Keeping residents and patients safe over Christmas and New Year period.
Visiting arrangements for hospitals and care homes in Scotland will remain in place over the Christmas and New Year period, it has been confirmed.
For the general public, there will be UK-wide easing of restrictions on travel and gathering between 23 – 27 December.
However, in a joint-letter to NHS Boards, the interim Chief Medical Officer, Chief Nursing Officer and National Clinical Director clarified this would not apply to hospitals over the Christmas period, given the increased vulnerability of hospital patients compared to the general population.
Christmas and New Year guidance has also been published for the adult care home sector, recommending that indoor visiting should continue to be supported where it is safe to do so, as well as setting out specific safeguards that care homes can put in place to safely support festive activities.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “While most people will see a limited relaxation of existing restrictions over the holiday period, hospital and care home visiting guidance will remain in place to protect patients and residents.
“However, we are encouraging Boards and care homes to continue to apply this guidance with flexibility and compassion, given how important the Christmas and New Year period is for many families, to ensure no-one is unnecessarily isolated over the Christmas period. Essential visits should also continue regardless of local restrictions, as they have throughout the pandemic.
“In care homes this will be facilitated by testing of designated visitors, which will be rolled out to all care homes from Monday onwards. Testing is not required for visiting but it does add an additional layer of protection, and we will make PCR testing available for any care homes unable to make use of lateral flow tests before Christmas.
Visiting in care homes is subject to care homes being free of any COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days, actively participating in the care home testing programme and having visiting risk assessments approved by the local Director of Public Health.
NHS Lothian’s inpatient Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) are set to move to their new home at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in January 2021.
The service is expected to join the Department of Clinical Neurosciences and the vast majority of Children’s outpatient services in the middle of the month, following their successful migration to the new building in the summer.
Susan Goldsmith, NHS Lothian Director of Finance and Executive Lead on the Re-provision Project provided an update at a meeting of the Board of NHS Lothian on Wednesday.
Ms Goldsmith said: “We are really excited to be moving CAMHS into its new, purpose built home next month. It has been designed carefully with the input of patients and their families and with their needs in mind.
“It will provide patients and staff alike with a safe, comfortable and pleasant environment conducive to high quality treatment and care.”
Feedback on the new facility, which has come to life in recent months, has been overwhelmingly positive from staff, patients and families.
Catering outlets, including a shop, are open for staff and visitors to the building, while the rooftop helipad has passed all test flight and will come into operation once training has been completed.
The building is due to be handed over to NHS Lothian at the end of January when a period of commissioning will begin to install equipment, train staff and carry out final checks.
Lothian MSP Miles Briggs commented: ““I welcome the long overdue move of CAMHS services to Royal Hospital for Sick Children, based at Little France, in January next year.
“CAMHS waiting times in Lothian are exceptionally long at the moment, with increased demand over recent years and this move is a chance to start reducing waiting times for children and young people who urgently need these services.
“I look forward to visiting the new CAMHS facilities next year when lockdown restriction allow.”
The first vaccinations against coronavirus (COVID-19) have been given in Scotland to those who will be carrying out the vaccination programme.
Initial supplies of the Pfizer vaccine have been arriving at NHS Boards across Scotland since the weekend and are being stored at the required Ultra Low Temperature ahead of the start of the vaccination programme.
Scotland’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer Nicola Steedman was at NHS Lothian’s Western General Hospital to see the roll-out begin, with vaccinators being vaccinated first.
After that, the focus will be on vaccinating residents in care homes for older adults and their carers and other frontline healthcare workers. People over the age of 80 will then receive their injections, as supply allows. As those being vaccinated need two doses at least 21 days apart, 50 per cent of the vaccines will be kept back in to make sure we can give the second injection within the advised timeframe.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “This is obviously a very welcome milestone in our collective fight against the pandemic and I am very grateful to all those who have worked so hard to ensure Scotland is ready to deliver these first COVID-19 vaccinations.
“Science has given us hope and we are starting on a journey which will eventually allow us to return to the lives we want to lead.
“Following clinical advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) we will begin with those groups which have been prioritised to address 99 per cent of preventable deaths associated with COVID-19.
“These include elderly care home residents and staff, frontline health and social care workers and a number of other groups who are at risk of serious harm and death from this virus.
“We ask everyone to be patient as we work through these groups as quickly as vaccine supply allows and we urge you to go for the vaccine when it’s your turn.
“Meantime it remains very important that as we vaccinate, we all stick to the necessary restrictions and public health advice to keep suppressing the virus to as low a level as we can.
“A vaccination programme of this scale is a significant logistical challenge and requires a major nationwide effort. But it is one we undertake with optimism and determination to succeed.”
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Nicola Steedman (above) said: “I felt genuinely privileged to see this long hoped for and clinically crucial vaccination programme begin at NHS Lothian’s Western General Hospital in Edinburgh, and I would like to sincerely thank all those involved in the vast amount of work which has allowed us to reach this absolute milestone in our COVID-19 response.
“The arrival of these first COVID-19 vaccines is a huge turning point for us all, and will protect those most at risk from the serious effects of the virus, but we can’t relax yet. Even after the first people are vaccinated it will be important for now that everyone continues to follow the Scottish Government’s guidance for their area and above all to follow FACTS.
“These will continue to be the most important things we can do to protect ourselves and others from the virus, as we continue to roll out the vaccination to all of those who need it.”
Clinical Lead for the COVID Vaccination Hub at the Western General Hospital Pauline Bell said: “I am incredibly proud to be leading the team of vaccinators here at the Western General Hospital, for this unique and hugely important vaccination programme.
“An enormous amount of planning and preparation from across the organisation has been undertaken to get us to this point, so I am looking forward to finally welcoming staff into the clinic.
“As we prepare to administer the very first vaccinations, we reach a crucial juncture in the fight against COVID-19, the beginning of the journey towards a return to normality.”
Remember FACTS for a safer Scotland:
F – Face coverings
A – Avoid crowded places
C – Clean your hands regularly
T – Two metre distance
S – Self isolate and book a test if you have symptoms
Please find attached a copy of our “Coorie in for Christmas” booklet that we partnered with Health in Mind to produce.
Recognising that Christmas and New Year can be a difficult time of year and that we also face new challenges, unknowns and stresses over the festive period from coronavirus, we’ve focused on the Scottish concept of ‘coorie’ as a way to help us look after our mental health and wellbeing this winter.
This booklet focuses on the things we can all do to look after our mental health and wellbeing in our homes, whilst also encouraging us to get outside and embrace the benefits of nature. It also includes a range of support and helpful contacts.
There is more information about mental health and support available all year round on iThrive Edinburgh and that online space will be kept up to with support available during the festive period and on Christmas Day in Edinburgh.
NHS Lothian’s official charity, Edinburgh and Lothians Health Foundation (ELHF), have been proud to work with Hibernian FC, Warner Music and The Proclaimers on the reissue of Sunshine on Leith which was announced last week.
This special edition, pressed for the first time on 7″ clear green vinyl, is due for release on 29 January 2021 – pre-orders opened on 3 December.
The money they raise will help Edinburgh and Lothians Health Foundation continue to provide additional support for NHS Lothian staff during one of the largest global health crises of our lifetime.
It will also enable them to put in place a programme of longer-term, sustainable wellbeing support that will address the lasting effects of the pandemic, both in the recovery phase and beyond. In aid of this, The Proclaimers also released 100 limited edition signed copies, exclusively through Hibernian Direct.
Jane Ferguson, Foundation Director of Edinburgh and Lothians Health Foundation, said: “We are delighted that The Proclaimers and Warner Music have re-released Sunshine on Leith to support our partnership with Hibs and help our amazing NHS Lothian staff as they respond to the ongoing challenges of the Coronavirus pandemic.
“Funds raised will enable Edinburgh and Lothians Health Foundation to continue to provide additional support for our NHS Lothian colleagues, providing a fast and flexible response to meet any urgent and emerging needs, as well as supporting them in their long term recovery from the profound impact of the virus on their physical and emotional health and wellbeing.”
In a statement Craig and Charlie Reidsaid: “We’re very happy to be supporting NHS Lothian during this challenging time for our people and health service.
“The NHS is very much loved by both of us and we have much reason to be grateful to it.”
Hibernian Captainand Scottish Cup hero David Gray added: “”Sunshine on Leith is a phenomenal club anthem and I’ll never forget it ringing out around the east stand of Hampden during the celebrations of the Scottish cup final in 2016, it was a proper hairs on the back of your neck moment.
It’s such a powerful track and whenever I hear it I always get a buzz thinking back to that day.
“This limited edition version of the track is a fantastic gesture from The Proclaimers in support of The NHS and Edinburgh and Lothian’s Health Foundation and it’s great to see them partner with the club for such a great cause. Our NHS heroes have been brilliant during this pandemic and even before then and we wear the ‘Thank You NHS’ message on our shirts with pride.
“I’m sure our fans will snap up this limited edition version and raise plenty money for the charity. I’ll be after one as well!”
People across Scotland are being encouraged to be prepared for winter illnesses in a new campaign launched today/on Friday 4th December.
The NHSScotland campaign takes the ‘clap for carers’ idea and turns it around, showing healthcare workers applauding people as they check their prescription, visit their pharmacy for medicines and health advice, and check the self-help guides at nhsinform.scot.
NHS 24’s Medical Director, Dr Laura Ryan said: “It’s always a good idea to prepare for the common winter illnesses, and this year it’s even more important. Services tend to be busier in the winter so anything we can do to keep ourselves and our loved ones healthier is good.
‘No one can predict illness, so it’s a good idea to keep some common remedies at home such as paracetamol and ibuprofen. Knowing the best place to get help if someone does become unwell is also important – there is a service directory on NHS 24’s health information site NHSinform.scot which also has a range of really helpful self-help guides.
‘In the run up to the festive holidays it’s worth checking any repeat prescription you rely on, making sure you order only what you need and in plenty of time.
‘Your local pharmacist can also help with advice about winter health and medicines – all provided in a COVID-safe way! You should continue to stick to the rules for COVID-19 including self -isolation advice and how to access a test if you develop symptoms. All of the up to date information on COVID-19 is on our dedicated pages on NHS Inform.
These are just a few of the ways we can all show we care – for ourselves, each other and our NHS.”
NHS 24 supports the Show You Care, Prepare campaign in partnership with NHSScotland and all Scottish Health Boards.
General advice and information on how to stay healthy this winter can be found at www.nhsinform.scot/winter
A pioneering, inter-agency partnership, led by NHS Lothian, NHS Fife, NHS Borders and the six local authorities in the region, is working together to reduce type 2 diabetes across the East of Scotland.
Type 2 diabetes has been on the rise across the country for the past decade, having a significant impact on the lives of individuals and health of Scotland’s population as a whole.
Over 62,000 people are living with type 2 diabetes in the East of Scotland – around 5% of the total population – and there are over 3,700 new cases in the region each year.
Recognising that diet and excess weight is driven by a range of environmental, societal and individual factors, regional health and social care providers have joined forces with stakeholders from the public, third and private sectors to advance sustainable change.
Growing evidence of the link between obesity and an increased risk of complications from COVID-19 has reinforced the importance of this shared vision, compounded by the measures recently revealed as part of the UK government’s new obesity strategy.
With national investment of £1.46 million in the East of Scotland programme this year, regional director Nicky Waters said: “Our programme is a priority initiative – reflecting the need for urgent action to reduce the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in Scotland and support people to lead healthy lifestyles.
“By adopting a Whole Systems Approach and bringing a wide range of partners together, our programme is centred on tackling structural, systemic root causes – such as poverty, inequality and childhood trauma – and the part that we all need to play in addressing them.”
Four core intervention programmes – Get Moving with Counterweight, Type 2 Diabetes Remission through Counterweight Plus, Gestational Diabetes education and Let’s Prevent Diabetes – are being rolled out across the region, with partners taking advantage of technology to support people throughout the pandemic.
Over 1900 adults have been referred to Get Moving with Counterweight and the remission programme since October 2019, with 60 patients currently taking part in Counterweight Plus.
Counterweight Plus, a free two-year programme being delivered by specialist NHS dietitians, is based on ground-breaking evidence from the Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial (DiRECT).
A combination of intensive, long-term support and Total Diet Replacement (TDR) of nutritional shakes and soups, is key to the intervention’s success.
Jenny*, a patient going through Counterweight Plus in Lothian, has overcome various hurdles to continue on the programme at home throughout the pandemic – receiving virtual support whilst juggling family and working life under lockdown.
Despite the challenges, Jenny’s blood glucose results, weight loss and largely positive experience to date, all indicate that she’s heading in the right direction. She said: “The programme hasn’t been easy but the consistent emotional support and awareness of the long-term health benefits has really spurred me on. I’ve lost twenty kilos since I was first diagnosed and feel great because of it.”
Jonathan Hayes, the dietitian supporting Jenny, reflected: “It’s brilliant to see that, despite this unprecedented situation, there are people out there like Jenny who have turned things around for the positive. And who stand a very good chance of coming out of the pandemic, having put their type 2 diabetes into remission. That is an incredible outcome.”
Regional health and social care providers are further committed to improving the working environment for their 84,000 employees and local areas are rolling out community based pilot projects to test a Whole Systems Approach (WSA) to diet and healthy weight.
Laurie Eyles, one of the newly appointed professional advisers for diet and healthy weight at the Scottish Government, who prior to this had been supporting partners as the programme’s clinical lead, said: “From delivering targeted interventions, to addressing the widespread issue of weight stigma and tackling the health inequalities which exist across the region – partners are committed to making lasting improvements to the environment in which we live.
“It is this that will allow us to build an East of Scotland where we eat well, have a healthy weight and are physically active – reducing our risk of developing type 2 diabetes for the long-term.”
For weight management and type 2 diabetes support during this time, please visit:
Projects working with young families to encourage healthy eating and good nutrition have been awarded a share of more than £600,000 of funding.
Ten initiatives around Scotland are being allocated funding by the Scottish Government, supported by Public Health Scotland, to help prevent and reduce levels of childhood obesity.
Among the initiatives are the Bump and Beyond Buddies scheme in Tayside, which aims to extend its successful peer support infant feeding programme and a pilot scheme in areas of deprivation in Lothian where 120 family workers and early learning childcare practitioners will be trained to support families in community settings in good nutrition.
The funding is part of the Scottish Government’s ambition to halve childhood obesity by 2030 and significantly reduce diet-related health inequalities.
Public Health Minister Joe FitzPatrick said: “We want children and families to have access to appropriate support to achieve as healthy a weight as possible, no matter where they live and we will continue to support local partners to develop ambitious and effective plans to prevent and reduce childhood obesity.
“We all have a responsibility to work together to help people in Scotland to achieve and maintain a healthy weight and these projects will help address inequalities in obesity between children in our wealthiest and poorest areas.
“As we set out in our 2018 Diet and Healthy Weight Delivery plan, our ambition is to halve childhood obesity by 2030 and significantly reduce diet-related health inequalities.”
NHS Lothian will trial HENRY, an evidence-based training package, with family workers and early learning childcare practitioners working across the four local authority areas.
The pilot brings together support for parenting efficacy, family emotional welbeing and behaviour change with information about nutrition, physical activity, oral health and more.
Tracy McGillivray OF NHS Lothian’s Health Promotion Service said: “The Childhood Obesity, Early Intervention and Prevention funding will allow NHS Lothian to work closely with our partners in City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian.
“The project will work in areas where families are at increased risk of diet-related health inequalities.
“We will be able to provide training to community-based family support staff to have increased knowledge, skills and confidence around the promotion of eating well and ensuring consistent messaging in the importance of establishing good nutrition in the early years.”
A new minor injuries services helping people to access advice about minor injuries more quickly, easily and safely has been officially launched across the Lothians.
Introduced by NHS Lothian, Call MIA offers patients a confidential online video consultation with a Minor Injuries Nurse Practitioner. It provides advice on a wide range of injuries, less than 14 days old, from sprains, cuts and burns to suspected broken bones.
The launch follows a successful pilot of the service at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh earlier this year, which received extensive positive feedback from patients and staff. During its first six months Call MIA helped over 1,000 patients with minor injuries, saving many an unnecessary trip to hospital.
The service has now been extended to include all minor injuries services across the Lothians including the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and St John’s Hospital in Livingston.
Gillian McAuley, Acute Nurse Director responsible for introducing the service, explained: “We’re asking anyone with a minor injury to Call MIA first”.
“A qualified nurse will advise if you can self-treat the injury or with the help of a local pharmacy. If you need to go to a minor injury service, you’ll be given an appointment, so you don’t need to wait when you attend. All of this can be done from the comfort of your home or workplace.”
The video appointment service is available 7 days a week by calling 0300 790 6267 between 8am and 9pm. It is open to children over the age of eight and adults of all ages who live in Lothian.
Dr Tracey Gillies, Medical Director of NHS Lothian added: “Not everyone with a minor injury needs to be seen in person. Call MIA provides an extremely valuable service for patients, helping people to access the right care in the right place, and get help quicker and closer to home where possible.
“As we approach winter it will be essential in reducing overcrowding in hospital waiting areas and keeping patients and staff safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Call MIA can help patients with injuries including: strains, sprains and suspected broken bones; wounds and burns; damage to joints ligaments, muscles, nerves and tendons; minor bumps to head and face; eye injuries and insect bites and stings. It is operated using secure online software.
Anyone with a life-threatening emergency should always call 999.
Following the success of NHS Lothian pilot, Call MIA is being extended to other health board areas including NHS Forth Valley and Fife.
NHS Lothian announced last week that visiting across sites will be suspended unless for essential visits only.The decision is designed to help protect patients and staff by limiting the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19)
Fiona Ireland, Deputy Director of Nursing, NHS Lothian said: “Across Lothian, Scotland and the UK, we are seeing rising levels of COVID-19 within the community.
“We have taken the difficult decision to suspend visiting across our sites to help minimise the risk of transmission, to protect patients, our staff and the wider community, and to manage the increasing pressure on our acute and community sites.”
Where possible, ward staff have been contacting relatives, who had previously been identified as designated visitors, to advise them of the new arrangements and to provide more information.
Under the current guidance, some essential visits are still permitted; for example patients receiving end-of-life care, for patients with mental health issues including dementia, for inpatients in our children’s services and those accompanying partners during childbirth. Visiting arrangements for these groups should only take place following discussions with senior charge nurses or midwives.
Ms Ireland added: “I understand that not being able to visit family members while they are in hospital may be upsetting, but I would like to assure the public that this decision has not been taken lightly.
“With higher levels of COVID-19 cases within the community, there is an increased risk that visitors could inadvertently bring COVID-19 into our hospital sites, especially if they are not showing any symptoms.
“This decision will help manage the increasing risks of COVID-19 transmission and protect the safety of your loved ones, our staff and the wider community. I would urge our patients and families to help us by respecting this difficult decision.”
NHS Lothian understands that the public may have questions in relation to this decision, so have prepared some FAQs:
Why can’t I visit?
Cases of COVID-19 within the community have been rising. With more people potentially exposed to the virus, there is a real risk that visitors to our sites may be infectious, but not displaying any symptoms.
By suspending visiting, we hope to limit the spread of COVID-19 and in doing so help to protect those individuals, including your loved ones, who may be more at risk.
What is classified as an essential visit?
As per the Scottish Government guidance, essential visits include the following –
For patients receiving end of life care
For patients with mental health issues including dementia
For patients with learning disabilities
For patients with autism
For birthing partners
For children
Can I get personal items like clothes, nightclothes, toiletries to my loved one?
If you are in hospital, we understand how important it is to have personal items such as clothes and your own toiletries. If relatives need to bring personal items to their loved ones, they can still do this, but are expected to leave the items with the ward staff and not enter the ward.
If I want to give my loved one a phone or an iPad to communicate with me can I hand this in?
Yes, but like handing in clothes or toiletries you will be expected to leave the items with the ward staff and not enter the ward.
What if my child is in an adult ward, can I visit them?
If your child (up to the age of 18) happens to be in an adult ward, the nurse in charge will be able to advise when to visit and any constraints that may be placed around the visit. We would remind families, that if they have any symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) such as a high temperature and/or a new persistent cough, they should remain at home. Similarly if you have been identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) you should remain at home for the required isolation period, which is currently 14 days.
My partner is due to give birth, will I still be able to attend?
At present, birth partners are permitted to attend, however we ask that this is limited to just one person. The midwife in charge will be able to advise. We would remind birth partners, that if they have any symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), such as a high temperature and/or a new persistent cough, they should remain at home.
Similarly if you have been identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) you should remain at home for the required isolation period, which is currently 14 days
