Latest news with #JenniMinto
STV News
4 days ago
- Health
- STV News
Premature babies to be given new RSV vaccine
Premature babies can be given a new vaccine against a potentially life-threatening infection from later this year, the Scottish Government has confirmed. Public health minister Jenni Minto said the jab will be available for babies born before 32 weeks to protect them against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) over the winter period. Higher risk babies can receive the nirsevimab vaccine from September – with the single jab replacing five monthly injections previously given to infants classed as being at high risk. The move comes after advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. Minto said RSV 'can be life-threatening to babies born very early'. She added: 'That is why I am pleased the single jab will be offered by all NHS boards across Scotland from this September, helping to protect these high-risk infants over winter. 'We will continue to work hard to protect Scotland's most vulnerable groups against the respiratory illnesses which circulate throughout the colder months. 'Our various prevention programmes help reduce avoidable admissions to hospital and therefore the pressure on our NHS.' RSV can lead to life-threatening pneumonia and the lung infection bronchiolitis in babies. The new vaccine comes after Scotland was the first nation in the UK to introduce another RSV jab, Abrysvo, for pregnant women and older adults last August. More than 70% of eligible older adults were given Abrysvo, with a study by Public Health Scotland, which was published in the Lancet, showing a 62% reduction in RSV-related hospitalisations amongst this group. Dr Sam Ghebrehewet, head of vaccination and immunisation at Public Health Scotland, said: 'The last year has seen significant progress in efforts to protect those most vulnerable to RSV, including the introduction of the maternal RSV vaccine which is offered at 28 weeks of pregnancy and helps protect newborn babies from serious illness. 'Babies born prematurely are at highest risk of serious complications from RSV and we welcome this programme expansion, which will help to ensure that even more babies are protected during their most vulnerable early months.' 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
The Herald Scotland
13-07-2025
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
Heart disease treatment risks being 'diluted' by SNP plans
But 11 signatories, including the British Heart Foundation, the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in Glasgow, warn that without a standalone approach more lives will be lost to cardiovascular disease. In an open letter to public health minister Jenni Minto, medics have called for a rethink. Cardiovascular deaths in adults aged 20 to 64 in Scotland rose by 14% from 2,032 in 2019 to 2,3244 in 2023. Experts expressed "deep concern" at the lack of strategic thinking in the consultation, adding the current plans have the "potential to have significant unintended negative impacts on cardiology services'. The letter co-ordinated by BHF Scotland said: 'We are deeply concerned that within the reasoning of this consultation and suggested approach the way in which resources and focus will be prioritised has not been sufficiently detailed. Read more: 'Given the substantial impact of heart disease on individuals and the healthcare system, it is imperative that strategic thinking and focused efforts and directed towards this condition.' Previous resources allocated for the improvement of heart disease have also been described as 'wholly insufficient', with just £3 million committed to two heart disease plans over the last decade. The Scottish Government's new consultation document suggests measures to improve overall healthcare quality and while this is welcome by BHF, experts warned it 'risks diluting the attention and resources needed to enable the improvement of cardiology services in Scotland'. The letter added: 'Heart disease management involves unique challenges, including early detection, timely intervention and ongoing management of risk factors, which cannot be effectively addressed through a generalised framework.' Read more: The letter urges the Scottish Government to strengthen its commitment to treating the condition by delivering a refreshed and fully funded Heart Disease Action Plan. A plan was first developed alongside experts in 2021 and while a cross-party group acknowledged "important progress," it found that implementation had suffered from a lack of resource given to cardiology. Scottish Labour Health spokesperson Jackie Baillie said: 'Experts are sounding the alarm about the SNP's plans and Ministers cannot bury their heads in the sand. 'Heart disease is one of Scotland's biggest killers and it is baffling that the SNP seems to be scaling back its focus on cardiovascular health. 'Lives are already being put at risk by the SNP's reckless mismanagement of our NHS, but SNP ministers have no idea how to fix this crisis or build the NHS patients deserve. 'The SNP must listen to these warnings and ensure it has a real plan to tackle heart disease and supports cardiovascular services, as well as taking action on other long-term conditions.' A Scottish Government spokesman said: 'We are determined to reduce avoidable cardiovascular deaths, including stroke, by a fifth over 20 years by ensuring people receive timely and high-quality care. That is why by March next year, we are providing extra GP appointments to support 100,000 patients who may be at risk, due to obesity, smoking, or high blood sugar, blood pressure or cholesterol as part of our cardiovascular disease risk factors programme and has particular focus on supporting people living in areas of deprivation.'
Scotsman
09-07-2025
- Health
- Scotsman
Scotland deserves a government that will move mountains for cancer patients - Alex Cole-Hamilton
Survival rates for lung cancer are low Every hour, four Scots are diagnosed with cancer. As Scotland's biggest killer, it claims the lives of approx-imately 16,300 people every year. These figures are a reminder of why early diagnosis and early intervention are crucial. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, 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... Cancer patients need care fast to give them the best possible chance of survival. But right now, in Scotland, that's not what they're getting from this SNP government. In June, official statistics showed that just 68.9 per cent of cancer patients are being seen within the Scottish Government's 62-day treatment standard (covering the time from referral with an urgent suspicion of cancer to first treatment). This represents the worst performance against the target since records began. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In an attempt to defend this, the Health Secretary highlighted the median waiting time for treatment of 52 days, as if that were something to celebrate. New analysis by my party, however, has uncovered that 52 days is itself the worst average wait time for cancer treatment on record. SNP ministers are fast running out of excuses. International studies show that Scotland is falling behind. Cancer patients in Scotland were less likely to receive chemotherapy and were slower to start treatment than those in similar countries, including Norway, Canada and Australia. In what must be one of the most damning reports into medical care in Scotland I have ever read, the Royal College of Radiologists warned that we currently have the worst shortage of clinical oncologists of any UK nation. Public Health Minister Jenni Minto recently admitted that people could be losing their lives due to delays to diagnoses. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In the next twenty years, the number of Scottish lung cancer patients could rise by almost 60 per cent, with significant increases in cases of breast and colorectal cancers too. More of the same isn't going to work; we urgently need a step change in approach. Scottish Liberal Democrats want to see ministers who will move mountains to bring down waits, get to grips with gaps in tech and staff and end the postcode lottery in care. As I write this, there are specific, practical steps that the Scottish Government could be taking to do that. Three years ago, the UK National Screening Committee recommended that the whole of the UK introduce lung cancer screening to help prevent it or catch it early. It would be targeted at those who are high risk; people aged between 55 and 74, who smoke or who used to. Experts have called it a game changer. Survival rates for lung cancer aren't much better than they were in the 1970s. This cancer screening programme could save hundreds of lives every year. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It's already being rolled out in England, Wales is going to do it too, but not Scotland. I challenged the First Minister directly on this failure, but I was left no clearer as to why the Scottish Government haven't moved with the urgency that's required. It's this kind of staggering inaction that keeps Scotland at the back of the queue for cancer care. My party want to see the government ending their dithering and making a full rollout of this screening programme a top priority. We know there isn't a moment to lose when it comes to getting patients these life-saving interventions. Only the Scottish Liberal Democrats will bring a real vision and a real plan for delivering the vital care those patients need.
Daily Record
02-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Gonorrhoea cases in Scotland remain high amid surge among older men
Gonorrhoea cases remain alarmingly high in Scotland, a new report has found, with a spike among older men prompting the launch of a new vaccine programme. Gonorrhoea cases in Scotland remain at worryingly high levels with a sharp rise among older men prompting urgent action from health officials. Public Health Scotland (PHS) has revealed that more than 4,500 people were diagnosed with the Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) in 2024. While overall figures have dipped slightly from the record highs of 5,999 diagnoses in 2023, the number of cases is still well above pre-pandemic levels – and there's been "concerning increases" noted among older men. Gonorrhoea, once thought to be declining in Scotland, has surged in recent years. According to PHS, the number of recorded infections has more than doubled since 2018. From 2023 to 2024, diagnoses decreased in men under 30 but incidence remains high and has increased in those 30 years and older. The disease has become increasingly resistant to antibiotics, making early detection and prevention even more critical. Experts say the findings show how STI's continue to pose a "significant public health threat" and underline the need for targeted interventions. It comes as the Scottish Government recently announced a new vaccination campaign, which will begin this August, after Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said action was "urgent". The move follows advice from the UK's Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which backed the use of the MenB (meningococcal B) vaccine to help curb the spread of gonorrhoea. Dr Sam Ghebrehewet, Head of the Vaccination and Immunisation Division at Public Health Scotland (PHS), said: 'With gonorrhoea diagnoses having increased in recent years, the offer of the MenB vaccine to those at highest risk of exposure is a welcome new intervention. This vaccination programme is expected to help control and prevent the spread of gonorrhoea. 'We are working with the Scottish Government and colleagues across NHS Boards to finalise plans for the roll out of this targeted vaccination offering from August 2025.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Gonorrhoea can cause significant pain and discomfort and in rare cases, life-threatening sepsis. The highest rate of positive tests for gonorrhoea in the last five years was consistently observed in gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM). Health chiefs believe thousands of cases of gonorrhoea could be prevented through the new vaccine programme. The S cottish Government has put aside £280,000 of funding for it. The vaccine – which is already used to protect infants against meningitis – has been shown in trials to cut gonorrhoea cases by over 30%. It will be offered to gay and bisexual men at highest risk of infection, those involved in selling or exchanging sex regardless of gender and those who sexual health clinic professionals assess as being at a similar risk level. Speaking at the Public Health Scotland Scottish Vaccination and Immunisation Conference in Edinburgh, Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said: 'This action is urgent and timely since the number of diagnoses has been high and the disease is becoming increasingly difficult to treat with antibiotics. 'The science tells us that this vaccine will potentially protect thousands of people and prevent the spread of infection." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Health chiefs have warned that while the vaccine is a vital tool, it's not a silver bullet. Condoms remain the most effective protection against STIs, and those with new or multiple partners are being urged to continue using them and get tested regularly. Left untreated, gonorrhoea can lead to serious complications – including infertility and, in rare cases, blood infections. Visit NHS Inform or contact your local sexual health clinic for advice, testing, or treatment.
Daily Record
25-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Scottish Government propose new regulations for Botox, fillers and cosmetic surgery
The Scottish Government is introducing a Bill to regulate the profession following concerns about botched procedures. Injectable cosmetic procedures will have to be supervised by a qualified healthcare professional, under regulations proposed by the Scottish Government. Services involving the use of dermal fillers, botox and procedures such as 'breast and buttock augmentations' will also have to be carried out by a qualified healthcare professional. The Government is introducing a Bill to regulate the profession following concerns about botched procedures. As the sector is not currently fully regulated, anyone can carry out the procedures without formal training. The proposals bring in a minimum age of 18 for all procedures and classify treatments into three distinct groups. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. The first of these is procedures such as microneedling, with the second being injectables like Botox or dermal fillers. The third includes 'breast and buttock augmentation '. The latter two would be required to take place in a setting regulated by Healthcare Improvement Scotland. Public health minister Jenni Minto said: 'It is deeply upsetting to hear of cases where people have suffered as a result of non-surgical cosmetic procedures going wrong. 'The current gaps in regulation mean that anyone can perform most of these procedures without the need for any formal training or qualifications. These proposals reflect our determination to protect the public and ensure high standards across this growing industry. 'I am particularly heartened by the broad support for action to make the sector safer, and we will continue to work closely with Healthcare Improvement Scotland, local authorities, and the wider industry to support a smooth and effective implementation.'
