Tag: public health

Defibrillators: dental practices to receive life-saving machines

‘I firmly believe this scheme will save many more lives’ – Matheson 

Roll-out of defibrillators - lIst

Communities across Scotland will have access to potentially life-saving defibrillators as the machines are installed in independent NHS dental practices across the country.

The £600,000 programme will see defibrillators delivered by the end of the month. The locations of the defibrillators will be logged with the Scottish Ambulance Service control system, which will increase community access to defibrillators, reduce delays in treatment and increase the chances of survival for cardiac arrest victims.

More than 1500 Scots died after suffering a cardiac arrest outwith hospital last year. 

To mark yesterday’s roll-out launch, Minister for Public Health Michael Matheson visited the Montgomery Street Dental Practice in Edinburgh, one of the first to receive a defibrillator.

Mr Matheson, who is himself trained in the use of defibrillators, said: “Every second counts when someone suffers a cardiac arrest and having access to a defibrillator can mean the difference between life and death.

“By the end of this roll-out, there will be more defibrillators in public spaces. With these machines mapped to the Scottish Ambulance Service control system, people can be directed to them more quickly if there is an incident, cutting the delay in treatment and increasing the victim’s chance of survival.

“As these machines are becoming easier to use it is only right that the public have more access to its life-saving potential and I firmly believe that this scheme will save many more lives.”

Alex Coakley, Principal Dentist at the Montgomery Street Practice, added: “This is a fantastic initiative by the Scottish Government. Having defibrillators available in convenient locations such as dental practices will mean that they can be taken to the scene of any incident as quickly as possible, and hopefully save lives.”

Pat Kilpatrick, director of the British Dental Association Scotland, said: “BDA Scotland is delighted that the Scottish Government has recognised the important contribution that the dental team can make in saving lives, and for making this possible by providing defibrillators for every dental practice in Scotland.”

 

Culture is good for your health!

Research shows a clear link for the first time

Participation in culture is significantly linked to good health and high life satisfaction in Scotland, new research shows. A detailed study carried out by Scottish Government analysts and published today, confirms for the first time that cultural engagement is having a positive impact on the nation’s health and life satisfaction.

The study, based on data from the Scottish Household Survey 2011, considered the impact on health of both culture and sport.  It found that those who participate in culture or attend cultural places or events are more likely to report good health and life satisfaction that those who do not.  This remains true even when other factors such as age, economic status, income, area deprivation, education qualification, disability or long standing illness and smoking are accounted for.

Key findings show:

  • Those who attended a cultural place or event in the previous 12 months were almost 60 per cent more likely to report good health compared to those who did not.
  • Those who participated in a creative or cultural activity in the previous 12 months were 38 per cent more likely to report good health compared to those who did not.
  • Those who visited a library and those who visited a museum were almost 20 per cent more likely to report good health than those who had not.
  • Those who visited a theatre were almost 25 per cent more likely to report good health than those who did not.
  • Those who participated in dance were 62 per cent more likely to report good health than those who did not.
  • Those who read for pleasure were 33 per cent more likely to report good health than those who did not.

The research follows data from the 2010 Scottish Household Survey that shows that people who are encouraged to participate in cultural activity as children are more likely to continue to do so into adulthood.

It also builds on evidence from the major longitudinal study ‘Growing Up in Scotland’ that shows that from the youngest ages, most children in Scotland are exposed to cultural activities, and that this has an impact on their cognitive development.

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “This Government is committed to promoting and supporting cultural activities because we recognise and value the potential benefits not only to individuals but also to our communities.

“Cumulatively, this growing evidence base is giving us more insight into the benefits that taking part in cultural and creative activities brings – at every life stage.

“Starting young, and being encouraged to take part in culture as a child, makes it more likely that the benefits of taking part will be experienced as an adult.

“That’s why this Government has funded activities like Bookbug, Scottish Book Trust’s Early Years programme, which encourages parents and children to read together from birth, and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra’s Astar CD which is helping parents in Scotland to introduce their babies to the joy of music.”

Heather Stuart, Chair of VOCAL, said: “Those of us who are involved in the delivery of culture and sport services on a daily basis have never been in any doubt about the positive impact they have on peoples’ health and wellbeing and quality of life.  We see it every day.

“I am therefore delighted that this study evidences so well, and so robustly, the relationship between taking part in culture and sport activities, attendance at cultural places, and quality of life.

“Evidence like this needs to inform the longer term debate about the wider impact of these services and how they contribute to the wellbeing of the population and the priorities of central and local government.

“Their contribution in addressing the key challenges for Scotland around the physical and mental health of the population is clear.  There is no doubt culture and sport services are effective preventative medicine.”

Mark O’Neill, Director of Policy & Research, Glasgow Life, commented:
“This is a really ground-breaking piece of work for Scotland – and for the UK. It demonstrates, for the first time, a clear association between cultural attendance and improved health and wellbeing. It strengthens the case for cultural participation being included in any assessment of life satisfaction – and in any holistic public health strategy.”

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Legionella Update

The latest reports from the Scottish Government Resilience Room (SGoRR) on the Edinburgh Legionnaires’ outbreak show that there are now 21 confirmed cases and 19 suspected cases.

One of the confirmed cases has died, two have been discharged from hospital and 12 are being treated in intensive care.

An emergency information leaflet will be delivered to all homes and businesses in affected areas today (Thursday). GPs have also been provided with information on spotting the signs of infection.

A dedicated NHS helpline has been set up for anyone concerned and can be reached on 0800 0858 531.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: “The fact remains that the risk to the general public is low – however, due to the incubation period of the infection we are still expecting to see an increase in cases over the next couple of days.

“There is a now a dedicated advice line for everyone who is affected by the outbreak and households in affected  areas will receive a leaflet advising on the symptoms to look out for.

“A tremendous amount of work has been done to identify and deal with the source of infection and ongoing work is focusing on cooling towers in the area. All of the towers have been treated and the first phase of site inspections has now been completed by HSE.”

Dr Duncan McCormick Consultant in Public Health Medicine NHS Lothian said: “Our advice is that there is a very low risk to the public and people should go about their daily business as usual.

“We remain confident – based on the available evidence – that the general source of the infection has been identified and that the treatment to the cooling towers will prove successful.

“We are expecting cases to continue to emerge over the next few days.

“I would like to assure the public that the drinking water is completely safe – the virus is not passed on by drinking water or from person to person transmission.

“If anyone has any concerns we would advise them to consult their GP or the NHS 24 dedicated helpline.”

Ms Sturgeon will be making a statement on the legionella outbreak to Parliament later this morning.

Legionnaires’ Disease latest

NHS L0thian is now investigating 17 confirmed cases and 15 suspected cases of Legionnaires’ disease. One patient, a man in his 50s with under lying health conditions, has died while being treated at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

Thirteen men and two women aged between 33 and 74 are in a critical condition with the disease and are being treated in intensive care in hospitals in Lothian. One man has recovered and has been discharged.

Although unconfirmed, 15 other cases – ten men and five women – are also being investigated. All of these patients are being treated in hospitals in Lothian. The majority of the confirmed cases are linked geographically to the Dalry, Gorgie and Saughton areas. Investigations into the other cases and possible links with the area are ongoing.

The source of the outbreak continues to be investigated by officials from the City of Edinburgh Council’s Environmental Health Service and Scientific Service and the Health and Safety Executive.

Industrial cooling towers have been identified as a potential source of the infection and the cooling systems at four facilities in the area have been subject to an additional chemical treatment. Further inspections of these facilities will be carried out by the Environmental Health Service and the Health and Safety Executive over the coming days to ensure control measures continue to be effective.

Samples have been taken from these four facilities, but legionella is a difficult bacteria to culture and it may take up to ten days before results of the samples are available. Other possible sources are not being ruled out.

Dr Duncan McCormick, Consultant in Public Health Medicine and Chair of the Incident Management Team, said: “I would like to express my sincere condolences to the family of the patient that died. Investigations into the possible source of this outbreak are on-going. Meanwhile, medical staff have been actively identifying possible cases to allow us to ascertain the full extent of this outbreak.”

He continued: “I would like to reassure the public that household water supplies are safe and that Legionnaire’s disease cannot be contracted by drinking water. Older people, particularly men, heavy smokers and those with other health conditions are at greater risk of contracting the disease. I would urge anyone who develops symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease to contact NHS 24 or their GP.”

The first case was identified on Thursday 28 May. The symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease can begin anytime from between 2-14 days after exposure to the bacteria.

Legionella bacteria sometimes find their way into artificial water supply systems, such as air conditioning systems, hot water services, and cooling towers. Given the right conditions, legionella bacteria can contaminate these water systems.

Legionnaires’ disease is contracted by breathing in small droplets of contaminated water. However, the condition is not contagious and cannot be spread directly from person to person. It cannot be contracted through drinking water.

Symptoms usually begin with an initial phase lasting 1-2 days, in which you experience mild headaches and muscle pain. This is followed by the onset of more severe symptoms including high fever – usually a temperature of 40C (104F) or above – , more severe muscle pain and chills.

Once the bacteria begin to infect your lungs, you may also experience a persistent cough (usually dry at first but as the infection develops you may start coughing up mucus or possibly blood), shortness of breath and chest pains.

About 30% of people with Legionnaires’ disease will also experience gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and loss of appetite. About half of those with Legionnaires’ disease will also experience changes to their mental state, such as confusion.

Legionnaires' Disease latest

NHS L0thian is now investigating 17 confirmed cases and 15 suspected cases of Legionnaires’ disease. One patient, a man in his 50s with under lying health conditions, has died while being treated at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

Thirteen men and two women aged between 33 and 74 are in a critical condition with the disease and are being treated in intensive care in hospitals in Lothian. One man has recovered and has been discharged.

Although unconfirmed, 15 other cases – ten men and five women – are also being investigated. All of these patients are being treated in hospitals in Lothian. The majority of the confirmed cases are linked geographically to the Dalry, Gorgie and Saughton areas. Investigations into the other cases and possible links with the area are ongoing.

The source of the outbreak continues to be investigated by officials from the City of Edinburgh Council’s Environmental Health Service and Scientific Service and the Health and Safety Executive.

Industrial cooling towers have been identified as a potential source of the infection and the cooling systems at four facilities in the area have been subject to an additional chemical treatment. Further inspections of these facilities will be carried out by the Environmental Health Service and the Health and Safety Executive over the coming days to ensure control measures continue to be effective.

Samples have been taken from these four facilities, but legionella is a difficult bacteria to culture and it may take up to ten days before results of the samples are available. Other possible sources are not being ruled out.

Dr Duncan McCormick, Consultant in Public Health Medicine and Chair of the Incident Management Team, said: “I would like to express my sincere condolences to the family of the patient that died. Investigations into the possible source of this outbreak are on-going. Meanwhile, medical staff have been actively identifying possible cases to allow us to ascertain the full extent of this outbreak.”

He continued: “I would like to reassure the public that household water supplies are safe and that Legionnaire’s disease cannot be contracted by drinking water. Older people, particularly men, heavy smokers and those with other health conditions are at greater risk of contracting the disease. I would urge anyone who develops symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease to contact NHS 24 or their GP.”

The first case was identified on Thursday 28 May. The symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease can begin anytime from between 2-14 days after exposure to the bacteria.

Legionella bacteria sometimes find their way into artificial water supply systems, such as air conditioning systems, hot water services, and cooling towers. Given the right conditions, legionella bacteria can contaminate these water systems.

Legionnaires’ disease is contracted by breathing in small droplets of contaminated water. However, the condition is not contagious and cannot be spread directly from person to person. It cannot be contracted through drinking water.

Symptoms usually begin with an initial phase lasting 1-2 days, in which you experience mild headaches and muscle pain. This is followed by the onset of more severe symptoms including high fever – usually a temperature of 40C (104F) or above – , more severe muscle pain and chills.

Once the bacteria begin to infect your lungs, you may also experience a persistent cough (usually dry at first but as the infection develops you may start coughing up mucus or possibly blood), shortness of breath and chest pains.

About 30% of people with Legionnaires’ disease will also experience gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and loss of appetite. About half of those with Legionnaires’ disease will also experience changes to their mental state, such as confusion.