England can learn from Scotland's population health plan
The think tank has been advocating for a stronger focus on population health in England for several years.
It insists Scotland's plan is a 'major step forward' and England 'would do well to draw inspiration from its neighbour'.
'The framework will be an important guiding light over the next 10 years in recognising that what determines the Scottish population's health and wellbeing is more than health care: that sectors and approaches need to work together to improve health (working well in their own silos is not enough), and that living a good life matters as well as length of life,' said David Buck from the King's Fund.
READ MORE: UK ministers told to increase Scottish Government borrowing limits
The headline aim of the framework by 2035 is 'to improve Scottish life expectancy whilst reducing the life expectancy gap between the most deprived 20% of local areas and the national average'.
Buck said it is important over time that the life expectancy aim does not 'crowd out' wider government action on quality of life, but added: 'So, yes, more to do but Scotland does now have a population framework to help cohere the national approach to population health – this is a major step forward.
'Despite the now released Fit for the future: 10 Year Health Plan, England has nothing equivalent.
'Although there is interest and action on population health, including in many places and systems that have used or adapted The King's Fund framework, there is nothing that people can look to that provides coherence at national level to support the delivery of the government's stated goal of halving the gap in healthy life expectancy between the richest and poorest regions.
'England would do well to draw inspiration from its neighbour.'
Scotland's Population Health Framework sets out Scottish Government's and Cosla's long-term collective approach to improving Scotland's health and reducing health inequalities for the next decade and was published last month.
It sets out how national and local government will work with public sector partners, community organisations and business to tackle the root causes of ill health.
The framework says after many decades of improvement in life expectancy, progress has stalled with the health of the population being eroded by 'UK government austerity, the Covid-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis'.
READ MORE: SNP ministers call in Glasgow Sauchiehall Street O2 ABC plans
The plan says it represents 'a shift in culture, from treating illness to prevention and a more whole system approach to improving health. It is the beginning of a live programme of change and improvement, with clear initial actions across the drivers of health and further actions to come over the ten-year period.'
Actions laid out in the framework include ensuring digital opportunities are maximised to improve the prevention of poor health and taking action to reduce the proportion of children with developmental concerns at 27 to 30 months including reducing inequalities.
It also aims to advance community wealth building in Scotland 'to address economic and wealth inequality by supporting the generation, circulation and retention of more wealth in communities'.
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The Herald Scotland
2 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
The anti-vaxx conspiracists have blood on their hands
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Scotsman
2 hours ago
- Scotsman
NHS Fife urged to settle case against Sandie Peggie as Swinney under fire over support for health board
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Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In the wake of that decision, the Scottish Conservatives accused First Minister John Swinney and the SNP government of ignoring several warnings about the health board, while Scottish Labour said the health board must now settle the tribunal. Mr Swinney insisted yesterday that he had 'confidence' in the board of NHS Fife and said they had to 'get on' with delivering health services. He said the disciplinary process had 'examined issues about the alleged conduct of Sandie Peggie' and had now ended, adding: 'It is important that these processes are fair to all parties and that is what has been taken forward here and it has reached its conclusion. 'There is obviously an employment tribunal that has been brought by Sandie Peggie that is currently under way. It's not appropriate for me to comment on the live proceedings that are under way in that process.' 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Scottish Sun
13 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
I shed 6st on Mounjaro – the common mistake that can hinder weight loss & 3 foods you need to eat from the start
WEIGHT TO GO I shed 6st on Mounjaro – the common mistake that can hinder weight loss & 3 foods you need to eat from the start Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MUM who slimmed down five dress sizes thanks to Mounjaro has shared her top tips for those wanting to shed weight with fat jabs. Katie McCutcheon, from Glasgow, Scotland, who lost over 5st in just nine months, said one of these tips was critical to remaining motivated while on Mounjaro. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 The Scottish mum said her biggest hint was for people on the drug to not fixate on a number on scale Credit: TIKTOK/@ 4 Two of her other tips were to consume a diet high in protein and have healthy snacks Credit: TIKTOK/@ 4 Mounjaro is typically used to treat type 2 diabetes Credit: Getty Mounjaro, which is known as the King Kong of jabs, is now being prescribed on the NHS in the first anti-obesity rollout of its kind. It is said to suppress the appetite, making people feel fuller for longer. Such injections are licensed for patients with type 2 diabetes and to assist those who are clinically obese - with a Body Mass Index of 30 or over. One jab is administered each week but the duration is dependent on a person's weight. Sharing her tips in a TikTok clip, the Scottish mum said her biggest hint was for people on the drug to not fixate on a number on scale. ''If you are hyper-focused on a number on a scale you're probably going to be so obsessed with it that you won't be able to celebrate your non scale victories,'' she advised. ''Like going down a clothing size, or two, or three, or your health being so much better.'' The mother of-two explained that doing so will help you avoid a pitfall that can kill your motivation to stick with the drug, as well as dieting. ''It will be disheartening if you are comparing yourself to other people because it's your journey at the end of the day and no one else's,'' she said. Another of her top tips to help others shed the weight was to ensure they're hydrated and drink plenty of water. I went on fat jabs but the hair loss was unbelievable so I quit - I'd rather be chubby with hair than skinny and bald ''Drink your three to four litres of water a day, if you don't you're probably going to see probably not going to lose (weight) as quickly,'' she said. Two of her other tips were to consume a diet high in protein and have healthy snacks dotted around the house and available when you're on the go. The mum, who posts under the username @ said she currently eats about 60g of protein per day, the equivalent of about two chicken breasts. However, Katie also warned that people following a high protein diet needed to be aware of the potential consequences. ''Please be aware that having a high protein diet you could end up with a side effect like constipation because you're not putting any fibre into your diet, so you need to supplement that in some way,'' she said. Everything you need to know about fat jabs Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases. Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK. Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market. Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year. How do they work? The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight. They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists. They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients' sugar levels are too high. Can I get them? NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics. Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss. Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk. Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health. Are there any risks? Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild. Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea. Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at said: 'One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.' Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia. Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients' mental health. Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines. The ''plus-size content creator'' also said she advised people to have high protein and low-calorie snacks dotted around to deal with hunger cravings. ''One minute I will be like, 'No, I can't eat a single thing, I am not hungry in any way shape or form,' and then the hunger comes back like that in an instant'', she said. The mother said protein shakes and chicken satay skewers were good options to have on the go. In her video, Katie explained that by planning snacks Mounjaro patients could ensure they were sticking to their diet and not go for more calorific options that could slow down the weight loss process. ''If you don't have something to satiate that hunger you might then end up snacking and you might not count for calories and you could go over your daily calorie deficit,'' she warned. ''We all know that with this medication you need to be in a calorie deficit to lose weight so keep some nice snacks dotted about.'' What are the other side effects of weight loss jabs? Like any medication, weight loss jabs can have side effects. Common side effects of injections such as Ozempic include: Nausea: This is the most commonly reported side effect, especially when first starting the medication. It often decreases over time as your body adjusts. Vomiting: Can occur, often in conjunction with nausea. Diarrhea: Some people experience gastrointestinal upset. Constipation: Some individuals may also experience constipation. Stomach pain or discomfort: Some people may experience abdominal pain or discomfort. Reduced appetite: This is often a desired effect for people using Ozempic for weight loss. Indigestion: Can cause a feeling of bloating or discomfort after eating. Serious side effects can also include: Pancreatitis: In rare cases, Ozempic may increase the risk of inflammation of the pancreas, known as pancreatitis, which can cause severe stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. Kidney problems: There have been reports of kidney issues, including kidney failure, though this is uncommon. Thyroid tumors: There's a potential increased risk of thyroid cancer, although this risk is based on animal studies. It is not confirmed in humans, but people with a history of thyroid cancer should avoid Ozempic. Vision problems: Rapid changes in blood sugar levels may affect vision, and some people have reported blurry vision when taking Ozempic. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): Especially if used with other medications like sulfonylureas or insulin. In the comments, the stunner explained she was on a 1,300 calorie deficit diet, where you consume fewer calories than you use in a day, forcing the body to burn its fat reserves. A 1,300 calorie deficit is 100 less than the NHS's recommended 1,400 for women on such diets. Women are typically advised to only consume a maximum of 2,000 calories per day by the health service. Katie's final tip for people on the drug was to maintain healthy habits, such as calorie counting and staying hydrated, while using the medication. ''If you let those habits drop, like I've done two or three times during this journey, you're probably going to notice stalls,'' she said. ''It's because you're not as focused on calorie counting any more. ''You might have a bad week or a bad couple of weeks, but that does not derail this journey.'' 4 Be aware of the dangers While hailed as revolutionary for the fight against obesity GLP-1 medications, like any drug, do come with the risk of side effects, some potentially deadly. Experts and NHS medics have shared a stern warning about the dangers of taking such medications without a prescription. Following the death of a man from Burton upon Trent, Staffs, who died after taking Mounjaro, his family are now calling for a probe into the jab's "potential to kill."
