A new study is set to highlight the importance of hedgerows in protecting Edinburgh’s residents from rising levels of traffic pollution.
Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) will assess contaminant levels in the roadside hedgerows of the capital where, according to the latest figures, 3.7 per cent of deaths in adults over 25 are attributable to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution.
Hedges provide a ground-level barrier where traffic-related emissions are greater and more harmful to residents, pedestrians, and especially children.
The study, which will be led Dr Luis Novo, an SRUC Challenge Research Fellow, will compare the effectiveness of different hedge species as barriers to pollutants.
It is being kickstarted by a Small Research Grant of nearly £5,000 from the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE).
Dr Novo said: “Road traffic contamination is a major concern in urban areas, where high pollutant concentrations and population converge. In this context, green infrastructure is receiving increasing attention for the broad array of ecosystem services it provides in urban settings, including the abatement of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution.
“This preliminary survey will look into PM2.5 and heavy metals concentrations in different hedge species and locations within the capital. The results will help us understand how factors like traffic volume, roadside distance, meteorology, and plant traits influence the hedges’ pollution abatement capacity.
“In addition to providing valuable information to authorities, practitioners, and the general public, this grant will also lay the foundations for a larger, more detailed study across the main Scottish urban centres.”
Professor Emerita Anne Anderson OBE FRSE, Chair of the RSE Research Awards Committee, Royal Society of Edinburgh, said: “The RSE Research Awards programme is vital for sustaining the knowledge and talent pipeline in our vibrant research and innovation sector across the length and breadth of Scotland.
“Funding enables awardees to deepen their research into significant global challenges, to support career development, and to make significant benefits to society and the economy. The RSE sends its congratulations to each of the award winners and wishes them good fortune in the conduct and outcomes of their research.”
24 Sep 2021 – 27 Mar 2022 National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF Exhibition Gallery 3, Level 1 Free display
This small exhibition highlights the exciting work being carried out in Scotland to fight against climate change. It brings together just some of the technological responses that have been developed in Scotland or that are being used here in the effort to cut carbon dioxide emissions. On show are a range of leading-edge equipment, much of it newly collected, alongside samples of natural material.
Supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
24 Sep 2021 – 9 Jan 2022 National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF The Grand Gallery, Level 1 Free display
The Extinction Bell is a work by Bristol-based artist Luke Jerram that aims to raise awareness of biodiversity loss. A fire engine bell from National Museums Scotland’s collection has been adapted to toll at random intervals 150-200 times per day. Each ring of the bell symbolises the extinction of a species, representing the number being lost every 24 hours (according to a 2007 report from the UN).
Supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
And If Not Now, When? 1 Nov – 14 Nov 2021 10:30 – 16:30 National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF Event Space, Level 2 Free immersive installation, sign up on the day in the Grand Gallery
And If Not Now, When? is an immersive, reactive, sound and film installation by Edinburgh artists Philip Pinsky and Karen Lamond which invites you to experience a transformed urban reality to inspire hope and possibility.
Confronted with a heightened version of a busy urban junction; heavy traffic, pollution and noise, you will walk through a sound and film installation, guided by a lighted path. As you do so, notice how your position in the room directly impacts the environment around you.
Watch and listen as your actions transform one environment into another and end the experience with a vivid and tranquil re-imagining of how we could all live peacefully in our cities.
Art and Science – Communicating the Climate Emergency
4 Nov 2021 19:30 – 20:30 Online event Free, with optional donation
As the eyes of the world turn to Scotland for the UN Climate Conference in November, join artists Luke Jerram and Philip Pinsky, along with National Museums Scotland curators, for a discussion about the urgency of the climate and biodiversity crisis. Explore how the research and technology being used to tackle these issues can be shared with the wider public, and consider how art can help communicate these critical messages and inspire change.
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF Open 10:00–17:00 daily
NEW – Audubon’s Birds of America 12 Feb – 8 May 2022 Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3 Ticketed
This new exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland will examine the artistry and legacy of one of the world’s rarest, most coveted and biggest books.
Published as a series between 1827 and 1838, Birds of America by John James Audubon (1785-1851) was a landmark work that achieved international renown due to the epic scale of the project and the book’s spectacular, life-sized ornithological illustrations.
Audubon’s Birds of America (12 February – 8 May 2022) will showcase 46 unbound prints from National Museums Scotland’s collection, most of which have never been on display before, as well as a rare bound volume of the book, on loan from the Mitchell Library. This exhibition is a unique opportunity to see so much of Audubon’s work in one place.
The typewriter’s social and technological influence is revealed in this new exhibition and looks at its role in society, arts, and popular culture. It traces the effect and evolution of typewriters across more than 100 years, from weighty early machines to modern style icons.
The impact of the typewriter has been much wider than simply speeding up the way we write. It helped revolutionise the world of work and change the lives of working women in particular. Typewriters helped them launch their own businesses at a time when female employers were rare and became a vital weapon in the fight for the vote.
6 Aug 2021 – 9 Jan 2022 Exhibition Gallery 4, Level 1 Free entry
On the 250th anniversary of Sir Walter Scott’s birth, experience his novels through objects that inspired him. In this small exhibition we show how Scott drew upon real historical objects for inspiration, placing objects alongside Scott’s words, and the stories in which they feature. While you view these fascinating objects, you can listen to an actor reading extracts from these tales.
In association with Walter Scott 250: Celebrating 250 Years of Scotland’s Greatest Storyteller.
26 Nov 2021 19:30—20:15 Watch online Free, with option to add a donation
Join model and broadcaster Eunice Olumide as she shares her experience of a transforming industry with museum curator Georgina Ripley. Eunice and Georgina will also discuss Eunice’s recent book How To Get Into Fashion, focussing on creativity, diversity, and wellbeing.
This event will be followed by a live Q&A chaired by Mal Burkinshaw, Head of the School of Design at Edinburgh College of Art.
National Museum of Rural Life Wester Kittochside, Philipshill Road, East Kilbride, G76 9HR Open 10:00–17:00 daily
For Adults
NEW Willow Star Workshop with Anna Cross
26 Nov 2021 10:15–12:45, 14:00–16:30 £35, suitable for adults (age 16+)
Kick off the festive season by weaving your own large willow star with artist Anna Cross. In these half-day workshops for adults, you will learn how to create your own beautiful decoration. Suitable for beginners and seasoned crafters alike, Anna will guide you through the weaving process. Book now:nms.ac.uk/exhibitions-events
For Families
NEWChildren’s Workshop: Make a Willow Decoration
Sat 27 Nov 14:30–16:00 £10 per child, suitable for ages 10+ Advanced booking is essential
Keen to learn more about the art of willow weaving? Then book a place on this 1.5 hour-long workshop with willow artist Anna Cross, suitable for children age 10+ with an accompanying adult.
Anna will show you how to weave and decorate your very own willow star decoration to take home, perfect for hanging in your room or on the Christmas tree.
NEW Festive Family Crafts 27 Nov – 28 Nov 2021 Sat: 10:30 – 16:00 Sun: 10:30 – 15:30
Free with pre-booked museum admission
Join us for festive family activities across the weekend, from drop-in craft sessions to a children’s willow weaving workshop with Anna Cross, the artist who created our Willow Sculpture Trail.
Our family programming is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery
NEW Clyde’s Winter Trail 27 Nov 2021 – 9 Jan 2022 10:00 – 17:00 Free with pre-booked museum admission
Spot the festive scenes that Clyde, the Clydesdale horse, and his friends have been creating around the museum as they get ready for the festive season.
Our family programming is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery
The winner of Aldi’s Supermarket Sweep in Edinburgh’s Gorgie store has raised an amazing £729.32 for a local foodbank, while picking up over £350 in Aldi favourites for herself.
After a year hiatus, Aldi’s hugely popular Supermarket Sweep returned to Scotland and lucky shopper Hanna Brown, who was chosen as the winner of an in-store competition, took part in the five-minute trolley dash for charity on Friday 22nd October.
As well as taking home a trolley full of goodies, Hanna successfully found the three Scottish products on her shopping list, so Aldi doubled the total value of her haul and donated the lump sum to her nominated foodbank, Edinburgh North East Foodbank.
Aldi Supermarket Sweep winner, Hanna, said: “I had an amazing time at the Supermarket Sweep. The staff at Aldi were so warm and welcoming – just what I needed to help my pre-sweep nerves.
“It also helped that I had my mum cheering alongside. To have been able to support the food bank brings me so much happiness. It was a great opportunity to have had, and one which I am so very grateful for.”
Edinburgh North East Foodbank Manager, Alison Roxburgh, said: “A big thank you to all the staff at the Gorgie store and to Hanna for helping to raise such a fantastic amount of money!
“This will help to continue the much needed support we give to those in need in our community.”
Richard Holloway, Regional Managing Director for Scotland, said:“The Aldi Supermarket Sweep is a firm favourite across the country, and we are so pleased to be able to bring it back after a year hiatus.
“Congratulations to Hanna who managed to raise an incredible £729.32 for Edinburgh North East Foodbank and take home a trolley full of Aldi goodies for herself.”
The Supermarket Sweep was run in line with current COVID-19 guidelines and all safety precautions, including social distancing, were adhered to.
Local charity, Held In Our Hearts, will again be hosting their popular FireWalk event on 4th December at Edinburgh Leisure’s Craiglockhart Tennis Centre.
The FireWalk will be a chance for locals to take part in a once in a lifetime challenge, daring to be different, and walking over hot coals to raise much-needed funds for the charity’s work supporting parents whose babies have tragically died.
Tracy Watt, Held In Our Hearts Fundraising Manager, said: “We know the journey that the parents we support is daunting and often it is the fear of the unknown that can be very frightening for them; by taking on this challenge, we want to stand in solidarity with bereaved parents across the city and beyond, to walk together with them.
“We hope that this event will appeal to many of the families that we support, as well as many of our supporters, who want to dare to be different and experience such a unique event, while raising much needed funds for our baby loss counselling and support.”
Rupert Seggins, who took part in the FireWalk last time for the charity said: “This is truly an experience like no other – bare feet, burning coals and incredible support from a team that have put hundreds of people through their paces.
“I had such a great time overcoming my nerves and stepping out to do something I didn’t think was possible for me. And all to help the wonderful Held in Our Hearts! What’s not to love?”
Held In Our Hearts FireWalk will be run by UK Firewalk, one of the UK’s leading experts who specialise in corporate and charity firewalking and glass walking events.
The UK FireWalk team will ensure the safety of every participant and viewer involved through the presence of official safety experts.
Following the Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s announcement of a £560m numeracy scheme called Multiply in the Budget this week, charity National Numeracy has published new research that shows that, when it comes to numbers, feeling confident is crucial.
The charity’s Putting Number Confidence to Workreport shows confidence with numbers plays a stronger role than number skills in making people feel better able to get a qualification, find a job or get on at work.
The report is released to coincide with Number Confidence Week which kicked off on 1st November, seeking to help boost the way the nation feels about numbers.
Over the past six months, National Numeracy has tracked the reasons 26,000 people have given for wanting to improve their number confidence and skills when using the National Numeracy Challenge online tool. The leading reason given is ‘to get on in work’.
Analysis shows that improving both number confidence and skills gives a bigger boost than skills or confidence alone, when it comes to feeling more able to take next steps in to work: 61% of confidence and skill improvers (1,379 people) said they felt more able to get a qualification, find a job or get on at work.
But, crucially, improving confidence with numbers alone was enough to give a big boost to feeling better able to get on at work: 48% (892 people) who improved their number confidence, but not their skills, feel better able to get a qualification, find a job or get on at work.
While just improving skills, but not confidence, boosts feelings of being better able to get on in work, it’s to a much lesser degree than when confidence is also improved: 20% (192 people) of people who improve their number skills, but not confidence felt better able to get a qualification, find a job or get on at work.
The charity also found that women feel significantly less confident with numbers than men, even when they have a high level of skill with numbers.
These new findings supplement research for National Numeracy carried out in May 2021 of a nationally representative survey of 2,000 adults (18+) that found nearly one in five people (18%) avoid applying for a job or qualification because it, or the interview process, involves maths.
The data reflects what National Numeracy has found on the ground – employers and employees reporting problems with number confidence and maths anxiety blocking the pipelines to key progression routes, such as apprenticeships.
So it is therefore crucial that greater attention is paid to improving confidence as a stepping-stone to improving skills, opening up access to learning and progression opportunities, and the benefits for employment that improved numeracy brings. That’s where Number Confidence Week comes in.
Number Confidence Week offers a week of fun, useful content with celebrities, experts and numeracy improvers. From livestreams to downloads, video resources to kids’ activities, there is something to help everyone feel more number confident.
Kicking off on Monday 1 November, the week covers three crucial topics: supporting your children; managing your money; and getting into, or on, at work. Number Confidence Week is supported by leading global markets infrastructure and data solutions provider, TP ICAP, and as always, everything is entirely free for view and use.
Sam Sims, Chief Executive of National Numeracy said: “Feeling confident about numbers is a game changer. Our research shows that confidence unlocks the door to skills-building and feeling better able to get in to work or get on at work or get a qualification.
“That’s why, this Number Confidence Week, we want to inspire as many people as possible to feel more comfortable and confident with everyday maths. Number confidence really is the foundation for opening up opportunities and brighter futures.”
Nicolas Breteau, Group Chief Executive of TP ICAP, the founding partner of Number Confidence Week, said: “We know that numeracy is crucial in today’s world, not only for the success of our industry but also in enabling individuals to make better choices for their finances and careers.
“Our research has shown that low confidence with numbers remains a significant barrier for many, and often holds talented individuals back from considering a career in financial services. It’s important that we change that, which is why we became a founding partner of Number Confidence Week”
Boosting numeracy levels in the UK is key to building a skilled nation able to recover from the pandemic after a period of immense instability in our job markets.
The UK’s numeracy levels are significantly below the average for developed countries, with 49% of the UK’s working-age population having the expected numeracy levels of a primary school child. And poor numeracy costs the UK economy a staggering £25 billion a year.
Intimate performances from two of Scottish music’s rising stars, streamed live from the historic Leith Theatre
Live in Leith returns after its inaugural series in Spring 2021. Streaming on DICE with exclusive weekend access over 6-7th November 2021, the venue hosts Lizzie Reid, Scottish Album of the Year nominee; and Wester Hailes’ LOTOS/Last of The Old School, recently featured in a BBC Scotland documentary (https://bbc.in/3pllbA2), who are one of the key voices in Scottish rap.
Inset: Lizzie Reid / Live in Leith – C: Rory Barnes
After being successful in gaining 2nd round funding from Creative Scotland’s Performing Arts Venue Relief Fund, Leith Theatre was able to once again reach audiences who have a love of new music and the venue while the building remains closed.
Live in Leith was able to re-engage with the local creative network and work alongside them to produce two incredible recorded sets while providing important income streams for industry professionals and the artists themselves.
Inset: LOTOS / Live in Leith – C: Rory Barnes
Hosted once again by Vic Galloway, Live in Leith puts a spotlight on 2 of Scotland’s rising stars at what is an important time in their careers.
The artists play a 20 minute set composed of current and new numbers followed by a get-to-know-you interview with host, Vic Galloway. The setting is Leith Theatre’s Female Chorus Room, a green room used for major productions in the venue. A special space, largely untouched since its 1961 refurbishment, the viewers get an AAA pass for these streams.
“These streams are not to be missed. The recordings are up close and personal with two of Scotland’s brightest talents. I am in no doubt, these acts will come back and headline our main stage as well as many other famous venues across the country.” – Callum Jones, Programme Curator & Coordinator
Heriot’s Rugby Club at Goldeacre is delighted to announce their first ever pre-match lunch for a Women’s rugby fixture.
There has been a lot of interest in Women in Sport of late and Heriot’s Rugby Club are seeing the rewards to this, with sponsors such as Golden Acre Foods, Shoosmiths and Modern Standard Coffee identifying the Blues Women as a team they wish to support.
The first pre-match lunch takes place on Sunday 21st November 2021 from 11.30am prior to the Heriot’s Blues Women V Stirling RFC game, kick off is 2pm. This is going to be an exciting day for all involved.
Heriot’s Rugby Club invite anyone interested in taking part in the lunch to book tickets via their website https://bit.ly/3vHCj44 – cost is £25 per head and includes a 3-course set lunch followed by tea/coffee & mints.
The Blues Women’s games are free to spectators, so anyone wishing to watch the game, please come along to Goldenacre any time from 1pm onwards.
Rhona Hume, Director of Women’s Rugby at Heriot’s Rugby Club said, “We are incredibly excited to be hosting this pre-match lunch, with Ellen Dickson, Scotland Women’s Team Manager, as guest speaker, this shows the growth in women’s rugby in Scotland, and I am so grateful for Iain ‘The Bear’ Milne’s support in pulling this together.”
A statement calling for the role of women and girls to be advanced in addressing climate change has been launched at COP26, jointly-sponsored by the Scottish Government and UN Women.
The Glasgow Women’s Leadership Statement on Gender Equality and Climate Change commits to further strengthening efforts to support women and girls to lead on addressing climate change at community, national, and international level.
It recognises that women and girls are often disproportionately affected by climate change and face greater risks and burdens from its impacts, particularly in situations of poverty.
Drafted in cooperation with UN Women, the statement was launched following a panel discussion convened by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, which included Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina, President of Tanzania Samia Suluhu Hassan, and Prime Minister of Estonia Kaja Kallas.
The statement will remain open for signatures from today until the 66th meeting of the Commission on the Status of Women, to be held in March 2022 with a focus on women’s empowerment in the context of climate change, the environment and disaster risk reduction.
The panel discussed gendered impacts of climate change and the importance of women and girls’ leadership in addressing these.
The First Minister said: “I am delighted to convene the Glasgow Women’s Leadership Initiative with UN Women, to put gender equality and climate change at the very forefront of COP26.
“One of the great injustices of the climate crisis is that the people and countries who are worst affected are those who have contributed least to its causes. That includes women and girls, with girls more likely to be taken out of school, and women less able to find alternative forms of work as a result of climate impacts.
“The Glasgow statement recognises that the leadership of women and girls is essential to ensure global efforts to tackle climate change succeed. With strong partnerships between governments, businesses, and civil society we can enable more women and girls to lead on the solutions we need to address climate impacts and promote gender equality.
“I am determined that Scotland will lead on progressing this at home and internationally where we can, and I call on all leaders to join me in signing up to the statement.”
UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous said: “We can only achieve our collective goal and responsibility of reducing emissions to limit temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius if women and girls are part of the response.
“Today’s statement is a powerful tool in sustaining the growing momentum of women’s and girls’ leadership and innovation in climate action. I call on women leaders to make concrete commitments by signing it.”
Prime Minister of Estonia Kaja Kallas said: “Empowerment of women and girls is a priority for Estonia also in our UN work. We need to recognize at the highest political level that especially in fragile and conflict-affected settings women and girls are particularly vulnerable to the negative impacts of climate change.”
Scotland’s rainforest will be restored and expanded as a natural solution to the climate emergency, Environment Minister Mairi McAllan announced yesterday.
The west of Scotland is home to one of the most important remaining rainforest sites in Europe, with its rich diversity of species making it internationally important. Supporting the restoration and expansion of this site will be a key part of a £500 million investment in Scotland’s natural economy.
The Scottish Government is engaging with the Alliance for Scotland’s Rainforests, comprising a diverse group of organisations and public sector bodies, to determine how best to fulfil these commitments.
Ms McAllan said: “Scotland is home to its own Atlantic rainforest boasting a variety of rare species and habitats. We want to protect and expand this precious environment and we have committed to do so in the life of this Parliament.
“I welcome the Glasgow Declaration’s strategic vision which recognises that forests and woodlands have a crucial role in reversing the effects of climate change and nature loss. As an active global citizen, Scotland is playing its role with world-leading ambitions in reaching Net Zero by 2045, five years before the rest of the UK.
“Our forests and woodlands are an important net carbon sink, absorbing around 6.2 million tonnes of CO2 every year – equivalent to almost 10% of Scotland’s gross greenhouse gas emissions. As world leaders commit to end deforestation by 2030, we are planting 80% of the UK’s trees and making bold commitments like this to protect and enhance Scotland’s own temperate rainforest.
“Our ambitions do not stop there. We have increased our new woodland creation targets from 12,000 hectares a year to 18,000 hectares by 2024/5. By then, we will be planting 36 million new trees every year in Scotland.”
Ms McAllan spoke at the RSPB’s Glasgow to Globe living exhibition at Glasgow Botanic Gardens yesterday to welcome the Glasgow Declaration and highlight Scotland’s efforts to protect and restore Scotland’s woodlands.
The Scottish Government is committed to investing £500 million in Scotland’s natural economy. Actions include expanding the nature restoration fund, supporting the creation of a new national park and local nature networks, protecting and restoring Scotland’s Atlantic rainforest and ancient woodlands, and investing more in the restoration of peatland and expansion of woodlands
Forests and woodlands are part of the global solution. The Scottish Government would urge all nations to make best use of these precious natural resources to keep the 1.5 C temperature target in sight.
The latest Emergency Department performance figures for Scotland published by the Scottish Government yesterday for September 2021 show a deterioration in performance for the fifth consecutive month. The data show the worst four-hour performance on record and both the highest number of 12-hour and eight-hour stays since records began.
In September 2021 there were 113,998 attendances to major Emergency Departments across Scotland, the number of attendances dropped by 3,500 patients (3%) compared to the previous month, August 2021.
Despite the slight decrease in attendances data show that four-hour performance reached a new record low, with 73.8% of patients being seen within four-hours, this is 1.5 percentage points lower than the previous month, August 2021. It is the second time in 2021 that performance has fallen below 75%.
In September 2021 1,840 patients spent 12-hours or more in a major Emergency Department, this is an increase of 31.5% compared to the previous month, August 2021. This number increased for the fifth consecutive month and is once again the highest number of 12-hour stays since records began.
Data also show that 6,413 patients spent eight hours or more in a major Emergency Department. This is an increase of 20%, equal to over 1,000 patients. The number of patients delayed by eight-hours or more increased for the fifth consecutive month and once again this is the highest number of eight-hour stays since records began.
Dr John Thomson, Vice President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine Scotland, said: “The consistent fall in performance is seriously worrying. What we are seeing: ambulance handover delays; dangerous crowding; long stays; put patient safety at risk and can lead to harm or avoidable deaths.
“The problem is poor flow throughout the hospital and exit block, this will not be resolved in the Emergency Department, it is a system-wide problem and requires system-wide solutions and collaboration.
“Boards must safely expand capacity where possible, provided doctors and nurses and other healthcare workers are available to staff the beds. Same-day emergency care can help to reduce unplanned hospital admissions, maximising the delivery of this service may alleviate some pressures.
“Discharge to assess, ensuring that patients can be discharged in a safe and timely way where they have the support they need to recover in the community, can help free up beds to increase flow throughout the hospital.
“Lastly, it is vital that adequate support and resources are given to social and community care so vulnerable patients do not face successive trips to the Emergency Department or hospital.
“Clear communication between Clinical Leads and senior Board management about the reality of ambulance handover delays; dangerous crowding; and long stays is also vital. Stating the threat these practices pose to patient safety and both reporting and escalating incidents as they occur should guide leadership to take swift action.
“It is a very difficult time, and we are preparing for a gruelling winter. The past five months of performance figures suggest that more deterioration is set to come. In Emergency Medicine we must continue to work towards collaborative solutions and work with other departments, specialties, and management.
“But we continue to call on the Scottish government to set out a long-term workforce plan. In Emergency Medicine (EM) in Scotland there is a vital need to both recruit new and retain existing staff, we need at least 113 EM consultants along with sufficient numbers of both junior and supporting staff and nurses.”
Today’s statistics revealed the worst weekly and monthly A&E statistics since records began.
The statistics show that only 65.6% of attendances at A&E services in NHS Lothian were seen and resulted in a subsequent admission, transfer or discharge within 4 hours for the week ending on the 24th of October.
This is lower than the previous record low of 66.3% recorded in week ending 12th September. Furthermore, 508 patients in NHS Lothian waited more than 8 hours, with 240 not being seen for 12 hours.
Scottish Labour MSP Foysol Choudhury said: “A&E services in the Lothians are in crisis, with the situation rapidly deteriorating with every passing week.’’
“Hard-pressed frontline staff have been sounding the alarm for months, but the Health Secretary has spectacularly failed to take action. Patients in the Lothians are being put in danger thanks to the SNP’s catastrophic failure to support A&E services.
‘’The Health Secretary is without a workable plan, so we have a health service in freefall. Action must be taken now. Our NHS deserves better’’
