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Are Scotland taking the next step?

Posted on March 7 2016 at 15:40

Folic acid in flour - Ministers ask for advice on next steps.

Public Health Minister Maureen Watt has written to Food Standards Scotland for advice on how Scotland could fortify flour with folic acid.

The advice will be used to help ministers decide how to pursue the policy on a Scotland only basis. The Scottish Government’s preference is for a UK wide solution, but the UK Government has so far failed to commit to the measure despite repeated requests.

The Welsh and Northern Irish governments have also publically backed the fortification of flour.

The Scottish Government believes mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid is the best way to reduce neural tube defects like spina bifida in unborn babies. Folate levels are low across the UK by international standards – particularly so in Scotland.

Ms Watt wrote again to UK Public Health Minister Jane Ellison on November 11 last year to ask the UK Government to consider mandatory fortification. However, she again failed to commit to the step.

Ms Watt said:

“Our consistent position is that UK-wide mandatory fortification of flour is the best way to reduce neural tube defects. However, despite repeated requests it’s clear that the UK Government has no intention of doing so at this time.

“I have therefore asked Food Standards Scotland to provide some detailed advice on how we could do this on a Scotland-only basis. This advice will then be used to allow us to make a decision on what our next steps should be.

“There are far too many babies being born with Spina Bifida in Scotland – particularly in our more deprived communities. Folic acid is tasteless, entirely safe within recommended intake levels and is already included in many foods like breakfast cereals.

“There are 78 countries around the world that already have mandatory fortification of flour. The USA has done it for the past eight years, with no adverse effects on health. By joining them we can help to save many families from the heartbreak of being told their baby has Spina Bifida.”

Ross Finnie, Chair of Food Standards Scotland said:

“As Scotland’s independent public food body, we will be happy to provide the Scottish Government with the advice that has been requested. Such advice will fit well with our statutory duty to improve the diet of the Scottish population. The advice we provide will enable the Scottish Government to determine the best way forward to reduce neural tube defects. In doing so, we will draw on the previous body of advice provided by the Food Standards Agency as well as taking account of any new evidence and advice from the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition.”

Tags: Neural Tube Defect Spina Bifida Folic Acid
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Folic Acid Fortification Update

Posted on February 2 2016 at 16:51

Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland (SBH Scotland) has long advocated folic acid fortification in flour. Our Chief Executive, Andrew H D Wynd, said, “We are happy to hear that Scottish Government are now urging UK Ministers to move the fortification process forward. The recent Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) letter to Health Ministers highlighted serious concerns arising from the delay in fortifying flour so the UK need to be pushing for measures to be put into place to increase the folate status of women. In Scotland it is thought that nearly 50% of pregnancies are unplanned and mother’s to be will not have increased folic acid intake prior to conception. SBH Scotland believe that mandatory fortification will make a significant difference to the many planned and unplanned pregnancies diagnosed with Neural Tube Defects, of which spina bifida is the most common.”

He continues, “Additionally, if the mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid is not proceeding in the short term, then advice must be put in place to ensure that woman who are sexually active and of child bearing age are aware of the importance taking folic acid prior to conception and not once pregnancy is confirmed, which is the norm at present.”

SBH Scotland Folic Acid Campaign

Scotland specific issues…

Scotland has more live births per head of population with spina bifida than anywhere else in the UK. Each week in Scotland one pregnancy is affected by spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus. Possibly due to religious and cultural differences, only 50% of pregnancies are terminated in Scotland as compared with 80% in the rest of the UK.

Taking folic acid supplements, at the correct recommended dose prior to conception, could prevent over 70% of these pregnancies from being affected and reduce both the number of those born with the condition and the number of pregnancies terminated.

Children born with spina bifida often have paralysis in the lower limbs, urological, neurological and orthopaedic problems which often become more significant throughout life. Fortification of flour would reduce the number of babies born with this life-long disability.

Parents in Scotland are offered impartial and non-judgmental advice by the SBH Scotland to enable them to make informed decisions about their pregnancy. Whatever the final decision, SBH Scotland will always be there for support and advice whenever needed. If you are affected by any of the issues associated with spina bifida or hydrocephalus, you can call the SBH Scotland Family Support Service helpline on 08459 11 11 12 or visit www.sbhscotland.org.uk

Further details on Folic Acid

Tags: Spina Bifida Folic Acid
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We're recruiting for a Family Support Worker

Posted on January 12 2016 at 16:56

We have a great opportunity for a Family Support Worker to join our Stronger Links: Stronger Families Project. The post is home Based covering Edinburgh / Lothian / Fife / Borders.

Visit our Vacancies Page for further details.

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Rebecca Cottage wins award

Posted on November 26 2015 at 14:27

Rebecca Cottage has been awarded the 'Rod McFarlane Award for 2015' by Angus Access Panel.

Each year the Award is presented to buildings or facilities in Angus which demonstrate the best examples of positive efforts being made to encourage the inclusion of disabled people. 4 buildings were nominated this year.

Rebecca Cottage is our adapted, wheelchair accessible holiday cottage in Carnoustie. We offer subsidised rates for all SBH Scotland members and a reduction for any blue badge holders.

The design and improvements which led to our nomination included the installation of a stair lift and the more recent installation of a specialist tracking hoist from the ground floor bedroom to the bathroom.

Angus Access Panel said,

"Rebecca Cottage is a first class example of how design and equipment can be combined to fully facilitate a building for the use of families with a disabled person to use for holiday accommodation."

Lynne Fenton, Agnes Mackay, ALec King and David Dewar present the Rod Macfarlane award
Pictured is Lynne Fenton (architect from Brunton Design Studio who designed the changes in the Cottage), Agnes Mackay (Chair of Angus Access Panel), Alec King (Angus Depute Provost) and David Dewar (Vice Chair of Angus Access Panel).