Month: August 2024

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccination programme begins

With Scotland’s new Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine programme having begun, Public Health Scotland (PHS) is encouraging those eligible to get vaccinated.

PHS’s Head of Immunisation and Vaccination, Dr Sam Ghebrehewet, joined the First Minister, John Swinney, in a visit to the vaccination clinic in the Hub Community Centre in Clydebank today.

During the visit to the clinic in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Dr Ghebrehewet and the First Minister were delighted to meet with pregnant women and older adults who are among the first to have come forward for their RSV vaccine.   

RSV is a common and highly infectious respiratory virus that affects the breathing system. It is the leading cause of emergency respiratory admissions to hospital in Scotland in infants, with 1,516 children aged under one hospitalised with the virus last year. 

To help protect newborns and infants, pregnant women are being offered the vaccine during antenatal appointments with their midwife from 28 weeks into their pregnancy.

There were also over 1,000 cases of RSV recorded in adults aged 75 and over in Scotland between October 2022 and September 2023, with more than half (535) having to spend time in hospital as a result.

Local health boards in Scotland have been inviting all those currently eligible by letter to come forward for their free RSV vaccine including:

  • Those turning 75 years old on and between 1 August 2024 and 31 July 2025.
  • Anyone who is aged 75 to 79 years old on 1 August 2024.

Highlighting the importance of pregnant women and older adults coming forward for the RSV vaccine, Dr Sam Ghebrehewet, Head of Immunisation and Vaccination at PHS, said: “I’m pleased to join the First Minister and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s vaccination team at Clydebank Community Centre today and see people coming forward for the RSV vaccine.

“Vaccinations have played a major role in protecting the health of people across the globe over the last 50 years. Today’s launch of the new RSV vaccination programme marks another significant step in protecting the population of Scotland against preventable diseases.

“RSV can be very serious for those who are more vulnerable, such as newborns, infants and older adults. If you’re eligible, getting vaccinated is the best and simplest thing you can do to protect yourself or your newborn baby from RSV.

“Public Health Scotland continues to work closely with all health boards to ensure as many people as possible receive their vaccine and protect themselves against the more serious complications of an RSV infection.” 

Sara, a pregnant woman who received her vaccine at the clinic today, said: “I’d heard of RSV before and how serious it can be for babies.

“After I saw there was going to be a vaccine, I read up about it and decided it was the obvious thing to do to protect my baby when they are born.”

The First Minister said: “I encourage pregnant women to take up their vaccination appointments to protect their babies against the leading cause of hospitalisation in infants during the first weeks and months of life. 

“Ensuring a healthy childhood is every parent’s first priority, however, it is equally important that those aged 75-79 take up their offer of this vaccine.

“We have acted quickly with partners to introduce this vaccine in time to maximise the benefit to the more vulnerable ahead of winter. This programme will reduce the numbers seriously ill or hospitalised, helping to manage the significant winter pressures on our NHS.”

View information on the RSV vaccine for babies on NHS inform

View information on the RSV vaccine for adults on NHS inform

Botanics’ Herbarium celebrates milestone achievement

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s (RBGE) project to digitise its renowned Herbarium collection has reached a significant milestone as it celebrates the digitisation of its one millionth specimen.

The digitisation project aims to bridge the gap between the collection and the public by making data visible on an accessible platform – taking an innovative approach to scientific data sharing.

In line with this commitment to empower learners and share their resources, the Garden invited the Expedition Botanics – Secondary Summer Club, a group of 15–18-year-olds with a budding passion for science, to get behind-the-scenes access to the digitisation process of the millionth specimen.

To celebrate the milestone the Herbarium, which holds an ever-growing collection of over three million specimens, RBGE has digitised a specimen of Stereocaulon vesuvianum. The specimen, which is a species of lichen*, was collected by Dr Rebecca Yahr, Lichenologist at the Garden, during an expedition up Ben Nevis to mark 250 years since the first recorded climb up the historic mountain.

The landmark expedition was part of RBGE’s contribution to the Darwin Tree of Life (DToL) project, a groundbreaking genome-sequencing programme aimed at unlocking DNA sequences of all the species in Great Britain and Ireland.

By examining plant and fungal lineages and their characteristics, the Garden works collaboratively with partner organisations, including the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, the Wellcome Sanger Institute, the University of Oxford and the University of Edinburgh, to reflect on plants’ ancestry – plantcestry – uncovering invaluable insight into how life on Earth has evolved and how we can support global biodiversity conservation efforts.

Rebecca Yahr said: “Scotland has an important role in international conservation, particularly for lichens. Celebrating the milestone with this important specimen is an exciting opportunity for us to highlight Scotland’s unique biodiversity and extend RBGE’s mission to research and understand lichens more generally.”

The Garden’s Herbarium is home to species from 157 countries – an impressive scientific collection which was historically hard to access. The digitised platform, which showcases the rich and diverse plant lineage, now sees requests come in from across the globe from students, scientists and plant enthusiasts alike.

Closer to the community, the Garden’s Secondary Summer School had the opportunity to engage with the living collection as well as apply their learnings to the natural world. One of the lucky youngsters, 15-year-old Bernice Nwagu, was selected to digitise the millionth specimen, highlighting the Garden’s commitment to investing in future generations and sparking their curiosity in career paths within the industry.

The vibrant working collection, which traces back 350 years, is being digitised into high-resolution images that can be viewed by anyone with an internet connection. It demonstrates not only Scotland’s biodiversity but details regions around the world where RBGE has worked in partnership with local experts for generations.

Democratising access to reference collections such as the Garden’s provides scientists around the globe with an enriched understanding of the environment in their quest to conserve our fragile habitats.

Leading the digitisation project, Professor Olwen Grace, Deputy Director of Science (Collection) and Curator of the Herbarium said: “Being able to share this information with scientific communities as well as the public allows us to develop a more robust understanding of biodiversity challenges and the solutions that can help us build resilience to shifting climates.

“As biodiversity scientists, it’s both the best and worst time for us to be working. It is far easier to share and translate our work on plant lineages to produce models that demonstrate direct impacts and help us tackle problems at national and global scales; however, the acceleration of climate change means that we are in a race against time.

“At the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, we see it as our moral imperative to share this information, especially when we are facing a global biodiversity crisis.”

As part of the Garden’s commitment to building a positive future for biodiversity and providing access to the collection that represents half to two-thirds of the world’s flora, the digitisation process has followed the ‘FAIR Guiding Principles for scientific data management and stewardship’. This has ensured the data has been standardised in terms of findability, accessibility, interoperability and reusability of digital assets.

Scottish Government steps in to avert local authority pay strikes

Intervention by the Scottish Government has led to the suspension of planned industrial action by council workers, including refuse collectors, this week.

The action has been suspended by all three trade unions after the Scottish Government provided £77.5 million to fund an improved pay offer.

New funding from the government enabled local authority organisation COSLA to make an offer to unions worth an overall value of 4.27%, with a rise of 5.63% being offered for the lowest paid workers.

Finance and Local Government Secretary Shona Robison said: “We value this vital workforce and I welcome the fact that members will now be able to consider this strong pay offer which was reached following a strategic intervention from the Scottish Government.

“It has paused the prospect of costly industrial action this week which would have impacted businesses and communities across Scotland.

“Our swift action to ensure this strong offer could be made has been taken against an extremely challenging financial landscape and – while fair – represents the absolute limit of affordability.

“In order to fund the offer, we will have to move money from elsewhere in the budget and reduce funding for other programmes. We are taking on significant, additional financial pressure and have been clear painful choices have had to be made to fund this pay deal.

“The offer will provide an above inflation pay increase for all and support the lowest paid. I am pleased it is now with the workforce for their close consideration and would urge members to strongly consider this significantly improved envelope.”

COSLA has welcomed news that strikes have been suspended as Unite, GMB and Unison members will be given the opportunity to have their say on the latest pay offer from COSLA.

COSLA Resources Spokesperson, Councillor Katie Hagmann, said: “I am heartened today to hear that Unison, Unite and GMB have all agreed to take our latest strong offer to their membership for consideration and to suspend strike action while this is considered.

“Intense but constructive discussions between COSLA, Trade Unions and Scottish Government in recent weeks have resulted in additional Scottish Government funding. This has allowed us to make an improved offer without further risk to our vital council jobs and frontline services. This is a positive and welcome outcome, and I thank everyone involved for their valuable input.

“If accepted, this latest strong offer is worth an average of 4.27% across the whole workforce and would guarantee at least a 3.6% increase for all pay points. The offer directly reflects what trade unions have asked for with a greater increase for the lowest paid workers who would receive £1292 (or 5.63%). We are hopeful that this good offer, which is better than offers made to local government workers in the rest of the UK, will be accepted.

“We strongly urge all council employees who are eligible to vote to use this opportunity to accept the offer and secure a speedy settlement and pay uplift.” [

Kids eat free this Fringe at city centre restaurants

Families in Edinburgh need look no further than the city’s George Street for a fantastic family day out that won’t break the bank.

With the Fringe festival in full swing, George Street plays host to multiple venues and food vendors which can quickly add up during this busy but expensive time of year in the city.

Popular city centre restaurants, Rio Brazilian Steakhouse and Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh have both recently launched family friendly deals with ‘kids eat free’ options at both venues.

Rio Brazilian Steakhouse Edinburgh

Families in Edinburgh can immerse themselves in the true essence of Brazilian Churrasco dining, as they experience everything Rio Brazilian Steakhouse has to offer. Expert Gaucho chefs skilfully carve a selection of non-stop meats, served right to the table, offering an unforgettable dining experience in the iconic Assembly Rooms restaurant.

Rio Brazilian Steakhouse is the ultimate family friendly restaurant, guaranteed to suit even the fussiest of eaters. Kids under eight eat free every day at Rio Edinburgh, with a fantastic selection of delicious meats, unlimited salad bar and sides available.

The restaurant has also recently introduced a new discounted price for kids aged 8-12, at just £14.95 per child.

To find out more about Rio Brazilian Steakhouse and to book your table, please visit: www.rio-steakhouse.co.uk/edinburgh

Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh

This August, families can make the most of the festival fun and enjoy a kid’s breakfast for free at the iconic Hard Rock Cafe, situated just a stone’s throw from the popular Assembly Rooms venue. Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh offers a menu of classic American flavours and street food bites in a fun and vibrant setting in the heart of the city.

Lil’ rockers can choose between Pancakes with hot fudge chocolate sauce, banana and fresh berries or a Kid’s Full Breakfast.

Available until Saturday 31st August, from 9am to 11am, t&c’s apply.*

To find out more about Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh and to book your table, please visit: https://cafe.hardrock.com/edinburgh/

*Receive one complimentary kids’ breakfast menu item with the purchase of each adult breakfast entree; limit one per child. 

Offer valid from Saturday 10th August to Saturday 31st August from 9am to 11am. Available for children aged 10 years and under. Not valid in conjunction with any other offer. Dine-in only. 

Disabled teacher leads inclusivity course for educators

Educational practitioners and  students have the chance to develop their diversity and inclusion skills with a new short course developed by Queen Margaret University (QMU), Edinburgh.

The online course Disability Confidence for Educational Practitioners will provide educators with the knowledge and confidence to effectively and sensitively discuss disability with their pupils. Participants will also develop a better understanding of how to create an inclusive environment which best supports their young learners.

The new short course is run by QMU lecturers and chartered psychologists, Drs. Siân Jones and Clare Uytman. Both have practical experience of working in inclusive education in both academia and in the classroom, and have also recently launched their own website, Toy Box Diversity Lab, a selection of free resources which aim to help practitioners enhance disability literacy.

Senior Lecturer in the Division of Psychology, Sociology and Education at QMU, Dr Siân Jones, has hemiplegia, a type of cerebral palsy, which means she is disabled.

Siân acknowledges that much has been done in schools to represent ethnicity in recent years, but she wants to support teachers to demonstrate diversity of disability in the classroom.

She said: “Growing up, there were no toys in the toybox or the shops that looked like me. If there isn’t an opportunity to play with disabled characters, or children don’t come across disabled people doing everyday things in books and films, we’re losing an opportunity to broaden the next generation’s understanding of the world and the people in it.

“Despite efforts to foster inclusion in mainstream settings, there is persistent negativity in interactions between some non-disabled children and their disabled peers. Given the significant implications of this, we have looked for ways to foster meaningful and positive interventions to reduce ableism and discrimination towards disabled children.

“When disability is portrayed more prominently, particularly in the classroom, our research shows only positive outcomes in children’s wellbeing and acceptance.”

Siân continued: “I think that disability literacy is such an important facet of teaching, and maybe one day, could even be a necessary requirement given its emphasis in the Scottish education curriculum.

“Our new professional development course will be the perfect accompaniment for those in teaching roles, helping to foster positive environments for disabled learners across the country.”

The Disability Confidence for Educational Practitioners course is entirely online and fully flexible, so participants can complete the course in their own time and at their own pace. It runs from September 2024 for six weeks and costs £150 per person. Applications must be submitted by 22nd September.

Joint Programme Leader for BSc (Hons) Psychology and Senior Lecturer at QMU, Dr. Clare Uytman, said: “Positive understanding, representation and discussion around disability is so important for achieving a more inclusive learning environment, which will help children understand the importance of these topics from an early age.

“We hope that by the end of this course, participants will be able to engage effectively with students, parents, and colleagues about disability in an empathetic manner, understand the importance of disability positive learning environments that represent diverse abilities, and be able to confidently create and monitor the effectiveness of representative teaching materials.

“It is so rewarding to see years of hard work and thorough research come together with the creation of this highly beneficial course, which we hope will be of real value to the teaching profession.”

Get more course information at Disability Confidence for Educational Practitioners and start building your skills and experience.

View Dr. Clare Uytman and Dr. Sian Jones’ website of free resources, Toy Box Diversity Lab.

Have your say on Firework Control Zones

CONSULTATION CLOSES 23rd AUGUST

Edinburgh residents are being asked for their views on Firework Control Zones.

The introduction of a Firework Control Zone will mean that certain fireworks will no longer be permitted to be set off in these areas, and a Citywide Firework Control Zone will mean that certain fireworks will no longer be permitted to be set off anywhere in the capital.

These Firework Control Zones will not impact organised displays, such as Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Christmas or Hogmanay.

Consultation is currently underway for the following locations:

Culture and Communities Convener Val Walker said: “Bonfire Night and broader fireworks use in the city can be an opportunity for communities to come together to celebrate and spend time together. 

“However, we all remember the shocking scenes we saw in some areas of the capital last year with emergency services being attacked, and we are doing everything in our power to prevent similar occurrences this November.

“This consultation is an opportunity for everyone to share their position on the use of fireworks, and I encourage everyone to take some time to have their say before the consultation closes.”

Further information on Firework Control Zones is available on the council website. The consultation closes on Friday 23 August 2024.

Tonight at Edinburgh International Book Festival: Stories and Scran

Enjoy tasty food and brilliant performances from local people. Returning for its fifth year, Stories and Scran celebrates dynamic, thought-provoking work created by our Citizen participants.

Expect diverse and creative talent from Project Esperanza’s Women’s Group, WHALE Arts, the Book Festival’s own Adults Writing Group, and Citizen Collective.

And Scran Academy are back to serve up delicious, sweet treats you can enjoy during the event.

Stories and Scran runs from 8 – 9.15pm at the Book Festival’s new home at Edinburgh Futures Institute on Lauriston Place.

Supported by Jenny Colgan Books

GMB suspends bin strikes to ballot council workers on new pay offer

Industrial action looming across Scotland paused as members vote

GMB Scotland today suspended looming industrial action in Scotland’s local authorities after receiving a revised pay offer.

The union, one of the biggest in Scotland’s local authorities, paused eight days of strikes in waste and cleansing, due to start on Wednesday, to allow members to vote on the new terms.

GMB Scotland’s local government committee met this morning to discuss the offer from Cosla, representing Scots councils, involving a 3.6% increase for all grades with a rise of £1,292 for the lowest paid, equivalent to 5.6%.

Keir Greenaway, GMB Scotland senior organiser in public services, said: “This offer is a significant improvement on what came before but our members will decide if it is acceptable.

“It is better than that offered to council staff in England and Wales, would mean every worker receives a rise higher than the Retail Price Index and, importantly, is weighted to ensure frontline workers gain most.

“As a gesture of goodwill, we will suspend action until our members can vote on the offer.

“It should never have got to this stage, however, and Scotland’s council leaders have again shown an absolute lack of urgency or sense of realism.

“For months, we have been forced to waste time discussing a series of low-ball offers when it was already clear the Scottish Government needed to be at the table.

“The obvious reluctance of some council leaders to approach ministers has only caused needless uncertainty and threatened disruption.

“That is no way to run a railroad or conduct serious pay negotiations.”

UNITE has also called off imminent strike action and UNISON are expected to announce their position later this afternoon.

GMB and BRINDEX warn government: Don’t ignore voices of oil and gas workers

GMB and members of the Association of British Independent Exploration companies (BRINDEX) today (Monday 12 August) warned the UK government not to ignore the voices of the UK’s oil and gas workers – and urged Ministers to engage the sector in meaningful discussions.

GMB and BRINDEX agreed a Memorandum of Understanding last November, committing to “represent workers’ voice and employer concerns to better engage policy makers” and to “make the case for pro-jobs policies and strengthening energy security.”

Meetings between union and industry representatives in July discussed how to further develop the better cooperation outlined in the MOU.

Today’s warning follows government proposals for the sector’s fiscal regime in the Autumn Budget and uncertainty about future licencing, provoking widespread concern across North Sea operations about a cliff-edge threat for investment, jobs and skills, and vital carbon capture development.

GMB visited the Armada Kraken offshore production facility in May, representing a step forward for better cooperation between the sector’s oil and gas independents and the UK’s energy union.

Further visits are planned this summer to infrastructure owned by some of the UK’s leading North Sea producers, including Serica Energy, EnQuest, and others.

Gary Smith, GMB General Secretary, said: “GMB is a proud and unambiguous energy union, and we want the voices of our offshore workers to be heard loud and clear in the corridors of power over the decisions affecting their livelihoods.

“The government is rightly focused on a growth agenda after years of instability and industrial decline, and the transition presents a huge opportunity to unleash investment for jobs, infrastructure, and security.

“But that means creating the right conditions to turn that ambition into reality, and better cooperation between unions, industry, and government is fundamental to this because ‘business as usual’ won’t work.”

Robin Allan, Chairman of BRINDEX, said: “Hard working families sustained by the oil and gas sector across the UK’s nations and regions deserve to be treated with respect from government – and so do our independent operators who support these livelihoods.

“Our ongoing engagement with GMB through these latest offshore visits recognises that if the transition is going to be a success, then change must be done with the people doing so much to keep the lights on, homes warm, and industry running – not to them.

“That’s why we are urging the government to work with us and engage in meaningful discussions with the very people on whom they depend to help accelerate the UK’s industrial transition, growth, and energy security agendas.”