Free armbands are available to walkers, runners and cyclists; supporting them to stay safe and be seen while out and active in darkness.
NHS Western Isles’ Health Promotion department, in partnership with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Sport & Health Section and the Lewis & Harris and Uist & Barra Sports Councils are distributing free hi-vis armbands across the islands following a similar successful initiative last year.
Our rural islands include many unlit roads, marked walkways and pavements; increasing the risk of harm to active people. Hi-vis clothing can increase the visibility of participants, allowing other road users to see them more clearly and reducing the risk of harm for all road users.
Local businesses and organisations are getting behind a campaign to raise awareness of Domestic Abuse and Coercive Control. The ‘16 Days Of Action’ campaign launched on November 25, and local businesses and organisations are lending their support to helping to promote the campaign.
The Outer Hebrides Violence Against Women Partnership, represented by NHS, Local Authority, Police Scotland, Fire Scotland and Third Sector, is seeking to raise awareness across the Western Isles during the campaign, which runs until December 10. The Partnership is encouraging everyone in the Western Isles to help us raise awareness by following our posts on social media (Facebook – NHS Western Isles or Twitter @NHSWI) and liking or sharing our posts #16daysofactivism #endviolenceagainstwomen #domesticabuse
The campaign is an opportunity for individuals, groups and communities around the world to call for the elimination of all forms of gender-based violence. The campaign runs every year from 25th November, UN International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women, to 10th December, Human Rights Day, to highlight the link between violence against woman and human rights.
Domestic abuse is a pattern of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and/or violent behaviour, including sexual violence, by a partner or ex-partner. Domestic abuse is overwhelmingly experienced by women and perpetrated by men. However domestic abuse can also happen to men. It doesn’t matter how old someone is, what race or ethnicity they are, what class they are, whether or not they are disabled, or whether they have children – anyone can be a victim of abuse.
The Outer Hebrides Alcohol and Drug Partnership (OHADP) is raising awareness of a new law introduced on driving after taking certain drugs (including some medicines).
The law, introduced in Scotland on 21 October 2019, states that it is an offence to drive with certain drugs above specified blood levels in the body, whether your driving is impaired or not.
The new law sets limits at very low levels for eight drugs commonly associated with illegal drug use, such as cannabis and cocaine, to tackle illegal drug use and driving. The law also includes eight drugs commonly associated with medicinal use, that are sometimes abused, that have been set at higher limits based on the available evidence of the road safety risk and to reflect their use as medicines. These are morphine used to treat pain; diazepam, clonazepam, flunitrazepam, lorazepam, oxazepam, temazepam used to treat anxiety or inability to sleep; methadone used to treat drug addiction; and amphetamine used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Parkinson’s disease.
Evidence shows that all of the drugs listed in the new drug driving offence result in a significantly greater road safety risk when taken in combination with alcohol, even in small amounts.
Existing law makes it an offence to be in charge of a motor vehicle while unfit to drive through drink or drugs, including medicinal drugs, with the penalties being a minimum 12-month driving ban, up to six months in prison and a fine of up to £5,000. The new offence of driving while above specified drug limits will operate alongside the current offence and carry with it the same maximum penalties. If in doubt, you should not drive.
The Outer Hebrides Alcohol and Drug Partnership (OHADP) launches its winter campaign this month, with a focus on reducing stigma and improving recovery.
Alcohol and drugs continue to be a major issue nationally, with 1,187 drug related deaths in Scotland in 2018 (latest figures); the highest number ever recorded.
There were 1,136 alcohol specific deaths in 2018, with 23,751 people admitted to hospital as a result of consuming alcohol during 2018/19.
Here in the Outer Hebrides, recent data shows there were two drug related deaths in 2018 with an annual average of two between the years 2014-2018 and 13 alcohol specific deaths in 2018 with an annual average of 11 between 2014 and 2018. There were 192 people admitted to hospital as a result of consuming alcohol during 2018/19.
The OHADP is a multi agency partnership which exists to prevent and reduce the harmful effects of alcohol and drugs in our community, to promote sustained recovery and deliver better outcomes for those affected.
The 2018 Scottish Government ‘Rights Respect & Recovery’ Strategy’s vision is that Scotland is a country where ‘we live long, healthy and active lives regardless of where we come from’ and where individuals, families and communities have the right to health and life free from the harms of alcohol and drugs; be treated with dignity and respect; and are fully supported within communities to find their own type of recovery.
Community Walk Leader Dave Phillips recently received a national Walking Champion of the Year certificate. The annual awards recognise and celebrate volunteer Walk Leaders across Scotland. The Walk on Hebrides project, hosted by NHS Western Isles, nominated Dave for Paths for All’s Volunteer Award for his outstanding contribution to a community walks programme with Pairc Trust.
Community volunteer, Dave, launched Pairc community walks with Pairc Trust Office Manager, Fiona Stokes, two years ago in November 2017. They started with one weekly walk and since then they have gone from strength to strength and now offer two weekly walks including a Cancer Friendly Walk. They have been trained to ensure they have the skills and confidence to support people joining the walk who are affected by cancer: people living with cancer, their friends, family and carers.
Dave said: “Having walked the hills and dales of Great Britain nearly all my life, it was very natural for me to want to get involved when asked to join the project on the islands. The benefits to health are laid out for all to hear and read about, especially as you are getting into your senior years. It is very tempting to sit in the chair reading or watching TV, but a good walk with good company is far better for your mental, social and physical health.”
Since joining the Walk on Hebrides project Fiona and Dave have created inspiring community walks in Pairc with enthusiasm and dedication to improving the health of their local community.
Walk on Hebrides Walk Leaders are now offering Strength and Balance Exercises within their group walks. This provides people with an opportunity to keep muscles, bones and joints strong and reduces the chance of frailty and falls for older adults.
Karen Peteranna, NHS Western Isles Walk on Hebrides Coordinator, said: “This is the first time Paths for All strength and balance exercise training has been offered locally. Our Walk Leaders were keen to take part in the training so they can offer the exercises to people on group walks across Lewis and Harris. This is just the start, with more training opportunities planned across the islands next year.”
The Chief Medical Officer’s Physical Activity Guidelines were updated this year with more emphasis made on the importance of strength and balance exercises for all ages but especially as we get older. From 30 years of age, functional ability is reducing one to two per cent each year; for example strength, power, bone density, flexibility, balance and co-ordination. While the reduction in functional ability cannot be stopped, undertaking exercises that strengthen muscles and improve balance can help maintain strength and reduce the risk of frailty and falls.
NHS Western Isles has worked in collaboration with the local Department of Work & Pensions (DWP) to deliver training to frontline staff working in the Job Centre.
The training ‘Making Every Opportunity Count (MeOC)’ encourages staff to engage in conversations with claimants on lifestyle and life circumstances. This could include smoking, healthy eating, healthy weight, being physically active and alcohol intake, money and housing issues.
Taking 30 seconds to 3 minutes, the brief conversations make maximum use of resources available and provide information and signposting to them for further advice and support where appropriate.
For further information please contact Norma Macleod, Healthy Working Lives Coordinator, tel. 01851 762017 or email: norma.macleod1@nhs.net
Three Mentally Healthy Workplace training courses were run in October (two for Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and one for University of the Highlands & Islands Lews Castle College).
The training was for managers and supervisors and was designed to encourage good practice in promoting positive mental health and wellbeing, thereby contributing to a more open culture that puts mental health on the agenda alongside physical health, social inclusion and productivity.
For further information please contact Norma Macleod, Healthy Working Lives Coordinator, tel. 01851 762017 or email: norma.macleod1@nhs.net
Intergenerational work is not a new concept however due to the advancements in technology and travel, where families are more geographically dispersed; there is more of a need within local communities to raise awareness of and encourage the connecting of different generations.
Intergenerational practice aims to bring people together in purposeful, mutually beneficial activities which promote greater understanding and respect between generations and contributes to building more cohesive communities. Intergenerational practice is inclusive, building on the positive resources that the young and old generations have to offer each other and those around them.
The above-titled intergenerational project was an initiative led by NHS Western Isles Health Promotion Department in partnership with Bhuth Bharraigh, children, parents and staff from Castlebay Children’s Centre, residents and staff from St. Brendan’s Care Home in Castlebay, Isle of Barra.
NHS Western Isles Health Promotion Department would sincerely like to thank everyone who made this project possible; in particular, the nursery children and care home residents who participated.
Intergenerational work is not a new concept however due to the advancements in technology and travel, where families are more geographically dispersed; there is more of a need within local communities to raise awareness of and encourage the connecting of different generations.
Intergenerational practice aims to bring people together in purposeful, mutually beneficial activities which promote greater understanding and respect between generations and contributes to building more cohesive communities. Intergenerational practice is inclusive, building on the positive resources that the young and old generations have to offer each other and those around them.
The above-titled intergenerational project was an initiative led by NHS Western Isles Health Promotion Department in partnership with Bhuth Bharraigh, children, parents and staff from Castlebay Children’s Centre, residents and staff from St. Brendan’s Care Home in Castlebay, Isle of Barra.
NHS Western Isles Health Promotion Department would sincerely like to thank everyone who made this project possible; in particular, the nursery children and care home residents who participated.
Tuesday 17th December 2019 10am-1pm St. Columba’s Hall, Stornoway
Come along and learn about how you can use Age Scotland’s Body Boosting Bingo game to promote strength and balance exercises in a fun way!
You will learn about the digital game, the pocket game and become familiar with the exercises; both seated and standing versions.
This awareness session is suitable for Walk Leaders, community groups and people who can use the resource to promote strength and balance exercises with adults and older adults. Refreshments provided.
For further information or to register contact: Karen Peteranna, Health Improvement Practitioner. Tel: 01851 762015 / Email: karen.peteranna@nhs.net
