NHS Lothian was pleased to welcome the First Minister to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh recently to visit the Cyrenians In Reach Service at NHS Lothian.
The service supports patients in hospital experiencing homelessness to complete treatment and secure suitable housing. The visit came as the Scottish Government announced an additional £40,000 for the In Reach service across NHS Lothian’s three hospitals.
The First Minister, John Swinney, said: “The Cyrenians In Reach Hospital service is absolutely vital for Edinburgh, supporting the most vulnerable patients at risk of homelessness and ensuring they have a home to go to once their treatment is completed.
“Meeting staff and former patients today has given me a key insight into how the service works and the vital role it plays. The further £40,000 from the Scottish Government will ensure it can be expanded to accommodate even more patients, most of whom are also experiencing poor mental health.
“Improving public services is a key priority for the Scottish Government and services such as this play an essential role in supporting our hospitals, local authorities and third partners to reduce rates of homelessness.”
Caroline Hiscox, Chief Executive for NHS Lothian, said: “Working with the Cyrenians Hospital In-Reach service helps us ensure patients experiencing homelessness can leave hospital safely, recover well and reduce preventable readmissions.
“We look forward to supporting this important partnership to expand.”
Chief Executive of Cyrenians Ewan Aitken said: “Homelessness majorly affects people’s health. Studies show that those who have experienced homelessness are three times as likely to be admitted to hospital, and for three times as long.
“Cyrenians Hospital InReach team have been tackling this huge public health issue for nearly five years now – reducing readmissions by three thirds.
“Thanks to this additional funding, we’ll be able to help even more people get the direct support they need, when they need it, find suitable accommodation, and stop the revolving door of hospital and homelessness.”
First Minister John Swinney visited the Royal Hospital for Children (RHC) in Glasgow yesterday to meet families who have benefitted from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s expanding Hospital at Home and virtual hospital services.
Mr Swinney was welcomed by NHSGGC Chair Dr Lesley Thomson KC and Chief Executive Professor Jann Gardner and spoke to staff leading new services designed to deliver hospital-level care for children in the comfort of their own homes.
He was also given a tour of key areas of the hospital including the Teddy Hospital and the Sensory Room, which support children and families during their visits to the RHC.
The First Minister had the opportunity to hear from parents whose children have received care through Hospital at Home, as well as those who have received intravenous antibiotic treatments on an outpatient basis.
NHSGGC recently launched two new services within its wider virtual hospital. Paediatric Hospital at Home offers care and monitoring for children with a wide range of conditions that do not require admission to a physical hospital, while Neonatal Hospital at Home enables babies with neonatal jaundice to receive treatment at home rather than remaining in hospital for several days.
These services, alongside the existing Paediatric Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) service for children with complex infections, significantly expand the opportunities for young patients to be safely treated at home rather than in hospital wards.
First Minister John Swinney said: “We are taking bold action to reduce pressure on our NHS, increase capacity and shift the balance of care into communities.
“Through our £220 million Operational Improvement Plan, we’re investing to reduce waiting times, improving hospital flow, and provide care for patients in the comfort and safety of their own homes.
“It’s clear to see the impact of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s new Paediatric and Neonatal services, helping children to stay at home while receiving hospital level care.
“Thanks to these innovative services, this festive season they can be treated in familiar surroundings rather than be separated from family, friends and pets and not have to travel to a hospital where it isn’t required.”
Paediatric Hospital at Home is tailored to each child and can include a combination of nurse home visits, wearable technology such as oxygen and heart‑rate monitors, virtual consultations, phone check‑ins, and early supported discharge.
This approach allows children to remain with their families in a familiar environment while still receiving high-quality clinical care, often reducing the length of time they spend in hospital.
The new Neonatal Hospital at Home service is already improving experiences for families.
Neonatal jaundice affects around six in ten newborns and typically requires several days of phototherapy treatment in hospital.
Through the new service, babies can now receive phototherapy at home, with neonatal nurses visiting daily to check bilirubin levels, assess progress, and determine whether treatment should continue – all while keeping families together.
These services form a key part of NHSGGC’s Transforming Together programme, which aims to provide more care closer to home and reduce unnecessary time spent in hospital.
The virtual hospital model brings advanced monitoring, treatment, and multidisciplinary support directly to families, helping ensure care is flexible, responsive, and centred around the needs of the patient.
One of the patients Mr Swinney met was 15-week-old Albie Thorburn, who was cared for through the Paediatric Hospital at Home service after having issues with feeding and weight gain.
Albie’s mum Kirsty, 32, explained that her son was initially admitted to the RHC for tests to rule out anything underlying.
She and husband Alan, 38, were then shown how to feed Albie using a nasal gastric tube which was inserted during his hospital stay, and they were able to take him home sooner.
Kirsty, from the east end of Glasgow, said the family had daily check-ins with Albie’s clinicians via phone, and two attendances in person for Albie to be weighed. These phone calls allowed his parents to ask for further advice, and they were given a dedicated out of hours number for any concerns.
She said: “It was great to be under the Hospital at Home as we were getting daily input from the clinicians without Albie having to be in a physical hospital.
“Albie wasn’t unwell, so there was no need for him to be kept in hospital other than having his condition monitored.
“Having him at home meant I was more relaxed and was able to feed him and produce milk better.
“It meant my partner could be there overnight too and assist with the night feeds.
“It just helped us be together at home with all of our comforts. He has been thriving since he got home.”
The First Minister also met three-week-old baby Krish Butti who had jaundice when he was born but was able to go home to have phototherapy treatment.
Krish’s mum, Bijini Balan, who is 35 and lives close to Glasgow city centre, said: “We were much more comfortable at home, and it meant we were more settled.
It was very beneficial not to have to spend days or weeks in hospital because he could have his treatment at home and the jaundice has completely disappeared now.”
Meanwhile, Mr Swinney had the opportunity to meet families of young patients who received intravenous antibiotic treatment on an outpatient basis, also known as OPAT, rather than having to stay overnight in hospital.
Caleb McLellan, 7, was treated using OPAT for a heart infection called endocarditis.
His mum, Joanne Campbell, from Stepps, said: “Having the OPAT treatment had a significant impact on Caleb and really helped him cope with the situation.
“He was able to go to school for a couple of hours in the afternoon each day which meant he was able to see his friends and regain a sense of normality instead of being isolated and confined to hospital.
“Being at home also allowed him to spend time with his little sister, which was hugely important for both of them.”
Dr Neil Patel, Clinical Innovation Director and Consultant Neonatologist at the Royal Hospital for Children, said: “Our Hospital at Home programme is giving babies and children the opportunity to receive the same high‑quality care they’d receive in hospital, but in the place that’s most natural and comfortable for them – their own home.
“We’re seeing the benefits every day, from reduced hospital stays to better experiences for families at what can be a very stressful time.
“These services are a core part of NHSGGC’s virtual hospital and our wider Transforming Together agenda.
“By using technology, specialist nursing support, and innovative care pathways, we are safely shifting more hospital‑level care to the home environment, improving outcomes while helping families stay together.”
New outpatient waits over 52 weeks reduce for fifth month in a row
New figures show long waits have fallen for the fifth month in a row with significant progress reported by health boards across a number of specialties.
Latest data from Public Health Scotland shows, between April 2025 and October 2025, new outpatient waits of over a year reduced by 17.9% and that these waits reduced for five consecutive months. In the same time period, the total over 52 week waiting list size for new inpatient/daycase procedures also reduced by 26.1%.
On a visit to Gartnavel General Hospital in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Health Secretary Neil Gray welcomed the progress, saying: “These figures show we are turning a corner in our efforts to reduce the backlog caused by the pandemic and our plan is working – long waits are reducing and we are treating patients more quickly.
“We are seeing downward trends across nearly all waiting list indicators and this is testament to the tireless work of our NHS staff – I thank them for their outstanding efforts.
“The First Minister put health at the very heart of this year’s budget and we are seeing the tangible impact of our additional targeted investment of £135.5 million. Outpatient waits over a year are down 17.9% and inpatient/daycase waits over a year have reduced by 26.1% – this is the first time we have seen this level of sustained improvement since the pandemic.
“Thousands more appointments, operations and procedures are being delivered this year and we are determined to continue to build on this momentum, ensuring people receive the treatment they need as soon as possible.
“I was pleased to meet the Gartnavel ophthalmology team and hear about their progress – since April 2025 new outpatient waits for ophthalmology are down by 72.6% across NHS GGC and we have a 53% decrease in new inpatient/daycase waits for orthopaedics – reducing the over 52 week waiting list in Scotland by 6.3%.”
Between April 2025 and October 2025 health boards reporting significant reductions in new outpatient waits, including:
• a 72.2% decrease in Ear, Nose & Throat waits at NHS Ayshire & Arran • a 74.1% reduction in Gynaecology waits and a 60.6% drop in Orthopaedic waits at NHS GGC • a 23.9% decrease in Ophthalmology waits at NHS Lothian • a 80.6% reduction in Neurology waits at NHS Highland.
Between April 2025 and October 2025, health boards reported reductions in inpatient/daycase waits, including:
• a 52.98% reduction in Orthopaedic waits and a 54.66% drop in General Surgery waits at NHS GGC • a 60.86% decrease in General Surgery waits at NHS Lothian • a 29.59% reduction in Urology waits at NHS Tayside.
The new statistics also show increased levels of patients being seen and treated in shorter periods. In October 2025, 58.3% (14,235) of inpatient/daycases were seen within 12 weeks – up compared to 55.5% in March 2025. For new outpatients waits, 61.9% (72,698) were completed in 12 weeks or less compared to 60.8% in March 2025.
For ongoing waits – at the end of October 2025, 42.8% (234,414) of new outpatient waits had been waiting less than 12 weeks, an increase from 41.4% at the end of March 25. For inpatient/daycase waits, 36.9% (57,468) had been waiting less than 12 weeks, an increase from 34.6 % in March.
A further 2,500 people living with type 1 diabetes are receiving “life changing” access to the latest technologies to help prevent serious health complications.
An additional £6.9 million Scottish Government funding this year is expanding access to closed loop systems, prioritising children and adults who health boards believe will benefit the most.
Closed loop systems use a blood glucose sensor linked to a pump to automatically calculate how much insulin should be delivered – reducing the need to work out dosages and take injections.
Training, education and support is given remotely by health professionals including specialist nurses and dietitians.
Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said: “Expanding access to closed loop systems will have a life changing impact on those living with type 1 diabetes. These technologies greatly reduce the risk of long term complications and removes much of the burden of managing the condition on a day to day basis.
“More than a century since insulin was first discovered, technology continues to change lives for the better. I hope all children and adults who benefit from these technologies go on to lead healthy and active lives with the support of treatment advances such as this.
“We are harnessing innovation, in line with our ten-year Service Renewal Framework, to help people better manage their own treatment. This will shape an efficient health and social care system which delivers high quality care at the right time in the right place.”
Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong condition which affects more than 35,000 people, including around 3,340 children.
Some 70% of NHS diabetes spend is on preventable complications including treating kidney failure, heart disease, blindness and foot amputations.
During the programme’s first year in 2024-25, the Scottish Government invested £8.8 million and around 2,100 people received closed loop systems; including approximately 77% of under 18s with type 1 diabetes.
In 2025-2026 health boards will receive £7.5 million ongoing funding for consumables used by the systems and £6.9 million to support adding 2,500 more people.
Initiative will save thousands of ambulance journeys every month
Almost £1 million is being allocated to help reduce pressures on A&E departments and improve patient flow over the winter months.
The Scottish Ambulance Service will receive £995,000 to increase staffing for a clinical hub model, which uses GPs to triage patients as calls come in to prevent unnecessary ambulance dispatches and ensure everyone gets the treatment they need.
The system was trialled successfully over a weekend in September this year and it is estimated that it could save 12,000 ambulance journeys over winter as well as safely preventing an additional 4,500 patients being conveyed to Emergency Department front doors.
The funding will also enable the expansion of patient transport hubs in areas where pressures are greatest, using Hospital Ambulance Liaison Officers who help identify and co-ordinate early discharges – reducing handover delays by keeping the flow of patients moving through the system in periods of high activity.
Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “Improving patient care over the winter months is a priority and this funding will see patients treated faster in the setting which is appropriate for them.
“The measures being taken by the Scottish Ambulance Service will help cut unnecessary ambulance dispatches and improve patient outcomes and experiences through earlier clinical intervention.
“Our winter preparations have also seen a £20 million investment for health board initiatives to increase social care capacity and relieve pressure on acute services.
“And, as the temperature drops, we continue to urge those eligible for the flu vaccine to take up the offer.
“As always I thank all our dedicated health and social care staff who continue to work tirelessly to provide excellent care to all those who need it.”
In collaboration with Public Health Scotland, Nesta, an innovation agency for social good, has today published two key publications which explore how Scotland’s planning system can be used to create healthier food environments and support efforts to reduce obesity and health inequalities.
The two publications are:
‘Planning for Healthier Communities – Opportunities in the Scottish Planning System’ (research report)
‘The role of Local Development Plans (LDPs) in shaping healthier food environments across Scotland’ (supporting briefing)
These resources draw on research, stakeholder engagement, and lessons learned to recommend practical steps for integrating food environment policies into the local planning system.
Around two thirds of adults in Scotland are living with overweight or obesity, and one in three children starting primary 1 are at risk of overweight or obesity, with rates significantly higher in more deprived areas.
Recent modelling also projects substantial increases in overweight by 2040. The need for change is evident and reducing overweight and obesity is a key priority in Scotland’s Population Health Framework.
Historically, planning policies in Scotland have rarely addressed food environments or obesity directly. But now, the Scottish Government’s National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) and Local Development Plans (LDPs) provide an opportunity to change that. LDPs are currently in preparation stage, with decisions taken over the next two to three years shaping Scotland’s food environment for the next decade.
Many organisations, including local authorities and health boards, play a key role in the planning process. These new publications outline key stages and priority areas where public health professionals can contribute and influence the development of plans, such as:
providing local health data and expertise to support the case for food environment policies
focussing on health inequalities and areas where unhealthy food environments and obesity rates are highest
building stronger collaborations between planning and public health to gather evidence and advocate for change
Claire Hislop RNutr (Public Health), Organisational Lead – Food and Physical Activity, Public Health Scotland, said: “Scotland’s current food environment often fails to support healthy eating. This is particularly evident in communities with higher deprivation and where access to affordable, nutritious food can be limited.
“Improving Scotland’s food environment requires a package of measures; utilising the planning process as part of this is both necessary and possible.
“In particular, Local Development Plan preparation offers a unique, but time limited, opportunity to contribute to creating communities that enable and promote healthier food options – for years to come.”
Frances Bain, Mission Manager, Nesta, added: “Nesta were delighted to partner with Public Health Scotland on this research which was carried out through a residency placement and explored the potential to use the planning system to influence healthier food environments.
“Thanks to all the local and national stakeholders who participated in the research and in particular Dr Meadhbh Maguire for leading the work.
“We have been able to outline the opportunities and challenges that exist when considering new planning policies relating to the food environment and highlight the role that local development plans can play in supporting public health.”
SNP MSP Gordon Macdonald is encouraging people across Edinburgh to get their flu vaccine as the SNP Scottish Government announced £20 million to strengthen social care and ease pressure on the NHS this winter.
Mr Macdonald has warned of an early and potentially difficult flu season and is encouraging everyone eligible, especially children, young people, and vulnerable groups, to take up the free vaccine.
The SNP’s £20 million investment announced by Health Secretary Neil Gray will boost local care capacity, reduce pressure on hospitals, and support hardworking NHS staff this winter, while Labour continues to talk Scotland down and offer no real plan for the NHS.
The SNP Government is also recruiting 290 new frontline Scottish Ambulance Service staff and investing £5 million in NHS 24’s digital systems to help people access care more quickly.
Commenting, Gordon Macdonald said: “Flu can be serious, especially for older people and those with underlying conditions. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself, your loved ones, and our NHS.
“I’d also particularly encourage parents and carers across the city to make sure children and young people get their free flu jag, and for everyone eligible to take up the offer. It’s quick, easy, and helps keep our whole community healthy this winter.
“This latest £20 million investment shows once again that the SNP is taking real, practical action to support our NHS and our social care services.”
An independent report by an expert group set up to review the current law on abortion in Scotland has been published today.
The Abortion Law Expert Group was commissioned following a Programme for Government commitment for 2023 -24 to independently review the existing law and ensure that abortion services are safe and treated first and foremost as a healthcare matter for women.
The group was chaired by Scotland’s Women’s Health Champion Professor Anna Glasier and brought together lawyers, clinicians, academics, and representatives of women’s organisations to ensure that the voices of people with lived experience were heard. Their work considered current clinical practice, international examples, academic research, and a wide range of stakeholder views from across Scotland.
Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health Jenni Minto said: “I thank Professor Glasier and all the members of the Expert Group for their work and for their robust consideration of current clinical practice and research.
“I also welcome the time they have taken to consider a broad range of views from stakeholders across Scotland.
“It is right that we continue to ensure that abortion is treated as a healthcare matter and that women are supported to access safe and timely abortion services.
“The recommendations within the report represent the views of the Expert Group – it is only one part of this review process, and the Scottish Government will now begin its own period of evidence gathering and engagement with a range of stakeholders. We will take time to carefully consider all the findings and respond in due course.”
Chair and Expert Group Professor Anna Glasier said: “I am extremely pleased to see that the Expert Group’s report on the law on abortion has been published today. The Group worked incredibly hard, and benefitted greatly from the input and expertise of a wide range of stakeholders, to develop evidence-based, balanced recommendations.
“The report demonstrates the Group’s view that it is time for an abortion law that reflects the reality of current clinical practice where abortions are safely provided in the best interests of women.
“It is now for the Scottish Government to consider these recommendations and carry out the further engagement required to come to a decision on legislative proposals. I look forward to hearing the Government’s views in due course.”
Today, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) welcomes the publication of an independent report by the expert group established to review Scotland’s abortion law.
The Abortion Law Expert Group was commissioned as part of the Scottish Government’s 2023–24 Programme for Government to undertake an independent review of the current law and to consider how abortion can be regulated as a safe, modern healthcare service for women.
In response to the report, Professor Ranee Thakar, President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said: “We welcome this report – the proposed changes in Scotland represent an important step towards ensuring that women can access abortion care safely, confidentially and without fear of investigation or prosecution.
“These recommendations also reflect a positive trend across all four nations of the UK towards treating abortion as essential healthcare rather than a criminal issue.
“In England and Wales, MPs have already sent a clear message by voting to remove women from the criminal law – reflecting public opinion that reproductive rights matter. We now urge Peers in the House of Lords to follow suit and back this vital amendment to see abortion decriminalised.
“Abortion is healthcare that around one in three women will need in their lifetime, and it should be regulated and delivered to the same professional standards as any other medical procedure, not through the criminal law.”
Read the full report via the Scottish Government’s website here.
Delivering extra appointments and procedures for patients
Health boards will receive an additional £25.5 million this year to allow them to deliver more planned care appointments and procedures to reduce long waits for patients, First Minister John Swinney has announced.
The additional funding will support the delivery of more outpatient appointments and inpatient/day case procedures across a variety of specialities including orthopaedics, dermatology, general surgery and gynaecology. Cardiology and paediatrics will also get extra funding.
This new support takes total additional investment to £135.5 million in 2025-26 to help the National Health Service maintain progress on reducing waiting lists.
Recent figures show the total list size and longest waits are coming down. There has also been an increase of more than 31,000 appointments and procedures from April to September this year compared to same period in 2024.
Speaking during a visit to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, the First Minister said: “The latest figures show our plan to support Scotland’s NHS is working, delivering real benefits for patients.
“We have already provided £110 million of additional targeted funding this year to tackle the longest waits. Now we are providing a further boost to deliver more appointments and procedures, taking the total additional funding to £135.5 million for 2025-26.
“I am determined to build on the progress being achieved by hardworking staff in our health service, like those I met today at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. We want to help them provide the care and treatment patients need and expect – and we are already seeing results.
“Not only are the total list size and longest waits coming down, but we are treating more people than last year. There is still work to be done, but these are very welcome improvements.
“Under my leadership, the people of Scotland can expect a strong National Health Service delivering patient care of the highest possible quality.”
The additional £25.5 million will be shared between the following health boards:
Ayrshire and Arran
Fife
Grampian
Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Highland
Lanarkshire
Lothian
Shetland
Tayside
In NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, as at 30 September 2025, new outpatient ongoing waits over 52 weeks had decreased by 17.6% and inpatient/day case ongoing waits over 52 weeks had decreased by 5.7% compared to the previous month.
