Tag: NHS Lothian

Edinburgh patient forced to go private following year-long wait

Edinburgh resident John Rowan (68) has had to go private for hearing aids after waiting over a year for his regular hearing aid check, despite the Scottish Government setting a waiting time target of 18 weeks.

Mr Rowan’s hearing loss originated from contracting measles as a child and the legacy of contracting measles is now affecting his hearing in later life.

Despite being retired, Mr Rowan is heavily involved in the charity sector and until recently, sat on the board of a Scottish-wide charity and he volunteers with several others.

In May 2023, Mr Rowan self-referred himself for a new hearing test and was added to the waiting list. Despite assurances his appointment would be in May 2024, he was not invited to an appointment.

The further deterioration in his hearing has left him struggling to hear basic conversations.

Due to this, Mr Rowan took the decision to go private to receive hearing aids.

Labour MSP for Lothian, Sarah Boyack, has been pursuing this issue on Mr Rowan’s behalf.

However, the NHS confirmed to Ms Boyack in May 2024, that due to pressure there was no confirmation for when Mr Rowan would receive his appointment.

Only after Mr Rowan had paid out of pocket for his hearing aids did the NHS get back in touch to confirm an appointment for August 2024.

Mr Rowan said: “My hearing test was due in May, however, unfortunately it was pushed back with no date given to me for when I might be tested.

“Due to the ongoing delay, I had to resort to going private to ensure I got the hearing aids I desperately needed.

“My loss of hearing affects me in day-to-day life, as I struggle to listen to conversations which I need to hear in the roles that I do with the voluntary sector.

“I am incredibly concerned if more is not done to tackle these waiting times then my hearing will only deteriorate further.”

Sarah Boyack MSP added: “Mr Rowan’s case illustrates the dire state that the Scottish Government have left NHS Lothian in.

“These delays and missed targets dramatically affect patients’ lives.

“It is unacceptable that Mr Rowan is facing further deterioration of his hearing due to delays.

“The Scottish Government must address the crisis in NHS Lothian as an immediate priority.

“No one should be having to pay out of pocket simply to be able to hear conversations with friends and family.

“If they don’t I fear cases such as Mr Rowan’s will only become more common.”

Have your say on NHS Lothian’s Biodiversity Action Plan

If you would like to have your say or read about NHS Lothian’s Biodiversity Action Plan this is your chance!

Read about our plans for making our hospitals & facilities more welcoming for wildlife & people alike & complete the survey at the bottom:

https://ow.ly/3Rab50RSss0

Biodiversity-Action-Plan-Consultation-SummaryDownload

Ageing Well The Nordic Way

Ageing Well is looking for participants interested in joining a new 6-week Beginner Introductory Nordic Walking course, which they will be introducing in August. 

The Ageing Well Project is run by Edinburgh Leisure in partnership with NHS Lothian and delivers a range of city-wide activities which support people to become, and remain, active in later life. The emphasis is on meeting new people whilst making physical activity accessible and enjoyable.

The six-week course will start in August on a date to be decided, depending on interest and is delivered by a Nordic Walking UK trained instructor.  It is likely the sessions will take place every Wednesday, starting at 10.00 am.

Participants will meet at Saughton Park and would be expected to attend the first four sessions which introduces the use of Nordic poles and covering the skills and techniques of Nordic walking. Each session will last 1-hour, and poles will be provided if people do not already have their own.

The final two weeks of the 6-week course, participants will put into practice their newfound skills by going out on a walk in the local area turning a walk into a workout. Nordic Walking can help aid recovery if the participant has had an injury or prevent injury by improving strength and fitness and it’s a great way to meet new people and make friends.

Ageing Well activities have been developed to cater for a wide range of tastes and abilities and all activities are either led by or supported by fully trained volunteers, who are all older adults themselves.

Cat Wilson, Active Communities Project Officer at Edinburgh Leisure said: “This new course will complement our already popular regular walks which take place in different locations around the city each week. It’s for anyone who would like to try a new activity, meet some like-minded people, and get physically active.”

“Nordic walking origins are Finnish with more than 10 million people globally enjoying this outdoor activity. The evidence shows that you can burn around 20% more calories compared to conventional walking. The use of poles means the effort is divided across the upper and lower body, so it feels easier, particularly when walking uphill.”

Ageing Well relies on external funding and donations to deliver its programmes across Edinburgh. A donation of £3 per week is therefore appreciated for this activity. This can be paid online in one go or each week. People’s generous support means Edinburgh Leisure can provide a range of activities to reach more older adults in need of their support, protecting their health and wellbeing and improving their quality of life. 

In 2018 the Ageing Well programme was awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS), which is the highest award given to UK volunteer groups and is the equivalent of an MBE. The award reflects the tremendous contribution of Edinburgh Leisure’s Ageing Well volunteers and the positive difference they make to the lives of participants. 

To find out more and/or to register your interest in joining the initial 4-week introductory course, contact active@edinburghleisure.co.uk or call 0131 458 2260

For more information:  www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/activities/be-active/ageing-well

NHS Lothian welcomes first naturally conceived quadruplets

Arlene and John Mitchell from Longridge in West Lothian have welcomed the first naturally conceived quadruplets to Lothian — Ben, Noah, Harrison, and Rory!

The tiny new arrivals, Ben, Noah, Harrison and Rory, were born on May 14 and tipped the scales at less than 3lb each.

The smallest of the baby brothers, Harrison weighed in at 2lb 14 oz, while Ben, Noah, and Rory each weighed 2lb 15oz.

Naturally conceived quadruplets are extremely rare, with doctors estimating the odds at about one in 700,000 births.

Arlene, 34, and John, 38, who already have a daughter Lauren, 11, and three-year-old son Hunter are now getting used to being a family of eight.

Arlene said: “It was a total shock when we found out there were four babies at the first scan. The nurse said she thought there was more than one baby and then she said there was more than three babies!

“I was absolutely speechless and my husband just couldn’t believe it. They are really beautiful and we are so delighted. We can’t wait to take our four boys home to Lauren and Hunter and start our journey as a family of eight!”

John said: “Life is going to be a bit noisier for all of us but I’m really looking forward to us being one big family.”

Arlene was closely monitored throughout her pregnancy because of risks associated with multiple births, such as premature delivery and preeclampsia.

Arlene added: “Having quadruplets is a high-risk pregnancy and at every scan, I was really anxious that there wouldn’t be four heartbeats.

“The midwifery team were absolutely amazing, they really supported me every step of the way.”

A dedicated team of 17 doctors and midwives delivered the quadruplets in the Simpson’s Centre for Reproductive Health at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh on May 14.

Arlene, who is just 5’2, underwent a planned Caesarean section when she was 30-weeks pregnant to reduce risks.

Each baby had an individual team of four clinicians assigned to look after them as soon as they were welcomed into the world.

At first, the boys were each given intensive care in the Neonatal Department to help stabilise their breathing and allow them to grow while they were tube fed.

Two of the boys, Harrison and Rory were then moved to the Special Care Baby Unit in St John’s Hospital to be closer to their family, before Ben and Noah joined them.

Katy Ruggeri, Associate Director of Midwifery, NHS Lothian, said: “Delivering quadruplets is an extraordinary experience and I am immensely proud of our entire midwifery and neonatal team for their dedication and expertise throughout this remarkable journey.

“This was the first set of quadruplets delivered in Lothian and it’s something the entire team will remember for the rest of their careers.”

The boys are now thriving and Arlene and John are preparing for the big move home.

Arlene said: “Welcoming quadruplets into the world has been an incredible and overwhelming experience.

“It’s going to be a very different house and probably a bit noisier but we’re so looking forward to taking our babies home!”

New Digital Stroke-Management Pathway launched in Lothian

A new digital pathway aimed at supporting stroke survivors has launched today (Friday 21 June) in Lothian.

The ‘Life After Stroke’ Pathway has been developed by a partnership comprising health charity Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, NHS Lothian and Pogo Digital Healthcare.

The pathway provides stroke survivors tailored information based on their personal experiences, symptoms, and concerns in order to better manage their condition, alongside support from the Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland stroke nursing team who provide follow up support in the community.

When onboarded to the pathway, patients receive a self-assessment questionnaire to inform the health information they will receive.  These questionnaires will be sent out bi-monthly to track changes in symptoms over time. Information will be sent to patients in the form of short slide presentations, which provide medical & health information, guidance, and signposting to further resources.

The Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland nursing team will be able to utilise the outcomes of the self-assessment questionnaires to better inform and tailor the support, education and advice that patients receive to support recovery.

Patients will only receive talks that are relevant to them, to avoid information overload and only focus on what matters to each patient. These tailored talks will be stored in the patient’s personal online portal, which can be easily accessed and referred to at any time.

Stroke survivor Jeremy Dearling, 67, was involved in the creation of the pathway as a public contributor.

Speaking about the launch, he said: “I have been delighted to have been part of the team developing this pathway with Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland, a much-needed resource for survivors of stroke. 

“As a public contributor, I have not only been heard and listened to, but as someone with lived experience of a brain injury and who was a staff nurse on a stroke ward, I have found a generous welcome to the team. 

“There is a huge amount of support on offer using the newly launched Life After Stroke programme that is in addition to the existing resources available on the CHSS website. A stroke can be an isolating experience, unnecessarily so, so if you have had a stroke or care for someone with one, make use of the help available”.

Joanne Graham, Director of Service Delivery, at Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland said: “We are delighted to be able to build on our existing relationship with NHS Lothian to support individuals post stroke through this digital pathway. 

“Providing tailored health Information as early as possible is critical to support people to self manage their condition. This pathway will further support our charity’s mission to ensure every person with one of our conditions has access to quality supported self management and community recovery as part of our community health care support service.”

Jack Francis, CEO of Pogo Digital Healthcare, said: “I am delighted to be extending our digital self-management tool into a new Stroke pathway.

“ As someone whose family was negatively impacted by a stroke, it is brilliant to be involved in a project that will give people and their families the support and information they need.”

Dr Charlie Chung, AHP Stroke Strategic Lead and Consultant Occupation Therapist at NHS Lothian said: “I am excited that the Life After Stroke digital pathway will commence testing with the staff and patients of the stroke unit in the Royal Infirmary.

“Stroke survivors consistently report that targeted and relevant information about their stroke would have been valuable at the time of their admission to hospital but provision was inconsistent. 

“A key objective is that information provision will not happen by chance, but will be a routine part of service delivery which will ultimately support the self-management of stroke survivors.”

Lothian MSPs support calls to improve access to Diabetes Technology in NHS Lothian

ONLY 38% of Type 1 diabetics in NHS Lothian have aces to a Flash Glucose Monitor, compared to 51.8% across Scotland – and only a quarter of paediatric patients in NHS Lothian have access to a Flash Glucose Monitor compared with 35.5% across Scotland.

Commenting on the figures, Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said: ““Diabetes patients in NHS Lothian are simply not getting the same level of treatment that they would be if they lived in other parts of Scotland.

“We know that this technology is really significant for a person’s quality of life and we need to improve access to Flash Glucose Monitors across the health board.

“Children in particular are not receiving the same level of care as they would get in other parts of Scotland.

“Years of underfunding of the health boards by SNP Minister has led to a position were NHS Lothian are cutting services that they do not want to cut.

“We need to see a review of the wording to treatment guarantees in Scotland.

“Flash Glucose Monitors count as equipment, rather than medicine, which mean that diabetes patients are not automatically entitled to the technology.”

Paid COPD Workshop at PCHP

Next Tuesday 28th of May at 1pm Pilton Community Health Project (PCHP) will be hosting a COPD workshop. If you have COPD, researchers from NHS Lothian and The University of Edinburgh, want to hear about your experience of having COPD, so they can design their research to meet you needs.

You can expect nice and welcoming atmosphere, a warm cup of tea and £20 voucher for you time.

If you are struggling to get to PCHP, transport can be provided too.

To sign up for workshop please fill in a form https://bit.ly/3WS3VCZ or use a QR code on a poster or Call Sammy Waite Patient and Community involvement in research officer 07385347040

For more information please visit Edinburgh and Lothians Public Involvement in Research

Royston Wardieburn Community Centre

Granton Community Gardeners

The NEN North Edinburgh News

#fivewaystowellbeing

#community

#healthandwellbeing

NHS Lothian’s Director of Public Health annual report 2023

NHS Lothian’s Director of Public Health has published a new annual report which provides an in-depth analysis into the health of the population of Lothian.

The Director of Public Health Report this year highlights how the early years of a child’s life lay the foundations for their physical, social, intellectual, and emotional development.

Work to improve the health of children and young people should focus on prevention, early identification of need and early intervention, ensuring that we focus our support on people identified as having the greatest need.

Dona Milne, Director of Public Health, NHS Lothian, said the health board was committed to helping to create a society where people have access to the right building blocks for a healthy life – a stable job, good pay, quality housing and good education.

She added: “In Lothian there are huge differences in life expectancy, and other health outcomes, that can be seen from very early in babies’ lives. All children and young people should be able to grow up in healthy and safe environments.

“Children and young people need environments where they are protected from harms such as air pollution, traffic danger, the impacts of poor-quality housing, as well as environments that allow them to realise their right to play, connect with nature, learn and be physically active.

“This report reaffirms our commitment to tackling poverty and improving the health and wellbeing of children and families in Lothian.”

The Lothian Strategic Development Framework sets out a five-year strategy for the Lothian Health and Care system working alongside local partners. Improving maternal, children and young people’s health and wellbeing is a key part of the framework.

Partnership Groups are established in each of the four Lothian local authority areas and involve a range of community planning partners working collaboratively to develop strategic plans and deliver on identified priorities which aim to improve children and young people’s health and wellbeing.

This report provides an update on some of the evidence about what influences the wellbeing of children and young people, and we hope it will be useful in shaping local partnership plans in the future.

Director-of-Public-Health-Annual-Report-2023Download

Upgraded oncology services at Western General’s Edinburgh Cancer Centre now delivering care

Two units which provide vital care and treatment to some of the most unwell patients in Scotland have been transformed by NHS Lothian as part of a multi-million pound investment.

A new Cancer Assessment Unit (CAU) and an oncology ward for systemic anti-cancer treatment (SACT) are now open and delivering care to patients at the Edinburgh Cancer Centre (ECC).

The ECC, based in the Western General Hospital, supports an average of 7,000 inpatient admissions, 25,000 day-cases and 100,000 outpatient attendances each year from across the Lothians, Scottish Borders, Fife and Dumfries and Galloway.

The demand for treatment and services has significantly outgrown facilities and available space in recent times, but the new refurbishments have enabled significant modernisation to improve the care and overall experience for patients.

Chris Stirling, Site Director for the Western General Hospital, NHS Lothian, said: “This is a great step forward to upgrade our existing infrastructure.

“We know how important and reassuring a welcoming environment is at a worrying time, and we’re delighted that our current patients have access to better facilities.

“This is an important step in our ambition toward a new centre for the future of the southeast of Scotland to enable us to meet the rising demand of a growing population.”

The new CAU

The upgrades are part of a £24 million package of enabling works within oncology services, funded by the Scottish Government, which are due to be completed in 2024.

This is in advance of a longer-term plan for the full reprovision of the Edinburgh Cancer Centre which has been proposed by NHS Lothian in response to the population growth in the region and constraints of the existing ECC.

The refurbished SACT ward, which is where treatments like chemotherapy and immunotherapy are administered to patients, has seen an extensive programme of work – including new flooring, ceilings, paintwork, lighting, bed head services, fire safety upgrades and a new reception area.

There is now a dedicated space for patients to be assessed and prepped for their therapy, and comfortable chairs for patients to begin their treatment while awaiting a bed.

Four-bedded bays have been reconfigured into two-bedded bays, giving patients greater privacy. Where eight patients previously shared a bathroom, there is now an ensuite facility for every two beds.

The new CAU provides a fresh, purpose-built environment for patients to attend for assessment or diagnostic tests prior to potential admission to an inpatient hospital bed.

The CAU also has a dedicated family room with a double sofa bed and its own ensuite facility for relatives who may need to stay close to their loved one overnight.

Mrs McLean, 61 from Edinburgh, said: “Following a sudden and unexpected reaction to my treatment, I was taken to the new Cancer Assessment Unit. I was so grateful to be welcomed immediately by the medical team there.

“At such a worrying time for me, the nurses and doctor were not only reassuring, friendly and kind, but their professional clinical care was exceptional. Their thoughtfulness extended to my family sitting in the waiting area close to my treatment bay who were soon invited to join me.

“I really appreciated being in such a modern, comfortable facility and my experience of the CAU could not have been better or more positive. I can’t thank the medical staff enough for their excellent care of me in the new unit.”