PHS Newsletter - December

In this issue

• New Collaboration for Health Equity formed to tackle poor health in Scotland
• Latest respiratory figures highlight the importance of vaccinations to winter protection
• Key findings published on evaluation of National Mission on Drug Deaths
• Hand hygiene important as norovirus cases begin to rise
• Protecting Scotland’s young people from vaccine preventable diseases

• Taking a user-centred approach to waiting times
• Advice for breathing easy this winter
• Vaccinations in Pregnancy - Best for babies and parents

• Viral respiratory diseases in Scotland surveillance report
• Scottish National Audit Programme

New Collaboration for Health Equity formed to tackle poor health in Scotland

Public Health Scotland (PHS), University College London’s Institute of Health Equity (IHE) and three of Scotland’s local authority areas have formed a partnership to strengthen and accelerate action to improve health and reduce health inequalities in Scotland.

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Latest respiratory figures highlight the importance of vaccinations to winter protection

The latest figures of viral respiratory diseases, published by PHS , show a sharp increase in laboratory-confirmed cases of flu in Scotland. There were also over 350 flu-related emergency hospital admissions in the first week of December. In addition, cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remain at extraordinary levels. 

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Key findings published on evaluation of National Mission on Drug Deaths

As part of the PHS evaluation of the National Mission on Drug Deaths, the findings of a research project interviewing key individuals in the field have been published.

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Hand hygiene important as norovirus cases begin to rise

Latest figures, published by PHS, show laboratory reports of norovirus in Scotland have increased in recent weeks. Norovirus cases are known to peak in winter and so can be expected to rise over the season.

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Protecting Scotland’s young people from vaccine preventable diseases

PHS is encouraging young people to take up the offer of routine vaccines at secondary school, as recent reports show that uptake rates are yet to return to pre-pandemic levels.

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Taking a user-centred approach to waiting times

In this blog, Scott Heald, Director of Data and Digital Innovation and Head of Profession for Statistics at Public Health Scotland, discusses the importance of keeping people at the centre of data improvement.

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Advice for breathing easy this winter

Now that Winter has arrived, Kim Marsh, interim Viral Pathogens Lead at Public Health Scotland, reflects on the work we do to monitor flu and other respiratory viruses. Kim also shares some top tips on the things we can do to help keep ourselves and others well during the winter season.

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Vaccinations in Pregnancy - Best for babies and parents

Pregnancy is the start of a journey filled with hope, expectation and, also, some uncertainties. We do our best to eat well, stay active and avoid anything that might be harmful so that we can give babies their best possible start in life. Vaccinations are an important part of the choices that keep babies and parents safe. Claire Cameron, Consultant in Public Health at PHS, shares her thoughts and expertise.

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Viral respiratory diseases in Scotland surveillance report

This release by Public Health Scotland presents epidemiological information on respiratory infection activity, including COVID-19, across Scotland.

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Scottish National Audit Programme

The Scottish National Audit Programme (SNAP) collects patient and service level
data to report on the safety and performance of clinical care, procedures and patient pathways across specialities in NHS Scotland. This provides assurance that defined standards of care are met in clinical practice, with the ultimate aim of promoting safe, effective and person-centred healthcare in Scotland.

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