NHS Lothian – Page 18 – The NEN

Local patients can access new cancer treatment

New prostate cancer treatment available at Edinburgh Cancer Centre is first in Scotland

Men in the South East of Scotland may now be able to access a new treatment for prostate cancer, which is available at the Edinburgh Cancer Centre, Western General Hospital.

The Edinburgh Cancer Centre (ECC) is the first in Scotland to offer High–dose-rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT) for treatment of prostate cancer.

It was successfully introduced by NHS Lothian earlier this year and is now being made available to suitable patients across the South East of Scotland.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among Scottish males affecting 1 in 10 men. With more than 3,000 men diagnosed every year this figure is only expected to increase.

But, with early detection and improved treatments, survival rates are also increasing. Radiotherapy is commonly used to cure prostate cancers and increasing the radiation dose in treatments has shown to improve long-term cancer control.

The HDR-BT service at the ECC offers an additional treatment approach to deal with aggressive but localised prostate cancer. It allows a higher dose of radiation to be targeted directly into the prostate gland in a safe and controlled way. This minimises radiation exposure to surrounding normal tissue and thereby reduces potential side effects.

The new treatment is being offered alongside existing radiotherapy treatments at the Edinburgh Cancer Centre, expanding the range of treatment options on offer.

Dr Aravindhan Sundaramurthy, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at the Edinburgh Cancer Centre explains: “We have been successfully delivering low-dose-rate brachytherapy (LDR-BT) for prostate cancer with over 1000 men throughout Scotland benefitting from the service. However, men with more advanced or aggressive disease would not be eligible for LDR-BT on its own.”

“The start of the new HDR-BT service opens a very important therapeutic option for men with high-risk prostate cancer features. It brings together the skills and expertise of staff across our radiotherapy, oncology and anaesthetic teams to deliver another treatment option.”

Roderick Sanderson (62) from Dumfries & Galloway was the first patient to receive this new treatment at the Edinburgh Cancer Centre.

He said: “I would strongly encourage anyone who is offered this treatment to go for it. It was a very smooth process and the care I received from the NHS was absolutely first class. I was looked after every step of the way and I knew that I was in the best possible hands for my treatment.”

This HDR-BT service is a collaborative effort involving radiotherapy nursing, prostate clinical oncologists, anaesthetics, therapeutic radiographers and oncology physicists. It is currently being offered at the Edinburgh Cancer Centre for suitable patients within the South-east Scotland Cancer Network with an aim to expand the service to other patients across Scotland.

Anyone looking for more information about prostate cancer including details of common symptoms and testing can visit NHS Inform: www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/cancer/cancer-types-in-adults/prostate-cancer

New £6.2m Renal Dialysis Unit opens at the Western General

A new £6.2 million Renal Dialysis Unit has opened in Edinburgh serving patients from the north and west of the city. Located at the Western General Hospital, the state-of-the art facility is designed to meet projected rising demand for dialysis services, while being more comfortable and welcoming for patients.

It will ensure patients who need kidney dialysis have access to the latest equipment in modern, bright and spacious surroundings.

The new building replaces a smaller unit, which was over 30 years old, and very cramped. It has increased the number of dialysis stations from 9 to 12. Now up to 72 patients can be treated in the unit.

Dialysis involves filtering waste products and excess fluid from a patient’s blood when their kidneys stop working properly. The most common form of dialysis, haemodialysis, takes on average four hours per session and is typically carried out three times a week.

Dr Caroline Whitworth, Consultant Nephrologist explains: “Patients can expect to spend between 12 and 18 hours per week on dialysis so having a welcoming, peaceful and comfortable place to do dialysis is really important.

“We’re already seeing the positive impact this fantastic new facility is having on patients and staff. The clinical areas is as light and airy as possible, but also more peaceful, giving patients a much better experience. The unit will be a great benefit for patients for years to come.”

Bill Aitken, a renal patient, started experiencing symptoms of kidney failure in his early 30s. An avid football player he first noticed that something was wrong when his fitness started to deteriorate. He has been a patient with NHS Lothian for over 25 years. He says: “I’ve been in and out of treatment at both the Royal and the Western General. This feels light years away from the previous unit.

“It’s very nice and bright and has cracking views out the window to Edinburgh Castle and the Old Town. When we’re dialysing, we’re there for a long time so it makes a huge difference to be doing it in modern, pleasant surroundings.”

The Renal Dialysis Unit is one of several new projects at the Western General Hospital to transform services and create more space, comfort and privacy for patients. It was funded by NHS Lothian Capital Investment, constructed by Robertson Construction on behalf of RMF Health, and designed by HLM Architects.

David Cairns, regional managing director, Robertson Construction Central East, said: “The new renal unit is one of several projects we have delivered at the Western General Hospital, on behalf of RMF Health, over the last 2 years whilst the hospital has remained a live environment. We’re also progressing a number of other projects with RMF Health which will provide first class facilities for the hospital.”

The capital development team worked closely with NHS Lothian’s official charity, Edinburgh & Lothians Health Foundation, to integrate creative enhancements of the environment into the design, helping to ensure that the unit was not only clinically functional but also aesthetically pleasing.

Jane Ferguson, Director of Edinburgh & Lothians Health Foundation, explains: “The involvement of our Arts in Health and Wellbeing team from the start of this project really demonstrates the importance that NHS Lothian has placed on art and design as an essential part of their capital projects.

“They recognise how much of an impact the environment and surroundings can have on patient and staff wellbeing. We were delighted to work together to take forward creative and innovative ways to enhance the space, and I think the end result is a welcoming, restful environment which creates privacy, distraction and diversion while patients receive treatment.”

NHS Lothian warns of children flu vaccination letter mistake

Are you a parent or guardian of a 2-5 year old in Edinburgh, East Lothian or Midlothian? Check out this important update regarding flu vaccine appointments

More information on the children’s flu vaccine is available here:

– https://www.nhsinform.scot/…/children-aged-2-5-years

NHS Lothian: Please wait for Covid Vaccine Booster invite

Frontline health and social care workers and those aged 70+ are currently being invited forward for the COVID-19 Vaccine Booster to provide longer protection against coronavirus.

Others who are eligible for the vaccine will be invited forward soon.

Visit http://nhsinform.scot for more information.

Councillor George Gordon calls on citizens to get their flu vaccination

In the first week of the winter vaccination programme, 27,000 people have come forward to get their flu vaccine, which is a great response ((writes Edinburgh Integration Joint Board member and Forth Councillor GEORGE GORDON).

We’ve all seen the devastating effect the pandemic has had in the past 18 months so it’s really important we all play our part to limit the impact this winter.

This is a personal appeal to encourage everyone who’s eligible to get their flu vaccination this winter. COVID-19 has not gone away so it’s more important than ever to protect yourself by getting the vaccination and do your bit to ease the pressure on social care, GP surgeries and hospitals over winter.

Many of you will already have received a letter either with an appointment or asking you to book one online. I know there’s been an issue with the scheduling of some flu appointments via the national booking system.

This means some people’s appointments are not as local as would have been expected, and a few cases where people who are housebound have been asked to go to an appointment. I know how concerning this is for people who cannot travel.

If you have received a letter with an appointment that you are unable to attend, you can rearrange your appointment for a more local venue by going online at nhsinform.scot/flu-vaccine/invitations-and-appointments/rearrange-your-flu-vaccine-appointmen or ring the national flu vaccination helpline on 0800 030 8013 for help to re-book.

More local appointments are now available for people who find it difficult to travel. If you are housebound and normally get your flu jab at home then you will get it at home again this year, even if you’ve received an appointment letter.

It’s really good to see that so many people have been turning out to get their vaccinations. The Royal Highland Centre site experienced a slight delay in topping up vaccination stocks on Tuesday morning (5 October) due to the level of demand across other sites and some people were asked to return the following day.

This was resolved within an hour and I can assure you that we have good vaccine stocks in Edinburgh.

Across Scotland, GP surgeries are no longer responsible for flu vaccinations for their patients. Now, health and social care partnerships manage the flu programme. In Edinburgh we have a range of drive through and walk through clinics for adults which will open at weekends during October and November.

Edinburgh’s main site is in Lowland Hall at the Royal Highland Centre which is open seven days a week and easy to access by public transport (buses 100, 200 and 400). We also have small local clinics for people who can’t make their way to Ingliston.

Children have received a letter for their parents or carers about their vaccine. If it’s been six months since your second dose of the COVID vaccine, you may also get your COVID vaccine booster at the same time as your flu vaccine.

It’s a massive programme and this year there’s more people than ever eligible to get a vaccine which is great news. You can now get the vaccine if you’re over 50, pregnant, an unpaid carer, at risk because of an existing health condition, or because of the job that you do. You can check if you are eligible for a flu vaccine, or find more information, at nhsinform.scot/flu.

I’d really encourage you to take up that offer – go to your vaccination appointment if you have been given one or book an appointment on the online portal if you’ve been asked to do that.

Please don’t be in any doubt – flu is serious. Getting the vaccine will protect you, your family and friends, and also our vital NHS and social care services.

Some second dose appointments offered to teenagers in error

NHS Lothian has said that a number of second vaccination appointments have been mistakenly scheduled for 16 and 17-year-olds.

The health board said text message and appointment letters have been issued to the teenagers in Lothian which urge them to attend an appointment for a second dose of COVID vaccine, even though they may not be eligible.

At the moment, and in line with national guidance, 16 and 17-year-olds are only being offered one dose of the vaccine, unless they are clinically extremely vulnerable themselves, living with someone who is or are an unpaid carer.

However a data error has caused 2,500 text messages to be sent to teenagers in Lothian inviting them for a second dose. Many of those invitations may be entirely appropriate, but many will not.

As a result, a second text message has been issued urging the teenagers not to attend unless they are clinically extremely vulnerable themselves, living with someone who is or are an unpaid carer.

The situation is under investigation to establish what happened and how many letters may also have been sent via the national booking system to teenagers.

Pat Wynne, Director of Nursing Primary and Community Care, NHS Lothian, said: “I would like to apologise to all of those teenagers affected and for any confusion and inconvenience caused.

“All of those who received a text message have been contacted again with more information on what to do next. We don’t yet know how many letters have been issued, but we are investigating fully to establish what happened and how many people are affected.

“If you are eligible for a second dose – if you clinically extremely vulnerable yourself, living with someone else who is or are an unpaid carer – please double-check your appointment and make sure you receive that vital protection from a second dose.

“However we are really keen to make sure that other teenagers do not face a wasted journey to a vaccination centre or that they do not receive a second dose when it is currently not recommended for them.”

NHS Lothian: Free flu vaccine info

Flu vaccinations are already underway for 2 to 5-year-olds, primary and secondary school children.

Everyone else that is eligible for the free flu vaccine will be invited soon.

There’s no need to do anything just now and you don’t need to call your GP.

To find out if you’re eligible visit www.nhsinform.scot/flu

Hospital visiting guidance

We know visits from loved ones can help with recovery. Please help us keep everyone safe by following this guidance:

To ensure that there are not high numbers of people in multi-bedded rooms we need to work with you to plan visits.
Please do not visit if you have COVID symptoms or have been identified as a contact of someone who is.
On arrival please check-in with a member of the ward team who will make sure that it is safe to visit.
Each patient may have two designated visitors (this can be changed throughout the stay if required).
If both visitors are from the same household, they may visit together. If they are not, they must visit separately.
Visitors must have had both doses of the Covid vaccine, the second dose more than 14 days before any visit.
Unfortunately, children and young people under 16 will not usually be able to visit.
These arrangements may vary. In certain circumstances more than two people may visit, e.g. when patients are nearing the end of life, or for patients with dementia whose distress may be eased by the presence of a relative or carer.
You must wear a face covering during your visit and follow infection control guidance.
We want to ensure that our patients have close contact with you during the visit, therefore holding hands is permitted but you must adhere to hand hygiene requirements. You do not need to wear gloves.
During outbreaks we may need to amend our guidance to maintain safety.
Please maintain physical distancing in communal areas of the hospital.
The name and contact details of those visiting will be kept should we need to inform NHS SCotland Test and Protect.

Thank you for following our guidance and helping keep everyone safe.

We encourage all visitors to take a voluntary Lateral Flow Test prior to visiting. Information on how to order Lateral Flow Tests is available on the Scottish Government’s website. Tests can also be collected from COVID testing centres in the afternoon or early evenings. If you do not wish to have a test or are not able to, you will still be permitted to visit.

It is essential you do not visit if you have any of the symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19)

a persistent cough
flu-like symptoms
fever
new loss of taste or smell

It is also essential that you should not visit if you have been identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19); you should remain at home for the required isolation period, which is currently 14 days.

In order to keep our patients as safe as possible, the guidance may need to be amended at short notice. If this is the case, we will tell you why and keep it under review where possible.

Vaccination drive accelerated

– Covid-19 booster vaccinations get underway today

– Lothian launches drop-in clinics for 12 to 15-year-olds

Residents in care homes for older people are the first to be offered coronavirus (COVID-19) booster vaccinations from today (Monday).

This group will be offered both flu and COVID-19 booster vaccines after the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation advised that they could be given alongside one another.

From tomorrow (Tuesday 21 September) frontline health and social care workers are able to book an appointment for a booster jab online at NHS Inform. The portal can be used by all health and social care workers to book a flu vaccine.

Adults aged 70 years and over and those 16 years and over who are on the highest risk list (previously known as the shielding list) will begin to be contacted by letter or by their GP from the end of September.

People on the highest risk list who were severely immunosuppressed at the time of their last COVID-19 vaccination will be offered a third primary dose instead.

Other eligible groups – including all those aged 16 to 49 years with underlying health conditions, adult carers, unpaid and young carers, adult household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals and all adults over 50 – will be able to book an appointment online from October.

Meanwhile, also from today (Monday) children and young people aged 12 -15 years old can go to drop-in clinics for a vaccination if they wish to get their jab before they receive their letter inviting them for a scheduled appointment. Everyone in this age group will be invited for vaccination at a community based clinic or a school delivery session from 27 September.

Heath Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “I am pleased to see the booster programme getting underway for residents in care homes for older people, offering longer lasting protection against severe COVID-19 illness.

“The booster programme will run alongside our biggest ever flu vaccine programme as both of these programmes are important for individual and for public health and wherever possible, those eligible will be offered COVID-19 booster and flu vaccines together.

“We are also starting vaccination of 12-15 year olds after Scottish Ministers accepted advice from the four UK Chief Medical Officers. This group can now head to drop-in clinics for their jabs or wait for a letter offering them a scheduled appointment.”

NHS Lothian launches drop-in clinics for 12 to 15-year-olds

Young people aged 12 to 15 will be able to get a COVID-19 vaccine at drop-in clinics across Lothian from today (September 20).

Mass clinics in West Lothian, Edinburgh and Midlothian will open their doors to young people as part of the latest phase of the national vaccination programme.

Pyramids, Gorebridge and Lowland Hall vaccination clinics will be the first in Lothian to administer the lifesaving vaccine, before more clinics are added to the list over coming days.

Pat Wynne, Director of Nursing for Primary and Community Care, NHS Lothian said: “We are delighted to offer drop-in clinics for young people aged 12-15.

“These clinics will enable young people to attend, without a prior appointment to receive their vaccination.

“We recognise that young people, as well as their parents and guardians may have questions regarding the COVID vaccination and we encourage them to visit the pages on NHS Inform where there is a range of information available.

“Alongside this, our teams at Pyramids, Gorebridge and Lowland Hall are one hand to answer any questions people may have.

“Vaccination remains critically important in the continued fight against COVID-19 and we welcome the further expansion of the vaccination programme across Lothian.”

The clinics are opening their doors following the publication and government acceptance of the advice of the four Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) to offer a single dose of the COVID vaccine to all healthy 12-15-year-olds.

Young people do not need to be registered with a GP to attend, however it is requested that they are accompanied by their parent or guardian.

As well as the drop-in clinics for 12-15’s, NHS Lothian continues to operate a range of COVID vaccination clinics in locations across Lothian.

Mr Wynne added: “We continue to offer vaccination clinics across Lothian for anyone who requires a first dose of the vaccine, or who is now due their second dose. I would urge anyone who has still to be vaccinated to pop along.”

More information on the 12-15 vaccination programme is available on NHS Inform https://www.nhsinform.scot/12to15

Information on clinic locations and opening times is also available on NHS Lothian’s website – https://www.nhslothian.scot/Coronavirus/Vaccine/Pages/Drop-in-Clinics.aspx

More funding for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

Support for children and young people with mental health issues

Funding of £10.83 million has been allocated for the remainder of this year to help improve access to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

The investment will also increase the numbers of trained professionals to support children and young people with neurodevelopmental support needs.

The allocation is part the of £120 million Mental Health Recovery and Renewal Fund announced in February 2021, and will help to deliver a number of improvements, including:
· improve access to CAMHS assessments out of hours
· help to put in place specialist regional CAMHS services including those with learning disabilities and those requiring secure care
· Help provide access to CAMHS Intensive Home Treatment Teams
· Support mental health liaison teams within paediatric services.

The Recovery and Renewal Fund supports many mental health measures contained in the Programme for Government.

Other policies include extra support for health and care staff, completion of the commitment to recruit 800 additional mental health workers this year and a pledge that at least 10% of frontline NHS spending will go towards mental health over this parliament.

Mental Wellbeing and Social Care Minister Kevin Stewart, who announced the allocation during a visit to the Young People’s Inpatient Unit at The Royal Hospital for Children and Young People Edinburgh said: “I am pleased to announce the allocation of £10.83 million health boards to support children and young people with mental health issues, and those with neurodevelopmental support needs.

“This funding will lead to substantial improvements in the mental health care that children and young people receive in Scotland, ensuring that the right support is available in the right place at the right time.

“We know the pandemic has had a negative impact on many people’s mental health – whatever their age or circumstances. That is why we committed £120 million to the recovery and renewal of mental health services in this year’s Programme for Government. I hope that the allocation I have announced today makes a real and lasting difference to children, young people and their families.”

Joanna Barrett, Associate Head of Policy for the Devolved Nations, NSPCC Scotland, said: “Before the pandemic hit, thousands of children referred to mental health services in Scotland were having to wait unacceptable periods of time for treatment to begin.

“The profound impact of the conditions of the past 18 months on children has compounded this by increasing the need. Our Childline counsellors have heard from children struggling with loneliness and isolation, worries about education, abusive home environments and suicidal feelings.

“This funding by the Scottish Government to address young people’s mental health is therefore crucial. However, this investment must go alongside more preventative efforts, including the provision of mental health support in schools, to ensure children get the help they need before reaching crisis point.”