LABOUR’s DANIEL JOHNSON has strengthened his grip on the Edinburgh Southern seat with an increased majority.
The result is one of two bright spots for Labour on what has been a disappointing day, the other being Jackie Baillie’s survival in Dumbarton, where she had Scotland’s smallest majority.
The SNP’s ANGUS ROBERTSON has taken former Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson’s Edinburgh Central seat.
Mr Robertson said the ’emphatic’ victory is the SNP’s ‘best ever result’ in the city centre seat. His majority is 4732.
The seat is the SNP’s third gain of the election so far.
Ms Davidson is now off to take up her seat in the House of Lords.
RESULT
ANGUS ROBERTSON (SNP) 16 276
Scott Douglas (Conservative) 11 544
SNP GAIN from Conservatives
SNP majority 4732
Turnout 63%
ALEC Cole-Hamilton has retained Edinburgh Western for the Liberal Democrats, increasing his majority over the SNP to nearly 10,000.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has today (7 May 2021) announced that international travel can begin to safely reopen from 17 May, allowing people to go on foreign holidays to green list countries.
The ‘Stay in the UK’ regulation will lift on 17 May, meaning leisure travel from England will no longer be illegal.
However, speaking at a No10 press conference this afternoon, the Transport Secretary outlined how strict border control measures will remain in place as international travel gradually resumes. Different levels of restriction will be applied to individuals returning to England from countries based on the traffic light system set out by the Global Travel Taskforce.
People are being guided on where they can safely visit without needing to quarantine on return to England – starting with the additions of Portugal including the Azores and Madeira, Israel and Jerusalem and Singapore among others to the ‘green list’. They will still need to take a pre-departure test up to 72 hours before their return travel, and a single PCR test on or before day 2 of arrival into England – this can be booked in the same way as is in place now, through private test providers.
Our priority remains to protect public health, which is why the ‘green’ list is currently very small, with only 12 countries and territories. As the epidemiological situation improves worldwide, it is expected that there will be more opportunities for leisure travel with a greater number of destinations added.
In total, 12 countries and territories have been added to the green list. Some of these include: Portugal including the Azores and Madeira; Australia; New Zealand; Singapore; Brunei; Iceland; Faroe Islands; Gibraltar; Falkland Islands; and Israel and Jerusalem.
However, many ‘green list’ countries will continue to place restrictions on UK travellers, including quarantine measures, so passengers are encouraged to check all requirements and FCDO travel advice before they book any foreign travel.
Given that the virus is still spreading in many parts of the world, people should not be travelling to amber and red countries for leisure. 10-day managed hotel quarantine requirements will remain in place for those permitted to return to England from ‘red’ countries, and quarantine at home alongside stringent testing will be required for those returning from ‘amber’ destinations.
Countries have been allocated by ministers according to the latest scientific data, so quarantine and testing requirements on return from those countries are appropriate to the risk of coronavirus and variants of concern.
The lists will be reviewed every 3 weeks, informed by public health advice, including the Joint Biosecurity Centre’s assessment of the latest data. These regular review points will allow the government to balance helping the public to understand COVID requirements when travelling to England while allowing us to constantly evaluate the risk for different countries.
The government will also be publishing a green watchlist in the future, to provide an indication when a country is identified as a candidate for a changing country. All measures will be kept under review and further action may be taken to protect public health.
Countries will decide whether they require proof of COVID vaccination for entry, and it is the traveller’s responsibility to check individual requirements. If needed, people in England who have both vaccine doses will be able to demonstrate their COVID vaccination status via the NHS app from 17 May.
Those without access to the app can request a letter from the NHS proving their vaccination status by calling 119, from 17 May.
Test results will not be stated in the app and the process for booking and presenting test results for travel remains unchanged. The government is working with the devolved administrations to ensure this facility is available to everyone across the UK.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Today marks the first step in our cautious return to international travel, with measures designed above all else to protect public health and ensure we don’t throw away the hard-fought gains we’ve all strived to earn this year.
“This is a new way of doing things, and people should expect travel to be different this summer – with longer checks at the borders, as part of tough measures to prevent new strains of the virus entering the country and putting our fantastic vaccine rollout at risk.”
On top of this, to continue protecting the country against new variants of coronavirus, from 4am Wednesday 12 May, the Maldives, Nepal and Turkey will be added to the red list.
When travel does restart, it will be different, most notably when returning to the UK. Reopening international travel, while maintaining 100% health checks at the border, means longer waits are likely – passengers from any destination will still be required to fill out a Passenger Locator Form (PLF), and show proof of a pre-departure test negative result.
While holidaymakers may notice longer than usual queues, it is vital we maintain our stringent border checks – which are among the toughest in the world – to prevent new strains of the virus entering the country and putting our vaccine roll out at risk.
The government is constantly trying to improve processes to make them as efficient as possible to minimise wait times, and will be committing to increasing Border Force resources to manage increased demand. This includes deploying additional Border Force officers where high volumes of passengers are expected.
Border Force will be checking that arriving passengers have complied with current health measures, and passengers can help reduce delays by completing all necessary requirements before entering the country.
We continue to urge airlines to carry out all necessary checks or risk facing fines of £2,000 for each passenger they carry who does not have a valid Pre-Departure Test Certificate, and £2,000 for each passenger who does not have a completed PLF.
The government will also continue with plans to integrate health measure checks into our border system and enabling checks to take place at e-gates in major ports during Summer 2021. Following the UK exit from the EU and the end of the Transition Period, UK citizens will be subject to additional checks upon entering EU countries.
If travelling abroad, you need to take steps to keep safe and prepare in case things change while you are there. Check and subscribe to FCDO travel advice updates to understand the latest entry requirements and COVID 19 rules.
Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel, said: “Thousands of people will now be looking to arrange a long-awaited holiday or visit loved ones overseas. Travellers will have an expectation that these new government rules should protect their health and their money, yet serious issues around lengthy airport queues and a broken testing system remain unresolved.
“Travellers should also be aware that there is still some financial risk involved in booking travel plans, depending on how you book and which company you choose. Several holiday companies and airlines remain under investigation for breaking the law last year, and some have indicated they may do so again.
“In a summer when further disruption can be expected, travel companies must be honest about the risks holidaymakers may be taking on. Crucially, holidaymakers also need to do their research before booking, as choosing the right provider could be the difference between getting hundreds of pounds back or just getting the runaround.”
First gain of the 2021 Scottish Parliament elections:
SNP have won East Lothian from Labour with a majority of 1179.
The seat was previously held by former Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray, who did not stand this time round.
Despite COVID-19, paediatric renal transplants continue at pre-pandemic levels
An eight-year-old from Elgin who developed a rare and life-threatening disease due to E.coli poisoning alongside his younger brother, is on the road to recovery after successfully undergoing renal transplant surgery at the Royal Hospital for Children (RHC) in Glasgow.
Leo McFaulds is the latest patient to undergo the surgery, thanks to his mother Louise who was an ideal match. It marks the 12th paediatric renal transplant in the past 12 months at the RHC. The service has continued throughout COVID-19 thanks to strict protocols allowing surgeries to go ahead at pre-pandemic levels.
For the McFaulds family, the successful surgery comes as a huge relief and sees Leo back on his feet and full of energy, with mum Louise also making a strong recovery.
Leo and his brother Samuel, four, were both struck down by the E. coli bug in May last year, which caused HUS. Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome – an illness which affects the blood and blood vessels, resulting in anaemia and kidney failure. Parents, Louise and Anthony, believe they may have contracted E-coli on a countryside walk in the highlands but can never know for sure.
Falling drastically ill, both boys were hospitalised then transferred to the RHC in Glasgow for kidney dialysis.
While Samuel luckily made a full recovery, Leo was in hospital for more than two months before being moved onto three times weekly kidney dialysis in August, with the family relocating to Glasgow to be near the hospital and family.
Fortunately, however, Louise was quickly identified as a potential match for Leo and the operation was scheduled for the middle of February.
Louise said: “To have both boys struck down with the same illness and both having lifesaving treatment at the same time was harrowing. It was an awful time for our family as it came on so suddenly.
“Thankfully Samuel recovered relatively quickly, but Leo went from being a typical happy, healthy boy, who played in the garden with his brother and attended school, to being completely hospital-bound and unable to fully engage with normal life. But his bravery and optimism through this has been inspiring.
“I was naturally over the moon when we found I was a match, and despite the pandemic, from then on everything in the transplant work up process seemed to go like clock-work.
“The team at the RHC were determined to get the transplant completed as soon as possible. We know the NHS have been under enormous pressure because of COVID-19 but never once did we feel Leo’s care had been compromised in any way and I think that’s testament to the professionalism of staff at the RHC. We will always be grateful to the wonderful renal surgeons, doctors and nurses there.
“The Glasgow Hospital Children’s Charity was also a huge support to us when Leo was in hospital, helping keep him entertained and keep his mind off his illness during his stay.”
Leo, who received the transplant on February 10th is already looking forward to rejoining his classmates back at school, and although he will face challenges in the future, Louise is optimistic:
“Leo will always have kidney disease, and Samuel and myself will have follow up for some time to come. We know there will be bumps in the road ahead, but to look back six months, to compare where we are now it’s a miracle really.
“Leo now has his life back and we’ll be counting the small milestones – going back to school, going swimming and maybe even a holiday – as victories and we will never take any of these happy family moments for granted in future.”
Dr Ben Reynolds, consultant paediatric nephrologist at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, who leads the transplant service, said: “It is fantastic to see Leo recovering well and full of energy again, full of eight- year-old mischief and silliness!
“At RHC we’re lucky to be one of only two children’s kidney transplant centres in the UK able to maintain a full schedule of renal transplants throughout the pandemic. This is so important for children like Leo where there is a well matched donor, and the operation means we can get them off dialysis and back to as normal a life, as quickly as possible.
“Transplant is almost always the best thing for any child on dialysis. The change to the kidney opt-out scheme in Scotland at the end of the March still relies on people registering their wishes. We would always encourage anyone to discuss this with their families and loved ones about giving “the gift of life.”
After selling out a string of dates as it tours the UK, Scotland’s Parking Lot Social has announced that it is adding a second drive in drag show to its Edinburgh dates, with tickets now available for both Friday May 21 and Saturday May 22.
Stars from RuPaul’s Drag Race UK will be taking to the stage at Dalkeith Country Park later this month, promising unmissable live comedy, entertainment and runway worthy looks. Hosted by Whiplash, lineups over the weekend include UK Drag Race alumna The Vivienne (season one winner), Baga Chipz, Ellie Diamond and Cheryl Hole.
Josh Kinnersley, Chief Operating Officer at XL Event Lab, said: “Drag Race fever has swept the nation, and we’re delighted to welcome some of the TV show’s most talented stars to join us for the UK’s first ever drive-in drag show.
“We’ve seen a real appetite from the public for all of our Edinburgh events, and we’ve added an additional DriveTime Drag show to meet demand. Our drag queens have loved getting back in front of a live audience and have plenty of surprises in store, so we’d urge everyone to get their tickets now to avoid disappointment.”
As well as the drag shows, drive in tickets are also on sale for a host of other live entertainment. Legendary party night The Big Weekender takes place on May 21, live spring panto The Wizard of Oz is May 22 and there’s two chances to catch the interactive family fun of Social Kids, taking place on both May 22 and 23. Classic films will play over the three days too.
Audiences will be entertained in their cars from a vast custom made stage. Shows are broadcast across two 60ft screens and audio is transmitted from the stage directly to each vehicle through a dedicated FM radio channel. Food comes from street food masters The Big Feed with orders made online and delivered straight to each car.
For tickets, live updates and information visit The Parking Lot Social website at www.theparkinglotsocial.co.uk/tour/glasgow
In the first lockdown, I called an elderly friend (writes MARK ROWLAND, Chief Executive of Mental Health Foundation). She lives alone and had recently had a fall. Separated from her community, she had lost all in-person contact.
When I asked her how she had got through it, she told me it was taking daily comfort from watching the birds sing to each other on the fence and the flowers re-emerge from the frosts of winter.
During long months of the pandemic, millions of us turned to nature. Our research on the mental health impacts of the pandemic showed going for walks outside was one of our top coping strategies and 45% of us reported being in green spaces had been vital for our mental health.
Websites which showed footage from webcams of wildlife saw hits increase by over 2000%. Wider studies also found that during lockdowns, people not only spent more time in nature but were noticing it more.
It was as if we were re-discovering at our most fragile point our fundamental human need to connect with nature.
Nature is so central to our psychological and emotional health, that it’s almost impossible to realise good mental health for all without a greater connection to the natural world.
For most of human history, we lived as part of nature. It is only in the last five generations that so many of us have lived and worked in a context that is largely separated from nature.
And it is only since a 1960s study in the US found that patients who were treated in hospitals with a view of nature recovered faster, that science has started to unpack the extraordinary health benefits.
During Mental Health Awareness Week 2021, we will pull together the evidence that demonstrates the powerful benefits of nature for our mental health. We will look at nature’s unique ability to not only bring consolation in times of stress, but also increase our creativity, empathy and a sense of wonder.
It turns out that it is not just being in nature but how we open ourselves up and interact with nature that counts.
We will show that even small contacts with nature can reduce feelings of social isolation and be effective in protecting our mental health, and preventing distress.
Nature is our great untapped resource for a mentally healthy future.
Despite this, many of us are not accessing or benefitting from nature. Teenagers in particular appear to be less connected with nature and around 13% of UK households have no access to a garden.
We want to challenge the disparities in who is and who isn’t able to experience nature. Nature is not a luxury. It is a resource that must be available for everyone to enjoy – as basic as having access to clean water or a safe roof over our heads.
Local and national governments need to consider their role in making this a reality for everyone, and we will be talking about how they can do so during the week.
We have two clear aims. Firstly, to inspire more people to connect with nature in new ways, noticing the impact that this connection can have for their mental health. Secondly, to convince decision makers at all levels that access to and quality of nature is a mental health and social justice issue as well as an environmental one.
2021 is going be a huge year for nature: a new Environment Bill will go through the UK Parliament which will shape the natural world for generations to come; the UK will host the G7 nations where creating a greener future will be a key priority and a historic international UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) will be hosted in Glasgow in November.
There could not be a more important time to understand the links between nature and mental health.
Stories are the best tools we have to influence change. Unless we can demonstrate nature’s role in bringing solace and joy to our lives, it will remain under-valued and under-utilised.
We want to hear your stories of how nature has supported your mental health. This might be as a simple as tending to a house plant, listening to the birds, touching the bark of trees, smelling flowers or writing a poem about our favourite nature spot.
Whatever it is for you, we invite you to #ConnectWithNature and share what this means for you.
During Mental Health Awareness Week, we are asking you to do three things:
For more information about this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week visit mentalhealth.org.uk/mhaw or join the conversation on social media using #ConnectWithNature and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek
Olympic sprinter Michael Johnson lends support to save stroke research
Legendary athlete Michael Johnson is calling for people to support the Stroke Association and help save stroke research, so that stroke survivors can live their best life possible.
The four-time Olympic sprint champion had a stroke at just 50 years old. In peak physical health, a stroke was the last thing on Michael’s mind as he completed his daily work out. Michael recalls experiencing unusual physical sensations – involuntary movement of his left foot, numbness, and a tingling sensation in his left arm. A CT scan and MRI confirmed he’d had a stroke.
He said: “I’d been able to get off my bed and on to the MRI table myself, but when the MRI ended 30 minutes later, I could no longer walk. I couldn’t stand or put any weight on my left leg. The numbness in my left arm had increased significantly and I couldn’t feel the two smallest fingers of my left hand. My foot was completely numb.”
Michael went from being the fastest man in the world, to needing to learn how to walk again. He began by working on his strength, power and fine motor skills on his left side. He knew from his sporting success that the best progress often comes in small, incremental steps.
He credits advancements in research, coupled with his own focus and determination, as key to his recovery: “Research drives improvement in stroke treatment and care, so more people like me can rebuild their lives. Without research I wouldn’t have been able to make anywhere near the recovery I have.”
Stroke is a sudden brain attack and strikes every five minutes in the UK. As a result of the pandemic, the Stroke Association has had to halve its budget for research into stroke, meaning important research that can transform stroke treatment and care is at risk.
Dr Rubina Ahmed, Research Director at the Stroke Association, said: “Stroke is a leading cause of adult disability in the UK and the second biggest killer in the world. The pandemic has shattered our fundraised income and is threatening research that drives life-changing breakthroughs in stroke care.
“Research improves treatment and care for people affected by stroke so they can live their best lives possible, and that’s why stroke research is worth saving. Now more than ever, we need the public’s support. If you can, please help us find a way through the research funding crisis by donating today, so that we can fund more life-saving research.”
Over the past 30 years the Stroke Association has played a crucial role in supporting stroke research in the UK, and has been at the centre of breakthroughs into life-saving treatments such as thrombectomy, and research which led to the use of the FAST test.
Research helps stroke survivors rebuild their lives by driving improvements in treatment and care, but the pandemic has hit research hard. By saving stroke research, more stroke survivors can live life to the full.
Find out how stroke research helps rebuild lives: stroke.org.uk/rebuildinglives
Or to donate, please visit: stroke.org.uk/saveresearch
Edinburgh Napier is proud to announce the appointment of Rosie Howie, Publisher at Hodder Gibson, as its new Publisher in Residence.
Hodder Gibson is part of the Hachette Group. Hachette UK is the second-largest British publishing group, and the market leader in ebooks. A global publishing group, Hachette is made up of ten autonomous publishing divisions and over fifty imprints with a rich and diverse history.
The appointment and resulting collaboration will facilitate industry-specific learning opportunities for MSc Publishing students, allowing them to develop concepts and research into business critical opportunities which will have commercial impact.
The newly-appointed Publisher in Residence will be intricately involved in the MSc Publishing programme, delivering bespoke masterclasses, assisting with placement and research opportunities, sharing their experiences and, critically, helping to mentor, inspire and support students and academics.
Rosie Howie is an alumna of MSc Publishing. Since graduating in 2012, she has carved a stellar career in the industry, predominantly in Educational Publishing, where she has particular expertise.
During her remarkable trajectory, Rosie worked at Edinburgh University Press, Waterstones and Bright Red Publishing before moving to Hodder Gibson.
Rosie was also instrumental in the rejuvenation of the Society of Young Publishers, Scotland branch – an organisation which exists to support, motivate and mentor young people interested in a career in Publishing.
Rosie said: “A decade after graduating from the MSc Publishing course at Edinburgh Napier University, it is a privilege and delight to take up this exciting opportunity to be their Publisher in Residence.
“It feels like I have come full circle. It is an honour to give back to the course, and to work with such a dedicated team of staff and inspiring group of students. I hope to provide useful insight into the industry and offer training in a range of publishing skills.
“I am also looking forward to learning from the staff and students at the university, especially through research collaboration opportunities. Speaking with the students over the course of the last few months has given me real hope for the future leadership of the publishing industry in Scotland and internationally.”
This is an imaginative initiative – no other university in the UK has a Publisher in Residence. MSc Publishing has an unparalleled reputation for innovation and vision, and this appointment speaks to the progressive nature of Publishing education at Edinburgh Napier.
Edinburgh Napier’s Avril Gray, Associate Professor in Publishing, Programme Leader of MSc Publishing and Director of Merchiston Publishing, said: “Rosie will bring invaluable insight and experience, to the benefit of our staff and students.
“We are excited to work alongside such a respected publishing professional, someone who has demonstrated she cares for the opportunities of young people entering the industry. I personally look forward to a collaboration which will forge even closer connections with industry to the benefit of our very vocational – and successful – Publishing Masters programme.
“Rosie’s knowledge and experience will not only energise and inspire activity across the programme but also help enhance the critical commercial practices that underpin our teaching. We have very strong links to industry and an incredible network of alumni, so to be able to work with Rosie will be inspirational for our students and hugely enriching on so many levels.”
Dr Diane Maclean, Dean of the School of Arts & Creative Industries at Edinburgh Napier, said: “I’m delighted that this new position, the first of its kind in the UK, has been announced.
“Our Publishing team continually spearheads new developments to ensure that Edinburgh Napier remains the place to come and study Publishing. I have no doubt that our new Publisher in Residence will be an exciting addition to the team.”
