Do you have a passion for working in healthcare? Looking to start your exciting career as a Clinical Support Worker or in Administration?
NHS Lothian’s Modern Apprenticeships may just be what you are looking for!
Applications will open 6th January! More details to follow.
An increasing number of respiratory viruses in Lothian is heaping extra pressure on the hospital system.
Cases of Flu are surging and there are still high levels of COVID and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), as well as norovirus, causing hospitals and GPs in Lothian to be stretched beyond capacity.
Calum Campbell, Chief Executive, NHS Lothian, said the sector as a whole was already experiencing significant pressures because of an increase in emergency patients and large numbers of delayed discharge patients, before this latest increase in infection rates.
He added: “Our teams across the health and social care system are facing sustained and relentless challenge. The system is under horrendous pressure and the challenges our teams are facing are uncharted.
“We are experiencing more cases of infection – flu, COVID and RSV, as well as norovirus – than ever before.
“In order to maintain our patient flow through the hospital and retain beds for the most urgent of cases, we need to support people to go home quicker after their treatment and reduce any preventable admissions. That is where the public can help.
“Please take sensible precautions to prevent infection, especially if you have underlying health conditions or plan to be with those that do””
The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, St John’s Hospital, the Western General Hospital and the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People are all at full capacity.
Dona Milne, Director of Public Health and Health Policy, NHS Lothian, urged people to help reduce the spread of infections to protect themselves and the most vulnerable in their communities.
She said: “Although they can be mild infections for many, RSV and Flu can be extremely serious for some people causing them to require urgent hospital treatment. We have now reached extraordinary levels of flu in Scotland that we haven’t seen for many years.”
“We are asking anyone who has cold or flu like symptoms to help limit the spread of infection and reduce the chances of passing it to someone who will become very unwell.
“Stay at home if you feel unwell. And if you do have to go out, please wear a mask. People should also remember to wash their hands, and cough or sneeze into a tissue and bin it.”
People in Lothian are also being reminded to stock up their medicine cabinets with paracetamol and cold remedies so they can treat common illnesses at home.
Anyone who has cold type symptoms, such as a runny nose or mild cough, or who has a sore throat without a temperature and can eat and drink, is likely to have a viral illness and does not need to contact their GP. They should drink plenty of fluids and rest and get additional help and advice from NHS Inform or their local pharmacy.
The most up to date information on Strep A can be found at:
Following warnings that hospitals and GP services are being stretched beyond capacity NHS Lothian is explaining how relatives and carers can help.
Calum Campbell, Chief Executive of NHS Lothian, said that ongoing delays in discharging patients who no longer need clinical care is continuing to intensify pressure across the whole healthcare system but there are ways that people can help.
He said: “Our services have been experiencing unprecedented demand for some time and we are doing everything that we can to increase capacity, provide essential care for patients and relieve pressure on staff.
“As we move into the New Year, we’re asking people to play their part in easing this sustained pressure by helping to care for loved ones at home, managing illnesses properly and reducing the spread of infections, which can result in increased hospital admissions.”
To help reduce waiting times and free up beds for new patients, NHS Lothian has been appealing to relatives and carers of patients who could be discharged to provide interim care for them at home.
Dr Tracey Gillies, Medical Director of NHS Lothian, explains: “Many of our patients no longer require hospital treatment but can’t go home until an appropriate care package is in place or a care home placement becomes available.
“We are urging families of these patients to please consider how they can help look after a loved one at home on a temporary basis. Our teams will be on hand to provide support and discuss their needs and will only allow patients to go home after a robust clinical assessment.”
“People can also help by arranging to collect friends and family who have been discharged as early as possible.”
Most Strep A infections are relatively mild and clear up on their own without the need for antibiotics.
Speak to your GP or call 111 outwith hours if symptoms get worse.
Always call 999 in an emergency.
For more information, please visit http://nhsinform.scot/strepA
We’ve extended our drop-in clinics so you can get your winter vaccines over the festive period and into January without an appointment.
Flu cases are rising so, if you’re eligible, please get yours soon.
Clinic details here: http://ow.ly/V46850MblNa
| Area | Site | Days | Drop-in times |
| East Lothian | Edington Cottage Hospital | Monday to Friday Closed from 24th December to 8th January | 8.30am – 4.30pm (Closed 10am to 10.30am and again from 12.30pm to 1.30pm) |
| East Lothian | Haddington Corn Exchange | Monday to Sunday | 8.30am – 4.30pm(Closed 12pm – 1pm) |
| East Lothian | Musselburgh Primary Care Centre | Monday to Friday Closed from 24th December to 8th January | 8.05am – 4.50pm (Closed 10am to 10.20am and again from 12.30pm to 1.15pm) |
| Edinburgh | Fort Kinnaird (SAS Bus – next to Currys) | Monday 19th – Friday 23rd December | 9.30am – 4pm |
| Edinburgh | The Gyle | Monday to Sunday | 9.30am – 6.30pm |
| Edinburgh | Ocean Terminal | Monday to Sunday | 9am – 6.30pm |
| Edinburgh | Waverley Mall | Monday to Sunday | 10am – 5.30pm |
| Midlothian | Gorebridge Leisure Centre | Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays Closed Thursday 22nd December onwards, reopens Wednesday 4th January | 8.30am – 4.30pm (Closed 12.30pm – 1.15pm) |
| Midlothian | Rosewell Steading | Monday to Sunday | 8am – 5pm |
| West Lothian | Livingston Designer Outlet | Monday to Wednesday and Friday | 9.30am – 5pm |
| | | Thursday | 9.30am – 6pm |
| | | Sunday | 10.30am – 4.30pm |
| West Lothian | Carmondean Health Centre | Monday and Tuesday | 9am – 4.30pm(Closed 12pm – 1.15pm) |
| West Lothian | Strathbrock Partnership Centre | Monday to Sunday | 9am – 6pm |
| West Lothian | West Calder Health Centre | Wednesday and Friday | 9am – 4.30pm(Closed 12pm – 1.15pm) |
A kidney cancer drug has been accepted for use within NHS Scotland and across the UK thanks to an international study, with NHS Lothian and Edinburgh University leading the UK part of the trial.
The treatment, pembrolizumab, is an antibody delivered intravenously as an immunotherapy to reduce the chances of a relapse after kidney cancer surgery.
Thanks to the research, the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has advised that the drug will now be made available to treat eligible adults with renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
In Scotland, about 1000 patients are diagnosed with RCC each year, and the incidence of the disease has been increasing over time.
Surgery carries the hope of cure if disease is caught early, but about a quarter to half of patients who undergo a nephrectomy (whole or partial kidney removal) have disease recurrence at different sites within three to five years of this.
RCC is generally resistant to chemotherapy and radiation therapy so, until now, there have been no additional treatments that reduce this risk of relapse.
The study showed that, for patients with a raised risk of relapse, pembrolizumab reduced the risk of kidney cancer coming back by a about a third and there are early indications that this is leading to patients living longer.
This has led to the SMC recommending the drug for NHS use and the first non-trial patients are now receiving this new treatment in Edinburgh.
Dr Stefan Symeonides, Senior Lecturer at the University of Edinburgh and Oncology Consultant at the Edinburgh Cancer Centre, said: “Research continues to explore which people might benefit most from this treatment, as pembrolizumab is not always effective or suitable for every patient.
“However, this represents a significant breakthrough in the treatment of kidney cancer as confirmed by UK approvals from the SMC in Scotland and NICE in England and Wales, as well as its incorporation in treatment guidelines from the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO).
“Approval of pembrolizumab is welcome news to many RCC patients, who otherwise had no treatment options available to them to prevent or reduce the risk of relapse of the cancer following nephrectomy.”
Visit the University of Edinburgh‘s website to read more.
Humza Yousaf must be sacked for ‘dangerous negligence’, Scottish Labour MSP Sarah Boyack has said, as the party revealed that the number of patients waiting over 12 hours to be seen in Accident and Emergency in Lothian has soared.
Statistics have shown that, in the year from November 2021 to October 2022, a shocking 15,936 people in NHS Lothian spent more than 12 hours in A&E waiting to be seen – despite an SNP government commitment to see 95% of patients within four hours.
This figure has spiralled in recent years, with the number of people waiting more than 12 hours now around 18 times higher than the same period in 2018/19.
With A&E services in disarray and the situation only worsening throughout the winter, Scottish Labour is warning that lives will be lost due to the SNP-created A&E crisis.
Scottish Labour MSP Sarah Boyack said: “The facts are plain for all to see – NHS Lothian’s A&E services have been plunged into a deadly freefall by Humza Yousaf’s dangerous negligence.
“Despite the efforts of hardworking staff, the number of patients spending a shocking 12 hours waiting in A&E has soared this year.
“The SNP’s mismanagement of our NHS is putting lives at risk – we urgently need a real plan to put a stop to this chaos and protect services in Lothian.”
The Scottish Conservatives are also calling for Yousaf’s sacking. A spokesperson said: “With each passing week, Humza Yousaf continues to preside over complete chaos in our A&E departments.
“His tenure as Health Secretary has been nothing short of a disaster and Nicola Sturgeon must sack him immediately.”
Number of A&E patients waiting more than 12 hours:
| Year to October 2019* | Year to October 2022* | Change (%) | Change (times higher) | |
| NHS Ayrshire & Arran | 1557 | 8038 | 416% | 5 |
| NHS Borders | 56 | 2925 | 5123% | 52 |
| NHS Dumfries & Galloway | 43 | 392 | 812% | 9 |
| NHS Fife | 4 | 1053 | 26225% | 263 |
| NHS Forth Valley | 206 | 2899 | 1307% | 14 |
| NHS Grampian | 28 | 1685 | 5918% | 60 |
| NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde | 197 | 5997 | 2944% | 30 |
| NHS Highland | 20 | 667 | 3235% | 33 |
| NHS Lanarkshire | 851 | 6267 | 636% | 7 |
| NHS Lothian | 910 | 15936 | 1651% | 18 |
| NHS Orkney | 4 | 8 | 100% | 2 |
| NHS Shetland | 0 | 1 | ||
| NHS Tayside | 3 | 27 | 800% | 9 |
| NHS Western Isles | 0 | 0 | ||
| NHS Scotland | 3879 | 45895 | 1083% | 12 |
* 12 month period from November to October
Speaking in Tuesday, Calum Campbell, Chief Executive, NHS Lothian, said the healthcare system was under extreme duress as a result of an increase in the numbers of emergency patients, large numbers of delayed discharge patients and an increase in respiratory illnesses.
He said teams at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, St John’s Hospital, the Western General Hospital and the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People were all being pushed to the limit.
To help free up vital beds, he said that some relatives may be asked if they can provide care to their loved ones as an interim measure while those packages of care to help in their own homes are put in place by their local Health and Social Care Partnership.
He said: “These challenges are unprecedented, but they are also sustained. We need people in Lothian to help their own communities and the NHS.
“We have large numbers of people waiting to be admitted into a hospital bed, so I would urge everyone who is asked to provide care to their loved one to give the request some serious consideration.”
Dr Tracey Gillies, Medical Director, NHS Lothian, said: “Our teams will have carried out a robust clinical assessment before they discuss the temporary possibilities with patients and their families.
“We know that most patients want to return home as soon as they possibly can, especially at this time of year. This would also help our teams and the patients waiting to be admitted.
“Also, if you have a loved one in hospital who has been discharged and requires to be collected, please do so as early in the day as possible.”
The primary care sector in Lothian also experienced one of its busiest days to date on Monday (19th December) as they provided care to increasing numbers of adults and children, especially families with concerns around Strep A following recent increases in the virus.
Jenny Long, Director of Primary Care, NHS Lothian, urged people to remember that there were a number of winter viruses in circulation and to consider NHS Inform and their local pharmacist for help and advice, use over the counter medication, drink plenty of fluids and rest.
Cold-type symptoms such as a runny nose or mild cough are more likely to suggest a viral illness.
If you have a sore throat, but can eat and drink, and don’t have a very high temperature then it is likely to be a common virus and there is no need to contact your GP.
The most up to date information on Strep A can be found at
More than 90 dentists withdrew from NHS Lothian dental list from 2021 to June 2022, a Freedom of Information request submitted by the Scottish Labour has revealed.
Sarah Boyack warns of a health crisis as waiting times for A&E and NHS dentistry continue to spiral, while delayed discharges have gone up.
Scottish Labour’s FOI request revealed that between 2021 and June 2022, 92 dentists withdrew from NHS Lothian dental list. As at beginning of June this year, out of the 163 general dental practices in Lothian, only 51 confirmed that they are accepting patients, with some accepting children only.
Since 8th May 2022 and up until 11th December, there has been only one week during which the percentage of people seen within Scottish Government’s 4-hour target was above 70 per cent – in the week ending 11th December more than 1,756 people were stuck in A&E for more than four hours – only 63.6 per cent of those attending NHS Lothian’s emergencies were seen within 4 hours. In the same week, 353 people were stuck in A&E for more than 12 hours.
This comes as the recent monthly report on delayed discharge shows rates in NHS Lothian for October 2022 soaring to 1,644 compared to 1,420 in September 2022.
This makes NHS Lothian the second-worst performing health board in Scotland, only topped by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, with 3,848 delayed discharges in October 2022.
October recorded the highest average number of beds occupied per day due to delayed discharges in Scotland since the current guidance came into place in July 2016.
Scottish Labour MSP for Lothian Sarah Boyack said: “Another month, another set of damning statistics from NHS Lothian.
“On top of the cost of living crisis, which is taking its toll on people’s mental and physical health, we see piling pressure on our NHS, worsening patients outcomes and huge waste of public money.
“With the freezing cold, people will get sick and they will require care. That’s why we need support to GPs to allow them to respond to the rising demand and handle cases, whenever possible, at primary care level.
“These are not just figures – it is someone’s dad, friend or life partner; it’s the NHS staff who is overworked and underpaid; it’s the people who left our health service because they simply couldn’t cope.
“With a general election approaching, now is the time focus on what really matters and make a difference for millions of people.”
Those eligible for the free COVID-19 and flu vaccinations are being urged to get their jabs as winter sets in and hospitalisations increase.
The reminder comes as Public Health Scotland (PHS) data shows that in Scotland, in the week ending 11 December 2022, there were on average 735 patients in hospital with COVID-19, an 18.2% increase from the previous week.
Admissions for flu are also on the rise with the highest hospital admission rate noted in patients aged less than one year old (18.5 per 100,000).
Parents and carers are encouraged to get their children vaccinated as soon as possible if they haven’t done so already. All primary and secondary school pupils and all pre-school children aged 2 to 5 (on 1st September 2022) are eligible for the vaccine, as well as children aged 6 months and over with an eligible health condition. The flu vaccine for children is a painless nasal spray which will help protect them and reduce the risk of them spreading the virus to more vulnerable people.
The vaccines are safe, effective and offer the best protection to those most at risk of serious illness from COVID-19 and flu while also helping to protect the NHS at this, the busiest time of year.
Adults over 50 are entitled to get both free vaccines and further information on eligibility for each jab is available at nhsinform.scot/wintervaccines.
Pat Wynne, Nurse Director for Primary and Community Care with NHS Lothian, said: “We’d like to thank all those who have come forward for vaccination so far. The vaccines are the best protection we have against flu and COVID-19, and with hospital admissions due to the virus rising, it’s really important that that those who are eligible get vaccinated.
“If you are eligible and you’ve not yet had your winter vaccines, or if your child has still to receive their flu vaccine, please arrange to get this as soon as possible.”
Winter vaccines appointments for adults can be booked online at www.nhsinform.scot/wintervaccines or you can drop in to a local clinic.
For information on the flu vaccines for children, please visit NHS Lothian’s website.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “Uptake for the winter vaccine programme is very encouraging with Scotland delivering more jabs per head of the population among over 50’s than any other UK nation. However, the number of hospitalisations from both COVID-19 and flu are on the rise.
“The vaccines help to prevent serious illness and the need for hospital treatment freeing up capacity as we move into what could be the most challenging winter in the history of our health and care service.
“We are concerned that flu-related hospital admissions have been rising, with admission rates highest among very young children, and we urge parents and carers to get their children vaccinated with the painless nasal spray offered to this group.
“As well as protecting the child, the vaccine helps to reduce the risk of children spreading flu to family and friends who are more vulnerable, which is especially important at this time of year when families are getting together more.”
