Call for all to protect public health

A CALL is being made for people locally to take part in vital health screenings, stay up to date with vaccinations and make use of services supporting families. These were some of the key areas of work highlighted in a report by the chair of the region’s Public Health Committee which was brought to NHS Dumfries and Galloway Board. Welcoming the message, director of public health Valerie White, above, said: “These programmes and services are more than statistics — they save lives, protect our communities, and ensure everyone has the chance to thrive. “By taking part in screening, staying up to date with vaccinations, and accessing support where it’s needed, people can make a real difference to their own health and the wellbeing of their families.” The report highlighted strong local performance across a range of screening programmes: * Cervical screening uptake reached 68%, above the Scottish average of 63%, while bowel screening hit 70%, ranking third among mainland boards. * Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm screening also exceeded national targets, with 86% of eligible men taking part. * The uptake of pregnancy and newborn screening programmes in Dumfries and Galloway remains consistently very high, leading to the early identification of rare conditions which supports their effective management. * Vaccination uptake is another key focus. The winter season appears to have started earlier than usual, and eligible groups - including older adults, pregnant people, and those with underlying health conditions - are being invited to receive their flu vaccines. Local uptake is performing well, and public health are encouraging anyone eligible to take up their opportunity when presented. NHS Dumfries and Galloway is helping families through health visiting and maternity services to maximise household income, alongside staff financial wellbeing initiatives to support employees facing financial pressures. Other updates to the Board included work to address inequalities in outpatient attendance and suicide prevention initiatives. Ms White added: “We remain focused on reducing inequalities, improving uptake of life-saving screenings and vaccinations, and supporting families and communities to thrive.” * For more information on screening programmes, vaccinations, or support services, go to www.nhsinform.scot