Most people recover from coronavirus within 4 weeks, but for some people symptoms can last longer, or new ones can develop. Symptoms can also change over time and can affect anywhere in the body. This is often referred to as long COVID and can include breathlessness, a cough, aches and pains, insomnia and low mood or anxiety.
The information on NHSinform.scot includes the most common symptoms, how a patient is assessed and how to manage ongoing symptoms.
NHS 24’s Medical Director, Dr Laura Ryan, says: “Coronavirus can vary from person to person, and sometimes recovery can take longer than we would like. The important thing is not to compare with others and to take the time to look after ourselves.
“The information on NHS inform can really help with managing ongoing symptoms until they do naturally fade away. Of course, you should contact your GP practice if you’re worried about the severity or persistence of your symptoms or they’re getting worse.”
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “It is important that people with long COVID symptoms get the right advice and having all the information in one place will hopefully make it easier for them. The information and support available at NHS inform has been designed to help people with their recovery.
“The Long COVID Support Fund was established with £10m last month and was designed to maximise and improve the co-ordination of a broad range of existing services across the health and social care system and Third Sector in response to the condition.”
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf has officially launched the new NHS Scotland Academy, backed by £9 million of investment to accelerate training and build the country’s health workforce.
As a collaboration between NHS Golden Jubilee and NHS Education for Scotland, the Academy will contribute to improving staffing levels to meet growing patient needs.
It will feature a mix of residential, distance and virtual reality learning, with a range of training programmes linked to recruitment, career progression and redesign of roles.
Mr Yousaf said: “The NHS Scotland Academy is part of our wider £1 billion commitment to health through the NHS Recovery Plan which will increase capacity, deliver reforms, and get everyone the treatment they need as quickly as is possible.
“Our workforce is at the heart of everything we do, and I want to express my sincere thanks for the continued courage, commitment and professionalism of all staff during this time.
“We have been clear that as a result of the pandemic our NHS will face challenges in the years ahead and the Academy will play a key role in supporting it to be well-equipped and prepared as we look to recover. We will publish a National Workforce Strategy later this year in which the Academy will be a key feature of designing, developing and delivering training programmes.
“This will also broaden opportunities for young people – in support of our Young Person’s Guarantee, alongside those who may be seeking a career change. This will enable them to receive on-the-job clinical training and a route to future career progression.”
The Academy has already started providing vital support and training to meet high demand health programmes. This includes a pilot perioperative nurse training programme which qualifies graduates to work in a theatre environment in just six months – when previously it would take a year.
Community pharmacists are being trained to support primary care services, by issuing prescriptions for specific conditions without the need for patients to see a GP.
NHS Golden Jubilee’s first nurse endoscopy graduates have taken up post this week, ensuring rapid diagnosis and treatment for a number of conditions, including cancer.
The Academy is also playing a vital role in supporting National Treatment Centres, to ensure NHS Scotland can meet the needs of Scotland’s ageing population through our overall commitment to recruit at least 1500 additional staff.
Chief Executive of NHS Golden Jubilee Jann Gardner said: “The pandemic has made it clearer than ever the need to offer fast, efficient and effective access to training and education for health and social care staff.
“Drawing on the strengths of the Golden Jubilee’s state of the art facilities, and the educational expertise and technology offered by NHS Education for Scotland, the NHS Scotland Academy will support the workforce, and benefit the people of Scotland for years to come.”
Chief Executive of NHS Education for Scotland Karen Reid said: “Having the right staff with the right skills in the right place is fundamental to delivering the best health and social care outcomes. The pandemic has made us think about working in new ways and about making better use of technology.
“Our partnership in the new NHS Scotland Academy allows us to join up educational expertise and technology – enabling faster learning, and a more skilled workforce, for the people of Scotland.”
Existing COVID-19 safety mitigations in schools are to remain for now, following advice from senior clinicians.Pupils will continue to be required to wear face coverings in secondary school classrooms as they begin to return from the October break.
Secondary-aged pupils, and staff in primary and secondary schools, will also still require face coverings in communal areas or when moving around the building.
The Chief Medical Officer has advised that while there are encouraging signs, a more cautious approach would allow more time for 12 to 15-year-olds to take up the vaccination.
Confirming that school mitigations will remain in place for now, Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville also urged continued vigilance to protect pupils and staff.
Ms Somerville said: “In recent weeks we have seen the previous sharp decline in COVID-19 case numbers starting to level off, and that is why we have decided to adopt a cautious approach and maintain safety mitigations in school for the time-being.
“Progress with vaccinating 12-15 year olds has been remarkable and is already over 40%. However, this was only rolled out a few weeks ago and allowing further time will mean that that encouraging figure rises even higher.
“This decision is based on advice from senior clinicians and takes account of the most recent data. We will continue to monitor case rates on a weekly basis, with a view to lifting restrictions at earliest possible time.
“While I fully understand that this will be disappointing news for some young people and their parents, as has been the situation throughout, the safety of children, young people, and all education staff, remains the overriding priority. There is no room for complacency and we must all continue to remain vigilant to reduce the spread of COVID-19.”
EIS General Secretary Larry Flanagan said, “The EIS has argued for great caution in any easing of school mitigations, especially in light of continuing high levels of infection and the incomplete roll out of vaccinations for pupils.”
“The priority is to keep schools open but as safe as possible, so this delay from the Scottish Government, with regard to easing mitigations, is welcome and will allow, also, more time for ventilation challenges to be met ahead of winter.”
Yesterday’s Scottish Government announcement means that pupils will continue to be required to wear face coverings in secondary school classrooms as they return from the October break.
Secondary-aged pupils, and staff in primary and secondary schools, will also still require face coverings in communal areas or when moving around the building.
Scottish Government campaign shines a light on positive action being taken across society
As Scotland prepares for the arrival of COP26, the UN Climate Change Conference, businesses, organisations and individuals from all across Scotland are coming together to shine a light on the climate action and nature conservation being taken in their local communities and call on others to join them in making the changes needed for the country to reach net zero by 2045.
The COP26 summit is the most urgent ever held and the best chance of securing global action to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. The twin crises of climate change and nature loss are the greatest threats facing people and the planet and are already impacting communities throughout Scotland.
As all eyes will be on Scotland, a new national poll has revealed that many people across the country now recognise the need to play their part and that improving climate awareness and understanding the support available, remains vital for helping people to make changes.
The YouGov poll, commissioned by the Scottish Government, asked adults living in Scotland if they were planning to make future changes to their lifestyle to help tackle climate change.
Almost half (46%) of the Scottish public said they were already planning to make changes and the poll also highlighted that 20% said they were unsure on how to make changes. A third (34%) of adults surveyed said that they have no plans to make any future lifestyle changes.
The Scottish Government’s Let Do Net Zero campaign aims to provide the necessary information and support to help more people make the changes needed across all levels of society and showcases inspiring examples of businesses, enterprises, community groups and individuals leading the way.
Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport Michael Matheson said, “Scotland was one of the first countries to declare a climate emergency, and as a nation we have already made great progress in tackling climate change. We have halved Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions, and we are determined to reach net zero emissions of all greenhouse gases by 2045.
“Ending our contribution to the climate emergency within a generation will require transformational change across all parts of the economy and society. This campaign seeks to shine a light on the positive action taking place right across the country to inspire greater action and the Scottish Government will play its part to support people in Scotland to make these changes.”
To demonstrate the role that individuals and communities can play in reaching net zero, a sustainable, glowing zero artwork will be touring Scotland’s cities and shining a light on projects across Scotland that are already bringing people together to create change and support their communities.
The glowing zero landed at its first stop with Edinburgh Castle as its backdrop and shone a light on the community tool-sharing hub, Edinburgh Tool Library. The Library supplies a service that allows members to borrow tools as and when they need them, without spending money on seldom-used tools that have a large carbon footprint.
Environmental Scientist and climate activist Laura Young (Less Waste Laura) is an advocate for encouraging people to adopt a more environmentally conscious lifestyle and will be taking part in the blue zone at COP26.
Joining the Edinburgh Tool Library in the glowing zero today, she said: “There is so much good work happening and momentum has really grown in recent years, and this is hugely encouraging. But everyone needs to keep playing their part to drive real change and help Scotland reach net zero.
“We are already used to doing some things that help combat climate change, such as food waste recycling, but there may be things that people have not even considered such as making sure their gardens help biodiversity or repairing and reusing their clothes and homewares rather than throwing them away. Every ounce of carbon that we save adds up to help get us to net zero.”
The world’s first ever UNESCO trail, bringing together some of Scotland’s most iconic, diverse and culturally significant sites, has been launched.
Scotland’s UNESCO Trail connects the country’s 13 place-based UNESCO designations, including World Heritage Sites, Biospheres, Global Geoparks and Creative Cities to form a dedicated digital trail.
It aims to take visitors on a cultural journey across the country experiencing everything from history to science, music, design and literature to nature and cityscapes.
Designed specifically to support ambitions to make Scotland a world-leading responsible tourism destination, Scotland’s UNESCO Trail encourages visitors to stay longer, visit all year round, make sustainable travel choices, explore more widely and at the right time of the year, and in turn, contribute to the sustainable quality of life of those communities surrounding the designated sites.
The digital trail – which is available on www.visitscotland.com/unesco-trail – showcases the breadth of culturally astounding UNESCO designations on offer across Scotland, providing information and inspiration to visitors across the world. It also celebrates businesses and communities that are committed to responsible tourism business practices and promotes sustainable travel options.
Scotland is the first nation in the world to create such a pioneering initiative. Developed through a unique partnership between VisitScotland, the Scottish Government, the UK National Commission for UNESCO, Historic Environment Scotland, NatureScot, the National Trust for Scotland and Scotland’s 13 UNESCO designations, the project has received £360,000 funding from the Scottish Government to support the strategy for the sustainable recovery of Scottish tourism.
Tourism Minister Ivan McKee officially launched the trail in Dundee, the UNESCO City of Design, by unveiling a specially commissioned design by illustrator and printmaker, Jagoda Sadowska, a graduate of the city’s Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art.
The design has been printed onto a door, which will be incorporated into the city’s Open Close tour as a permanent legacy of the trail.
Tourism Minister Ivan McKee said: “Scotland has always been a pioneering nation and I’m pleased to see we’re leading the way with the world’s first UNESCO digital trail.
“Tourism is key to Scotland’s economy and as we begin to recover from the pandemic, this collaboration between the Scottish Government, VisitScotland, NatureScot and UNESCO could not be more timely.
“Supported by £360,000 of Scottish Government funding, the UNESCO Trail will help to attract and welcome both domestic and international visitors again, by showcasing Scotland’s unique cultural heritage and many UNESCO sites. As we approach COP26, I’m pleased to see that the UNESCO trail has sustainability at its core and will help visitors make responsible and sustainable choices by highlighting green accredited businesses and promoting environmentally friendly travel.”
Francesca Osowska, CEO of NatureScot and Chair of Scotland’s UNESCO Trail Steering Group, said:“The Trail is a hugely exciting global first, inspiring visitors to Scotland to journey through its unique natural and cultural heritage.
“All the designations in the Trail have a distinctive story to tell and we hope that, whether people visit just one, or travel to all the sites, they will be wowed by what they see.
“Responsible tourism and greener travel are at the heart of our ambitions for the UNESCO Trail. This will lead to a more sustainable economy and will help to create better places for people to live and visit in every corner of Scotland. This is so essential as we work to tackle the nature loss and climate change crises and prepare to host COP26.”
VisitScotland Director of Industry and Destination Development, Rob Dickson, said: “There is no other journey like Scotland’s UNESCO Trail and we want to inspire visitors to take a once-in-a-lifetime experience across the country, delving into its history and heritage, experiencing the wonder of its natural assets and the magic that inspires art, music and literature.
“The innovative trail not only showcases the breadth of culturally astounding UNESCO designations we have across Scotland but also the exceptional visitor experiences this trail creates.”VisitScotland is focused on the recovery of the industry, building a destination and visitor experience which allows tourism and events to flourish now and in the future. We’ll continue to work with, and support, businesses to ensure we rebuild this vital part of Scotland’s economy.
“Tourism is a force for good – creating economic and social value in every corner of Scotland and enhancing the well-being of everyone who experiences it. “
Professor Anne Anderson, Non-Executive Director at the UK National Commission for UNESCO said: “Scotland’s UNESCO Trail is a world-first bringing together Scotland’s world-class cultural and natural heritage. Not only this, the Trail does so within UNESCO’s broader aims of building peace and sustainable development.
“Across Scotland, these UNESCO designations are local partnerships and communities that protect and promote their outstanding creativity, cultural heritage and the natural environment. By partaking in the Trail, visitors from around the world will rediscover Scotland’s unique treasures, know they are travelling sustainably, and contribute to the communities who maintain these precious places.
“From the stunning mountains of the northwest Highlands, the heart of Neolithic Orkney, the vibrant music scenes of Glasgow, to Edinburgh’s outstanding heritage and literature festivals, there is a wealth of people and places waiting to welcome you.”
Artist Jagoda Sadowska said:“It’s been a great pleasure to be involved in the project. Dundee is a wonderful city and hopefully, with the opening of Scotland’s UNESCO Trail, it will get even more recognition and appreciation.
“As someone who recently graduated from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, I feel extremely fortunate to be able to pursue Illustration as a full-time job. Dundee is filled with warm and motivated people that create an encouraging environment for upcoming artists.
“There’s a strong sense of community that is both friendly and welcoming and had a fundamental influence on my practice. Creative Dundee does a wonderful job of connecting people, providing space and opportunities for creatives.
“I hope the Trail can work as a gateway to allow more people to experience the City of Dundee and beyond.”
The full list of designations included in Scotland’s UNESCO Trail are the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere, Wester Ross UNESCO Biosphere, Dundee UNESCO City of Design, Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature, Glasgow UNESCO City of Music, Shetland UNESCO Global Geopark, North West Highlands UNESCO Global Geopark, the Forth Bridge UNESCO World Heritage Site, Frontiers of the Roman Empire: Antonine Wall UNESCO World Heritage Site, New Lanark UNESCO World Heritage Site, Heart of Neolithic Orkney UNESCO World Heritage Site, Old and New Towns of Edinburgh UNESCO World Heritage Site, St Kilda World Heritage Site.
The Coronavirus vaccine certification scheme will become subject to enforcement from today meaning higher risk venues and events affected must verify customers are fully vaccinated, or otherwise exempt, before entry.
The grace period from the October 1st launch date, allowing venues to test and trial the scheme without facing enforcement action, has now expired.
People attending a range of late night venues and larger indoor and outdoor live events, such as music festivals or large sporting events, will be required to show staff proof they are fully vaccinated or are otherwise exempt. This can be done via the NHS Scotland Covid Status App on their mobile device or using the paper certificate.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “The grace period allowed venues and businesses affected more than two weeks to test the scheme in practice and make suitable arrangements. It has also provided the Government with helpful feedback from the sectors affected and we continue to liaise with them going forward.
“This is a very limited scheme and we hope this will allow businesses to remain open and prevent any further restrictions as we head into autumn and winter. This virus has not gone away and vaccine certification will have a role to play in keeping transmission under control as part of a wider package of measures. It adds a further layer of protection in certain higher risk settings.
“I also want to ensure that as many people get vaccinated as possible and particularly to increase uptake in the younger age cohort, so anything to incentivise that is helpful.”
Local council officers will be responsible for enforcement of the certification scheme which will apply to the person responsible for each premises. Officers will adopt an approach of engaging, explaining and encouraging the responsible person before enforcement options are considered.
People in Scotland can download the NHS Scotland Covid Status App via their mobile device. A paper certificate or the downloadable PDF is also available from NHS Inform.
Companies bidding to win Scottish Government contracts will have to pay the real Living Wage, ministers have announced.
This will ensure public sector contracts tackle in work poverty and promote fair work practices across the public, private and third sector where there is a risk of low pay.
The real Living Wage has been consistently higher than the UK National Living Wage and helps create an inclusive and fair economy for all.
Business Minister Ivan McKee said: “We want to use every opportunity possible to promote fair work and ensure people are paid at least the real Living Wage. By using procurement powers to ensure bidders pay the real Living Wage, the Scottish Government is leading by example to help influence employment practices and embed fair work principles.
“We will continue to engage with relevant sectors to encourage others to adopt this change across the public, private and third sector. We are firmly focused on creating the right economic conditions and fair work practices to drive a greener, fairer and more sustainable economy.”
Fair Work Minister Richard Lochhead said: “As outlined in our Programme for Government, a range of measures are being taken forward to embed Fair Work First across the economy.
“The Scottish Government recognises pay as a clear way that an employer can demonstrate a commitment to their workforce, helping tackle in-work poverty alongside wider Fair Work First criteria.
“We will also introduce further changes to strengthen criteria for Scottish Government grants from next summer, subject to limits on devolved competence, as part of the Cooperation Agreement with the Scottish Green Party.
“The number of accredited living wage employers has increased from 14 in 2014 to just over 2,300 in 2021 and we would encourage more businesses to sign up to help ensure more people see their pay uplifted to at least the real Living Wage. We encourage organisations, regardless of size, sector or location, to adopt our progressive fair work approach which will help ensure all staff receive a fair day’s pay for the work they do.”
The Fair Work Convention Co Chairs Professor Patricia Findlay and Grahame Smith welcome the announcement from the Scottish Government on introducing a requirement to pay the real Living Wage to public contracts.
Commenting on the announcement, Professor Patricia Findlay said: “The Fair Work Convention welcomes today’s announcement from the Scottish Government. Low pay is one of the key drivers of in-work poverty.
“All too often we find that disabled workers, BME workers, young workers and women in particular face precarious and low paid work, so addressing very low pay in public contracts can begin to support better outcomes for these and other workers.
“Pay is a crucial element of fair work, and for too long the obstacles to workers’ challenging and improving low pay in certain occupations and sectors have been considerable. Given this, government action to help address low pay is necessary to deliver fair work as well as to deliver on equality and anti-poverty priorities.
Grahame Smith added: I’m delighted that the Scottish Government has accepted the Convention’s view that there is no legal impediment to making the payment of the real living wage a requirement of those in receipt of public contracts.
“While this decision is a significant step forward and will make a real difference for thousands of low paid workers, we will be exploring urgently how conditionality can be extended to all dimensions of fair work, particularly requirements around collective bargaining, union recognition and the adoption of all terms and conditions negotiated nationally between employers and unions.”
To mark World Menopause Day tomorrow (18th October), NHS 24 has launched new resources on the menopause on NHS Inform, Scotland’s trusted health information site.
Working in partnership with Scottish Government, the resources support the ambitions laid out in the Women’s Health Plan and include information about what to expect whether you’re going through the menopause or want to support someone with symptoms.
https://youtu.be/ddzdgEUOGlk
Women’s Health Minister Maree Todd said: “Women have told us, and evidence shows, that when they are well informed about the menopause, and know what to expect, their experience can be more positive. Knowledge, information and myth busting is powerful.
“I am pleased to see this comprehensive menopause platform on NHS Inform, a key deliverable from our recently published Women’s Health Plan.
“We want to ensure that anyone experiencing menopause has the care and support that they need, and this platform is an important step in achieving that aim.”
Dr Laura Ryan, Medical Director at NHS 24, said: “Menopause can affect everyone differently, and many of us are still unfamiliar with the common symptoms, how these might present, and what to expect if you or someone you know is going through ‘the change’.
“World Menopause Day aims to raise awareness of these and the support options available for improving health and wellbeing. Our new resources on NHS Inform are clinically assured and contain lots of information on signs of menopause, potential treatments, managing your wellbeing, and supporting others through their own symptoms.
“The resources also include ways to manage symptoms with some self-care, and what to do if you feel concerned that your experiences are unusual.
“Sometimes the menopause can have impacts on lots of aspects of life including self-esteem and mental health. These resources are a great way to feel knowledgeable about the experience and empowered in taking any next steps.”
Visit NHSinform.scot for updated information, including a range of videos aimed at dispelling common myths about the menopause.
A new fund has been established to help tackle the impact of social isolation, loneliness and the mental health inequalities made worse by the pandemic. The £15 million Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund aims to support adult community-based initiatives across Scotland.
Grass roots community groups and organisations will be able to benefit from the funds to deliver activities and programmes to people to re-connect and revitalise communities building on examples of good practice which have emerged throughout the pandemic.
Mental Wellbeing Minister Kevin Stewart launched the fund at Saheliya in Edinburgh, a specialist mental health and well-being support organisation for black and minority ethnic women and girls.
Mr Stewart said: “This funding reflects the importance we place on promoting good mental health and early intervention for those in distress and will help develop a culture of mental wellbeing and prevention within local communities.
“It is vital now, more than ever as we start to re-open society that we support the mental health and wellbeing of individuals. I am very keen that this benefits communities across all of Scotland.
“I was pleased to be able to visit Saheliya this morning and meet some of the people involved with running and the project, and some of the people they help.”
A range of charity-support bodies and social enterprises, known as third sector interfaces, will manage the fund in partnership with local integrated health authorities and other partners including Community Planning Partnerships and local authority mental health leads.
The Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund is part of the wider £120 million Recovery and Renewal Fund announced in February 2021 to ensure delivery of the commitments set out in the Mental Health Transition and Recovery Plan in response to the mental health need arising from the pandemic.
In response to the immediate pressures on the NHS because of COVID-19 and the backlog in care caused by the pandemic, military assistance has been requested for NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Borders.
Acute services in both health board areas are operating at capacity because of workforce shortages associated with the virus.
A total of 63 military personnel will be deployed to NHS Lanarkshire – this includes three nurses, 45 military medics, 12 General Duties Troops and three drivers who will be working in acute settings.
In NHS Borders, 14 military medics, two nurses and four additional military personnel will provide assistance in acute settings. A military driver will provide transport. Two military medics will oversee operations from the army’s headquarters in Scotland.
Military support within the two health board areas is due to start on 19 October and continue initially until 10 November 2021 though this will be kept under constant review.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “The NHS is experiencing significant pressure at the moment because of COVID-19 admissions and the backlog in care built up during the pandemic and we are taking a range of steps to introduce additional capacity in order to help with the unprecedented pressures on the health and care system.
“Earlier this month we announced a record winter package funding of £300 million to support a range of measures to maximise capacity in our hospitals and primary care, reduce delayed discharges, improve pay for social care staff, and ensure those in the community who need support receive effective and responsive care.
“In the NHS Borders and NHS Lanarkshire areas, staff shortages because of COVID-19 are affecting bed capacity and temporary military assistance has been requested to support the boards at this time.
“With increasing levels of social mixing and close social contact it is expected that this winter COVID-19 will circulate alongside respiratory viruses, such as flu, adding to the winter pressures usually faced by the NHS.
“This military support will allow both boards to support existing staff to reduce waiting times, enhance care and provide a better experience for our patients.
“As always I would like to thank all those involved in our healthcare systems for their continuing hard work and dedication over this particularly busy time.”
