NHS Lothian was pleased to welcome the First Minister to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh recently to visit the Cyrenians In Reach Service at NHS Lothian.
The service supports patients in hospital experiencing homelessness to complete treatment and secure suitable housing. The visit came as the Scottish Government announced an additional £40,000 for the In Reach service across NHS Lothian’s three hospitals.
The First Minister, John Swinney, said: “The Cyrenians In Reach Hospital service is absolutely vital for Edinburgh, supporting the most vulnerable patients at risk of homelessness and ensuring they have a home to go to once their treatment is completed.
“Meeting staff and former patients today has given me a key insight into how the service works and the vital role it plays. The further £40,000 from the Scottish Government will ensure it can be expanded to accommodate even more patients, most of whom are also experiencing poor mental health.
“Improving public services is a key priority for the Scottish Government and services such as this play an essential role in supporting our hospitals, local authorities and third partners to reduce rates of homelessness.”
Caroline Hiscox, Chief Executive for NHS Lothian, said: “Working with the Cyrenians Hospital In-Reach service helps us ensure patients experiencing homelessness can leave hospital safely, recover well and reduce preventable readmissions.
“We look forward to supporting this important partnership to expand.”
Chief Executive of Cyrenians Ewan Aitken said: “Homelessness majorly affects people’s health. Studies show that those who have experienced homelessness are three times as likely to be admitted to hospital, and for three times as long.
“Cyrenians Hospital InReach team have been tackling this huge public health issue for nearly five years now – reducing readmissions by three thirds.
“Thanks to this additional funding, we’ll be able to help even more people get the direct support they need, when they need it, find suitable accommodation, and stop the revolving door of hospital and homelessness.”
David Watkins (76), a retired college lecturer from Edinburgh, is looking forward to celebrating Christmas with his family after being given the gift of sight after decades of vision loss and having to stay in the dark.
Following the ‘miraculous difference’ made by a corneal transplant at the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion, David is set to enjoy being able to see his Christmas celebrations properly for the first time in years.
David suffers from a degenerative condition called Fuchs Dystrophy. He said “I visited the optician around 20 years ago and they saw what looked like birthmarks all over my eyes. I was sent to a specialist and diagnosed with Fuchs Dystrophy.
“It was slow progressing but three or four years later, I got to the stage where I had to sit in the dark and wear sunglasses all the time because my eyes were so sensitive to light. When I got up in the morning, it looked like I was looking through a steamed-up bathroom window. I found lights blinding and felt like I spent half my life in the dark.”
In August this year, David underwent a corneal transplant under local anaesthetic and, several weeks later, his eyesight is so vastly improved he no longer needs to wear dark glasses constantly.
He said: “It took six or eight weeks but one day I woke up and could see again – the difference was miraculous. I can now appreciate being able to see colours again and even dust floating in the air.
“My wife loves Red Kites and I couldn’t see them with her but now I get out walking every day and can enjoy seeing the birds.
“The impact on my life is incalculable, made possible by the generosity of an organ donor and I am and will remain eternally grateful.”
David is now on the list for a second corneal transplant for his other eye.
Dr Naing Latt Tint, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at NHS Lothian said: “It’s fantastic to see how the corneal transplant has dramatically improved David’s quality of life. His journey is testament to the transformative impact that organ and tissue donation can have.
“It takes a dedicated team working together to make each transplant operation happen but, above all, it’s the selflessness of donors and their families that makes it all possible. Donating a cornea is a truly life-changing gift and can help those affected by failing eyesight continue to live independent and fulfilling lives.”
Earlier in December, the Scottish Government announced annual funding for extra specialist staff to support eyesight-saving cornea transplants and help to increase donation rates.
The cornea, the clear outer layer at the front of the eye, can be retrieved within 24 hours of death in hospital or hospice and preserved ahead of transplant but, unlike other tissue transplants, does not need to be a ‘match’ and can come from a donor of any age.
National Theatre of Scotland and NHS Lothian Charity: Tonic Arts present
Trolleydarity
Scratch n Sniff Staycation for the Discerning Static Traveller
At Western General Hospital, Edinburgh; St John’s Hospital, Livingston; and East Lothian Community Hospital, Haddington
December 2025 to March 2026
Co-curated by Alan Grieve and Shona Reppe
Designer – Danny Krass
Facilitators for St John’s Hospital and East Lothian Community Hospital – Minnie Crook and Dan Brown
Supported by: The Weir Charitable Trust and The William Grant Foundation
Trolleydarity lead artists Shona Reppe (lilac top) and Alan Grieve (Green Top) engage with staff and patients at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh. Photography by Peter Dibdin
Trolleydarity’s Scratch n Sniff Staycation for the Discerning Static Travelleris an innovative new project by artists Shona Reppe and Alan Grieve co-curated for patients and staff across NHS Lothian presented by National Theatre of Scotland andNHS Lothian Charity: Tonic Arts.
Shona and Alan will present Scratch n Sniff Staycation for the Discerning Static Traveller across Western General Hospital wards with Minnie Crook and Dan Brown facilitating the Staycation in St John’s Hospital, Livingston and East Lothian Community Hospital, Haddington, from December 2025 to March 2026.
Scratch n Sniff Staycation for the Discerning Static Traveller is a series of artistic one-to -one encounters with hospital patients, visitors and staff presented by Shona and Alan (Trolleydarity.) These unique and surprising interventions will offer discerning travellers an opportunity to explore the world in a way that feels both real and magical, through the power of sound and scent. Participants will be transported on a journey without having to catch a plane or even leave their beds.
Shona Reppe and Alan Grieve’s Trolleydarity’s “immersive sensory micro adventure” will be brought to hospital bedsides, wards and waiting areas by trolley; all that will be required to explore the world is a pair of headphones and a complimentary postcard.
This brand new project transforms the everyday into the extraordinary, from the scent of a luxurious spa to the sound of crisp snow underfoot, all brought to life through the magic of sound and smell. Participants are invited to stay where they are, close their eyes, scratch, sniff and go!
This project is part of an ongoing partnership between National Theatre of Scotland and NHS Lothian Charity: Tonic Arts, the Charity’s arts in health programme which improves and supports the health and wellbeing of NHS Lothian patients and staff.
It follows on from an existing collaboration on the hosting of Portraits of an LGBTI+ Generation exhibition, at the Charity’s Tonic Galleries in both St John’s Hospital Livingston and the Western General Hospital.
Trolleydarity lead artists Shona Reppe (lilac top) and Alan Grieve (Green Top) engage with staff and patients at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh. Photography by Peter Dibdin
Len McCaffer, NHS Lothian Charity’s Tonic Arts Manager: “We are thrilled to be partnering with the National Theatre of Scotland to bring these magical sensory adventures to patients in hospital – for the patients themselves, it gives them a gentle escape during their hospital stay and for staff, it provides a joyful shared moment to brighten a long shift.
“”Trolleydarity reminds us that care is more than clinical — it’s sensory, human and about making connections. And this is exactly what our Tonic Arts programme is all about.”
NHS Lothian is taking some urgent precautions to help protect patients and staff against flu this winter.
A surge in flu cases is being anticipated in Lothian, similar to those already identified across Scotland and the UK.
To prepare and protect, all staff are being urged to get vaccinated and to wear face masks in front door and high-risk areas, such as Intensive Care or cancer wards, in a bid to stop the spread.
Visitors are still very welcome in hospitals, but NHS Lothian is also asking for help to minimise the risk of transmission between the community and hospital to protect some of the most vulnerable patients.
Relatives and friends are being asked not to visit if they have a temperature, flu-like symptoms or any vomiting or diarrhoea symptoms.
From 8am on Monday December 15, they are also being asked to reduce the numbers of visitors to one or two and where possible not to bring children under the age of 12 into hospital for visiting.
Visitors and those attending hospital for outpatient appointments are also being encouraged to consider wearing a mask or face covering, and use the hand gel provided.
Point of care testing will also continue in the Emergency Department for children’s and adult services to identify patients who have flu and ensure they are cared for in isolation or with other patients with flu on admission to hospital.
Michelle Carr, Chief Officer of Acute Services, NHS Lothian, said: “We are monitoring the situation across Scotland and the UK very closely and we are keen to take some actions to protect our patients, staff and services to help minimise the effects of flu.
“Vaccination is the first line of defence against flu. If you are eligible, we would urge you to make an appointment as soon as possible.
“We are also taking some common sense steps to protect our hospitals, our patients and our teams. We are asking visitors not to come if they are feeling unwell, to reduce the size of their visiting party and not to bring children under the age of 12. Members of the public should consider wearing a face covering or mask when attending our hospitals.
“These steps will help us reduce the spread of flu and protect our lifesaving services so they are there for those who need them most.”
With case numbers for flu rising sharply this week, Public Health Scotland (PHS) is continuing to encourage those who are eligible to come forward to receive their vaccine.
New figures published today show that laboratory-confirmed cases of flu more than doubled in the past week, rising from 845 to 1,759.
Hospital admissions due to flu also increased by 70% in the past week, rising from 426 the previous week to 724.
Those aged 65 and over, pregnant women, and those with underlying health conditions are most at risk of serious flu illness, hospitalisation, and in some cases, death. This is why the flu vaccination programme is focussed on protecting those who are most vulnerable to becoming seriously ill with flu.
Early evidence from UKHSA shows that this year’s vaccine does a good job preventing severe disease, as measured by hospital admissions due to flu for the strains currently circulating in the UK.
Children are around 70-75% less likely to attend or be admitted to hospital with flu if vaccinated, and adults are around 30-40% less likely to attend or be admitted.
Dr Kim Marsh, Viral Respiratory Pathogens lead at Public Health Scotland, explains: “Flu can seriously disrupt anyone’s life but, for some people, flu hits harder. With case numbers of flu having risen again in the past week, we’re continuing to encourage those who are eligible to come forward to receive their flu vaccine. Vaccination remains the best way to help protect yourself against serious illness from flu.
“NHS Boards in Scotland are working at pace to deliver the winter vaccination programme and look forward to welcoming you for your appointment.
“For more information regarding eligibility and to book, or rearrange, your appointment visit nhsinform.scot/flu”
Pregnant women are strongly recommended to take up the vaccines, which will give them and their babies the best possible protection against serious illness from the viruses.
Everyone who works in the NHS and all frontline social care workers are also eligible for the flu vaccine this winter.
The flu vaccine is also being offered to all children from 2 years old to the end of secondary school, as well as children aged 6 months to 2 years old with a condition that puts them at increased risk of flu.
Look out for your invitation or book your appointment
Most people who are eligible for this year’s vaccination will now have received their invitations by text, email or post, in a white envelope with clear NHS Scotland branding.
Pregnant women can book an appointment online or via the national vaccination helpline, with further information available from midwives.
Those who work in the NHS and frontline social care workers may not receive an invitation and are encouraged to check local arrangements for eligible staff and book their appointment now.
Parents and carers should have received appointment letters by post, or consent forms in their child’s school bag, and are encouraged to take up the flu vaccine offer this winter.
What to do if you suspect you have flu
To prevent the spread of flu, we continue to recommend regular handwashing and advise people with symptoms of respiratory illness to stay off work or school and away from hospitals until you’re feeling better. Advice on how to recognise and manage flu-like symptoms is available at NHS Inform.
Some people may also be eligible for other vaccines, including RSV and COVID-19 this year. More information about the coronavirus vaccine, including who is eligible, is available on www.nhsinform.scot/covid19vaccine
NHS Lothian is proud to announce that two of our community nursing leaders have been awarded the prestigious title of Queen’s Nurse, a mark of excellence in community nursing across Scotland.
Ashley Lawrence, Health Visiting Team Manager in East Lothian, and Leigh Williams, Clinical Team Lead for District Nursing and the Bladder and Bowel Service in West Lothian, were among 18 nurses celebrated at a ceremony in Edinburgh on 28 November after completing a nine-month development programme run by the Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland (QNIS).
The Queen’s Nurse Award recognises exceptional community nurses who demonstrate leadership, innovation, and a commitment to improving health equity. Originally introduced in the late 19th century, the title was reintroduced in 2017, with around 20 nurses selected annually to undertake the Queen’s Nurse Development Programme.
There are now almost 200 contemporary Queen’s Nurses working across Scotland.
This achievement highlights the outstanding contribution of our community nursing teams in Lothian. Ashley and Leigh’s success reflects their dedication to delivering high-quality care and making a real difference in the lives of the people they serve.
Pat Wynne, Nurse Director for Primary and Community Care for NHS Lothian, said: “I’m delighted to see both Ashley and Leigh being awarded the Queen’s Nurse title. This is a significant achievement for community nurses across Lothian.
“It reflects their dedication to delivering outstanding care and their commitment to improving health and wellbeing in our communities. We are incredibly proud of their success and the positive impact they continue to make every day.”
Pictured TOP: Leigh Williams (left) and Ashley Lawrence (right).
Pictured above from the left is Debbie Marklow, CNM HV East Lothian, Ashley Lawrence Health Visiting Team Manager, Pat Wynne Nurse Director for Primary and Community Care, Leigh Williams, Clinical Team Lead for District Nursing and the Bladder and Bowel Service, and Leanne Grant CNM DN West Lothian.
