Warning issued as warmer weather brings increase in jellyfish stings
The RNLI issued the warning, saying the rise in sea temperatures has increased the number of beachgoers and the risk of people getting stung.
Jellyfish are fairly common throughout the summer months in Scotland, and it's not unusual to spot them in blooms, either in the water or washed up along the coast. RNLI
Moon jellyfish, which are translucent with four distinctive pinkish-purple spheres, are relatively harmless and have a mild sting whereas others, such as the large reddish Lion's Mane jellyfish or Compass jellyfish, can cause painful stings.
Stings can be painful and may cause redness, swelling or a stinging sensation. If this happens, let a lifeguard know straight away so they can keep an eye on you and provide first aid if needed.
Avoid rinsing with fresh water or any substances with alcohol as this can worsen the sting. Instead, use a card to gently scrape off any remaining tentacles, then head back into the sea between the RNLI's red and yellow flags. The cold salt water will help to soothe the pain and deactivate any remaining stingers from releasing further venom.
If you start to feel unwell, or notice a rash or swelling, speak to a lifeguard immediately as it may be signs of an allergic reaction.
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STV News
2 hours ago
- STV News
'We put our baby in their hands - she ended up in unnecessary pain'
The parents of a baby who was given a fraction of the morphine she should have after undergoing open-heart surgery say they are still seeking accountability. Baby Charlotte Gilchrist is one of seven children who were given a tenth of the pain relief they should have been after undergoing the surgery last summer. The underdoses affected seven operations over six days within a single theatre between June 13 and 24 last year but were not discovered until nearly a month later, on July 6. A review by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGCC) following the incidents found that overworked and fatigued staff at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow missed vital checks. Charlotte was just 11 weeks old when her parents were told she would need open-heart surgery. Charlotte's mum Coral told STV News: 'I kept saying there is something not right (with Charlotte) – I didn't want to be right.' STV News 'You automatically think the worst', Charlotte's father, Craig, said. Everything froze for the couple until after a two-hour-long surgery when they were supposed to be in the clear. Craig still thinks of the videos he took of Charlotte post-surgery. 'Now, when we look back at videos, I feel dead guilty because, you can see, she's in pain', he explained. The couple later discovered that Charlotte was given an underdose of crucial pain killers following the procedure. STV News A review found the seven children, including Charlotte, were administered 1mg/ml of morphine – when they should've received 10mg/ml. The report also found that the underdose went unnoticed for a month due to staff going on 'assumption' rather than doing 'two-person checks' as procedure requires. NHSGCC has apologised to the families and said it has begun implementing the recommendations in the report. But Craig and Coral say that they are still 'heartbroken' and don't think the recommendations are enough. Coral broke down in tears as she told STV News: 'We handed over our world to somebody else's arms and they didn't look after her the way they should have.' The Significant Adverse Event Review (SAER) by NHSGGC also found staff were overworked and overtired during shifts. The review recommendations included staff training and stock management to ensure 'any incident of this nature is prevented from happening again'. But families affected say that isn't enough. STV News Coral added: 'There were lots of minor issues that were just careless, and there were a lot of them. 'It was bad enough she had to go through heart surgery, and even though we're thankful, she was still in unnecessary pain. 'We deserve to find out what has actually happened with that. Are there disciplinary hearings going ahead? 'You can give all the training you want, but unless it's implemented in practice, it's not going to make a difference. 'Over a year after her surgery, and we're still having to relive that with every email and every conversation. 'When you properly sit and think about it, it breaks your heart'. STV News spoke to two other families affected by the incident, who are also disappointed and feel like the review raises more questions than it answers. STV News Ellie McAdam, mum to three-year-old Theo, said she felt the report was a 'half-hearted acknowledgement of not following policy, but it falls short of real accountability'. Two-year-old Kai Campbell's mother, Shelby, shared the sentiments, adding that she was 'shocked' as the report 'was just full of so many excuses.' While Charlotte won't need any more heart surgery, Coral still wants to ensure no parent or child goes through the same ordeal. Carol said: 'My heart goes out to the families who have gone through this and do need future surgeries. 'I know how anxious it's made me, and I can't imagine how anxious they are knowing that some point in the future they will need more surgery.' NHSGCC apologised and said families have been invited to meet with members of the review team to discuss their concerns. 'We know the care these patients received fell below the standard expected, and we are sorry,' a spokesperson for the health board said. 'Both human and systems factors played a role in this incident, and we are committed to ensuring that lessons are learned from this extensive review, which was carried out with the involvement of pharmacy, nursing, and medical staff, as well as an individual panel member providing expert opinion.' The health board said it began implementing the report's five recommendations as soon as the error was identified. 'It includes recommendations around staff training, the physical environment and stock management system, which are designed to ensure any incident of this nature is prevented from happening again,' the board said. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
STV News
a day ago
- STV News
Catalogue of failures led to morphine underdoses at children's hospital
Review finds catalogue of failures led to morphine underdoses at Scotland's largest children's cardiac ward Seven children were given a tenth of the pain relief they should have during open heart surgery at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde found that overworked and fatigued staff at the hospital missed vital checks The children were administered 1mg/ml of morphine – when they should've received 10mg/ml The underdoses affected seven operations over six days within a single theatre between June 13 and 24 last year A catalogue of failures led to morphine underdoses at Scotland's largest children's cardiac ward. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) found in a review that overworked and fatigued staff at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow missed vital checks. It comes just months after STV News revealed that seven children were given a tenth of the pain relief they should have been after undergoing open-heart surgery last summer. The children were administered 1mg/ml of morphine – when they should've received 10mg/ml – raising questions from their families about the hospital's protocols and checks. The underdoses affected seven operations over six days within a single theatre between June 13 and 24 last year. STV News The errors were not discovered until nearly a month later, on July 6. A Significant Adverse Event Review (SAER) by NHSGGC has now found that checks were missed and that staff were overworked and overtired during shifts. The report, seen by STV News, also found the hospital's medication stocking software was not user-friendly, causing the wrong concentration of morphine to be logged. Initially, the error occurred when the wrong vials of morphine were delivered to the pharmacy. Instead of 10mg/ml, the delivery contained vials of morphine at a 1mg/ml concentration. The report revealed that this was not an isolated event, and the same delivery had also been made to some of the hospital's satellite sites within Adult Services. This was identified early, and the incorrect vials were not used. But on the paediatric cardiac ward, the vials were delivered to operating theatres and used on seven children between June 13 and June 24, 2024. The report found that staff in the ward's theatre 8 'assumed' the delivery matched the ordered strength of morphine. It stated: 'Despite the controlled drugs cupboard being checked twice a day, the incorrect morphine vials were used on patients without being noticed by many members of staff, who assumed the dose and strength were correct due to the historical and single use of 10mg/ml.' NHSGGC's guidance requires 'independent two person checks' before controlled drugs are administered 'at all times with children under the age of 16'. But the inquiry discovered another failure: fatigued medical staff made 'assumptions' that the medication was correct and missed those crucial checks. Other issues included a new logging system that was unfamiliar to staff. Another was the lighting and layout of the controlled drugs room at the hospital's pharmacy, which staff said made it difficult to carry out their checks. STV News spoke to three of the families affected by the incident and the reaction was unanimous – they're disappointed and feel like the review raises more questions than it answers. Ellie McAdam, mum to three-year-old Theo, said she felt the report was a 'half-hearted acknowledgement of not following policy, but it falls short of real accountability'. STV News She added: 'Instead of a sincere admission, it's filled with justifications and excuses that undermine the seriousness of the issue. 'Theo is doing well at the moment, but the knowledge that we will be back for more surgery and we do not trust the professionals to carry out their role properly causes a lot of anxiety.' Two-year-old Kai Campbell's mum Shelby shared those sentiments, adding that she was 'shocked' as the report 'was just full of so many excuses'. Coral Gilchrist, whose daughter Charlotte is believed to be the youngest patient to be affected at just 11 weeks old, told STV News: 'There are so many errors that could have easily been prevented if the correct procedures were followed. 'Only time will tell if they will make a difference. The right training and awareness can be given to everyone, but unless it is put into practice, it will make no difference.' NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde apologised and said families have been invited to meet with members of the review team to discuss their concerns. 'We know the care these patients received fell below the standard expected and we are sorry,' a spokesperson for the health board said. 'Both human and systems factors played a role in this incident, and we are committed to ensuring that lessons are learned from this extensive review, which was carried out with the involvement of pharmacy, nursing, and medical staff, as well as an individual panel member providing expert opinion.' NHSGGC said it began implementing the report's five recommendations as soon as the error was identified. 'It includes recommendations around staff training, the physical environment and stock management system, which are designed to ensure any incident of this nature is prevented from happening again,' the board said. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
STV News
a day ago
- STV News
Firefighters launch fundraiser to help family of toddler given months to live
A group of firefighters have launched a fundraiser to give a three-year-old boy as many 'happy adventures as possible' after he was given months to live. Jaxon Finn, from Kelso, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive Malignant Rhabdoid Tumour in April last year. After going through an entire summer in ICU, 12 rounds of chemotherapy, seven weeks of proton beam therapy, and spending six months in remission, doctors say the toddler's cancer has returned and spread to his lungs. Jaxon has now been given months to live. GoFundMe via Supplied Despite his diagnosis, Jaxon's family have said he is 'full of life', and 'loves an adventure', and they now want to fill whatever time he has left with love, laughter, and life. Jaxon's father, Steven, who is also a firefighter, told STV News: 'The funding is going to make a huge difference to us, helps take the financial pressure that goes along with cancer and the journey people go on. 'Just dealing with a cancer diagnosis is hard enough, but the struggle financially is huge, through chemo last year and now this diagnosis. 'Jaxon is full of life and loves an adventure. We are currently in Callander, but his adventures are going to be short-lived.' A fundraiser has been launched by Steven's colleagues in the hope of providing the toddler with as many happy adventures as possible. The campaign has already raised over £14,000 of a £16,000 goal. The crew at Kelso Fire Station are holding a charity car wash on August 2 and 3 from 9am to 3pm. 'At Kelso Fire Station, we stand shoulder to shoulder through every challenge—on the job and beyond', a spokesperson for the station said. 'Today, we're rallying behind one of our own, a dedicated firefighter whose young son is facing a devastating diagnosis. 'This is a call to our local community and wider emergency services family. We know the strength of our bond, the power of unity, and the difference we can make when we come together. 'Please join us in supporting this family through the unimaginable. Your donation, no matter the size, is a gesture of solidarity and will help them make lasting memories with the time they have left together.' To join the register, or to donate, click here. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
