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Edinburgh Reporter
3 days ago
- Health
- Edinburgh Reporter
Stroke patients left waiting as Scottish Government fails to deliver
Every weekend, stroke patients across Scotland are left waiting for care – a consequence of The Scottish Government's failure to implement the national stroke service it pledged more than two years ago. Despite a clear commitment to deliver round-the-clock treatment, hundreds of patients are still being denied access to thrombectomy, one of the most effective and time-critical stroke interventions available. This procedure, which removes blood clots from the brain, can triple a patient's chance of regaining independence after an ischaemic stroke. Yet access to it remains severely restricted. Currently, only NHS Lothian offers the service seven days a week. That means a patient in Edinburgh may be treated within hours, while someone in nearby Fife may have to wait until Monday, missing the critical window for intervention and facing a much greater risk of lifelong disability. In 2023, only 153 patients in Scotland received a thrombectomy, despite clinical estimates suggesting nearly 1,000 people were eligible. That's not a system under pressure; that's a system failing by design. I questioned the Scottish Government on this issue, but we are still awaiting meaningful answers. More than two years have passed since the Stroke Improvement Plan was published, and implementation has stalled. Most health boards remain limited to weekday hours, a shocking shortfall when stroke outcomes are measured in minutes. I recently met with the Stroke Association, whose tireless advocacy has been central to the campaign for a fully funded, nationwide thrombectomy service. They report that the procedure could save the NHS up to £47,000 per patient in long-term care, underscoring both its clinical and economic value. Meanwhile, other nations are moving ahead. In Ireland, nearly 9% of stroke patients receive a thrombectomy, six times the rate in Scotland. Clinicians across NHS Scotland say they have the expertise and are ready to expand the service, but lack the necessary resources, infrastructure, and national coordination. Stroke survivors shouldn't face worse outcomes because of their postcode or the day they fall ill. The time for reviews is over. The Scottish Government must act because the longer we wait, the more lives we put at risk. Foysol Choudhury MSP signs the pledge Like this: Like Related
Scotsman
19-07-2025
- Health
- Scotsman
NHS Lothian radiographer says recognition for her work 'meant the world'
Scotland's Health Awards 2025 are now open for nominations. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A Lothian woman has said that recognition for her work in radiography 'meant the world to her'. Lindsey Todd, who works for NHS Lothian, was awarded the Allied Health Professional Award last year at Scotland's Health Awards 2024, hosted by The Scotsman. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad She works as a specialist radiographer and has nearly two decades of experience. As well as this, she initiated a Radiographer-led CT Guided Lumbar Nerve Root Injection service which has enhanced patient access and has helped to reduce wait times. The award, which is sponsored by Glasgow Caledonian School of Health and Life Sciences, is for an Allied Health Professional providing excellent care and support for people in Scotland. Allied Health Professionals are a group of practitioners who apply their expertise to assess, diagnose, treat, discharge and rehabilitate people of all ages across health, education, housing, social care, voluntary and independent sectors. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Lindsey Todd received the award last year for her work as an Allied Health Professional. | Lisa Ferguson Interviewed off stage after receiving the award, Lindsey said: 'Winning the award means the world to me. 'Not only for the service that I initiated, but drawing attention to the fact that advanced practise helps our patients, especially in an allied health professional role. 'It's just not seen often enough and it's nice to bring attention to that.' Covering a wide spectrum of care, Allied Health Professionals encompass professional groups including art therapists, drama therapists, music therapists, podiatrists, dietitians, occupational therapists, prosthetists and orthotists, paramedics, orthoptists, physiotherapists, diagnostic radiographers, therapeutic radiographers, speech and language therapists. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Teams and groups cannot be nominated for this award, however, if you want to nominate a support team or group then there is also the 'Top Team' Award'. Awards aim to recognise wide range of healthcare workers Other award categories include care for mental health, as well as awards for the doctor, nurse, top team, support worker, young achiever, volunteer, midwife and leader of the year. Last year another winner was Karli Whittle from NHS Fife who was recognised for her career as a support worker. Aaron Smith from NHS Forth Valley was recognised with the Volunteer Award for his hundreds of volunteer hours since 2008. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Scotsman spoke to the health secretary as nominations officially opened for 2025 to hear just how important Scotland's Health Awards are. Caroline Lamb, chief executive of NHS Scotland and director-general health and social care, and Health Secretary Neil Gray at the launch of The Scotsman Health Awards 2025, which will be held in the Edinburgh Corn Exchange in November. | Lisa Ferguson 'I'm delighted to announce the launch of Scotland's Health Awards 2025,' Mr Gray said. 'These awards offer the opportunity to not only acknowledge all of our fantastic colleagues who work tirelessly day in, day out across our health and care services, they give us the chance to show what their extraordinary achievements mean to each and every individual in Scotland. 'I've witnessed first-hand the incredible work that goes on across our health and care settings. That's why I'm so pleased that these awards recognise frontline health and social care workers and also celebrate those who work so hard in support roles to ensure our services achieve the highest quality of care and patient experience.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Nominations are now open across 17 award categories, which all aim to recognise frontline health and social care workers and celebrate those who work hard behind the scenes to make sure patients across the country get the highest level of care possible.
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
NHS Lothian issues urgent warning to parents amid measles outbreak
NHS Lothian is urging parents to ensure that their children are vaccinated against measles as cases in Scotland continue to rise. To make sure that children in the Lothians and Edinburgh are up to date with their measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccinations, the health board has set up summer vaccination clinics in the area. Public Health Scotland recommends that all young people get the MMR vaccine for protection for the highly infectious measles, mumps and rubella. READ MORE: Edinburgh wife demands answers as husband 'lay dead in City Chambers toilets for six days' READ MORE: New high-tech Edinburgh gym in busy shopping park announces opening date These diseases are easily spread through coughs and sneezes and can be serious. Young people should receive two doses of the MMR vaccine for full, long-lasting protection. In Scotland, the first dose is offered between the age of 12 and 13 months, with the second dose offered before starting primary school. Children who have not received both doses may still be at risk. Ashley Goodfellow, Deputy Director of Public Health and Health Policy, NHS Lothian, said: 'Measles is a highly contagious and serious disease, which is spread through coughs and sneezes. As cases increase across Scotland, we strongly urge people to check their children are vaccinated with the MMR vaccine. 'Extra clinics have been set up this summer to offer the vaccine to those who are not fully protected. The vaccines are free and are highly effective in fighting off the virus. Having two doses is the best way to avoid serious medical complications.' To book an appointment at one of the local clinics, phone the NHS Lothian Vaccination Enquiries Line on 0300 790 6296. First dose appointments will be available in July and August. If a parent is contacted to book an MMR appointment for their child but they have already had both doses, please contact 0300 790 6296 to update their medical records. More information on the MMR vaccine can be found here. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
Daily Record
15-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Scots waiting up to a year for cancer treatment as patients 'not given best chance' by SNP Government
One patient living in the NHS Lothian health board area waited 393 days before beginning treatment in the first quarter of this year. Scots suffering from cancer are being made to wait up to a year before starting treatment, shock figures show. Analysis by the Scottish Liberal Democrats found that one patient living in the NHS Lothian health board area waited 393 days before beginning treatmen t in the first quarter of this year. Patients in Grampian, the Borders, and Dumfries and Galloway all waited 11 months for treatment in the same period. It comes after the SNP Government committed to spending a record £21 billion on the NHS in Scotland over the next year to try and reduce waiting times for patients. Alex Cole-Hamilton, the Lib Dems leader, warned that between March 2015 and March 2025 the longest wait in NHS Borders more than quadrupled, increasing from 76 days to 343 days. At the same time the longest wait in NHS Dumfries & Galloway more than trebled, from 99 days to 347 days. And since March 2015, the longest waits in NHS Ayrshire & Arran, NHS Orkney and NHS Shetland have more than doubled. It comes after official figures published last month found the percentage of Scottish cancer patients receiving treatment within the target time is the lowest since records began. Data released by Public Health Scotland found almost a third of patients referred to the NHS in Scotland with an urgent suspicion of cancer are waiting longer than the 62-day target to start treatment. The rate fell to 68.9 per cent in the first three months of 2025 - the lowest reported since records began a decade ago. A target that 95 per cent of patients should start treatment within 31 days of diagnosis has also not been met. The 62-day standard is based on the time from urgent suspicion of cancer referral to first cancer treatment, while the 31-day standard measures the time from a decision to treat to the start of first treatment for newly-diagnosed primary cancers. Cole-Hamilton said: "All across Scotland, the SNP government isn't giving cancer patients the best chance of survival. These statistics show huge increases in waiting times to begin treatment after an urgent referral with suspicion of cancer, stretching up to a year. "International studies show Scotland falling behind. The fact that SNP ministers are now admitting that their failures may have caused people to die shows just how badly they have got this wrong. 'Access to screening programmes, diagnoses and treatment is a postcode lottery across the country. Scottish Liberal Democrats want to see ministers who will move mountains to bring down waits and get to grips with the gaps in tech and staff. 'Patients deserve better than an SNP government that keeps letting them down. Only the Scottish Liberal Democrats will bring a real vision and a real plan for delivering the care they need.' John Swinney said the NHS was treating a higher number of patients with cancer on time than six years ago but accepted the failure to meet the 62-day target was 'not acceptable'. Dr Iain Kennedy, chair of the BMA in Scotland said there was a split between people who could afford to go private and those forced to "languish" on NHS waiting lists. Neil Gray, the Health Secretary, said: "We know that some people are still waiting too long to begin their cancer treatment, and that is not acceptable. We are determined to improve waiting times and ensure everyone gets the timely care they deserve. "It's disappointing that the 31-day standard was narrowly missed this quarter. However, performance has remained steady at around 95% since the pandemic. The median wait for treatment is three days, and the median wait from urgent suspicion of cancer referral to treatment is 52 days, demonstrating the extensive work by staff across Scotland to treat people as quickly and effectively as possible. "We are treating more patients with cancer on time, within both standards, compared to the same quarter 6 years ago – 7.7% more within the 31-day standard & 0.1% more within the 62-day standard. "We have directed £14.23 million of the £106 million in additional planned care funding for 2025/26 to Cancer Waiting Times, with a focus on colorectal, urological and breast as our most challenged pathways."
Scottish Sun
13-07-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Hundreds of NHS Scotland workers have not been vetted for criminal records amid ‘staff shortage' fears
There was a three-month grace period for staff to get checks sorted NO CHECKS Hundreds of NHS Scotland workers have not been vetted for criminal records amid 'staff shortage' fears Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ONE of Scotland's biggest health boards has hundreds of workers on its books without proper criminal records vetting. NHS Lothian has been scrambling to get overdue background checks in place for staff, such as nurses, after new laws kicked in three months ago. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Scottish Labour health spokesperson Jackie Baillie said it must be rectified Credit: Alamy And there are fears that the delays could lead to workforce shortages this summer, when agency workers tend to fill in for permanent employees. A source told The Scottish Sun: 'Workers are being belatedly told to send in disclosure forms. "They have hundreds of people working for NHS Lothian with no disclosure forms. 'This could mean NHS Lothian facing serious staff shortages in July as staff are removed from bank lists to fill gaps.' The health board said it was working to comply with changes in implementing the Disclosure (Scotland) Act. The law - passed in 2020, but kicking in properly from April 1 - seeks to prevent individuals deemed unsuitable from working with vulnerable children and adults. There was a three-month grace period for staff to get checks sorted. But 200 NHS Lothian bank staff still need to update their Protecting Vulnerable Groups or PVG status. Scottish Labour health spokesperson Jackie Baillie said: 'NHS Lothian must work with these staff to make sure they have undergone the necessary checks. 'It is vital that patients don't pay the price for this disruption and the health board must take all necessary steps to protect patient care and staffing levels. Junior Doctors Announce Five-Day Strike in July Amid Ongoing Pay Dispute 'Years of failed workforce management by the SNP has left many health boards heavily reliant on bank staff and at risk of staff shortages.' A health board spokesperson told The Scottish Sun that most of the bank workers currently have a standard disclosure, which was previously sufficient. But concerns have been raised over staff shortages this month as many within the NHS will take annual leave during the summer holidays. NHS Lothian said that more than half of the 200 staff without full PVGs have not worked since April. 2 Hundreds of NHS Scotland workers have not been vetted for criminal records Credit: Alamy These workers include a mix of 'registered' workers, including nurses, and 'non-registered', such as domestics, and those in admin and clerical roles. Registered staff have to be logged with a regulatory body to work within the NHS, such as doctors, midwives, nurses and allied health professionals.
