Content warning: This episode discusses eating disorders and disordered eating. Type 1 diabetes with disordered eating (T1DE), or diabulimia as some experts call it, is a serious eating disorder that people with type 1 diabetes can develop where the person reduces or stops taking their insulin as a way of managing their weight. The condition can be life-threatening. Although studies are limited, it’s estimated that eating disorders affect more than a third of patients with type 1 diabetes. A new toolkit published by SIGN, part of Healthcare Improvement Scotland, sets out recommendations to raise awareness of diabulimia and provide guidance on how best to support people living with the condition. In this episode we discuss diabulimia and speak with experts about the key recommendations in the new toolkit. We speak to Lawrence Smith who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was four years old and went on to develop an eating disorder in his teens. We also speak to Safia Qureshi, Director of Evidence & Digital at Healthcare Improvement Scotland, who talks about the key recommendations in the toolkit and Dr Louise Johnston, Consultant and Clinical Lead on the inpatient unit for eating disorders, NHS Grampian. For more information on how to get support, follow the link to our toolkit: https://rightdecisions.scot.nhs.uk/optimising-glycaemic-control-in-people-with-type-1-diabetes-sign-170/psychological-and-behavioural-interventions/ For help, support and information about eating disorders, Beat provides Helplines which are open from 3pm-8pm, Monday to Friday. If you’re in Scotland, the number is 0808 801 0432.

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You can follow the work of Healthcare Improvement Scotland at www.healthcareimprovementscotland.org

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Content warning: This episode discusses mental illness and suicide.

The World Health Organisation estimates that almost 1 in 5 women will experience a mental health condition during pregnancy or in the year after the birth. Women are more likely to develop mental health problems at this time than at any other stage of their life – highlighting that access to mental health care for pregnant women is more important than ever. In a new guideline published by SIGN, part of Healthcare Improvement Scotland, it is recommended that more awareness is needed to reduce the stigma of maternal mental health, and ensure new mothers receive the support they need. In this episode, we discuss maternal mental health care and speak with experts about Scotland’s new guideline on maternal mental health conditions. We speak to Hope Cawood – a mother of two boys, who shares her experience of being diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after the birth of her first son. We also speak to Dr Selena Gleadow-Ware, co-chair of the guideline development group and Chair of the Perinatal Faculty of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland, and Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist, NHS Lanarkshire and Shona McCann, a Specialist Midwife in Perinatal Mental Health, NHS Grampian. For help and support, the PANDAS Helpline is available from 10am-5pm Monday – Friday (excluding bank holidays). You can reach them on: 0808 1961 776. For anyone looking for support in a crisis, the Samaritans helpline is 116 123 and is open 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Also available on the following podcast platforms:  

• Spotify 
• Google Podcasts 
• Amazon Music 

You can follow the work of Healthcare Improvement Scotland at www.healthcareimprovementscotland.org

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The Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act came into force on 1st April 2024, setting out requirements for safe staffing across all health and care services in Scotland. The legislation places a duty on NHS boards and care services to ensure appropriate staffing levels are in place across the sectors. It also exists to ensure that health and care staff are appropriately trained for the work they perform.  

In this episode, we find out more about the new act, how NHS boards have been preparing for it and what it means for patients and healthcare professionals working on the ground. We speak to Caroline Craig from our own Healthcare Staffing Programme, as well as Dr. Susan Ross, a Consultant Clinical Psychologist at NHS Lanarkshire, Natalie Buchanan, an Advanced Speech and Language Therapist at NHS Fife and Kate Patience-Quate who is NHS Highland’s Deputy Nurse Director.

Also available on the following podcast platforms:  

• Spotify 
• Google Podcasts 
• Amazon Music 

You can follow the work of Healthcare Improvement Scotland at www.healthcareimprovementscotland.org

• Monthly eNewsletter
• Twitter
• Facebook
• LinkedIn