Archived Health News
Voluntary Health Scotland provides a selection of topical health related news stories covering local, national and international issues from a wide variety of sources.
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30th September: Lothians over-50s put best foot forward in weekly walksMidlothian Council's Ageing Well project has developed two walks for people of different abilities that take place every Tuesday. Read more ... |
29th September: Numbers on child protection register rise in ScotlandScotland’s councils reported a 6 per cent rise in the number of children on child protection registers last year. Read more ... |
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29th September: New and improved housing advice now availableLocal authorities and other bodies that provide housing advice can now access a new and improved service launched recently by Shelter Scotland and Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS). Read more ... |
28th September: UNISON calls for Executive to demand Home Office keep their word on asylum seekers childrenUNISON today reacted angrily to the continued failure of the Home Office to implement promised practices, and accept the need for a lead professional to be appointed for each child; enhanced disclosure checks for all immigration staff contacting children; and for independent inspection of the removals process. Read more ... |
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27th September: Kerr hails success of smoking banThe first six months of Scotland's smoking ban in enclosed spaces and the workplace has been a resounding success, Health Minister Andy Kerr said yesterday. Read more ... |
26th September: Shelter response to homelessness statisticsToday's statistics show there has been a rise in number of people applying as homeless, which is in part attributed to four local authorities having been better recording practices. Read more ... |
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26th: New figures show carers in low level jobsAs Minister Ivan Lewis addresses a Carers UK fringe meeting at the Labour Party Conference a new report published today by Carers UK shows that carers who provide more than 20 hours of care a week are clustered in low level, low paid jobs. Read more ... |
26th September: Children facing 'discrimination'A leading children's charity has called for action to stamp out age discrimination against young people. Read more ... |
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26th September: Charities in fresh call for junk food ad banThe National Heart Forum today renewed its call for a ban on junk food advertising at a fringe meeting at the Labour party conference. Read more ... |
26th September: Statistics on homelessnessThe Statistical Bulletin Operation of the Homeless Persons legislation in Scotland: national and local authority is published today. Read more ... |
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25th September: Charities and clubs under threat from vetting rulesHundreds of youth groups, charities and voluntary organisations say they could be forced to close because of new legislation being introduced by the Scottish Executive today. Read more ... |
22nd September: Children eating 'too many' crispsScottish children are putting their long term health at risk by eating too many crisps, according to a charity. Read more ... |
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21st September: Network to improve meals in homes for older peopleA network of nutrition champions tasked with improving meal times in Scotland's care homes will be unveiled today. Read more ... |
21st September: Care system 'fails young people'Most young people in local authority care are destined to end up in prison, homeless or working as prostitutes, a report by a think tank claims. Read more ... |
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20th September: Scottish councils need more funds for free personal careSome of Scotland’s councils only receive a fraction of the funding they need to implement the country’s policy, according to figures published yesterday. Read more ... |
20th September: Alzheimer Scotland urges 'No time to lose'Alzheimer Scotland is joining a worldwide ‘No Time to Lose’ postcard campaign to highlight World Alzheimer’s Day and the 100 year anniversary of the first identification of the illness by Dr. Alois Alzheimer. Read more ... |
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20th September: Elderly face care waiting listsAt least three quarters of Scotland's councils have a backlog of elderly patients waiting for free personal care. Read more ... |
19th September: Scotland cancer figures improving Rates of cancer in Scotland are falling while more and more people are surviving the disease, new Scottish Executive figures have shown. Read more ... |
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19th September: Three million pensioners in the UK set to experience mental health problems by 2021 unless action is takenAs the population ages, over three million pensioners will experience mental health problems by 2021 unless action is taken to promote good mental health and well-being for older people, according to a new report being launched today in the Scottish Parliament. Read more ... |
19th September: Disfigurement support increased People in Scotland living with disfigurement have been promised greater support following the opening of a new specialist centre. Read more ... |
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18th September: First Public Steps for SUPPORTSUPPORT, an innovative EU public health project led by the Scottish Development Centre (SDC), has taken its first public steps, publishing two reports and facilitating an expert seminar in Brussels. Read more ... |
17th September: Deprivation and inequality 'divide nation' One of Scotland's leading historians has described the country as a deeply divided nation where profound deprivation leaves entire areas mired in poverty while the middle classes get richer. Read more ... |
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15th September: Independence of Scotland's Commissioner for Children and Young People 'must be upheld' Following the publication of a report this morning by the Scottish Parliament's Finance Committee into the operations of Scotland’s independent commissioners, Children in Scotland reiterates its support for the independence of the office of Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People. Read more ... |
14th September: DRC calls for review of primary care services for people with mental health problems or learning disabilitiesA major investigation by the Disability Rights Commission today reveals that people with learning disabilities and mental health problems are more likely to experience major illness, to develop serious health conditions younger and to die of them sooner. Read more ... |
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14th September: Extraordinary Lives report With the right support, looked after children can overcome childhood adversity and lead successful lives, particularly where they are supported by adults who believe in them and have the skills to help them. Read more ... |
14th September: Call to cut drink-drive limit for under-25s A report will today call for a lower drink-drive limit for under-25s in an attempt to cut road deaths. Read more ... |
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14th September: Hundreds die as sufferers delay cancer checks Figures for NHS Scotland show that 272 people died on the NHS cancer waiting list without receiving treatment last year. Read more ... |
13th September: Handover of Western Isles housing to community ownership Tenants in the Western Isles will now have more investment and control over their homes with the transfer of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar housing stock to the Hebridean Housing Partnership (HHP). Read more ... |
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12th September: Scottish Medicines Consortium reject use of inhalable insulin Diabetes campaigners have heavily criticised a decision by Scotland's medicines watchdog not to allow patients access to a new "breakthrough" treatment for the condition. Read more ... |
12th September: Scots eating even less fruit and veg despite health drive A £100 million, ten-year government health drive has failed to improve Scotland's diet, according to a damning report, which reveals many of the country's eating habits are worse than they were a decade ago. Read more ... |
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12th September: £200,000 to cut care waitA council has pledged £200,000 in a bid to cut its waiting list for people eligible for free personal care. Read more ... |
11th September: Advice Week aims to attract more volunteers to CAB Scotland’s frontline Citizens Advice Bureaux kick off their annual awareness week today, buoyed by a recent Ipsos MORI poll that shows both clients and the general public rate the service highly. Read more ... |
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11th September: Bill marks another stage in the mature evolution of Scottish policy on health improvement and nutrition Councillor Charlie Gray COSLA Education Spokesperson broadly welcomed publication today (Monday) of the Schools (health promotion and nutrition) (Scotland) Bill. Read more ... |
11th September: Health, not economy, ‘should be Scotland’s top priority’ Wellbeing and better health should take the place of faster economic growth as Scotland's top priority, according to a report by Scotland's leading think tank. Read more ... |
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11th September: Pubs 'healthier' after smoke banThe vast majority of bar staff in Scotland believe their workplaces are healthier since the introduction of the smoking ban. Read more ... |
11th September: Schools to junk junk food The publication today of the Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) (Scotland) Bill aims to ensure that only healthy, nutritious meals and snacks are served in schools. Read more ... |
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8th September: Help for those in most needFunding of £4 million for projects to help the most excluded groups in society was announced today. Read more ... |
7th September: More support for children affected by domestic abuse New ways of ensuring agencies work together to provide better support and intervention for children affected by domestic abuse are to be piloted across Scotland. Read more ... |
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6th September: Doctors prescribe self-help booksSelf-help books are being made available on prescription in an attempt to tackle depression, eating disorders and other mental-health issues. Read more ... |
5th September: Life Expectancy Figures for Scotland Life expectancy at birth for Scotland is 74.2 years for males and 79.2 years for females, according to the General Register Office for Scotland. Read more ... |
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5th September: Spine injection cuts arthritis inflammation The central nervous system appears to exert a profound influence over the body’s immune response and can be directly manipulated to treat diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, new research reveals. Read more ... |
5th September: fpa awarded £244,357 to boost young people's relationships skills Sexual health charity fpa has received £244,357 from the Big Lottery Fund to develop a brand new community project called 'Sexability' in the west of Scotland. Read more ... |
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5th September: Partnership to combat alcohol abuse Major drinks producers are working with the Executive in a new partnership to combat alcohol misuse, a special conference heard today. Read more ... |
5th September: Blair sets out social exclusion thinking Tony Blair has vowed to "improve the life chances" of problem families in a lecture to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Read more ... |
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5th September: Lottery funds youth pub with a twist An innovative project aimed at discouraging under age drinking in Glasgow’s East End, is one of twenty projects today sharing over £2 million in grants from the Big Lottery Fund. Backed by a Strathclyde Police officer, the project will create a pub with a difference – it won’t serve alcohol and its customers will all be young people. Read more ... |
4th September: International Suicide Prevention Awareness Week International Suicide Prevention Awareness Week (ISPAW) begins today with the aim of getting people talking about Scotland's hidden killer - suicide. Read more ... |
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4th September: JRF calls for balance in social exclusion debate On the occasion of a major lecture on social exclusion by the Prime Minister, Rt Hon Tony Blair MP, which it is hosting this week, the Director of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation Lord (Richard) Best called on those forming Government policies to take a balanced view in debates on tackling disadvantage. Read more ... |
4th September: Poorest 'pay higher tax share' The poorest householders in Britain are paying a higher share of tax and receiving a lower share of benefits than before Labour came to power, according to a right-wing think tank. Read more ... |
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4th September: Stop penalising the poor, energy suppliers urged A call to energy suppliers to stop charging the poor more for gas and electricity is made today by consumer champion energywatch with a coalition of charities and consumer organisations. Read more ... |
4th September: Funding for homelessness projects New initiatives are to be pioneered across Scotland to prevent people from becoming homeless, Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm has announced. Read more ... |
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4th September: Fears at 10% drop in sheltered homes Concerns have been raised over figures which show a significant reduction in the numbers of public authority sheltered accommodation places in Scotland. Read more ... |
4th September: Mental health crisis centre opens in city A centre offering support for people with mental health problems in times of crisis has officially opened to coincide with the launch of International Suicide Prevention Awareness Week today. Read more ... |
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2nd September: Teenage cancer centre would boost survival says expertHealth bosses are exploring proposals to establish a cancer treatment facility in Edinburgh dedicated to the care of adolescents and young adults as part of an on-going review of children's services. Read more ... |
1st September: CAB takes on new NHS role in advising patients and carersLanarkshire’s Citizens Advice Bureaux will today assume a major new role in providing independent health-related advice to the public - including support for patients and carers with concerns about the NHS service they have received. Read more ... |
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1st September: Most people expect more than NHS can ever deliver – new survey data Public expectations of the NHS are running ahead of what the health service can deliver, according to new research published today by the Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr). Read more ... |
1st September: Eastern European migrants swell homeless statistics Migrant workers from Eastern Europe are swelling Scotland’s homeless statistics, a leading charity has warned. And the problem threatens to escalate unless clearer guidance is issued by the executive to local authorities on how to handle homeless applications in Scotland. Read more ... |