Scottish Labour MSP Foysol Choudhury has implored the Scottish Government to make housing a priority in 2024.
Mr Choudhury has raised concerns over the festive period that hundreds could sadly be faced with rough sleeping this winter, with many more at risk of homelessness or living in what he says is unsuitable temporary accommodation.
Mr Choudhury says he is often inundated with casework where constituents are in poor quality temporary housing and are concerned about the lengthy waits for housing.
It is reported that there could be almost 30,000 people facing homelessness this year. Recent budget plans, however, will see a real-terms cut in homelessness prevention funding for local authorities of £500,000. Mr Choudhury says that this is unacceptable and that the Scottish Government must make it a priority in 2024 to give local authorities sufficient funding.
Mr Choudhury said: “I am reiterating my plea yet again this festive season to the Scottish Government to increase funding to local authorities, so that Councils can ensure that they can meet the demand for housing and have the capacity to build more social housing.
“We also must ensure that Councils have enough funding to make improvements and upgrades to current properties such as retrofitting, which could help improve conditions such as mould and damp which my constituents often report to me.
“Nobody in Scotland should be forced into homelessness or have to endure seemingly endless waiting in unsuitable housing.
“I am imploring the Scottish Government to ensure fair funding for local authorities so that they can invest what is needed in our social housing sector and I will continue to make it a priority to campaign for this in 2024.”
“Scandal of child poverty in a rich country must end”
Scottish child payment must rise to £30 to protect lower income families who don’t benefit from proposed council tax freeze.
Campaigners at the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland are calling for tax and spending decisions to do more to prioritise hard up families ahead of tomorrow’s Scottish budget.
With the proposed £300 million council tax freeze set to benefit better off households they say the very least that is needed to protect lower income families is a £58 million investment to raise the Scottish child payment to £30 per week. CPAG were one of over 150 signatories to a letter sent to the First Minister Humza Yousaf last month urging him to deliver the increase.
The Scottish child payment, which currently provides a vital £25 per week extra support for children in lower income families, must by law be uprated in line with inflation.
However during the SNP leadership campaign the First Minister said he wanted to see it rise to £30 in his first Budget. In a pre-Budget briefing sent to all MSPs the campaigners say this is the “minimum extra investment that is needed to support lower income families and demonstrate the First Minister is genuinely ‘shifting the dial’ on child poverty.”
The group have also joined over sixty other groups today to call on all Scotland’s political leaders to build a fair tax consensus that can provide the social investment needed for ‘a more equitable, resilient, and prosperous Scotland’. They say the Scottish Budget must be a ‘pivotal moment for fundamental change.’
Speaking ahead of today’s budget statement John Dickie, Director of Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland, said; “Struggling families desperately need a budget that will provide immediate support as well as help meet statutory child poverty targets.
“Increasing the Scottish child payment to £30 is a cost-effective investment that would provide much needed financial support to the lower income families who get little if any benefit from the proposed council tax freeze.
“It would make a substantive impact and demonstrate the First Minister is genuine in his desire to ‘shift the dial’ on child poverty.”
Recognizing the challenging fiscal backdrop Mr Dickie added: “Difficult budget choices will be needed. But the right choice is to prioritise tax and spending decisions that will help end the poverty that still blights the lives of tens of thousands of children across Scotland.
“We are a wealthy country and we need all our political leaders to work together to harness that wealth to end the scandal of child poverty in a rich country once and for all.”
Child Poverty Action Group is calling for a Scottish Budget that:
• Increases the Scottish child payment at the very least to £30 per week from April 2024, as committed by the First Minister in his leadership campaign. This investment is supported by the Children and Young People’s Commissioner and over 150 trade unions, faith groups, children’s charities and community organisations from across Scotland. • Ensures sufficient resources are harnessed and allocated to fund the wider measures (including on childcare, employment and housing) set out in the statutory child poverty delivery plan – Best Start, Bright Futures. • Provides additional cash payments to families impacted by the two-child limit and the under 25 penalty in universal credit. • Invests in childcare so not only can the actions in Best Start, Bright Futures be delivered, but every parent can access the childcare they need, when they need it. • Is bold in using tax powers in a progressive way to ensure sufficient resources are available to fully deliver on the actions that are needed to tackle child poverty.
Scotland’s new Chief Constable Jo Farrell promised to prioritise trust, confidence, high performance, and officer and staff wellbeing as she took command of the national police service today (Monday, 9 October).
Chief Constable Farrell made a commitment to focus on threat, harm, and risk, and on prevention and problem solving, during a swearing in ceremony at Police Scotland Headquarters, Tulliallan.
She also committed to prioritising the wellbeing of Police Scotland’s officers and support staff.
Chief Constable Farrell said: “I believe passionately in the value policing brings to our communities: keeping people safe from harm, protecting the vulnerable, bringing criminals to justice, solving problems, and reducing offending. We stand up for and with our communities, which strengthens them, improves their wellbeing, and allows them to prosper.
“My operational focus is on threat, harm, and risk. Police Scotland will focus on prevention, problem solving and proactivity, and on looking after our hard-working officers and staff so our people can deliver our vital public service.
“Police Scotland is a highly credible public sector organisation known for its compassion and it attracts huge public support. It is a privilege to be entrusted with the leadership of so many talented, professional, and courageous police officers, staff, and volunteers.”
She said: “I know the acknowledgement of institutional discrimination is a difficult message for many dedicated and honourable officers and staff.
“Having considered Sir Iain’s reasons, I agree Police Scotland is institutionally discriminatory. People with different backgrounds or experiences, including our officers and staff, have not always received the service that is their right.
“The onus is on us to challenge bad behaviour and prejudice, address gaps and eradicate bias, known or unwitting, at every level. Our Policing Together programme drives this moral, legal and operational imperative so that we maintain and build confidence with all communities.
“I will bring my support and leadership to this work and our success will be measured by the improved experiences of our officers and staff, and of the public.”
Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs Angela Constance said: “I am delighted that the new Chief Constable Jo Farrell has been appointed to the role. It is very clear from the rigorous selection process, led by the Scottish Police Authority, that she has the leadership and skills that are essential to head our national police service and to meet the opportunities and challenges ahead.
“There is much to be proud of within the UK’s second biggest police service – which is in a strong place as the new Chief takes up her role.
“Police Scotland’s officers and staff and their commitment to serving our communities are the bedrock of the service’s success. From crime, road policing, missing persons, prevention, partnership, dealing with increasing vulnerability in communities, and many other areas – their work should be a source of pride and confidence for our country.
“Both the First Minister and I look forward to formally welcoming the new Chief. I am sure we will forge a strong partnership, founded on a shared desire to continue the delivery of sustainable excellence within Scotland’s police service.”
Scottish Police Authority Chair Martyn Evans said: “The Authority is delighted the new Chief Constable is now in post and we look forward to working closely with her and the wider leadership team in the months ahead.”
Chief Constable Farrell led Durham Constabulary as Chief since 2019 having been Deputy since 2016 and having served in Northumbria Police since 2002. She started her career in Cambridgeshire Police in 1991.
Justice of the Peace Gillian Thomson accepted the Declaration of a Constable, an oath set out in law that every holder of the office of Constable in Scotland promises to faithfully discharge their duties with fairness, integrity, diligence, and impartiality, and to uphold human rights and accord equal respect to all people.
This morning, Chief Constable Farrell chaired a meeting with the Force Executive to set out her priorities and approach before meeting with probationary Constables and hosting a virtual session with Divisional Commanders in the afternoon.
First Minister: Equality and rights at the heart of an independent Scotland’s Constitution
An independent Scotland would have a constitution based on the sovereignty of the people and reflect Scotland’s values as a modern, democratic European nation from day one, according to plans outlined by the First Minister Humza Yousaf.
The fourth paper in the ‘Building a New Scotland’ series, sets out how a written constitution developed by the people in Scotland could put rights and equality at its heart, including by protecting the right to strike and giving constitutional recognition to the NHS.
Speaking at the launch of the new prospectus paper, First Minister Humza Yousaf said: “This fourth publication in the ‘Building a New Scotland’ series sets out the Scottish Government’s proposals for how people in Scotland can create a written constitution that puts democracy, rights and equality at the heart of everything we do as an independent country.
“To be a success, our written constitution must be one that the people in Scotland believe in, giving them the direct opportunity to shape and build a better country. It must also have the collective authority of the nation, so that those in power accept that, under the constitution, they are accountable to the people.
“Independence would give Scotland the ability to create a constitution that provides recognition of the NHS in Scotland, giving people the right to access a system of health care, available free at the point of need.
“It would allow Scotland to continue its progressive approach to human rights and equality, without the current restrictions of the devolution settlement and without the threat of the UK Government overruling our decisions or unwinding our advances.
This would ensure that our human rights and equality protections could cover all policy areas, including those currently reserved.
“With independence, we can build a better country on that fundamental right of every person in Scotland to be treated equally, and with a written constitution, Scotland can build a new home for democracy, rights and equality.”
The Scottish Conservatives, the main opposition party at Holyrood, are unsurprisingly less than impressed with the SNP’s priorities.
They say the Scottish government is spending over £1.4 million of taxpayers’ money to fund independence campaigning. The Tories believe this is a waste of public money when our NHS and schools are struggling.
Targeted action to further tackle poverty and inequality in Scotland will be the focus of discussion at a summit convened by the First Minister later this week.
The anti-poverty summit will bring people together from a variety of backgrounds – those with lived experience of poverty, the third sector, academics, campaigners, local government, business, and cross-party representatives of the Scottish Parliament.
Attendees will share expertise, experiences and ideas that can be used in a collective effort to drive progress and reduce inequality across Scotland.
The First Minister said: “Tackling poverty and protecting people from harm is one of the Scottish Government’s three key priorities.
“Working within our limited powers and fixed budget, the Scottish Government has already taken a range of actions that are making a real difference, with almost £3 billion allocated both last year and this year to support policies which are helping to tackle poverty and protect people as far as possible during the cost of living crisis.
“Our five family payments, including the Scottish Child Payment, could be worth more than £10,000 by the time an eligible child turns six. This compares to less than £2,000 for eligible families in England and Wales, with Scottish support providing over £20,000 by the time an eligible child is 16 years old.
“There is also much more to be done to reverse the impact of the UK Government’s policies of austerity and lack of concrete action on the cost of living crisis, which have contributed to rising poverty across the UK.
“While the Government’s actions and ideas to tackle poverty are extremely important, I also want to hear fresh ideas about what else we could be doing together. Nothing should be off the table, and I am ready to lead an honest and frank discussion on Wednesday.
“I firmly believe that all of us across society want Scotland to be the best place to grow up and the best place to live. I am determined to harness that shared ambition so we leave no stone unturned in the drive to create a more equal and more socially just Scotland.”
The summit will take place in Edinburgh on Wednesday 3 May.
The First Minister chaired the first meeting of his new Scottish Cabinet in Bute House yesterday, charging Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers to take a bold approach to delivering for Scotland.
Cabinet had a substantive discussion on the priorities of the government, ahead of the First Minister giving a planned statement to parliament immediately after recess. They had a further conversation around the budget that will underpin those priorities.
Friday’s discussion highlighted the importance of being an open, accessible government through engagement with the public and stakeholders and by reaching out to members of other parties in a genuine spirit of collaboration.
It also stressed the importance of building relationships with counterparts in other devolved administrations and the UK Government.
Cabinet members also reflected on their experiences in their previous ministerial portfolios and how that often brings useful perspective when taking on roles in different areas of government.
As always, a discussion on the immediate issues Cabinet members will be addressing in the coming weeks took place.
First Minister Humza Yousaf said: “I was pleased to welcome new and returning Cabinet members to our first meeting this morning. I was clear to them that I want Cabinet to be a forum for open and honest discussion.
“We all look forward to reaching out to stakeholders, the business community, opposition parties and the wider public in a spirit of genuine collaboration.
“This government has a strong track of taking forward ambitious and radical policies and reforms over the last few years, against a backdrop of austerity, economic uncertainty and of course the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Under my leadership the Ministerial team have been tasked with taking a bold approach to how we govern – not just in addressing the challenges facing the people of Scotland, but also maximising the opportunities of our many strengths.
“Our key priorities will include eradicating poverty and delivering a wellbeing economy underpinned by sustainable public services.
“I will set out more detail to parliament following Easter recess – but in the next couple of weeks, Cabinet members will be busy getting down to work on the immediate issues in their portfolios.”
The British Dental Association has warned the future of NHS dentistry in Scotland is in doubt, and action here must be high on the agenda for the next First Minister.
A devastating new survey of dentists across Scotland reveals:
An exodus is in motion.59% of dentists say they have reduced the amount of NHS work they undertake since lockdown – by an average of over a fifth.This movement is going unseen in official data, which counts heads, not commitment, and gives the same weight to a dentist doing a single NHS check-up a year as an NHS full timer.
Over 4 in 5 (83%) now say they will reduce – or further reduce – their NHS commitment in the year ahead. Over a third (34%) say they will change career or seek early retirement.
Just 1 in 5 (21%) say their practices have returned to pre-COVID capacity. 61% cite recruitment problems as an issue, over two thirds (67%) cite treating patients with higher needs requiring more clinical time.
A sustainable model must be in place come October. 90% cite financial uncertainty as having a high impact on their morale.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf recently stressed NHS staffing was “at a historically high level”, with ‘record’ numbers of dental staff in hospitals alongside medics and allied health professionals. However, NHS Education for Scotland data indicates an 8% drop in high street NHS dentists delivering care since lockdown, a fall from 3,038 in March 2020 to 2,791 in September 2022.
The BDA stress even this fall understates the full scale of losses in light of this new survey evidence. The Scottish Government has never attempted to make a ‘Whole Time Equivalent’ estimate of the NHS dental workforce. Most dentists combine NHS and private work, and the BDA warn that without these estimates movement to the private sector is going undetected, and workforce planning is effectively impossible.
NHS dental care free at the point of use remains a central Scottish Government policy. BDA Scotland has long warned that any return to the service’s ‘business as usual’ model – low margin and high volume – will put practices under huge financial pressure and will likely lead to closures or movement to the private sector, with many practices left delivering some NHS care at a loss.
The SNP leadership election has seen key deadlines to reform this broken system move. The profession had anticipated the Scottish Government would reveal changes to the payment model on 1 April, that would be rolled out from October.
The BDA stress a sustainable model must be in place come October, when the current bridging payments that uplifted NHS fees finally lapse, exposing many NHS practices to unsustainable costs.
David McColl, Chair of the British Dental Association’s Scottish Dental Practice Committee, said:“Behind hollow boasts on record workforce numbers is a service that is hollowing out.
“The majority of dentists have pared down their NHS work, and many more are set to follow. It’s an exodus that’s going untracked by government but is the inevitable result of working to a broken system.
“NHS dentistry’s survival requires rapid action, with meaningful reform and sustainable funding.
“The steps taken in the next First Minister’s First Hundred Days will determine whether this service will have a future.”
Online poll of General Dental Practitioners in Scotland, Fieldwork February 2023, 526 respondents:
What changes in your working life do you anticipate in the next 12 months? % Net Likely n
I will reduce my personal NHS commitment 83% 439
I will change career/seek early retirement 43% 178
Approximately what proportion of your income was NHS based prior to March 2020?
% n
100% (exclusively NHS) 4% 23
90-99% (NHS) 43% 227
80-89% (NHS) 23% 122
70-79% (NHS) 13% 69
60-69% (NHS) 4% 22
50-59% (NHS) 4% 22
40-49% (NHS) 2% 11
30-39% (NHS) 1% 3
20-29% (NHS) 2% 12
10-19% (NHS) 1% 4
1-9% (NHS) 2% 9
0% (exclusively private) 0% 2
Approximately what proportion of your income was NHS based now?
% n
100% (exclusively NHS) 2% 8
90-99% (NHS) 25% 134
80-89% (NHS) 19% 98
70-79% (NHS) 14% 71
60-69% (NHS) 9% 48
50-59% (NHS) 11% 60
40-49% (NHS) 6% 32
30-39% (NHS) 4% 20
20-29% (NHS) 4% 20
10-19% (NHS) 3% 16
1-9% (NHS) 3% 16
0% (exclusively private) 1% 3
309 respondents reported a fall in NHS work between March 2020 and February 2023 – with an average drop of 22%.
Please estimate your practice’s current overall capacity compared to pre-COVID levels.
100% (my practice is at full capacity) 21% 111
90-99% 17% 91
80-89% 22% 116
70-79% 19% 102
60-69% 10% 54
50-59% 4% 21
40-49% 0% 2
30-39% 0% 2
20-29% 1% 4
10-19% 0% 2
1-9% 0% 2
0% (my practice is not operating) 0% 0
Don’t know 4% 19
What factors would you say are constraining your practice from operating at pre-COVID capacity (select any that apply)
% n
Recruitment and retention problems for dentists 61% 304
Patient cancellations/Did Not Attends 44% 220
Ongoing Infection Prevention and Control restrictions 18% 93
Staff sickness 43% 213
Higher needs patients requiring more clinical time 67% 336
For each of the statements below please rate the impact each currently has on your morale working as a dentist
Net High impact % n
Inability to provide pre-COVID levels of care 61% 321
UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt met with finance ministers and central bank governors from world’s major economies at G20 in Bengaluru, India
Chancellor also met with Indian technology business leaders on first overseas trip to deepen UK/India economic ties
Chancellor set out the UK’s growth agenda ahead of Spring Budget next month
Jeremy Hunt has concluded his first international visit as Chancellor to Bengaluru, India, for the first G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting held under India’s 2023 Presidency.
The Chancellor, alongside Andrew Bailey, the Governor of the Bank of England, attended a meeting of G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors on Thursday 23 February.
They were joined virtually by Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko. Their statement sent a strong message of condemnation for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, announced an increase of financial support for the Ukrainian government to a total of US$39 billion in 2023 and committed to continue supporting vulnerable countries hardest hit by the economic impact of the war.
On Friday, the UK announced a fresh wave of internationally co-ordinated sanctions and trade measures, to further restrict Russia’s capability to wage war in Ukraine both now and in the future.
The Chancellor also attended the first G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting under the Indian Presidency. He condemned Russia’s brutal acts in the strongest terms, emphasising– like many other Ministers present – that securing peace was the most important action for global growth.
He also underscored the need for bilateral official creditors and private sector to urgently help address low and middle-income country debt vulnerabilities in developing countries; the importance of multilateral development banks boosting lending from their existing balance sheets; and called on the G20 to fulfil its pledge to channel $100 billion of IMF Special Drawing Rights in support of developing countries.
The Indian Presidency issued a Chair’s statement at the end of the meeting. It highlighted, among other things, the continued need to fight inflation, and the importance of supply-side policies, especially those that increase labour supply, boost growth and alleviate price pressures.
There was also G20 consensus, including China, on the need for swift resolution of existing debt restructuring cases and to work on the impacts of food and energy insecurity on the global economy.
While in Bengaluru, the Chancellor had productive bilateral meetings with U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, French Minister of Economy and Finance Bruno Le Maire and Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund. He also met with Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers.
At a meeting with Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, both sides agreed to make further progress on the UK-India Free Trade Agreement and deepen bilateral economic and financial ties. They agreed to make swift progress on setting up the next UK-India Economic and Financial Dialogue.
The Chancellor took the opportunity whilst in Bengaluru to meet with business leaders, home to India’s fast-growing tech hub. He visited the offices of Indian consultancy and tech multinational Wipro, which employs over 4,000 people in the UK.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said: “Meeting fellow Finance Ministers face to face is an excellent opportunity to make real progress on the key global economic issues of our time.
“I first visited India 38 years ago, and it’s been fascinating to see how much the country has changed in this time – there are positive lessons to be learnt from their successful rapid development.
“It’s been great to hear from Indian technology business leaders here in Bengaluru how they are pushing the country’s economy forward, and I look forward to further collaboration between India and the UK as we continue to trade and create jobs – delivering on the government’s plan to grow the economy”
While speaking at the meetings, the Chancellor set out the UK government’s intention to protect the most vulnerable from cost-of-living pressures, whilst maintaining fiscal sustainability with debt falling and not adding to inflationary pressure.
He added that the upcoming Spring Budget on 15 March will drive economic growth , focusing on skills, business and infrastructure investment and research and innovation, as well as reviewing regulations of the UK’s key growth industries.
Helping families and services through the cost of living crisis
Eradicating child poverty, transforming the economy to deliver net zero and creating sustainable public services will be the key aims of the Scottish Budget 2023-24.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney warned relentless prioritisation was needed to tackle the combined impact of high inflation, the ongoing economic consequences of Brexit and the UK Government’s plans to reduce expenditure in future years, which are projected to reduce the Scottish Government’s funding under the Barnett formula from 2025.
He said the Budget would channel support to where it was most needed while beginning a process of reform to help public services face the future with strength and resilience.
Mr Swinney said: “Families, businesses and our public finances are under sustained economic pressure and the Scottish Government has acted decisively to provide what support it can within its limited resources.
“We have allocated £3 billion in 2022-23 to mitigate the impact of the cost of living crisis, including targeted help such as increasing the game changing Scottish Child Payment to £25 per eligible child per week – a 150% increase within eight months.
“However, given the fiscal constraints of devolution, it is not possible to go as far as we would like and so the Budget will prioritise three areas – eradicating child poverty, transforming the economy to deliver net zero and creating sustainable public services.
“Difficult decisions are required and resources will be targeted where they are most needed and can secure maximum value from every pound spent.
“The economic challenges we face also require a fundamental change in the way we manage public spending. The Bank of England is predicting the longest recession for a century so this Budget will set in motion reforms that will place our finances and public services on a more sustainable and resilient footing for the future.
“This is a time for firm leadership and bold decision making. Steps we take now will help ensure Scotland emerges from the current crisis a stronger, fairer, greener country.”
The Scottish Budget 2023-24 will be presented to the Scottish Parliament on Thursday, 15 December.
COSLA launched its campaign last week in advance of the Scottish Budget on 15 December – an ‘SOS call’ to Save our Services.
It is a rallying call, telling communities everything they need to know about the impact of the Scottish Government’s forthcoming budget on our council services, and our communities in the coming year.
COSLA says the SOS call reflects the extremely precarious financial situation in which Councils in Scotland find themselves, during a particularly challenging period. This is as a consequence of real-term cuts to the core budgets of Scotland’s 32 Councils over recent years.
The call comes ahead of the Deputy First Minister outlining the Scottish Budget on December 15th but reflects the reality of what the government set out in its spending plans last May.
COSLA’s President Councillor Shona Morrison said: “There are many areas in which Local and Scottish Government work together for our communities and I fully appreciate that money is extremely tight – all Governments are having to cope with rising inflation and fuel costs
“However, with little room left to manoeuver, the Scottish Government’s spending plans as they stand will see Council services either significantly reduced, cut or stopped altogether. 70% of Local Government’s budget is spent on staffing, so it is inevitable that current spending plans will lead to job losses. The very serious impact of this scenario is that the critical work council staff do on prevention and early intervention will reduce significantly.
COSLA’s Vice President Councillor Steven Heddle said: “In May, the ‘flat cash’ plans looked difficult for us. Today, with prices increasing across the board, including energy costs, and inflation sitting at almost 10% and at risk of rising still further, Local Government is now on extremely dangerous ground.
“Make no mistake, what we will now face is Councils struggling to deliver even the basic, essential services that communities rely on. To put this into perspective, the estimated £1bn gap for councils in 23/24 is the equivalent of the entire budget for early learning and childcare across Scotland or 17,500 teachers. A funding gap of this magnitude will have an impact on all our communities, with the most vulnerable who rely on these services suffering the worst consequences.”
COSLA’s Resources Spokesperson Councillor Katie Hagmann concluded: “We are at a crisis point like never before – the impact for communities is serious and needs to be reconsidered.
“The financial impacts for other parts of the public sector are also serious. When councils can’t focus spend on prevention, for example on preventing ill-health, services like the NHS will end up spending significantly more money when issues become more serious.
“Directors of Finance across Scotland’s Councils are sufficiently concerned about the financial sustainability of councils that they have written to the Deputy First Minister outlining their concerns.
“This really is an SOS call from Scotland’s Councils –people in communities across Scotland will be pulled into further poverty and uncertainty without adequate funding for the vital services that support them”.
Local health and care services are asking for the public’s views on the future of care in Lothian.
The Lothian Health & Care System (LHCS), which is made up of NHS Lothian and the four local health and social care partnerships, is urging people to help shape healthcare in their region.
The pandemic has forced a major re-think across all services and systems, including healthcare. The NHS as a whole is facing sustained pressures and the LHCS wants people to have their say around the future of services over the next five years.
Together, the LHCS works to plan, commission, and deliver health and care services locally to a population of nearly one million which is projected to grow by 8% in the next decade.
Colin Briggs, Director of Strategic Planning, NHS Lothian, said: “We’re all aware that health and social care services are under significant and sustained pressure at the moment. That is why the LHCS is setting out its strategic direction for the next five years.
“Our Lothian Strategic Development Framework (LSDF) describes what we’re trying to achieve, now and in the future, the challenges we face and the direction we want to take over the next five years. It also lays out what we think the people of the Lothians can expect from us over that time, some of which will be hard for all of us”
“However, we can’t do this in isolation. Health and care belong to us all and we really want people to tell us their thoughts and ideas, their priorities, and their expectations, and also for us to be able to work together to find the best way forward.”
Through a combination of consultations, question and answer sessions and online feedback, NHS Lothian and partners are asking for the public’s feedback on the LSDF.
More than 400,000 postcards have been landing on doormats of households across Edinburgh, West Lothian, East Lothian and Midlothian giving details of how people can get involved and share their views. This builds on a successful initial engagement period during April, May, and June.
Mr Briggs added: “We’ve tried to be as accessible as possible in how we enable people from across our communities to give us their views.
“We want our patients, their families, our staff and the population we serve to be as involved as possible, both now and going forward.
“We are also being candid with our communities by saying that our performance and outcomes are not what we would want them to be. We need a new direction of travel in a post-pandemic world.
“The priorities currently outlined in the LSDF include moving care closer to home, supporting self-care, learning lessons from the pandemic, working closer with partners, improving our facilities, better utilising technology and reducing waiting lists.
“If you think we’re going in the right direction, or if you think we’re not, we’d really like to hear from you. Please get involved and tell us what you think the future of health and care should look like.”
