Tag: NHS Lothian

NHS Lothian prepares for Festival crowds

Teams across NHS Lothian are preparing for the annual influx of visitors during Edinburgh’s world-famous Festivals.

The city’s population doubles to around a million throughout August as people from across the world enjoy the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the Edinburgh International Festival, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, and more.

NHS Lothian has a number of arrangements in place to make sure visitors can access healthcare if they need it, while continuing to provide routine and planned care for local residents.

Visitors are being urged to take the same route as locals and call 111 if they have an urgent injury or illness.

Experienced NHS 24 advisors will direct them to the most appropriate service to make sure they get the right care in the right place. NHS 24 also has an interpretation service for those whose first language is not English.

Depending on a patient’s circumstances, they may be given an appointment for a Minor Injuries Unit (MIU), be asked to attend a local pharmacy, or be given an appointment at a GP Practice which provides care and treatment for visitors who are not registered with a GP in the city.

Michelle Carr, Chief Officer of Acute Services, NHS Lothian, said: “We want everyone visiting Edinburgh during the Festivals to enjoy their time here, but if they become unwell or suffer an urgent injury, the best thing to do is call NHS 24 on 111. They should not turn up at a hospital.

“It’s important to stress that there is no walk-in service for visitors, but by calling 111 they will be able to access necessary healthcare 24/7.

“They will also be seen sooner than walking into a busy hospital A&E department that will prioritise patients and work in order of clinical urgency.

“The message is the same for visitors and local residents alike. If you need urgent healthcare, call 111. In a life-threatening emergency, always call 999.”

Routine blood-borne virus testing to start at NHS Lothian’s Emergency Departments

Patients having blood samples taken at NHS Lothian’s two Emergency Departments (A&Es) are likely to be tested for blood-borne viruses as part of a national initiative to save lives by diagnosing and treating infections earlier.

The testing – which is safe, confidential and optional – will be provided to Emergency Department patients aged 16 and over who are assessed at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh from 4 August, and at St Johns Hospital in Livingston from 1 September.

People may have no symptoms and be unaware they are living with an infection. Of the three viruses that will be tested for, hepatitis C can be cured, and hepatitis B and HIV can be managed with effective treatment so that people can lead long and healthy lives. But if left untreated, these can result in serious illnesses and, in some cases, death.

With around half of Emergency Department patients having blood samples taken as part of their care, the additional tests will enable early detection. If a test is positive, the patient will receive a telephone call within 2 weeks to discuss highly effective treatment options.

Any patient who does not wish to be tested can opt out by letting a member of staff know. This decision will not affect the care they receive.

The initiative, funded by the Scottish Government, follows an NHS Lothian trial. In testing elsewhere in the UK, 1 in 180 patients tested positive for hepatitis B, hepatitis C or HIV and received specialist follow-up care.

Susan Webb, Director of Public Health, NHS Lothian, said: “This testing is a positive step for public health in Edinburgh and the Lothians.

“It will ensure patients are diagnosed and treated far sooner than they otherwise would have been.

“Early diagnosis improves the clinical outcomes for these patients, and reduces ongoing transmission across our communities. This ties in with the Scottish Government’s drive to eliminate hepatitis C, end new transmissions of HIV and treat people living with hepatitis B – continuing the progress that has already been made.

“The tests are safe, confidential and optional, with the initiative designed to protect and improve health.”

The tests are only for adults attending NHS Lothian’s Emergency Departments because they need emergency care.

Posters about this initiative will be displayed throughout the Emergency Departments, with further information about blood-borne viruses and testing available on the NHS Inform website. All this reminds patients that if they wish to opt out, they should tell a staff member.

Anyone who believes they may have been exposed to a blood-borne virus should seek advice and testing as soon as possible from their GP practice, or from sexual health services at the Chalmers Centre or its local clinics.

NHS Lothian: MenB vaccinations

DROP-IN SESSIONS NOW AVAILABLE

Drop-in sessions are now available.

Find clinic locations and timings:

https://nhslothian.scot/vaccinations/meningococcal-b-menb/

Edinburgh

The Gyle

Gyle Avenue, South Gyle Broadway, Edinburgh, EH12 9JY

Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday, from 08:30 – 17:00.

No appointment necessary. This clinic is open for drop-in visits.

Ocean Terminal

Upper Level, Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre, Ocean Drive, Edinburgh, EH6 6JJ

Opening Hours: Sunday & Monday, from 08:30 – 17:00.

No appointment necessary. This clinic is open for drop-in visits.

Waverley Mall

Upper Level, Waverley Market Shopping Centre, 3/48 Waverley Bridge, EH1 1BQ

Opening Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday & Saturday, from 08:30 – 17:00.

No appointment necessary. This clinic is open for drop-in visits.

To find out if you, or someone you know, is eligible for the free vaccine, visit:

 http://nhsinform.scot/menb-youngpeople   

#MenBVaccine

Volunteer drives 21,000 miles to take patients home

VOLUNTEER WEEK 2026: MONDAY 1st – SUNDAY 7th JUNE

Volunteers Week is an annual UK-wide celebration recognising the incredible selfless work of volunteers. In NHS Lothian we are incredibly proud of all our volunteers from the community, our estates and our hospitals. 

Kosar Bibi started as a Volunteer Driver in November 2024 to support NHS Lothian’s Flow Centre with patient transport from hospital to home. In short, Kosar picks up patients from hospital discharge lounges across our sites and drives them directly home. While some journeys for Kosar may be short, such as travelling to Forth Valley, others may see Kosar drive all the way up to Inverness and other parts of the Highlands.

Since starting in her role, Kosar has safely transported home more than 120 patients, clocking up an incredible 21,000+ miles in the process.

Kosar explained: “I decided to become a volunteer driver after seeing first-hand the difficulties people have getting home from hospital due to grown children, carers etc. having other commitments.

“I love meeting such interesting people from all walks of life and all ages. I also get to see and hear how hard the NHS work to improve people’s lives.  The best bit is reuniting the patient with their loved ones.”

Supporting the Flow Centre to help get patients home as quickly as possible also helps our hospitals frees up beds for new patients coming into the system. Additionally, Kosar provides a service when all other patient transport options have been exhausted, saving NHS Lothian the cost of having to use the last resort option of paying for external transport.

Ross Lamb,  Voluntary Services Manager, describes Kosar as a friendly, empathetic, and committed person. Kosar averages several patient transfers per month and proceeds with her duties regardless of the weather (obviously taking weather warnings into account!).

Ross explains: “As Kosar’s Voluntary Services Manager, it’s always interesting to see all the places she transports patients to around Scotland each month, and it’s also rewarding to see the number of patients she gets home safe and sound to the comfort of their own surroundings.”

“When nominating Kosar for this award, I also worked out that over 35% of the patient transfers Kosar has completed have been round trips of 200 miles or more. This is quite simply an extraordinary effort from a volunteer and something that should quite rightly be celebrated and appreciated.

“The Voluntary Services Team and Flow Centre are extremely grateful for all Kosar’s kind support and outstanding commitment. We are very lucky to have her!”

Kosar has now also been shortlisted for the Voluntary Service Award at this year’s upcoming Celebrating Success Awards.

Community Pop-Up Vaccination Clinic at Royston Wardieburn

TUESDAY 26th MAY 10am – 1pm & 1.30 – 4pm

Depending on your age, health conditions, or other factors, you could be eligible for a Covid Spring Booster Vaccine.

Our team will be at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre, 11 Pilton Drive North, Edinburgh, EH5 1NF on the 26th May from 10am till 1pm and 1.40pm till 4pm.

For eligibility and details about other pop-up clinics, please click the link below or call the Vaccination Enquiries Helpline: 0300 790 6296. 

https://www.nhslothian.scot/vaccinations/ 

New service to support expectant parents’ emotional wellbeing

A new service to help expectant parents with their emotional wellbeing during pregnancy has been launched in NHS Lothian by NSPCC Scotland this Maternal Mental Health Week (4-10 May).

Pregnancy in Mind (PiM) is an online group service that supports parents, who are expecting a baby, with complicated feelings that can arise during pregnancy. It is designed to create a safe and reassuring space for parents in weeks 12-26 of pregnancy so they can reflect on any concerns, worries, or low mood they may be experiencing. 

PiM encourages them to reflect on their pregnancy as it progresses and their connection to their growing baby, encourages social support with other parents-to-be, and builds confidence for when their baby is born. 

The programme has eight online group sessions, usually delivered weekly (for 90-120 minutes), from the start of the second trimester (12 weeks) plus two one-to-one online post-birth sessions.

The service is delivered by practitioners who are experienced in creating a warm, safe and supportive space where expectant parents can build confidence, develop helpful ways of coping, and connect with others as they navigate pregnancy and prepare for the arrival of their new baby. 

The service brings together a range of evidence informed approaches, including mindfulness, relaxation, coping strategies, building confidence in understanding emotional wellbeing and developing supportive social connections.

Parents do not need to be experiencing severe symptoms to take part, the service is open to those who feel they would benefit from extra support during pregnancy. Introductions by health and social care workers to the service can be made at any point up to 26 weeks of pregnancy. The pregnant person, their partner, support person or the baby’s other parent can take part in the programme.

Alison MacDonald, Executive Nurse Director for NHS Lothian, said: “We are pleased to be working in partnership with the NSPCC to add this programme to the range of support available to expectant parents.

“Mental health is just as important as physical health and this service offers early, practical support to parents who need it most, helping them to give their babies and children the best possible start in life.” 

Jen Dixon, Team Manager at NSPCC Scotland, said: “Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week reminds us of the importance of emotional wellbeing during pregnancy.  

When parents are finding things difficult, offering support to them as early as possible, can help them feel less alone as they prepare to meet their baby. 

“Often parents join Pregnancy in Mind feeling uncertain, isolated or overwhelmed. Through the sessions, they connect with other parents who are experiencing similar feelings. The programme supports them to develop ways to improve their own wellbeing, leading them to feel more hopeful, confident and less overwhelmed when their baby is born.  

“This supports their ability to create nurturing foundations and connections with their babies from the very beginning, including during pregnancy.”   

For further information about PiM contact NSPCC Scotland by email: 

scotland1@nspcc.org.uk

NHS Lothian: Perinatal mental health sympton checker

Not sure if what you’re feeling is normal? This perinatal mental health symptom checker highlights signs you shouldn’t ignore.

Trust yourself, reach out early, and ask for help.

Visit: https://maternalmentalhealthalliance.org/about-maternal-mental-health/perinatal-mental-health-symptom-checker/ to learn more.

NSPCC Scotland launches new service to support expectant parents’ emotional wellbeing

A new service to help expectant parents with their emotional wellbeing during pregnancy is being launched by NSPCC Scotland as the UK marks Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week (May 4 to 10).

Pregnancy in Mind (PiM), which is being delivered by the charity in partnership with NHS Lothian, is an online group service that supports parents, who are expecting a baby, with complicated feelings that can arise during pregnancy.

It is designed to create a safe and reassuring space for parents in weeks 12-26 of pregnancy so they can reflect on any concerns, worries, or low mood they may be experiencing. 

PiM encourages them to reflect on their pregnancy as it progresses and their connection to their growing baby, encourages social support with other parents-to-be, and builds confidence for when their baby is born. 

The programme has eight online group sessions, usually delivered weekly (for 90-120 minutes), from the start of the second trimester (12 weeks) plus two one-to-one online post-birth sessions.

The service is delivered by practitioners who are experienced in creating a warm, safe and supportive space where expectant parents can build confidence, develop helpful ways of coping, and connect with others as they navigate pregnancy and prepare for the arrival of their new baby. 

The service brings together a range of evidence informed approaches, including mindfulness, relaxation, coping strategies, building confidence in understanding emotional wellbeing and developing supportive social connections.

Parents do not need to be experiencing severe symptoms to take part, the service is open to those who feel they would benefit from extra support during pregnancy. Introductions by health and social care workers to the service can be made at any point up to 26 weeks of pregnancy. The pregnant person, their partner, support person or the baby’s other parent can take part in the programme.

Jen Dixon, Team Manager at NSPCC Scotland, said: “Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week reminds us of the importance of emotional wellbeing during pregnancy.  

“When parents are finding things difficult, offering support to them as early as possible, can help them feel less alone as they prepare to meet their baby. 

“Often parents join Pregnancy in Mind feeling uncertain, isolated or overwhelmed. Through the sessions, they connect with other parents who are experiencing similar feelings. The programme supports them to develop ways to improve their own wellbeing, leading them to feel more hopeful, confident and less overwhelmed when their baby is born.  

“This supports their ability to create nurturing foundations and connections with their babies from the very beginning, including during pregnancy.”  

Alison MacDonald, Executive Nurse Director for NHS Lothian, said: “We are pleased to be working in partnership with the NSPCC to add this programme to the range of support available to expectant parents.

“Mental health is just as important as physical health and this service offers early, practical support to parents who need it most, helping them to give their babies and children the best possible start in life.” 

For further information about PiM contact NSPCC Scotland by email: 

scotland1@nspcc.org.uk