Tag: NHS Lothian

NHS Lothian given £27 million in extra COVID funding

NHS Lothian has been given £27 million in extra COVID-19 funding from the Scottish Government as part of a £380 million package allocated to health boards across Scotland.

This comes on top of the £1.7 billion already provided to health boards and Health and Social Care Partnerships last year.

The additional funding includes ongoing support for the vaccination programme, the Test and Protect system, and personal protective equipment for health and care workers.

SNP MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, Gordon MacDonald MSP said: “NHS Lothian has been under incredible pressure during the pandemic, not only will this additional funding support the health board with its efforts to treat patients but it will also play a role in supporting our NHS in its remobilisation programme as we come out of the pandemic.

“It is essential that our health services can be on a sure footing as we re-emerge from the pandemic and other services that have been disrupted can restart smoothly.

“This is a demonstration again that the only party in Scotland that can protect Scotland’s NHS is the SNP.”

 Covid Funding (£m)
NHS Ayrshire and Arran                   13.7
NHS Borders                     3.4
NHS Dumfries and Galloway                     4.9
NHS Fife                   11.6
NHS Forth Valley                   10.1
NHS Grampian                   16.2
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde                   45.8
NHS Highland                     9.8
NHS Lanarkshire                   25.9
NHS Lothian                   27.0
NHS Orkney                     0.7
NHS Shetland                     0.7
NHS Tayside                   13.7
NHS Western Isles                     0.9
National Waiting Times Centre                     3.9
Scottish Ambulance Service                   17.4
The State Hospital                     0.3
NHS 24                     2.7
NHS Education for Scotland                     1.8
NHS National Services Scotland                156.3
Healthcare Improvement Scotland                     0.4
Public Health Scotland                   12.6
Total                379.6

City council leaders urge caution as COVID cases continue to climb

Council Leaders have urged people to take care and carry out regular testing as COVID cases remain high in the Capital.

The appeal follows yesterday’s announcement by the First Minister, in which she called for “renewed care and vigilance” at this critical moment. This week, Edinburgh and the Lothians recorded the highest number of COVID cases in Scotland.

In response to the high numbers, several community test centres have opened around the city over recent weeks. Free COVID tests are on offer for people who don’t display any symptoms, aiming to break the chain of transmission by catching asymptomatic cases which could still be infectious.

Council Leader Adam McVey said: “The city is beginning to open up, returning a sense of normality to our daily lives, but we really must continue to take care by continuing to wash hands and using sanitiser regularly and physical distancing when out enjoying all our city and its businesses has to offer.

“With the weather still getting better, continuing to meet up with friends and family outdoors where possible can help drive the numbers down and keep the freedoms we’re starting to enjoy again.

“Regular testing is vital too if we are to catch and isolate cases, and I would urge everyone to make use of community test centres and order your free home testing kits to check if you could have COVID even if you don’t have symptoms.”

Depute Leader Cammy Day said: “Over the last 15 months we’ve all worked really hard to minimise the impact of the COVID virus, and I’d like to thank everyone for their patience during this time.

“That’s why it’s crucial that we don’t let our guard down now so I would encourage everyone to take up their vaccination when offered. We need to keep following the rules put in place for good reason, as well as getting tested when possible, to reduce the rising case rate and to ensure we can enjoy a more ‘normal’ summer.”

Community test centres are open for people with no COVID-19 symptoms:

  • Walk-up mobile testing unit, Heart of Midlothian Football Club, Wheatfield stand accessed via Wheatfield Street/Place, until Sunday, 11 July
  • Drive though mobile testing unit at Hibernian Football Club, in the car park behind the east stand accessed off Albion Place/Hawkhill Place until Sunday, 11 July
  • McDonald Road Library until Saturday, 3 July – test pick-up available
  • Wester Hailes Library until Saturday, 3 July – test pick-up available
  • Fountainbridge Library from Monday, 5 July to Saturday, 10 July – test pick-up available
  • Drumbrae Library Hub from Monday, 5 July to Saturday, 10 July – test pick-up available

Find out more about Council services during the pandemic on the Council website.

Read more about the daily COVID vaccination uptake online.

NHS Lothian passes one million vaccinations milestone

An Edinburgh student has received NHS Lothian’s one millionth COVID-19 vaccine. Orken Simsek, 20, received his first dose of the Pfizer vaccine at the Royal Highland Showground’s Lowland Hall on Monday 28 June 2021.

He said he was excited to receive the vaccine because it would help give him increased protection from COVID-19 when he went on holiday later in the summer.

Orken is part of the cohort 12, which is now being invited to take part in NHS Lothian’s COVID vaccination programme.

The programme, which began with staff vaccinations at Edinburgh’s Western General on Wednesday 9 December 2020, has now seen around 600,000 vaccinated across the region as part of the fight against COVID-19.

Orkan1.jpg

Pat Wynne, Director of Community Nursing, NHS Lothian, said: “This is an important milestone for NHS Lothian and it is great that so many people have now come through our doors.

“It has taken a lot of work to get to one million mark and I’m really proud of all the effort from all of our teams. It is also great to see younger people now receive their vaccine as the programme enters its final stages.”

The millionth vaccine comes as NHS Lothian launches drop-in centres for all over-18s across the region.

From today (Wednesday 30 June) anyone over the age of 18 and living in Lothian can receive their first vaccination immediately at any mass vaccination centre. 

Those who have already received a first vaccination can receive their second as long as they received a COVID vaccine at least eight weeks before.

This development comes after NHS Lothian successfully launched drop-in vaccination clinics for over-40s over the last month. Those wishing to keep their appointment time can still do so at all of NHS Lothian’s vaccination clinics.

Mr Wynne added: “To celebrate our millionth vaccine, we are opening up all our mass vaccination clinics to all over-18s with immediate effect.  This will let us accelerate our programme and allow as many people as possible to get vaccinated without having to wait for their appointment.

“This means that we are able to target everyone over 18 who doesn’t have an appointment or were unable to attend the appointment they received, for whatever reason.

“It will help us administer more vaccine to more people to help give them some protection, which is obviously vital to help beat new variants and keep people well.”

People will be seen on a first come, first served basis when the centre opens at 8.30am and runs through until 5.30pm. More information can be found at: 

https://www.nhslothian.scot/Coronavirus/Vaccine/Pages/Drop-in-clinics-under-40.aspx

NHS Lothian’s vaccination programme is part of a multi-step approach in the fight to overcome COVID-19.

There are a number of steps member of the public can take to make the vaccine programme as successful as possible. These include physical distancing when out in public, hand washing and taking part in community testing.

Dona Milne, Director of Public Health, NHS Lothian, said:  “As the restrictions begin to ease and the list of things we can do begins to increase, it’s tempting to think that it’s safe.

“The virus is still around us and it doesn’t mean that these things can be done without face masks, handwashing and social distancing. We cannot afford to return to normal just because we want it so badly. Lives may depend on it.

“We know that the weather is better and people want to get together and mix with friends, especially outdoors. As our worlds open up these things are allowed, and as we know outside is always safer, but we still need to think about maintaining our distance and wearing face masks when we can’t.”

Drop-in vaccinations from tomorrow at RBS Younger Building

NHS Lothian are opening a drop-in vaccination clinic for people aged 18-39. The new clinic opens tomorrow at 8.30am – 5.30pm at the RBS Younger Building at the Gyle.

You don’t need to be registered with a GP to get your vaccine at a drop-in clinic.

You can get your 1st dose, or your 2nd dose if it’s been more than 8 weeks since your first.

Meanwhile clinics for over 40s are still running as normal.

The news comes as the latest grim figures were released. 3285 new cases of coronavirus were reported in the past 24 hours – another new record – representing 12.6% of the total tests that reported results.

For more information, including how to get there, visit :

http://ow.ly/Dtsx50FjNeW.

NHS Lothian trials new technology to help manage COPD symptoms

A new tool to help patients with Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) better manage their condition is being trialled by NHS Lothian’s Midlothian Community Respiratory Team (MCRT) in collaboration with Health Innovation South East Scotland.

COPD affects approximately 120,000 people in Scotland and is the second most common reason for emergency hospital admissions.

The Dynamic Scot project (remote physiological monitoring) allows patients to monitor their condition from the comfort of their own home through a digital service that can be accessed via a smartphone, tablet or computer.

Patients are prompted each day to log on and answer questions about their symptoms and how they are feeling. This encourages them to self-manage their symptoms with the option to seek advice when needed via the messaging service. In the longer term this can flag up early signs of deterioration in their condition and help predict if they are at risk of hospitalisation.

Claire Yerramasu, Advance Practitioner Physiotherapist and lead clinician for the MCRT pilot, NHS Lothian (above) said, “COPD is the third most common cause of mortality world-wide and is a major healthcare problem.

“The prevalence of this condition is rising in the UK along with other parts of the world and we therefore need to come up with innovative ways of ‎better monitoring and supporting these patients.

“So far, I have received nothing but positive feedback from the patients currently trialling this new technology.”

Carmel Thompson, one of the patients in the trial said: “Using the online tool makes me think about the variability of my daily symptoms and how I am managing them and because of this I am more confident to wait longer to see if my symptoms resolve before using my rescue medications.

“The service gives a good level of basic information for those who are willing to engage with it and the daily questions are very easy for me to do routinely in the morning.”

Another patient also trialling the new tool, Charlotte Sweeney explained that, “I have found the service useful for recognising my symptoms and knowing what to do and when. It is reassuring to have the messaging service to be able to contact someone with questions and queries.”

Many health services have changed how they work as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic and have experimented with digital platforms. Through this approach, a whole host of benefits have been experienced including  giving patients back more control of their care, allowing them to fit their healthcare needs around their lifestyle and reducing the amount of time that they need to spend travelling to attend hospital appointments.

Dr Gourab Choudhury, Consultant Physician, Respiratory Medicine in NHS Lothian said: “We are delighted to be trialling this technology here in Lothian. It is simple to use and patient friendly and the feedback that we have had so far has been really positive.

“We hope to further expand the role of virtual platforms to other areas in Lothian through this technology and similar others in the coming months.”

Surge vax clinics this weekend at Pennywell All Care Centre

Open this weekend – vaccine clinics for anyone over 40 – 1st doses, 2nd for those at least 8 weeks since first AZ vaccine at Pennywell All Care, Conan Doyle Practice, Sighthill Practice – just turn up you do not need to be registered with a GP.

@EdinburghHSCP

#NorthEdinburgh

NHS Lothian: Stick with safety precautions to stay COVID-19 safe

NHS Lothian has urged people not to give up on vital COVID-19 safety precautions as Scotland enters a new phase of the pandemic.

Dona Milne, Director of Public Health and Health Policy, NHS Lothian, said that while fewer people were becoming seriously ill from the disease, the number of new cases in Lothian have reached levels last seen during the last lockdown.

And she warned that the stringent use of safety precautions – face masks, handwashing and social distancing – with vaccination and increased community testing – was still vital to get a grip on the virus.

Dona said: “The last time our numbers of infections were so high was in January when we were all living under stay at home restrictions as part of the national lockdown.  Covid hasn’t gone away and can still cause serious illness. It is critical we remember that.

“Thankfully fewer people are becoming seriously unwell – but that is only down to the success of the vaccination programme. It is not because of a reduction in the threat that COVID-19 poses to us all.

“We know that 1 in 3 people who have Covid do not show symptoms of the virus but can still transmit it, so we should all be testing ourselves twice a week to keep ourselves, family and communities safe. 

“Those test results help us to target an area before the virus really takes hold, causing a surge in cases. The earlier a trend is identified, the more effective the measures, such as increased vaccination, will be. In turn, this will then help to reduce the chances of more region-wide or national restrictions.”

At the moment, around 203 per 100,000 people in Lothian are testing positive for the virus, with around 200 new cases every day of mostly younger adults and school aged children. 

Dona added: “As the restrictions begin to ease and the list of things we can do begins to increase, it’s tempting to think that it’s safe. The virus is still around us and it doesn’t mean that these things can be done without face masks, handwashing and social distancing. We cannot afford to return to normal just because we want it so badly. Lives may depend on it.

“We know that the weather is better and people want to get together and mix with friends, especially outdoors. As our worlds open up these things are allowed, and as we know outside is always safer, but we still need to think about maintaining our distance and wearing face masks when we can’t. 

“The problem is that people are dropping their guard when they are inside and out and especially if alcohol is involved. If you are indoors, you must keep numbers to a minimum and ensure good ventilation.”

Over the last three weeks, the specialist health protection team in Lothian has dealt with scores of separate situations in a number of settings such as hospitality events, weddings, workplaces, a beach party and schools.

There were more than 5549 positive cases, which generated more than 20,861 contacts.Fortunately, the number of people testing positive are not having such a serious impact on the NHS because so many people over the age of 40 are either fully vaccinated or about to undergo their second dose.

However, Dona urged people not to give in and to stick with the restrictions for a bit longer to give the vaccination programme more time to vaccinate more people and provide vital protection for younger adults.

So far, a total of 974,843 doses of the vaccine have been administered in clinics across NHS Lothian and the vaccination programme is working as fast as the vaccine supply allows. Drop-in clinics for the over 40s have also been launched at all the of the mass vaccination sites, except Lowland, to provide a first or second jab and more protection to as many people as possible.

Dona added: “It would be unthinkable to have come this far and to throw away all of our good work now. We must continue to live within the restrictions for a bit longer to give us a little more time to vaccinate more people and give them the protection they need. 

“Everyone living and working in Lothian has done really well so far and I would thank them for all of their efforts so far. I would ask everyone just to stick with it for a bit longer. Please continue to follow the safety precautions, keep your vaccination appointment, maintain regular testing and self-isolate if required.”

2,999 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Scotand yesterday – the highest ever daily figure.

NHS Lothian: right care, right place for minor injuries

If you have a minor injury please call 111 free to be referred to the right service.

They will arrange an appointment if you need to attend hospital. Or, if appropriate, they can schedule an appointment for a confidential assessment by video call with a Nurse practitioner.