Day: November 21, 2019

Book your place: a new chapter for Central Library

Culture Convener CLLR DONALD WILSON writes about exciting literary developments with plans to transform Central Library, National Mobile Libraries Day and Scottish Book Week:

Mobile Library

They say things come in threes and that’s definitely the case in Edinburgh with all things literature at the moment!

Today we are celebrating the first National Mobile Libraries Day and Edinburgh is one of best local authorities in the country for providing this valuable service.

Edinburgh has five  vehicles which is more than any other city in Scotland (Glasgow doesn’t have any), making  over 5,800 stops every year and lending out nearly 100,000 items from books to dvds and also providing services such as storytelling sessions and craft activities.

Mobile libraries are a real lifeline for communities and using them gives people a sense of belonging and helps to reduce loneliness and isolation.

They are so much more than books which leads nicely onto this week being Scottish Book Week. Edinburgh was the first City of Literature in the world so it’s only right we celebrate Scottish Book Week with lots of fun and educational events in our libraries, schools and across the city. Why not pop down to your local library to see what they’ve got planned?

One exciting new development is the news of our ambitious plans to transform the Central Library.

Last week the Culture and Communities Committee approved proposals to create a project team to develop an imaginative, accessible and engaging future vision for one of the Capital’s most iconic buildings.

We fully realise this is a major undertaking but it’s one we are embracing with open arms as we aim to create an inspiring and inclusive learning and cultural destination.

There will undoubtedly be many challenges on the long journey but we need to transform the Central Library to meet 21st Century needs and the evolving expectations of both present and future generations.

One of the major issues facing us is poor accessibility as many areas are off limits to wheelchair users and extremely challenging for others.

Public space is limited with only about 35% currently available however our two public proposals would increase this to 75% and 95%.

Funding will be another challenge but one where there are potential options we can explore.

Doing nothing is expensive and doesn’t deliver best value – we need to be preventative rather than reactive.

We have already shown what can be achieved with the refurbishment of the Children’s Library, Music Library, Edinburgh and Scottish Collection in 2014. These spaces are now modern, bright and welcoming which has led to an increase in visitors.

Transforming the Central Library is key to widening access and inclusion, to offering an outstretched, welcoming hand for all. Sparking discovery, creativity and imagination through the power of reading and learning, in all its forms.

As Andrew Carnegie said in a telegram to the Lord Provost of Edinburgh on 27 April 1886: ‘There is one point upon which all true Scotchmen are agreed, that no city in the world compares to Edinburgh’. Edinburgh deserves a Central Library of the highest quality that matches or exceeds those anywhere else in the world – let’s all work together to deliver one!

Letters: The Loneliest Cancer

Dear Editor

Imagine being diagnosed with a cancer that no-one has heard of, that even your doctor might never have seen before.  This is the case for over 5,300 people in the UK diagnosed with sarcoma every year. 

This is a tenth of those found with breast cancer, meaning that those diagnosed with sarcoma might never meet someone who shares the same type as them; in many ways, sarcoma is the loneliest cancer.

Sarcomas are tumours that develop in the body’s soft tissue or bones and they can appear in almost any part of the body.

I am all too aware of the devastating impact of sarcoma as my close friend and mentor Simon Mellows tragically died of the disease.  He was a constant inspiration to me and was instrumental in my journey from running my first marathon to becoming the world record-holder for leg amputees and 200m Paralympic champion.

As patron of Sarcoma UK, I am supporting the launch of a new report which I hope goes some way to raising awareness among the general public and healthcare professionals of the condition and silent symptoms which can lead to late or misdiagnosis, often with heart-breaking consequences.  Indeed, only 55% sarcoma patients survive for five or more years after diagnosis.

With greater general awareness, diagnosis could be quicker, treatment could be more effective and funding for pioneering research could be increased. Lives in the UK could genuinely be saved and at the very least cut the suffering caused by this rare, aggressive and often cruel cancer.

If you want more information on our new report or symptoms of sarcoma visit: sarcoma.org.uk.

 

 

Richard Whitehead MBE

Paralympian & Patron of Sarcoma UK

Scottish Care Award for Braeside’s Pat

Pat Gibson has been recognised as one of the leading care home employees in Scotland at a prestigious evening awards ceremony celebrating the best of the independent care home sector in Scotland.

88% of all care home support in Scotland is delivered by the independent sector, with these services caring for over 33,000 older individuals and employing nearly 46,000 people.

Pat, a Senior Carer at Braeside House in Liberton, won her award in the  Positive Impact category at the Scottish Care Awards 2019. This award recognises people who have made significant and sustained contribution to the care home sector.

Pat received her award, which was sponsored by Compass Associates Ltd., at an Awards Ceremony on 15 November at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow. The Awards Ceremony were hosted by Michelle McManus, with nearly 700 people attending.

Pat was delighted to have been recognised and said: “I am very surprised but thrilled and honoured to be chosen as a winner in these prestigious awards.”

Morag Francis, the Head of Care for Older People at Royal Blind, who nominated Pat, said: “Pat has been a vital part of the Braeside team for over 30 years. The majority of this time has been on nightshift where she is a hidden gem. She works tirelessly for the residents and they are always front and centre of everything she does.

“Pat provides fantastic support to the nurses, stepping up and supporting them constantly. Her charge nurse said ‘She works tirelessly on nightshift to ensure high standards of care. She has fully embraced new technology, changes to her role and responsibility and additional training needed. Pat maintains a positive team player attitude and promotes this among the team.”

The care awards followed a full day conference for the care home sector with speakers including Professor George Crooks, CEO of the Digital Health and Care Institute and the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport, Ms Jeane Freeman MSP.

The Scottish Care National Care Home Conference & Exhibition, which is now in its 20th year and was sponsored by the Clydesdale & Yorkshire Bank, has incorporated an awards ceremony for the last 15 years.

The conference focus this year was on the essential role of care homes in supporting individuals within a demographic reality of an ageing population and more complex care needs.

It also highlighted their importance within communities and the criticality of care homes in delivering positive outcomes and relieving pressure on other health and care services including hospitals. The conference explored topics as diverse as the role of technology, design approaches to future care, LGBTI recognition, intergenerational support, dentistry and workforce.

The conference, exhibition and care awards are the largest of their kind for the care home sector in Scotland.

For more information visit www.scottishcare.org

Scottish Government to strengthen children’s rights

UNCRC to be incorporated into Scots Law

Scotland will incorporate the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into law to the maximum extent possible within the powers of the Scottish Parliament.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney announced the approach following an extensive public consultation.

The UNCRC is the most complete statement of children’s rights ever produced and sets out the rights of every child, irrespective of where they live, their religion or make-up of their society. This includes rights relating to health and education, fair and equal treatment and the right to be heard.

To incorporate the UNCRC into law a Bill will be laid before Parliament next year. The Bill will allow for incorporation of the provisions of the Convention currently beyond the powers of the Scottish Parliament, should these powers change in the future.

Speaking on the 30th anniversary of the Convention, Mr Swinney said: “Through the responses to our consultation, it is clear there is widespread support for directly and fully incorporating all of the rights set out in the Convention.

“Our Bill will take a maximalist approach. We will incorporate the rights set out UNCRC in full and directly in every case possible – using the language of the Convention. Our only limitation will be the limit of the powers of this Parliament – limits to which many of us obviously object.

“This approach will mean that the Convention on the Rights of the Child is enshrined directly into Scots law. This represents a huge step forward for the protection of child rights in Scotland.

“Every devolved body, every health board, every council and the Scottish Government itself will be legally obliged to make sure they respect children’s rights. And, if they don’t, children and young people will be able to use the courts to enforce their rights. I hope the example of Scotland incorporating the convention will spur the UK and other countries to follow suit.”