Public Health Scotland Update

Corporate Parenting Vision and Plan published

Public Health Scotland (PHS) has published its second Corporate Parenting and Vision Plan set to cover 2025 to 2028. This follows the implementation of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, which introduced new duties and responsibilities for Scottish public bodies defined as corporate parents.

PHS urges caution after increase in sudden overdoses in Scotland

PHS is urging caution, following reports of an increase in fatal and near fatal overdoses in people using heroin in recent weeks.

Some overdoses have been characterised by sudden and rapid collapse, with many requiring multiple doses of naloxone to reverse the overdose. Rapid testing has identified a nitazene-type opioid in some heroin samples linked to these overdoses, with further testing underway to determine the specific type.

Acting now to add life to years, and years to life for Scotland’s future

Dr Fatim Lakha, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at PHS, considers the future health landscape in Scotland by reflecting on recent findings from the Scottish Burden of Disease study and the detail new disease prevalence reports add to the long-term view. Reversing the trend is essential for a healthier, thriving population. 

Supporting Scotland’s NHS renewal through data and insights

Scott Heald, Director of Data and Digital Innovation and Head of Profession for Statistics at PHS discusses the recent announcement on actions to support a renewal of the NHS in Scotland, and how PHS is playing an important role.

Childhood immunisation statistics

This release by PHS provides an annual and quarterly update of immunisation uptake rates for children in Scotland. Immunisation programmes for children aim to protect the individual child from many serious infectious diseases and prevent the spread of disease in the wider population. Information is shown for NHS Boards and local authorities, at 12 months, 24 months, 5 years and 6 years of age.

Scottish Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) screening programme statistics

This release by PHS provides an annual update on the Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) screening programme in Scotland. This programme aims to reduce the number of deaths caused by abdominal aneurysms in men aged 65 and over.