Day: July 10, 2025

SEPA: Water scarcity still impacting eastern Scotland as long-term rain and snow deficits take their toll

Scotland is entering another spell of hot weather, and the east of the country remains under sustained pressure from water scarcity according to the latest data. 

Some areas have seen recent rainfall, but it has not been enough to recover from long term shortages, and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) are warning restrictions on licences to abstract water from the environment may soon be necessary in some catchments if conditions continued to deteriorate. 

The latest Weekly Water Scarcity report published by SEPA shows that much of eastern Scotland remains in Moderate Scarcity, with low groundwater levels and prolonged dry conditions continuing to limit recovery. 

The first half of 2025 has been the driest in the east since 1973 and much of the east has now been at Moderate Scarcity for nearly eight weeks, since mid-May. Intermittent rainfall in recent weeks has not been enough to enable recovery, above average rainfall is still required to bring conditions back to normal in affected catchments. 

This year’s water scarcity isn’t just about recent dry weather. It’s the result of a drier than normal winter with reduced snow accumulation and low groundwater recharge. In upland areas of the eastern Grampians and the north east of Scotland, many rivers typically benefit from a steady release of snow melt through spring and early summer. This year that natural recharge didn’t occur. Combined with dry autumn and winter conditions the result is some of the lowest groundwater levels on record in parts of Fife and Angus.  

SEPA are urging businesses with licences to take water from the environment, especially in affected areas, to continue to reduce pressure and protect access to water resources.  

Moderate Scarcity 

  • Spey
  • Deveron
  • Ythan
  • Don (Aberdeenshire)
  • Dee (Aberdeen)
  • Esk
  • Firth of Tay
  • Tyne (Lothian) 

Alert 

  • Findhorn
  • Firth of Forth
  • Almond 

Earlier this summer, SEPA came close to introducing abstraction restrictions in parts of northern Scotland as certain river levels remained critically low for an extended period. However, timely rainfall brought short term relief and, thanks to near real time monitoring from a network of Drought Risk Assessment Tool (DRAT) stations, SEPA were able to ensure restrictions were not imposed unnecessarily.  

Eilidh Johnston, SEPA’s Senior Manager in Water Industry and Rural Economy, said: “SEPA’s decisions are guided by science and data, and our DRAT station monitoring plays a critical role in our ability to respond quickly fairly and proportionately.

“We’ve seen how abstractors have responded to the challenge of water scarcity this year and took early action to reduce pressure. However, the risk of required restrictions is not over.  

“It won’t take a heat wave to tip rivers into crisis. Sustained low flows and dry soils are already putting pressure on businesses and the environment. We’re asking all abstractors to stay aware of conditions and check the local direct station data regularly especially in the east where pressure is building.

“We’re already in touch with those at highest risk of restrictions, but if you have any questions please get in touch.”  

Restrictions will only be introduced if absolutely necessary, in line with clear thresholds. Voluntary action now can help avoid them, protecting both water access and the environment through the summer.

SEPA continue to urge everyone from farmers and producers to industry and manufacturers to use water efficiently and manage this shared resource responsibly. Advice is available on SEPA’s website, as well as from SEPA staff contacting abstractors with licences in areas at risk. 

  • Moderate Scarcity areas – there are clear environmental impacts. Action is expected from abstractors to protect rivers and the species that rely on them.  
  • Alert areas – water levels are low. SEPA advise voluntary reductions in non-essential water use. 
  • Early Warning areas – conditions are dry, but no action is currently required. Abstractors should begin preparing for potential action. 

Edinburgh to launch innovation team to help reduce poverty and reach net zero

Edinburgh is one of 19 new local authorities joining the international Bloomberg Philanthropies i-team initiative, which provides municipalities around the world with support and expertise to tackle pressing local challenges.

The City of Edinburgh Council today announced plans for an Innovation Team which will work towards tackling the city’s ambitions of reaching net zero and ending poverty.

The ‘i-team’, supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, will include three specialised staff charged with helping the Council and civic and community-based partners design and implement services that improve people’s lives.

They will receive technical assistance from regional and global specialists, and benefit from learnings from peers in local authorities across the region and around the world.

City of Edinburgh Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “Edinburgh is one of the most successful cities in the world and yet we face unprecedented pressures. Our population growth, and appeal as a fantastic place to live and visit, makes it challenging to provide the best quality housing and support to residents who need it most.

“Likewise, Edinburgh’s world-famous environment, both built and natural, needs to be managed sustainably and protected from the effects of climate change.

“The support from Bloomberg Philanthropies’ international i-team initiative will provide a huge boost towards our aims of tackling poverty and hitting net zero, by helping us to establish a brand-new innovation team within the Council. I look forward to working with this team, and all our partners, as we work to deliver a fairer and stronger capital city.”

James Anderson, who leads the Government Innovation program at Bloomberg Philanthropies, said: “Realising efficient, effective government is an inside job—and the Innovation Teams we support around the world are critical to building that engine within the city halls they serve.

“We are glad to expand this model to 19 new municipal teams in Europe, who will join the growing number of public officials working locally, creatively, and ambitiously to break down silos, break through problems, and deliver results residents see and feel.”

To date, the Bloomberg Philanthropies i-team initiative has reached over 100 cities across 16 countries and four continents—representing more than 100 million residents—and inspired hundreds of other local governments to embrace innovation systems and practices.

‘You’d better not let me stop you’: new graduate dedicates degree to late mum

Connor Smith has marked his graduation from Edinburgh Napier University

An Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) student has described how his mum gave him the motivation to complete his degree – as he graduates a few months after losing her to cancer.

Connor Smith, from Loanhead in Midlothian, has become the first in his family to graduate from university after being presented with his degree in Social Sciences at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall today.

The 30-year-old has described how the loss of his mum, Fiona, has given him the drive to use his education to help people. She passed away in January of this year, around seven months after her illness was discovered.

He said: “It happened towards the end of my third year. Mum chummed me along to pick out an engagement ring on a Saturday, then found about her cancer on the Monday.

“I don’t think I really processed it at the time. It didn’t feel real. You always think your mum will be around forever.

“She went from a healthy normal life to passing away from cancer so suddenly. Seeing her at the hospice while I was finishing my degree was near impossible.

“I thought about putting my studies on hold. I spoke to my personal development tutor, who was really helpful at setting out the options that were available to me.

“But I remember speaking to my mum as her health was deteriorating and she said, “you’d better not let me stop you from finishing your degree”. So I decided to keep going.

“She was immensely proud of what I was doing. She was such a selfless person – she’d do anything for her kids and her grandkids.”

Connor was joined at the Usher Hall by his partner and two children, after crossing the stage alongside fellow students from ENU’s School of Applied Sciences.

It marks the end of a six-year educational journey for him, which began at college and took an unexpected path.

He is now hoping to go into education or the charity sector to help others find their passion.

Connor added: “I was stuck in dead-end jobs and feeling really unfulfilled at work. It was when I was doing nightshifts that I decided to try and do something about it.

“I left school with one higher and didn’t think university would be something that I would ever do.

“I initially wanted to do criminology, with an eye on maybe going into the police. But once I started social sciences at college, I found that I really enjoyed it – and decided to keep doing it at Edinburgh Napier.

“I became a dad at 18 and had to grow up very quickly. Since then, my attitude to education has changed completely. Now I feel like I know what I want in life and education is going to help me get there.”

While Connor has become the first in his family to go to university, he won’t be on his own for long.

“My sister is starting her studies at Edinburgh Napier this year,” he said. “She’ll be at Sighthill too – the same campus as me.

“I feel proud to be the first in the family to go to uni, especially as she’s doing it right after me. Mum would be so proud of us.

“I’m proud of what I’ve achieved. I got through it, and that’s the main thing. As long as I know that I’ve tried my best, that’s all that matters.

“I think I’ve shown there’s more than one way to get to university. There’s a lot of pressure when you’re young to choose one thing or another, but I feel like I can help people who are trying to decide their future.”

Edinburgh Napier University’s summer graduation ceremonies are being held at the Usher Hall from 9-11 July. 

Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh launches The People’s Dispensary Website

Edinburgh patient experiences from the 1700s revealed

The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh is delighted to announce the launch of a new website, The People’s Dispensary: 

https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/peoplesdispensary

At its core, The People’s Dispensary features a digitised and transcribed collection of 18th century case notes of the Edinburgh Public Dispensary from its foundation in 1776. Located in Edinburgh’s Old Town, it provided free diagnosis and medicines to the city’s sick. Users of the website will be able to search these digitised and transcribed records which feature fascinating details about the diseases, treatments and experiences of poor patients in 1700s Edinburgh.

The digitised and transcribed 18th century patient case notes feature over 10,000 pages of patient records. It is a unique resource as the only surviving collection of 18th century dispensary patient case notes in Britain and contains 1,372 patients, 174 medical practitioners and 900 diseases and treatments.

Daisy Cunynghame, Heritage Manager & Librarian, says: “We are excited to bring this collection to the public eye and very proud of the efforts of colleagues and volunteers that were involved in creating this web resource.

“These records contain amazing insight into the experiences of poor patients in 1700s Edinburgh. So often when stories are told of medicine and sickness in Georgian Britain, they focus on people who wrote letters and kept diaries – people who were middle and upper class.

“Through this new website we can share details of the experiences of the less well-off who relied on charitable medicine.

“The case notes are really remarkable – we find out about a woman who swallowed two pistol bullets as a folk remedy for her constipation.

“Our hope is that the website will encourage our audiences to learn about and reflect on what life was like for ordinary people in historic Scotland”.

Professor Mark Strachan, Heritage Trustee, says: “Although modern medical treatments bear little relation to those prescribed in the Edinburgh Public Dispensary, we can still see many parallels between past and present practice.

“The need to balance potential side effects of the treatment against the consequences of not treating an illness, the adverse health consequences of certain occupations and the challenge for women in having symptoms of illness believed by doctors were as common in Georgian Britain as they are today.”

Some interesting points:

• One of the recommended treatments was sea bathing. But there was a risk attached. In the case of Margaret Gray, a patient admitted to the Edinburgh dispensary in the winter of 1781 with a diagnosis of hysteria, it was recommend that she bathe in a tub or ‘form of shower bath’ rather than sea bathing, because ‘in deep water fatal consequences in the way of drowning have sometimes happened’

• Dispensary physicians recorded the home remedies that patients had already tried, including a remedy provided by a ‘benevolent lady, the widow of a Clergyman’. Sometimes the physicians did not approve, including in one case where an individual applied burnt butter to their child’s head, as a treatment for a fungal infection, ‘by the advice of some officious neighbours’

• The case notes record the occupations of many of the patients, and the impact that their diagnosis had on their health. This included street hawkers, labourers and servants. Two very Edinburgh-specific occupations were water carrier and chairman. The water carriers’ job was to collect water from the well and then deliver it to individual homes across the city. Chairmen – the carriers of sedan chairs – were also much more common in Edinburgh than other cities. Because of the Old Town’s narrow and winding streets, it wasn’t possible to travel around much of the city in a horse and cart, so chairmen were employed instead to carry their employers throughout the city. And a lot of the medical problems of both carriers and chairmen were admitted into the dispensary for were clearly related to their line of work – particularly chronic back pain and rheumatism.

• Dispensary physicians would regularly record their concern that female patients were faking their medical conditions in order to be prescribed medicines which would bring about an abortion.

Web link: https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/peoplesdispensary

Sixth man sentenced for involvement in county lines drug network

A 43-year-old man has been sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh today in connection with the supply of controlled drugs.

He is the sixth man to be sentenced as part of Operation Galvanize after officers targeted addresses in Edinburgh and London in a county lines operation on Tuesday, 5th September, 2024.

Imer Quashi has been sentenced to four years and six months in prison for his involvement in a county lines drug supply network within the city of Edinburgh known as the ‘Tommy’ line.

Several men were employed in this criminal enterprise delivering drugs to locations throughout the city.

Detective Sergeant Mark Walker said: “This group delivered drugs on demand and didn’t care that their packages were destroying lives and impacting on families and the local community, all they cared about was profit.

“There is no doubt that the disruption of this group had a significant impact on cocaine supply in Edinburgh and we remain committed to disrupting and destroying drug supply chains wherever we find them.

“Operation Galvanize was a cross-border operation which illustrated the benefit of close partnership working and sharing information. This collaborative working reassures the public we are in this together to dismantle the criminal gangs.”

If anyone has any concerns regarding the abuse of controlled drugs, or anyone who may be involved in the supply of drugs, they are urged to contact Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Ofcom: Reforming the postal service so it delivers what people need

  • Ofcom sets Royal Mail new backstop delivery targets to protect people from long delays
  • Changes made to Second Class letter deliveries to protect the universal service
  • Ofcom to review affordability of post amid concerns over stamp prices

UK postal users will have extra protections against long delivery delays, under reforms to the universal service announced today by Ofcom, which will enable Royal Mail to improve reliability and support a sustainable service.

Why reform is needed

Since 2011, Royal Mail has been required under the universal service obligation to deliver First and Second Class letters six days a week. But in that time, the number of letters sent each year has more than halved. With fewer letters being delivered to each house on a given round, the cost of delivering each letter has increased, and Royal Mail has lost hundreds of millions of pounds in recent years.[1]

Urgent reform is needed for the universal service to survive. To put the service on a more sustainable footing, to prevent people from paying higher prices than necessary, and to push Royal Mail to improve reliability, Ofcom has today made changes to the obligations imposed on the company.

This follows public consultation with thousands of people and organisations – including consumer groups, unions, small businesses, public services, Royal Mail and the wider postal industry, as well as postal users directly – from right across the UK.

We have also launched a review of pricing and affordability, which will consider concerns that many people and organisations have raised about stamp prices. We plan to consult on this next year.

Natalie Black, Ofcom’s Group Director for Networks and Communications, said: “These changes are in the best interests of consumers and businesses, as urgent reform of the postal service is necessary to give it the best chance of survival.

“But changing Royal Mail’s obligations alone won’t guarantee a better service – the company now has to play its part and implement this effectively. We’ll be making sure Royal Mail is clear with its customers about what’s happening, and passes the benefits of these changes on to them.

“As part of this process, we’ve been listening to concerns about increases in stamp prices. So we’ve launched a review of affordability and plan to publicly consult on this next year.”

What reform will deliver

Our research suggests that affordability and reliability are more important to people than speed of delivery, but they value having a next-day service available for when they need to send the occasional urgent item. Royal Mail will therefore continue to be required to deliver First Class letters the next working day, Monday to Saturday, and there will continue to be a cap on the price of a Second Class stamp.

However, people have told us that most letters are not urgent, and they do not need six days a week delivery for the majority of letters. So, from 28 July, we will allow Royal Mail to deliver Second Class letters on alternate weekdays – still within three working days of collection – Monday to Friday.[2]

We estimate Royal Mail could realise annual net cost savings of between £250m and £425m with successful implementation of this change, enabling it to invest more in improving its delivery performance. We have told Royal Mail to hold regular meetings with consumer bodies and industry groups to hear about the experiences of people and businesses as it implements these changes.[3]

Our research also shows that small reductions in Royal Mail’s delivery targets would continue to meet people’s needs. Maintaining the current targets – which are more stretching than comparable European countries – would carry higher costs which would need to be recovered through higher prices.

So, we are making small changes to Royal Mail’s existing delivery targets – for First Class mail from 93% to 90% delivered next-day, and for Second Class mail from 98.5% to 95% delivered within three days. These new targets are high by international standards.[4]

However, many people have experienced long delays where letters have taken weeks to arrive.

To address this issue, we have set Royal Mail new enforceable backstop targets so that 99% of mail has to be delivered no more than two days late.

Acas issues tips for employers to manage the hot weather at work 

Workplace expert Acas has offered some top tips to help employers manage workplace challenges due to the hot weather. 

The Met Office has predicted that temperatures of up to 35C are expected towards the end of this week.  

Acas Chief Executive Niall Mackenzie said: “The sizzling weather may be ideal for the beach but staff getting into work during one of the hottest weeks of the year may not feel the same way. 

“Some employees with certain health conditions or disabilities may be adversely affected by the extreme heat. The heat can also impact public transport too which can affect employees commuting into work. 

“Acas has some top tips for employers to help ensure their businesses remain productive during the heatwave whilst keeping staff happy too.” 

According to a recent Acas poll, almost half (47%) of respondents felt that poor sleep during times of hot weather impacted their work. This was followed by 22% saying that overheated offices was their biggest challenge and 21% claiming that they found staying focused in heatwaves difficult.  

Acas top tips for hot weather working include: 

Workplace temperatures should be reasonable  

There is no legal maximum working temperature. The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) advice is that the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings must be reasonable.  

The HSE offers advice on how to carry out a thermal comfort risk assessment if staff are unhappy with the temperature:  

http://www.hse.gov.uk/temperature/index.htm  

Keeping cool at work  

Switch on any fans or air conditioners to keep workplaces comfortable and use blinds or curtains to block out sunlight. Staff working outside should wear appropriate clothes and use sunscreen to protect from sunburn. 

Stay hydrated  

Employers must provide staff with suitable drinking water in the workplace. Workers should drink plenty of water throughout the day to prevent dehydration and not wait until they are thirsty. Employers could allow extra breaks for staff to get cold drinks. 

Dress code  

Employers are not under any obligation to relax their uniform or dress code requirements during hot weather but where possible it may be advisable to for employers to relax the rules for wearing ties or suits. 

Getting into work  

If public transport gets adversely affected by the hot weather, this could affect staff attendance and their ability to get into work on time. Staff should check timetables in advance, and employers should be flexible.  

https://www.acas.org.uk/disruption-getting-to-work

Vulnerable workers   

Vulnerable workers- Worker with health conditions or disabilities may be affected more by hot weather. Employers should assess for any risks and discuss what they need to reduce or remove that risk. This might include providing fans, portable air-cooling units or more frequent or longer breaks. Employers must make reasonable adjustments for workers with disabilities.  

https://www.acas.org.uk/reasonable-adjustments

https://www.acas.org.uk/extreme-temperatures-in-the-workplace

Springboard into diving

Edinburgh Leisure is on the hunt for the next generation of divers

For those who have been inspired by divers such as Jack Laugher, Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix (daughter of Fred!) and Tom Daley, Edinburgh Leisure is offering the opportunity for children to come and try diving with our experienced coaches at the Royal Commonwealth Pool to see if they have a talent for the sport.

Children should be between 5 and 16 years old, able to swim 10 metres unaided, confident in deep water and submerge in water without

r without googles.  No experience in necessary as they will be learning basic skills but those interested in gymnastics, trampolining, acrobatics or similar sports might enjoy this opportunity to try a new sport.

Priced at just £3, the diving taster sessions at the Royal Commonwealth Pool are offered on:

Monday 4 – Friday 8 August at 17.10 – 17.40

To secure a place, interested people should visit the Edinburgh Leisure website – https://shorturl.at/uLDKw

Edinburgh Leisure offers a world class diving programme at the Royal Commonwealth Pool, complete with a dedicated Dry Dive Area with trampolines and harnesses, which enables more experienced divers to practice the twists and turns before trying them out on the boards.

Their diving programme follows the National Diving Award Scheme right through to competitive level.

Athletes training at the Royal Commonwealth Pool include local Edinburgh boy, James Heatly (GB); Yona Knight-Wisdom (Jamaica) and Grace Reid, who grew up in the capital, are amongst other Olympians who have previously trained at the Commie.

For more information: 

https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/coaching-activities/diving/

Expanding care for patients at home

Improving the flow of patients through hospitals

A new £85 million investment will be targeted at front line NHS frailty services, helping to improve the flow of patients throughout hospitals and providing care for patients in the comfort of their own homes.

The ‘Hospital at Home’ service is to be expanded to 2,000 beds by December 2026. It predominantly provides care for frail, older people in their own homes and who may be suffering with acute illnesses and health conditions, including respiratory and cardiac conditions, infections, or treatment after a fall.

Keeping patients in their own homes ensures they can stay in familiar surroundings rather than be separated from family, friends and pets while also helping to reduce some of the risks associated with hospitalisations such as acquiring infections and lessening delayed discharge from hospital due to waits for appropriate care provision.

The funding will also be used to support the introduction of frailty services in every A&E department by the end of summer 2025, aiming to cut the average length of stay for vulnerable patients.

Speaking during a visit to Falkirk Community Hospital, where he met clinicians leading the Hospital at Home service across NHS Forth Valley, First Minister John Swinney said: “I am resolutely focused on taking the necessary action to reduce wait times and clear the blockages leading to delayed discharges across our NHS.

“This investment will ensure many patients can receive first class NHS care in the comfort of their own homes and not have to travel to a hospital where it isn’t required.

“Expanding Hospital at Home to 2,000 beds by December 2026 will create the largest ‘hospital’ in the country, thereby improving the flow of patients throughout the NHS and generating greater capacity for staff. The staff delivering this service at Falkirk Community Hospital are testament to the success of Hospital at Home and it’s been eye opening to see the effort that goes into provide this first class care.

“The NHS is Scotland’s greatest treasure but we know we must do better to ensure patients get the care they need, when and where they need it. The 2025-26 Budget provides record funding of £21 billion for Health and Social Care services – with NHS boards across Scotland receiving an additional £2 billion to deliver key front line services.”

Dr Sarah Henderson, Consultant Geriatrician, NHS Forth Valley’s Hospital at Home Service, said: ““Our local Hospital at Home team do an amazing job to help ensure that patients, who in the past would have to come into hospital, are able to remain in their own homes and access the specialist clinical care and support they require.

“Over the last four years the service has helped thousands of local patients and the feedback we have received from them and their families has been overwhelmingly positive as they really appreciate everything the team does to help them stay out of hospital and in familiar surroundings at home, close to their family, friends and pets.

“I am delighted that the additional funding announced today will help us expand the Hospital at Home service further as well as develop local heart failure, respiratory and Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) services to help more people remain at home and still access the specialist care they require.” 

Marion Denholm’s husband Bill was recently supported by NHS Forth Valley’s Hospital at Home team after he developed a chest infection. Ms Denholm said: “There are no words to adequately describe the care and attention my husband received while under the care of Hospital at Home.

“We’ve had doctors, advanced nurse practitioners, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, a dietitian and a speech and language therapist all visit our home to provide the care and treatment he required so he didn’t have to go into hospital.

“This meant he was able to stay in familiar surroundings with his family around him at all times and still receive the same type of care he would have received in hospital. I also felt very supported as I could contact the Team direct if I had any worries or concerns.

“I can’t praise the Hospital at Home service enough and I am sure many other local families feel the same. It also makes so much more sense to treat people in their own homes if you can rather than occupy a bed in a busy hospital – it’s definitely a win-win for everyone involved.”

NHS Scotland Operational Improvement Plan

Strachan House Care Home residents enjoy a taste of Wimbledon

Residents and staff at Strachan House care home in Blackhall were at the ready for the start of Wimbledon with delicious strawberries and cream, all washed down with a glass of Pimms.

Tennis fans at Strachan House were delighted to be able to watch this year’s 138th Championships. Residents and staff got together to watch the matches and celebrated by having traditional Wimbledon-inspired strawberries and cream, whipped up by head chef Paul.

Residents were able to put their tennis skills to the test with a friendly indoor competition.

Fran Fisher, General Manager at the home, said: “We’ve had a fantastic time celebrating the Wimbledon championships today, it is always a firm favourite with our residents.

“We’re planning on watching as much as we possibly can again this year and enjoying every minute!”

Resident, Katherine commented: “I truly love watching Wimbledon, it is definitely my favourite sporting event. It was great to celebrate with friends here and enjoy the delicious strawberries and cream in true Wimbledon spirit.”

Our varied life enrichment programme keeps residents active, and provides a daily choice of engaging physical, mental and spiritual activities tailored to residents’ interests and abilities.

Strachan House Care Home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering high-quality care across its care homes and hospitals. Strachan House provides residential, nursing and dementia care for short breaks and long term stays.