Once you submit your entry, your church will automatically be entered into the regional competition where each winner will receive a prize of £1,500.
The grand final of the competition will see one of the regional winners be crowned the national winner and receive an additional £6,000. That is two chances to win!
All entries must be submitted by the closing date 17 September 2021.
Robin Gibson from Edinburgh, has signed up to take on the Brighton Marathon and London Marathon over the next two months to raise money for The Children’s Trust. Robin was inspired to take on the challenge after his daughter, Floss, received brain injury rehabilitation at the charity’s specialist centre.
In May 2019, Floss was celebrating her 17th birthday in her hometown of Barnard Castle when she was a passenger in a high-speed car accident.
Floss suffered a devastating brain injury which put her in a coma for a month and with limited awareness of the world around her for nearly a year. Prior to the accident, Floss was a fit and healthy A-level student and keen rugby player working towards a career as a lawyer. The accident left her with a severe brain injury, unable to walk, communicate or feed herself.
Nine months after her brain injury, aged 18, Floss moved to The Children’s Trust in Surrey where she received a combination of intensive physio, speech and language, occupational therapy, aquatics, play therapy and music therapy to try and relearn the skills she had lost.
Floss also attended The Children’s Trust School, a non-maintained special school supporting children and young people aged 2-19 with a wide range of needs.
Robin said: “With the first week of focused rehabilitation, my daughter showed responses not seen before and, three months later, she was clinically declared conscious and on the road to recovery.
“In the following nine months, The Children’s Trust helped my daughter to start to communicate, start to look after herself, make her first steps in trying to eat and even put her back on her feet with a few tentative and supported steps. Most importantly, The Children’s Trust gave my daughter her smile back.”
Robin has already reached his target of £3000 and now aims to continue his fundraising efforts and raise the bar even further.
He added: “I’m very excited to take on this challenge and raise vital funds for a charity that has given our family so much. We’ll be forever grateful for how the staff helped Floss with her recovery and I’m pleased we can give back in some way.”
If you would like to take on a challenge in aid of The Children’s Trust, the UK’s leading charity for children with brain injury, visit:
With just over 50 days to go until COP26 comes to Glasgow, details of Scotland’s COP26 community engagement programme have been announced.
The programme of climate change activity will engage communities in the journey to net zero and empower them to take action.
It will include activity targeted at communities that have not previously engaged in climate action, helping to make Scotland’s COP26 engagement inclusive.
The programme also includes activity for young people, including schools and youth groups such as the guiding and scouting movements, to help ensure children and young people from all backgrounds can participate.
Scotland’s climate festivals will support local communities to plan and deliver their own festivals and events across the country.
Keep Scotland Beautiful and the Glasgow Science Centre will lead on delivery, backed with almost £500,000 of Scottish Government funding.
Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport Michael Matheson said:“COP26 coming to Scotland is a unique opportunity to advance the society-wide transformation demanded by the climate crisis.
“That’s why we are determined to make sure the event reaches out far beyond the negotiations in Glasgow, into every community in the country.
“Scotland has made great progress in delivering its world-leading climate targets and is already over half way to net zero. To end our contribution to climate change within a generation, we will all need to play role. Our communities and young people will be at the heart of that action. This programme will help empower everyone to take action to tackle climate change – especially those that might have not previously engaged.”
Barry Fisher, CEO of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said:“We’re delighted to be working with the Scottish Government and partners to ensure everyone is empowered to navigate the climate emergency challenges ahead.
“COP26 happening in Scotland must be a catalyst to broaden and intensify climate conversations nationally and locally. We want to bring the issues discussed at the summit to the heart of communities by unlocking opportunities for those currently not engaged in climate change action to make their voices heard, and to provide much needed energy and support.”
Dr Stephen Breslin, CEO Glasgow Science Centre, said:“Our World, Our Impact aims to make climate science relevant to day-to-day life, inviting everyone to explore how we can all play a part in the discussion as Glasgow prepares to host COP26.
“We are also delighted to be working together with our colleagues from Scotland’s other science centres to look at how we can engage underserved audiences in the climate conversation across Scotland.”
Edinburgh’s Transport leaders have welcomed calls by more than 140 medical professionals to retain and expand upon measures introduced to support walking, wheeling and cycling during lockdown.
Doctors and health workers from across the city have published an open letter to the City of Edinburgh Council in support of the Travelling Safely programme, formerly Spaces for People.
The group cites the positive impacts of more active travel on health, inequality, air quality and in tackling the climate crisis, amongst other benefits.
In June, Transport and Environment Committee approved proposals to retain some of the schemes on an experimental basis, to remove others post-pandemic and to engage further with communities on options for a handful of measures.
Councillor Lesley Macinnes, Transport and Environment Convener said: “The collective voice of this wide range of medical and health professionals is incredibly welcome.
“We’ve been vocal about our commitment to encourage travel by foot, wheel or bike, and the benefits this brings, but to have the support of the medical profession demonstrates just how crucial investment in safe, protected routes is.
“Over the last year and a half we’ve introduced changes which have helped many people to feel newly confident about walking, cycling and wheeling safely. There are, of course, tens of thousands of people in Edinburgh who don’t have access to a car. We now have the opportunity to extend the lifespan of many of these measures and to improve upon them so that they work for as many people as possible.
“The evidence is clear and well expressed in this letter – there’s so much to gain from active travel, in terms of health, quality of life and in limiting our impact on the climate. We simply cannot return to the status quo, where private car journeys dominate the streets.
“By retaining the majority of schemes introduced through Spaces for People, we’re laying the foundations for a happier, healthier future for everyone here.
Councillor Karen Doran, Transport and Environment Vice Convener, said: “It’s indisputable that walking, wheeling or cycling, whether for leisure or commuting, has a positive impact on our health, our state of mind and our pockets, as well as the air we breathe. We wholeheartedly recognise and support these calls to retain and expand on the measures we’ve introduced during the pandemic.
“Temporary protected cycle lanes, widened pavements and quiet routes have helped families to walk safely to school, shoppers to spend time strolling through some of our iconic city centre streets and people trying out cycling for the first time.
“We really want to continue delivering these benefits, and we’ll be working hard to make sure the measures we have kept do just that.”
We are a group of doctors and other health professionals, living or working in Edinburgh, and write to support the retention and extension of changes to travel infrastructure in Edinburgh and the Lothians, to improve public health and mitigate climate emergency. We hope that the points and evidence below will support the council to make decisions that will help to benefit, protect, and reduce inequalities in the health of the population of Edinburgh.
Climate crisis and health
One of the duties of a doctor as stated by the General Medical Council is “to protect and promote the health of patients and the public”1. As health professionals we have been reminded by our professional bodies of our responsibilities to raise the profile of the climate emergency, which is a public health emergency likely to have a much greater impact than COVID-192,3.
We have a responsibility to speak up for disadvantaged groups who are disproportionately vulnerable to the health and economic impacts of the climate crisis.
Health Inequality
Those living in areas of deprivation are less likely to drive but much more likely to be injured in a road traffic collision6. Rates of pedestrian casualties are twice as high in children as in adults, and pedestrians over 70 years of age have the highest fatality rate7.
Many of our patients do not have the financial means, health status, or abilities to access private car transport. Children, the frail elderly, and people with chronic illnesses or disabilities are disadvantaged in opportunities to access services and community by systems which prioritise private car transport.
Moves to promote safe active travel, including widening of pavements and provision of segregated paths, make the urban environment more accessible for people with disabilities and release road space for reliable and efficient public transport.
Measures to improve the urban environment and promote active travel in Edinburgh will differentially benefit the most disadvantaged members of our community and so help to reduce health inequalities in Edinburgh. We ask that councillors carefully consider the differential impact of decisions to prioritise private car transport on those for whom private car transport is not an option.
Air pollution and health
Air pollution is strongly associated with poor health outcomes. A joint Royal College of Physicians and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health report estimated that outdoor air pollution causes 40,000 deaths a year in the UK. Data from Scotland shows a particularly strong association between air pollution and respiratory disease and deaths. Transport – predominantly car transport – is the main source of air pollution in Scotland.
Edinburgh City Council has six Air Quality Management Areas, with concerning levels of air pollution related to vehicular traffic.
Decisive action from the council to promote active travel and reduce private car traffic in Edinburgh will help to reduce air pollution and associated harm to health.
Physical activity and health
Regular physical activity is associated with improved health outcomes at all ages13.
UK Chief Medical Officers recommend that children and young people should engage in moderate physical activity for at least one hour every day. For adults, 150 minutes of moderate activity per week is associated with a 40% reduction in risk of type 2 diabetes, 35% reduction in heart disease, 25% reduction in joint and back pain, and 20% reduction in bowel and breast cancer13.
National data indicates that in Scotland during 2019 only 66% of adults met this target, whilst in the same year fewer than 50% of journeys under two miles were made on foot14.
Segregated active travel infrastructure allows everyone to increase their physical activity levels through active travel; not only those who already enjoy regular physical activity.
We ask that the council considers the beneficial and protective health effects of physical activity when considering its decisions about travel infrastructure in Edinburgh.
Behaviour change for public health
Changing established patterns of behaviour is difficult. We understand that a move away from the current position of private car dependency can feel difficult.
Bold Scottish strategies have led to strikingly effective population shifts in behaviour for better health; tobacco smoking restrictions have saved many lives, and early data suggests that minimum alcohol unit pricing has reduced the amount of alcohol purchased by the heaviest alcohol consumers15,16. Both of these strategies met with initial resistance, but are now broadly supported.
Now, local government in Edinburgh has the potential to lead a bold and exemplary modal shift away from car-dependence which will benefit and protect the health of the people of Edinburgh.
Key Points
As health professionals, we have a responsibility to protect and promote the health of the population. We have a responsibility to address inequalities and to advocate for the needs of the most deprived and disadvantaged members of the population we serve.
We are concerned about the impact of the climate crisis on health, globally and locally.
We are concerned about harms to health caused by air pollution in Edinburgh.
Regular physical activity is associated with improved health outcomes at all ages.
We support the retention, and further development and integration of infrastructures designed to support active travel and clean air for the whole population of Edinburgh, to mitigate inequalities in health, local mobility, and air quality.
This includes quiet routes in the vicinity of schools to allow safe active travel for families, an integrated network of segregated safe paths for cycling, city-wide subsidised cycle hire programmes, and low-emission zones.
We are concerned that suggested steps to reverse active travel measures introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic would be a retrograde and harmful step for the health of the population of Edinburgh.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Laura McWhirter, Consultant Neuropsychiatrist, Edinburgh Neil Aitken, Physiotherapist, Neil Aitken Physiotherapy Ltd, Edinburgh Dr Niall H. Anderson, Senior Lecturer in Medical Statistics, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh Dr Ross Archibald, Consultant in Emergency Medicine, NHS Lothian Dr Elika Aspinall, General Practitioner, NHS Lothian Dr Katherine Atkins, Chancellor’s Fellow, Edinburgh Medical School, University of Edinburgh Dr Paul Bailey, General Practitioner, NHS Lothian Miss Emily Baird, Consultant, Children’s Orthopaedics, Royal Hospital for Children and Young People Edinburgh Dr Kasia Banas, UG Talent Lead and Programme Director in Data-Driven Innovation for Health and Social Care, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh Dr Ravneet Batra, Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist, Regional Infectious Diseases Unit, Western General Hospital Dr Roland Baumann, General Practitioner, Niddrie Medical Practice, Edinburgh Dr Craig Beattie, Consultant Anaesthetist, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Dr Monika Beatty, Consultant in Critical Care, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Dr Sam Bennett, Foundation Doctor, Acute Medicine, Western General Hospital Ms Katherine Bethell, Advanced Nurse Practitioner and Programme Manager, Chalmers Sexual Health Centre (Lothian) and Sandyford Centre (GGC) Dr David Birrell, Emergency medicine trainee, Royal infirmary of Edinburgh; Honorary Clinical Fellow, University of Edinburgh Professor James Boardman, Professor of Neonatal Medicine, University of Edinburgh Dr Friederike Boellert, Respiratory Consultant, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh Dr Kirsty Boyd, Reader in Palliative Care, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh Dr Tom Bloomfield, Consultant Anaesthetist, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Mr Paul Brennan, Reader and Honorary Consultant Neurosurgeon, University of Edinburgh and NHS Lothian Mr Iain Brown, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Dr John Budd, General Practitioner, Edinburgh Access Practice, and Co-ordinator of Lothian Deprivation Interest Group Dr Rosamunde Burns, Consultant Anaesthetist, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Dr Peter Cairns, General Practitioner, Wester Hailes Medical Practice Professor Alan Carson, Consultant Neuropsychiatrist, University of Edinburgh Dr Simon Chillingworth, Consultant Anaesthetist, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Professor Richard Chin, Professor of Paediatric Neurology and Clinical Epidemiology, Honorary Consultant Paediatric Neurologist, University of Edinburgh and The Royal Hospital for Children and Young People Dr Sarah Clay, Locum General Practitioner, Niddrie Medical Practice, and Specialty Doctor in Palliative Care Dr Elizabeth Cole, Anaesthetics registrar, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Dr Catherine Collinson, Consultant Anaesthetist, Department of Anaesthesia, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Dr Claire Cooke-Jones, Trainee Anaesthetist, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Dr Robert Cooke-Jones, Trainee General Practitioner, Inchpark Surgery, Edinburgh Dr Nadine Cossette, Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Dr Helen Creedon, Clinical Fellow in Oncology, University of Edinburgh Dr Julia Critchley, Consultant Anaesthetist, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Dr Craig Davidson, Consultant in Emergency Medicine, NHS Lothian Professor Adrian Davis, Professor of Transport & Health, Edinburgh Napier University Dr Christopher Dickens, General Practitioner, Edinburgh Ms Lynsey Downie, Anaesthesia Associate, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary Mr Andrew Duckworth, Senior Lecturer and Consultant Orthopaedic Trauma Surgeon, Edinburgh Orthopaedics and University of Edinburgh Mr Joseph Duncumb, Orthopaedic Surgery Registrar, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Dr Tamasin Evans, Consultant Clinical Oncologist, Edinburgh Cancer Centre Dr Alasdair Fitzgerald, Clinical Lead, Rehabilitation Services and Consultant in Neurorehabilitation, Astley Ainslie Hospital, Edinburgh Dr Nicholas Fletcher, Trainee General Practitioner, NHS Education Scotland Professor Sue Fletcher-Watson, Chair in Developmental Psychology, Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh Mr Martin Gemmell, Principal Educational Psychologist, City of Edinburgh Council Ms Paula Gardiner, Neurological Specialist Physiotherapist and Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, Edinburgh Dr Cameron J Fairfield, Clinical Research Fellow, University of Edinburgh Dr Gavin Francis, General Practitioner, Dalkeith Road Medical Practice, Edinburgh Dr Allan Gordon, Retired Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Edinburgh Dr Claire Gordon, Consultant in Acute Medicine, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh Dr Rebecca Gormley, Anaesthetic Core Trainee, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Dr Peter S Hall, Honorary Consultant Medical Oncologist, Edinburgh Cancer Centre at St John’s Hospital and the Western General Hospital Dr Helen Hare, Junior Doctor, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary Dr Simon Heaney, Consultant Anaesthetist, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Dr Ingrid Hoeritzauer, Consultant Neurologist and Acute Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Dr Catriona Howes, Consultant Psychiatrist, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh Dr Seán Keating, Consultant in Cardiothoracic Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Dr Malik Jahangeer, Consultant Clinical Oncologist and Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer, University of Edinburgh Dr Marc Janssens, Consultant Anaesthetist, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Mr Aimun Jamjoom, Speciality Neurosurgery Trainee, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary Dr Michelle Jeffrey, Consultant Sports and Exercise Medicine, Sportscotland Institute of Sport, Oriam, Edinburgh Dr Guy Johnson, General Practitioner (retired), Sighthill Health Centre Professor John Keating, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh; Honorary Senior Lecturer, Edinburgh University Dr Stephanie Kelly, Clinical Fellow in Intensive Care, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Dr Dean Kerslake, Consultant, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Dr Alice King, Trainee General Practitioner, Edinburgh Dr Oliver Koch, Consultant & Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer in Infectious Diseases, Regional Infectious Diseases Unit, Western General Hospital Dr Rebecca Lawrence, Consultant Psychiatrist in Addictions, Royal Edinburgh Hospital Mr Graham Lawson, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Yvonne Leavy, Lead Clinical Nurse Specialist (epilepsy) Department for Clinical Neurosciences, RHCYP, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Dr Katharine Logan, Consultant Psychiatrist in Psychotherapy, Rivers Centre, Edinburgh Dr Nazir Lone, Honorary Consultant and Senior Lecturer in Critical Care, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, NHS Lothian and University of Edinburgh Dr Carey Lunan, General Practitioner, Craigmillar Medical GroupDr Saturnino Luz, Reader in Medical Informatics, Usher Institute, Medical School, The University of Edinburgh Dr Saturnino Luz, Reader in Medical Informatics, Usher Institute, Medical School, The University of Edinburgh Dr Sonia MacCallum, General Practitioner, Niddrie Medical Practice Dr Claire Mackintosh, Consultant Infectious Disease Physician and Clinical Director, Regional Infectious Disease Unit, NHS Lothian Dr Ivan Marples, Consultant in Pain Medicine and Anaesthesia, Leith Community Treatment Centre Dr Katie Marwick, Clinical Lecturer in Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh Dr Alexander von Maydell, Junior Doctor, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Miss Julie McBirnie, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Spire Shawfair Park Hospital Professor Alison McCallum, Centre for Population Health Sciences, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh Dr Dermot McKeown, Consultant Anaesthetist, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Professor Andrew McIntosh, Professor of Biological Psychiatry and Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist, University of Edinburgh Dr Christina McManus, Doctor, Western General Hospital Dr Carinne McMurray, General Practitioner, Craigmillar Medical Group Professor Stewart Mercer, Professor of Primary Care and Multimorbidity, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh; General Practitioner, NHS Lothian Dr Eve Miller-Hodges, Senior Clinical Lecturer & Honorary Consultant in Inherited Metabolic Disorders and Renal Medicine, Scottish Inherited Metabolic Disorders Service & University of Edinburgh Dr Lyle Moncur, Consultant in Emergency Medicine, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Mr Matthew Moran, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Dr Catriona Morton, General Practitioner, Craigmillar Medical Group Dr Megan Mowbray, Consultant Dermatologist, Clinical Lead Dermatology, Skin Cancer Lead NHS Fife, Queen Margaret Hospital, Dunfermline (& resident of Edinburgh) Mr Samuel Molyneux, Consultant in Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Ms Mome Mukherjee, Senior Research Fellow, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh Dr Nóra Murray-Cavanagh, Clinical Lead General Practitioner, Wester Hailes Medical Practice Dr Susan Nelson, General Practitioner, Mackenzie Medical Centre, Edinburgh Dr Anna Noble, General Practitioner, Wester Hailes Medical Practice David Obree, Archie Duncan Fellow in Medical Ethics and Fellow in Medical Education, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh Dr Richard O’Brien, Consultant Stroke Physician, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer, University of Edinburgh Dr Laura O’Conaire, General Practitioner, Braefoot Medical Practice, Edinburgh Dr Rory O’Conaire, General Practitioner, West End Medical Practice, Edinburgh Dr Ailis Orr, Consultant Paediatrician, Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, Edinburgh Mr James Patton, Clinical Director Orthopaedics, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Royal Infirmary Edinburgh Dr. Meghan Perry, Consultant Physician and Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer in Infectious Diseases and General Internal Medicine, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh Dr Sharon Peoples, Consultant in Clinical Oncology, Edinburgh Cancer Centre Professor Martyn Pickersgill, Co-Director of Research, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh Dr Evgeniya Plotnikova, Teaching Fellow, Master of Public Health Programme, University of Edinburgh Dr S.G. Potts, Consultant in Transplant Psychiatry, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Dr Michael Quinn, General Practitioner, Craigmillar Medical Group Dr Martin Quirke, Research Fellow, Centre for Environment, Dementia and Ageing Research, University of Stirling (& resident of Edinburgh) Dr Kristiina Rannikmäe, Consultant Neurologist and Clinical Research Fellow, Forth Valley Royal Hospital and University of Edinburgh Ms Aїcha Reid, Registered Educational Psychologist, Edinburgh Dr Helga Rhein, General Practitioner (retired), Edinburgh Dr Helen Riches, General Practitioner, Restalrig Park Medical Centre, Edinburgh Professor Craig Ritchie, Professor of Psychiatry of Ageing, University of Edinburgh; Director of Brain Health Scotland Dr Alasdair Ruthven, Consultant Anaesthetist, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Professor Rustam Al-Shahi Salman, Professor of Clinical Neurology at the University of Edinburgh; Honorary consultant neurologist in NHS Lothian Dr Euan Sandilands, Consultant Toxicologist and Director National Poisons Information Service (Edinburgh); Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer, University of Edinburgh Ms Chloe Scott, Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Dr Ann Sergeant, Consultant Dermatologist, NHS Fife (Edinburgh resident) Dr Anthony Simon, General Practitioner, Craigmillar Medical Group Dr Chris Smith, Foundation Doctor, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh Dr Nick Spencer, Anaesthetic Trainee, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh Dr Andrew Stanfield, Senior Clinical Research Fellow and Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist, University of Edinburgh Dr Elizabeth Steel, Consultant Anaesthetist, Royal infirmary Edinburgh Professor Jon Stone, Consultant Neurologist, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and University of Edinburgh Professor Cathie Sudlow, Professor of Neurology and Clinical Epidemiology and Head of the Centre for Medical Informatics, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh Dr Digby Thomas, General Practitioner to the homeless 2001-2021, Edinburgh Homeless/Access Practice Dr Sarah Thompson, Consultant Anaesthetist, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Professor Lindsay Thomson, Professor of Forensic Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh; Medical Director of the State Hospitals Board for Scotland and the Forensic Mental Health Managed Care Network Dr Fionn Toolis, General Practitioner, Wester Hailes Medical Practice, Edinburgh Professor Neil Turner, Professor of Nephrology, University of Edinburgh; Honorary Consultant, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Dr Stefan Unger, Consultant Respiratory Paediatrician, Royal Hospital for Children and Young People Dr Helen Usher, Consultant Anaesthetist, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Dr Anna te Water Naudé, Acute Medicine Core Trainee, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Stephen Walls, Senior Charge Nurse, General Intensive Care, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Dr Charles Wallis, Consultant Anaesthetist and Chair of Bicycle Users Group, Western General Hospital Dr Andrew Watson, Associate Medical Director for Psychiatry, NHS Lothian Ms Abby White, Psychiatric Nurse, Edinburgh Mr T.O. White, Consultant Orthopaedic Trauma Surgeon (Clinical Lead for Trauma), Royal Infirmary Edinburgh, and Honorary Lecturer, University of Edinburgh Dr William Whiteley, Reader in Neurology, University of Edinburgh; Honorary Consultant Neurologist, NHS Lothian Dr E.B. Wilson, Emergency Department Consultant, Emergency Department, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Dr Hilary Young, General Practitioner, Mackenzie Medical Centre / University of Edinburgh
Post-publication supporters: (added after 6th September 2021):
Dr Anna Gaskell, General Practitioner, Newbattle Medical Practice Dr Andrew Grant, Consultant Anaesthetist, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Lydia Howells, Lead Nurse for Quality & Standards, NHS Lothian Dr Catriona McLean, Clinical Director and Consultant Clinical Oncologist – Lower GI Cancer, Edinburgh Cancer Centre Professor Gillian Mead, Chair of Stroke and Elderly Medicine, University of Edinburgh Dr David Noble, Consultant Clinical Oncologist, Edinburgh Cancer Centre Dr Faye Robertson, Oncology Registrar, Edinburgh Cancer Centre Professor Roy Robertson, Chair of Addiction Medicine, University of Edinburgh, and General Practitioner, Edinburgh Louise Starkey, Practice Nurse, Slateford Medical Practice, Edinburgh Dr Lucy Wall, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Edinburgh Cancer Centre
Scottish Ambulance Service Mobile Testing Unit (MTU) teams have delivered more than one million tests in just over a year.
The MTUs have been one of biggest projects ever carried out at the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS).
There are now 39 MTU teams across the country and more than 1100 people employed by the Scottish Ambulance Service, providing a vital service to Scotland.
The MTUS can be dispatched quickly across the country so people in urban, rural and remote areas have easy access to a coronavirus test. The location of the units, planned by National Services Scotland and local resilience partnerships, changes regularly to reflect demand.
John Alexander, General Manager for the Mobile Testing Units (MTUs), said: “The introduction of MTUs has played an important role in the country’s fight against Covid-19, helping to control the spread of the virus.
“All of our MTU staff have done a fantastic job in providing tests to the people of Scotland over the past year and I’m extremely proud they’ve delivered more than one million tests since last September.”
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Humza Yousaf said: “Reaching one million tests is a major milestone and recognition of the hard work and dedication of Scottish Ambulance Service. My heartfelt thanks go to SAS staff for what they do every single day to care for, and support people across Scotland.
“Our COVID-19 Mobile Testing Units have played a crucial role in bringing testing resources to the communities who need it most. By identifying and isolating cases, we are breaking chains of transmission within those communities and giving us a better chance of stopping the virus from spreading.”
GMB Scotland serves notice to councils over “derisory and unacceptable” pay offer
Nearly 10,000 school support and refuse and cleansing workers will be balloted for industrial action from next week, after GMB Scotland reps served statutory notice on councils yesterday against a “derisory” pay offer for 2021.
It follows a consultative ballot of GMB Scotland members across Scottish local government which delivered a 95 per cent rejection of COSLA’s £850 a year increase for staff earning up to £25,000 a year.
The ballot will run from Thursday 16 September to Thursday 7 October, with the prospect of strike action affecting school cleansing, janitorial services, refuse collections, and street sweeping from late October onwards.
GMB Scotland Senior Organiser Drew Duffy said:“COSLA’s offer amounts to little more than £15 a week more for our frontline workers in local government, it is derisory and unacceptable.
“The dither and delay on delivering proper value means they are still mired on pre-pandemic pay rates – there has been no “thank you” for these workers.
“Council and political leaders have said many times during this pandemic they value the work of our members, well it’s time they put their money where their mouth is.
“The threat of disruptive strikes in schools and community services is now likely, and unless COSLA chiefs table an improved offer the blame will lie with them.”
The winter spectacle, Christmas at the Botanics, has confirmed more installations for this year’s trail when it opens on 25th November, including a new festive finale.
Running for 32 nights at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, friends and family will be able to come together to explore 15 dazzling installations along the one-mile route and experience the outdoor twilight trail.
The latest installations confirmed for this year include Digital Rain, Fireflies in the Wood and the cascading Sea of Light (above) which will feature as the festive finale:
Digital Rain – is an immersive installation by Bespoke Lighting and Video, featuring LED pixels that ‘rain down’ on those below to create a shimmering shower of light.
Fireflies in the Woods – is an enchanting installation from Electric Foundry, containing 100 points of light that twist through the tress to create a magical woodland wonderland.
Sea of Light – brings an enthralling mix of sound and light technology, from award-winning company ITHACA, that flows across the landscape in spectacular, glittering waves.
To meet current Scottish Government guidelines, reduced capacities and a one-way system will be in place for the comfort of visitors coming together to celebrate the festive season. Health and safety measures, in place to protect visitors, will be monitored throughout the run.
Simon Milne, Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, said: “This year’s trail promises the arrival of new, exciting and atmospheric installations enabling visitors to enjoy the Garden landscape in a completely different way.
“As we begin our landmark restoration programme, Edinburgh Biomes, we greatly appreciate the contribution that the trail makes to funding our plant research and conservation projects. By coming to the trail, visitors help to support our important work in Scotland and around the world.
“I look forward to welcoming visitors from within the capital, Scotland, the UK and overseas to the Garden to experience this magical moment in Edinburgh’s festive calendar.”
Jonathan Marks, Chief Development Director at Raymond Gubbay, a division of Sony Music, which promotes the event, added: “This year’s easing of restrictions will allow more people within Edinburgh and beyond to safely visit this enchanting spectacle.
“We are excited to welcome new artists and a brand-new festive finale that is bound to impress. There is so much to look forward to and we can’t wait for people to visit this magical winter experience.”
Tickets for this year’s show are on sale now. For further ticket information, pricing and timings, please visit www.rbge.org.uk/christmas.
A timed entry system will remain for the trail this year with visitors encouraged to book now to avoid disappointment.
Christmas at the Botanics is one of 15 illuminated trails staged across the UK by leading events promoter Raymond Gubbay Limited, a division of Sony Music. Christmas at the Botanics is presented in partnership with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and the trail is created by Culture Creative.
Police are appealing for information after a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle in Edinburgh.
Around 7.55pm on Friday, 3 September, 2021, police received a report a 70-year-old man was struck by a car in Gorgie Road, near Robertson Avenue, in Edinburgh. Enquiries so far have established that two cars, a silver Jaguar and black BMW, were travelling east at this location when the pedestrian was struck.
Emergency services attended and the man was taken to hospital. Both drivers initially stopped, but the driver of the silver Jaguar, left the scene before police arrived.
Constable Denise Gall, of Dalkeith Road Policing Unit, said: “We are appealing for anyone with any information to get in touch. In particular, if anyone has a dash cam device, please check your footage as your images could assist our investigation.
“Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 3131 of 3 September, 2021.”
On World Suicide Prevention Day COSLA Health and Social Care Spokesperson @cllrStu is urging people to join the United to Prevent Suicide campaign – https://unitedtopreventsuicide.org.uk
Anyone struggling can find support from: Samaritans – 116 123
This week Edinburgh Police have been holding partnership outreach information events in an attempt to provide information on the support that is available to people affected by suicide and to highlight the importance of talking about suicide.
Yesterday at Cameron Toll Shopping Centre we were delighted once more to see so many organisations come together.
The Scottish Parliament has approved the use of Coronavirus vaccination certificates to enter some events and higher risk venues.
MSPs voted in favour of the measure, which comes into effect on Friday 1 October, aimed at reducing risk while maximising our ability to keep open certain settings and events where transmission is a higher risk and encouraging uptake of the vaccine.
Coronavirus vaccination certificates will be required to enter events such as nightclubs, music festivals and some football grounds.
Staff at venues affected will be able to download a “verifier app” to a smartphone or device from next week, ahead of the launch, which will allow digital checks on the certification status of those attending.
Guidance will be provided for venues on how to use the app, along with options to integrate it into their own systems as the source code is open.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “We must do all we can to stem the rise in cases and vaccine certification will form part of a range measures which can help us to do this.
“It will only be used in certain higher risk settings and we hope this will allow businesses to remain open and prevent any further restrictions as we head into autumn and winter.
“We do not want to re-impose any of the restrictions that have been in place for much of this year as we all know how much harm they have caused to businesses, to education and to people’s general well-being. But we must stem the rise in cases.
“We want to ensure that as many people get vaccinated as possible and particularly to increase uptake in the younger age cohort, so anything that helps to incentivise that is helpful.
“I urge anyone over 16 to get vaccinated at their local drop-in clinic or through NHS Inform.
“Public behaviour, including key protective measures like face coverings, physical distancing, hand washing and isolating when necessary, continues to play a vital role in reducing the prevalence of the virus and helping us to emerge from the pandemic.”
The new scheme is not being introduced until all Scottish adults have had the opportunity to receive both doses of the vaccine and two weeks have passed to allow the vaccine take effect. The Scottish Government continues to work with sectors affected to ensure that a workable and proportionate scheme is developed.
Under 18s and adults who are ineligible for vaccination will be exempt.
There are currently no plans to introduce certification for the wider hospitality industry but this will be kept under review over the autumn and winter months.
The Scottish Licensed Trade Association has re-iterated it’s opposition to “Covid passports” for those visiting nightclubs and larger event settings.
SLTA says although the suggestion is that the wider hospitality industry will not be affected, the First Minister has clearly stated on a number of occasions that this is “under review” and therefore Covid passports remain a threat hanging over the whole industry.
The industry body says the Scottish Government has pushed these proposals through without any meaningful consultation with the industry.
SLTA MD Colin Wilkinson said: “The Scottish Government issued a paper on the scheme only this morning, just a few hours ahead of the vote, yet we remain unaware of how it will be implemented.
“Where is the evidence that this action is needed and is proportionate, a word often used by the Deputy First Minister in the debate this afternoon? There has been no assessment of the costs to businesses, nor the impact on the sector.
“The sector has been labelled as being a high risk setting, but the hospitality industry is not the only sector where people congregate.
“There is also the concern that Covid passports could lead to vaccination hesitancy and more entrenched views not to get vaccinated. Experts confirm that vaccination does not stop infection and can give a false sense of confidence.
“We are all aware of the failings of the Test and Protect scheme and yet the Government is proposing another system be put in place.”
“The Deputy First Minister said today: The Government has set out proposals … as part of an approach to protect a very fragile situation that we face in Scotland today of rising infection and hospitality that poses a threat to our National Health Service”
Wilkinson added:- “The Scottish Licensed Trade Association again asks where is that evidence and is concerned on the focus on the hospitality sector as this part of the statement makes no mention of the event sector that this will also impact on or other entertainment venues, just “hospitality”. This only reinforces our concerns that this will be rolled out to the wider hospitality sector.
“We fully support moves to reduce the rate and impact of transmission of coronavirus but these must be proportionate and directed to the sectors or settings responsible for spreading transmission the most.
“The finer details of how this scheme will work should have been discussed with the hospitality industry prior to today’s debate and vote.
“The definition of what constitutes a “nightclub or an analogous venue” must be provided as soon as possible in order to allow premises to put procedures in place for the implementation of the scheme.”
