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The National
15-07-2025
- Health
- The National
Dog bites four times more likely in deprives areas finds study
Conducted by the Social Science and Natural Science departments of the University of Stirling, researchers say the findings should be a wake-up call for policymakers at a time of rising incidents of dog bites and strikes (DBS). They suggest that prevention strategies should focus more on addressing social inequities rather than criminalisation. Lead author Dr Jade Hooper of the University of Stirling's Social Science faculty said 'The significant social inequalities we uncovered are worrying. The implications are particularly strong for Scotland, which has among the most pronounced health inequalities in the UK and Western Europe. 'This study should be a wake-up call for policymakers and we urge a fundamental shift in public health strategy surrounding dog bites and strikes. 'It's important that we recognise the wider pressures families may be facing, including financial stress, limited access to behavioural advice and support, and the challenge of safely managing dogs and children in busy households, particularly where adults may be juggling multiple responsibilities. 'Multiple agencies need to come together, across local government, police, health services and animal welfare organisations, and prevention measures should be compassion-focused and family-centred, involving professionals such as social workers, health visitors and schools.' The research findings show that the number of emergency hospital admissions due to dog bites in Scotland almost quadrupled between 1997/98 and 2023/24, with 300 and 1,105 admissions respectively, according to Public Health Scotland. The study comprises data from 59,111 NHS Scotland health records including NHS 24, hospital admission and Accident and Emergency (A&E) Data between 2007 and 2019. It study also includes data from the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation, which measures area-based deprivation in Scotland using data on income, employment, health, education, access to services, crime and housing. DBS can mean either dog bites or strikes. Strikes are classed as non-dog bite related injuries such as being pulled, knocked over or scratched by a dog. Among the highest rates of incidents were local authorities with a higher proportion of deprived areas, such as West Dunbartonshire, North Ayrshire and Glasgow City. However, the researchers note that even local authorities not generally seen as deprived can contain smaller pockets of deprivation where additional support may be needed. The rate of DBS was highest among children aged one to nine, and the most common place for dog bite incidents to take place was in the home, according to the study. Rates for children remained relatively stable over the 13 years, while rates for adults increased. The study found a rise in A&E attendances and hospital admissions, while the rates of NHS 24 calls remained relatively stable. There was a clear social gradient across all three health datasets, with income, employment, health and education found to be the driving socio-economic factors for DBS incidents in Scotland. The rate of hospital admissions was 3.9 times higher for individuals living in the most deprived areas, compared to the least deprived; the rate of NHS 24 calls was 2.5 times higher; and A&E attendances were 2.4 times higher. There was variation in rates of incidents depending on the type of health records. Midlothian came top for NHS 24 calls, West Lothian showed the highest rates for hospital admission records related to DBS, while West Dunbartonshire showed the most A&E attendances. Researchers pointed out, however, that surges in data could be partly due to improvements in data collection over the 13 years, particularly in certain health boards.
ITV News
04-07-2025
- Health
- ITV News
GPs in Northern Ireland vote to withdraw non-funded services in 'unprecedented' action
GPs practices have voted for taking the "unprecedented" step of withdrawing some non-funded services in Northern Ireland. The BMA said 98.7% were in favour of taking collective action "as part of their fight for increased funding for general practice". As some of the action, GPs would limit daily patient consultations, serve notice on any voluntary activity, and cease completion of unfunded paperwork. The BMA said these services "do not form part of the current, imposed GMS contract for 2025/2026 but take up a significant amount of time away from patient care". Dr Frances O'Hagan, chair of BMA's Northern Ireland general practitioners committee, said the result sent a 'clear and unequivocal message' to the health minister. 'This is the first time the GMS contract has been imposed on the GP workforce in Northern Ireland," Dr O'Hagan said. "Therefore, it should come as no surprise that GP partners have voted overwhelmingly in favour of taking the unprecedented step of collective action to force improvements to the 2025/2026 contract offer and save general practice from all-out collapse. 'We have been warning for well over a decade now that general practice was not being funded to meet the needs of growing patient lists and that failure to act on this would have consequences on patient care." The BMA said the action would including limiting daily patient consultations. 'If demand for urgent care exceeds safe levels, you may wish to consider directing patients to appropriate alternative settings such as urgent care centres, Phone First, GP out-of-hours, Accident and Emergency, and the Northern Ireland Ambulance service." It said it would also serve notice on any voluntary activity. "The focus of this action is to cease any activity that is voluntary, unfunded and non-contractual. Examples of such activity includes non-emergency ambulance ordering (for example for first outpatient attendance) and the ordering of pre-procedural medications or medications used for hospital tests. "Action could also include serving notice on provision of complex wound and ulcer dressings, where this best undertaken by specialists." The BMA said GPs would cease completion of unfunded paperwork. "Examples of action that may be taken includes ceasing to complete paperwork associated with patient registration including dealing with patient eligibility for NHS Services. Action could also include ceasing to complete letters to support for issues such as patient applications for social housing; educational provision in schools; applications to the Home Office; reports for benefits applications." Dr O'Hagan called on the health minister resume contract negotiations, saying: 'Not one GP who voted in favour of collective action wants to have to go down this road, but they feel they have been left with no choice. 'The minister needs to demonstrate that he values general practice and that he has our backs by coming back to the negotiating table with an improved 2025/2026 contract offer.' UTV has contacted the Department of Health for a response. Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know.
