Tag: NHS Lothian

NHS Lothian marks 2nd anniversary of COVID-19 vaccine roll out

2.5 million doses given across the region

NHS Lothian is marking two years since Scotland’s roll out of the COVID-19 vaccine began on 8 December 2020. Since then, more than 14.5 million doses of the vaccine have been administered in Scotland with 2,451,177 of those being given across Lothian.

The initial effort to protect people from the deadly virus was the biggest logistical operation Scotland had seen since the Second World War.

Thousands of volunteers signed up to help NHS staff, mass vaccination centres were rapidly assembled in major cities and mobile units toured the country.

This rapid deployment meant a million Scots were jabbed within three months – averting 27,656 deaths, according to the World Health Organisation, which noted Scotland’s quick uptake.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf commented: “When marking this milestone we must first remember all those who have lost a loved one to this virus and reflect on what has been an incredibly challenging time for everyone.

“As a nation we can be incredibly proud of our world-leading vaccination programme.

“This could not have happened without the incredible efforts of staff and volunteers across the country. Unfortunately COVID-19 has not gone away and I continue to urge everyone to take up the offer of a vaccination when they become eligible.”

Pat Wynne Nurse Director for Primary and Community Care, NHS Lothian said: “The past two years have been a hugely challenging time for everyone and we are hugely grateful to our team of vaccinators, support staff and to everyone who has come forward for vaccination as we mark the second anniversary of the COVID-19 vaccine roll out in Scotland.

“COVID-19 is still circulating and it can spread more easily during the winter months. So if you’re eligible and you’ve not had your vaccine yet please book an appointment online today for both your flu and COVID-19 vaccines, or attend one of our drop-in clinics. By getting vaccinated you can top up your protection and reduce the risk of becoming seriously unwell from the virus.”

Those who are eligible can book an appointment online at nhsinform.scot/wintervaccines or attend a drop-in clinic.

You can find out if you are eligible at nhsinform.scot/wintervaccines. More information on Lothian’s drop-in clinics is available at:

https://www.nhslothian.scot/HealthInformation/Immunisation/WinterVaccination/Pages/default.aspx

Drop-in clinics available across Lothian for winter vaccines

Waverley Mall and Ocean Terminal units open every day

Vaccination clinics across Lothian are now welcoming drop ins from all adults who are eligible for this year’s winter vaccines.

Until Thursday 22nd December 2022, adults who are eligible for a flu vaccine and/or a COVID-19 winter booster can get their vaccinations without an appointment.

So far, over half a million winter vaccines have been delivered in Lothian, protecting hundreds of thousands of people from the latest strain of flu and topping up their protection against COVID-19.

The COVID-19 vaccine on offer in Lothian is a Spikevax bivalent booster vaccine, which is proven to protect from the Omicron variant as well as older strains of the virus.

For those who are eligible for both vaccines, getting these at the same time is a safe and efficient way to deliver maximum protection over the winter months.

Pat Wynne, Nurse Director for Primary and Community Care for NHS Lothian, said: “The flu virus is always changing and COVID-19 protection can fade over time, so it’s important we keep ahead of these viruses and top up our protection when offered.

“Even if you’ve already had COVID-19, you can get it again and vaccination is still the best way of protecting yourself and those around you against severe COVID-19 illness.

“If you’re an eligible adult and are yet to get your vaccinations, I’d urge you to take up this offer and drop in to one of our clinics before Christmas.

“For more information on these clinics, and details of how children and teenagers can get their vaccines, please visit our website.”

You may have to wait to be seen if you drop-in.

If you are required to queue and have mobility issues, or need any support or assistance, please make yourself known to a member of staff.

You are welcome to bring a carer, family member or friend along if you wish.

If you prefer to book an appointment, you can still do so online via the booking portal or by calling the National Vaccination Helpline on 0800 030 8013.

Drop-in clinic details can be found on NHS Lothian’s website. Please visit NHS Inform to find out more about the winter vaccines.

If you prefer to book an appointment, you can still do so online via the booking portal or by calling the National Vaccination Helpline on 0800 030 8013.

AreaSiteDaysDrop-in times
East LothianHaddington Corn ExchangeMonday to Sunday8.30am – 12pm1pm – 4pm
EdinburghOcean TerminalMonday to Sunday9am – 6.30pm
EdinburghWaverley MallMonday to Sunday10am – 5.30pm
MidlothianRosewell SteadingMonday to Sunday8am – 5pm

*Please note the main car park will be closed between 3pm and 5pm on Sunday 4th December for the switching on of the Christmas lights. On street parking will be available.
West LothianLivingston Designer OutletMonday to Wednesday and Friday9.30am – 5pm
​​Thursday9.30am – 6pm
​​Sunday10.30am – 4.30pm
West LothianCarmondean Health CentreMonday and Tuesday9am – 12pm1.15pm – 4.30pm
West LothianWest Calder Health CentreWednesday and Friday9am – 12pm, 1.15pm – 4.30pm
West Lothian
Strathbrock Partnership Centre 
Monday to Sunday
9am – 6pm 

Nasal flu vaccine drop-in clinics

If your child is between 2 – 5 years old & has missed their flu vaccination appointment, you can head to one of the drop-in clinics or call the team on 0131 659 2920 to book.

The painless nasal spray vaccine helps prevent your child getting and spreading the flu.

Winter Vaccine Drop-Ins available

Drop-in clinics

Until Thursday 22nd December, anyone aged 65 or over and anyone aged 12 or over with an eligible health condition can drop-in to a vaccination clinic (listed below).

Please be advised that there may be a wait to be seen if you drop-in.

If you are required to queue and have mobility issues, or need any support or assistance, please make yourself known to a member of staff.

You are welcome to bring a carer, family member or friend along if you wish.

If you prefer to book an appointment, you can still do so online via the booking portal or by calling the National Vaccination Helpline on 0800 030 8013.

AreaSiteDaysDrop-in times
East LothianHaddington Corn ExchangeMonday to Sunday8.30am – 12pm1pm – 4pm
EdinburghOcean TerminalMonday to Sunday9am – 6.30pm
EdinburghWaverley MallMonday to Sunday10am – 5.30pm
MidlothianGorebridge Community CentreMonday to Friday8.30am – 12pm1pm – 4pm
MidlothianPenicuik YMCA/YWCAMonday to Friday8.30am – 12pm1pm – 4pm
West LothianLivingston Designer OutletMonday to Wednesday and Friday9.30am – 5pm
​​Thursday9.30am – 6pm
​​Sunday10.30am – 4.30pm
West LothianCarmondean Health CentreMonday and Tuesday9am – 12pm1.15pm – 4.30pm
West LothianWest Calder Health CentreWednesday and Friday9am – 12pm1.15pm – 4.30pm
​West Lothian​Strathbrock Partnership Centre ​Monday to Sunday​9am – 6pm 

NHS Lothian public holiday next Monday

Monday 28th November is a public holiday for NHS Lothian.

This is in lieu of the local September public holiday, postponed for the national bank holiday for the Queen’s funeral. Please collect your prescription before the weekend.

If you need urgent help over the weekend, call NHS 24 on 111.

Children in hospital’s Christmas Wishes redirected to people of Edinburgh

Letters to Santa from children in hospital are being redirected to the people of Edinburgh this Christmas.

Children at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP) have shared their heart-breaking wishes, but sadly Santa alone can’t make these wishes come true.

Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC) has stepped in to ask the people of Edinburgh to help bring a little magic to families who won’t be at home for Christmas this year.

Macy, aged 4, is one of the children whose letter to Santa has been sent to homes across the city. She was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in January this year and has since been receiving treatment at the RHCYP.

Mum, Gillian, said: “Due to Macy’s chemotherapy treatment, she has lost her lovely blonde hair which she has found really hard. Her wish this year is for her hair to grow back long enough so she can put it in a ponytail just like mine.

“We are also hoping that she will feel a little bit better as last Christmas she was very poorly. She had frequent colds prior to her diagnosis and just wasn’t in the mood to play with any of her toys.

“Throughout Macy’s treatment, the care and kindness from her nurses, all of the NHS Lothian teams we’ve met and the support from ECHC, as well as lots of other charities, has been phenomenal. It really has made our hospital journey that little bit easier and we are so very grateful to all those who have stood beside us during the most difficult times.”

ECHC supports the work of the RHCYP and NHS Lothian. The charity’s new ‘Redirected Letters to Santa’ appeal is asking supporters to make a gift to support families facing a hospital stay this December.

Pippa Johnston, Director at ECHC, said: “The reality is that some children and young people have to be in hospital over Christmas, so what should be a time of magic and laughter becomes a time of worry – for them and their families.

“While we can’t take away their pain, we can deliver some happiness. Together with our friends in the NHS, we work hard to make sure no child or young person misses out on the joy of the festive season.

“You don’t need a sleigh, or reindeer, or a white beard, but some letters will need more than Santa’s help. We are asking the people of Edinburgh to make a donation to help deliver magic and make Christmas in hospital that little bit easier for children and families.”

To make a donation to ECHC’s ‘Redelivered Letters to Santa’ appeal, visit:

www.echcharity.org/donate

A Career in Care: Edinburgh College launches new free course

STEP INTO CARE with LOTHIAN CARE ACADEMY

NHS Lothian has partnered up to support the launch of a new Edinburgh College course designed to introduce students to a career in care.

The free course, which is 10 weeks long leads to a guaranteed job interview for participants with a social care provider, opening the doors to potential future employment.

NHS Lothian, working in partnership with Lothian’s four Health and Social Care Partnerships has helped to develop the Lothian Care Academy (LCA) to support education, training and recruitment of health and social care staff.

The step into care course is an initiative championed by the LCA designed to support our the current health and social workforce, while attracting new talent to the profession.

The course itself is aimed at those who enjoy working with people, are compassionate, have a sense of fun and are seeking a new rewarding career they perhaps thought they never had the qualifications to start.

Mhairi Mackay, Senior Project Manager for Lothian Care Academy, NHS Lothian said: “The rationale for this course was to look at new ways of recruiting into social care and to provide people with experience of the job.

“We have adapted the SSSC ‘Introduction to Social Care’ course to include workshops on personal care, infection control and communication so people can be best prepared for what a career in social care might be like. We’re also guaranteeing interviews for candidates who complete the course, so it is a ‘one stop shop’ so to speak.

“The interviews could take successful candidates into a career in a care home or in a care at home service that helps people to keep their independence and stay in their own home.”

Alison Payne, Manager of Erskine Care Home, Edinburgh said: “The course is very important in opening up the option of working in care to a whole new potential workforce.

“I am hopeful that people who have considered working in care, but felt they didn’t have the skills or necessary experience will see this course as a great opportunity and even a steppingstone into a whole new career.

“One of the biggest issues facing the care sector at the moment is recruitment, in particular for care homes and care at home services.

“I think as a care home it was important for us to be involved in this project so that we can give a real insight into what care homes are really like to work in. I would also love people to see the real care home experience and the positive impact this has for residents and their relatives.”

It’s only by working in partnership with care services and Edinburgh College that’s allowed the course to come into fruition.

Commenting on the partnership Andrew Clark, Skills Boost Leader, Edinburgh College said: “One of our key aims at Edinburgh College is to improve employability within our local community.

“This partnership is really a win-win situation as it provides a pathway for people wishing to work in the care industry and gives much needed assistance to the people who require care.”

To find out more about the course, please visit:

https://www.edinburghcollege.ac.uk/courses/browse/step-into-care-lothian-care-academy-ypgnttf-hw1icscz22

NHS Lothian introduces e-bikes to boost sustainability efforts

As part of NHS Lothian’s sustainability programme, they have recently introduced the use of e-Bikes to several services, which will allow nearly 200 staff to access this healthier and more eco-friendly way of getting around.

Last year the Podiatry department in Edinburgh were the first to be part of a trial in NHS Lothian designed to reduce carbon emissions, save money and support staff wellbeing. The eCargo bikes were used as a way of travelling to see and support patients.

Gillian Hawthorne, Team Lead Podiatrist said: “Although this pilot has both financial and environmental benefits, it also has the bonus of supporting our staff’s health and wellbeing by giving them more access to fresh air and exercise while working.

“We hope this project will help to reduce the use of cars for undertaking home visits whilst addressing the ever-increasing traffic congestion in the City of Edinburgh.”

Although the trial started small with just two e-bikes, the health board now has a total of 24 e-bikes over multiple services.

Some of the teams now using the e-bikes include a Rapid Response Team, a Health Visitors team, a Community Mental health team and several others.

We recently spoke to Ciara Feeney, Podiatrist, about her experience using the e-Bikes to visit patients and travel around the city. Watch a short video with Ciara online

Jane Hopton, Sustainability Lead and Programme Director for Facilities in NHS Lothian, said: “This roll out is the next step to our overall sustainability work in Lothian and we hope it will inspire other departments to do the same.

“The more people that make the decision to cycle or walk rather than drive, the more impact this will have on NHS Lothian’s carbon emissions.”

NHS Lothian is committed to sustainability and reducing carbon emissions.

You can find information at https://org.nhslothian.scot/Sustainability

Breastfeeding Buddies at PCHP

Lothian Breastfeeding Buddies will be here at Pilton Community Health Project tomorrow and every Thursday at 1pm.

Pop in to chat with the peer-supporters here. This group suits any mums who are breastfeeding and have any questions or experiences they’d like to share. It also suits any mums-to-be who have questions or are thinking about breastfeeding. Just pop in!

Lothian Breastfeeding Buddies also deliver groups and advice elsewhere.

Click on this link to find out more https://linktr.ee/LothianBreastfeedingBuddies

2022.09.02_SfL_BF_OTTBSLeafletDownload

Be prepared for Road Works when travelling to RIE and New Sick Kids

If you are travelling to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh or Royal Hospital of Children and Young People for an appointment, please be aware of road works which are due to commence Monday 17 October 2022, for 24 Weeks as this will affect your travel time to your appointment.

The road works will result in 2-way Temporary Lights on Old Dalkeith Road near Little France Campus. The lights will move as work progresses from the campus up towards Shawfair Park and Ride/Train station. This will take a break for 2 weeks from Friday 23 December 2022 until Friday 6 January 2023.

We have been informed that this will result in a minimum of 20 minutes delay up to 50 minutes at peak times.

It has been suggested that people travelling to these sites should instead travel via Gilmerton Road, Edinburgh which runs parallel to Dalkeith Road, to access the Campus, as this may limit time impact.