Month: September 2019

Doors Open Days coming up

The Edinburgh Doors Open Day 2019 gives you the chance to discover some of Edinburgh’s most unique and interesting buildings which are normally closed to the public. Across the weekend you can visit these fantastic sites across the city, completely free of charge.

Drumsheugh Baths Club DAD 2019

Open the door on Edinburgh’s hidden gems

The Edinburgh Doors Open Days is one of the city’s favourite free days out. This is your chance to explore some of Edinburgh’s most important buildings. Many venues will offer behind the scenes tours, talks or exhibitions to bring the history of these monumental buildings to life.

New locations for 2019 include: 

– Castle Mills
– Collective at the City Observatory
– Dean Gardens
– Drumsheugh Baths Club (above)
– Informatics Forum
– MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine
– Panmure House
– Seafield Treatment Centre

Plus, locations such as Anatomical Museum, Burns Monument and the Lothian Buses headquarters will be opening their doors to the public once again this year.

Read about all of these places and more on the Doors OpenDays website. 

2019-brochure

 

Edinburgh turns tartan for Kiltwalk: £1.7 million raised for charities

Edinburgh was a sea of tartan yesterday as 6,000 people took to the streets for the capital’s biggest ever Royal Bank of Scotland Kiltwalk.

Scots rugby legend Doddie Weir and philanthropist Sir Tom Hunter gave rallying cries to the brave walkers as they set-off from Holyrood Park on their 24-mile journey out to Musselburgh and onto the finish line at BT Murrayfield. Continue reading Edinburgh turns tartan for Kiltwalk: £1.7 million raised for charities

New Sick Kids: Health Secretary appoints Senior Programme Director.

A Senior Programme Director, who will report directly to the Scottish Government, has been appointed to work with NHS Lothian on the delivery of the new Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP).

Mary Morgan (above), who is currently Director of Strategy, Performance and Service Transformation at NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) will take up post today.

The appointment has been made by Health Secretary Jeane Freeman following the publication of KPMG’s independent review of governance arrangements and NSS’s assessment of compliance of all building systems at the new hospital. Following these reports, NHS Lothian has been escalated to level 4 in the NHS Board Performance Framework for this specific issue.

The new Senior Programme Director will oversee actions to ensure the safe delivery of RHCYP and the Department of Clinical Neurosciences.

Ms Freeman said: “I am pleased to have swiftly appointed Mary Morgan to the role of Senior Programme Director. Mary comes with a wealth of experience within NHS Scotland, leading on major change programmes, and will bring extensive expertise and knowledge to this role.

“Mary will work closely with both the Scottish Government and senior management at NHS Lothian and will oversee the safe delivery of the new Royal Hospital for Children and Young People and Department of Clinical Neurosciences.

“Our overriding priority is that the children and families who depend on these hospital services can receive them in the safest way possible. The current situation is not one anyone would choose – but it is one I am determined to resolve.”

Mary Morgan joined the National Health Service in Scotland in 1982 and subsequently pursued her career in nursing and NHS management. Ms Morgan joined NHS National Services Scotland as the Director of Health Protection Scotland in 2008 and prior to her current role she was the Director for the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) and led the successful completion of the award winning new SNBTS facility (Jack Copland Centre)..

Ms Morgan said: “I recognise the importance and the challenge of the task ahead, whilst acknowledging the large amount of work that has been already undertaken.

“I am looking forward to working with colleagues in NHS Lothian in order to ensure that the new site for the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People and the Department of Clinical Neurosciences is fully compliant and safe, ensuring the successful completion and move of services to the new premises.”

Sick Kids – KPMG and NSS reports

 

Improving access to healthcare for vulnerable people

People who have experienced difficulty registering with a doctor’s surgery are to be given additional guidance through the launch of new information cards. 

The Access to Healthcare cards are designed to offer support to vulnerable groups including those experiencing homelessness, people seeking asylum, refugees and the Gypsy/Traveller community.

The information, which highlights an individual’s right to register, is written in a way that is clear, simple and easy to access.

The cards will also assist reception staff in identifying a patient’s need for an interpreter or assistance in filling out forms.

Public Health Minister Joe FitzPatrick said: “I am proud to be launching the Access to Healthcare information card which will ensure some of the most vulnerable groups in society can access the support and treatment they need.

“They will be distributed via the groups who work with Gypsy/Travellers, people seeking asylum, refugees and those people experiencing homelessness.

“The information provided on these cards will ensure good communication between patients and reception staff from the outset, leading to a more positive experience for everyone involved.”

Equalities Minister Christina McKelvie said: “I welcome the introduction of these information cards.

“By removing barriers to access we are demonstrating a practical approach to tackling discrimination and delivering equality. These cards represent a significant step towards improving access to public services for people.”

Katie Hawkins, a GP who works with homeless people at Edinburgh’s Access Practice, said: “I believe the cards are an extremely useful way of informing patients and front line staff of the right everyone has to primary care.

“As a GP working with those experiencing homelessness I see the direct consequences of a lack of access to primary care.

“I hope the cards will help more of the most marginalised in society to address their basic health needs.”

card one

card two

New adult education classes at Craigroyston

Our adult education classes are starting soon with the start date of 23rd September. Most run for 10 weeks and cost around £75 for the standard fee, £37.50 for the retired/ student rate and £15 for people on benefits.

Despite the 25% fee increase, the classes still offer great value and are to a very high standard with an excellent social aspect. Continue reading New adult education classes at Craigroyston

Community Renewal praises Scottish Government’s measures to tackle funeral poverty

From tomorrow, the new Funeral Expense Assistance payment will become available to people who claim certain benefits in Scotland. It is a move by the Scottish Government towards eradicating funeral poverty which has pushed 1 in 7 families into debts of up to £1990.  Continue reading Community Renewal praises Scottish Government’s measures to tackle funeral poverty

Cats Protection welcomes Mairi Gougeon

The Scottish Government Minister responsible for animal welfare has paid a visit to Cats Protection’s Glasgow Adoption Centre to see first-hand how the charity helps cats in Scotland.

Mairi Gougeon, Minister for Rural Affairs and Natural Environment, met staff and volunteers at the centre in Auchinlech on Thursday. Continue reading Cats Protection welcomes Mairi Gougeon