Latest news with #PublicHealthScotland
Daily Record
20 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Waiting lists for Dumfries and Galloway hospital appointments branded 'devastating'
New figures show that the number of waits for outpatient appointments have hit a record high. Waiting lists for hospital appointments in Dumfries and Galloway have been branded 'devastating'. New figures show that the number of waits for outpatient appointments have hit a record high And Public Health Scotland has noted the increase over the past 12 months is the largest amongst Scotland's health boards. South Scotland Labour MSP, Colin Smyth, said: 'Once again our region has been singled out on a national scale for all the wrong reasons. 'These figures are devastating for our area, exposing the abject failure of the Scottish Government's handling of the NHS. 'We were promised that waiting times would reduce yet these damning figures show how hollow those promises were. 'On John Swinney's watch, the number of patients left waiting for outpatient appointments in Dumfries and Galloway has spiralled. 'No one with a referral should forced to wait so long in pain – yet that is the grim reality for more than thousands of people in our region. 'Our health and care staff across Dumfries and Galloway are working tirelessly to deliver the best possible standard of care, but they simply cannot keep up as there just aren't enough of them. 'These waiting times also have a knock on effect as those who are waiting are forced back to their GP again and again. Serious changes must be made.' At the end of March, there were 559,742 waits across Scotland – down from 560,456 the previous month. In Dumfries and Galloway, the waiting list stood at 13,718 – the highest figure on record and up from 13,364 in February. In March 2024, 10,813 waits were recorded. The Public Health Scotland report notes: 'NHS Dumfries and Galloway shows the biggest percentage increase in ongoing waits at 26.9 per cent. 'NHS Dumfries and Galloway have reported that the rise in ongoing waits relates to staffing issues across multiple services, including ophthalmology and pain management.' The Scottish Government has set a target that 95 per cent of patients should be seen within 12 weeks. In Dumfries and Galloway, 48.4 per cent were seen within that time frame – an improvement on the February figure of 45.7. The national figure was 41.4 per cent. The figures reveal 175 waits had lasted for more than a year and 14 had lasted more than two years. The inpatient waiting list stood at 5,192 at the end of March, down from 5,314 at the end of February. The March 2024 figure was 5,059. Just 31.1 per cent of patients were seen within 12 weeks, with 763 waits lasting more than one year and 10 more than two years. A healthboard spokesman said: 'NHS Dumfries and Galloway acknowledges the concern around the recent increase in waiting list numbers. This reflects a complex situation, including rising demand and the demographic challenges of a rural region with an ageing population. 'The figures refer specifically to first outpatient appointments with a doctor, and do not include follow-ups or care delivered by other healthcare professionals. In some cases, speciality waits are influenced by national scheduling availability, not local services alone. 'Despite these challenges, NHS Dumfries and Galloway continues to perform well, with one of the lowest numbers of people waiting over a year for a consultant-led outpatient appointment. 'A key target for NHS boards is to ensure that no one waits more than 52 weeks for an outpatient or inpatient appointment. We work towards that while prioritising those in need of urgent care, seeking to expand clinical capacity and developing new models of care to reduce waiting times wherever possible.' A Scottish Government spokesperson added: 'It is encouraging and indeed a testament to our hardworking NHS staff that the statistics published this week are showing improvements in some outpatient, diagnostic and inpatient/day case waiting-times performance metrics. 'Our 2025-26 budget provides record funding of £21 billion for health and social care – with NHS boards receiving an additional £200 million to reduce waiting lists and help support reduction of delayed discharge. 'NHS boards have exceeded the commitment to deliver 64,000 appointments and procedures in 2024-25, funded through our £30 million investment, with boards reporting delivery of 105,500 appointments and procedures.'
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Warning after new deadly heroin mixed with Frankenstein drugs flood Scots streets
One drug user in Ayrshire needed 13 doses of lifesaving drug naloxone to revive them GREEN & RED ALERT Warning after new deadly heroin mixed with Frankenstein drugs flood Scots streets Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DEADLY green and red heroin mixed with Frankenstein drugs that cause users to instantly collapse are flooding Scotland, we can reveal. Greedy dealers across the country are cutting their heroin with the lethal synthetic opioids fentanyl and nitazenes to devastating effect. 2 Public Health Scotland say it has contributed to 251 deaths between last December and February Credit: Getty 2 In 52 of 200 alerts to PHS, deals had caused 'instant blackouts' from small doses Credit: Getty The coloured variants emerged as a shocking report reveals drug- related deaths rocketed by 17 per cent in three months. Red heroin, containing nitazenes, cause people to keel over immediately, while the green version — laced with fentanyl and citric acid — is driving a rapid rise in overdoses. Public Health Scotland say the super-strength drugs have contributed to 251 deaths between last December and February. Green heroin, with the street names 'fly' or 'man down', was specifically mentioned in 15 overdose reports while red heroin featured in seven. Scotland keeps promising to protect its most vulnerable. Instead it's throwing them to the wolves. Annemarie Ward In 52 of 200 alerts to PHS, deals had caused 'instant blackouts' from small doses. Annemarie Ward, of Faces and Voices of Recovery, said: 'I'm shocked. 'I don't think I've ever seen anything like it. 'It's scary how quickly this stuff is happening. It seems everything we have feared about fentanyl is coming true. 'If nearly half the drug supply is fake or contaminated, why is there still this push for harm reduction rather than actually helping people get well? They're not being offered an actual place to get help, to recover, to get off drugs. 'We've normalised the system where people are abandoned. I opened cupboard in my new council flat and shower of 150 used HEROIN needles fell out - I'm scared my baby's infected 'Scotland keeps promising to protect its most vulnerable. Instead it's throwing them to the wolves.' One drug user in Ayrshire needed 13 doses of lifesaving drug naloxone to revive them after taking the coloured heroin, it has emerged. Dr Tara Shivaji, consultant in Public Health Medicine at PHS, said: 'We are very concerned about the presence of synthetic drugs like nitazenes within the unregulated drugs market across Scotland. 'Nitazenes are potent opioid drugs which can be many times stronger than heroin. Taking even a small amount carries an increased risk of overdose or death. 'There are ways to reduce the risk of overdose when taking some drugs, but there is no safe way to take nitazenes.' Scottish Tory drugs spokeswoman Annie Wells said: 'SNP ministers are still shamefully failing to get a grip on the lethal substances that are causing misery.' Health Secretary Neil Gray said: 'We are determined to continue our efforts to reduce harm and deaths. 'My condolences go to anyone who has lost a loved one.'
STV News
5 days ago
- Health
- STV News
Plea to take up vaccine as measles cases on rise in Scotland
Scotland's public health body has urged people to take up a vaccine against measles as cases are on the rise. Public Health Scotland (PHS) confirmed there have been 26 cases of laboratory-confirmed measles in Scotland in 2025. There were 24 laboratory-confirmed measles cases in Scotland in 2024 and one in 2023. Cases of the disease, which can be a very serious condition causing pneumonia and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), are on the rise across Europe and parts of the world. Health experts are urging people to take up the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine, with two doses said to be the best way to be fully protected against measles. The MMR vaccine protects against measles with the first dose offered to children between 12-13 months, and the second dose offered at three years and four months. If it's missed at these times, it can be given at any age, say health experts. Uptake of the vaccine has declined across all UK nations in recent years and there remains a risk of infection in those who are not vaccinated or not fully vaccinated for their age. Health care workers should also have two doses of MMR and are advised to speak with their employer or occupational health department if they haven't been fully vaccinated. Dr Claire Cameron, consultant in health protection at PHS said: 'As measles cases continue to increase across the world, we're working with health boards to ensure that as many people as possible are fully vaccinated with the MMR vaccine. 'Anyone who hasn't had two doses of the free MMR vaccine is encouraged to visit the NHS Inform website to find out how to arrange an appointment in their local health board area. 'We would also encourage those who are planning to travel anytime soon to ensure that you and your children are up to date with all your vaccinations before leaving the country.' 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
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
East Kilbride MP says NHS Lanarkshire 'is in decline' under the SNP as patients are left languishing
Statistics from Public Health Scotland show that outpatient treatments fell by 2,301 (over five per cent) – the third worst figure in Scotland. East Kilbride MP Joani Reid has claimed the NHS in Lanarkshire is in decline under SNP rule as new figures on waiting times and in-and out-patient treatments are released. The statistics, from Public Health Scotland, show, comparing the 12 months ending in March this year with the 12 months ending in March 2024, that in Lanarkshire outpatient treatments fell by 2,301 (over five per cent) – the third worst figure in Scotland. The number of people waiting for an outpatient appointment rose by 592 and the total number of people waiting for inpatient treatment rose by 922 – the fourth worst figure in the country. Download the Lanarkshire Live app today The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now. Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire's recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7. The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you. Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android A total of 5,510 people were waiting more than 52 weeks for an outpatient appointment – close to one in ten of all those waiting and 2,174 people waited more than 52 weeks for inpatient appointments – over 15 per cent of all those waiting. And 621 fewer patients were admitted for inpatient treatment. Joani Reid MP, Scottish Labour MP for East Kilbride and Strathaven, said: 'These figures are a record of the SNP's failure. They have been running the NHS in Lanarkshire and the rest of Scotland for nearly 20 years and yet things are getting worse, much worse in many cases, and not better. 'The contrast with the performance down South of the Labour government, elected less than 11 months ago and yet turning round the NHS, could not be clearer. 'Continued SNP rule would be a disaster for the health service in Lanarkshire. Our health needs are increasing but the SNP can deliver us nothing. They are out of ideas and their tired and wasteful government needs to go. 'The NHS in Lanarkshire needs a fresh start. That can only come with a new Labour-led government in Holyrood.' Back in 2022 Humza Yousaf, then the Heath Secretary, announced new targets to eradicate long waits. He promised to end waits of over two years for in-patient and day case treatment by September that year and to eradicate inpatient or day case treatments by September last year. But almost a quarter of the 158,436 currently waiting for out-patient treatment have been on lists for more than a year. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "It is encouraging and indeed a testament to our hardworking NHS staff that the statistics published this week are showing improvements in some outpatient, diagnostic and inpatient/day case waiting times performance metrics. "Our 2025-26 Budget provides record funding of £21 billion for health and social care - with NHS boards receiving an additional £200 million to reduce waiting lists and help support reduction of delayed discharge. "We have already made good progress through our targeted funding approach. NHS Boards have exceeded the commitment to deliver 64,000 appointments and procedures in 2024-25, funded through our £30m investment, with Boards reporting delivery of 105,500 appointments and procedures." *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Measles cases soar in Scotland as health chiefs issue vaccination plea
Measles is a highly contagious disease which is spread by coughs and sneezes. The virus can lead to pneumonia, brain swelling and death. The number of measles cases has soared in Scotland with more infections recorded in the first five months of 2025 than the whole of last year. Health chiefs have warned that this number could continue to rise as the infection sweeps across Europe. As of May, there were 26 confirmed cases in Scotland - compared to just 24 last year. Although numbers remain small, health experts fear low vaccination rates in some areas could lead to an infection spike. Public Health Scotland (PHS) is encouraging the public to take up the offer of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. It says having two doses of the jab is the best way to be fully protected against measles. Dr Claire Cameron, Consultant in Health Protection at PHS said: 'As measles cases continue to increase across the world, we're working with health boards to ensure that as many people as possible are fully vaccinated with the MMR vaccine. "Anyone who hasn't had two doses of the free MMR vaccine is encouraged to visit the NHS Inform website to find out how to arrange an appointment in their local health board area. 'We would also encourage those who are planning to travel anytime soon to ensure that you and your children are up to date with all your vaccinations before leaving the country.' Measles is a highly contagious disease which is spread by coughs and sneezes. The virus can lead to pneumonia, brain swelling and death. It can affect people of any age if they have not been vaccinated. Earlier this year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that the number of cases in Europe was at its highest level for 25 years. WHO regional director Henri Kluge called the surge in infections a "wake-up call". He said: " Measles is back, and it's a wake-up call. Without high vaccination rates, there is no health security." Uptake in Scotland remains high, with 90% of children having two doses by the age of six. However, WHO recommends at least 95% of children are vaccinated. The MMR vaccine protects against measles with the first dose offered to children between 12-13 months, and the second dose offered at three years 4 months. If it's missed at these times, it can be given at any age. PHS has warned a risk of infection remains in those who are not vaccinated or not fully vaccinated for their age. Health care workers should also have two doses of MMR and are advised to speak to their employer or occupational health department if they haven't been fully vaccinated. Further information on how to check if you or your child is fully protected can be found on MMR against measles | NHS inform.
