research – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Prostate cancer detection: ‘Extremely encouraging’ clinical trial results

New ultrasound imaging technique reliably spots prostate cancer, initial patient trial reveals

A groundbreaking new imaging approach developed by researchers at Heriot-Watt University has shown ‘extremely encouraging’ results in early-stage clinical trials on prostate cancer at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh.

The ongoing clinical trial demonstrated an initial 94% sensitivity rate in tumour detection. The new test is delivered in less than 20 minutes and relies on existing clinical ultrasound equipment.

The cost of an ultrasound scanner is a fraction of an MRI scanner (around 10%), so the new approach provides clinicians with a valuable new tool to help better guide prostate biopsies and focal therapy, a technique that destroys cancer cells.

All men are at risk of prostate cancer with 1 in 8 diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime. 52,000 men in the UK are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year – 144 every day.

Currently, a relatively unreliable blood test, called a Prostate Specific Antigen or PSA test, means many men are unnecessarily sent for an expensive MRI scan in an attempt to spot cancerous tissue. Current long waiting lists for tests mean treatment can be delayed.

Despite using multi-parametric MRI (mpMRI – a specialist type of scan) for prostate cancer diagnosis, up to 28% of clinically significant tumours are missed and 1 in every 2 individuals with positive MRI findings receive a negative biopsy result.

Less Grey Imaging Ltd is a spin-out from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, with the mission to bring greater clarity to prostate imaging. The technology offers clinicians up to a 20-fold increase in resolution compared to mpMRI, which provides a grey and difficult-to-read image.

The new imaging test begins by injecting a commonly used contrast agent into a vein that contains millions of tiny and harmless microbubbles that travel through the patient’s bloodstream to the prostate.

The team uses a technique known as super resolution ultrasound imaging (SRUI) to track these microbubbles as they flow inside the prostate. Due to the altered blood flow in cancerous tissue, the image highlights previously unseen tumours, enabling earlier diagnosis.

Dr. George Papageorgiou, CEO of Less Grey Imaging, explains how the new technique aligns well with histopathology, the diagnosis and study of diseases of the tissues which involves examining tissues or cells under a microscope. He said: “Our initial clinical findings in prostate imaging align well with histopathology, highlighting its potential to reliably detect clinically significant prostate cancer.

“Currently, prostate cancer diagnosis varies widely across the country, with many patients being diagnosed too late for curative treatment. By integrating ultrasound more prominently into the diagnostic pathway, we can ensure equal opportunities for early diagnosis across all regions of the UK.

“Less Grey Imaging’s mission is to revolutionise prostate imaging by delivering clarity and precision. Urologists will have an imaging tool that enables accurate diagnoses and quicker decision-making. Our software deploys existing ultrasound equipment to enhance image quality down to microscopic detail. By minimising reliance on radiologist assessment, we intend to streamline workflows, reduce NHS costs, and improve patient efficiency.”

The potential of the technology has been recognised by Innovate UK, which awarded the company a £370,000 grant through its ICURe Exploit Funding programme. This is being used to support the company’s product development and attract further investment.

The UK has a higher cancer mortality rate compared to several other developed countries, and more recently, the Darzi report, a bleak review of the NHS published in September 2024, revealed that waiting times targets for the first treatment for cancer have not been met since December 2015.

Professor Vassilis Sboros from Heriot-Watt University and co-founder of Less Grey Imaging, explained how the technique can help support an NHS that is fit for the future. He said: “Our super-resolution ultrasound imaging technology provides a leap in imaging resolution.

“By utilising existing ultrasound scanners found in hospitals and clinics worldwide, we’re able to produce high-resolution images of the prostate that clinicians have never seen before. This is exactly what the new Government needs to tackle the challenges facing the NHS.

“Back in 2019, we proved the concept worked in our lab but now we have shown it works during our initial patient trials. It’s just like looking inside the body with a microscope, allowing clinicians to see 20 times more detail than before. Even concealed tumours are possible to identify.

“With one man dying from prostate cancer every 45 minutes in the UK, we hope earlier detection will radically improve treatment outcomes, saving lives while reducing the number of people sent for unnecessary and often risky tests.”

Professor Alan McNeill is a Consultant Urological Surgeon at the Western General Hospital, Edinburgh and founder trustee of charity Prostate Scotland. He said: “The initial trial results are extremely encouraging, providing really useful information for the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. This is the most common cancer in men but, if it is caught early while the cancer remains within the prostate, it can be cured in the majority of cases.

“The technology has the potential to significantly enhance diagnostic accuracy, help clinicians like me to carry out more targeted biopsies and even focus treatments with greater precision.

“I can anticipate it benefiting treatments like focal therapy by allowing us to pinpoint and treat cancerous tissue with greater accuracy. Nearly every week, my colleagues and I meet men in their 50s or early 60s suffering from advanced prostate cancer that leaves them with fewer treatment options. We continue to raise awareness and encourage earlier diagnosis for all men.”

Gary Tait was treated for prostate cancer five years ago after his wife, a practice nurse, encouraged him to see his GP. He is now Chair of Edinburgh & Lothian Prostate Cancer Support Group. He said: “Being diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer is an incredibly anxious time so it is very positive to see these trial results which indicate that the new ultrasound technique could lead to more accurate diagnosis of prostate cancer.

“From the perspective of men who are unaware of a developing tumour in their prostate, this improved method of diagnosis could lead to earlier treatment which improves the likelihood of a good outcome.

“We fully support the development of this new technology which raises the possibility of enabling more men to be both diagnosed and treated earlier than they can be at present.”

Professor Gill Murray, deputy principal of business and enterprise at Heriot-Watt University, said: “This breakthrough exemplifies Heriot-Watt’s commitment to transforming innovative research into real-world healthcare solutions with global applications.

“Less Grey Imaging represents exactly the kind of high-impact spinout company we aim to nurture – one that combines cutting-edge science with clear commercial potential and significant societal benefit.

“These early clinical trials are particularly encouraging as they demonstrate how our research excellence can help address critical healthcare challenges while creating economic opportunities.

“By developing technology that makes cancer diagnosis more accessible and accurate, we’re supporting the NHS and positioning Scotland as a leader in medical innovation.

“Addressing global challenges through the real world application of our research is why we established our Global Research Institutes. Each institute has its own distinctive DNA, and our global research institute in health and care technologies excels in the creation and growth of new innovative businesses.

“Less Grey is a fantastic example of one of these businesses and perfectly aligns with our enterprise strategy of fostering research-led companies that can scale globally while delivering tangible benefits to patients and healthcare systems worldwide.”

Fighting cancer is one of the five key themes for Health and Care Technologies. Anyone interested in collaborating with the new Health and Care Technologies global research institute at Heriot-Watt University can contact GRID@hw.ac.uk.

Edinburgh University groundbreaking research initiative to reduce stillbirths

Teddy’s Wish, in partnership with Sands, is funding a pioneering research project led by Dr Sarah Murray at the University of Edinburgh.

This vital initiative aims to investigate how environmental factors, such as sunlight exposure, temperature variations, and air pollution, impact the risk of stillbirth.

Around 13 babies die shortly before, during or soon after birth every day in the UK and 2,680 of these deaths were stillbirths in 2022. More children die around the time of birth than at any other time of childhood, yet only 2.4% of UK health research funds go to reproductive health and childbirth.¹

Philanthropic funding is vital in enabling Sands to fulfil its mission to end baby deaths and help families rebuild their lives. For over a decade, Teddy’s Wish has been committed to supporting Sands in memory of Jen and Chris Reid’s beloved baby, Eddie.

Through their generosity, Sands has been able to advance research aimed at understanding why some babies die unexpectedly. The Environmental Influences on Stillbirth project will explore how the environment a woman is exposed to during pregnancy affects both maternal and fetal health.

Jen Reid,Co-Founder and CEO of Teddy’s Wish said: “Teddy’s Wish is committed to funding research that brings us closer to understanding and preventing baby loss. We are delighted to be jointly funding this important research project with Sands to explore the impact of environmental influences on stillbirth with the hope that more babies will be delivered safely.”

The link between environmental factors and stillbirth has not yet been studied in-depth in UK populations. This research will link environmental data with comprehensive Scottish maternity records, providing a robust dataset to study potential environmental risk factors.

Dr Murray, Consultant in Maternal and Fetal Medicine and Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer at the University of Edinburgh, said: “This work is a step forward in understanding the complex and unknown factors that may contribute to stillbirth.

“Our findings could inform future public health guidelines and targeted interventions, especially in areas with high levels of air pollution.”

The research has the potential to reduce stillbirth rates across the UK by providing clinicians with clearer understanding of how the environment impacts on pregnancy and the baby’s wellbeing. The research insights could help people in government and the NHS improve maternity care for pregnant women and babies.

Janet Scott, Sands’ Head of Saving Babies’ Lives team, said: “Through this research, Sands and Teddy’s Wish aim to support advances in the health of babies and mothers, reducing the devastating impact of stillbirth on families across the country.

“Thank you to Teddy’s Wish for your unwavering support in helping save more babies’ lives and transform the life of future generations of families.”

Sands is here to support anyone affected by pregnancy or baby loss, for as long as they need this. Find out more about all the ways the charity offers bereavement support.

Seventy per cent of councils in Scotland warn they may be unable to pass balanced budgets

New research from Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) Scotland reveals that 70% of all councils believe they will be unable to pass a balanced budget within the next five years without immediate changes.

The second annual State of Local Government Finance in Scotland, found councils are taking every measure available to balance their budgets including raising council tax, reducing expenditure and increasing fees and charges, sharing services and engaging in commercial activity. However, many councils believe this will still not be enough to prevent the risk of an unbalanced budget.

Nearly every respondent said they believe cuts to services will have a negative impact on quality of life in their council, and over 90% that cuts will increase the risks to vulnerable people.

The report found satisfaction with the Scottish Government is alarmingly poor across the sector. Not a single respondent said they were happy with the Scottish Government’s performance on delivering a sustainable funding system or considering local government in wider policy decisions.

Respondents representing 84% of Scottish councils, made up of council leaders, CEOs and CFOs said times are increasingly hard for local authorities, with ongoing pressure from the cost of living crisis and inflation adding new burdens on top of long-term challenges: demographic change, financing of Scottish Government priorities, and pressures with recruitment and retention of staff.

With councils’ confidence in the sustainability of council finances critically low, the sector is in favour of widespread reform, including multi-year financial settlements, ending ring-fencing, and reform of council tax.

Councils are optimistic about the role that local government, sufficiently funded and empowered, could have to advance the prevention agenda, tackle local and national shared priorities, deliver services and empower communities.

The report recommends an agreed national convention between Scottish Government and local government to cover procedures and actions that would then be needed to set a balanced budget; enshrining in legislation the principles of the Verity House Agreement, and committing to an annual review by Scottish Parliament covering the key principles.

Some of the medium to long-term recommendations include reconsidering a whole-system approach to funding wider public finances including a review of council tax, the funding formula and increasing the range of revenue-raising options available for councils.

Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive, LGIU Scotland, said: “This year’s results make for grim reading about the state of local government finances in Scotland. The message from our second annual State of Local Government Finance in Scotland builds on last year: we are nearing the point of no return. The report paints a picture of a system under continual and significant strain, with the scale of financial pressures increasing from 2023.

“Local government finances in Scotland are hanging by a thread. However, the thread has not yet broken. Today’s report delivers a stark warning that councils are in a precarious financial position and there is not much time until the sector starts to see potentially catastrophic consequences.

“Change is urgently needed. Councils will soon be unable to balance their budgets, meet their statutory duties, or provide for their communities. We need to change course now before it is too late.

“The challenge now is how do we move from the situation we are in now, to one where councils are able to deliver the transformative impact they are confident that they could deliver.

“Reform is necessary, empowerment will be essential, and trust between Scottish Government and local government – in a critically poor state – must be restored.”

The LGIU asked Scotland’s Council Leaders, Chief Executives and Chief Finance Officers about their experiences trying to run councils in the last financial year, and their views on how councils’ financial sustainability could be assured.

The report highlights concerns COSLA has continually emphasised, most recently through our Invest Locally In Scotland’s Future budget campaign.

COSLA Resources Spokesperson, Councillor Katie Hagmann, commented: “The publication of today’s report by the LGIU highlights the sheer scale of the financial challenges facing our councils.

“The fact that 70% of councils in Scotland may be unable to balance budgets in the near future should serve as a warning to all. Additionally, it emphasises the need for the Scottish Government to provide Local Government with an increased funding settlement which is both fair and flexible in 2025/26.

“COSLA also welcomes the LGIU’s call for a whole system approach to Local Government finance.

“This echoes our asks in our ‘Invest Locally in Scotland’s Future’ budget lobbying campaign. Without a clear focus on prevention and upstream investment, along with local flexibility, our councils will be unable to tackle higher demand, in key areas such as homelessness prevention and social care.

“COSLA is calling for the Scottish Government to provide at least £14.5bn in revenue funding and £872m in capital funding in the 2025/26 Budget.

Meeting this demand would not make up for the cuts councils have faced and felt by our communities in recent years, however it would be a positive step forward in providing fair and flexible funding to meet the challenges outlined in the LGIU report.”

Read about Invest Locally In Scotland’s Future, COSLA’s budget campaign.

Read the full report from LGIU.

Women’s Charity marks 90th at Conference in Edinburgh

Registered women’s charity, Soroptimist International Great Britain & Ireland (SIGBI), is celebrating its 90^th year by relaunching its national railway safety project.

On 1-3 November, the charity – which has consultancy status at the United Nations – held its 90^th conference at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh and used this milestone occasion to take a fresh look at a project first carried out 28 years ago.

First launched in 1996, ‘The Future of the Railways’ was an investigation into personal safety on the railways, which the charity’s members – known as Soroptimists – used to lobby the Government into taking action to do more to protect women on public transport.

It was launched in response to a Soroptimist being attacked on a train in the London area.

Soroptimists carried out grassroots research into the views and experiences of women passengers, as well as speaking to station managers and staff and visiting over 500 over-ground stations across Britain.

SIGBI published a report making recommendations to the UK Government on how to improve safety in stations, claiming the Government’s approach to passenger safety in railway stations was ineffective.

To further advance the work being done, the charity is kickstarting the project again – asking the same questions to the UK’s railway stations, to see how much has changed, as well as expanding it to airports and bus stations, to obtain a more detailed bigger picture of women’s safety across the country. The charity is also questioning whether the Government’s approach to passenger safety has moved on since 1996.

Over 500 women attended the three-day conference, with each day having a different theme – educate, empower, and enable.

Ruth Healey, President of SIGBI, said: “We’re so proud of the work our members have carried out over the last 90 years.

“The goal of all our projects is to stand up for women and girls, advocating for equal rights, opportunities, and representation. The relaunch of our railway safety project will be key in advancing this important issue and bringing it to the forefront of policy makers’ agendas.

“It was only in August this year that the British Transport Police reported that violence against women and girls on British railways has risen by more than 50% over two years.

“Clearly, more needs to be done, and urgently. We’re proud to be playing our part in helping to shape a safer environment for women when travelling.”

Soroptimists are carrying out ‘Bystander Awareness’ training in communities up and down the UK, in a bid to help identify and prevent violence against women and girls.

As well as panel discussions, and an address from Baroness Floella Benjamin, the charity also hosted its Best Practice Awards at the conference – a scheme which celebrates clubs’ projects.

At the conference, the charity also collected over 2,300 pants for Edinburgh-based charity, Smalls for All – a charity that collects underwear for people in the UK and Africa who can’t afford or access any.

Maria Macnamara, Founder and CEO of Smalls for All, said: “Giving pants and bras may seem like a small thing, but it can make a life-changing difference. Each month many teenage girls miss school, and women miss work, because of a lack of access to underwear means they’re forced to stay at home during their period.

“Demand remains huge in Africa, but, in recent years, has also increased significantly in the UK.

“We’re so grateful to have been part of the SIGBI conference to share our message and express our thanks to the Soroptimists for the wonderful donations they’ve made, both at this conference and over the years.”

Ruth concluded: “It’s been incredible getting so many Soroptimists in one room to reflect on what we’ve achieved, as well as to look ahead to the next phase of some of our key projects.

“It’s only by working together that we can empower women and girls to achieve their full potential and eliminate barriers and discriminations that hinder women’s progress.”

To mark the charity’s nine decades, Soroptimists are also completing a ‘90 for 90 years’ challenge – including everything from supporting foodbanks, to knitting for premature baby units, to donating items to domestic abuse charities, and more.

The Poverty Alliance: Experiences of poverty stigma and mental health in the UK

More than 14 million people in the United Kingdom (UK) are currently living in poverty, and the number of people experiencing deep poverty is increasing (Joseph Rowntree Foundation, 2024).

We worked with the Mental Health Foundation and researchers from the University of Strathclyde on this report, where we examine how experiences of poverty stigma are related to mental health outcomes in the UK.

Our aim was to understand the impact of poverty stigma and who is most affected in order to inform solutions.

You read it below, or download it from here.

MHF_Poverty_Stigma_Report_V2 Download

Skye fossil discovery reveals mammals grew more slowly in the Jurassic than they do today

Two unique Jurassic fossil discoveries from the Isle of Skye have shown that mammals in the time of the dinosaurs grew more slowly and lived longer than mammals today.

A new study in Nature by an international team of researchers led by National Museums Scotland describes two Krusatodon kirtlingtonensis fossils, one adult and one juvenile, both discovered in Skye.

These mouse-sized mammals lived around 166 million years ago. The specimens represent the only juvenile Jurassic mammal skeleton known to science, while the adult is one of the most intact mammal skeletons from this time period in the world.

The discovery of a juvenile and adult of the same species of early mammals is unique and has allowed groundbreaking comparative analysis into their growth and life history. The ages of the specimens at death were determined using X-ray imaging to count the growth rings in their teeth.

The adult was found to be around 7 years old and the juvenile between 1 – 2 years, and still in the process of replacing its baby teeth. This was possible thanks to X-ray computed tomography carried out in several laboratories, including the European Synchrotron (ESRF).

Today, small mammals have significantly shorter lifespans, some living as little as 12 months, and maturing quickly, losing their baby teeth and weaning within months of birth. The Krusatodon fossils reveal for the first time that the earliest mammals didn’t finish replacing their teeth until well into their second year of life, possibly later. This tells us that a fundamental shift in the growth patterns and life expectancy of mammals must have taken place during or after the Middle Jurassic.

The specimens were discovered decades apart, with the adult being one of the earliest Jurassic finds on Skye in the 1970s, while the juvenile was discovered in 2016.

Dr Elsa Panciroli, lead author and Associate Researcher of Palaeobiology at National Museums Scotland, said: “These fossils are among the most complete mammals from this time period in the world. They give us unprecedented insights into the lives of the first mammals in the time of dinosaurs.

150724_jurassic_mammals_social_media_cut_v2 (720p)Download

“Although on the outside Krusatodon looked like a shrew or mouse, on the inside it was quite different; it grew more slowly and lived much longer than small mammals do today. As a result, it probably had quite a different physiology and life history as well. Skye’s fossils are really putting Scotland firmly on the map when it comes to understanding mammal evolution.

“This is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what they can tell us.”

Dr Stig Walsh, Senior Curator of Vertebrate Palaeobiology at National Museums Scotland and co-author on the study, said: “Even in the context of the amazing palaeontological finds on Skye in recent years, these fossils are remarkable.

“Mammal fossils of this age are exceptionally rare worldwide, and most are just single teeth found by sieving sediment. To find two such rare fossil skeletons of the same species at different growth stages has rewritten our understanding of the lives of the very earliest mammals.

“We’re thrilled they are both now part of Scotland’s National Collection, an important part of the global fossil record, and will be preserved for generations of researchers to come.”

In addition to National Museums Scotland, the study also involved researchers from the American Museum of Natural History, University of Chicago, European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, and Queen Mary University of London.

Prof. Roger Benson from the American Museum of Natural History said of the fossil found in 2016: “When we found the tiny juvenile skull I didn’t realise what we’d found right away.

“The part of the fossil that was sticking out of the rock was blasted by erosion, surrounded by barnacles, and looked just like a piece of ash. I used micro-CT scanning, a form of 3D X-ray imaging, and was very surprised to see a whole skull in the rock. For science,

“it’s really remarkable to have this fossil and it told us a lot about growth and life history in some of the earliest mammals”

Dr Elis Newham, a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Queen Mary University of London said: “Our study benefited greatly from a new technique we developed using synchrotron X-ray technology.

“This allowed us to analyse growth patterns in the teeth of these fossils, much like counting tree rings. It was surprising to discover that Krusatodon, while showing a similar development pattern to modern mammals, grew much slower and lived longer.

“This research emphasises the value of studying juvenile fossils, and the X-ray cementochronology technique offers a powerful tool for unlocking these secrets from the past.”

The paper was published in Nature yesterday, 24 July 2024.

Measuring the Voluntary Sector

Whether it’s developing skills and training to enter the workforce, investing in buildings and equipment, or providing services to fill gaps left by the public sector, the voluntary sector plays a significant part in the UK economy. However, measurement of its economic contribution is inherently complex, meaning the role it plays is often undervalued (write CIARA CRUMMEY and MAIRI SPOWAGE of FRASER of ALLANDER INSTITUTE).

There are several difficulties in measuring this economic contribution compared to methods used for the private sector. One reason for this is a lack of an adequate, recognised definition across the sector, which leads to wide variation in valuations.

Core National Accounts can be used to estimate the voluntary sector, through the Non-Profit Institutions Serving Households (NPISH) sector. However, the UK voluntary sector is much larger than the organisations that are included within NPISH, given the specific definition of this sector. Voluntary organisations are spread across sectors and industries in the National Accounts, so the use of NPISH results in significant undervaluation of the sector’s economic contribution.

Researchers at the FAI are collaborating with VCSE Data and Insights National Observatory at Nottingham Trent University on a new ESCoE research project that aims to explore the problems with measuring the voluntary sector.

It will answer questions surrounding NPISH and the National Accounts and improve measurement of the sector within the UK National Accounts framework. This project builds on previous FAI research on Scottish charities and links to other ESCoE work on National Accounts and beyond GDP.

Why does this matter?

The inability to measure the voluntary sector’s contribution to the UK economy limits its comparison to the non-voluntary sector, meaning that it may be undervalued or overlooked. Accurate measurement would allow for better recognition of the sector’s economic contribution.

This could encourage further volunteering and involvement and investment in the sector, along with better use and allocation of resources. Unleashing the potential of the voluntary sector by measuring it more accurately could also allow its inclusion in economic growth strategies to improve both regional and national economic performance.

What are the possible solutions?

Significant research has been conducted into how the voluntary sector can be measured more accurately, and what data is required to do so. Various methods have been identified to produce a variety of estimates of the size and contributions of the sector. These methods have used different definitions of the sector.

Extensive research has been conducted into the use of satellite accounts, as an extension to National Accounts, to measure both the size and impact of the voluntary sector.

National Accounts provide a single overview of all economic activity in a country through collating and presenting the output, expenditure, and income activities of a country’s economic actors; satellite accounts provide a framework that is linked to the National Accounts but allows for a more detailed focus on a certain field or aspect of the economy.

Stakeholders have highlighted that the existence of a satellite account is as important as what it includes to provide validity for the sector. They recommend that an initial satellite account should start with the simplest definitions and be improved with further additions over time. It should take a modular approach, allowing for different definitions of the sector, and should allow for comparisons with other sectors in the economy.

In 2023, Pro Bono Economics conducted an in-depth feasibility study into satellite accounts and developed a preliminary framework for its creation.

Their recommended short-term approach uses the legal status on the Inter-Departmental Business Register (IDBR) and organisation type in the Labour Force Survey (LFS) to identify organisations that are not included in NPISH but are considered to be within civil society. They suggest a modular approach where data can be broken down and compared by Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes.

They also propose an ‘intermediate approach’ to capture organisations within civil society that have been missed. They provide details on how to identify these organisations, where to access relevant data and how to select what data to include. However, they acknowledge that this ‘intermediate’ approach is still limited in measuring all aspects of the sector and highlight the need for further research on volunteering, social enterprises and growth measurements.

Whatever form a satellite account takes in the UK, it is clear from previous research that one of the biggest challenges is the delineation of the sector. Given the different views of stakeholders, it is likely that a ‘menu’ of definitions is likely to be required to ensure this product has greatest utility for users.

What issues remain?

Despite these significant recent advances, issues still remain in measuring the voluntary sector and capturing its economic contributions.

The first issue is the lack of a clear, adequate definition that is recognised and adopted across the sector. Until this is agreed, measurement methodologies and estimates will continue to differ.

NPISH in the National Accounts is also an inadequate measure of the voluntary sector. NPISH is defined as economic units that supply services on a non-commercial basis. To be considered, NPISH institutions must: provide goods and services either for free or below market prices; mainly derive their income from grants and donations; and not be controlled by the government. Therefore, NPISH does not capture all voluntary sector organisations.

As a result, using the value of the NPISH sector significantly underestimates the economic contribution of the voluntary sector. Additionally, the methodology used by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to create these estimates in unclear and not publicly documented, so it cannot be critiqued or replicated in devolved countries’ national accounts.

Finally, while the Pro Bono Economics report has made great advances in the technicalities of constructing a satellite account, several questions still remain to ensure the entire sector is accurately measured.

This includes a need for further understanding on how the IDBR legal status flag is constructed and how to capture other organisations not included on the IDBR (including many small organisations).

Additional considerations include how to capture informal volunteering, data collection on sources of funding for organisations, how to identify social enterprises and how to prevent double counting across multiple data records.

A new research project

Our project aims to answer some of these questions surrounding NPISH and the National Accounts. It will focus on three elements:

Documenting ONS methodology for calculating NPISH
Interviewing data providers and users
Investigating recommendations for data on the voluntary sector used in National Accounts

1. Documenting ONS methodology for calculating NPISH

Through this project we will formally document the full methodology used to create the NPISH statistics in the National Accounts. NPISH includes charities, higher education and further education, political parties, and trade unions, and we will highlight what data is used for each of these elements.

In particular, we will focus on documenting the data process for charities, at both the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) level (who provide charity data to the ONS), and how the ONS then use this data. NCVO provide ONS with data for charities in England and Wales, collected from the Charity Commission register.

These charities undergo a ‘market test’, where charities that ‘fail’ the market test (if 50% or more of income comes from donations and legacies) remain in NPISH, and the rest are captured in the industrial market sectors of the National Accounts.

We will document and review these processes and outline recommendations for improvements on how to make NPISH more representative of charities outwith England and Wales and allow for replication in both regional and devolved National Accounts.

2. Interviewing data providers and users

We plan to interview key practitioners in the sector about their understanding of the role of data in the development of national accounts. These will include national infrastructure organisations involved in producing the data for the accounts, organisations that might use the accounts for their work understanding and campaigning about the sector, and government officials. We will identify what role they think National Accounts plays in their work and how they think it shapes understanding of the voluntary sector within society.

3. Investigating recommendations for data on the voluntary sector used in National Accounts

Following on from our interviews with providers, we will recommend improvements and investments in the data infrastructure for the voluntary sector, ensuring regulators, voluntary sector representative organisations, and statistical producers are focussed on supporting the production of appropriate and accurate statistics about the sector.
We will investigate the IDBR flag recommendation underpinning the PBE recommendations for a satellite account. A better understanding of this flag will identify if it would be possible to use this flag to describe voluntary organisations across the National Accounts, including those currently considered outside the NPISH sector.

We will also analyse the data collected for charities in Scotland and Northern Ireland to identify how this can be included in UK NPISH calculations in addition to NCVO data. Finally, we will examine the sectors charities self-report into, and design a mapping methodology between different industry classification codes This will ensure greater consistency in the classifications used across charity registers.

As part of this final research stage, this ESCoE research project will support an economic student summer placement through the Economics Futures programme, hosted at the Fraser of Allander Institute.

This placement will focus on highlighting the differences in charity registers held across the UK. We will then use the data held in the charity registers in Scotland and Northern Ireland as a proxy to estimate the number of charities that are under the minimum registration requirements in England and Wales, so are not captured in their register. This same methodology will be applied to identify charities missing from UK business register data, to inform recommendations on expanding the data used for measuring the charities in NPISH.

Overall, this research will provide a review of the current National Accounts practise. Our recommendations have the potential to improve the National Accounts construction methodology and allow for more accurate measurement of NPISH in both UK, regional and devolved country’s National Accounts.

This will complement the building of a civil society satellite account, if the underpinning National Accounts are fundamentally more robust.

Paid COPD Workshop at PCHP

Next Tuesday 28th of May at 1pm Pilton Community Health Project (PCHP) will be hosting a COPD workshop. If you have COPD, researchers from NHS Lothian and The University of Edinburgh, want to hear about your experience of having COPD, so they can design their research to meet you needs.

You can expect nice and welcoming atmosphere, a warm cup of tea and £20 voucher for you time.

If you are struggling to get to PCHP, transport can be provided too.

To sign up for workshop please fill in a form https://bit.ly/3WS3VCZ or use a QR code on a poster or Call Sammy Waite Patient and Community involvement in research officer 07385347040

For more information please visit Edinburgh and Lothians Public Involvement in Research

Royston Wardieburn Community Centre

Granton Community Gardeners

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New photo of Greyfriars Bobby unveiled

Greyfriars Bobby needs no introduction. He’s one of the most recognizable figures in Scottish history and probably one of the most famous dogs in the world. Yet despite a wealth of literature, and a Disney film, there remain open questions about who exactly this little dog was (writes JAKOB ASSARSSON).

Speaking strictly from the photographic record, there are two dogs purported to be Greyfriars Bobby. One, often named Greyfriars Bobby the First, appears in at least five photographs, taken by Edinburgh publisher Walter Greenoak Patterson around 1867. The other, Greyfriars Bobby the Second, appears in a single photograph of unknown date and origin.

Before we continue, we must sadly put Greyfriars Bobby the Second to bed. In the cold light of day, a single photograph of a Skye terrier, with “Grayfriars [sic] Bobby” written on it, is not enough to suppose, as some have, that there was a second dog. Photographs are frequently mislabeled.

On the balance of probability, we have no choice but to conclude that Greyfriars Bobby the Second was no Greyfriars Bobby at all, but a Greyfriars Red Herring. Consequently, we must dismiss the hypothesis that Greyfriars Bobby the First died and was replaced prior to 1872 – the “two dog” theory.

That so famous a dog could have been replaced by one of a different breed without raising any eyebrows already stretches the bounds of credulity. Perhaps most importantly, it means that Bobby was, probably, neither a purebred Skye terrier, nor a Dandie Dinmont, although they will forever remain an integral part of the legend of Greyfriars Bobby.

So who was Greyfriars Bobby the First? If you visit Bobby’s display at the Museum of Edinburgh, you will see the three images known prior to 2010.

One shows Bobby with the family of John Traill, another with the family’s children, and one by himself, the Museum’s cabinet card-sized copy addressed to John Traill from WG Patterson.

John Traill ran an establishment at 6 Greyfriars Place, at different times described as a coffee house, refreshment rooms, or a restaurant, always with Temperance added to signify that no alcohol was sold.

Today, it is part of Alandas Gelato, with nothing but a neon sign reading “where the magic happens” to signify its historical ties to Bobby.

Bobby would visit and be fed at 6 Greyfriars Place, as he would visit other local homes and businesses in-between stints in Greyfriars Kirkyard. As time went on, the Traill family’s role evolved to something like carers or owners, and it is for this reason they were photographed with the famous pooch.

What is rather remarkable is that since 2010, three entirely new photos have come to light. Mine is the latest and the reason for this article.

In 2010, a Flickr user posted an Edinburgh carte-de-visite photo of a small terrier in a cemetery. It was quickly pointed out that the photographer, WG Patterson, the graveyard setting, and the general appearance of the dog, suggested it might well be Greyfriar’s Bobby.

Having compared the photograph to the location of John Gray’s grave in Greyfriars Kirkyard, and the subsequently discovered photos of Bobby, I am confident that not only is this indeed Greyfriars Bobby, but Bobby at the famous graveside he may have mourned at.

In 2022, another carte-de-visite of unknown ownership but with a remarkable resemblance to the renowned canine began to circulate in the media. Fresh on its heels, I discovered a further carte-de-visite in 2023. For the first time, we can assemble all of these photos together and gain a better understanding of Bobby.

One of the first conclusions we can draw (yes, pun intended!) is that the previously-known solo portrait is not a photograph, but a traced illustration of the photo I discovered, with some minor changes. Another is that being intended for commercial sale, the images were probably taken in order of saleability until the final, illustrated image was chosen for sale to the public.

Resembling the most strongly a traditional Victorian studio portrait, it is likely that the Traill family was photographed first. However, the inclusion of a family that not all intended customers would have been familiar with, and Bobby looking away from the camera in one photo and blurry-faced in the other, probably necessitated additional photos.

From here it may have been decided that instead of with his current caretaker family, Bobby might be photographed at the famous graveside of John Gray, the man who may have been his former owner.

With no further known photos in this Kirkyard series, we can hazard a guess that Bobby may not have been particularly cooperative in terms of adopting a mourning pose when prompted. We can also see from the shallow depth of field that the studio camera had been adjusted for a shorter exposure, probably to maximize chances of keeping a moving dog in focus.

Inability to secure a photo of Bobby suitably reposed may have led Patterson back to the studio, where Bobby was placed, by himself, on an ornamental pedestal. One photo shows his claws, in another they are absent – the photo with claws must have been taken first.

Perhaps they were trimmed to soften Bobby’s appearance. His coat, too, is brushed. In my photo, an alert, sitting Bobby, claws hidden and coat smooth, finally has his face in focus.

For the first time, we can truly look Bobby in the face. He is unquestionably a terrier cross, resembling no breed in particular. He has teeth. He looks quite happy.

So why was this relatively good photo made into an illustration for sale?

Here, examining the minor changes is revealing. Bobby’s right ear is lowered. His teeth are hidden. His eyes are made to gaze upward, his entire demeanor taking on an air of mournfulness.

His body, made blurry by the shallow depth of field, is brought into sharp focus. Finally, Patterson had his sellable image of a sad Greyfriars Bobby.

The rest is history.

PICTURED (TOP) = Friends of Dalry Cemetery volunteer Lani Knott with the newly unveiled photograph of Greyfriars Bobby in Greyfriars Kirk

Funding for ‘game-changing’ tech which could destroy cancers and predict disease

Millions invested in eight innovative companies behind lifesaving new medical technology which could destroy liver cancer tumours, detect Alzheimer’s and quickly spot those at risk of stroke

Countless lives could be saved thanks to a multi-million pound UK government investment in potential breakthrough medical devices.

As part of a £10 million funding package for boosting access to medical technology, eight innovative tech companies will be supported to bring their devices to market. It could help transform the way we treat some of the biggest causes of death and disability in the UK.

One device, by HistoSonics, aims to identify and destroy liver cancer tumours using focused ultrasound waves. These waves break down tumours without damaging healthy tissue, offering a safer alternative to radiotherapy and other high intensity treatments. It could improve quality of life for many patients going through treatment – reducing hospital visits, post procedure complications, and making pain management easier.

Today’s announcement is part of the government’s long-term plan to ensure the NHS and its patients can get quicker access to new ‘groundbreaking’ technologies. It follows the unveiling of our groundbreaking blueprint for boosting NHS medtech and turning innovation into real benefits for society last year.

Health Minister Andrew Stephenson said: “NHS staff need access to the latest technology to deliver the highest quality care for patients and cut waiting lists – one of our top five priorities.

“These cutting-edge technologies could help thousands of patients with a range of conditions, including cancer, stroke, and Alzheimer’s, while easing pressure on our hospitals and reducing healthcare inequalities.

“Our investment in these pioneering companies is part of our long-term plan for a faster, simpler and fairer health care system, and demonstrates our clear commitment to ensuring the UK is the most innovative economy in the world.”

One company is developing a blood test for Alzheimer’s Disease which means patients could be identified and treated earlier. Roche Diagnostics Ltd has developed the Amyloid Plasma Panel – a blood test which could help clinicians decide if patients with cognitive impairment should undergo tests or imaging to confirm Alzheimer’s Disease.

A portable blood test, from Upfront Diagnostics, could help paramedics identify stroke patients more quickly. Currently, ambulance workers can’t recognise a patient with a blood clot blocking the flow of blood and oxygen to their brain, who would require urgent treatment at stroke centres rather than local hospitals.

The blood test could help them recognise these cases on the spot – so patients could be taken to a comprehensive stroke centre for immediate, vital treatment. It could mean thousands are spared long-term disability and the associated care costs, while reducing pressure on A&E departments nationwide.

Dr Marc Bailey, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency Chief Science and Innovation Officer, said: “We are very excited to announce the final eight selected technologies in the new IDAP pilot scheme.

“This is designed to explore how support from the regulator, UK health technology organisations and NHS bodies can accelerate the development of transformative medical devices from their initial proof of concept through to uptake in the NHS.

“The pilot criteria prioritises patient need in all aspects of decision-making and, by supporting innovative medical technologies, will ease pressure on the healthcare system. Most important, it’s an initiative which could be life-changing for many patients.

“We are committed to being a regulator that establishes the UK as a centre of medical innovation and look forward to working with the wider healthcare system to achieve this.”

The funding is part of a radical new programme called The Innovative Devices Access Pathway (IDAP), which aims to bring state-of-the-art technologies and solutions to the forefront of the NHS. Currently in the pilot stage, the funding will be used to test the new technologies for use on a large scale as quickly as possible.

The government is investing £10 million in the pilot as part of a wider programme of work to accelerate access to medical technology.

The programme is run by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), NHS England, Health Technology Wales, and Scottish Health Technology Group. They will be providing tailored, intensive advice on regulatory approval, health tech assessments and access to the NHS.

Jeanette Kusel, Director of NICE Advice (The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) said: “NICE’s ambition is to drive innovation into the hands of health and care professionals to enable best practice in health and care treatment.

“Through IDAP and our support service NICE Advice, we aim to be a trusted adviser, providing tailored advice and supporting businesses along the whole product lifecycle helping them realise their ambition and helping bring the very best of innovation into the NHS and the hands of patients.”

Lenus Health Ltd. is using artificial intelligence to predict patients at risk of hospitalisation for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, which causes the airways to become narrow and damaged, resulting in breathing difficulties.

The company collects data from wearable devices, sensors and apps and uses AI to predict which patients are at greater risk of hospital admissions. This allows them to be monitored and treated more effectively, while simultaneously reducing pressure on hospitals.

Another device aims to reduce inequalities in the field of lung health. Oximeters – devices clipped over the end of a fingertip – are used widely at hospitals and at home to assess how well the lungs and circulatory system are working. However, research suggests this technology may not accurately detect falling oxygen levels in people with darker skin tones.

EarSwitch has produced a device which detects oxygen levels from the inner ear-canal instead, which is not pigmented irrespective of the person’s skin colour. It could offer better quality readings and a more innovative approach to oxygen level monitoring.

Vin Diwakar, Interim National Director of Transformation, NHS England, said: “This is an important milestone in our work to ensure the NHS continues to get the best new technologies and treatments to patients faster, having already rolled out more than 100 new treatments through the cancer drug fund and setting up a dedicated programme to prepare for new Alzheimer’s treatments once they are approved.

“We will be working closely with our partners to support those companies selected for the pilot so that more game-changing, life-saving technologies are introduced quickly and safely on the NHS.”

Other technologies set to benefit from a share of the funding include:

Multiple Sclerosis fatigue app: Avegen Ltd. has developed a new smartphone app that delivers exercises, cognitive behaviour therapy and targeted physical activity in a personally customisable format to help patients manage Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
Self-test for neutropenia: 52 North Health. has developed a new device to allow chemotherapy patients to self-test at home – using a finger-prick blood test – for neutropenic sepsis. This is a life-threatening condition in patients whose immune system is suppressed.
Algorithm infection predictor: Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) is a life-threatening medical condition caused by the body’s overwhelming response to infection or inflammation. Presymptom Health Ltd. has developed a new test and algorithm with the potential to predict infection status up to three days before conventional diagnosis is possible.

Dr Susan Myles, Director of Health Technology Wales, said: “Health Technology Wales is proud to have played a role in the selection of eight pilot IDAP technologies which have the potential to support clinicians and improve the lives of patients across the UK.

“We look forward to continuing to support the adoption of innovative health technologies by the NHS.”