Day: November 14, 2025

Ukrainian creativity lights up Holyrood in landmark cultural celebration

THE LIGHT WE SHARE: UKRAINIANS ENRICHING SCOTLAND

The Light We Share Ukrainian Community in Scotland

The Scottish Parliament came alive last night with The Light We Share: Ukrainians Enriching Scotland, a powerful celebration of culture, creativity, and community (writes ZHENYA DOVE).

The event brought together parliamentarians, diplomats, artists, and members of the Ukrainian community to celebrate the profound cultural impact Ukrainians continue to make across Scotland.

Over the past few years, Ukrainian creatives have become a visible part of Scotland’s cultural scene. Ukrainian artists have exhibited work at the V&A Dundee, Ukrainian performers have taken the stage at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, and performances have brought new energy to the Edinburgh Fringe and other Scottish festivals.

Hosted by Colin Beattie MSP, with addresses from Kaukab Stewart, Minister for Equalities of Scotland, Consul of Ukraine Andrii Madzianovskyi, and Zhenya Dove, Chair of the Culture Working Group, the evening showcased how art and creativity can transcend hardship, uniting communities through shared expression.

The Light We Share Ukrainian Community in Scotland

In her remarks, Kaukab Stewart MSP reflected on the deepening relationship between the two nations: “I am really pleased to have this opportunity to celebrate the many ways in which Ukrainians are both enriching Scotland’s culture and sharing in our heritage as well.

“The people of Ukraine have become interwoven in Scotland’s story. We now have a shared history that will shape both nations for many generations to come.”

Colin Beattie MSP, who sponsored the event, said: “It’s an honour to sponsor such a landmark event – a moment to celebrate how Ukrainians who sought refuge from war are now shaping and enriching the cultural life of Scotland.”

The Light We Share Ukrainian Community in Scotland

Consul of Ukraine Andrii Madzianovskyi, speaking on behalf of his nation, conveyed his sincere appreciation: “On behalf of Ukraine, I extend my deep gratitude to our Scottish friends for your solidarity, for your warmth and support.

“May this evening strengthen our friendship and inspire us to continue standing together – for culture, for freedom, and for our bright future.”

The Light We Share Ukrainian Community in Scotland

Zhenya Dove closed the evening with words of gratitude and hope: “Creativity doesn’t just survive the hardest journeys; it transforms them.

“It turns rubble into stages and loss into light. That light, the one that refuses to go out, that’s the Ukrainian spirit. And tonight, it shines here with us.”

The Light We Share Ukrainian Community in Scotland

The event featured a live performance by students of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and a cultural showcase curated by the Museum of Ukrainian Craft and Culture Scotland, highlighting the remarkable ways in which Ukrainian artists, educators, and communities have enriched Scottish cultural life.

The event was attended by over 160 guests, including MSPs, members of the Consular Corps, cultural leaders, and representatives from key Scottish and Ukrainian organisations.

The Light We Share Ukrainian Community in Scotland

Among the distinguished attendees were Ben Macpherson MSP, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Science and Technology, representatives from the Consulates of China, Japan, Poland, Romania, Germany, Austria and Turkey, as well as leaders from the British Council, Baillie Gifford, Wheatley Foundation, EVOC, the University of Edinburgh, Napier University, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and Museums and Galleries  Scotland.

Scotland’s Abortion Law Review

Publication of independent expert group report

An independent report by an expert group set up to review the current law on abortion in Scotland has been published today.

The Abortion Law Expert Group was commissioned following a Programme for Government commitment for 2023 -24 to independently review the existing law and ensure that abortion services are safe and treated first and foremost as a healthcare matter for women.

The group was chaired by Scotland’s Women’s Health Champion Professor Anna Glasier and brought together lawyers, clinicians, academics, and representatives of women’s organisations to ensure that the voices of people with lived experience were heard. Their work considered current clinical practice, international examples, academic research, and a wide range of stakeholder views from across Scotland.

Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health Jenni Minto said: “I thank Professor Glasier and all the members of the Expert Group for their work and for their robust consideration of current clinical practice and research.

“I also welcome the time they have taken to consider a broad range of views from stakeholders across Scotland.

“It is right that we continue to ensure that abortion is treated as a healthcare matter and that women are supported to access safe and timely abortion services.

“The recommendations within the report represent the views of the Expert Group – it is only one part of this review process, and the Scottish Government will now begin its own period of evidence gathering and engagement with a range of stakeholders. We will take time to carefully consider all the findings and respond in due course.”

Chair and Expert Group Professor Anna Glasier said: “I am extremely pleased to see that the Expert Group’s report on the law on abortion has been published today. The Group worked incredibly hard, and benefitted greatly from the input and expertise of a wide range of stakeholders, to develop evidence-based, balanced recommendations.

“The report demonstrates the Group’s view that it is time for an abortion law that reflects the reality of current clinical practice where abortions are safely provided in the best interests of women.

“It is now for the Scottish Government to consider these recommendations and carry out the further engagement required to come to a decision on legislative proposals. I look forward to hearing the Government’s views in due course.”

 Today, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) welcomes the publication of an independent report by the expert group established to review Scotland’s abortion law.
 
The Abortion Law Expert Group was commissioned as part of the Scottish Government’s 2023–24 Programme for Government to undertake an independent review of the current law and to consider how abortion can be regulated as a safe, modern healthcare service for women.
 
In response to the report, Professor Ranee Thakar, President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said: “We welcome this report – the proposed changes in Scotland represent an important step towards ensuring that women can access abortion care safely, confidentially and without fear of investigation or prosecution.

“These recommendations also reflect a positive trend across all four nations of the UK towards treating abortion as essential healthcare rather than a criminal issue.

“In England and Wales, MPs have already sent a clear message by voting to remove women from the criminal law – reflecting public opinion that reproductive rights matter. We now urge Peers in the House of Lords to follow suit and back this vital amendment to see abortion decriminalised.

“Abortion is healthcare that around one in three women will need in their lifetime, and it should be regulated and delivered to the same professional standards as any other medical procedure, not through the criminal law.”

  • Read the full report via the Scottish Government’s website here.

Review of Abortion Law in Scotland Expert Group Report – gov.scot

Mons Meg passes her MOT, 550 years after her first battle

Aerial condition check of one of the world’s most well-known medieval cannons shows that she is still being well-conserved

Historic Environment Scotland (HES), working with conservators from AOC Archaeology and the Royal Armouries, has undertaken a condition check of the extensive conservation works that Mons Meg underwent ten years ago.

Mons Meg is one of the biggest cannons ever built and was gifted to James II in 1457. She retired from service around 100 years later, in 1550, and fired her last shot in 1680 to mark a visit to Edinburgh by James Duke of York.

Mons Meg is now part of the Royal Armouries collection and, as part of the UK’s National Collection of Arms and Armour, she spent 75 years on display in England before returning to Edinburgh Castle for visitors to enjoy.

In 2015, Mons Meg underwent extensive conservation works by HES and AOC Archaeology. The paint that had built up on the iron was carefully removed by blasting it with ground-up military buttons, and the soft plastic removed the paint layers but caused no damage to the metal below.

Skilled painters at HES then re-painted her to protect her from corrosion and the elements, while making sure she still looked her best.

Ten years later, this unique cannon was gently lifted into the air so conservators could assess whether the conservation work was holding up as expected. The paint that was put in place is expected to last 20 years, and the check conducted this spring confirms that it is holding up well.

Chloe Allan, Regional Collections Manager at HES, said: “We were pleased to find that Mons Meg is still doing well, and that the system we put in place ten years ago is faring as expected.

“It’s an honour to look after such an important part of Scotland’s history. We carry out an annual condition check of Mons Meg but lifting the 6-tonne cannon is no easy task, so we’re happy to see that she won’t need another full 360° check of this kind for five years.”

Supporting global climate action

Funding for loss and damage, resilience and human rights

In support of international efforts to address the impacts of climate change, the Scottish Government has confirmed funding for loss and damage, human rights and adaptation projects, as part of the £36 million Climate Justice Fund.

Recognising that communities in the Global South, who have contributed least to global warming, are being hit hardest by the impacts of the climate crisis, £540,000 Climate Justice funding will be awarded to nine Latin American organisations supporting indigenous groups.

This will be used to preserve forests and lakes in the Andes, support the needs of marginalised groups including women, and protect local ancestral knowledge, culture and language at risk of being lost due to migration forced by climate change.

The remaining funding will help communities prepare for the known impacts of climate change – such as flooding and drought.

It will also support research into the impact of climate change on human rights – as rising temperatures increase the levels of poverty, inequality and displacement experienced by communities across the globe.

It includes:

  • £150,000 grant funding through the Climate Justice Fund to support a UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights
  • £100,000 funding to Regions4 to deliver a pilot project aimed at helping a community in the Global South reduce its vulnerability against climate impacts such as extreme weather or food and water insecurity and tackle inequalities.

Announcing the funding at the COP30 UN Climate Summit in Brazil, Climate Action Secretary Gillian Martin said: “The injustice at the heart of the global climate crisis is why Scotland became the first country in the world to establish a Climate Justice Fund more than a decade ago and why we have led the way in being the first Global North country to commit funding to address loss and damage.  

“The impacts of climate change are already being felt by communities across the globe – and this funding from the Scottish Government will make a real difference to support those who have done the least to cause the climate crisis but are feeling its effects the most acutely.

“It also underlines our commitment to advancing human rights as the impacts of climate change are felt by communities across the globe.

“At COP30, I have advocated for a stronger role for devolved governments in international climate processes and policies. I have also amplified the voices of countries in the Global South – through Scotland’s role as Regions4 President and Under2 co-chair – and we will continue to play our part in tackling the climate crisis here in Scotland and across the world.

“Scotland is also taking action domestically to help ensure we reach our net zero targets. Our recently published draft Climate Change Plan sets out over 150 actions to reduce emissions up to 2040 across different sectors, and is the first climate plan in the UK to set out the costs and benefits of policies.”

SNP MSP welcomes Edinburgh teachers accepting two-year pay deal

SNP MSP Gordon Macdonald has welcomed news that teachers across Edinburgh have accepted a two-year pay offer which ensures that Scotland’s classroom teachers will remain the best paid in the UK. 

The Teachers’ Panel of the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers has this week accepted the offer tabled by local authorities’ umbrella body Cosla. The terms include a 4% pay increase in 2025/26 followed by an additional 0.25% in April and 3.25% next August. 

The SNP in government continues to prioritise investment in our children and young people’s education, investing £4.3 billion into Scotland’s education system in 2025-26. 

Thanks to this investment, Scotland has a higher spending per pupil than any other devolved UK nation and has the lowest pupil to teacher ratios. 

Local SNP MSP Gordon Macdonald said: “I am pleased that teachers across the city have accepted this pay offer, which will ensure that Scottish teachers on the main-grade scale will continue to be the best paid in the UK. 

“By investing in children and young people’s education, the SNP is helping to break the poverty-related cycle. 

“Under this SNP government, the poverty-related gap for young people leaving school and going on to a positive destination has reduced by 60 per cent since 2009 – narrowing at all three key qualification levels. 

“I am delighted that our incredible teachers will continue to be well-paid for the fantastic job they do in improving the lives of young people both in Edinburgh Pentlands and the wider city.”

COSLA is pleased to note that the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) panel have accepted a two-year pay award.

COSLA’s Resources Spokesperson, Councillor Katie Hagmann welcomed the news, commenting: “The award secures pay uplifts for Scottish Teachers and associated professionals for the period 1st August 2025 to 31st July 2027.”

The latest pay agreement means Scotland’s Teachers will receive:

  • A 4% increase from 1/8/25 rising to 4.25% on 1/4/26
  • A 3.25% increase on 1/8/26

Councillor Hagmann continued: “Councils will now work to implement the first uplift over the next weeks as payroll schedules allow.”

Thousands of online grooming crimes in Scotland during past five years

  • NSPCC publishes new research highlighting a range of tools tech companies, Ofcom, and Government can employ to protect children from perpetrators

More than 3,000 online grooming crimes have been recorded by Police Scotland during the past five years, new data compiled by the NSPCC reveals.   

The figures published by the Scottish Government show that 3,158 Communicating Indecently with a Child offences have been recorded since 2020.   

The charity points out that while these are the offences recorded by police; the real number of crimes is likely to be much higher due to abuse happening in private spaces where harms can be harder to detect.

The NSPCC is highlighting these offences as it publishes new research to tackle this issue – it sets out solutions that can be used to prevent, detect and disrupt grooming in private messaging spaces. Online child sexual abuse crimes can have a long-term impact on a child, leaving them with feelings of guilt, shame, depression, confusion, anxiety and fear.

One 14-year-old who contacted Childline said: “I feel so insecure all the time, so, when this guy I’ve met online, who’s a few years older, started flirting with me, that made me feel so special.

“He seemed to care, but now he’s insisting I send him nudes, and I don’t know if he just gave me attention, so I’d send him nudes. I feel like I’ve been tricked but I’m afraid what he might do if I just block him.

“I can’t control how anxious this makes me feel.”

The charity’s new research identifies cycles of behaviours that perpetrators use, such as creating multiple different profiles and manipulating young users to engage with them across different platforms.

In response, the NSPCC is urging Ofcom and tech companies to take swift action on the recommendations set out in the report, so that they can better identify and prevent online grooming.

Recommendations include:

  • Implementing tools on a child’s phone that can scan for nude images and identify child sexual abuse material, before its shared.
  • Using metadata analysis, which uses background information, like when, where, and how someone is using a platform, to spot suspicious patterns. It does not read private messages, but it can flag behaviours that suggest grooming, such as adults repeatedly contacting large numbers of children or creating fake profiles.
  • Create barriers for adult profiles engaging children on social media platforms, like restrictions on who they can search and how many people they can contact.
  • Tech platform leaders should commit to delivering services which effectively support and balance user safety and privacy.

The research shows that safety measures must be introduced at the same time to be effective, working in tandem to ensure harm is prevented across the grooming cycle.

The NSPCC is urging tech companies, Ofcom, and Government to take leadership on addressing this devastating crime and commit to using every tool available to them to stop perpetrators in their tracks.

Chris Sherwood, NSPCC Chief Executive, said: “At Childline, we hear first-hand how grooming can devastate young lives. The trauma doesn’t end when the messages stop, it can leave children battling anxiety, depression, and shame for years.

“Tech companies must act now to prevent further escalation. The tools the NSPCC sets out to protect children are ready to use and urgently needed. Importantly, they mean that services can keep children safe while protecting all user’s privacy. Children’s safety must be built into platform design from the start, not treated as an afterthought.”

Kerry Smith, Chief Executive of the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) said: “The internet has opened a door into millions of homes, giving predators access to children.

“Safety should be something which is built into all services and platforms from the bottom up, not tacked on as an afterthought. There should be absolutely nowhere for predators to hide online.

“Tech companies must do everything they can, including in end-to-end encrypted spaces, to keep children safe. It is clear now that this can be done effectively without compromising users’ privacy. There really is no excuse – and the alternative is allowing children to continue to suffer.”

£20 million to boost social care capacity this winter

Health Secretary urges those eligible to get flu vaccine

Health Secretary Neil Gray has updated parliament on winter preparations for the NHS, urging people to take up the flu vaccine and confirming up to £20 million to bolster social care capacity.

The £20 million investment will be targeted at initiatives by health boards to increase social care capacity and provide extra support at the front door of A&Es, which will reduce admissions and relieve pressure on acute services.

Mr Gray also warned of the potential impact of the flu virus this winter, with emerging evidence suggesting an early and potentially difficult flu season. He urged everyone eligible to get their vaccination, particularly children and young people who can transmit the virus to vulnerable family members and friends.

To help deal with increased winter pressures, the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) will recruit more than 290 new frontline A&E staff this year, including newly qualified paramedics and ambulance care assistants.

To ensure callers are dealt with more efficiently this winter, NHS 24 has also implemented a new call centre system backed by £5 million of investment. Over 90% of callers triaged by NHS 24 as needing an ambulance response now have their call information transferred and referred digitally – this removes repetitive stages of the call process and significantly speeds up the process for patients.

The Health Secretary has also directed health boards to undertake a new approach, working together to plan digital care and business systems, and make best use of available capacity for orthopaedic elective services – ensuring patients receive the care they need as soon as possible.

Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “We know pressure on the system exacerbates over winter and I am determined to ensure that pressure is relieved as much as possible. We have been preparing plans for this winter season throughout the past year with NHS boards and local authorities.

“Our investment of £20 million will be crucial in our efforts to bolster social care capacity, reduce unnecessary hospital admissions and ensure people receive the right care in the most appropriate setting.

“A key part of our winter response is prevention and our national flu vaccination programme is well underway. Vaccination is one of the best ways to protect our own health and those around us – with flu cases rising and initial evidence suggesting this may be an early and potentially difficult flu season, I urge all those who are eligible to get vaccinated.  

“We have significantly increased Scottish Ambulance Service staffing and we are investing in capacity in our NHS 24 call centres so that people are getting the right support quickly and when they need it.

“Our dedicated health and social care staff are the cornerstone of our winter response every year – they will continue to work tirelessly in the coming months to provide excellent care, and I thank them for their outstanding efforts.”

The funding of £20 million comes from the 2025-26 health and social care budget to deliver improvements in urgent and unscheduled care and patient flow, linked to the Operational Improvement Plan.

Winter planning is undertaken collaboratively between health boards and local authorities and the Scottish Government has worked with the NHS and COSLA to ensure local plans are underpinned by consistent national principles.

These are set out in publication of “National Planning Priorities and Principles for Surge and Winter Preparedness in Health and Social Care”

Responding to the Scottish government’s £20 million funding announcement to boost social care capacity this winter, alongside its National Planning for Winter and Surge Pressures in Health and Social Care, unveiled this week (13 November 2025), RCEM Vice President for Scotland Dr Fiona Hunter said: “We welcome and recognise this much needed investment into social care.  

“Even though this funding is not for care happening inside the walls of Emergency Departments, bolstering social care capacity is one of the best ways to make sure people can leave hospital when they are deemed medically well enough to do so.  

“Last winter, from November to February, there were 1,991 patients stuck in hospital each day, despite being well enough to leave. That was a record. We can’t let a new record be set this year.  

“We need these beds. Patients are spending extreme hours in our departments waiting for that elusive ward bed to become available, often in a corridor, on a trolley or another inappropriate space.   

“However, this burst of funding could be too little, too late, to make a meaningful difference this winter. We are already in November and on the cusp of what will be gruelling months ahead for both our workforce, and our patients.  

“Further winter plans announced place too much emphasis on attendance avoidance – diverting people away from ED. While this is of course welcome, the crisis in which our EDs find themselves has not been caused by an increase in demand. 

“The number of people attending our departments this summer was lower than it was in 2019, yet 20 times as many people this year waited 12 or more hours to be admitted, discharged or transferred.  

“And we know this is where the harm lies for our patients in ED.  

“The announcement is a good start at a time when the health service is about to enter what will be yet another very challenging winter. But the crisis in our Emergency Departments is taking a heavy toll on our members, and their colleagues.  

“We need continued support and action from the government to address these deep-rooted long-term problems that are no longer confined to winter.” 

Youth arrested for firework offences

14 arrests have now been made in connection with fireworks-related offences over the Halloween and Bonfire Night period

A male has been charged in connection with several serious offences including mobbing and rioting in Edinburgh on Bonfire Night.

This year’s national policing operation saw a near 37 per cent reduction in fireworks calls compared with last year, but pockets of criminality still occurred in various parts of the country, including the Sighthill area in Edinburgh.

As a result of evidence gathered during the evening of 5 November and follow-up enquiries over the last week, a 17-year-old male was arrested on Wednesday, 12 November.

He appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday, 13 November.

To date, 14 arrests have been made in connection with fireworks-related offences over the Halloween and Bonfire Night period by the dedicated investigation team within Edinburgh.

Remembrance Day for Lost Species

Please join us for a community walk along the coast from Wardie Bay to Granton / Royston (the ‘Brick’) Beach to search for flat oyster shells on Remembrance Day for Lost Species.

Meet on November 30th 2025 at 2pm to walk together and find out about the restoration of seagrass habitats and European flat oyster populations in the Firth of Forth – a species which used to be abundant and was fished to local extinction around 100 years ago.

Together, we will search for evidence of these flat oysters, and there will be talking and sharing about our concerns for the health of the sea and the species who live in, and depend on, it. 

We anticipate the event lasting 1.5 hours. It may be cold, so please bring a flask of something hot and wear warm clothes and suitable footwear. We will end at The Pitt where a variety of drinks and food will be on sale.

This event has been thought up by Katie Smith from Granton Community Gardeners who is working to gather local knowledge about our wildlife and build a Granton nature restoration plan, and Tamsin Grainger, local walking artist with an interest in local history and community wellbeing.

Free (you can make a donation to cover costs if you like).

Everyone is welcome including children and dogs. This walk will be manageable on wheels. We aim to be inclusive and open.

We hope to walk with representatives from Restoration Forth and Edinburgh Shoreline

Royal Edinburgh Hospital: Mental health safe delivery of care inspection report

Healthcare Improvement Scotland yesterday (Thursday 13 November) published a report relating to a Safe Delivery of Care inspection of Acute Adult In patient services at Royal Edinburgh Hospital, NHS Lothian. The inspection took place between 17 – 19 June, 2025.

Our safe delivery of care inspections of adult mental health services aim to take account of the changing risk considerations and sustained service pressures currently across NHS Scotland.

During our inspection of Royal Edinburgh Hospital, we inspected wards, spoke to staff and patients and reviewed policies and procedures. Throughout July and August we held several discussion sessions with key members of NHS Lothian staff to discuss the evidence provided and findings of the inspection.

Speaking of the Royal Edinburgh Hospital report, Donna Maclean, Chief Inspector, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, said: “During our inspection we saw good multidisciplinary team working to provide person-centred care and treatment and kind and respectful interactions between staff and patients.

“Staff were open and transparent about the current challenges they face in relation to the use of non-standard care areas throughout the hospital. During our inspection we raised several concerns with senior managers relating to the care of patients within non-standard care areas.

“We also raised concerns with senior managers around risk assessments, a lack of approved process to support staff decision making and lack of privacy for patients in non-standard care areas. Issues around unassessed ligature points, environmental challenges and the ability of staff to be able to carry out continuous observations were also highlighted.

“We also raised concerns relating to the fire risk assessments and the lack of appropriate fire doors.

“Several requirements have been given in relation to a lack of effective systems in place to support the delivery of safe care within non-standard care areas. We will return to carry out a follow-up inspection to assess and monitor improvement in response to these concerns.

“Other areas identified for improvement include staff training in areas such as life support and fire safety as well as improving communication with patients and families.”

Eddie Docherty, Director of Quality Assurance and Regulation at Healthcare Improvement Scotland, said: “Our previous mental health inspection programme was focused on infection prevention and control.

“It was agreed with Scottish Government to widen the inspection focus from infection prevention and control to a broader assurance function, creating a new and revised ‘safe delivery of care’ assurance model in NHS adult mental health units.

“We believe it is important to provide public assurance that adult mental health units in Scotland are safe for patients and staff, provide quality person-centred care, with clear leadership and a focus on improvement.”

The Royal Edinburgh Hospital inspection resulted in six areas of good practice, four recommendations and 21 requirements.

An improvement action plan has been developed by NHS Lothian to meet the requirements.

NHS Lothian says it is continuing work to improve Adult Mental Health services after accepting a report published by Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) yesterday (Thursday 13 November).

Significant work has been ongoing since March 2025 to meet the considerable increase in demand for beds, which regularly exceeded capacity, and address system pressures.

A detailed improvement plan to address the requirements from the HIS report is also well underway, with many of the actions already complete or in progress.

The HIS inspection took place in June during efforts to meet demand. While it identified many areas of good practice within teams and the care provided, it highlighted more needs to be done.

Jim Crombie, Deputy Chief Executive, NHS Lothian said: “We take patient safety extremely seriously and took immediate action to address many of the concerns raised in the report.

“A structured plan to reconfigure wards to add extra permanent beds where needed is almost complete. This will end the use of temporary, non-standard areas and the divert suite, which were set up in response to demand.

“Additional leadership oversight and staff training are in place to improve the quality and consistency of ligature inspections, assessments and observations to further reduce the risk of patient self-harm or suicide.

“We have also recently recruited 97 newly qualified nurses, and 30 healthcare support workers. This will allow us to meet increasing service demand and provide more resilience, while significantly reducing the use of bank and agency staff.

“We are committed to providing safe, effective care for patients and ensuring staff are well supported. We are grateful to HIS for their guidance and will continue to work with them and other professional bodies to improve our services.”

Since the initial improvement work began, considerable progress has also been made in reducing delayed discharges. This includes working closely with the health and social care partnerships and other specialist care providers to ensure patients can return to the community with appropriate support.

Improvements are also underway to enhance patient and carer communications, building on the positive work noted in the report of proactively obtaining their feedback. More widely, an ongoing programme of work to transform mental health services to meet the changing needs of mental health care and future proof services also continues.

The full inspection report is available to view at:
https://www.healthcareimprovementscotland.scot/publications/royal-edinburgh-hospital-mental-health-safe-delivery-of-care-inspection-november-2025/

ADDITIONAL INFO:

We carried out an unannounced inspection to Royal Edinburgh Hospital, NHS Lothian, on Tuesday 17 June to Thursday 19 June 2025 using our safe delivery of care inspection methodology. We inspected the following areas:

  • Balcarres
  • Braids
  • Caanan
  • Craiglockheart
  • Cramond
  • Divert suite
  • Fairmile
  • Harlaw
  • Hawthorn
  • Hermitage
  • Margaret Duguid unit
  • Meadows
  • Merchiston
  • Myreside
  • Orchard

During our inspection, we:

  • inspected the ward and hospital environment.
  • observed staff practice and interactions with patients, such as during patient mealtimes.
  • spoke with patients, visitors and ward staff.
  • accessed patients’ health records, monitoring reports, policies and procedures.

This inspection resulted in six areas of good practice, four recommendations and 21 requirements.