Advice on how to get the right healthcare in the right setting this winter is the focus of an annual campaign launching today (Monday).
This year’s Right Care Right Place Campaign will run across TV, radio, press and digital platforms. It aims to ensure people can get the right care, while also reducing pressures on frontline health services.
As the weather turns colder, Scotland’s NHS and social care services get busier and the awareness campaign helps the public decide whether they should contact their GP or pharmacy, call NHS 24 on 111 or use self-help guides on the NHS Inform website. It reminds everyone that hospital emergency departments should only be visited for critical emergencies.
Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “Pressure on the healthcare system increases in winter months, and the Right Care Right Place campaign helps everyone know where they can go for advice or care for any health concerns during this busy period.
“Of course, people can also help by making sure they receive their Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Covid-19 and flu vaccinations if they’re eligible. This is even more important this year, as early evidence suggests it could be a particularly challenging flu season.
“We are taking a range of measures to ensure our health service is as resilient as possible over the next few months and that our committed health and social care staff are supported.
“We know that staff members work tirelessly to provide excellent care to all those who need it and as always, I’d like to thank them for their continued dedication.”
A new target will aim to further increase the number of babies who are breastfed at six to eight weeks old.
NHS Scotland will now aim to reduce the ‘drop-off rate’ – the number of mothers who stop breastfeeding – by a further 10% by 2031. The announcement follows recent statistics which showed breastfeeding rates in Scotland are at their highest level since records began in 2002.
The previous target to reduce the drop-off rate by 10% by 2024-25 was exceeded more than twice over, with a 27% reduction since 2017-18.
Jenni Minto, Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health, announced the new breastfeeding goal for Scotland at the Breast Buddies support group at Perth Royal Infirmary.
The Scottish Government has invested more than £11 million additional funding in breastfeeding support since 2018, including almost £359,000 for the Breast Buddies project in Tayside. Last year, NHS Tayside became the first UK health board to receive full UNICEF Gold Baby Friendly accreditation across all services .
Ms Minto said: “The new 2031 target will help us to continue to give all babies the best possible start in life.
“The evidence is clear that supporting, protecting, and promoting breastfeeding remains one of the most effective ways to improve the health of mother and baby, in both the short and long term.
“Not everyone can or wants to breastfeed, but for those that do we will support them to meet their breastfeeding goals and improve their experiences.
“The record breastfeeding rates we have seen in Scotland would not have been possible without the dedication of NHS staff, infant feeding teams, and peer supporters. They work tirelessly to help new mums achieve their feeding goals and I thank them for their work.”
Holly Hunter, Breast Buddies Peer Supporter: “Having benefitted so much from the support offered by Breast Buddies when I had my first little one, when the opportunity to be able to become a peer supporter came up I jumped at the chance.
“Whether supporting in person or via text, it’s wonderful to be able to provide any help we can, be that a listening ear, support, or advice, particularly during what for some can be at such a vulnerable and challenging time.
“Also seeing the bonds between new mothers as they come together at groups and the support, they offer through the groups we facilitate is amazing.”
Jocelyn Smith, Breast Buddies Perth & Kinross Coordinator: “We are honoured to welcome the Minister to one of our Breast Buddies groups and showcase the invaluable support we provide to families. Since 2017, we have proudly supported families across Perth & Kinross, contributing to the significant rise in breastfeeding rates.
“Our services include antenatal and postnatal support delivered by trained breastfeeding peer supporters, available through local in-person groups, digital WhatsApp communities, and personalised one-to-one text support. Funding is always a challenge, so we deeply value every opportunity to highlight the impact of this work and ensure its sustainability.”
Gillian McMillan, Infant Nutrition Coordinator, NHS Tayside: “Across Tayside more than 70% of babies begin life being breastfed and to ensure mothers can continue breastfeeding for as long as they choose, it is vital that the right support systems are in place.
“The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding from birth up to six months of age and then continued breastfeeding, with the introduction of solid food, up to two years of age and beyond.
“There is robust evidence demonstrating the positive impact of breastfeeding peer support – not only for the mother but for the peer supporters themselves. We are proud to have Breast Buddies working in partnership with NHS Tayside to support mothers to meet their breastfeeding goals.”
The programme protects those most at risk from severe illness
The First Minister has urged all those eligible for a flu vaccination this year to take up the offer as he received his in Edinburgh.
Getting the flu vaccine is extremely important for those who are most vulnerable to the virus to protect them from severe illness and in some cases, death. Eligible groups include people 65 years and older, pregnant women and those with certain health conditions.
Unpaid carers and health and social care staff are also eligible as the vaccine helps prevent transmission of the virus so helps protect those they are caring for.
The flu virus is always changing and the vaccination offers the best protection against the strains circulating each winter. Getting vaccinated ahead of the peak festive season is important to allow time for your body to build up protection against the virus.
First Minister John Swinney qualifies for a flu vaccine as an unpaid carer. Attending the NHS Lothian centre at Edinburgh’s Ocean Terminal he said: “I welcome the chance to receive my flu vaccine and I want to thank all those involved in this year’s roll-out.
“Since the start of this year’s programme, staff have delivered more than 980,000 flu vaccines to those most at risk and, with flu cases rising, I would encourage all those who are eligible to take up an appointment ahead of the worst of winter.
“We saw very high levels of the flu virus last year across Scotland, with over 6,500 adults being hospitalised, which contributed to real pressure on the NHS. So please take the opportunity to protect yourself and those around you and reduce your risk of ending up in hospital.”
Appointments for a flu vaccine will be sent to most eligible groups. Unpaid carers and household contacts of those who are immunosuppressed can book online or call the vaccination helpline to arrange an appointment at a suitable time and location anywhere in Scotland.
More information on the flu vaccine is available at NHS Inform:
People should use trustworthy sources of information to make the best possible decisions about health, Health Secretary Neil Gray has said.
In response to the growing volume of false information, and a recommendation from the pandemic advisory group, the Standing Committee on Pandemic Preparedness, the Scottish Government has launched a Scottish Health Information Integrity Strategy.
Mr Gray said it would help the NHS counter false and misleading health information by giving healthcare professionals the tools to enable people to make the best possible choices about their own health.
He said: “There is lot of health information at our fingertips, but often it is not in line with the science and evidence produced by international experts. Some of it is misleading, inaccurate, and sometimes just plain false. This strategy will help the Scottish Government and our health partners respond to the growing threat from such poor-quality information.
“For all of us, understanding our health and options is vital, as the wrong information can lead us to make the wrong choices that can harm us or our loved ones. The Scottish Health Information Integrity Strategy will guide our response to these challenges and help retain public trust in the NHS.
“For any health questions, in the first instance, people should go to Scotland’s national health information service NHS Inform, which provides evidence-based and accurate health information.”
University of Edinburgh Chair in Public Health, and Scottish Government Chief Social Policy Adviser Professor Linda Bauld said: “People are seeking information about their health in new ways, and often from platforms which are not accurate.
“This strategy marks the beginning of the Scottish healthcare system’s response. It describes potential first steps to help NHS Scotland and others build and maintain trust and find the best ways of providing people with information.”
The strategy makes a number of recommendations on developing leadership and co-ordination, and rapidly responding and building resilience to false health information. These include:
providing dedicated resources
participating in UK and international networks
supporting staff to have evidence-based conversations with patients
supporting embedding media, digital and health literacy into the Curriculum for Excellence
engaging with community partners and third-sector organisations on public health messaging.
Glasgow woman’s mission to tell others: ‘Never miss your breast screening appointment
A retired member of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde staff, Liz Thomas (71) from Pollock, has been photographed as part of an exhibition to celebrate the resilience, beauty, and strength of women affected by breast cancer.
Liz and three other women chosen for the photoshoot have recently had or are undergoing treatment for breast cancer. They were chosen to be part of Pink Ribbon Foundation’s BOLD Scotland Exhibition.
This extraordinary project, captured by award-winning photographer Caroline Sikkenk, is currently displayed in Glasgow’s Princes Square by M as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
In addition to taking part in this project, Liz is also using this month to share an important message. She said: “Go for your breast screening when you’re invited.”
In November 2024, Liz attended her routine breast screening appointment at NHSGGC’s Breast Clinic in Nelson Mandela Place. Within a week, she was recalled and asked to bring someone with her.
“I wasn’t expecting good news,” Liz said. “They told me two lumps had been found. I had a biopsy and scans there and then. It turned out I had two Stage 3 tumours.”
Within four weeks, Liz underwent a mastectomy at Gartnavel Hospital, followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy in early 2025.
“The treatment was tough, physically and mentally, but I met wonderful people along the way. The staff were incredible. We even managed to laugh during chemo. One time, the nurses joked they had to separate me from the other ladies because we were giggling so much. Laughter got us through.”
Liz credits her daughter Jourdana, also an NHSGGC staff member, as her rock throughout the journey. “I have a good life and a great life ahead. Who knows if I’d have that if I hadn’t gone for screening?”
Now, Liz is on a mission. She said: “I tell everyone, my daughter, my friends, even the girl who does my nails, never miss your breast screening appointment. And if you’re over 70, you won’t automatically get a letter. You need to contact the breast screening centre yourself.”
Women aged between 50 and 70 will be invited for breast screening every three years. Those eligible, will be invited by NHSGGC via letter to the address registered with their GP, and people are advised to ensure this is up to date.
Anyone over the age of 70, can make an appointment for breast screening directly via the breast screening service.
The BOLD Scotland exhibition is on display at Princes Square by M. Entry is free, giving everyone the opportunity to witness this inspiring and empowering project.
Specialist teams improving care and easing hospital pressures
All NHS Boards now have frailty services in emergency departments to help older and vulnerable patients as soon as they arrive – improving care and reducing pressure on A&E departments.
On a visit to Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary Acute Frailty Unit, Health Secretary Neil Gray saw the impact the service is having on patient care, including:
the average hospital stay for those admitted to the Acute Frailty Unit was 3.4 days – compared to a typical 17.5 day average hospital stay for older frail patients.
no increase in re-admissions
two thirds of frailty patients admitted have been discharged directly home.
Frailty services provide specialist, multidisciplinary assessment and care for older patients where required. They are designed to accelerate early discharge, reduce delays, and shorten hospital stays — helping patients recover more quickly and return home sooner.
This expansion of frailty services across the country is backed by a share of the £200 million investment from the 2025-26 Budget, aimed at reducing waiting times, improving hospital flow, and minimising delayed discharges.
After his visit, Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “The success of the frailty service here in Dumfries and Galloway is something we are replicating across Scotland.
“By shifting the balance of care from acute hospitals to community-based services, we can ensure that people experiencing frailty are supported earlier – whether through GP referral or direct access via the Scottish Ambulance Service.
“This is about making sure people get the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
“The work being done here is making a real difference, particularly for older patients, with average length of stay reduced by 14 days and no increase in re-admissions.
“Improving patient flow is a key priority, and services like this show how targeted, well-coordinated care can lead to better outcomes.”
Chief Operating Officer of NHS Dumfries and Galloway Nicole Hamlet said: “This work is making a real and measurable difference.
By reducing unnecessary time in hospital, we’re helping people get home or to a homely setting safely and sooner. It also frees up vital capacity in the hospital, which helps us deliver better care across the board.
“I’m very proud of what the team has achieved.
“The project builds on previous frailty work in Dumfries and Galloway and continues to evolve with input from those delivering the care. The team is supported by Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership’s management team and project leads.”
£1.5m INVESTMENT IN REDESIGNED AND ACCELERATED DIAGNOSTIC PATHWAY
A new way to diagnose colorectal cancer will help ensure patients get quicker treatment.
Scotland’s Colorectal Optimal Cancer Diagnostic Pathway has been designed by clinical experts at NHS Golden Jubilee’s Centre for Sustainable Delivery (CfSD).
Supported by £1.5 million on funding from the Scottish Government’s Detect Cancer Early (DCE) programme, it sets out a new model for NHS Scotland to follow.
Patients will be able to receive multiple tests at one time – where clinically appropriate – reducing visits to hospital, speeding up time to diagnosis and improving the quality and safety of care.
Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common malignancy in Scotland, representing 11% of all cancer deaths.
Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “Bowel cancer touches thousands of families in Scotland every year, and we know the difference early diagnosis can make – more treatment options, more time with loved ones, and better outcomes.
“That’s why I am so pleased to see the publication of Scotland’s Colorectal Optimal Cancer Diagnostic Pathway. By speeding up diagnosis and improving the way services are delivered, we can give patients and their families greater peace of mind, faster answers, and the very best chance of recovery.”
One patient who credits early diagnosis with saving his life is Nick Rimmer, 55, from Crieff.
Nick was diagnosed with stage one bowel cancer in 2019 following a routine NHS screening test which arrived just after his 50th birthday. Initially hesitant, he now says taking the test “saved my life and my future.”
Nick said: “I consider myself lucky because it was detected at a stage where I had absolutely no symptoms and no idea. Okay, I had to go through a major operation, but after that I didn’t require chemotherapy. I’ve been healthy for the last five years.
“If you’ve got any unusual, persistent symptoms, go to your GP practice. Please don’t delay. Even if you don’t have symptoms, when that test lands on your doormat – do it. The more people that do the test and find cancer earlier, the easier their life is going to be.”
Dr. Lisa Wilde, Director of Research and External Affairs at Bowel Cancer UK, said: “We’re delighted to see the launch of Scotland’s new optimal bowel cancer diagnostic pathway and toolkit.
“Bowel cancer is treatable and curable, especially if diagnosed early. The earlier patients are diagnosed with the disease, the greater their chance of survival.
“By supporting earlier diagnosis and reducing waiting times, this work has the potential to improve efficiency across the system and importantly deliver better outcomes for patients.”
Health Secretary Neil Gray has welcomed an increase in the number of newly qualified paramedics joining the Scottish Ambulance Service, with 360 new recruits joining the service since 2023.
New figures show a steep increase in recruitment between 2022-23 and 2023-24, and a total recruitment of 489 since 2020.
The investment in newly qualified paramedics is designed to give the service more resilience, improve capacity and increase the number of patients treated in the community.
A three-year paramedic undergraduate degree programme was launched at Glasgow Caledonian University in 2017 and is now available at five universities across Scotland.
Figures for the last five years, which include graduates from outside Scotland, are:
2020-21 = 24
2021-22 = 58
2022-23 = 47
2023-24 = 179
2024-25 = 181
The number of paramedics currently working in Scotland is 2,156.6 whole time equivalent posts.
Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “The Scottish Ambulance Service is an absolutely vital part of the health service, so the Scottish Government is working hard to provide it with the staff and resources it needs to continue delivering a high-quality emergency service to people across Scotland.
“Since 2020, we have supported the recruitment of additional staff, with further recruitment already underway this year—bringing workforce levels to a record high.
“Ambulance staff have shown outstanding resilience in the face of sustained pressure, and I want to thank them for their continued dedication and hard work.”
Michael Dickson OBE Chief Executive of the Scottish Ambulance Service said: “We are delighted to welcome this number of newly qualified paramedics to SAS. This reflects their experience to date, and it also reinforces the important role paramedics can play in the future of NHS Scotland.
“Our continued ambition, supported by Scottish Government, is to grow and develop the SAS workforce, ensuring we continue to deliver the very best patient care by boosting capacity and increasing our resilience in communities across Scotland.”
Deaf children across Scotland are still falling through the cracks and missing out on vital support despite two years passing since a damning report laid bare the inadequacies of NHS Scotland’s audiology services, the National Deaf Children’s Society is warning.
Today marks two years to the day that the Independent Review of Audiology Services in Scotland (IRASS), identified “multiple systemic problems” in NHS Scotland’s hearing services for both children and adults.
The most urgent recommendations were around the quality of auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing, carried out to identify deafness in very young children. Issues were identified in the quality of ABR testing at every single health board across Scotland. This is particularly concerning for young children, where delays or inaccuracies in testing can have lifelong impacts.
Other issues flagged by IRASS were audiology services facing barriers with recruiting new staff and addressing long waiting times.
Information obtained by the National Deaf Children’s Society reveals waiting times to be referred to audiology services in Scotland are unacceptably long. In some cases, children who should be seen within 42 days were waiting up to 600 days, posing a serious risk to early identification and intervention.
One mother shared with the National Deaf Children’s Society the “heartbreaking” impact that her son’s unidentified deafness, coupled with a lack of support and intervention, has had on their family.
Melanie Wright suspected her son Dawson was deaf when he was six, despite him having recently had a hearing test, which revealed no deafness. Dawson, from Dunbar, East Lothian, then had to wait three years before his deafness was finally identified, aged nine, despite Melanie’s repeated calls for a follow-up hearing test.
Dawson’s family were told he required grommets surgery but there would be a two-year wait unless they paid to go privately, which was not an option.
Melanie recalled how exhausting it was for Dawson to keep up with conversations at home and his frustration when he couldn’t join in.
At school, Dawson missed key parts of lessons because he could not hear what was said, which made learning harder and knocked his confidence.
Melanie said: “It’s heartbreaking watching your child work twice as hard just to keep up, knowing it didn’t have to be this way.”
Dawson’s deafness also impacted on friendships, and he often felt excluded.
When the Scottish Government committed to accept all the IRASS recommendations in December 2023, it was hoped there would be a root and branch reform of Scotland’s struggling audiology services.
But progress has been painfully slow, and despite the Scottish Government previously pledging to ensure that the voices of those with lived experience are “front and centre” these individuals have since been sidelined, as have deaf charities, despite their direct experience on the frontline.
Melanie continued: “This isn’t about special treatment, it’s about making sure children get the care and support they were promised, when they need it.
“This delay is costing children their education, their confidence, and their future — and no one is taking responsibility.
“I’m exhausted and totally broken by the experience.”
A coalition of charities, spearheaded by the National Deaf Children’s Society, has written an open letter to Scotland’s Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health Jenni Minto MSP, expressing concern at the lack of progress made by the Scottish Government since the publication of IRASS.
The charities warn the Minister that delayed hearing tests and inadequate care means that countless other babies and young children, like Dawson, will have unidentified deafness and lack support during this crucial period of their life. This can “severely impact a child’s ability to acquire language – whether spoken, signed or a combination of both”, the letter reads.
IRASS also found an absence of national leadership, strategic planning and workforce planning at audiology departments across Scotland and that there has been no quality assurance of services in recent years.
In their letter to the Minister the charities express their disappointment that action taken by the Scottish Government since the publication of IRASS is “yet to deliver the transformative change so urgently needed” while other recommendations “remain partially or completely incomplete”.
The charities urge the Minister to “equip audiology services with the resources, workforce, and leadership necessary to deliver the best possible outcomes for deaf children and adults”.
The Minister is warned by the charities that without “more ambitious and decisive action…we fear the current system will continue to fall short”.
The charities urge action in three key areas:
Evidence of independent safety checks.
Clear accountability for workforce planning.
Transparent reporting on waiting times.
“When every moment counts, it is time for action – not words” the letter to the Minster concludes.
IRASS was commissioned after significant failures were uncovered at NHS Lothian involving more than 150 children over nine years. Some children suffered life-changing consequences, including developmental delays in their communication, learning and social skills.
This was because their deafness was identified too late for them to receive cochlear implant surgery, or the communications support they needed.
General Practice will receive an initial additional investment of £15 million this year to ease recruitment pressures and boost capacity.
The new investment will support workforce retention and recruitment, build service capacity and support the day to day running of GP services.
The funding comes after discussions with the sector about the sustainability of GP services – negotiations will continue around further support to help shift care from acute to community.
Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “We have been listening carefully to the views of Scotland’s GPs and as a result, I am pleased to confirm an initial additional investment of £15 million for the current financial year.
“This new funding will help support capacity and ensure GPs and services in the community have the resources they need for their essential role in our health system.
“We remain in negotiations with the sector on the provision of further support in the future, but this initial instalment demonstrates this Government’s commitment to supporting primary care and alleviating current pressures on the system.
We want to make it easier for people to see their GP and to achieve this we are working towards ensuring a greater proportion of new NHS funding goes to primary and community care.
“We have already increased investment in general practice by over £100 million in the last two years to meet recommended pay increases and to support practices with sustainability.”
Commenting on the funding announcement, RCGP Scotland Chair Dr Chris Provan said: “GPs and their teams strive to deliver a high quality of care, but they are increasingly struggling to meet the demand from a growing population with more complex needs – all while the GP workforce continues to shrink.
“RCGP Scotland welcomes the investment of £15 million in this financial year as a positive step. However, this funding alone will not transform general practice or undo years of underinvestment.
“It must be seen as the beginning of a sustained commitment to properly resource general practice – stabilising services, supporting the recruitment of more GPs, and expanding capacity to improve patient access.
“The Scottish Government has pledged to shift the balance of care and funding towards primary and community care. Investing in general practice delivers better health outcomes and offers significant value to patients, the wider NHS, the economy, and society.
“Today’s announcement must mark the start of that shift, which now needs to be accelerated to ensure general practice is strengthened and supported to deliver the high-quality care patients deserve.”
