Work to clear mountains of rubbish on Edinburgh’s stinking streets begins tomorrow
The City of Edinburgh Council is preparing to resume waste and cleansing services following industrial action.
With the scheduled strike due to end at 4.59am on Tuesday, additional resources are being deployed to support street cleansing and communal bin collections, particularly in the city centre and other areas most affected by the strike.
Residents receiving kerbside collections are being asked to put their bins out as normal on their scheduled collection day. Extra waste will be collected during this time, if it is bagged and put next to wheelie or communal bins
Blue box (glass) collections will continue to be suspended to prioritise resources, though Household Waste and Recycling Centres will reopen from Tuesday with extended hours. Bookings can be made online as normal.
Council Leader Cammy Day said: “I regret the impact this national crisis has had on our Capital city and am continuing to press the Scottish Government to fund an acceptable settlement. Talks are continuing over the weekend and I’m hopeful we can reach agreement and prevent any further disruption.
“As I’ve said throughout, I fully respect the right of our colleagues to take this action and have their voices heard. As a trade union member myself, I’ve joined the picket lines in support of fair pay for our workforce and will do so again.”
He may have joined a picket line, butEdinburgh’s Labour council leader has been criticised for voting AGAINST a 5% pay offer to the striking workers, instead voting with the Tories at a Cosla meeting to support an increase of just 3.5% – an offer that would never have been acceptable to the trade unions.
However Cllr Day went on:”This dispute has brought the value of our waste and cleansing teams – and their right to fair wage – into sharp focus and I’m delighted they’ll be back out from Tuesday, helping to return our city to its best.
“While they’ll be working hard to catch up on collections and making every effort to collect litter across the city, it’ll take time for things to return to normal. Please bear with them as they do so and, if you can store your extra waste safely for a little longer or are able to book an appointment at a recycling centre, please do so.
“If your bin is not collected on its normal day, please leave it out and it’ll be picked up as soon as possible thereafter.
“I appreciate that this has been an extremely challenging period for us all and I would like to thank our residents, businesses and visitors for their continued patience and understanding.”
While the industrial action in Edinburgh ends tomorrow, the pay claim has not been resolved and further strikes will follow unless a settlement can be reached. Some progress has been made however and a deal is edging closer – Cosla and the trade unions will meet for a fifth day of talks later today.
Services restart 30 August
Our bin collection and street cleaning services will restart onTuesday 30 August.
We’ll be working hard to catch up on collections after the strike action.
If you are able to take excess waste, such as cardboard, plastics and other dry recycling, to the household waste recycling centres, please book an appointment. This would help our teams collect other waste more quickly. Recycling centres hours have been extended.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Communal services
Communal bin collections are restarting from 30 August.
We will collect excess waste – please bag it and place it neatly beside the bin. If you can, please put mixed recycling in a clear bag.
We have additional council teams helping with collections however it may take time for collections to get back to normal and we appreciate your patience.
Kerbside services
Restarting on 30 August and will be focused on key services.
There may be some disruption as we catch up on the backlog.
If your bins are not emptied on your normal collection day, please leave them out until we get to them.
Non-recyclable waste collections (grey bins)
Restarting on 30 August. Please put your bin out on your next scheduled collection day.
We will collect excess waste as long as it is bagged. Please bag your extra waste neatly beside your wheelie bin on your scheduled collection day.
Mixed recycling collections (green bins)
Restarting on 30 August. Please put your bin out on your next scheduled collection day.
We will collect excess waste as long as it is bagged. Please bag your extra waste neatly beside your wheelie bin on your scheduled collection day. If possible, please bag your mixed recycling in a clear bag.
Food waste collections
Restarting on 30 August.
Please put your food bin out on your next scheduled collection day. Please do not present excess food waste outside the caddy.
Glass collections (blue box)
To allow us to catch up with collecting other waste, kerbside glass collections is still suspended. We will let you know when this collection will restart.
Restarting on 30 August. Please put your bin out on your next scheduled collection day.
If you’re a garden waste customer, we’ll be in touch shortly with details of how we’ll compensate you for any collections missed during the strike.
Gull proof sacks
Please put your sack out for collection on your scheduled collection day this week.
We will collect extra waste. Please bag it and leave it neatly beside your sack.
Litter bins and street cleansing
These services will restart from 30 August.
Our street cleansing teams will be prioritising the city centre, town centres, and areas with high footfall and many on-street bins.
We’ll be working hard to collect litter across the city but it may take time to catch up on the backlog. Thank you for your patience.
Request and replacing bins and boxes
Our repair, replacement or removal of bins and boxes service is still suspended. This is to allow us to divert resources to cleansing and waste collections.
Waste reporting and enquires
We have removed online reporting for waste and cleansing as we focus on catching up with cleansing and waste collections.
If you need to report an emergency issue where waste is causing injury or hazard, please phone and listen to the new options carefully. Phone 0131 608 1100 from
A list of the most frequently asked questions has been prepared to help give families in East Lothian more information around E-coli following a cluster of cases linked to local nurseries.
If, after reading this list, you still have questions or concerns about your own family circumstances, please get in touch.
A general information line on 0800 22 44 88 has been created through NHS24 to help families answer many of the questions they may be facing.
Background:
A cluster of cases of E-coli has been linked to nurseries in East Lothian. Four nurseries remain closed.
Cases of E-coli have been identified in Church Street Pear Tree Nursery and Meadowpark Pear Tree Nursery. Families have been informed of the actions they need to take.
Two other nurseries – West Road Pear Tree and Musselburgh Bridge Street Private Nursery – remain closed as a precaution after symptoms of a sickness bug were reported. Families have been informed and asked to provide samples if their child has had any symptoms to rule out the presence of E-coli.
There are currently in excess of 34 confirmed cases.
All children and staff from both Pear Tree Nursery at Church Street Pear Tree Nursery and Meadowpark Pear Tree Nursery have been formally excluded under the Public Health Act and need to go through the clearance process.
Children and staff attending the Pear Tree Nursery at West Road and Musselburgh Bridge Street Private Nursery have been advised to hand in samples if they have had Gastrointestinal symptoms.
Information last updated 22nd August 2022
General Questions
Q. What are the main symptoms of E.coli?
A. E.coli can cause:
Nausea
Vomiting
Stomach pains
Diarrhoea
Bloody diarrhoea
Fever
Q. Why is E.coli so serious?
A. Infection with this bug can have a range of effects from mild diarrhoea, to bloody diarrhoea and in a small proportion of cases it can cause serious complications such as kidney failure. Complications are more common in children aged under five or the elderly.
Q. Where does E.coli infection come from?
A.This bug is carried by a proportion of healthy animals such as cattle. It can be picked up from contact with animal faeces in the environment.
People can also become infected through eating contaminated food for example meat which has not been adequately cooked, or contaminated fruit or vegetables which have not been adequately washed. Unpasturised milk or contaminated water can also cause infection.
E.coli can also be passed on from someone who is infected with the bacteria.
Q. How is E.coli spread?
A. The infection can be spread person to person in families, nurseries or other institutions when contaminated faeces from an infected person are somehow ingested by another person (faecal-oral route). It can also be spread through contaminated food, water or from environmental contamination, including animal parks and gardens.
Q. How can E.coli be prevented?
A. Firstly, thorough hand washing with soap in running water after going to the toilet, before preparing food and after contact with animals or farm environments. Handwashing after nappy changing is very important as is environmental cleaning. Secondly, good food hygiene is essential, for example cooking all meat products thoroughly, washing all salads, fruits and vegetables before consumption and keeping raw and cooked food separate with separate utensils.
Q. My child does not attend any of the above named nurseries, but has diarrhoea, do they have E.coli and what should I do?
A. There are many causes of diarrhoea particularly in children and in most cases it is due to a virus such as norovirus or rotavirus. We would recommend that you take your child to the GP for assessment if their symptoms do not settle down after 24 hours or you are concerned about your child. All children with symptoms of diarrhea should remain off school or nursery until at least 48 hours after their last symptoms. This also means that children should not attend any other settings or clubs where there are children under the age of 10. They should also not be allowed to play with their friends until they have fully recovered.
Q. My child has no contact with any of the above named nurseries, but had diarrhoea 2 weeks ago and is better, what should I do?
A. If your child had a bout of diarrhoea or vomiting which has resolved and they have had no contact with the named nurseries it is highly unlikely that they have an E-coli infection. If you are concerned about your child or their symptoms return please speak to your GP.
Q. My child has no contact with the above named nurseries but has bloody diarrhoea, what should I do?
A. If your child develops bloody diarrhoea, you should contact your GP for an immediate medical assessment taking a stool sample from your child to your GP. Your child may have an E.coli infection that is not linked to the nurseries.
Q. Should I take any special cleaning precautions at home as I have young children?
A. The main preventative action to prevent the spread of diarrhoeal illness is good hand washing with soap under running water, after using the toilet, nappy changing and before eating.
Wipes can be used to remove faecal matter from your hands after changing a nappy but may not act as an anti- bacterial and hand washing is also needed. Alcohol gels should only be used if soap and running water is not available and are only effective on hands that are already visibly clean.
Surfaces should be cleaned using warm water and detergent for surfaces followed by drying with a paper towel. Bleach, or other household disinfectants may be used on appropriate surfaces depending on manufacturer’s recommendations.
Q. My child does not attend the above nurseries and has symptoms – none of which are listed at Q1, but I’m worried about E.coli .
A. It is unlikely that your child has E coli infection. Seek advice from your GP or Health Visitor in the usual way if you are concerned about their health and follow the precautions mentioned above.
Q. Can an E.coli infection be treated with antibiotics?
A. Antibiotics are not routinely recommended for E.coli infection, and in some cases may make the illness more severe. Anti-motility drugs, such as Imodium are also not recommended for diarrhoea caused by E.coli.
Children who are diagnosed with an E.coli infection in their poo will be seen by the pediatricians at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People. They will give advice to parents on what treatment the child will receive while they have E.coli infection.
Q. My child was at a party/other group where a child from the above nurseries attended, what should I do?
A. There is a very low risk of spread of infection if the other child from the nursery had no symptoms at the time. E.coli is more likely to be passed on when a child has active diarrheal symptoms. If your child does develop symptoms of E.coli you should take them to your GP.
Q. My child started P1 last week and was in a class with a pupil who has since been excluded from Meadowpark Pear Tree Nursery, should I be worried?
A. There is no need for concern. The IMT acts in line with Public Health Scotland guidance which states that people should be excluded from work or school once there is a confirmed presence of E-coli.
In this case, there were only reports of general sickness symptoms. As a precaution, the nursery was closed on August 12, children and staff asked to stay home and report any sickness symptoms over coming days which included the start of the new school term on August 17.
E-coli went on to be detected in a small number of cases on August 19. None of the children who were starting P1 had symptoms of any infection and therefore the risk to others was extremely low.
They have only now been excluded as a precautionary measure to rule out infection as possible contacts within the nurseries with confirmed E.coli and can return to school when negative samples have been received.
Q. My child has been playing with a child who attends the Pear Tree Nursery in Meadowpark or the Pear Tree Nursery Church Street, should they continue to do this?
A No, at this time children who are excluded from nursery should not play or socialise with anyone outwith those who normally live within their household until they have been contacted directly by the Health Protection Team and advised that they can do so.
Q. My child has been playing with a child who attends the Pear Tree Nursery in West Road or the Musselburgh Bridge Street Private Nursery, should they continue to do this?
A As long as the child from either of these nurseries has been asymptomatic or symptom free from at least 48 they can continue to play and socialise. This is because there are currently no confirmed cases of E.coli in these nurseries.
Q. When can we expect to get further updates on the situation
A. The situation is changing regularly, and as new information comes to light the Health Protection Team will update parents. Information will be sent to the nursery management team to distribute to parents.
The Health Protection Team are working with Environmental Health, the Care Inspectorate and the Nursery management to ensure that the nurseries open as soon as possible and it is safe to do so.
Q. When will the Nurseries re-open?
A We are unable to answer that at present. This will depend partly upon when individual staff and children have been notified that they are able to return to pre-school establishments, and the nurseries meeting required standards for safety and care and standards for the control of infections.
The investigation into the outbreak is ongoing and as new cases emerge it is difficult to predict when each nursery will reopen. The nurseries may reopen at different times and we will communicate this to parents as more information becomes available.
We understand that this is a very difficult time for parents and once the Health Protection Team, Environmental Health Team and the Care Inspectorate are satisfied that the nurseries are safe, your children will be allowed to return.
Q. I am a Parent/Headteacher/Nursery Manager and we have a sibling of a child from the Pear Tree Nursery at Church Street or the Pear Tree Nursery at Meadowpark.
A If the child from Pear Tree Nursery at Church Street or Pear Tree at Meadowpark is symptomatic or confirmed to have E.coli infection, and their sibling is aged 10 years or under, the Health Protection Team will risk assess and likely exclude the child as a contact.
This means that the sibling cannot attend nursery or school until they have been contacted directly by the Health Protection Team and are advised they can do so.
Q. I am a Parent/Headteacher/Nursery Manager and we have a sibling of a child from the Pear Tree Nursery at West Road or Musselburgh Bridge Street Private Nursery.
A As long as the nursery sibling has no symptoms, this is fine. If the nursery child develops symptoms medical advice should be sought for that child and the situation would be reviewed. All schools and nurseries should enforce the rule that children with diarrhoea or vomiting should remain off until 48 hours after their last symptoms.
Q. I am a nursery manager in another nursery, how will I know when a child who also attends one of the affected nurseries can return to my establishment?
A For children attending the Pear Tree Nursery at Church Street or the Pear Tree Nursery at Meadowpark, all parents of these children will receive a letter from the Health Protection Team indicating that their child’s results are negative and that they can return to preschool groups.
They cannot return to any preschool group until they are notified directly by the Health Protection Team. If the Health Protection Team have been made aware that a child attends another nursery, that nursery will receive a formal exclusion letter for the child and will also receive a clearance letter from the Health Protection Team once the child is cleared to return.
For children attending the Pear Tree Nursery at West Road or Musselburgh Bridge Street Private Nursery, the children can continue to attend as long as they have not had symptoms or have been symptom free for at least 48 hours.
Questions for those Families or Staff with links to Pear Tree Nurseries in Meadowpark or Church Street
Q. My child is due to start Primary School but attended the Pear Tree Nursery in Meadowpark or the Pear Tree Nursery Church Street
A. All children who have attended these nurseries from the 15th July 2022 have been formally excluded under the Public Health Act. This is because both of these nurseries have confirmed cases of E.coli infection.
Your child needs to submit 2 stool samples at least 24 hours apart to their GP. The Health Protection Team will check that those samples are clear for E.coli infection.
Once the laboratories have reported the negative results, the Health Protection Team will contact you directly and lift the Public Health exclusion allowing your child to return to school.
Q. Why are two samples needed for clearance?
A Two samples are needed in line national guidance. The stool samples should be taken a minimum of 24 hours apart to ensure the results are robust.
Q. Where do I take the samples?
A Sample pots should be obtained from your GP surgery. Samples should be handed into your GP, not taken direct to the laboratory.
Please ensure that samples are collected at least 24 hours apart and that the label is completed with all the relevant information. Your GP should let you know the best times to drop off the samples as occasionally they are unable to store them overnight and they are unlikely to accept them at weekends.
Until you have been notified directly by the Health Protection Team about the results of the samples, your child must not attend any pre-school groups such as crèches, playgroups, toddler groups, sports groups or other nurseries.
Q. How do I store a poo sample before I take it to the GP?
A. Once the sample has been taken it can be double bagged and stored at room temperature for several days if required. Please do not store in the refrigerator.
Q. When will the screening test results be available?
A We expect results to be available within 2 weeks. The majority of samples have to be processed at the E coli reference lab in Edinburgh. At this time, our labs are using extra capacity but the samples have to be carefully processed.
You will be notified by telephone of the results. Please do not call the Health Protection Team for results. The Health Protection Team will contact you as soon as both results are available. The Laboratories are processing in excess of 500 tests so there may be delays in getting results to staff and parents.
Your child must not attend any pre-school groups such as crèches, playgroups, toddler groups, sports groups or other nurseries until you are contacted directly by the Health Protection Team to advise that they can do so. This precaution is needed to prevent any chance that the infection could be spread any further.
Q. My child attends the Pear Tree Nursery in Meadowpark or the Pear Tree Nursery Church Street as well as another nursery or playgroup, can they attend the other nursery?
A Your child should not attend any pre-school group such as crèches, playgroups, toddler groups, sports groups or other nurseries until the Health Protection Team have advised you they are able to do so. This is to ensure that there is no further spread of the infection.
Q. My child attends the Pear Tree Nursery in Meadowpark or the Pear Tree Nursery Church Street, can they go to a birthday party, children’s sports, swimming or soft play area?
A All children who have attended these nurseries from the 15th July 2022 have been formally excluded under the Public Health Act. This is because both of these nurseries have confirmed cases of E.coli infection.
Your child has been formally excluded they should not mix with other children until the Health Protection Team have advised you they are able to do so. This is to ensure that there is no further spread of the infection.
Q. My child attends the Pear Tree Nursery in Meadowpark or the Pear Tree Nursery Church Street but has had no diarrhoea can they go to another nursery?
A No. All children must not attend any other pre-school group such as crèches, playgroups, toddler groups, sports groups or other nurseries until they are advised by the Health Protection Team that they can do so. This is because occasionally people can carry the infection without having symptoms and it is essential that we minimise any chance of further spread.
Q. My child attends the Pear Tree Nursery in Meadowpark or the Pear Tree Nursery Church Street and has diarrhoea, what should I do?
A You should attend your GP for assessment and submit a stool sample.
Q. My child attends the Pear Tree Nursery in Meadowpark or the Pear Tree Nursery Church Street and has bloody diarrhoea, what should I do?
A You should seek immediate medical attention via your GP and submit a stool sample.
Q. I am a staff member from the Pear Tree Nursery in Meadowpark or the Pear Tree Nursery Church Street, can I work at another nursery?
A No, you must not work in any pre-school establishment, caring for children, or handling food until you have been notified directly by the Health Protection Team that you are clear to do so.
This is to ensure that any chance of further spread is minimised as occasionally people can carry the infection without having symptoms.
You may be eligible for compensation for loss of earnings, from the Health Protection Team if you have been formally excluded under the Public Health Act. A compensation form will be attached to your exclusion letter.
Q. I visited one of the Pear Tree Nursery branches: Church Street, Meadowpark or West Road since 15th July 2022, do I need to be checked for infection?
or
I visited the Musselburgh Bridge Street Private Nursery since 09th August 2022, do I need to be checked for infection?
A If this was a short visit where you did not eat food or use the toilet facilities within the nursery, the risk of infection is low, however, please be vigilant for any signs of infection such as those listed at the beginning of this document and contact your GP if symptoms do present.
Q. I have worked in the Pear Tree Nursery at Church Street or the Pear Tree Nursery at Meadowpark since 15th July or my child has attended one of these nurseries since 15th July and have not received any letters from public health, should I have?
A Yes, the Health Protection Team have sent inform and advise information out to all the staff and parents via the Nursery Management Team’ The Health Protection Team have sent out or are in the process of sending out formal exclusion letters to all staff and children who’s details have been supplied by the Nursery Management Team.
Questions for those Families or Staff with links to Pear Tree Nurseries in West Road
Q. My child is due to start Primary School but attended the above nursery
A. If your child has had no symptoms or has been clear of any symptoms for at least 48 hours, they can return to school. This is because there are currently no confirmed cases of E.coli at these nurseries, they are being investigated due to outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness which may or may not be due to E.coli. If E.coli is identified from any samples there will be further Public Health actions and the Health Protection Team will give further advice.
Q. My child attends the Pear Tree Nursery in Westroad, can they go to a birthday party, children’s sports, swimming or soft play area?
A. If your child has had no symptoms or has been clear of any symptoms for at least 48 hours, they can attend events and locations outlined above.
This is because there are currently no confirmed cases of E.coli at these nurseries, they are being investigated due to outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness could be due to a number of infections, including E.coli.
If E.coli is identified from any samples there will be further Public Health actions and the Health Protection Team will give further advice.
Q. Where do I take the samples if my child develops symptoms?
A Sample pots should be obtained from your GP surgery. Samples should be handed into your GP, not taken direct to the laboratory. Please ensure that the label is completed with all the relevant information.
Your GP should let you know the best times to drop off the samples as occasionally they are unable to store them overnight and they are unlikely to accept them at weekends. Your child must not attend any pre-school groups such as crèches, playgroups, toddler groups, sports groups or other nurseries until they are at least 48 hours clear of symptoms or until they have the result of their sample.
Q. How do I store a poo sample before I take it to the GP?
A. Once the sample has been taken it can be double bagged and stored at room temperature for several days if required. Please do not store in the refrigerator.
Q. I have worked in the Pear Tree Nursery at West Road since 15th July or my child has attended this nursery since 15th July and have not received any letters from public health, should I have?
A. You should have received what we call an ‘inform and advise letter’ from the Health Protection Team. This would have been sent to you by the Nursery Management Team. We have not sent out individual letters to parents or staff.
Questions for those Families or Staff with links to Musselburgh Bridge Street Private Nursery
Q. My child is due to start Primary School but attended the above nursery
A. If your child has had no symptoms or has been clear of any symptoms for at least 48 hours, they can return to school. This is because there are currently no confirmed cases of E.coli at these nurseries, they are being investigated due to outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness which may or may not be due to E.coli.
If E.coli is identified from any samples there will be further Public Health actions and the Health Protection Team will give further advice.
Q. My child attends the Musselburgh Bridge Street Private Nursery, can they go to a birthday party, children’s sports, swimming or soft play area?
A. If your child has had no symptoms or has been clear of any symptoms for at least 48 hours, they can attend events and locations outlined above.
This is because there are currently no confirmed cases of E.coli at these nurseries, they are being investigated due to outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness which could be due to a number of infections, including E.coli.
If E.coli is identified from any samples there will be further Public Health actions and the Health Protection Team will give further advice.
Q. I have worked in the Musselburgh Bridge Street Private Nursery since 9th August 2022 or my child has attended this nursery since 9th August 2022 and have not received any letters from public health, should I have?
A. You should have received what we call an ‘inform and advise letter’ from the Health Protection Team. This would have been sent to you by the Nursery Management Team. We have not sent out individual letters to parents or staff.
Q. Where do I take the samples if my child develops symptoms?
A Sample pots should be obtained from your GP surgery. Samples should be handed into your GP, not taken direct to the laboratory. Please ensure that the label is completed with all the relevant information.
Your GP should let you know the best times to drop off the samples as occasionally they are unable to store them overnight and they are unlikely to accept them at weekends. Your child must not attend any pre-school groups such as crèches, playgroups, toddler groups, sports groups or other nurseries until they are at least 48 hours clear of symptoms or until they have the result of their sample.
Q. How do I store a poo sample before I take it to the GP?
A. Once the sample has been taken it can be double bagged and stored at room temperature for several days if required. Please do not store in the refrigerator.
For cases who have confirmed E coli infection
Q. My child has confirmed E coli infection, will they get better and when?
A. Before your child can go back to a nursery or a pre-school establishment they need to be completely free of infection. In some cases, this can be several weeks after the initial illness, and repeat stool samples are needed. It is extremely important that your child does not attend any pre-school establishments until they are notified directly by the Health Protection Team that they are free of infection.
Family members may also need tests and may be excluded from some types of work such as food handling or health care professions.
In a small percentage of cases, complications arise including Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome which can cause renal failure. These children will be monitored extremely carefully in hospital.
Q. What is Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome?
A This develops in a small percentage of people with E.coli infection. It affects blood cells and can cause kidney failure, therefore it is a serious complication.
Q.My child has confirmed E.coli and I have been excluded from my own work, when can I go back?
A You have been formally excluded from your work because you are a contact of a case of E.coli and work in a risk group, you will need two negative specimens taken at least 24-hours apart before you can return to work. The Health Protection Team will advise you further on this.
It is extremely important that you do not go back to work until you receive direct communication from the Health Protection Team indicating that you can do so. This is to reduce the risk of any further spread. You may be eligible for compensation for loss of earnings, a compensation form should be included with your exclusion letter.
Q.My child has confirmed E.coli infection but is well and we are due to go on holiday, what should we do?
A It is not recommended that you go on holiday until all required tests have returned negative, and this has been directly communicated to you by the Health Protection Team. This is to avoid the possibility of further infections occurring or members of other families needing to be excluded from work or school.
Q. My child has been invited to a party, should they attend?
A. No, Your child must not attend any parties, pre-school groups such as crèches, playgroups, toddler groups, sports groups or other nurseries until you are contacted directly by the Health Protection Team to advise that they can do so. This precaution is needed to prevent any chance that the bug could be spread any further.
Q. Can my child socialise with with any other people or families?
A. No, Your child should not be socialising with other children or families outwith those who normally live in your household until you are contacted directly by the Health Protection Team to advise that they can do so. This precaution is needed to prevent any chance that the bug could be spread any further.
What does Exclusion Under the Public Health etc (Scotland) Act 2008 mean?
Q. Why is a person excluded?
A Exclusion or restriction from work, school or nursery under the Public Health etc (Scotland) Act 2008 is applied when an individual(s) has an infectious disease or has been in close contact with someone with an infectious disease and when there is considered to be a risk that this disease could be passed on to other people.
Exclusion under the Public Health Act is used to reduce the risk of spread of infectious diseases from person to person via the ‘faecal oral route’: when you put something in your mouth, which has been contaminated by the stools/faeces of someone with the bug.
Q. Who can be excluded?
A. Children under the age of 10 are excluded under the Public Health Act when they have been diagnosed with an infectious disease that could be spread to others. If a child under the age of 10 is in close contact (e.g. a sibling) of someone who has an infectious disease, they may also be excluded.
Q. Where/what is a person excluded from?
A. Children who are excluded under the Public Health Act should not attend nursery, school or childcare facilities for the duration of the exclusion. Your child’s nursery/school/childminder will receive a letter to inform them of the exclusion; this will not include specific details of your child’s diagnosis.
In addition to exclusion for nursery/school, there are other activities that may be linked to possible spread of infection to vulnerable groups of people and should therefore be avoided.
Examples of activities and places to avoid during exclusion are:
Swimming
Soft play facilities
Children’s parties /crèches / playgroups / toddler groups / nurseries / after school clubs
Sports clubs
Other gatherings of children
Contact with children under the age of 10 years who are not part of your household
Q. What happens next?
A. You may have initially been told about your child’s infectious disease by your GP, an Environmental Health Officer or a doctor at the hospital. Exclusion under the Public Health Act is the responsibility of a Consultant in Public Health. Should you need further advice or information please contact the Health Protection Team.
Your child’s exclusion can be lifted when they have been formally cleared of infection. Clearance requires testing of stool samples, which you give to your GP surgery. Your child’s first sample can be submitted 48 hours after their last episode of symptoms. Samples should be collected at least 24 hours apart, 2 consecutive negative samples are required to show that your child is free from infection.
Once the Health Protection Team has received the results of samples and confirmed that your child’s exclusion can be lifted, we will inform you by telephone and in writing. Your child’s nursery/school will also be informed.
TALKS to resolve the local government workers strike ended without an agreement being reached yesterday.
Unions had sought clarity over a 5% offer tabled at a meeting with local government organisation Cosla but the employers were unable to give sufficient reassurances to enable unions to call off planned strikes across the country.
This means the ongoing strike in Edinburgh will continue, with other council areas also being hit by industrial action for the first time today.
Edinburgh North and Leith SNP MP Deirdre Brock said the capital’s Labour-run council had failed to put forward a decent pay offer.
Edinburgh council’sLabour leader Cammy Day was criticised last week for offering just 3.5% to council workers while other council leaders were pushing for a 5%pay rise for their workers.
Ms Brock said: “The SNP in government put an extra £140m on the table, on top of the £100m extra given to councils earlier in the year, yet Labour refused to offer that money to refuse workers for over a week, leaving our capital streets an eyesore.
“Residents and tourists alike need to see a plan from Labour to clean up the capital starting today. All we’ve seen so far is ineptitude.”
Her Edinburgh SNP colleague Angus Robertson MSP weighed in:
The Labour administration in Edinburgh is propped up by the Scottish Conservatives and the Lib Dems, but the Tory Local Government spokesperson Miles Briggs MSP had a go at both the Labour-led council and the SNP Holyrood government:
Lamenting the city council’s ‘astounding’ lack of contingency planning – trade unions have made their plans very clear in the run-up to the strike – Lothians list MSP Miles Briggs said: “More could have been done to prepare the city, such as working with private companies or providing additional bins.
“The SNP government must get around the table and fix this before it’s too late. They cannot stand by and watch while a situation that they created by giving councils a poor funding settlement spirals out of control.”
Scotish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole Hamilton lays the blame squarely on the Scottish Government:
“Think of the white elephants the SNP has splurged cash on: independence, the ferries debacle, the embassies so they can play ‘dress-up diplomat’. All of this could have gone to councils to allow them to settle these very reasonable pay expectations.”
Talking of white elephants, our cash-strapped city council chose yesterday to announce £1 BILLION plans for a new North-South tram line … but that’s another story!
Responding to the Edinburgh refuse workers’ industrial action, Labour Lothian list MSP Foysul Choudhury said:“SNP representatives should get off their high horse about the ongoing industrial action when they should have been canvassing their own party in the Scottish Government to agree extra cash with COSLA for councils to pay workers a fair wage, rather than expecting Edinburgh City Council to cut services elsewhere.
“It is up to the Scottish Government and COSLA to agree further funding, and then up to COSLA and the unions to agree the terms of any new pay deal, not Edinburgh City Council. As a former City Councillor, Deidre Brock knows this and yet has pretended otherwise in the media.
“Nobody wants to see the streets of Edinburgh in their current state, but the ongoing industrial action shows what a crucial job refuse and recycling workers do and demonstrates why we should be paying them fairly for their work.
“At the same time it is ridiculous for SNP representatives to lay the strike at the hands of a Labour-led council when it is their party which has repeatedly slashed local government budgets in real terms, forcing councils to cut their services to the bone.
“If the SNP really wanted to avoid these strikes rather than play politics, they should have come to an agreement with COSLA sooner, or better still, avoided imposing successive years of painful austerity for local authorities across Scotland.”
UNITE City of Edinburgh Branch pointed out: “Misinformation on #edinburghbinstrikes today is rife. Strike is a national dispute—one council can’t stop it. 14 more councils tomorrow.
“Local government funding has been slashed for a decade. Idea that 5% definitely would have stopped this is a fantasy. An insulting one at that.”
STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer is backing the striking unions. In a tweet yesterday, Ms Foyer said: “Solidarity to all of you. Keep fighting!
“All Scotland’s local government workers deserve a decent pay rise for the vital work you do. Let’s show our support on the picket lines across Scotland tomorrow.”
PLANNED INDUSTRIAL ACTION:
Unison
School and early years workers will strike on 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th September, joining UNISON waste and recycling staff who will have already started their strike action on 26th, 27th, 28th and 29th August and 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th September.
Unite
Strikes will be held between the 18th August – 30th in Edinburgh with a second wave expected in a further 14 local authorities this week.
Aberdeen City, Angus, Clackmannanshire, Dundee, East Ayrshire, East Lothian, East Renfrewshire, Falkirk, Glasgow, Highland, Inverclyde, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire and West Lothian.
In the first wave of action cleansing workers will strike in Aberdeenshire, Clackmannanshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North Lanarkshire, Stirling and South Lanarkshire councils for the first wave of strike action to take place on 26th, 27th, 28th and 29th August and 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th September.
Cleansing workers will strike in Aberdeenshire, Clackmannanshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North Lanarkshire, Stirling and South Lanarkshire councils for the first wave of strike action to take place on 26th, 27th, 28th and 29th August and 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th September.
City of Edinburgh Council: Disruption to Waste Services
We appreciate the impact and inconvenience this will cause you and appreciate your understanding. Please help us to keep the city as clean and safe as possible during the strike by following this guidance:
Regularly check our website and Twitter account for updates on services suspended and when collections will restart in your area. Be aware normal collections may take a while to get back to schedule after the strike ends.
Don’t put any bins, boxes or bags out for collection until the situation changes.
Stock up on strong black bags, and be prepared to fill, seal and store these with extra waste.
When separating your recycling, please try to flatten all cardboard and crush drinks cans and bottles. You can bag these up, separated, to empty into the recycling bin when you can.
Store waste sensibly and safely. If possible, use and share empty garage space with your neighbours or store bags in your garden or driveway.
Don’t store waste in stairwells or landings, where it could become a fire hazard.
Be careful not to block bin chutes or overfill them.
Keep all food waste separate and in an enclosed container, to help prevent smells attracting wildlife.
Talk to your neighbours and share responsibility for keeping spillages to a minimum. Help neighbours who may need support managing their waste. Explain the situation to those who may not have heard.
Please do not leave bags or any bulky items next to full bins. These will not get cleared away and could become a hazard.
Join with neighbours to do local litter picking clean ups, especially around on-street bins and litter bins on your street.
If a bin is full to overflowing, don’t use it, particularly for dog fouling. Please either use a bin that’s not full or take it home and double bag it to reduce smells.
Report a waste emergency
If you need to report an emergency issue where waste is causing injury or hazard call us and listen to select an option carefully. Phone 0131 608 1100, from Monday -Thursday 1000-1600 and Friday 1000-1500. After these hours, phone 0131 200 2000.
You can also email waste@edinburgh.gov.uk with the specific location and details of the issue.
trials in 11 areas across England to help people’s mental and physical health
GPs will issue social prescriptions such as walking, wheeling and cycling, backed by £12.7 million
schemes will include cycling and walking groups, cycle training and free bike loans
Social prescriptions, including walking, wheeling and cycling, will be offered by GPs as part of a new trial to improve mental and physical health and reduce disparities across England, the government has announced today (22 August 2022).
The government has awarded £12.7 million in multi-year funding to 11 local authority areas in England. The funding will go towards several pilot projects in each location, including:
adult cycle training
free bike loans
walking groups
Other schemes include all-ability cycling taster days where people who may not have cycled before can try to in a friendly environment, or walking and cycling mental health groups where people can connect with their communities as they get active.
The pilots must be delivered alongside improved infrastructure so people feel safe to cycle and walk.
The 11 local authority areas that will trial social prescriptions are:
Bath and North East Somerset
Bradford
Cornwall
Cumbria
Doncaster
Gateshead
Leeds
Nottingham
Plymouth
Suffolk
Staffordshire
The pilots, a commitment in the government’s Gear Change plan published in 2020, aim to evaluate the impact of cycling and walking on an individual’s health, such as reduced GP appointments and reliance on medication due to more physical activity. For the first time, transport, active travel and health officials will work together towards a whole systems approach to health improvement and tackling health disparities.
Walking and Cycling Minister, Trudy Harrison, said: ”Walking and cycling has so many benefits – from improving air quality in our communities to reducing congestion on our busiest streets.
“It also has an enormous positive impact on physical and mental health, which is why we have funded these projects which will get people across the country moving and ease the burden on our NHS.”
National Active Travel Commissioner, Chris Boardman, said: “As a nation we need healthier, cheaper and more pleasant ways to get around for everyday trips. Active Travel England’s mission is to ensure millions of people nationwide can do just that – so it’s easier to leave the car at home and to enjoy the benefits that come with it.
“Moving more will lead to a healthier nation, a reduced burden on the NHS, less cancer, heart disease and diabetes, as well as huge cost savings. This trial aims to build on existing evidence to show how bringing transport, active travel and health together can make a positive impact on communities across England.”
The pilots will be delivered between 2022 and 2025 with on-going monitoring and evaluation to support continued learning.
The project is bringing together a range of government departments and agencies including:
NHS Lothian is encouraging parents and carers to help keep children healthy over the school terms this winter by getting them vaccinated against flu. All primary and secondary school pupils are eligible for the vaccine, which is given in schools as a painless nasal spray.
Getting children vaccinated against flu reduces the chances of them missing class time and other activities due to illness and helps prevent them passing the illness to vulnerable family members.
Consent packs containing a letter, leaflet and consent form will be sent home to parents and carers of school children on return to school in August. Secondary pupils can self-consent, though they are encouraged to speak to a parent or carer first.
Letters with appointment details for children aged two to five years who are not yet at school will begin to arrive at homes from September.
Parents and carers should call the number on their child’s letter if their child has missed their appointment or needs to reschedule.
The nasal spray is a quick and painless way of delivering the flu vaccine to children and should start to provide protection within 10-14 days.
Pat Wynne, Nurse Director for NHS Lothian who is overseeing this year’s programme, said: “Getting the nasal spray flu vaccine is the best way to protect your child and those around them. The flu virus changes over time so your child needs to get the vaccine each year to help stay protected.
“Please look out for your child’s consent pack, which they will receive through school from August, and ensure that their completed consent form is returned on time if you wish them to receive the vaccine.”
Public Health Minister Maree Todd said: “Schools are back but we want to keep flu out, which is why all primary and secondary school children are being offered the free flu vaccine.
“Flu can be serious, even for healthy children, so the vaccine offers the best possible protection for your child and those around them who may be more vulnerable to flu. Getting your child vaccinated can help prevent them getting sick, from spreading flu, and requiring time off school and away from other activities.”
School children will receive the flu vaccine in school between September and December. Parents of two to five-year-olds who are not yet at school will be given information about where their child will be vaccinated in their appointment letter. In a small number of cases, the nasal spray may not be suitable, and the vaccine can be given as an injection in the arm instead.
For more information about the flu vaccine, visit NHS Inform or call 0800 030 8013.
Winter Vaccines
Scotland’s Winter Vaccine Programme will see eligible groups invited forward for vaccination against flu and/or COVID-19.
Following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), the following groups will be offered both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines this year:
• aged 50 or over • residents and staff working in a care home for older adults • younger adults in long stay nursing and residential care settings • frontline health and social care workers • Those aged 5 to 49 years with an eligible health condition, including those with poorly controlled asthma • Those aged 5 to 49 years who are: – a household contact of someone with a weakened immune system – an unpaid carer or a young carer (16 years or over) – pregnant
The flu vaccine is also recommended for:
• people aged 16 to 49 years with an eligible health condition, including well controlled asthma • children aged 6 months to 2 years with an eligible health condition • all children aged 2 to 5 years (not yet at school) • all primary and secondary school pupils • nursery, primary and secondary school teachers and pupil-facing support workers in local authority and independent settings • prison population and prison officers and support workers who deliver direct front-facing detention services.
Appointments for priority groups will be made available as the programme progresses – people in those groups should wait until they are contacted or called forward. Read the latest update from the Scottish Government here.
If you’re aged 65 and over, you’ll receive a letter in the coming weeks inviting you to get your flu vaccination and a COVID-19 booster.
It’s quick and safe to get both vaccinations at the same time, so you’ll only need one appointment. If you’re unable to attend, please let us know.
Appointments for all other priority groups will be made available as the programme progresses and eligible cohorts should wait until they are contacted or called forward.
The UK has become the first country to approve a dual vaccine which tackles both the original Covid virus and the newer Omicron variant.The vaccine will now be part of the autumn booster campaign.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has published its advice on which vaccines should be used in this year’s autumn booster programme.
All of the available boosters provide good protection against severe illness from COVID-19 and the Committee has emphasised that getting a booster in good time before the winter season is more important for those eligible than the type of vaccine that is received.
The vaccines advised for use in the autumn booster programme are:
For adults aged 18 years and above:
Moderna mRNA (Spikevax) bivalent Omicron BA.1/Original ‘wild-type’ vaccine
Moderna mRNA (Spikevax) Original ‘wild-type’ vaccine
Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA (Comirnaty) Original ‘wild-type’ vaccine
in exceptional circumstances, the Novavax Matrix-M adjuvanted wild-type vaccine (Nuvaxovid) may be used when no alternative clinically suitable UK-approved COVID-19 vaccine is available
For people aged 12 to 17 years:
Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA (Comirnaty) Original ‘wild-type’ vaccine
For people aged 5 to 11 years:
Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA (Comirnaty) Original ‘wild-type’ vaccine paediatric formulation
‘Bivalent’ vaccines have been developed by global manufacturers since the emergence and dominance of the Omicron variant. These vaccines contain two different antigens (substances that induce an immune response) based on two different COVID-19 strains, or variants. The original mRNA vaccines contain one antigen (monovalent), based on the original ‘wild-type’ strain.
Studies indicate the Moderna bivalent vaccine produces a marginally higher immune response against some variants than the Moderna mRNA Original ‘wild-type’ vaccine. The clinical relevance of these small differences is uncertain.
The committee will consider further bivalent vaccines for use in the programme as they are approved by the MHRA.
In its latest advice the JCVI has stated that, where feasible, it would be preferable for a single type of booster vaccine to be offered throughout the duration of the autumn programme for simplicity of deployment.
Professor Wei Shen Lim, Chair of COVID-19 immunisation on the JCVI, said: “All of the available booster vaccines offer very good protection against severe illness from COVID-19. As more vaccines continue to be developed and approved, the JCVI will consider the benefits of including them in the UK programme.
“It is important that everyone who is eligible takes up a booster this autumn, whichever vaccine is on offer. This will increase your protection against being severely ill from COVID-19 as we move into winter.”
Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at UKHSA, said: “Although cases of COVID-19 are relatively low at present, we are expecting to see the virus circulating more widely during the winter months.
“The booster is being offered to those at higher risk of severe illness and by taking up the booster vaccine this autumn, you will increase your protection ahead of the winter months, when respiratory viruses are typically at their peak.”
An investigation is underway into a cluster of cases of E. coli at a nursery in East Lothian.
NHS Lothian, along with local and national partner agencies, is investigating 28 cases of the infection linked to Church Street Pear Tree Nursery in Haddington.
Although most cases have had mild symptoms and have not required hospital treatment, a small number of confirmed cases have been admitted to hospital. Some of these have been admitted as a precaution and all are in a stable condition.
Investigations so far have not yet revealed a specific source, but advanced microbiological testing is underway to identify the strain of the infection and any links. Those that have been affected have already been excluded and have submitted samples for testing.
Cases, so far, have been confined to the nursery, respective households, or other close contacts. The nursery has been closed as a precautionary measure while the investigations continue.
A small number of people at a partner nursery in the same town reported having symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea, which have resolved without requiring medical treatment. As a precaution, Meadowpark Pear Tree Nursery in Haddington has also been closed. All parents and carers have been notified.
Dr Richard Othieno, Chair of the Incident Management Team and Public Health Consultant, NHS Lothian, said: “We know that this will be an anxious time for many of those who are directly affected by the infection.
“We have written to parents and carers of the children affected and to staff at the nursery to provide the most up to date information and ongoing health advice.
“NHS Lothian has a robust surveillance system in place to identify E. coli cases which helped us to identify these cases early and put in place essential control measures to prevent further spread.
“This outbreak reinforces the importance of washing hands regularly, particularly before eating or preparing food, and after going to the toilet.”
“We continue to provide support to the nursery and those parents and carers who have been directly affected. We have encouraged parents to keep their children away from other children and those at higher risk until their negative results have been received”.
E. coli is a bacterial infection that causes illness in people. The symptoms range from mild loose stools to severe bloody diarrhoea. The most serious complications can lead to blood poisoning and kidney failure
There is no specific treatment for the infection and most people who are infected will get better without medical treatment. However, those who have symptoms, or are concerned, are advised to contact their GP or NHS 24 on telephone number 111.
As further poliovirus has been detected in sewage, JCVI recommends that polio vaccine booster doses should be offered to children across London.
Following the discovery of type 2 vaccine-derived poliovirus in sewage in north and east London, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has advised that a targeted inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) booster dose should be offered to all children between the ages of 1 and 9 in all London boroughs.
This will ensure a high level of protection from paralysis and help reduce further spread of the virus.
Nationally the overall risk of paralytic polio is considered low because most people are protected from this by vaccination.
Many countries globally provide an additional dose of polio-containing vaccine as part of their childhood vaccination schedule. The NHS in London will contact parents when it’s their child’s turn to come forward for a booster or catch-up polio dose – parents should take up the offer as soon as possible.
The programme will start with the areas affected, where the poliovirus has been detected and vaccination rates are low. This will be followed by rapid rollout across all boroughs.
This booster dose will be in addition to the NHS childhood vaccination catch-up campaign across London, where childhood vaccination uptake is lower than the rest of the country. It’s important all children aged 1 to 9 – even if up to date with their vaccinations – accept this vaccine when offered to further strengthen their protection against the poliovirus.
Following the findings earlier this year of type 2 poliovirus (PV2) collected from the Beckton sewage treatment works, further upstream sampling undertaken by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has now identified at least one positive sample of the poliovirus, currently present in parts of the following boroughs:
Barnet
Brent
Camden
Enfield
Hackney
Haringey
Islington
Waltham Forest
The sampling has also detected the virus in lower concentrations and frequency in areas adjacent to the Beckton catchment area to the South (immediately below the Thames) and to the east of Beckton. However, it is not clear whether the virus has established itself in these areas or if the detections are due to people from the affected area visiting these neighbouring areas.
The level of poliovirus found and the high genetic diversity among the PV2 isolates suggests that there is some level of virus transmission in these boroughs which may extend to the adjacent areas. This suggests that transmission has gone beyond a close network of a few individuals.
A total of 116 PV2 isolates have been identified in 19 sewage samples collected in London between 8 February and 5 July this year, but most are vaccine-like virus and only a few have sufficient mutations to be classified as vaccine derived poliovirus (VDPV2).
VDPV2 is of greater concern as it behaves more like naturally occurring ‘wild’ polio and may, on rare occasions, lead to cases of paralysis in unvaccinated individuals.
UKHSA is working closely with health agencies in New York and Israel alongside the World Health Organisation to investigate the links between the poliovirus detected in London and recent polio incidents in these 2 other countries.
Dr Vanessa Saliba, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: “No cases of polio have been reported and for the majority of the population, who are fully vaccinated, the risk is low.
“But we know the areas in London where the poliovirus is being transmitted have some of the lowest vaccination rates. This is why the virus is spreading in these communities and puts those residents not fully vaccinated at greater risk.
“Polio is a serious infection that can cause paralysis but nationally the overall risk is considered low because most people are protected by vaccination. The last case of polio in the UK was in 1984, but decades ago before we introduced the polio vaccination programme around 8,000 people would develop paralysis every year.
“It is vital parents ensure their children are fully vaccinated for their age. Following JCVI advice all children aged 1 to 9 years in London need to have a dose of polio vaccine now – whether it’s an extra booster dose or just to catch up with their routine vaccinations. It will ensure a high level of protection from paralysis. This may also help stop the virus spreading further.”
Jane Clegg, Chief Nurse for the NHS in London said: “While the majority of Londoners are protected from polio, the NHS will shortly be contacting parents of eligible children aged 1 to 9 years old to offer them a top-up dose to ensure they have maximum protection from the virus.
“We are already reaching out to parents and carers of children who aren’t up to date with their routine vaccinations, who can book a catch-up appointment with their GP surgery now and for anyone not sure of their child’s vaccination status, they can check their Red Book.”
UKHSA, working with MHRA, has already increased sewage surveillance to assess the extent of spread of the virus and are currently sampling 8 sites across London.
A further 15 sites in London will start sewage sampling in mid-August, and 10 to 15 sites will be stood up nationally to determine if poliovirus is spreading outside of London.
With more hot weather forecast this week, NHS 24 are offering advice on how to stay safe in the sun as part of their summer health campaign ‘Hello Summer.’
Dr Laura Ryan, a GP and NHS 24’s Medical Director said: ‘We’ve had a few really hot and sunny days in Scotland this summer, which is brilliant for everyone to spend a lot of time outdoors.
‘Unfortunately, the hot weather isn’t good news for everyone, and it’s really important we follow some simple rules to ensure we avoid becoming unwell.
‘When it comes to being safe in the sun, prevention is definitely better than cure. It is best to avoid being in the sun between 12 noon and 3pm if possible. If you need to be outdoors, we advise that everyone, uses a high factor sun protection cream. The best quality lotions block both UVA and UVB rays. Also wear loose-fitting, light-weight clothing that covers your body.
‘If you’re unfortunate to become sunburnt, there’s simple steps to take to lessen the discomfort. The most obvious piece of advice is to avoid being in the sun at all until the redness subsides and don’t burst any blisters. Cool showers or applying cool towels to your body can provide some relief, using moisturiser which contains aloe vera after your shower, or taking painkillers can help with any painful or tight skin. However please check that pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen is safe for you to take.
‘Another weather-related condition which I wish to draw attention to is heat exhaustion or heat stroke.’
Signs or symptoms of heat stroke can include headache, feeling confused or dizzy, rapid pulse or fast breathing, body cramps (in the arms, legs and stomach), sick or vomiting, feeling dehydrated or thirsty, pale, sweaty or clammy skin, a high temperature of 38C or above.
Dr Laura Ryan continued: ‘If someone is showing signs of heat exhaustion, they need to be shaded from the sun and cooled down. Heat exhaustion is not normally serious if the person is treated within 30 minutes and symptoms begin to improve.
‘If there is no improvement in the person’s condition, but they are conscious, alert and responding normally call your local GP during opening hours for further advice. If your GP is closed, call NHS 24 on 111. If you feel their condition is in any way life-threatening, dial 999 and ask for an ambulance.
‘I really encourage everyone to visit NHS inform as it has some great advice on how to stay safe in the sun. By being prepared and following these simple tips, I hope more people will be happy and healthy this summer.’
