WITH some parts ofthe country in full-on celebration mode for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, spare a thought for the people who are going to be clearing up after all those street parties.
One British waste and recycling company has been crunching the numbers, and expects the country to get through enough beer, wine, spirits and soft drinks for the empties to stretch right around the planet.
And according to waste collection company Divert.co.uk, that’s just the tip of the iceberg, with enormous amounts of rubbish and food waste being generated over the long Bank Holiday weekend.
“This is one of the most extraordinary events in this country’s recent history,” says Divert.co.uk spokesperson Mark Hall, “and it’s right that we forget our troubles for a few days to party hard for the Queen’s jubilee.
“But that means Britain’s rubbish collectors are going to be working as hard as ever to keep the streets clean for the Queen – so try to make our jobs easier if you can!”
Jubilee recycling – by numbers
If the last two major royal events (the marriages of William and Kate, and Harry and Meghan) and the Euro 2020 football finals are anything to go by, then Brits are set to consume record amounts of booze and party food.
During just one football match during last year’s Euro finals (England’s 4-0 win over Ukraine), it’s estimated that 23,000,000 pints of beer were drunk in British homes alone.
To put that in perspective, those 23m pints in tins and bottles laid end-to-end would have reached from London to the North Pole.
And that’s before we factor in the wine drinkers. Retailers estimated some 4,000,000 bottles of bubbly alone were sunk during Harry and Meghan’s wedding, so it’s safe to say that the grand total for all wines would be in the ballpark of 10 million.
Laid end-to-end, those empties would reach from London to Istanbul.
And those estimates were based on events which lasted for single days. With the Jubilee holiday set to last for four days (and subtracting a small proportion for Sunday’s expected rain), Divert.co.uk expects those levels of waste to be easily beaten.
Then there’s the soft drinks for the millions of kids and non-drinkers who will also be celebrating.
That being the case, we fully expect that Britain’s empties will stretch 40,000 kilometres (24,000 miles), which is the circumference of the world.
“All we ask is that you recycle all your empties sensibly. We want this party to be as green as possible”, says Divert.co.uk’s Mark Hall.
Dealing with the Jubilee rubbish mountain
The Jubilee celebration isn’t all about drinking ourselves silly – there’ll also be street parties and picnics and home barbecues marking the Queen’s amazing 70 year reign.
That means there’ll be no end of food waste, food wrappers, and mile upon mile of plastic jubilee flag bunting.
Food wastage is likely to surpass that seen over the average Christmas week, Divert.co.uk’s Mark Hall fears. That’s over seven million tonnes of food.
“There’s only so much coronation chicken and roast swan you can eat”, he says, “So buy sensibly, and make sure you recycle your waste food sensibly.”
As for more festive waste: One company specialising in party supplies says that they were in danger of running out of Union Flag bunting, plastic table cloths, hats, fancy dress outfits, and other favours.
While – unsurprisingly – there’s not a great deal of official data on the sales of flag bunting and other ephemera, Divert.co.uk expects that the amount of bunting going into bins next week could easily rival the 40,000 kilometres of empty bottles and cans.
“And the trouble with that it that much of it is single use plastic,” says Mark Hall. “And that means dumping millions of Union Flags in landfill. Hardly the patriotic image that we want to see.”
Why not, then, keep hold of your used bunting and flags for the next big British celebration to come along, Divert.co.uk suggests.
“There’s the World Cup coming up later this year, and you never know … !” says Mark.
As the country heads out to enjoy the Queen’s Jubilee long weekend, punters are being asked to nominate and ‘crown’ Scotland’s very best cocktail bars.
Whether a venue is celebrating its very own Platinum Jubilee with 70 years of service, or has only been open for a few months – nominations are now open at the Scottish Bar & Pub Awards.
Seeking out the nation’s most creative drinks, ‘The Busker Innovative Cocktail Bar of the Year’ award is looking for cocktails fit for a Queen or tailor-made to impress for the long bank holiday weekend that deserve recognition.
Votes have been rolling so far in for late night cocktail bar Orchid in Aberdeen, the eccentric Raging Bull in Edinburgh, modern Scotch pub, The Gate in Glasgow and hidden bar, Absent Ear.
Dubbed the hospitality ‘Oscars’, The Scottish Bar & Pub Awards aim to reward the best of the best, crowning venues and raising a glass to an industry which has been hard hit during the past few years.
Anyone can nominate their favourite pub and voting closes 30th June 2022. Submit your favourite cocktail bar now at www.scottishbarandpubawards.com
Now in their 27th year, the awards shine a spotlight on all aspects of the hospitality industry, with this year’s cocktail bar search focussing on a venue which empowers bartenders to push their limits and creative masterful cocktails which marry traditional elements with contemporary looks.
Whether your local excels in inventive Margaritas, puts their signature twist on an Old Fashioned or makes the perfect Manhattan, the Scottish Bar and Pub Awards want to recognise them.
Every vote counts as the top ten competitors from each category will receive a visit from ‘mystery shoppers’ before the esteemed finalists are revealed.
Organiser of the awards, Susan Youngsaid: “Scotland’s major cities such as Glasgow and Edinburgh are well-known for their vast cocktail selection, but at the Scottish Bar & Pub Awards we want to cast the net wider and ensure venues all across the country are recognised for their creative cocktail work.
“Whether your local bar has concocted a taste sensation in celebration of the upcoming Jubilee Weekend, or you are a local bartender constantly providing your patrons with new and inventive cocktails to try – we want to hear from you. Support local and reward the hard work of Scotland’s hospitality industry. “
The national search has almost 20 categories focussed on celebrating rising stars in the industry, community led initiatives, sustainability practices, late night venues and many more.
Awards vary from ‘ARO Procurement Customer Service Award’ for pubs, restaurants or hotels which embrace exceptional customer service or even the ‘Antos Dog Friendly Pub of the Year’, rewarding venues for going above and beyond for patrons’ four-legged friends.
The prestigious awards work to provide a much-needed boost to those championing the late night economy, from Scotland’s metropolitan city centre bars and restaurants to snug hideaways on the northernmost islands.
The Scottish Bar & Pub Awards encourage all those in the community to get involved, rewarding your local pub or bar for all of those perfect pints they’ve pulled over the years! Guests and staff can simply vote online to cast your nomination.
Following a public vote judging process, the winners will then be announced at a glamorous award ceremony on 30th August 2022 at The Hilton Hotel, in Glasgow. Voting closes on the 30th June 2022.
Obviously a pub that welcomes dogs… with great facilities and perhaps even treats for their four-legged customers.
ARO Procurement Customer Service Award Judges will be looking for a pub, restaurant or hotel which fully embraces the customer service ethos.
Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year Gordon & MacPhail, one of Scotland’s premiere whisky companies, is looking for a whisky bar that excels and has a great range.
Buzzworks and Montpeliers Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year Buzzworks and Montpeliers, two of Scotland’s premiere hospitality businesses, are seeking an up and coming entrepreneur. The prize is a year’s mentoring…
Deanston Whisky Guru of the Year This category is for people who not only have a great knowledge of whisky.
DRAM Community Pub of the Year Judges here will be looking for a special pub, which is not only part of the community but supports it too.
DRAM Independent Pub Group of the Year The DRAM is on the look-out for Scotland’s top Independent Pub Group.
Hi-Spirits Best Live Music Venue 2022 Live music is very much part of a vibrant night life, aand judes are looking for Scotland’s best.
Hungrrr Technology Adopter of The Year Hospitality operators that embrace technology to keepe their business on track and driving them forward.
Inverarity Morton Restaurant of the Year A memorable meal in a memorable restaurant – where have you been that has impressed?
Kopparberg New Bar of the Year Is there a great new bar near you that deserves an award?
Molinari Casual Dining Award 2022 Recongised relaxed atmosphere venues that serve good value quality food.
Molson Coors Scottish Bar Of The Year This inaugural award is seeking out Scotland’s best bars that have been around for more than a year.
Old Tom Gin 1821 Hotel Bar of the Year Do you have a hotel that you love to go to relax and enjoy the great outdoors that also has a great bar?
Pernod Ricard Best Late Night Venue Pernod Ricard, the brand owners with Havana Club, Beefeater, and Chivas in its portfolio, is looking for a late night venue that exemplifies what is good and great about late night socialising.
Sunday Mail Pub of the Year This year the Sunday Mail Pub of the Year Award will go to the most voted for pub in Scotland at the Scottish Bar and Pub Awards.
Stolichnaya Award for Sustainability
This award is aimed at bars, restaurants or hotels that operate with an effective and sustainability agenda, from reducing plastic waste to conserving energy – it all matters.
The Busker Innovative Cocktail Bar of the Year The Busker is an innovative ‘new to the world’ Irish Whiskey which is seeking out Scotland’s most innovative Cocktail Bar. It is looking for a bar which marries traditions with a contemporary look and which empowers bartenders to go beyond their limitations and create flavour-curious (great) cocktails.
William Grant & Sons Bar Apprentice of the Year 2022 The Bar Apprentice is back for with a bespoke programme for this year’s apprentices – an experience you can’t buy!
Join us on Friday 17 June from 6—8pm to celebrate the opening of backwash, an exhibition of new work by Glasgow-based artist Camara Taylor.
backwash can refer to the cleaning of filters, the receding of waves, backward currents or the reverberations of an event. It is also a name for the saliva-infused liquid at the bottom of drinking vessels.
In this exhibition of new video and mixed-media works by Camara Taylor, forming part of Collective’s Satellites Programme, these fluid actions are mixed with ongoing explorations of silt, slop and snaps.
This is a free event and all are welcome. Much of the event will take place outdoors in our ‘Play Shelter’ so please dress for the weather! Numbers inside the exhibition will be monitored so a short wait may be required.
Collective’s Satellites Programme is supported by Baillie Gifford. backwash is supported by The Elephant Trust.
One of Scotland’s leading housebuilders has started work on a £28 million housing development in Blindwells, East Lothian.
Foundation and groundworks are underway on The Earls development being delivered by Persimmon Homes.
A mix of two, three and four-bedroom homes as well as 12 apartments will make up the 197 properties on the site which received planning permission in September last year. Of those, 30 homes will be transferred to a provider of social housing.
Situated between Prestonpans, Cockenzie and Tranent, The Earls forms part of the overall Blindwells New Town masterplan of the 390-acre former opencast mine site being delivered by Hargreaves Land.
Alongside 1,600 much needed new homes, the New Town masterplan will also see construction of a new primary school and other community facilities and amenities in the area.
Neil Parry, managing director at Persimmon Homes East Scotland, confirmed: “Breaking ground at The Earls is just the start of this exciting new development which will provide a range of high-quality homes that we are confident will meet the needs of the East Lothian property market and create jobs for local people.
“Since our signage was erected we have received a high volume of enquiries for our new homes. This is testament to the desire to live in this new, and what will be an amazing community to live in. We look forward to our first legal completions towards the end of 2022.”
Bruce Lindsay, development director at Hargreaves Land, said: “Hargreaves are delighted to welcome Persimmon to Blindwells and look forward to seeing the new housing being delivered as part of this exciting New Town development.”
The Earls is ideally placed close to excellent transport links, just off the A1, close to beautiful east coast beaches and golf courses.
To be among the first to secure a home in an emerging new community buyers can visit www.persimmonhomes.com or call the marketing suite on 0187 544 0562.
Founded in 1972, Persimmon Homes is one of the UK’s leading 5 star housebuilders. With headquarters in York, the Group operates from 31 regional offices throughout the UK, trading under the brand names of Persimmon Homes, Charles Church and Westbury Partnerships, building quality homes across England, Wales and Scotland.
The company directly employs more than 5,000 people and supports around 86,000 jobs in the construction sector. Persimmon is proud to be an accredited Living Wage Foundation employer.
Love them or loathe them, the Royal Family in its various forms has been entertaining, enthralling and fascinating us for centuries.
The British Monarchy’s catalogue of blood feuds, forbidden love affairs, wars, abdications and endless scandals has supplied material for the writers of every age.
From Shakespeare’s thinly disguised commentaries on Elizabeth and James I respectively to Peter Morgan’s reimagining of the Royals as high-end Soap Opera in The Crown, the audience for these gilded dramas has never waned.
And now, as Elizabeth II, and indeed millions of Britons, celebrate her becoming not just the longest serving British monarch but the third longest serving monarch in world history, we take the opportunity to cast our gaze over some of the best Royalty-themed films of the first century of cinema.
In no particular order, here are the top 10 picks to watch over the Jubilee weekend:
Spencer
Kristin Stewart brings her own brand of sparkle and unpredictability to this intense, poetic take on Princess Diana.
Whether Diana was really like this or not is sort of missing the point.
Pablo Larraín’s film is a tightly wound character study of a woman unravelling under intense pressure and as a consequence plays out as much as a psychological horror as it does conventional drama.
The Queen
Given the intense scrutiny the modern day Royals find themselves under, it’s quite rare to find Elizabeth II at the centre of a movie narrative.
Helen Mirren transcends as a Queen in semi-exile after the death of Diana, facing a crossroads in her reign and, more immediately, a beguiling stag that haunts her estate in the Scottish Highlands.
Elizabeth
Radical choice of director (Shekhar Kapur): tick. Young actress ready for super-stardom (Cate Blanchet): tick. The rise of Elizabeth retold as The Godfather: tick.
A period film for all the ages.
The King
I confess to being on the fence about Timothée Chalamet until I gave this film a whirl. And it’s astonishing.
His spindly, hungover, sad rendition of Prince Hal slowly morphs into something raw, timeless and utterly believable.
Joel Edgerton and David Michôd’s masterful retelling of the ‘Henriad’ exerts a compelling, epic grip that makes it one of the best historical films since Gladiator.
Mrs Brown
Judi Dench cemented her reputation as one of the world’s most accomplished screen actors with this moving portrayal of a grieving Queen Victoria.
But perhaps the film’s biggest surprise was the unexpected, nuanced performance of Scottish comedian Billy Connolly as the ‘commoner’ who encouraged her to return to public life.
The Lion In Winter
One of three stage plays adapted for the screen on this list, The Lion In Winter brings together the titanic screen presences of Katherine Hepburn and Peter O’Toole for a heady dose of relationship fireworks.
They really don’t make ‘em like this any more.
Notable too for Anthony Hopkins making his screen debut. A Man For All Seasons
I was forced to watch this at school and was ready to write it off until the genius of writer Robert Bolt’s characters and the play’s moral conscience completely captivated me.
A film as relevant now as it was when first released.
Watch out for a late-period Orson Welles filling up the frame with his interpretation of Cardinal Wolsey.
The Madness Of King George
A film in which the a King descends into ‘madness’ only to be retrieved from the abyss by a radical form of treatment.
Gentle, funny, heartbreaking and sumptuous all at once, this is British period filmmaking at its finest.
Viceroy’s House
If all this feels too much like Royalist propaganda, then cleanse the palate with Gurinder Chadha’s brilliant, bold dismantling of the accepted history of the Queen’s Uncle’s attempt at managing the Partition between India and Pakistan. Moria Bufini and Chadha’s masterful script weaves the political and the personal together seamlessly to challenge and confront the dissolution of the ‘British Raj’.
Sid & Nancy
Since The Sex Pistols blew up pop music in the late 1970s, no Royal celebration is complete without an airing of their alternative jubilee anthem, ‘God Save The Queen’.
And why not indulge, then, in the film that launched the careers of Oscar Winners Gary Oldman, Roger Deakins, maverick director Alex Cox and Working Title chief Eric Fellner?
Come along to our free virtual open evening on the 15th June from 6:30-8 to learn about the roles we have on offer. Whether you’re qualified or unqualified, we’d love to meet you!
SNP MSP Gordon Macdonald has welcomed nearly £4.7 billion of extra investment for Scotland’s Health and Social Care portfolio over the next 4 years.
The Resource Spending Review, outlined by Finance Secretary Kate Forbes this week, invests in frontline services and outlines over £70 billion of investment in the Health and Social Care budget between 2023/24 and 2026/27.
This investment will increase capacity in the health service, help establish the National Care Service, help deliver care in the community, and tackle health inequalities.
Gordon Macdonald MSP said: “The SNP Scottish Government has invested significantly in difficult financial times to ensure our NHS and social care sector are fit for the 21st Century.
“I’m delighted that this week’s Resource Spending Review will see significant investment in the Health and Social Care budget – which will help health services across Edinburgh as Scotland recovers from the pandemic, where there will undoubtedly be pressures on the healthcare sector.
“The SNP Government’s twin approach of delivering record investment and taking forward vital reforms will help ensure that the people of Scotland get the care they need in the right place at the right time.
“None of this would be possible to deliver without our hard-working NHS and social care staff working across Edinburgh. I’d like to extend my personal thanks for their tremendous efforts over a very difficult few years.”
National Museum of Scotland Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF Open 10:00–17:00 daily
The Silver Casket Until 1 Aug 2022 Hawthorden Court Free entry
See an iconic piece of Scotland’s national heritage, the silver casket believed to have been owned by Mary, Queen of Scots. Made in Paris, probably between 1493 and 1510, the casket is a superb and extremely rare work of early French silver. It is likely that its long-standing association with Mary and her downfall has kept it preserved for over 450 years.
The silver casket is on display in Hawthornden Court at the National Museum of Scotland. From August 2022, it will be on permanent display in the Kingdom of the Scots gallery alongside other objects associated with Mary.
E.Coli by Luke Jerram 3 Aug – 31 Aug 2022 Grand Gallery Free entry
Part of the Edinburgh Art Festival programme, this 90ft long inflatable sculpture by Bristol-based Luke Jerram will be suspended from the ceiling of the National Museum of Scotland’s Grand Gallery. The E.coli is 5 million times bigger than the real bacteria. When standing next to it, does the bacteria alter our personal sense of scale? Does it look scary, beautiful, comical or alien? Will people be attracted or repelled by it?
Japanese Contemporary Design Until 5 Mar 2023 Exhibition Gallery 3, Level 1 Free entry
From striking statement jewellery to prints and porcelain vases, this new free display considers how Japanese contemporary makers have combined innovative and traditional art, craft and design elements over the past five decades.
The star object is Hitomi Hosono’s A Large Pine Tree Pool, a sculptural porcelain bowl with complex hand-carving made and acquired in 2019. Further highlights include Junko Mori’s intricate New Pinecone Silver Organism, and colourful body adornments by jeweller Suō Emiko’s adapted from metalworking and engraving techniques traditionally used in the making of Japanese sword fittings.
The Typewriter Revolution Until 11 Sep 2022 Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3 Free entry
The typewriter’s social and technological influence is revealed in this 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.
Inspiring Walter Scott Until 8 Jan 2023 Exhibition Gallery 4, Level 1 Free entry
Following 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 and supporting Year of Stories 2022.
Book of Hours Until 3 Aug 2022 Kingdom of the Scots gallery (Level 1) Free entry
Explore the pages of an illustrated prayer book featuring a handwritten poem by a young Mary, Queen of Scots in this display.
Written in Latin on vellum, the Book of Hours contains 40 exquisite illuminations by a 16th century Master artist. Used for private worship, it belonged to Mary’s great aunt Louise de Bourbon, Abbess of Fontevraud, who is believed to have gifted this precious volume to the young queen.
The book will be exhibited in the Kingdom of the Scots gallery in a display alongside other objects associated with Mary, Queen of Scots. Six different pages within the book will be revealed, with a new page displayed every three weeks. A QR code will allow you to scroll through the vividly illustrated pages in detail.
The Book of Hours is on loan to National Museums Scotland from The Pininski Foundation, Liechtenstein.
Anatomy: A Matter of Death and Life 2 Jul – 13 Nov 2022 Member Preview Day 1 Jul Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3 Ticketed
Explore the history of anatomical study, from artistic explorations by Leonardo da Vinci to the Burke and Hare murders. This exhibition will look at the social and medical history surrounding the practice of dissection. It will trace the relationship between anatomy, its teaching and cultural context and the bodies that were dissected. Looking at Edinburgh’s role as an international centre for medical study, the exhibition will offer insight into the links between science and crime in the early 19th century.
Bernat Klein: Design in Colour 5 Nov 2022 – 23 Apr 2023 Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3 Free entry
Marking the centenary of his birth, Bernat Klein: Design in Colour will celebrate the work of the influential émigré textile designer.
Visitors will be able to explore Klein’s creative process and varied career, from providing couture fabrics for fashion designers to his influence on modernist architecture and interior design in the UK and Scandinavia
National Museum of Scotland Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF Open 10:00–17:00 daily
How The Nose Got Its Sneeze 11 – 12 Jun 2022 10:00-16:45 Event Space, Level 2 Free sign up on the day
In this fun and immersive play adventure, children will explore what happens inside the nose when things like smoke, dust and pollen get inside and how the nose defends our precious lungs against these invaders.
Play will start with a story to set the scene, followed by a journey through a giant nose and then continue with lots of loose-part-play within two large lung-shaped domes. A gentle soundscape of music and breathing will surround the hands-on activity. OKIDO play rangers and lung researchers will be on hand to help with questions and fun!
Sign up on the day for a 45 minute session, starting each hour from 10am until (last session) 4pm.
This event is for under-fives but parents, carers, grandparents and older siblings are encouraged to join in too!
Concert for a Summer’s Night 21 Jun 2022 19:15 doors open, 20:00 concert starts Grand Gallery Ticketed
Mark the summer solstice with string collective Scottish Ensemble. Be taken on an atmospheric journey through an eclectic mix of musical styles, including Mozart’s scampering, energetic ‘Magic Flute Overture’, Vask’s shimmering ‘Musica Serena’ and Dvorak’s ‘American Quartet’, evoking expansive, wide-open vistas.
Spotlight On: Anatomy 13 Jul 2022 14:00 – 15:00 Auditorium, Level 1 Free, with optional donation
Join exhibition curators Tacye Phillipson and Sophie Goggins as they discuss our major exhibition Anatomy: A Matter of Death and Life. Dig deeper into the themes explored in our summer exhibition in this free curator talk to kick off our Anatomy events programme. Revisit your favourite stories from the exhibition or find out more before your visit.
National Museum of Rural Life Philipshill Road, East Kilbride, G76 9HR Open 10:00–17:00 daily
Bird Bingo Until 31 Aug 2022 10:00-17:00 A trail around the museum Free with museum admission and Annual Pass
Come and play Bird Bingo at the National Museum of Rural Life!
Can you find all the birds hiding around the museum? Using the clues on our family trail sheet, see if you can spot different birds in our museum galleries and learn fun facts about them on your journey.
This family event is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery
National Museum of Flight East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian, EH39 5LF Open daily 10:00 – 16:00
Awesome Bricks 18 Jun –19 Jun 2022 10:00-17:00 Ticketed
Join us for one of Scotland’s biggest LEGO events. See a host of unique and inspiring LEGO constructions, including a 3D hot air balloon festival, and get hands-on in our blue brick build zone.
Awesome Bricks is produced in partnership with Warren Elsmore.
Behind the Scenes Tours 25 May – 26 Oct 2022 11:00–12:00 & 14:00–15:00 Object Store Free with museum admission Booking required
Find out about our collection of aero-engines and propellers on a curator-led tour of our Object Store. Join Aviation Curator Ian Brown for one of our regular guided tours of the museum’s Object Store. Explore some of the collections not normally on public view and discover the fascinating stories behind them.
I am delighted to be able to say a huge thank you to the hundreds of wonderful Stroke Association volunteers this Thank You Day 2022.
The annual Thank You Day, which takes place on Sunday 5 June, is extra special this year, as it coincides with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend where the nation will stop to celebrate 70 years of service by Her Majesty, the Queen.
To all our volunteers, you make a huge difference to thousands of stroke survivors and their families by sharing your stories, providing information and support through services and stroke groups, promoting stroke in local communities, fundraising, and campaigning for change.
I’m also delighted to pass on the best wishes of The Duke of Kent, who is also President of the Stroke Association:
“On this Thank You Day, it is an honour to be able to say a huge thank you to every one of the fantastic volunteers at the Stroke Association.
“This special weekend, as we celebrate the Platinum Jubilee, it is fitting to also take time to recognise the service of the amazing volunteers who are supporting stroke survivors and their families every day as they rebuild their lives after stroke.
“We are inspired by your dedication, commitment and care towards others, particularly those volunteers who have been so badly affected by stroke themselves.
“My best wishes and thanks to you all.”
So it’s a huge thank you from me and everyone at the Stroke Association. Thank you for giving hope to thousands of stroke survivors and their carers and supporting them with their recoveries – You’re amazing!
Approximately 29,000 people wait more than 16 weeks for eye care services in Scotland after initial referral1
The situation has worsened following dramatic falls in outpatient activity during the COVID-19 pandemic2
National partnership, The Eyes Have It, call on Scottish government to prioritise eye care services as part of NHS post-COVID recovery plans
Nearly 30,000 patients are waiting more than 16 weeks on NHS waiting lists for specialist ophthalmology treatment in Scotland, Members of the Scottish Parliament have been told during a reception at Holyrood.
And, according to NHS figures, these patients make up more than 50% of the entire ophthalmology waiting list.
Scottish parliamentarians from across the political spectrum who attended the event in the Scottish Parliament on 1st June learnt about the challenges patients with deteriorating eye health face in Scotland. The event was sponsored by Stuart McMillan MSP and hosted by the The Eyes Have It (TEHI) partnership with Sight Scotland.
Sight loss, the complete or partial loss of vision not correctable by usual means such as glasses, affects 200,000 people in Scotland3, more than the number affected by dementia4. Ophthalmology is now the third busiest outpatient specialty in the Scottish NHS and accounts for 10% of new outpatient appointments in Scotland2.
Cathy Yelf, CEO of the Macular Society, speaking on behalf of TEHI, which is made up of The Royal College of Ophthalmologists, the Macular Society, Fight for Sight, the Association of Optometrists and Roche Products Ltd, said: “Capacity shortages can have very serious implications for patients, with delayed follow up (both at the time of diagnosis and during ongoing care) found to be a factor in sight loss.
“The progressive nature of conditions such as wet age-related macular degeneration means that delays to treatment can result in poorer outcomes for patients with sight loss.”
Craig Spalding, CEO of Sight Scotland, one of Scotland’s oldest charities, said: “Eye conditions are estimated to cost the Scottish economy £2bn annually3, and despite the introduction, in 2006, of free primary eye exams in Scotland and strategies to identify priority areas for action to improve eye care services, Scotland continues to face challenges.
“The situation has worsened due to the Covid-19 pandemic which led to a dramatic fall in outpatient activity, but there is now an opportunity to improve efficiency, effectiveness and patient experience as the healthcare system looks towards COVID-19 recovery. Reducing waiting lists must be a key priority.”
Stuart McMillan MSP, Convenor of the Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Visual Impairment, said: “Sight loss can have a devastating effect on a person’s quality of life and emotional well-being.
“The implementation of free primary care eye examinations by the Scottish Government in 2006 helped to reduce pressures on secondary care but the Covid-19 pandemic has created new challenges meaning there is still more to do to improve patient access and expand capacity.
“It has been a pleasure to host this event with The Eyes Have It partnership to raise awareness of this important issue”
The Eyes Have It partnership, with Sight Scotland, has drawn up a series of recommendations calling on the Scottish government to prioritise eye health within NHS service recovery.
