Tag: Public Health Scotland

First Minister launches £36.9m fund to reduce drug and alcohol deaths

Three-year investment to support prevention, treatment and recovery across Scotland

First Minister John Swinney will today call for a new collective approach to reduce deaths and harms from drugs and alcohol, as he addresses a summit on drugs deaths in Edinburgh.

It comes as a new Alcohol and Drugs Fund, which will provide £36.9 million to frontline services and organisations working with people affected by alcohol and drugs, is launched. 

The summit, organised by Public Health Scotland, will bring together health board chief executives, local authority leaders, justice representatives and third-sector partners alongside people with experience of drug and alcohol use, including representatives from family organisations and recovery groups.

Speaking ahead of the event, the First Minister said: “This new fund will provide more than £36 million over the next three years, supporting prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery.

“It will reach organisations of all sizes – from grassroots groups to larger partnerships – with particular emphasis on improving support for children, young people, and families. I have heard from the third sector about the need for stability and longer-term support – this multi-year funding recognises that.

“We have increased residential rehab capacity, with funded placements now close to our 1,000 target, set new treatment standards, opened The Thistle – the UK’s first safer drug consumption facility – and improved surveillance of the most potent and dangerous drugs entering circulation.

“But it is clear we now require a different collective approach and we need to go further. I am determined we make the change and new ways of working needed – and I am focused on confronting the need for reform of how our public services deliver.

“I am clear there should be a ‘no wrong door’ approach. If someone needs help, our system should be easy and quick to navigate – wrapping around the person rather than making people fit into the system.”

The fund is open to third-sector organisations and public bodies working directly with people who use alcohol and drugs, people in recovery, and their children and families.

It supports delivery of the Alcohol and Drugs Strategic Plan 2026–35, a joint Scottish Government and COSLA initiative backed by more than £160 million in 2026–27, which sets out a 10-year approach to reducing deaths and harms caused by alcohol and drugs.

Corra Foundation Chief Executive Carolyn Sawers said: “It is a privilege for Corra to deliver this fund on behalf of the Scottish Government. High-quality support for people affected by drugs and alcohol is vital to collective efforts to reducing harms, realising rights and supporting recovery.

“Corra looks forward to working closely alongside people with lived and living experience of drugs and alcohol as we deliver this fund.”

Preventing Harm, Promoting Recovery: Scotland’s Alcohol & Drugs Strategic Plan 2026 – 2035

Returning from Hajj?

If you’ve returned from Hajj in the last 2 weeks and feel unwell, it’s important you call your GP for medical advice.

For more information visit https://nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/travel-health/travel-health-and-vaccinations/ or call 0800 22 44 88.

‘Concrete action’ on Scotland’s A&E overcrowding needed as waiting time records broken yet again

The newly re-elected Scottish Government must show that it is serious about tackling overcrowding in Emergency Departments – as A&E waiting time records continue to be broken. 

New figures on ED performance from Public Health Scotland covering the month of April 2026 were published today (2 June). 

In April, fewer than two thirds (64.2%) of major ED attendances were admitted, discharged or transferred within four hours. The government-mandated target is 95%.  

Meanwhile, almost one in eight (12.4%, or 14,846) patients waited more than eight hours.  

This made that month the worst April since records began for eight and four-hour waiting time metrics in ED.  

A total of 6,196 – or 5.1% of patients – waited more than 12 hours – constituting the second worst April on record.  

Dr Fiona Hunter, RCEM Scotland Vice President, said: “Emergency Department clinicians are working tirelessly to try to provide safe and good care to our patients – but the pressure is overwhelming and relentless. 

“We are out of winter. This time of year is supposed to see a break in the clouds. Instead, we are as busy as ever.” 

Today’s data also showed that, in April 2026, there were an average of 1,902 beds occupied by patients medically fit to leave each day – also known as delayed discharges.  

This constitutes a serious problem and is a driver of ED overcrowding because it means patients in need of admission from A&E cannot get a bed. This can result in extremely long waits for these extremely sick patients.  

As RCEM revealed last year, these waits can be deadly: in 2025, there 871 excess deaths associated with long waits for admission in ED.  

Dr Hunter said: “At last month’s elections, the incumbent SNP-run Scottish Government retained power. We must see votes repaid with real, concrete action on A&E overcrowding. 

“The new Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Angela Constance has an uphill battle ahead of her. As today’s numbers show, waiting times are among the worst they’ve ever been for this time of year. 

“Enduring such waits in an ED is stressful, undignified and we know it can cause harm to patients.  

“Meanwhile, there has been no significant or meaningful improvement in the number of delayed discharges – a key metric of patient flow. 

“We call on the government to make tackling hospital overcrowding a priority and refuse to allow the current situation to continue. Just because our waits are better than other UK nations does not mean they should be accepted.” 

More information and data visualisation can be found here.  

Travelling for Hajj or Umrah? Health Protection Advice

If you’re travelling for Hajj or Umrah, it’s important to see a travel health professional before you go.

Visit NHS inform Travel Health or call 0800 22 44 88 for information on how to access an appointment in your local area.

Public Health Scotland: Analysing Smoking Harms

How do we measure the harm of smoking when it’s linked to so many diseases? Our latest blog explores:

  • How we estimate the proportion of deaths and illnesses linked to smoking
  • Why we’ve updated our approach using the latest evidence

Read the blog:

https://publichealthscotland.scot/our-blog/2026/may/analysing-smoking-harms-new-statistics-using-up-to-date-evidence/

Public Health Scotland: Latest RADAR report published

PUBLIC Health Scotland has published the latest Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response (RADAR) report, which presents changes on drug trends, harms and use of services in Scotland to inform immediate and short-term actions that reduce drug harms.

View the full report:

https://publichealthscotland.scot/…/rapid-action-drug…

Cancer charity concern as latest bowel screening statistics published

The latest report by Public Health Scotland (PHS) provides an annual update to key performance indicators for the Scottish Bowel Screening Programme. The report includes uptake, laboratory and clinical outcomes of screened individuals, for those invited from May 2023 to April 2025.

For the two-year period from 01 May 2023 to 30 April 2025, over 1.9 million people were invited to complete a home bowel screening test:

  • Two-thirds of people successfully returned their kit (65.2% uptake), meeting the programme minimum uptake target of 60%. Uptake was higher in females (67.7%) than males (62.7%).
Bar chart showing percentage uptake of screening program across SIMD quintiles, for males and females with a red dashed line indicating a 60% program target. Uptake is highest in least deprived quintile 5 for both sexes, exceeding the target, and decreases progressively toward most deprived quintile 1, where uptake falls below 60%.
Image captionUptake by deprivation category and sex, May 2023 to April 2025
  • There was a 22.1 percentage point gap between uptake in the most (52.3%) and least (74.4%) deprived population quintiles as measured by the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD). Uptake for both men and women in the most deprived areas was below the programme target of 60%.
  • 34,676 people (2.8% of the tests) had a positive result and were referred for a colonoscopy – a more detailed investigation. Three-quarters received a colonoscopy, while most of the remaining quarter either chose not to proceed or had medical reasons that made it unsuitable. This was similar to last year’s report.
  • While waiting times for screening colonoscopies have improved generally, only four out of 10 (41.5%) people received their colonoscopy within four weeks of their positive referral. This was an increase of 12.7 percentage points since last year’s report. However, two out of 10 people (18.6%) waited more than eight weeks for their colonoscopy. This was a reduction of 10.0 percentage points since last year’s report.
  • Overall, 5.0% (1,295 people) of those having a colonoscopy following a positive screen were found to have bowel cancer. Three out of five cancers (63.4%) were diagnosed at the earliest two stages, when treatment is most likely to be successful.
  • In people eligible to participate, about one third of bowel cancers are identified through screening. These cancers are often at an earlier, more treatable stage which is why anyone sent a bowel screening test is encouraged to complete the test and return using the pre-paid envelope provided.
  • For further information, visit NHS Inform.

Peter Hastie, Macmillan External Affairs Manager in Scotland, comments on the latest bowel screening figures issued by the Scottish government: “This latest data continues to show an extremely worrying picture – there is a gap of 22 percentage points in the take up of bowel screening between the most and least deprived areas of Scotland. This isn’t fair, and it has to change.

“Macmillan is committed to working to address the huge gaps and the unfairness that exists in cancer care in Scotland. But we need to see more joined up action, so everyone gets the early diagnosis and support they need, whoever they are and wherever they live.

“As the election looms, we need commitments from the next Scottish Government to work with the health system, professionals, sector partners, community organisations and most importantly, people living with cancer, to fix this unfairness. We deserve nothing less.”

See Macmillan’s Holyrood election manifesto below:

macmillan-manifestoDownload

People living in Scotland aged 50 to 74 are sent a home bowel screening test every two years.

The test can be done in the privacy of your home and returned using the pre-paid envelope provided.

For more: http://nhsinform.scot/bowelscreening

#BowelScreeningScotland

#BowelCancerAwarenessMonth

2026-04-07-bowel-screening-publication-summary-finalDownload

The smoking ban has shown that meaningful change is possible

Smoking rates in Scotland have halved, and thousands of lives have been saved since smokefree legislation came into force twenty years ago. As the anniversary approaches, Public Health Scotland (PHS) is highlighting the profound impact of the ban — a public health success story that continues to shape the nation’s wellbeing.

A new report, published today by PHS, shows the positive impact this decisive measure has had on non-smokers too. The legislation protected most people in Scotland from breathing in cigarette smoke during their daily lives and the public health gains are clear.

The reduction in second-hand smoke exposure resulted in fewer deaths and hospitalisations from heart attacks and strokes, as well as having a positive impact on the health of pregnant women and their babies. 

What’s more, today’s report highlights that we have made significant shifts in how we view tobacco in Scotland, with smoking having become less socially acceptable.

Commenting on the 20th anniversary of the implementation of Scotland’s smoke free legislation, Dr Garth Reid, Consultant in Public Health at Public Health Scotland, said: “Smoking is one of the biggest causes of ill health and premature death in Scotland.

“Thanks to the smoking ban we have historically low smoking rates in Scotland, and we’re keen to encourage more people to give up smoking as we progress to becoming smoke-free in 2034.

“Giving up smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health, and the benefits start to happen quickly ­– even for people who have smoked for a long time. 

“Whether you’re ready to stop, or just beginning to think about it, the NHS Scotland stop smoking service, Quit Your Way, and your local pharmacy are here to help you stop smoking and stay stopped in a way that is right for you.”

Dr Rishma Maini, Consultant in Public Health at PHS said: “Scotland’s smoking ban shows that bold, preventative action works. We now have an opportunity to apply that same ambition to other major drivers of ill health, including overweight and obesity.

“For example, legislation and regulation to improve the food environment could make it easier and more affordable to access a healthy diet. If we get this right, we can deliver the same scale of change again, improving health and wellbeing for people across Scotland.”

Public Health Scotland is the lead national agency for improving and protecting the health and wellbeing of all of Scotland’s people. We lead and support work across Scotland to prevent disease, prolong healthy life, reduce health inequalities and promote health and wellbeing.

*Scottish Health Survey (2024) Scottish Health Survey – gov.scot

Impact of the smoke-free public spaces legislation 20 years on: Evidence briefing.

More information about creating a tobacco-free generation by 2034 is available on the Scottish Government website: Tobacco Control Policy in Scotland – Background – Tobacco and vaping framework: roadmap to 2034 – gov.scot

Public Health Scotland: Update on Meningitis

Public Health Scotland (PHS) is working closely with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), other public health colleagues across the UK and NHS Boards in Scotland, to monitor the outbreak of meningitis in Kent.  

There are currently no cases known to be linked to this outbreak in Scotland and therefore no evidence of any increased risk here. 

Dr Jim McMenamin, Head of Health Protection Infection Services at PHS is encouraging everyone to be aware of signs and symptoms of meningitis: “Meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia can be very serious and life threatening if not treated quickly. 

“Signs and symptoms include a sudden high temperature, severe and worsening headache, a stiff neck, joint and muscle pain, vomiting and diarrhoea, a rash that doesn’t fade when a glass is rolled over it, confusion, drowsiness or unresponsiveness, a dislike of bright lights, and seizures (fits). These symptoms can appear in any order, but some may not appear. 

“If you or anyone you know develops symptoms, seek medical help immediately. Phone 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department. Phone 111 or your GP practice for advice if you’re not sure if it’s anything serious or you think you may have been exposed to someone with meningitis.”

Vaccination against meningitis

The Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) continues to review evidence on the most effective use of meningococcal vaccines within the UK routine schedule.

There are currently no plans to offer MenB vaccination outside the existing routine childhood schedule, other than for those identified by the Incident Response Team in Kent.

Two different types of meningococcal vaccines are available in Scotland and are part of routine immunisation programmes for children and young people.  

  • The Meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine was introduced in 2015 and is offered to infants and young children under 2 years old.
  • The Meningococcal ACWY (MenACWY) vaccine is offered to all young people in S3 as part of the school-based immunisation programme. This vaccine protects against disease caused by meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y.

Anyone who has missed the MenACWY vaccine offer can still receive this up to their 25th birthday. Visit www.nhsinform.scot/vaccinesforstudents to find out how to catch up.

Parents are encouraged to check if their children are up to date on their vaccinations. For information on how to check your own or your child’s vaccination history, please visit: www.nhsinform.scot/gettingvaccinations

More information on signs and symptoms of meningitis is available at 

www.nhsinform.scot/meningitis