Chief Medical Officer for Scotland, Honorary Professor, University of Glasgow; Honorary Air Commodore 612 Squadron, Royal Air Force.
#RealisticMedicine
The 4 great population health challenges we face. And the risk to professionalism if we allow transactional, industrialised care to win over Careful and Kind Care.
My annual report discusses this & shows that we still have agency & hope of a different way
Thanks for all the messages Iโm receiving. Iโm humble & honoured to be given the responsibility of CMO for Scotland. Big challenges lie ahead, not least COVID19 & reducing health inequalities, but my superb team and I are focussed on tackling these with relentless commitment.
.
@jasonleitch
was asked a question about Christmas to which he responded with all the honesty I associate him with. This is now being twisted & misreported, not just in social media but by media outlets. His remarks were bad news but truthful & open and his abuse now is shameful
Iโve not had my COVID19 vaccine yet and donโt expect to be called for a few weeks yet. But if I was eligible for AZ vaccine tomorrow Iโd take it without a moments hesitation. This vaccine is saving many lives every day and is both extensively researched and monitored for safety.
I can confirm that
@jasonleitch
and I did meet virtually to discuss this quite carefully. After three cups tea and couple packets we offered advice to the First Minister that in our view, Jaffa Cakes were indeed a biscuit.... ๐
Receiving reports from around the country of how 1st day vaccinations for COVID-19 have gone. Iโve wanted to work in NHS since primary school & have been qualified for over 25 years. But I donโt think Iโve ever been so proud of colleagues and way they get on & get things done๐๐ป
Sobering reports around the world today. Record COVID19 cases in Victoria & US. Rising cases again in Tokyo, Lombardy & Catalan. NW France showing spike too. It underlines how precarious our hard-earned state is - this virus hasnโt gone away. Please
#KeepTheHeid
this weekend ๐๐ป
Please- the simple message in Scotland remains the same -
#StayHome
unless its essential that you leave eg for medical reasons, for food or for exercise. But you can now take exercise outside if distancing etc more than once per day. Donโt risk undoing the progress weโve made ๐๐ป
1/ This new WHO vaccination study really got me. Across 33 European countries the impact of Scottish programme really stands out. 27000 deaths averted - 86% expected deaths avoided. Thatโs phenomenal and very moving.
Vaccines work. Please get protected ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ
Itโs my 1st anniversary of becoming CMO. I owe thanks to many for support in an exhausting & sore 12m, inc the wonderful team of clinicians & officials around me. But a special gratitude goes to my Chief of Staff Delina & all my colleagues in PO who keep us all on the tracks ๐๐ป
Awh man! Iโm taking such a pounding after today
@JaneyGodley
- big stevie doesnโt even like quiche. ๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ
Thank you - much needed laughs after a tough and tiring week. ๐
Thank you for all the good wishes Iโve received -a truly humbling experience. Congratulations to other honours recipients too - really pleased to see so many clinicians feature this year - but there are so many more whose dedication, professionalism & excellence goes unseen ๐๐ป
1/ I see understandable interest / apprehension about rising case rates & hospital occupancy in Scotland. Horrific events in Europe mean less opportunity to explain this in media or briefings (rightly) but I want to reassure it continues to be intensely monitored & assessed
Iโm unbelievably proud and thankful to my colleagues across the country who are planning, supporting and delivering the most challenging vaccination programme weโve ever undertaken. A huge milestone today as we pass 1million doses given - thank you to everyone involved. ๐๐ป
Iโm really pleased with progress weโve made in recent weeks - impacts of booster campaign in particular cannot be over-stated. But anyone who says the pandemic is over after omicron is sadly deluding themselves. We need to use period of greater stability to adapt for future.
I wish I could adequately express my pride and thanks to colleagues across Scotland - whether treating the sick and injured in either hospitals or the community, vaccinating in over 1100 different venues or testing and contact tracing those who need it. Theyโre a class apart. ๐ฅฐ
Today we're vaccinating 5,000 staff at
@NHSLouisaJordan
. This marks the biggest mass clinic in the UK. A huge congratulations to the whole team involved. Pictured here, Shirley McHale the first to be vaccinated this morning. Photo credit
@wats67
Iโve seen the abuse that
@devisridhar
gets and itโs deplorable. Devi is a superb communicator and a good person with right values. The reality is that reality is a hard message many donโt want to hear. I understand the frustration but sheโs the wrong target.
Just a note to thank you for all your messages of support- much appreciated. And yes, back to focusing on science communication, research, fitness & ๐ฆฆ ๐ฆญ โ๏ธ ๐.
Superb
@andy_murray
- think youโll find Iโve now got complete control over your serve and backhand if we ever playโฆ.
Seriously - thanks for continuing to speak up for science, evidence and health care workers.
Get
#boostedbythebells
๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ
Got my 3rd microchip injected into me today๐คจ
Joking aside..science is the best. Thank you scientists, thank you doctors and health care workers for the incredible work you are doing โค๏ธ
Was feeling especially jaded after last meeting; couple of really long & intense weeks catching up. Took 5mins, headphones on and gifted myself
@Metallica
โTo Whom the Bell Tollsโ along with a flat white. Thank god for the rejuvenating power of superb music. Ready to go again. ๐๐ป
Got my first dose OxAZ vaccine today from Nicole (DN) and Jack (Dentist). Lovely slick process
@NHSLanarkshire
and great info from vaccinators - Iโm so very grateful to all the team involved in planning and delivery of this - thank you! Amazing job. ๐๐๐ป๐๐ป
Genuinely overwhelmed & humbled by the lovely messages Iโve received today & Iโve no idea how I can possibly respond to them all. Thank you- itโs meant an incredible amount to me. So let me toast your health & our future with a rare treat whilst I slip on a wee
@IronMaiden
tune
Hi
@JaneyGodley
โฆ just read your news, so wanted to send my best wishes for a smooth treatment plan and speedy recovery. Will have a wee shot at baking a nice quiche with extra paprika for you when youโre feeling like taking some risksโฆ all the best and keep smiling ๐
Itโs been a difficult couple of days again but there have been many of these for everybody since March. Today shows COVID19 hasnโt finished surprising us yet, but thanks to work of
@CovidGenomicsUK
we have the chance to stay ahead. ๐๐ป We canโt pass this chance up.
What a brilliant 0-0 victory at Wembley - so proud of that team performance tonight
@ScotlandNT
- England were so lucky to get away with thatโฆ ๐ช๐ป๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ
#ENGSCO
#YESSIRICANBOOGIE
Behind the guidance, figures and information that
@jasonleitch
@FionaCMcQueen
and I speak about or publish is an amazing team of clinicians, statisticians and officials. You donโt often see them but theyโre crucial. Thank you and Merry Christmas to every one of you ๐๐
Todayโs been a good day. Thereโs been far too few of them in 2020. So forgive me if I close the door, pull on my headphones and afford a wee smile as I crank up the volume on
@IronMaiden
new live album. Utter bliss. ๐
Some exceptional work by contact tracing teams under very difficult circumstances today. Thank you to everyone involved. But itโs frustrating & really disappointing to hear of increased aggressive behaviour & abuse to staff. Please be civil and patient with those trying to help.
Feels like a while since Iโve been able to highlight good news, but the latest trial data on Oxford-AZ vaccine made my shoulders relax just a little today; this little nugget on transmission is very encouraging.
Vaccines save lives - millions worldwide every year. Earliest use of preparations to prevent disease stem from around 1500AD - aside from clean water, no other PH intervention has had bigger impact.
Donโt become a victim of misinformation.
More info:
Thank you ๐๐ป to all my colleagues in health and social care across Scotland who are working today and missing time with their families. Words donโt capture the depth of gratitude, esp after the year youโve had. Merry Christmas ๐ and best wishes to all of you ๐ฅฐ
No surprise that confirmed cases of COVID19 have reached record levels over last few days, with positivity above 30%. Unfortunately I expect these to climb higher.
Vaccination remains your best protection, but youโll need your booster too- please donโt delay
#boostedbythebells
Teams across Scotland delivered over 78000 booster /third doses yesterday. Thatโs phenomenal! And great to see so many people coming forward for first /second doses still - this is even more important. Thank you to everyone involved in the vaccine programme. Youโre amazing. ๐๐ป
Sad to read Jacinda Ardern stepping down for the reasons sheโs cited. She exemplified compassionate leadership and appears to have tremendous self- awareness. Burnout can affect anyone, especially the most empathic amongst us, and systems must be shaped to help prevent it.
Appreciate the Qs about my ink - thank you. Theyโre very personal & down to the skill of Vali Stefan. On my arm is Asclepius (god of medicine) & on my chest, his father, Apollo (god of healing, disease, music and light) with his sun chariot. More to come.
Wonderful news that MHRA has approved the authorisation to supply Pfizer BioNTech coronavirus vaccine. First of several vaccines in pipeline and begins to change everything for our future. ๐
1/ The rise in cases might be alarming for some people, but itโs important to emphasise that weโre in a very different phase now - vaccines significantly modify the spread, impact and severity of disease. All of this is being very carefully monitored across UK.
Whoโs nervous about tonight? Not me. Honestโฆ Best of luck to all the players and everyone involved supporting the
@ScotlandNT
#SCO
#YESSIRICANBOOGIE
Please be very clear. There are many ways of taking useful and enjoyable exercise without visiting a sports shop who appear to be ignoring scientific and clinical advice to close. This is not a rehearsal- this is real. If Sports Direct consider their role essential they are wrong
Today, Iโm remembering family & friends that Iโve lost in last 12m. But itโs also important to look forward with hope. Along with brilliant
@devisridhar
weโve written an opinion piece for
@CNNOpinion
on why no parts of the world can be left behind
Over the course of last 17m Iโve been supported by a quite incredible team of clinicians & officials to whom Iโm indebted. Today, Iโm pleased to formally announce Prof
@alisonstrath
as CPO and Profs Nicola Steedman and
@GrahamEllis247
as my two DCMOs.
For those living in Scotland, please avoid travel to North West of England unless itโs absolutely essential due to rise in COVID19 cases. Further info on affected areas can be found here:
From the beginning our FM
@NicolaSturgeon
has โgot itโ & being displaying proper leadership. This isnโt party political. This is a plea from a professional on behalf of colleagues to listen to advice & make sure you & others are as safe as possible. Your NHS needs you to listen๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ
"Life shouldn't feel normal right now, so if your life still feels entirely normal, ask yourself if you are doing the right things"
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon reveals three more people in the country have died
Latest coronavirus updates:
The rise in +ve COVID19 tests this week shows again just how transmissible Delta is. By far the majority of cases are occurring in people under 40y & the majority are not yet fully vaccinated. Delta will continue to spread unless weโre continually adopting simple protections
8/ By acting together, for each other, when cases are extremely high we can help contain further spread. Simple steps, such as avoiding over-crowded indoor spaces, wearing face coverings and good hygiene measures still make a difference. It doesnโt need to stop us enjoying life.
Sometimes news and events can be overwhelming, even when youโre otherwise feeling in the best of spirits. I know some of you might feel this way today. If you feel you need to speak to someone, remember Breathing Space is there to help. Tel 0800 83 85 87
Never in doubt.... ๐คฏ Congratulations
@ScotlandNT
- an effective
#COVID19
vaccine and qualifying for
#EURO2020
in the same week... now for my third wish... ๐งโโ๏ธโจ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ
Two sleeps til vaccine.... ๐
What an amazing effort by our teams of vaccinators around the country. Over 60% adult population have had first doses and over 20% second doses. Thank you to all of them ๐๐ป
The UK CMOs have worked closely together throughout the pandemic. Itโs been a rare pleasure getting to know them all better. JVT has been immense and I will miss him- my thanks from clinicians across Scotland for all he has done as DCMO & best wishes for future back in Nottingham
1/ Still seeing lots of misinformation on the Delta (B1617.2) variant online & in social media. Really important to stick to trusted sources of information on this and not the speculation and rumour. PHE technical briefing has latest scientific information
Latest ONS data shows how fast new variant coronavirus has spread & become predominant in S of England. I urge everyone in Scotland to take every step they can to prevent same happening here. Limiting contact with other households can help ensure it doesnโt get a hold here too.
Merry Christmas everyone. I hope you experience only the best that this season can offer. ๐
A huge thank you to all colleagues working in health and care roles across this holiday. ๐๐ป
Great picture from
@mugecevik
that captures why mixing with people from outside your household tonight is dangerous for them or for you. Case numbers are now rising rapidly. If you were infected on Christmas Day youโre now at your most infectious to spread further.
#StayAtHome
Chuffed to bits for Nicola... this is deserved recognition for her contribution to health sciences not just during the pandemic but for many years before that too - very fortunate to have her as part of the team. ๐๐ป๐๐ป๐๐ป
๐ | ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ณ๐ฒ๐๐๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ถ๐๐น๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ผ ๐ด๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ป๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐๐ถ๐๐ผ๐ฟ
Scottish Government Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Nicola Steedman has been confirmed as Honorary Professor at GCU ๐งโ๐
Read more here ๐
If you have cold or flu symptoms, please donโt visit family or friends in hospital and risk spreading infection to others. Wait 48 hrs after symptoms disappear & please make sure you use hand-gels in wards even if youโre well. Thank you
Please. You can do your bit to save lives this weekend and ensure our NHS is able to help those who really need it. Even if the weather is bright and warm, itโs important we stay home.
Donโt let your actions or recklessness allow
#COVID19
to spread.
It was 27y ago I started my first shift with Prof Jim McKillop at the GRI. I remember feeling excited & very nervous but they were a superb, supportive team. Good luck to colleagues across the country taking those same steps today & please give them all the same support we wanted
1/ Feeling more optimistic at the end of this week than lastโฆ case rate showing slow signs of stabilising now and whilst healthcare system is exceptionally busy, translation of cases to more severe disease is nothing like before.
This ๐๐ป
Our NHS is still open. Itโs not just for people with COVID-19.
Please - if youโre unwell or have urgent symptoms like chest pain, donโt sit back - seek help. This hasnโt changed. ๐๐ป
Great to see more international recognition for
#SPSP
- it wouldnโt be where it is without the vision & leadership given by
@jasonleitch
Jane Murkin and others, especially in those early days. Now, thereโs skilled QI leaders embedded throughout system thanks to them.
Great to hear
#ScottishPatientSafetyProgram
praised by leading Swedish expert in WM Health Committee.
Introduced in 2007 - safety program cut hospital & post surgical deaths + complications such as pressure sores, sepsis, wound infections, etc.
Well done
#NHSScot
staff!๐๐๐
The snowโs beautiful but some people donโt feel so confident or able to get out with it. Are there any neighbours or friends you could check in with (socially distanced!) to help keep them connected, check their warm enough and whether they need any medicines or food? โ๏ธ
None of us should assume this is over. Itโs only through the collective effort of us all that weโve made the progress to this point. But this is very, very welcome news. Please donโt stop now - there will be bumps to come but together we can minimise these
Itโs been an extremely challenging time across the health & care system and it continues. I want to pay tribute to colleagues across all the services - in community, public health and hospitals and say thank you. You are remarkable, even in such extreme circumstances. ๐๐ป
The last few months have tested our NHS to the limits & it has stood strong, but changed, thanks to the staff who make it tick, day in, day out. Thank you, each & every one of you. Itโs a privilege & humbling to work with you.
#NHSScot72
Happy St Andrewโs Day! A huge thanks today to all of the wide team I work with, clinicians and civil service alike, whoโve been incredible for months. And a special mention for everyone in my office who couldnโt have given me more support - thank you. ๐๐ป๐๐ป๐๐ป
The interest/ anxiety around new variant โomicronโ is understandable but truth is, much to learn about it. Precautionary approach is sensible but I encourage commentators not to speculate wildly until hard evidence known. Kudos to South Africa for use of science & transparency
We can all feel the sense of shock at reports from Glasgow city centre this afternoon. My immediate thoughts are with those injured & all services providing the response to this incident. Please donโt speculate or spread misinformation or gratuitous media in relation to this.
Please be considerate to all staffโฆ abusive behaviour to anyone is not acceptable, but a little act of kindness can light up someoneโs otherwise difficult day.
If youโre gonna be anything, just be kindโฆ
Please be considerate to GPs.
Abusive behaviour causes mental and physical harm to healthcare workers, leading to time off work and less time with patients.
@scotgovhealth
I know how much everyone has been waiting for restrictions to change & see people theyโre missing. But coronavirus hasnโt gone away. Donโt raise your own or others risk by forgetting to physical distance or congregating in large groups. And please donโt share food or drinks ๐๐ป
1/ The rapid growth of omicron in Scotland is a serious public health threat. This growth, transmissibility & early immune evasion data is becoming clearer. Thereโs much yet to learn but even this trajectory will lead to increased hospitalisations & absences across all sectors
Thanks to everyone sending me pics of happy & excited kids returning to school or nursery today- been inundated across different mediums & itโs brought a huge sense of happiness. We can all play our bit in ensuring that it stays like this & mustnโt let down our guard now๐๐ป
Itโs hard to adequately describe my pride in colleagues or gratitude that I feel towards them. I know all the UK CMOs feel the same.
Please continue to look out for & support each other in the difficult weeks that lie ahead. You have our unwavering confidence & enduring thanks
After another busy weekend thereโs only two things left to do to get set up for a good nights sleep and another busy week ahead .... running shoes on, and
@IronMaiden
queued up on the headphones. Thankful for these pleasures in amongst it all.
Sorry
@ChrisMcEleny
. But youโre incorrect. The original 12 week schedule was set to maximise 1st doses. This was drawn in to 8 weeks as represented best balance between protection from 2 doses / longevity when delta arrived.
Revisionism here by
@DrGregorSmith
. Vaccine dose gap wasnโt set at 8 weeks because it was thought of as better but it was because JCVI concluded that getting more people single jagged was on balance better than getting less people double jagged in a window of time.
Thank you. To all our amazing carers across the country and their families who are supporting them. Itโs a privilege to
#ClapForCarers
and say how privileged I feel to work with you.
Perfect birthday pressie today as the country takes its biggest step towards opening up. Of course Iโm nervous, but Iโm also hopeful majority of people will act for collective good. Thank you everyone for your patience so far but please keep the good work going.
#keeptheheid
๐๐ป
Guidance has now changed for those diagnosed with COVID-19 in the community. Please ensure that you isolate for 10days from positive test or onset of symptoms. If you have symptoms, please contact Test & Protect so that contact tracing can take place
Reading a lot of concern from colleagues about impact of new isolation policy on key workers and particularly on staff from NHS and social care. This isnโt overlooked and guidance, with appropriate safeguards, has been issued to NHS CEOs on approach.
Itโs not just the physical activity thatโs good for us all, itโs reducing the amount of time we spend sitting as well. Thatโs just as important. And if youโre able to, getting outdoors to do this has enormous benefits for physical and mental wellbeing.
Iโve come to it late but surprised how much Iโm enjoying yoga, even if Iโm rubbish at it. It was either that or change my race bike for one with kinder geometry. After a day like today, meditation with some Cafe del Mar was perfect - not all exercise needs to be faster/heavier
1/ Our experience over last 17mths affects us in different ways; some are frustrated, angry or grieving at loss of loved ones or livelihoods. Some are scared lonely or anxious. Almost universally, it feels weโre tired and fed up. The same experience applies to health + care staff
1/ A welcome slowing of daily new cases over last few days. Encouraging news - Iโm grateful for peopleโs efforts to contribute to this by taking extra caution. Still some way to go before Iโm comfortable with cases entering autumn and winter though. Please donโt become complacent
1. Reading lots of speculation about B1617.2, some informed, lots that isnโt. At present in parts of Scotland we have rise in cases associated with s-gene positivity. This is different from recent experience with high stable proportion s-gene target failure due to dominance B117
2/ Thank you to every person who came forward to get their vaccine. You protected yourself, your families and communities.
And to every person involved in the vaccine programme - thank you. This is the impact that youโve had & the lives youโve prolonged with your efforts ๐๐ป๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ
1/ Weโve seen case rates stabilise over the last week, but they remain at a high level. Vaccines are continuing to show high protection against serious disease and hospitalisation. Please make sure you get both doses to maximise your protection -this is esp important with Delta
Itโs a beautiful day... & people want normality. I get that. But please donโt be travelling out your local area to visit tourist spots or golf clubs. This is far from over. Stay social distanced, donโt meet more than one household, wash your hands & donโt share food / drink ๐๐ป
I know how much everyone has been waiting for restrictions to change & see people theyโre missing. But coronavirus hasnโt gone away. Donโt raise your own or others risk by forgetting to physical distance or congregating in large groups. And please donโt share food or drinks ๐๐ป
โThen let us pray that come it may,
As come it will for aโ that,
That Sense and Worth, oโer aโ the earth
Shall bear the gree anโ aโ that.
For aโ that, anโ aโ that,
Itโs comin yet for aโ that,
That Man to Man the warld oโer
Shall brithers be for aโ that.โ
#RabbieBurns
3/ And Iโm very proud for everyone involved that WHO Europe has picked out Scotland in their infographic to highlight the impact of our very successful COVID19 vaccine programme. This study shows what your professionalism & dedication achieved. Thank you ๐๐ป
๐ข 470,000 lives among people aged 60+ have been saved by
#COVID19
vaccines since their roll-out in 33 WHO European Region countries โ estimates a new study by WHO/Europe &
@ECDC_EU
Find out more ๐
Wish I was at Hampden today in my kilt and boots for this. Been a long time coming. Good luck
@ScotlandNT
- weโre all so proud of you and raring to go ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ
#YESSIRICANBOOGIE
Very grateful to the scientists and clinicians in South Africa for their expertise in revealing and beginning to unravel the unknowns around Omicron. Their transparency and quick action has global significance. Thank you. ๐๐ป
I do hope it is time to take a global approach for a global pandemic and stop the nationalism and hatred. It is not the scientists or nations fault if viruses move from animals to humans or if they evolve. Global solidarity for a global problem.
This groundbreaking Scottish study highlights the danger of COVID19 infection in unvaccinated women.
Please, if you are pregnant or plan on being pregnant, get your vaccine to protect both you and baby.
Thank you James
@Prev_Justice
- youโre an inspiration. The more people watching and supporting the better. I was lucky someone saw me. Being trapped in the cycle is not inevitable.
Heart goes out to the weans growing up in alcoholic and addicted homes who despite the adversity and shame they face everyday .. find reasons to trudge on.
I see you, your not alone ๐
NHS24 are getting a large vol of calls about
#coronavirus
- advice remains to stay at home and isolate if have fever over 37.8 or continuing cough. Please use
@NHS24
out of hours if you have worsening or more serious symptoms. Lots of good advice here