Latest news with #NHSLanarkshire
Daily Record
11 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Jenny and the Bear initiative shares smoke-free message with Lanarkshire families
To extend the programme's reach, every primary school in Lanarkshire was invited to receive Jenny and the Bear resource packs for their Primary One classes at the start of the 2024 school year. NHS Lanarkshire's Health Improvement Team has been working with families across Lanarkshire to share a range of fun and interactive activities, inspired by the NHS Jenny and the Bear programme. Jenny and the Bear, an engaging children's story designed to encourage smoke-free homes, provide parents and carers with practical information to help protect children from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke. The team combined family-friendly fun with vital health education through a series of community events held across Lanarkshire. These included teddy bear picnics, stay-and-play sessions, fun exercise activities, and special visits from the beloved bear. To extend the programme's reach, every primary school in Lanarkshire was invited to receive Jenny and the Bear resource packs for their Primary One classes at the start of the 2024 school year. These packs help deliver a classroom lesson around the story, with children then taking the book home to share with parents and carers. The packs containing books, lesson plans, and certificates were delivered to 71 Lanarkshire schools. This invitation will be repeated for the new summer intakes. Gillian Lindsay, Health Improvement Lead - South Lanarkshire University Health and Social Care Partnership, NHS Lanarkshire, said: 'Feedback from families has been overwhelmingly positive, with parents telling us how approachable and engaging the sessions were. 'Children especially loved meeting the bear mascot, while parents valued the clear and supportive information provided. 'By combining fun activities in the community with educational resources in schools, we've been able to help families learn about the importance of creating smoke-free homes in a way that really connects with them. 'The Jenny and the Bear programme is an important part of our ongoing work to protect children from second-hand smoke, reduce health inequalities, and empower families to take practical steps towards healthier living.' Fiona McLean, Health Improvement Senior - Quit Your Way, NHS Lanarkshire, added: 'Second-hand smoke is harmful to everyone's health, even pets, but it's especially harmful to babies, children and pregnant women. 'Children are especially vulnerable to second-hand smoke as their lungs and immune systems are still developing, making them breathe faster. This means, they inhale more toxic chemicals from tobacco smoke than adults. 'As part of our commitment to creating a smoke-free future for children, we're proud to work alongside our Health Improvement colleagues to deliver community-based initiatives that help reduce barriers and support families to create smoke-free environments.' Quit Your Way is a free NHS stop smoking service. To find out more about second-hand smoke or more information on stop smoking services, call the helpline on 0800 84 84 84 or visit Quit Your Way can be contacted Monday to Friday from 9am until 5pm. You can also visit your local Community Pharmacy for FREE stop smoking support. *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
Glasgow Times
13 hours ago
- Health
- Glasgow Times
NHS Lanarkshire promotes smoke-free homes with new story
NHS Lanarkshire's Health Improvement Team is delivering the Jenny and the Bear programme, which uses a children's story to teach parents and carers about the dangers of second-hand smoke. Gillian Lindsay, health improvement lead at South Lanarkshire University [[Health]] and Social Care Partnership, NHS Lanarkshire, said: "Feedback from families has been overwhelmingly positive, with parents telling us how approachable and engaging the sessions were. (Image: Supplied) "Children especially loved meeting the bear mascot, while parents valued the clear and supportive information provided. 'The Jenny and the Bear programme is an important part of our ongoing work to protect children from second-hand smoke, reduce health inequalities, and empower families to take practical steps towards healthier living.' Read more: Petition launched to save iconic Glasgow cinema threatened with closure The health improvement team has hosted teddy bear picnics, stay-and-play sessions, and community events featuring a visit from the bear mascot, combining fun with practical health education. To extend the programme's reach, every primary school in Lanarkshire was offered resource packs for Primary One classes at the start of the 2024 school year. (Image: Supplied) These packs include books, lesson plans, and certificates, and 71 schools have already received them. Ms Lindsay said: "By combining fun activities in the community with educational resources in schools, we've been able to help families learn about the importance of creating smoke-free homes in a way that really connects with them." Fiona McLean, health improvement senior at Quit Your Way, NHS Lanarkshire, said: "Second-hand smoke is harmful to everyone's health, even pets, but it's especially harmful to babies, children and pregnant women. "Children are especially vulnerable to second-hand smoke as their lungs and immune systems are still developing, making them breathe faster. "This means they inhale more toxic chemicals from tobacco smoke than adults." Quit Your Way is a free NHS stop smoking service.
Glasgow Times
5 days ago
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Appointments for RSV vaccine issued by NHS Lanarkshire
Pregnant women who are 28 weeks or more are also eligible and can arrange their vaccinations during their next ante-natal appointment. RSV, a common respiratory illness affecting the lungs and airways, is more prevalent from late autumn to early spring but can occur at any time. Dr. Chris Deighan, NHS Lanarkshire's executive medical director, emphasised the importance of the vaccine. Dr Deighan said: "RSV is a common and highly infectious respiratory virus that affects the breathing system. "It generally causes mild illness with cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, cough, fever, or decrease in appetite. "Most people recover after two to three weeks, but RSV can cause severe illness in some people, including pneumonia, bronchiolitis, and other life-threatening conditions, leading to complications and hospitalisation. "The most vulnerable in Lanarkshire can now get protection by getting the RSV vaccine, including all pregnant women. "If a vaccinated person does get RSV, it should be less severe, and the vaccine is effective against lower respiratory tract infections." The vaccine is routinely offered to those turning 75 years old between August 1 and July 31. This includes individuals whose 75th birthday falls on August 1, 2025, or July 31, 2026. Receiving the RSV vaccine is considered the most effective method to protect against infections caused by RSV.
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
NHS Lanarkshire issuing RSV vaccine appointments to eligible older adults
Appointments will continue to be issued over the next couple of weeks and pregnant women who are 28-week-plus are also eligible. NHS Lanarkshire has started issuing appointments to older adults who are eligible for the RSV vaccine. Appointments will continue to be issued over the next couple of weeks and pregnant women who are 28-week-plus are also eligible and can speak to their midwife to arrange to have their vaccine at their next ante-natal appointment. RSV is a common respiratory illness which affects the lungs and airways. It is more common from late autumn to early spring, but can happen throughout the year. Dr Chris Deighan, NHS Lanarkshire's executive medical director, said: "RSV is a common and highly infectious respiratory virus that affects the breathing system. "It generally causes mild illness with cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, cough, fever, or decrease in appetite. "Most people recover after two to three weeks, but RSV can cause severe illness in some people, including pneumonia (infection of the lungs), bronchiolitis (infection of the small airways of the lungs) and other life-threatening conditions, leading to complications and hospitalisation. "The most vulnerable in Lanarkshire can now get protection by getting the RSV vaccine including all pregnant women. "If a vaccinated person does get RSV, it should be less severe and the vaccine is effective against lower respiratory tract infections (such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis)." *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
Daily Record
21-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Wishaw MSP welcomes new Baby Box figures for North Lanarkshire
Almost 40,000 Baby Boxes have been delivered across NHS Lanarkshire since the scheme was introduced in 2017. Motherwell and Wishaw MSP Clare Adamson has welcomed new figures that show 39,619 Baby Boxes have been delivered across NHS Lanarkshire since the scheme was introduced in 2017. In Scotland, every newborn is entitled to a box containing essential items intended to make sure that every child has the best possible start in life. In total, 346,959 boxes have now been distributed to parents across Scotland since the project's inception. Ms Adamson said: 'It's remarkable that nearly 40,000 Baby Boxes have been delivered to families across NHS Lanarkshire since the SNP government launched the initiative in 2017. 'The Baby Box is just one element of the SNP's broader commitment to supporting families from the very beginning. This includes providing 1,140 hours of free early learning and childcare for all three and four-year-olds, as well as eligible two-year-olds, and giving families greater financial security through the abolition of the two-child benefit cap and the introduction of the Scottish Child Payment. Thanks to SNP policies like these, Scotland stands out as the best place in the UK to start and raise a family.
