Tag: NHS Lothian

Boyack highlights ‘deeply distressing’ drop in Edinburgh GP surgeries as patient lists boom

Labour Lothians MSP, Sarah Boyack highlighted deeply distressing figures about the fall in GP surgeries in Edinburgh.

The latest figures by Public Health Scotland show that from 2010-2022, the number of Edinburgh’s GP surgeries dropped from 75 to 72. However, over the same period Edinburgh’s population skyrocketed from an estimated 480,000 to 548,000.

Edinburgh recorded the third highest population growth in Scotland, according to the most recent statistics.

This all comes as it was revealed the city of Edinburgh’s average practice list size has jumped from 7,074 in 2012, to 8413 – the 5th highest in Scotland.

In May 2023, the BMA warned that there was a sustainability crisis in Scottish general practice, in part due to the closing of surgeries.

A fall in GP surgeries will leave more and more communities without the adequate facilities to cope with their population increase.

This follows on from the Scottish Government’s decision to freeze capital projects for health boards, as well as freezing the ability to hire new staff.

The Scottish Government also requires health boards to require savings of 6.8%.

These moves will only increase pressures on NHS Lothian to provide adequate healthcare services with diminishing resources.

Commenting on the findings, Sarah Boyack said: “These figures are deeply distressing but will come as no surprise to patients in Edinburgh.

“The Scottish Government’s underfunding has left Edinburgh’s GPs unable to keep up with the city’s population growth.

“If the Scottish Government goes ahead with its budget plans, this will only exacerbate the problem.

“GP surgery staff do amazing work, but they need the funding to fulfil their potential.

“Allowing GP surgeries to close merely aggravates the sustainability crisis we are facing in general practice.

“If we are to tackle this issue, we need investment and strategy from the Scottish Government, not freezes and delays.” 

NHS Health & Social Care Job Fair

WEDNESDAY 24th JANUARY at TYNCASTLE STADIUM

We are holding recruitment event on the 24 January 2024 in the Gorgie Suite, Tynecastle Stadium, McLeod St, Edinburgh EH11 2NL.

Come along and find out about roles in the Health & Care Sector with the City of Edinburgh Council and the NHS.

Tickets are available via Eventbrite and can be found here:

https://edinburgh.gov.uk/hscjobs

Western General team introduces reusable surgical hats to reduce waste

A team at the Western General Hospital is significantly reducing operating room waste and saving money after introducing reusable surgical hats.

Generally, staff working in surgical theatres use hats as part of infection control measures and at the Western General alone they get through over 30,000 disposable hats a year.

The Breast Theatres team, eager to make their practices more sustainable, applied to NHS Lothian Charity to secure grant funding for washable hats.

Erica Revie, Consultant Surgeon in the Breast Theatres who led the project, said: “We had seen that there was a Climate Challenge Grant available from NHS Lothian Charity so we put together a proposal to try out reusable hats.

“We contacted NHS Fife, which is already using reusable hats, to discuss the practicalities of implementation, and contacted their supplier about our needs in order to undertake a trial. The Infection Prevention and Control Team and Laundry Service were also consulted to ensure we could still ensure the highest standard of cleanliness.”

Beyond cutting waste, the hats are also embroidered with individuals’ names and roles which has improved communication during emergencies when new staff enter the operating room.

Theatre Sister Lorraine Murray, who was also integral to the trial, was called to support a cardiac arrest not long after the introduction of the hats. A staff member who did not know her was able to ask her for specific help by name and instantly understand her role within the team.

“It’s an easy change to make with dual benefits – environmental savings and improved communication,” said Erica. “We encourage other departments and hospitals to embrace it.”

By switching to reusables, the Breast Theatre operating rooms have significantly reduced discarded hats. Once rolled out to the rest of the Western General, it will save the hospital over £6,000 as well as reducing their carbon footprint.

Although it would not be logistically possible to provide hats with names for all theatre staff across the health board, NHS Lothian are looking to roll out generic versions and an initial set of samples are on their way for feedback.

Dr Jane Hopton, Sustainability Lead for NHS Lothian, said: “This is a great example of another team in Lothian wanting to make a difference in their area.

“They applied for the Climate Challenge Grant and used that funding to drastically reduce the waste caused by disposable surgical hats. Well done to Erica, Lorraine and everyone else involved in making this happen.

“Providing reusable surgical hats across all theatres in NHS Lothian is an important next step in reducing waste and our environmental impact.”

Jane Greenacre, Head of Programmes at NHS Lothian Charity, said: “The Charity is delighted to be able to support staff across NHS Lothian to take forward innovative projects like this.

“The aim of our Climate Challenge Grants is to enable staff to explore initiatives that help them embed green practices into day-to-day activities and reduce the impact of healthcare on the environment.”

Inspection report for Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, NHS Lothian

Healthcare Improvement Scotland has published a report relating to an unannounced follow-up inspection visit to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, NHS Lothian. The inspection took place in September 2023.

The purpose of the follow-up inspection was to assess progress and provide assurance on NHS Lothian’s improvement actions in response to serious patient safety concerns that were identified and escalated during a previous inspection of the hospital in February 2023.

To provide assurance of improvement following the concerns previously identified, the main focus of the follow-up inspection was the emergency department. Inspectors also visited a number of wards and the medical assessment unit.

Donna Maclean, Chief Inspector, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, said: ““Serious concerns raised in our previous inspection related specifically to the safe delivery of care and to potential patient safety risks. During this follow-up inspection we observed that considerable progress has been made in responding to these concerns.

“The delivery of fundamental care has improved with the addition of care and mealtime coordinators in the emergency department. Improvements have also been achieved in supporting patient care, dignity and leadership and in the coordination of care within the department.

“Implementation of a new continuous flow model has improved the flow of patients through the hospital during weekdays. However, further work is needed to support the timely flow of patients from the emergency department to an appropriate care area out of hours and at weekends.”

Six of the previous 13 requirements have now been met and progress has been made with four requirements, with further work to be undertaken.

Three requirements have not been met. These include hand hygiene, the use of personal protective equipment and the management of intravenous fluids.

One new additional requirement has been added with regard to the safe management of cleaning products. One new recommendation has been added in relation to the timeframes for the completion of significant adverse event reviews.

An improvement action plan has been developed by NHS Lothian in order to meet the requirements.

The full inspection report is available to view at: 

Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (healthcareimprovementscotland.org)

People eligible for winter vaccines urged to top up protection ahead of festive period

NHS Lothian is urging those who have not yet had their flu and/or COVID-19 vaccines to top up their protection ahead of the festive period, with maximum protection taking around 10 days following vaccination.

Last winter in Scotland, hospital admissions for flu and COVID-19 peaked on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day respectively.

Those who are most at risk from flu and COVID-19 are being invited for vaccination this winter. That includes people who are older, are pregnant, have an underlying health condition, provide vital face-to-face care for someone or who work in certain roles.

People can check which vaccinations they are eligible for, book online or rearrange an appointment by visiting NHS Inform or calling 0800 030 8013.

You can also drop-in to a clinic of your choice across Lothian, including Waverley Mall, The Gyle and Ocean Terminal, open 9am to 7pm seven days a week. More clinic details are available at NHS Lothian, including arrangements for school children and clinics for pre-schoolers.

Pat Wynne, Nurse Director for Primary and Community Care, NHS Lothian, said: “As people socialise with family and friends over the festive period, the chances of catching viruses increase. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and those around you from flu and COVID-19.

“We expect another challenging winter for the NHS, and getting vaccinated can also help to alleviate pressures on the system and keep our staff well.

“The flu virus is always changing and protection from the COVID-19 vaccine fades over time, so it’s important that those eligible keep their protection levels topped up by getting their vaccines now.

“To help make it as easy as possible for you to get your vaccine(s), you can drop-in to a number of clinics or book an appointment if preferable.”

Patients are being left waiting by SNP failure at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, says Boyack

Lothian Labour MSP, Sarah Boyack, has criticised the Scottish Government’s failure to address woeful waiting times at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

The latest figures published by Public Health Scotland, show that only 46% of A&E Patients at the Royal Infirmary, are seen within 4 hours. This is compared to 62% across the whole of NHS Lothian Health Board, and 68% across the whole of Scotland.

The number of patients seen within 4 hours, has plummeted almost 10% since July – falling from 55%.

The Royal Infirmary figures are well short of the Scottish Government’s target of 95% of people seen and discharged within 4 hours of arrival in A&E.

Commenting on the statistics, Sarah Boyack said: “The latest A&E wait time figures illustrate that patients at Edinburgh’s largest hospital are left waiting by the SNP/Green Government.

“Royal Infirmary staff work incredibly hard to deliver services for patients, but the Scottish Government has not provided the resources to ensure local hospitals can deliver the care and treatment local residents deserve.

“Edinburgh residents need the Scottish Government to step up its game and provide the Royal Infirmary with the support it needs reduce waiting times rapidly.”

NHS Job Information Sessions at Muirhouse Millennium Centre

Join us for the NHS Facilities Information Event, where you can meet some of the hiring managers from various departments.

The event will be held on Wednesday 6 December 2023 and is your chance to discover a range of roles available within NHS Facilities.

We look forward to seeing you there. Please note you must have tickets for the event as we are limited to how many people we can accommodate at each session.

You can book your place here:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/763393429297…