Police are appealing for information following a road traffic incident in the north west Edinburgh.
The incident happened at around 11am yesterday (Tuesday, 30th March), when a sliver Mercedes and black BMW were travelling at high speeds between Telford Road and Ferry Road at the junction with Granton Road.
Detective Sergeant Rory Legge said: “The incident took place in broad daylight on a busy stretch of road and we are asking members of the public to come forward with any information they may have.
“If you were in the area at the time and witnessed these vehicles, or have any dashcam or mobile phone footage that could assist with our investigation, I would urge you to contact police.
“Police can be contacted by calling 101 and quoting incident number 1017 of Tuesday, 30th March, 2021.”
People Know How have launched a nationwide campaign, Connectivity Now, calling for accessible and affordable connectivity in homes across Scotland to facilitate an end to data poverty.
Coronavirus highlighted digital exclusion across demographics, postcodes and sectors throughout Scotland. Organisations across sectors have now joined the battle against digital exclusion to continue offering their services, products or support.
The Connectivity Now manifesto is a call-to-action for organisations across sectors. It consists of 3 actions:
1. Regulate connectivity
2. Link connectivity to shared spaces
3. Zero-rate essential service websites
Read the full manifesto and pledge your support to #ConnectivityNow on People Know How’s website.
To make your pledge even more impactful, the charity is encouraging pledgers to record a short video clip, completing the following sentence: I support Connectivity Now because… Pledges including a video will be shared on People Know How’s social media channels, tagging and promoting your organisation as a supporter.
To spread the word and help get more pledges, People Know How have posts pinned for you to share on their Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn channels and don’t forget to use the #ConnectivityNow hashtag!
Let’s unite our experiences from this pandemic and do something about data poverty!
Ready to pledge? Visit the website to read the manifesto, pledge your support and move one step closer to #ConnectivityNow:
The film legend attended the historic Edinburgh club as a boy in the 1930s and 40s. He recalled in his 2008 memoir Being a Scot that it gave him the chance to play sport and “have the rare luxury of a hot bath”.
He played at right-half for FetLor Amateurs in season 1949-50 before being snapped up by Bonnyrigg Rose juniors.
Chairman of FetLor Youth Club, Andrew Barrie, said: “We were saddened to hear of Sean Connery’s passing. FetLor has been supporting Edinburgh’s young people for almost 100 years, giving them the skills and confidence to go on to enjoy fulfilling lives.
“Sean Connery is part of our heritage. I understand that Mr Connery had a real affection for his time at FetLor and his connection with the charity is a source of pride for us.
“We offer our heartfelt condolences to his family at this sad time.”
Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Frank Ross has also paid tribute to Sir Sean Connery, who died aged 90.
Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Frank Ross, said: “Today Edinburgh has lost one of its most world-renowned sons with the death of Hollywood icon Sir Sean Connery at the age of 90.
“Born in our own Fountainbridge, where he started out as a milkman’s apprentice, Sir Sean went on to forge a stellar acting career, scooping an Academy Award, two BAFTAs and three Golden Globes, among other coveted acting accolades.
“An international audience favourite, he shot to global fame as the original – and arguably the best – James Bond, the role for which he will most be remembered.
“Sir Sean won a huge local fan base for putting Edinburgh firmly on the map and in 1991 he was awarded Freedom of the City, the most prestigious honour bestowed by the Council.
“The day he accepted the award from Lord Provost at the Usher Hall was a huge occasion in the Capital with thousands lining the streets to catch a glimpse of him.
“Throughout his extraordinary lifetime, he showed great appreciation for his native city and its people, returning home often, making appearances at our festivals, unveiling a monument to Robert Louis Stevenson and attending the opening of the Scottish Parliament in 1999.
“On behalf of the city, I want to convey heartfelt sympathies and condolences to Sir Sean’s family and friends. Our city mourns one of its most celebrated sons. May he rest in peace and I’m sure his legacy will be longstanding.“
Police are appealing for information after a woman was robbed of jewellery on the cycle path in Boswall on Saturday evening.
At around 6.30pm on Saturday (17 October), a 39-year-old woman was walking along the cycle path between Wardie Road and Granton Road, when she was approached by a man on a bike who, after a short conversation, demanded her watch and diamond rings before riding off towards Drylaw.
The woman was not injured but has been left shaken by the incident.
The suspect is described as white, of medium build, with short dark hair and had a local accent. He was wearing a blue surgical face mask, dark coloured cotton tracksuit top and bottoms. He was on a dark coloured bike with no lights.
Detective Constable Peter Lyons, Costorphine CID, Edinburgh, said: “Whilst the watch and jewellery have a combined value of approximately a four-figure sum of money, it’s more their sentimental value – especially the lady’s engagement and eternity rings – that is upsetting for her.
“She was on the walkway which goes between Wardie Road and Granton Road and was just approaching the Wardie Road exit when she was approached by the man.
“This can be a busy thoroughfare and I am sure there would have been people about who either saw the robbery or who may have seen the man on the bike hanging about the area.
“Officers are checking CCTV at the moment to try an identify the thief, however, would appeal to anyone who may have information that will assist their investigation to come forward.
“If you think you can help, please call Costorphine Police Station via 101 quoting reference number 3256 of Saturday, 17 October, 2020. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
A number of people – understood to be fewer than five – have died in the Western General Hospital following an outbreak of Covid-19 on a cancer ward.Six other patients have also been confirmed with the virus.
NHS Lothian is investigating the outbreak and the oncology ward has been closed to new admissions and discharges to allow tests to be carried out.
Patients and staff are being screened for the virus as part of the health board’s response.
Public health expert Prof Linda Bauld told BC Reporting Scotland: “Infections do happen, not just for Covid, but the cause is always that someone has brought in the infection normally from outside, then it does spread.
“I know that the NHS has been working incredibly hard to develop Covid-secure areas, including priority testing for cancer patients. Obviously we just need to get to the bottom of why this happened.”
An incident management team (IMT) has been set up and strict infection control measures have been put in place on the ward.
All patients have been informed of the outbreak and contact tracing is being carried out.
Patients who would normally return home for the weekend have been asked to remain in the hospital to reduce the risk of further transmission.
Dr Donald Inverarity, consultant microbiologist and chair of the Incident Management Team, said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the deceased and I would like to express our sincere condolences.
“The situation will continue to be reviewed and monitored very closely.
“Patient safety is our main priority and while we understand that the request not to go home for the weekend may be upsetting, it is necessary.
“It will help reduce the risk of onwards transmission and protect their families and the wider community. I would like to thank patients and their families for their co-operation and understanding.”
A £20.6 million investment from the Scottish Government has been granted to improve cancer care services for patients at the Western General Hospital.
It will fund a range of construction and refurbishment projects to Oncology wards, services and facilities at the hospital. This includes building two new Linear Accelerator (LINAC) bunkers to house specialist cancer treatment machines, improvements to patient accommodation increasing the number of ensuite single rooms and relocating the Cancer Assessment Unit.
The project forms part of a wider masterplan for the Western General Hospital to transform services, create more space, comfort and privacy and provide access to modern facilities and cutting-edge equipment.
Jim Crombie, Deputy Chief Executive of NHS Lothian, said: “This Scottish Government funding marks a key milestone in an ambitious programme of investment to ensure the Western General hospital continues to provide high quality treatment and services into the future.
“It will greatly enhance the hospital as a centre of excellence and help us work towards our longer-term vision of opening a new Regional Specialist Cancer Centre.”
Additional projects currently being funded by other capital investments at the Western General include the modernisation of Haematology inpatient services and construction of a new outpatient facility, funded by an exceptional and incredibly generous charitable donation of circa £12 million.
A £1 million investment will create new facilities to expand the Clinical Trials footprint and a £6.2 million Renal Dialysis facility is also being constructed which will offer improved clinical areas and better clinical team facilities.
These projects are supported by a programme of ongoing infrastructure improvements and upgrades in and around the hospital to enable the construction and refurbishment works.
Chris Stirling, Site Director at the Western General Hospital added: “This work will greatly enhance the care, services and environment at the Western General. We are committed to the long-term future of the Western General and ensuring we provide staff and patients with the clinical space and services they deserve.
“We are grateful to everyone who has supported the projects so far and to our neighbours and the community for their patience and understanding whilst work progresses.”
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “The Scottish Government is pleased to be supporting improved cancer facilities at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh.It is a mark of improved population health that more of us are living longer overall, however this also means the incidence of cancer is rising.
“Improved treatments also mean more of us live longer with cancer as a chronic condition. It is therefore vital our NHS facilities keep pace with demand and offer the best environment possible for people with cancer and those who treat and care for them.”
Work across the projects is expected to be completed over the next three years, finishing in 2022.
Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs said:“This much needed investment at the Western General Hospital is welcome news and the improvement of cancer care service is crucial for the South East of Scotland.
“Cancer care has been significantly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and getting services fully resumed is critical for patients who are diagnosed with cancer.
“Ultimately a new Cancer centre, based at the Western General, will be needed going forward. This funding, which I have previously called for, will significantly improve cancer services until the new centre is built.
“I have called on SNP Ministers to update Parliament on plans for a new build Edinburgh Cancer Centre.”
Drive-through clinics have been opened by the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership (EHSCP) in Edinburgh this weekend to make it as quick, safe and easy as possible for people to get their flu vaccine.
The clinics will continue to operate on weekends in October and November and each site can vaccinate up to 500 people a day.
As well as over 65s, pregnant people and those at risk due to existing health conditions, this year unpaid carers and those who lived with people who shielded during lockdown will be offered a free flu jab.
By developing flu drive throughs, everyone entitled to a free flu vaccine from a household can attend at the same time. For those who don’t have access to a car, a series of walk through clinics are being arranged and Edinburgh locations will be available on the NHS Inform website once confirmed.
Keeping the people of Edinburgh safe and healthy is a priority, so before the jab is administered, a nurse will ask some questions to make sure it is safe to administer the vaccine. The person receiving the jab doesn’t need to leave their car and will also be asked to wait 15 minutes before leaving the clinic to ensure there’s no reaction to the vaccine.
If you are eligible for a free flu vaccine, or for more information, go to www.nhsinform.scot/flu to find out where you can get your jab in Edinburgh. If you qualify for a free vaccine you’ll be given a time to attend a clinic after completing a short questionnaire.
Judith Proctor, Chief Officer for the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “As part of our mission to support a caring, healthier and safer Edinburgh, we’re committed to making it even easier to get a flu vaccine this year. The flu vaccine is an important health protection measure and we want to make sure that everyone who is eligible has access to the vaccine.
“To keep the people of Edinburgh safe, and to respect physical distancing measures, we have confirmed a range of Edinburgh venues to offer access to the flu vaccine, including a drive through service at sites across the city. This is the first time a drive through model has been used for vaccinations in Scotland, and could provide a blueprint for how to deliver vaccination programmes successfully in the future.
“Details of where people can go to receive a flu vaccine will be available on the NHS Inform website.”
Blackhall Medical Centre, Muirhouse Medical Group, Crewe Medical Centre and Davidson’s Mains Medical Centre patients will be directed to a walk-through facility at Pennywell All Care Centre or the drive-through at Scottish Gas HQ on Granton waterfront.
