To ensure the maximum safety of patient and staff pedestrians, access to Hospital Main Drive from Entrance A (Crewe Road South) will be closed to vehicular traffic through to August 2022.
From Monday 15th March, Hospital Main Drive and car parks (listed below) will only be accessible to vehicles entering the hospital via the Telford Road entrance (Entrance D). No vehicular access will be available to Cancer Services or patient car parks from Crewe Road South.
As part of this closure, a new pedestrian footpath will be constructed to the south side of Hospital Main Drive, from Turner House to the junction between Ward 1 and Car Park 4a, and a shared cycle/ pedestrian lane constructed from Ward 1 to Crewe Road South. Details of these new paths are attached to this communication.
Pedestrians and cyclists will now be safely segregated from construction activity on the north side of Hospital Main Drive, notably from the LINAC construction site and Infrastructure improvement works. All diverted routes into buildings will be signposted accordingly.
Construction traffic will continue to use the temporary construction site access to the south of the SHSC on Crewe Road South and will access the LINAC site across Hospital Main Drive. Pedestrians and cyclists will be assisted by Traffic Marshalls when crossing in this vicinity.
The following car parks will now only be accessible from Telford Road:
Car Park 6
Car Park 4
2 x blue badge spaces at SHSC
Entrance to the hospital from Porterfield Road will remain unaffected by these works.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon today met staff co-ordinating the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine at the Western General Hospital.
The Western is one of 23 centres where priority groups will be vaccinated against coronavirus. The First Minister had a tour of the facility and learned about the detailed preparation which has gone into organising the delivery of the vaccine.
Those giving the vaccination to others will receive the injection first. The programme will then follow the independent advice received from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which recommends prioritising those with the greatest clinical need – including those aged over 80, and health and social care workers.
The First Minister said: “I’m grateful to everyone involved in giving this vaccine to those who need it most.
“By vaccinating the priority groups they will be covering those associated with 99 per cent of preventable COVID-19 deaths. That is a very compelling reason to put these groups first in the queue for this vaccine.
“Finally there is light at the end of the tunnel. But I ask everyone to be patient as we work our way through this vaccination programme, and continue to follow FACTS to keep us all safe.”
Calum Campbell, Chief Executive of NHS Lothian said: “As we prepare to launch our staff vaccination clinics, we reach a crucial milestone in the fight against COVID-19. Across NHS Lothian, a huge amount of planning has and will continue to take place to ensure that we can deliver the vaccine quickly, efficiently and effectively.
“I am delighted that the first COVID vaccinations in NHS Lothian will be given tomorrow and would like to thank all our staff for their dedication in making this happen.”
Healthcare workers are ready to begin vaccinating priority groups in Scotland against #coronavirus.
Today, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon met staff co-ordinating the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh.
The vaccine, which must be stored at well below freezing, has been transported to 23 locations around Scotland in temperature controlled lorries.
People will be required to have two doses, at least 21 days apart. Scotland has had an initial delivery of more than 65,500 doses, with more to follow.
Storage requirements mean logistics have had to be worked out carefully, planning is underway for the vaccine to be taken to care home residents from December 14.
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack celebrates the UK Government’s safe and speedy vaccine rollout
By Alister Jack, Secretary of State for Scotland (originally published in the Scottish Mail on Sunday 06/12/20)
Magnificent news for us all that the rollout of the first Covid-19 vaccine to be approved in the western world begins here in the UK.
Inch by painful inch, countries everywhere have been struggling to find an exit from the misery inflicted by this wretched pandemic and now we have a great, tangible leap forward thanks to brilliant scientists who have harnessed the power of their knowledge to bring us a safe vaccine which offers the chance to finally slacken the grip of Covid-19.
It is great news too for the Union. We know the 300-year-old links which bind us as one nation state have a great past, but here now is proof that the self-same Union offers us a great future too.
For make no mistake, all four nations which form the United Kingdom are benefitting equally from our combined strength as one country. From our furlough scheme, Covid testing, vaccine procurement, and now the efforts to get the vaccine to where it is needed, the UK Government has been working tirelessly to support all parts of the country through the pandemic.
The UK Government took advance steps to secure the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine which will be made available to frontline medical staff and some of our most vulnerable citizens from tomorrow.
The figures are astonishing, and a clear indication of the heft this country can bring to bear amidst a crisis of terrifying proportions. The initial shipments from Belgium will amount to some 800,000 doses and Scotland will quickly get 65,500 of those.
Backing those stellar scientists to the hilt, the UK Government has secured nearly 360 million vaccine doses, representing the world’s largest and most diversified vaccine portfolio. This means we have the best chance of securing speedy access to other vaccines once they finish their essential checks for efficacy and safety.
Right from the start, the UK Government has strained every sinew to aid the global search for a vaccine, funding more international research than any other country of comparable size.
We are starting to see real returns on that £230 million investment. Pfizer/BioNTech have delivered a vaccine with an outstanding 95 per cent effectiveness rate and no serious safety concerns – now approved by the regulator. There will be more vaccines to come from other sources – with the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine likely to join us soon on the front line of the Covid fight.
And of course, securing, approving and paying for millions of doses of safe vaccines is one thing – delivering them quite another altogether. The mass vaccination programme we are undertaking now is unlike anything we have seen before and here again the power of the Union is to the fore.
Doses will be distributed fairly across all parts of the UK according to population share. As a result Scotland will be able to vaccinate and protect priority groups such as the clinically vulnerable and frontline health and social-care workers.
It is wonderful that the UK Government has made experts from the forces available for us here in Scotland to help ensure the vaccines reach priority groups swiftly.
It has been heartening to see co-operation on this great endeavour across the United Kingdom. The UK Government has involved the devolved administrations at every stage – in the certain knowledge that full co-operation between Westminster, Holyrood, Stormont and the Senedd is the best for every citizen of these islands.
The conquest of Covid – for that is what we are aiming for – is a real display of what we can achieve together. The Union is firing on all cylinders, delivering fairly in each and every corner of the country.
Of course, we have many miles to go before we can rest, before we can declare Covid under control. That means not relaxing our guard just yet and still obeying the rules around hygiene and social distancing.
Though the approval of this first vaccine is perhaps an early Christmas present, this festive season will still – unfortunately – be lower key this year.
Yet we can now look forward to better times not so very far ahead, and to a time when Covid restrictions can at last be eased off.
I am confident people will ignore any false stories and embrace, at the first chance, the opportunity to protect themselves and their loved ones from a truly dreadful illness.
For my part, I will gladly roll up my sleeve and have the jabs, when my turn comes.
Meantime, we must concentrate fully on the task of rebuilding an economy laid low by an invidious enemy. Here too the Union has proved its worth, with thousands kept in jobs and countless businesses supported by the broad shoulders of the UK and the deep pockets of our Treasury.
Rather than the inward-looking and diminished country the Brexit naysayers said we risked becoming, Britain has in these last months shown not just amazing solidarity within our borders, but maintained engagement with our many friends around the world. The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, developed with UK Government funding, is to be made available to countries in the developing world on a not-for-profit basis in perpetuity. Britain remains a beacon of light in an often dark world.
Many people have made huge sacrifices this year. Much has been done, but we know much remains to be done.
However, let’s take a moment to savour this week’s good news. We are, in all four nations of our fantastic Union, looking forward to a bright future.
A number of people – understood to be fewer than five – have died in the Western General Hospital following an outbreak of Covid-19 on a cancer ward.Six other patients have also been confirmed with the virus.
NHS Lothian is investigating the outbreak and the oncology ward has been closed to new admissions and discharges to allow tests to be carried out.
Patients and staff are being screened for the virus as part of the health board’s response.
Public health expert Prof Linda Bauld told BC Reporting Scotland: “Infections do happen, not just for Covid, but the cause is always that someone has brought in the infection normally from outside, then it does spread.
“I know that the NHS has been working incredibly hard to develop Covid-secure areas, including priority testing for cancer patients. Obviously we just need to get to the bottom of why this happened.”
An incident management team (IMT) has been set up and strict infection control measures have been put in place on the ward.
All patients have been informed of the outbreak and contact tracing is being carried out.
Patients who would normally return home for the weekend have been asked to remain in the hospital to reduce the risk of further transmission.
Dr Donald Inverarity, consultant microbiologist and chair of the Incident Management Team, said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the deceased and I would like to express our sincere condolences.
“The situation will continue to be reviewed and monitored very closely.
“Patient safety is our main priority and while we understand that the request not to go home for the weekend may be upsetting, it is necessary.
“It will help reduce the risk of onwards transmission and protect their families and the wider community. I would like to thank patients and their families for their co-operation and understanding.”
A £20.6 million investment from the Scottish Government has been granted to improve cancer care services for patients at the Western General Hospital.
It will fund a range of construction and refurbishment projects to Oncology wards, services and facilities at the hospital. This includes building two new Linear Accelerator (LINAC) bunkers to house specialist cancer treatment machines, improvements to patient accommodation increasing the number of ensuite single rooms and relocating the Cancer Assessment Unit.
The project forms part of a wider masterplan for the Western General Hospital to transform services, create more space, comfort and privacy and provide access to modern facilities and cutting-edge equipment.
Jim Crombie, Deputy Chief Executive of NHS Lothian, said: “This Scottish Government funding marks a key milestone in an ambitious programme of investment to ensure the Western General hospital continues to provide high quality treatment and services into the future.
“It will greatly enhance the hospital as a centre of excellence and help us work towards our longer-term vision of opening a new Regional Specialist Cancer Centre.”
Additional projects currently being funded by other capital investments at the Western General include the modernisation of Haematology inpatient services and construction of a new outpatient facility, funded by an exceptional and incredibly generous charitable donation of circa £12 million.
A £1 million investment will create new facilities to expand the Clinical Trials footprint and a £6.2 million Renal Dialysis facility is also being constructed which will offer improved clinical areas and better clinical team facilities.
These projects are supported by a programme of ongoing infrastructure improvements and upgrades in and around the hospital to enable the construction and refurbishment works.
Chris Stirling, Site Director at the Western General Hospital added: “This work will greatly enhance the care, services and environment at the Western General. We are committed to the long-term future of the Western General and ensuring we provide staff and patients with the clinical space and services they deserve.
“We are grateful to everyone who has supported the projects so far and to our neighbours and the community for their patience and understanding whilst work progresses.”
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “The Scottish Government is pleased to be supporting improved cancer facilities at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh.It is a mark of improved population health that more of us are living longer overall, however this also means the incidence of cancer is rising.
“Improved treatments also mean more of us live longer with cancer as a chronic condition. It is therefore vital our NHS facilities keep pace with demand and offer the best environment possible for people with cancer and those who treat and care for them.”
Work across the projects is expected to be completed over the next three years, finishing in 2022.
Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs said:“This much needed investment at the Western General Hospital is welcome news and the improvement of cancer care service is crucial for the South East of Scotland.
“Cancer care has been significantly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and getting services fully resumed is critical for patients who are diagnosed with cancer.
“Ultimately a new Cancer centre, based at the Western General, will be needed going forward. This funding, which I have previously called for, will significantly improve cancer services until the new centre is built.
“I have called on SNP Ministers to update Parliament on plans for a new build Edinburgh Cancer Centre.”
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, patients across Lothian and the south-east of Scotland have continued to receive cancer treatment through a range of clinical trials.
Recently, with pandemic restrictions easing, more patients have resumed participation in cancer trials. And today (29 July) teams in the South East Scottish Cancer Research Network (SESCRN) are pleased to announce that any remaining trials that have been on hold in the region are all now able to reopen and would like to reassure patients that all trial options will be available to them.
The SESCRN teams – based in the Edinburgh Cancer Centre at the Western General Hospital – are also recruiting patients to take part in a series of new clinical trials.
Stefan Symeonides, a Consultant Oncologist and Clinical Lead for SESCRN, said: “COVID-19 presented us with significant challenges – and still does – but our teams have worked hard to minimise disruption caused by the pandemic.
“We’ve had to adapt how trials are delivered to patients, implementing a range of infection prevention and control measures required as a result of COVID-19, including social distancing. This enabled all patients already started on clinical trials for cancer treatment to remain on those trials.”
However, COVID-19 has restricted access to clinical trials for other patients who would have started treatment during the peak of the COVID-19 challenges.
“We share the concern and frustration experienced by these patients, which is why we are pleased that the recent easing of pandemic restrictions has allowed us to open trials back up again and widen patient access to other trials,” said Stefan Symeonides. “We are now able to reopen all remaining studies and we are excited to have started recruiting patients to new clinical trials.”
Dot Boyle, Network Manager with SESCRN, said: “Colleagues across the Network have made monumental efforts to continue clinical trials.
“For example, we were able to keep some trials running, where there were no safety concerns for patients and, since June, a range of other trials have resumed. We are currently engaged in over 100 clinical trials, half of which are open, with the other half now due to open imminently.
“In addition, every day, our teams work in collaboration with a range of partners to help facilitate more and more new trials, the first of which have opened, covering a range of different areas, including cancer of the bladder, breast and kidney.”
Professor Charlie Gourley, Professor and Honorary Consultant in Medical Oncology, Western General Hospital, said: “Clinical trials offer cancer patients new opportunities, either in addition to standard treatments, or after standard therapies have failed.
“They provide patients with hope and are a vital part of our armoury. The South East Scotland Cancer Research Network is rapidly reinstating these studies in order to offer our patients the best possible treatment options.”
Kirsten Griew, 41, from Portobello, Edinburgh is hoping to inspire people to join her at this year’s MoonWalk Scotland, organised by breast cancer charity, Walk the Walk.
Diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2016, Kirsten was treated at The Breast Cancer Institute at Edinburgh’s Western General Hospital which has benefitted from several Walk the Walk grants, thanks to money raised through The MoonWalk Scotland.
The grant from Walk the Walk funded the renovation of Ward 6, a new theatre and renovation of the Mammography Unit at the Breast Cancer unit at the Hospital. As well as this, the charity provided a grant for 8 Cold Cap systems, special machines which are helping many people undergoing chemotherapy to retain their hair.
Kirsten said: “The nurses at The Breast Cancer Institute were amazing throughout my treatment and it was there that I first heard about the Cold Caps.
“The idea of losing my hair during chemo was horrible, so it was great to hear that there was a way of potentially keeping all, or some of it, by using the Cold Cap.
“It was at the hospital that I saw a leaflet for The MoonWalk Scotland. I’d heard about the event before and always wanted to take part, but seeing the leaflet and personally benefitting from services that have been funded as a result of people doing The MoonWalk gave me the motivation I needed to sign up.
“The MoonWalk is brilliant fun – it has such a wonderful atmosphere and the feeling as you cross the finish line is indescribable! Fantastic causes benefit from the money raised and help people just like me. I can’t wait to take part again this year!”
Now in its 15th year, The MoonWalk Scotland, has to date raised nearly £22 million. This money is granted towards supporting people living with cancer in Scotland.
The charity is celebrating all things ‘music’ at this year’s MoonWalk on Saturday 6th June – Walkers could be inspired by pop stars, rock legends, disco divas or musicals, as they decorate their bras to showcase at one of Edinburgh’s most iconic nights.
Setting from Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, Walkers can take on one of four challenges at The MoonWalk Scotland; 10K New Moon (open to people aged 10 and over), Half Moon (13.1 miles), Full Moon (26.2 miles) or Over the Moon (52.4 miles).
Don’t miss The MoonWalk Scotland, Saturday 6th June. Power Walk through the streets of Edinburgh at Midnight wearing a decorated bra, as you raise money and awareness for breast cancer charity, Walk the Walk.
Testing arrangements for coronavirus are being expanded across Scotland.
Health boards are implementing a range of different methods for people in their areas to access testing. This ranges from testing in contained areas at local health centres, to community testing in the home, and ‘drive-through’ testing in some areas.
NHS Lothian is the latest health board to introduce ‘drive through’ testing, where patients with mild symptoms drive themselves to a contained area of the Western General hospital for testing, enabling them to avoid public transport or walking.
However the drive-in initiaitve is NOT for self-referalls.
Dr Tracey Gillies, medical director at NHS Lothian, stressed: “This service is for patients who have been assessed by the specialist team so it is an appointment-only service. It is not a drop-in clinic and it is important to stress that patients cannot be seen without an appointment.
“The drive-through facility and the community testing teams allow us to test patients without them coming into healthcare facilities. Patients will be referred on by their GP or NHS 24 if they are at risk of the virus and meet the clinical criteria.
“They will then be referred on to our teams, who will decide whether they need to be tested in their own homes or if they are well enough and can use their own transport to drive to the Western General Hospital.”
Other boards are running community testing, which allows people to be tested in their own home where appropriate. This involves staff from public health teams attending people’s homes in protective suits to provide testing, and offer advice to anyone displaying symptoms.
It follows the introduction of specialised coronavirus screening laboratories in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Catherine Calderwood said: “Although all test results have come back negative so far, it is only a matter of time before there is a positive case in Scotland.
“Our priority is to ensure testing facilities are available across Scotland, so we have asked health boards to explore options for people in their area depending on their needs. Methods of testing will be different depending on factors like population and geography.
“Scotland is well-prepared to deal with coronavirus. We need the public to help contain spread by keeping themselves informed of the latest health and travel advice, and taking basic hygiene precautions such as hand-washing, not touching their face and covering their nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and binning the tissue straight away.”
The Scottish Government and NHS Scotland are well-prepared to deal with a potential coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and are working with the UK Government, Wales and Northern Ireland to publish a coordinated response.
In the coming days the four nations will jointly publish an updated action plan on the response of the health care system and the public to coronavirus. The document will outline the steps that will be taken to manage coronavirus if there is a sustained epidemic.
The Scottish Government is also participating in the UK wide launch of an updated public information campaign this week. It will feature posters and social media adverts to reinforce the importance of hand-washing, for 20 seconds or more with water and soap, to prevent the spread of the virus.
In addition, the Scottish Government has:
• stood up its Resilience Room (SGoRR) with both Ministers and officials meeting regularly to ensure the country is prepared
• participated and engaged in UK Government COBR activity
• developed emergency regulations to ensure coronavirus is a notifiable disease
• implemented a training programme and trained Scottish Ambulance Service staff to support the transport of patients that may be infectious
• established two laboratories in Scotland (Glasgow and Edinburgh) to manage an increase in testing
• delivered face masks to GP practices as a precautionary measure
• developed and issued guidance to clinicians as well as sector specific information to schools, universities, ports and airports to ensure members of the public are alerted to the latest clinical information
• established a dedicated helpline within NHS 24 to provide members of the public with the opportunity to receive information and discuss concerns
• developed an online resource via NHS Inform that can be accessed 24/7
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “In Scotland we have a proven track record of dealing with challenging health issues and while all tests have so far come back negative, it is highly likely that we will see a positive case soon as coronavirus continues to spread around the world.
“As part of our efforts we are working with the UK Government, Wales and Northern Ireland to publish a coordinated response in the coming days.
“Staff across the Scottish Government, its agencies and key partners are stepping up work to deal with the potential consequences of a coronavirus outbreak. This includes prioritising key activity to keep Scotland running should the situation change, but also to ensure that all sectors can play their part in managing the response.
“Led by the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Catherine Calderwood, our clinicians and Health Protection Scotland are working closely with their counterparts across the UK to guarantee a consistent and joined up approach.
“We will continue to ensure we are as prepared as possible for the likelihood of coronavirus cases in Scotland and will continue to work with health boards, local authorities and other governments across the UK in ensuring that plans and preparations are in place to respond.”
The UK has 23 confirmed cases – none so far in Scotland – but there are warnings more will inevitably follow.
Building work underway at the Western General Hospital will enhance the care and treatment of patients by providing high quality services in improved physical environments.
These are exciting times for the Western General’s patients and staff, but they also pose challenges, such as reduced on-site parking. We will continue to do all we can to keep disruption on the WGH site to a minimum. Continue reading Western General parking warning
Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (EIJB) has approved plans to accelerate approaches to care for people at home and in a homely setting.
Designed to reduce the number of people being delayed leaving hospital and improve the care patients receive in their own community, Edinburgh’s ‘home first’ approach sets out plans to shift health and social care systems to provide greater support for people in their own or familiar surroundings. Continue reading Edinburgh’s Home First policy to tackle bed blocking
