P7 club resumes on MONDAY 2 NOVEMBER
Drylaw Youth Clubs restart
Category: Drylaw Telford
SUNDAY CHURCH SERVICES
DRYLAW PARISH CHURCH
Groathill Road North, EH4 2RG
Sunday services have resumed in the church – 10.30am every Sunday morning
In order to arrange the seating please phone by Thursday lunchtime to 07703 178731
THE OLD KIRK & MUIRHOUSE
Pennywell Gardens
Our Sunday services are at 11am
Book one of the few available places by leaving a message on 0131-467-2922 with your name, number of people attending and phone number.
Deaths following Covid outbreak in Western cancer ward
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.”
Building for the future: £20m investment in Western General Hospital
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.”
Drylaw Telford CC to meet online tomorrow
Drylaw Telford Community Council is to meet online via Zoom tomorrow evening.
CC members have been notified of login instructions and members of the public wishing to participate should contact DTCC secretary Pam Higgins via email at pamhigginsdtcc@gmail.com
Pam said: ” It was lovely to get back together as a group in August and I look forward to seeing as many people as possible in the coming months. I believe this way of meeting will be our new normal for the foreseeable future.”
Parking changes on the way in Telford
TELFORD ROAD AND TELFORD DRIVE – EDINBURGH
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO WAITING RESTRICTIONS AND PARKING PLACES
In accordance with the terms of the Local Authorities’ Traffic Orders (Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations 1999, I write to inform you that the City of Edinburgh Council proposes to advertise the Traffic Regulation Orders which will introduce a disabled parking bay, extend an existing residents parking place, remove residents’ parking places on Telford drive and introduce 24 hr waiting restrictions on Telford Drive and Telford Road (service road 107-219).
As a result of coronavirus and the need for physical distancing we are unable to display the documents relating to this proposal at Council Offices, nor are we able to display street notices on site at the affected locations.
Therefore, the proposals relating to this Order can be viewed online at the Council website www.edinburgh.gov.uk/trafficordersfrom 4 September 2020 to 25 September 2020.
You can also register for email or text alerts via the Tell Me Scotland portal at www.tellmescotland.gov.uk which also provides details of this proposal.
Should you wish to submit an objection to the proposal, please do so by 25 September 2020 quoting notice reference number TRO/19/60.
Community Council to act on fly tipping
Don’t Dump in Drylaw!
Drylaw Telford Community Council held their first meeting since lockdown last week.
Social distancing has made it impossible to hold normal public meetings, so Wednesday’s Zoom meeting was an opportunity to catch up and discuss the most pressing issues affecting the area.
Top of the agenda was fly tipping: illegal dumping is blighting the area, with hotspots in Wester Drylaw particularly affected. The community council plans to work with the local Neighbourhood team to address the issue over the coming weeks.
Problems associated with parking at Drylaw Shopping Centre were also discussed.
Zoom meetings are not to everyone’s taste, and it’s hoped that further relaxation in social distancing rules could see September’s community council meeting being a ‘new normal’ one in a community facility!
Scottish Engineer to extend food deal
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT from The Scottish Engineer
Following the incredible success of the government Eat Out To Help Out scheme we have decided that ending it on Monday 31st August is just a little bit too soon.
And with this mind we are thrilled to announce from Tuesday 1st of September we will be running our very own scheme – “EAT HERE TO HELP YOU” which will be running right through to the end of November!
In these difficult times, we understand money can be tight and as a business we wanted to support you, our amazing community as much as possible and this our little “THANK YOU” to you all.
Similarly to the government scheme, everybody dining with us Monday to Wednesday will be entitled the 40% discount off food and walk ins are always welcome, but with demand expected to be high and social distancing and safety always paramount, booking in advance is advisable.
We can’t wait to welcome you down!
Second COVID newsletter produced
North Edinburgh’s COVID-19 Food Share Consortium has produced a second newsletter.
The limited print run eight page publication will initially be distributed through the Group’s food distribution network and will also be available at local projects and offices.
For further information please email northedinnews@gmail.com
Mind, Body & Soul: SHE school programme
SHE new high school programme Mind, Body & Soul has launched.
SHE providing a blended learning approach with our educational partners.
Our groupwork programme supports young women (S1-S4) to manage stress and anxiety, develop techniques to improve confidence and self esteem and silence their inner critic.
Promoting self healing and improving skills to move forward and embrace life.
For more information please contact shescotland@outlook.com