Most vulnerable protected against COVID-19 and flu
Over a million vaccines have been delivered to protect against the latest strains of flu and COVID-19 in the latest efforts to relieve winter pressure on the NHS.
Frontline healthcare staff and the country’s most vulnerable have been immunised at speed – with 80.2% of all care home residents being fully vaccinated since the rollout began in September.
The next groups in line for their vaccines – over 65s and those at high-risk – are receiving a scheduled appointment and 50-64 year olds will soon be invited to book an appointment. Anyone who has missed an appointment can reschedule through the NHS Inform online booking portal.
The COVID-19 vaccine is being given at the same time as the flu jab where possible, and so far 94% of those invited have had both at the same appointment. Over two million Scots will be offered both vaccines over the next three months – a pace that aims to maintain Scotland’s place as a leading nation on vaccine uptake.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “This impressive uptake is testament to the frontline staff who got us through the pandemic and continue to protect our population and NHS from the threats that winter brings.
“Scotland remains steadfast in the effort to protect everyone – continuing the huge success of the vaccination programme since it was first rolled out in December 2020.
“COVID-19 has not gone away and I call on everyone to take up the offer of a booster as soon as their invitation arrives to protect themselves, their families and the NHS.”
1,369,270 COVID-19 and flu vaccines have been delivered since the winter vaccine programme launched.
Both new bivalent vaccines, which target Omicron and the original variant of COVID-19, are being deployed alongside existing vaccines, though the vaccination individuals receive will depend on age and vaccine availability.
Both the current and new bivalent vaccines provide good protection from severe illness and hospitalisation from known COVID-19 variants.
Health and social care workers will no longer be required to test for COVID-19 every week as asymptomatic testing is paused by Wednesday (28 September).
The four UK Chief Medical Officers agreed it is safe to halt weekly staff testing, visitor and carer testing and hospital admission testing following a change to the Covid-19 alert level and, importantly, a high uptake of vaccinations.
Stakeholders were informed of the change to the guidance on 14 September and some healthcare and social care settings may therefore choose to pause regular testing before the end of the month.
It is the latest restriction to be lifted in health and social care settings – following the decision earlier this month to remove the requirement for facemasks in social care homes.
Testing will remain in place for admissions into care homes and to support appropriate clinical diagnosis and treatment for hospital patients and care home residents.
Unpaid carers and visitors to care homes and hospitals will no longer need to undertake routine testing, but those planning to see family or friends in these settings are advised follow the ‘Covid Sense’ guidelines and steer clear if they are unwell.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “The huge success of our world-leading vaccination programme means we are now able to pause routine asymptomatic testing in most high-risk settings.
“This is the latest step in our return to normal life, but we must apply Covid Sense to keep these freedoms and ease the pressure on the NHS over winter.
“Vaccination remains our best line of defence against COVID-19 and I urge everyone who is eligible for the winter vaccination programme to take up the offer of an appointment when it’s offered.”
Dentists have warned that the Scottish Government’s last-minute extension of financial support for NHS practices must go hand in hand with meaningful reform to avert a crisis in the service.
A new ‘bridging payment’ will replace the current ‘multiplier’ set to expire on 1 October, uplifting NHS fees a rate of 1.2 for the next three months, falling to 1.1 for the period up to April 2023.
The Cabinet Secretary had previously told the BDA that the multiplier – which at its current level increased NHS fees by 1.3 – had not been included in the Scottish Government’s budget forecasting. The professional body has not ceased reminding officials that without an adequate interim funding package several key treatments including extractions, and anything – like dentures – that requires laboratory work, risk being delivered at a financial loss.
The BDA stress that the new support package cannot presage a return to ‘business as usual’ from April 2023. Dentist leaders stress that in the months ahead efforts must be made to deliver needed change to the broken high volume/low margin model NHS dentistry is based on. Without reform, this package will simply delay an inevitable exodus of dentists from the NHS that is already evident in other UK nations.
While COVID emergency measures have been withdrawn, dentistry in Scotland has not returned to anything resembling pre-pandemic norms, with practices continuing to work under capacity in the face of an historic backlog. Latest figures indicate 261,537 claims were made by dentists delivering NHS treatments in July 2022, less than 60% of the number made in the same month in 2019.
Recent research by the BBC indicated 9 in 10 practices UK-wide were unable to take on new adult patients. In Scotland figures stood at 82%, the multiplier likely playing a decisive role.
David McColl, Chair of the British Dental Association’s Scottish Dental Practice Committee said:“The Scottish Government seem to have recognised the wholesale inadequacy of the funding model for NHS dentistry.
“It’s not rocket science. Without additional support, the basics of NHS care – from extractions to dentures – would have been delivered at a loss. No business can operate on that basis.
“We now need some serious long-term thinking. Unless Ministers are prepared to revisit the system this service is built on, this funding will amount to sticking plaster on a gaping wound.
“If this is just delaying the return to a broken ‘business as usual’ then millions of patients stand to lose out.”
“These are the second worst data on record. Too many patients are waiting too long. We know long waits contribute to patient harm. In August over 29,000 patients waited over 12 hours after a decision to admit was made, with some patients waiting up to three days for a bed.
“We think the consequence of this is shown in the ONS data as 500 excess deaths a week. We must not accept these long stays as normal. We need to see leadership and meaningful action that gets to grips with this crisis.
“We urge the new Prime Minister, Liz Truss, and incoming Health and Social Care Secretary, Therese Coffey (above), to make tackling the crisis in Emergency Care a priority.
The scale of patient harm occurring is shocking. The Emergency Care system is failing to its core functions; it is vital that we mitigate the impact of this crisis ahead of winter and do all we can to keep patients safe and reduce these dangerous waiting times.
“The Prime Minister and Health Secretary must urgently bolster the social care workforce. Thousands of beds are occupied by patients who are medically fit to be discharged, but the lack of social care service means that getting patients home is a slow and complex process.
“This means that hospitals have difficulty in discharging patients in a timely way, leading to exit block, poor flow throughout the hospital and subsequent problems in Emergency Departments and ambulance waits. The need for investment in social care couldn’t be clearer.
“Staff are exhausted, overwhelmed and in the midst of the worst crisis the NHS has ever faced. Widespread shortfalls of staff across all grades and departments mean health care workers are spread increasingly thinly and more prone to burnout – there are currently around 130,000 vacancies in the NHS almost 10% of its workforce.
“The Prime Minister must deliver the fully funded long-term NHS workforce plan that the government pledged to deliver in 2019. Emergency Care is in crisis and there is a shortfall of 2,000-2,500 Emergency Medicine consultants and widespread shortages of vital nursing staff, trainees, SAS doctors and junior and supporting staff are contributing to the challenges.”
There were 1,304,378 attendances at major Emergency Departments
There were 1,988,779 total attendances at all Emergency Care facilities
28,756 patients were delayed for 12 hours or more from decision to admit to admission
This is the second highest number of 12-hour waits on record, just 561 short of the previous record in July 2022
There have now been 178,770 12-hour waits (from decision to admit to admission) so far this year
Four-hour performance at major Emergency Departments was 58.0%, this is the second worst four-hour performance on record, the lowest was recorded the previous month, July 2022
More than 2 in 5 patients were delayed by four-hours or more
Type 1 admissions stood at 350,618 (a daily average of 11,310)
130,528patients spent more than four hours in an Emergency Department from decision to admit to admission (also referred to as ‘trolley waits’)
Bed occupancy stood at 92.8% (far higher than the recommended 85%)
Guidance relaxed in line with latest clinical advice
Social care staff and visitors are no longer being advised to wear facemasks at all times under new guidance published today (7 September).
The recommendation has been lifted due to a sharp drop in coronavirus infections and a reduction in severity of illness, which has been driven by Scotland’s successful vaccination programme which has so far seen more than 12 million Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in Scotland.
Care home residents and their loved ones will benefit from these more relaxed visiting arrangements. Masks and face coverings in social care may still be worn if recommended in certain situations, such as a local outbreak of COVID, or if staff deem it necessary. Staff and visitors remain free to wear one if they choose.
This guidance balances the risk of harm from COVID-19 with the impact masks can have on communication, mental wellbeing and rights and choices of those working in and using social care services.
Social Care Minister Kevin Stewart said: “Our phenomenally successful vaccination programme has driven down infections and saved the NHS from untold pressures.
“Removing the need for facemasks in social care settings including care homes is the latest step in our path to recovering from the pandemic.
“This will make communication and relationships easier in care settings, benefiting mental health and promoting the rights and choices of those working in and using social care.”
‘this should ring alarm bells to all political and health leaders’ RCEM says
Responding to the latest Emergency Department performance figures for Scotland, Dr John-Paul Loughrey, Vice Chair of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine Scotland, said:“The latest Emergency Department performance figures for July should ring alarm bells to all political and health leaders.
“These are the worst performance figures since records began, with over 4,000 patients waiting 12-hours or more in major Emergency Departments in Scotland – equal to nearly one in every 25 patients.
“The depth and scale of this crisis is deeply concerning. Patients are already coming to harm, a consequence of long and dangerous waiting times. These data must be a call to action, especially as winter is fast approaching.
“The government must urgently expand capacity where safely possible; we know there is a shortfall of 1,000 beds in the health system in Scotland. The Scottish government and local authorities must also bolster the social care workforce. Good social care underpins an effective health service.
“Ensuring the timely discharge of patients, which relies on good social care, is crucial for freeing up beds, admitting patients and encouraging flow throughout the hospital.
“Lastly, we must see a long-term workforce plan for the NHS in Scotland. Staff have been pushed to the brink; burnout and distress are leading to health workers considering leaving the workforce.
“We must do all we can to retain staff as well as look to recruiting new staff into the health service. Without the workforce, more and more patients will face longer and longer waits and come to further harm.
“Our priority is patient safety and delivering effective care, that is only possible with a workforce that is not overwhelmed, not burnt out and not undervalued.”
Following on from the previous advice on which vaccines should be used in this year’s autumn booster programme, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has updated its published advice to include an additional bivalent vaccine now approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Studies indicate the Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent vaccine produces a marginally higher immune response against some variants than the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA Original ‘wild-type’ vaccine. The clinical relevance of these small differences is uncertain.
‘Bivalent’ vaccines have been developed by global manufacturers since the emergence and dominance of the Omicron variant. These vaccines are targeted against antigens (substances that induce an immune response) from 2 different COVID-19 strains, or variants.
All of the available booster vaccines offer very good protection against severe illness from COVID-19. As more vaccines continue to be developed, the committee will consider their use in the autumn programme.
Professor Wei Shen Lim, Chair of COVID-19 immunisation on the JCVI, said: “It is very encouraging that more vaccines continue to become available and we now have another option to add to the vaccines already advised for the autumn booster campaign.
“Winter is typically the time of greatest threat from respiratory infections. We strongly encourage everyone who is eligible to have their booster vaccine this autumn when it is offered. This is our best defence against becoming severely ill from COVID-19.”
Pfizer/BioNTech bivalent COVID-19 booster approved by UK medicines regulator
A second, “bivalent” vaccine was yesterday approved as a booster by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) after it was found to meet the UK regulator’s standards of safety, quality and effectiveness.
The updated booster vaccine made by Pfizer/BioNTech, targeting two coronavirus variants, has been approved for use in individuals aged 12 years and above. This decision has been endorsed by the Commission on Human Medicines, after a careful review of the evidence.
In each dose of the booster vaccine, ‘Comirnaty bivalent Original/Omicron’, half of the vaccine (15 micrograms) targets the original virus strain and the other half (15 micrograms) targets Omicron (BA.1).
The MHRA’s decision is based on data from a clinical trial which showed that a booster dose with the bivalent Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine triggers a strong immune response against both Omicron and the original strain. Safety monitoring showed that the side effects observed were the same as those seen for the original Pfizer/BioNTech booster dose and were typically mild and self-resolving, and no new serious safety concerns were identified.
Dr June Raine, MHRA Chief Executive said: I am pleased to announce that we now have a second approved vaccine for the UK Autumn booster programme. The clinical trial of the Pfizer/BioNTech bivalent vaccine showed a strong immune response against the Omicron BA.1 variant as well as the original strain.
“Bivalent vaccines are helping us to meet the challenge of an ever-evolving virus, to help protect people against COVID-19 variants.
“We have in place a comprehensive safety surveillance strategy for all UK-approved COVID-19 vaccines, and this will include the updated booster we approved today.”
Professor Sir Munir Pirmohamed, Chair of the Commission on Human Medicines said: “Following an independent review of the safety, quality and effectiveness of the vaccine, the Commission on Human Medicines and its COVID-19 Vaccines Expert Working Group supports the MHRA’s decision.
“As with any medicinal product, including vaccines, it is important to continually monitor effectiveness and safety when it is deployed, and we have the relevant processes and expertise in this country to do that.
“The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) will advise on how this vaccine should be offered as part of the deployment programme.”
Patients and healthcare staff will no longer face second-hand smoke at hospital doors as a nationwide ban comes into effect tomorrow (Monday 5 September).
The new legislation means anyone found lighting up within fifteen metres of a hospital building could face a fixed penalty notice of £50 or a fine of up to £1,000 if the case goes to court.
This is the latest step in the Scottish Government’s plan to create a tobacco free Scotland by 2034 and supports the voluntary smoke-free hospital grounds policy introduced in 2015.
The new law will apply to NHS hospital settings used for the treatment and care of patients and includes a ban on lighting up beneath overhanging structures.
Public Health Minister Maree Todd said: “Everyone knows that smoking is bad for our health and hospital patients in particular should be protected from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.
“This new law is the latest step in our bold plan to make Scotland tobacco-free by 2034 – building on our dedicated stop-smoking services and early intervention measures to stop youngsters picking up the habit altogether.
“Anyone looking to quit can contact the NHS QuitYourWay Helpline or speak to their local pharmacy to discuss the range of help available.”
ASH Scotland Chief Executive Sheila Duffy said: “Extending current legislation to include outdoor areas will have the positive impact of protecting people from the harmful effects of breathing in toxic tobacco smoke through vents, windows or doorways while they are being treated and recovering in hospital.
“We urge people who smoke to be considerate in remaining outside the 15-metre perimeter, ensuring hospital patients do not face unnecessary additional risks to their health caused by inhaling harmful substances.
“This is particularly important as Scotland challenges the normalisation of smoking on our journey towards becoming tobacco-free.”
If you’re due a wheelie bin collection TODAY or FRIDAY, please put BOTH your green and grey bins out for collection.
Bin collections and street cleansing services resumed on Tuesday but it’s looking increasingly likely that strike action will start again from Tuesday 6 September.
Because of this, we are making changes to bin collection schedules this week:
If you are due a bin collection on Thursday 1 September or Friday 2 September, you should put out both your green AND grey wheelie bins, and any bagged extra waste. Please put them out by 6am on your normal collection day and we will aim to empty them BOTH.
There may be some delays and they may not be collected on the same day as each other, so please leave them out until the end of the day on Monday (5 September).
If you are due a food waste collection, you should put this out as usual, by 6am.
Garden waste collections will be suspended on Thursday 1 September and Friday 2 September. We’re very sorry for this and will be in touch with details of how we’ll compensate you for any recently missed collections.
The glass collection service remains suspended. We’ll provide an update when this is due to restart.
Red box and gull proof sack collections will continue as normal this week.
We are collecting recycling and non-recyclable waste separately. Unfortunately, in some cases recycling bins will have too much non-recyclable waste in them. This means we will not be able to recycle those bins and they will be collected alongside grey wheelie bins. We will be recycling as much as we can.
We are working hard to catch up on collections after the strike action. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Please let your neighbours, family and friends who might not have heard about the latest guidance know.
You can find full details of bin collection days, the recovery plan and advice on dealing with waste at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/binstrike
Find out more about changes to collections this week on the city council website:
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
