If you’re travelling for Hajj or Umrah, it’s important to see a travel health professional before you go.
Visit NHS inform Travel Health or call 0800 22 44 88 for information on how to access an appointment in your local area.
A Senior carer at Strachan House care home in Edinburgh has received a prestigious 20 Year Service Award in celebration of working at Barchester Healthcare for 20 years.
Lyra Quintanilla now a senior carer started at Barchester in May 2006 and has worked with residents and their relatives to ensure that their needs have been met over the years.
Adele Keenan, Employee Services Director at Barchester said: “I’m always pleased to hear stories about the long service of Barchester staff and am delighted Lyra has achieved this milestone.
“It is dedication like this that ensures our residents are provided with a happy place to live.”
Fran Fisher General Manager of Strachan House said: “We’re delighted to be celebrating Lyra’s years of loyal service with Strachan House.
“She has demonstrated her dedication and loyalty to this home and its residents year after year. I speak for all of us here at Strachan House when I say that I’m looking forward to many more years of working with Lyra!”
Strachan House care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals. Strachan House provides residential care, nursing care and dementia care for 83 residents from respite care to long term stays.
Waiting lists continue to fall in Scotland with new outpatient waits over a year decreasing for 11 consecutive months and inpatient and daycase waits reducing for 15 months in a row.
Latest Public Health Scotland statistics show that at 30 April 2026, new outpatients waits of over a year have fallen by 7.0% compared to March 2026. These waits have reduced every month since July 2025 with total waits over 52 weeks down by 76.5% in that period.
The data also shows long waits for inpatient and daycase procedures have fallen every month since July 2025 with 52 week waits decreasing by 47.4% in that period.
Waits for one of the eight key diagnostic tests are now at their lowest level since May 2021. Latest quarterly figures until 31 March 2026 show waits across endoscopy fell by 6% and radiology by 10% when compared to the previous quarter, with 52% of endoscopy tests and 78% of radiology tests having been ongoing for less than 6 weeks – the highest figure for both test types since March 2020.
Waits of over a year in these specialities also fell sharply, with endoscopy down 67% and radiology down 4% compared to March 2025.
This progress comes as Scottish Government pledges on extra appointments are surpassed. The promise to provide 150,000 additional appointments last year has been exceeded, with latest data showing 168,177 additional appointments and procedures were carried out in the financial year up to March 2026 compared to same period in the previous year.
New figures also show in the first 9 months of 2025-26, 34,089 procedures were carried out in National Treatment Centres, surpassing the commitment to see planned activity increasing to over 30,000.
Health Secretary Angela Constance said: “These new figures show our plan is delivering for the people of Scotland.
“We are seeing sustained decreases in waits of over a year with 11 consecutive months of progress in new outpatient waits and inpatient and daycase procedures reducing for 15 months in a row.
“We have seen significant decreases in waits over a year in these time periods with more and more people getting the treatment they need.
“On top of this progress, new data shows we surpassed our pledges to provide additional appointments last year – with 168,177 extra appointments and procedures delivered. This is testament to the hard work of our NHS staff across Scotland and I thank them for their continued outstanding efforts.
“We know there is more to do, and I am determined to continue to build on this substantial progress and ensure people receive the treatment they need as soon as possible.”
Edinburgh is better prepared to cope with the effects of climate change thanks to progress made against a citywide action plan.
The first annual update on the Council’s Climate Ready Edinburgh Implementation Plan was presented to councillors yesterday (26 May).
Developed with partners, including Scottish Water, Edinburgh World Heritage and NatureScot, the two-year plan was agreed last March. It includes 125 actions required to deliver on the overarching Climate Ready Edinburgh Plan, which sets out the strategic approach needed to make sure that Edinburgh can adapt and respond locally to the risks and impact of climate change.
Tuesday’s update shows the positive progress made in the 12 months to March 2026, with 15 of the actions complete and 83 in progress and on track. These include:
Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “We’re already seeing the impacts of a changing climate in Edinburgh, with more frequent severe storms causing flooding, damage to buildings and disruption to travel.
“We knew when we declared a climate emergency that we had to act quickly, both in terms of tackling the causes but also taking steps to prepare for the inevitable changes to the weather.
“We also knew we couldn’t do it alone and we needed the help of other city organisations – and our residents – to make a meaningful difference.
“I’m pleased, then, that we set the ambitious goals that we did, and that we’re now making good progress on delivering against our plans.
“As set out in this first annual update, we’ve completed a range of projects and initiatives that will make a real difference to communities in Edinburgh, while ensuring we’re better prepared for the challenges that lie ahead.”
Across Scotland, 321,885 children are benefiting from Scottish Child Payment as of March 2026, according to newly published statistics.
Launched in February 2021, the Scotland-only benefit is a weekly payment of £28.20, paid every four weeks to every eligible child under 16 within a household.
Scottish Child Payment is expected to keep 50,000 children out of relative poverty in 2026–27. This underlines the critical role that Scottish Child Payment plays in eradicating child poverty in Scotland.
Social Justice Secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville, said: “Eradicating child poverty and supporting families with the cost of living is a key focus for this government.
“It’s clear that the Scottish Child Payment is making a major difference to families which is why we will now go further by increasing the Scottish Child Payment to £40 per week for families with children under the age of one.
We remain fully committed to doing everything we can to support families and give every child the best possible start in life. Scottish Child Payment remains central to that mission.”
Scottish Child Payment statistics to 31 March 2026: Scottish Child Payment statistics to 31 March 2026 – Social Security Scotland
POLICE are appealing for information following a fire in Edinburgh. Around 7.05pm on Monday, 25 May, 2026, we received a report of a fire at Arthur’s Seat.
Emergency services attended, and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service remained at the scene to dampen down hot spots.
No injuries were reported.
Enquiries are ongoing alongside partners to establish the cause of the fire.
Local Area Commander Alison MacDonald said: “We know that the area around Arthur’s seat was busy last night due to the good weather and would ask that anyone with any information surrounding the cause of the fire come forwand ard and speak with officers.
“Anyone with information should call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 2975 of 25 May, 2026.
“As the good weather continues, we will continue to work with our partner agencies and would encourage members of the public to stay safe and behave responsibly.”
Area Commander David Dourley is the Local Senior Officer for City of Edinburgh. He said: “At 6.50pm on Monday, 25 May, we were alerted to reports of a large grass fire on Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh.
“We know many people will be wanting to enjoy the good weather, but we ask they do so responsibly. Wildfires have the potential to destroy property, landscapes and wildlife, which is why it is so important that members of the public use extreme caution under these conditions.
“Please avoid lighting outdoor fires and be mindful that one spark can spread rapidly, causing a large amount of damage.
“If you spot an outdoor fire, please report it immediately by calling 999, providing your location, and any other relevant information so we can respond quickly.”
Jamie Hamilton, Senior Ranger at Holyrood Park said; “We’d like to extend our sincere thanks to the emergency services for their quick response to this incident and would encourage anyone with any further information to come forward.
“We know that people are keen to enjoy the good weather but would ask them to remain vigilant and not to use any form of naked flame within the parameters of the park, dispose of rubbish properly, and to report anything of concern immediately.
“The High Road within the park has been closed to vehicles, and we would ask visitors to continue to follow guidance from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and avoid the affected areas.”
Plant-Based Edinburgh campaigners organised a protest outside the City Chambers yesterday, speaking to the public and to the councillors as they entered the building.
Demonstrators urged people to support their campaign and called on councillors to help implement a just transition towards a sustainable food system.
After the demonstration, campaigners Lydia Elliott and Luke Ryan gave a deputation inside the chambers to explain why plant-based menus should be adopted.
During the deputation, graphs and statistics were handed to councillors which showed how devastating animal agriculture is to our planet in terms of carbon emissions, deforestation and freshwater consumption.
The council rejected adopting plant-based menus, citing a lack of demand as the key reason. Although, recently they trialled providing an option for a fully plant-based menu at City Chambers events, but they did not trial mandating plant-based menus for events or canteen meals.
Lydia Elliott said: “We feel that 100% plant-based menus have not been given a fair chance. Although the report states that 100% plant-based menus were made available for events, on the menus we’ve seen, the vegan options are at the very bottom, which has a strong psychological effect on emphasising that animal products are the ‘normal’ choice.”
Over 450 Edinburgh residents signed the petition urging the council to switch to plant-based menus.
The petition reads:
“Farming animals is one of the largest causes of methane emissions, which are rapidly accelerating climate change. Increasing demand for animal products is the biggest driver for deforestation and habitat loss globally.
‘Waste from animals is a major source of water pollution, causing algal blooms in rivers and creating oceanic dead zones. Switching to plant based eating is one of the simplest and most effective ways we can address these key environmental issues.‘
Council officers created a report into the petition proposal, which was then evaluated by councillors.
The report states: “Animal-based meals can have an environmental impact 14 times higher than that of PB meals. If the Council were to remove meat and dairy products within internal catering, this would reduce goods and services emissions by a calculated estimate of 60,896 kg CO2e.”
At yesterday’s Policy and Sustainability Committee meeting, the councillors voted to endorse the report unamended. The report recommended against a 100% plant-based commitment, and advised further monitoring of food choices, but contained no commitment to increase plant-based options, despite saying that “there is a potential risk to reputation if the Council does not proceed with an approach that fully removes animal-based products”.
Green Party Councillors proposed an amendment to the report, and suggested that at least for council meetings, if not events such as weddings, vegetarian menus should be adopted. Unfortunately the Green amendment was voted down 14-3.
Green Councillors were frustrated by the council staff not looking into the possibility of lowering the price of plant-based options compared to options with animal products. This was proposed at the previous policy and sustainability meeting in October but got dropped.
Councillors cited concerns with accessibility and allergies as one of the reasons to reject fully plant based menus. This is despite the fact that plant based food avoids key allergens such as dairy, fish and shellfish and is compatible with religious food requirements such as halal and kosher. Plant-based meals can easily be prepared which avoid allergens.
Astonishingly, one vegetarian councillor argued against adopting plant based menus on the basis that they were taking choices away from vegetarians, despite the fact that plant based meals are all suitable for vegetarians.
The council’s report states in Section 7.2 [3]: “Sustainable food choices, procurement and production are key to Edinburgh’s ambition to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, as well as supporting nature’s recovery from the current biodiversity crisis.”
During the debate, Green councillor Alys Mumford emphasised that this statement is contradicted by the report’s conclusion that the council should not adopt plant-based menus.
Luke Ryan from Plant-Based Edinburgh said: “The council’s decision to adopt the report unamended is a betrayal of its Net Zero commitment and its Plant Based Treaty endorsement.
“We are disappointed by this decision, but we will not give up on engaging with the council, alongside other institutions in Edinburgh, to campaign for plant-based menus. The science tells us that this change is urgently necessary.”
Projects supporting children and young people in Edinburgh will benefit from over £800k (£809,595) thanks to Young Start funding announced today (Wednesday 27th May) by The National Lottery Community Fund.
13 organisations aimed at children and young people in the city, including, Capella Charity, Goodtrees Neighbourhood Centre, LinkLiving Limited, Space @ The Broomhouse Hub, and Theatre of the Oppressed Scotland will receive the funding boost thanks to the programme.
Young Start is funded by the Dormant Assets Scheme, delivered by the National Lottery Community fund, with priorities set by the Scottish Government. The funding programme aims to enrich the lives of children and young people through projects that matter to them.
One group benefiting from today’s announcement, is the Capella Charity who received a grant of £85,456 to support their Teens+ Next Steps project over the next three years.
The Teens+ Next Steps project provides valuable experience to young people with complex learning disabilities from Edinburgh, East Lothian, and Midlothian like Carina, 24 from Dunbar.
The project helped Carina to develop new entrepreneurial skills, work toward Duke of Edinburgh Awards, and supported her to find employment.
When asked what she enjoys most about Teens+ Next Steps, she said: “I like cooking, being active, hanging out with friends, and being able to complete my Duke of Edinburgh, because I feel like it’s a real achievement that I had never dreamed of doing.”
Over the three-year funding period, the Capella Charity will support 20 young people per year, aged 17 to 24.
When asked what impact the funding has had on the charity, Hub Manager, Robbie Stabler said: “The Young Start Funding has allowed us to create an environment that nurtures the independence and growth of the young people accessing the hub whilst also ensuring that we can offer support where needed.
“Whether it is learning independent skills such as cooking, health and wellbeing and or money skills, or moving towards volunteering employment, each trainee is in control of setting goals that feel meaningful to them, and the Young Start Funding has allowed us to support them to take steps toward achieving them.”
Announcing the funding, Kate Still, Scotland Chair, The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “I’m happy to announce the latest round of Young Start funding that will benefit around 70 organisations across Scotland to continue to deliver activities for young people that will help them to develop and thrive in their communities.
“By supporting children and young people through a range of creative and practical projects our Young Start grant holders can help them to shape their present and their future for the better.”
LinkLiving Limited, in Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart received £56,666 to fund their The Right Track project.
The funding will support the delivery of a two-year intensive, early intervention pilot programme for around 60 young people, aged 11 to 13, who are at risk of becoming involved in the criminal justice system.
The Right Track project will focus support on young people presenting violent and aggressive behaviour. They will be supported in small groups to develop effective anger management skills, learn how to use coping strategies to manage everyday challenges and to better understand the impact of their behaviour as part of the programme over the next 2 years.
Young Start provides funding of up to £150,000 for projects lasting up to three years through its Main Grants programme, and up to £20,000 through its Small Grants programme.
Find out more about Main Grants at:
https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/funding-programmes/young-start-main-grants
Find out more about Small Grants at:
https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/funding-programmes/young-start-small-grants
Groups can apply by emailing advicescotland@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk or calling 0300 123 7110.
Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Robert Aldridge has offered his congratulations to Hearts Women following their SWPL title win on Sunday (24 May).
The City of Edinburgh Lord Provost Robert Aldridge said: “On behalf of the people of Edinburgh, I want to offer my warmest congratulations to Hearts Women on becoming SWPL Champions.
“To win the league title for the first time in their history is a remarkable accomplishment, marking a dramatic rise from amateur football to league champions in just a few years.
“After the disappointment of the previous weekend, I’m sure this will have been just the tonic for everyone at the club and their fans.
“Just as importantly, it represents the continued growth and strength of women’s football across Edinburgh, and I have no doubt these Hearts players will inspire generations of girls and young women looking to get involved in football, or any sport.
“I look forward to welcoming the team to the City Chambers for a Civic Reception to celebrate this wonderful achievement.“
Police Scotland’s Retail Crime Taskforce has supported over 1,300 arrests for retail crime offences since it launched in April last year.
The dedicated unit was established following an initial £3m funding allocation from the Scottish Government to address a rise in retail offences, including shoplifting and assault of retail workers.
In its first 12 months of operation, the Taskforce’s four-strand approach to prevent, pursue, protect and prepare has resulted in over 6,400 charges for retail crime, with the detection rate having risen to just under 51%, compared with 49% the previous year.
Despite successes in improving detection rates, increasing arrest numbers and enhancing retailer confidence in reporting incidents to police, Scotland continues to experience an ongoing rise in retail crime, with theft by shoplifting offences having risen by 19% in comparison with last year.
To address this, the Taskforce will continue to work alongside local policing divisions and a range of key partners and stakeholders to improve security on-site for retail premises, enhance the safety of retail workers and use all resources at their disposal to undertake effective enforcement activity against retail crime offenders.
In addition, dedicated Taskforce resources are now in place within Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Tayside to ensure areas most adversely affected by retail crime are being fully supported.
Earlier this year, the Scottish Government announced and additional £9m in funding to Police Scotland to tackle retail crime over the next three years, meaning the Retail Crime Taskforce will operate until at least 2029.
Year two for the Retail Crime Taskforce will see significant changes to the way that retail premises can report crime to police, through the use of an online reporting form to directly report incidents of shop theft.
This form was developed by Police Scotland’s Contact, Command and Control Division and allows retailers to report incidents where a shoplifting has occurred and there is no ongoing threat or risk to safety.
Not only will this reduce the time businesses need to wait for reporting a crime, it will also assist in reducing demand on call handling, allowing for priority calls to be better serviced.
Inspector Emma Wright, Tactical Lead for the Retail Crime Taskforce, said: “There have been successes across the country in the first 12 months of the Taskforce as part of our ongoing efforts to tackle retail crime.
“The efforts of the unit and work carried out by local divisions has resulted in a significant number of detections of both shoplifting offences and offences against retail workers.
“While we continue to see an increase in the number of shopliftings reported, there are indications that this is in part due to an increased confidence in reporting from retailers and the resulting police response.
“The additional three years of funding received from the Scottish Government will enable us to continue our efforts to reduce shoplifting and provide support and education to businesses across the country.
“We want to thank retailers for their continued support and engagement as we collaboratively tackle the issue of retail crime.
“We cannot and will not become complacent and we recognise that further work is needed to reduce the number of offences occurring across Scotland. We take these offences extremely seriously and through continued partnership working we strive to make our communities a hostile environment for retail crime offenders.”
