the year but it’s important that we all take time to think about our health, do what we can to stay well and be prepared for winter ailments. That way we’ll also be doing our bit to support the NHS through the busy winter period.

“Things like paracetamol, ibuprofen and indigestion remedies are useful to have at home and you can ask your pharmacist for advice about winter health and medicines. It’s also a good idea to keep child friendly remedies at home if you have any wee ones.

“Winter can always throw up a surprise, especially in terms of weather so don’t leave it to the last minute to order and pick up your repeat prescription.

“Check what you have, and order only what you need and collect it in plenty of time – you should order by Monday 21st December at the latest to be sure of having your medicines ready before Christmas.”

General advice and information on how to stay healthy this winter can be found at www.nhsinform.scot/winter

Show You Care, Prepare

People across Scotland are being encouraged to be prepared for winter illnesses in a new campaign launched today/on Friday 4th December.

The NHSScotland campaign takes the ‘clap for carers’ idea and turns it around, showing healthcare workers applauding people as they check their prescription, visit their pharmacy for medicines and health advice, and check the self-help guides at nhsinform.scot.

NHS 24’s Medical Director, Dr Laura Ryan said: “It’s always a good idea to prepare for the common winter illnesses, and this year it’s even more important. Services tend to be busier in the winter so anything we can do to keep ourselves and our loved ones healthier is good.

‘No one can predict illness, so it’s a good idea to keep some common remedies at home such as paracetamol and ibuprofen. Knowing the best place to get help if someone does become unwell is also important – there is a service directory on NHS 24’s health information site NHSinform.scot which also has a range of really helpful self-help guides.

‘In the run up to the festive holidays it’s worth checking any repeat prescription you rely on, making sure you order only what you need and in plenty of time.

‘Your local pharmacist can also help with advice about winter health and medicines – all provided in a COVID-safe way! You should continue to stick to the rules for COVID-19 including self -isolation advice and how to access a test if you develop symptoms. All of the up to date information on COVID-19 is on our dedicated pages on NHS Inform.

These are just a few of the ways we can all show we care – for ourselves, each other and our NHS.”

NHS 24 supports the Show You Care, Prepare campaign in partnership with NHSScotland and all Scottish Health Boards.

General advice and information on how to stay healthy this winter can be found at www.nhsinform.scot/winter

National Stress Awareness Day

4th November 2020

National Stress Awareness Day falls on the first Wednesday in November each year. Some stress is good for us. It helps us to respond to changes in life. However, too much stress causes harm to our health and relationships. This year has been highly stressful for most of us.

However, you’re not alone with your mental health.

The Together Let’s Care for your Mental Health campaign aims to raise awareness of a range of mental health information and services to support people experiencing anxiety and other common mental health concerns.

Under the banner ‘Together Let’s Care for your Mental Health’ NHS 24, Police Scotland and the Scottish Ambulance Service are able to signpost to a range of self-help guides and options for further support.

Information is available for a range of day to day concerns such as stress and anxiety, depression, young people’s mental health needs, alcohol, gambling and drug use.

Self-help guides are available 24 hours a day from NHSinform.scot/youmatterwecare .

Users are able to choose strategies for immediate support, using tried and tested self-care options, or where appropriate, may be guided to other means of support such as telephone helplines.

NHS 24 offers a range of mental health services in addition to the NHS inform self-help guides, including the 111 Mental Health Hub, and Breathing Space’s telephone and web chat services.

A new 24/7 Mental Health Hub provides support for those contacting the 111 service. In addition, people calling Police Scotland in mental health distress are also now offered access to the 111 Mental Health Hub service.

Collaboration work with the Scottish Ambulance Service is also underway to develop a similar pathway.

New guidance to support mental wellbeing during the coronavirus outbreak

Advice on looking after your mental health during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is now available on NHS inform, Scotland’s trusted health information site.

As people across Scotland adjust to these unusual circumstances, NHS 24’s mental health practitioners anticipate many will experience anxiety and stress about what’s going on in the world. In particular, those living alone or who are self-isolating, may be struggling with limited social contact as a result of social distancing measures.

NHS 24 Medical Director, Dr Laura Ryan, said: “Everyone deals with this type of situation differently, and it may feel like there is a lot going on which is outside of your control.

“Remember it’s ok, not to feel ok. Understandably, you may need some additional mental health support at this challenging time. Don’t forget that we’re all in this together and that support is available from a wide range of organisations to help you get through this.”

The NHS inform website hosts the national information service for COVID-19 and now provides online information and practical advice on mental wellbeing – www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus-mental-wellbeing

Guidance is centred on four main areas:

  • Staying informed – having the right information, as news from unreliable sources can make you feel more upset and anxious.
  • Creating a healthy home routine – helping everyone in your home to keep a sense of calm and order.
  • Staying connected – keeping in touch with friends and family online or by phone, to help you feel less alone while staying home.
  • Finding support – just talking to someone can help, phonelines such as Breathing Space and Samaritans are there to offer support.

Breathing Space National Coordinator, Tony McLaren, said: “We are receiving lots of calls to the Breathing Space helpline from people feeling anxious about their health, or concerned about the health of others.

“It’s perfectly understandable to feel this way, and our advisors are here to listen and offer support. Having mental health information available on NHS inform is an additional resource which can be accessed to potentially help ease anxieties.”

You can hear more from Tony on how to manage your mental health- search for ‘Tony McLaren NHS 24’ on www.soundcloud.com.

Extra funding from the Scottish Government has been made available for NHS 24 to develop additional self-help guides, online resources and mental health services to cope with further demand.

National No Smoking Day

People who quit smoking are likely to feel the benefits in a few days and hearing about other people’s success can really help to motivate quitters.

On National No Smoking Day, Gemma Davidson, Health Information Advisor at NHS 24, describes how support from NHS Inform helped her successfully quit smoking:

Gemma, from Clydebank, said: “High cholesterol runs in my family, and after having my children I started to take statins to help lower my levels. I was told that after 6 months my levels were not lowering enough. This gave me a wee scare, and having smoked on and off for 19 years I decided to make a determined attempt to quit.

‘Having recently started at NHS 24, I had a look at the materials on NHS Inform which recommended trying nicotine replacement therapies when first quitting.  These were extremely useful as I had an upcoming long haul flight to Australia which would have previously been a struggle without the opportunity for a smoke break. I had my last cigarette on the 8th of October 2019 at Heathrow airport- believe it or not, it tasted horrible!

‘Having the NHS Inform resources for support over the coming months was great, I was able to try out some of the suggested tips on breathing and relaxation techniques which helped with my anxiety and my cravings, and got me into some healthier habits. I could also refer to the materials online to remind me of my reasons for quitting!

‘I am 5 months into my quit attempt, and (although there have been times where I really really wanted one!) I have not had another cigarette. I don’t see myself as a non-smoker just yet but I am confident that will change with time.”

Dr Laura Ryan, NHS 24’s Medical Director, said: “It’s no secret that smoking remains the leading cause of preventable health issues in Scotland. Whether you’re ready to stop, just beginning to think about it, or are just looking for information, NHS Inform can help; links to local and free services, access to quit packs, and tips on what to do to manage cravings.

“There’s also resources on reasons for stopping, including a savings calculator which is a great push to put down the cigs. Quitting is tough but our advice and information can increase your chances of stopping for good.”

The number of estimated smokers in Edinburgh and the Lothians has risen for the first time in seven years.

In Edinburgh the number of estimated smokers has gone up from 65,818 to 66,550 in the last year, in Midlothian from 14,520 to 14,698, in West Lothian from 26,618 to 26,762 and in East Lothian from 16,176 to 16,299.

Cancer Research UK have published their Scotland Smoking Prevalence Briefing, (attached), which highlights that smoking is a leading cause of preventable disease and premature death in Scotland, with around over 5,700 cases of cancer each year are linked to smoking.

New research by Cancer Research UK indicates that Scotland will not achieve its smoke-free ambition by 2034 if current smoking prevalence trends continue.

A number of actions have been set by Cancer Research UK to reach average smoking prevalence of 5% by 2034 in Scotland, including increased funding for national smoking cessation campaigns.

Spending on smoking cessation campaigns by SNP Ministers has been sporadic over the last seven years with spending fluctuating between £588,230 in 2015/16 to £55,223 last year.

Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, is calling for consistent funding for smoking cessation campaigns to encourage smokers to quit. Briggs, theScottish Conservative Health Spokesperson, said: “In Edinburgh and the Lothian’s we have seen the number of people who are giving up smoking stall, with the estimated number of smokers on the rise.

“Smoking is still one of the leading preventable causes of cancer with thousands of Scots dying every year from Smoking related diseases.

“Funding spent on preventative measures could save Scottish tax payers millions of pounds every year with smoking related diseases costing NHS Scotland hundreds of millions of pounds.

“SNP Ministers must ensure consistent funding for smoking cessation campaigns to encourage people to give up smoking and get Scotland back on track to be Smoke Free by 2034.”

Marion O’Neill, Cancer Research UK’s head of external affairs in Scotland, said: “This new analysis suggests that Scotland is not on track to achieve its 2034 smoke-free target which is a concern.

“Indeed, if the Scottish Government is to achieve this welcome ambition and improve the nation’s health, much more needs to be done to accelerate progress.

“Smoking has a catastrophic impact on health. It’s enormously addictive and difficult to quit so more needs to be done to ensure people know about the support available to give up.”

Find out more at: https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/stopping-smoking