Queens Manor Care Home in Barnton will be opening their doors to the local community on Saturday 24th October 2026.
Taking place between 10am – 4pm guests will be able to enjoy home-made cream cakes prepared by the home’s Head Chef, and will have the chance to meet the team and take a tour of the home and gardens.
Margaret-Ann, General Manager at Queens Manor Care Home says: “I’m excited about welcoming new visitors and existing friends of the home to our open day.
“Looking for care can be a little bit daunting, but our team here at Queens Manor will do all we can to provide all of our guests with the guidance and support they may need, and answer all of their questions, big or small.
“Our open day is a great chance to enjoy some delightful entertainment in a homely and friendly setting- hope to see you all there!”
Queens Manor care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals.
Queens Manor provides residential care and dementia care for 60 residents from respite care to long term stays.
Responding to Scottish Emergency Department performance figures for August 2026, Dr Fiona Hunter, Scotland Vice President at the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said: “These figures show that Scottish EDs continue to operate under sustained and unacceptable pressure, having experienced the worst August on record in terms of four-hour performance.”
Performance figures showed that:
Only 62.3% of patients were admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours, far below the Scottish Government’s 95% target and almost on a par with performance levels in England.
13.4% of patients waited more than eight hours in major EDs, equating to 17,413 patients. This was at least 1.2 percentage points higher than any other summer month in the last 19 years.
5.4% of patients waited more than 12 hours, equivalent to 6,965 patients, almost 20 times higher than July 2019 levels.
On average, 1,971 patients each day remained in hospital despite being medically fit for discharge, highlighting continued problems with patient flow and delayed discharge.
Dr Hunter said: “There has been no let up at all during the summer, and we worry about what lies ahead in winter – although it is very clear that seasonal pressures are a thing of the past and we are now in a state of year-round permacrisis.
“Overcrowding is rife – putting lives at risk – and too many patients remain in hospital despite being medically fit for discharge, which reduces bed availability and creates exit block in Emergency Departments.
“We welcome the Scottish Government’s recognition that improving patient flow through hospitals is vital, but recognition must be backed by urgent action.
“We need to see increased social care capacity, consistent seven-day discharge processes – as well as wider hospital services working extended hours – and shared responsibility for patient flow across the health system.”
The visit provided an opportunity to highlight the need for greater specialist expertise in education and more proactive, preventative healthcare for people with cerebral palsy.
Màiri McAllan, Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic, visited Cerebral Palsy Scotland’s specialist therapy centre in Glasgow on Wednesday 23 September, meeting children, young people and families with lived experience of cerebral palsy, alongside the charity’s multidisciplinary team of specialist therapists.
The visit provided an opportunity to discuss the experiences of children and young people with cerebral palsy in education, as well as the importance of ensuring people with the condition can access appropriate specialist support throughout their lives.
Education Secretary Màiri McAllan said: “Every child and young person should be supported to participate fully in education, to be included in their school community and to achieve their potential.
“Cerebral palsy can affect learning, participation and wellbeing and it has been valuable to see the specialist expertise available through Cerebral Palsy Scotland and discuss the importance of ensuring support is responsive to individual needs.
“The Scottish Government is committed to working with partners to drive improvement in additional support for learning. That’s why we invest more than £11 million annually to directly fund services to children and families, including support for pupils with complex needs.”
During conversations with the Education Secretary, the charity raised concerns about the support available to children and young people with cerebral palsy within education.
Cerebral palsy can affect learning and participation in ways that extend beyond physical access to a classroom. Pain, fatigue, communication needs, processing speed, concentration, fine motor skills, energy levels, toileting and self-care can all affect a child or young person’s educational experience and wellbeing.
Yet these needs are not consistently being met, with many children and young people with cerebral palsy lacking access to the specialist support and adjustments they need to fully participate in education and reach their potential.
Cerebral Palsy Scotland is calling for greater access to specialist knowledge, expertise and advice across all educational settings, including early years, primary and secondary schools, schools supporting children and young people with additional support needs, and further education settings.
The charity also wants to see improved support for pupils who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and assessment based on individual need.
While discussions with the Education Secretary focused on education, Cerebral Palsy Scotland also highlighted the need for a more proactive approach to health and wellbeing across the lifespan of people with cerebral palsy.
The Scottish Government currently provides £2 million each year to NHS Boards to deliver annual health checks for people aged 16 and over with learning disabilities. The programme aims to address health inequalities and identify unmet health needs, with the Scottish Government describing annual health checks as an important part of preventing premature deaths and improving health outcomes.
There has also been investment of £3 million by the Scottish Government into heart and lung MOTs, to be delivered by Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland. Cerebral Palsy Scotland believes there is an opportunity to build on this approach and develop a specialist annual health and wellbeing review for people with cerebral palsy.
Stephanie Fraser, Chief Executive of Cerebral Palsy Scotland, said:“We were delighted to welcome the Education Secretary and to share directly with her the experiences of children and young people with cerebral palsy and their families.
“We want to see greater access to specialist knowledge and support within education, so that people with cerebral palsy are able to successfully engage in learning and teachers, early years professionals and support staff better understand the diverse ways cerebral palsy can affect understanding, communication, physical health and wellbeing.
“This is particularly important for children and young people who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication, and we want to see assessment and support arrangements that properly reflect individual need.
“We are calling for a more proactive approach to supporting people with cerebral palsy. The Scottish Government has recognised the value of annual health checks for people with learning disabilities and heart and lung checks for those more likely to experience poorer health outcomes. This approach helps to identify needs earlier and connect people with the right treatment and support.
“We believe people with cerebral palsy deserve the same opportunity to benefit from a proactive approach to preventative and specialist care. Cerebral Palsy Scotland has the specialist expertise to work alongside NHS, education and statutory services to help make this possible, and we are keen to work constructively with the Scottish Government to improve outcomes for people with cerebral palsy throughout their lives.”
Cerebral Palsy Scotland will continue to work with the Scottish Government to identify opportunities to improve outcomes for people with cerebral palsy across Scotland, from early years through to late adulthood.
Child poverty remains a key priority for Local Government. Read more from COSLA’S Children and Young People Spokesperson, speaking on Challenge Poverty Week 2026:
Child poverty continues to be a key priority for Local Government. Despite unprecedented financial challenges, local authorities remain firmly committed to our shared goal under the Verity House Agreement: tackling poverty — particularly child poverty — and delivering vital services and support to children and families in need.
Commenting, Councillor Tony Buchanan, COSLA Spokesperson for Children and Young People, said:“On Challenge Poverty Week, I would like to take this opportunity to thank colleagues across Local Government for the vital work they do every day to support our children – it is important that we can continue to recognise their dedication.
Child poverty is a cross-cutting issue that pervades across all council areas with latest figures estimating around 2 in 5 people in Scotland live in very deep poverty, meanwhile relative child poverty remains at 21%.
Local Government is at the frontline of tackling poverty. Every day, our councils work to boost incomes, provide vital services such as housing and transport, and deliver key interventions such as free school meals, and the Scottish Attainment Challenge.
However, we know we have more to do. COSLA will continue to call for evidence based whole‑family, community‑centred support, a balance between universal and targeted provision, and flexible and sustainable long-term funding so councils can build on and accelerate the vital work they already undertake to tackle poverty in their communities. COSLA will also continue to lobby for meaningful multi-year settlements for local government and our partners that enable preventative investment for children and families.
Despite the financial pressures facing councils, local authorities remain strongly committed to our shared priority under the Verity House Agreement to tackle poverty, particularly child poverty, and to deliver a range of services and support children and their families in need.
A holistic approach must be taken at the local and national level to ensure our approach is person-centred and utilises the lived experiences of local families, particularly those in priority groups, to overcome barriers and address specific challenges faced by those families within their community context. This requires adequate funding for local authorities, who are best placed to target provision for their local contexts.
The paper sets out how Local Government is already helping to address the impacts of poverty through action on the housing emergency, delivering free school meals and funded early learning and childcare, supporting households affected by in-work poverty, and helping people overcome barriers such as a lack of affordable transport
Challenge Poverty Week 2026 runs from Monday 6th – Sunday 11th October with events taking place across Scotland. Including an Elected Members Seminar on Wednesday 7th October at 2pm hosted by Cllr Chalmers, Community Wellbeing Spokesperson.
Wee Read is Scotland’s national celebration of reading – a simple invitation for everyone to stop, take a few minutes, and enjoy the pleasure of reading.
Whether it’s a novel, comic, magazine, newspaper, audiobook, poem, or recipe, every kind of reading counts.
TODAY – Wednesday 7 October 2026 – people across Scotland will come together for one shared moment to celebrate the joy of reading and the positive difference it can make to our wellbeing, learning and everyday lives.
Libraries throughout Scotland are the perfect place to start your reading journey. And part of our goal is to encourage more people into libraries – inspiring everyone to read regularly for pleasure.
By taking part, you’re joining thousands of people across Scotland – from schools, libraries and workplaces to community groups, families and individuals – to help create a country where reading is valued, shared and enjoyed by all.
Have a Wee Read and help Scotland become a nation that enjoys reading.
Wee Read is led by Scotland’s libraries in partnership with mental health charities, publishers, booksellers, authors, educators and community organisations, working together to inspire a nation to read.
I’ll be reading a chapter or two from Emil and the Detectives, a favourite from primary school days. What will you read? – Ed.
More than 250 paid NHS placements will be made available to parents across Scotland as part of Scottish Government efforts to eradicate child poverty.
The paid placements, covering roles such as porters, caterers, healthcare support workers, administration assistants, and assistant technical officers, will be available across 18 health boards.
With paid placements typically lasting between 6-18 months, the project is targeted at those facing the greatest risk of poverty – helping more parents to access employment in Scotland’s NHS.
On a visit to Kirklands HQ, NHS Lanarkshire, to mark the start of Challenge Poverty Week, Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville met Mairead Doyle, who joined a similar employability programme with NHS Lanarkshire in 2024.
Since then, Ms Doyle has been promoted twice and is now employed in the Band 4 position of Management Secretary.
Ms Somerville said: “Eradicating child poverty is the Scottish Government’s top priority and we know that fair work in the NHS will offer a real route out of poverty for families.
“We are equipping parents with the skills and experience needed to have a long and successful career, with the opportunity for real progression, while strengthening the NHS workforce of the future.
“This project scales existing successful models already delivered by NHS boards and I’m pleased that we’re able to extend this opportunity to hundreds more families across the country.”
Commenting on the employability programme, past participant Ms Doyle said: “The Parental Employability Programme gave me the confidence and support I needed to return to work after several years away from employment.
“Through the programme I secured a role with NHS Lanarkshire and have since progressed to a Band 4 position. It has had a positive impact on both my career and my family, and I’m grateful for the opportunity it provided.’’
Since launching the NHS Lanarkshire Demonstrator Programme has supported 136 parents and people experiencing long-term unemployment, with more than 77% progressing into positive destinations, including directly into NHS employment. Outcomes have improved year on year, with their most recent programme achieving almost 88% positive destinations.
Jacqui Jones, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of HR at NHS Lanarkshire said: “The NHS is one of the largest employers in Scotland and employment is one of the strongest drivers of good health by creating opportunities for local parents and families to gain skills, experience and jobs.
“We are helping people thrive, building a workforce that reflects our communities, and making a positive difference to the health of Lanarkshire.”
Edinburgh Green Councillors and Edinburgh Liberal Democrat councillors are jointly hosting a screening and discussion of the National Emergency Briefing. The event, in Edinburgh City Chambers, is tomorrow – Wednesday 7th October – and all 63 Edinburgh councillors have been invited to attend.
The screening and discussion, facilitated by Edinburgh Community Climate Action Network (ECCAN) shows a 40-minute film on the climate and nature emergencies, presented by ecologist Chris Packham, followed by a facilitated discussion on the issues raised.
Speaking ahead of the screening, Liberal Democrat group leader Councillor Ed Thornley, one of the hosts of the event, said: “The Climate Emergency is having very real impact in Edinburgh – flooding and extreme rainfall are serious and growing concerns in my own part of the city.
“So, I’m delighted to be working cross-party to host this important screening and discussion so that councillors from all parties can come together and discuss what that means for our city and how we can move forward together.”
Co-host Councillor Ben Parker, Edinburgh Greens co-convenor, said: “The climate and nature emergencies are the most important issues of our time.
“We know that the impacts are already being felt across the world, and here in Edinburgh. It is so important that all elected members are knowledgeable about how climate change will impact on our lives and what we need to do differently to keep people safe and ensure we have a planet to pass on to future generations.
“I hope that we see a good turnout from councillors for this important screening.”
Mark Dowey, Hub Manager at the Edinburgh Community Climate Action Network (ECCAN) said: “In Edinburgh, communities are leading the way in responding to the climate and nature crisis.
“This briefing gives councillors from across the political spectrum a unique opportunity to come together, reflect on the challenges we face, and discuss what they mean for Edinburgh.
“ECCAN is pleased to support that conversation and help strengthen the connection between decision-making in the city and the community action already happening on the ground.”
The local Western General Hospital recently welcomed healthcare professionals, support staff, volunteers and teams who go above and beyond to make a difference at NHS Lothian’s Celebrating Success Awards 2026.
On Friday 2 October, the Paderewski Lecture Theatre at the hospital was transformed into a stunning venue to honour the health heroes at the annual event.
Among the winners were a midwife supporting international colleagues, a dedicated hospital porter, a caring champion and an inspirational learning disability nurse.
Proudly sponsored by NHS Lothian Charity, the awards celebrate the remarkable contributions of individuals and teams working to improve care and support across Lothian.
Hannah Reid, Registered Midwife at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, was named Staff Member of the Year for her outstanding contribution to maternity services and unwavering support for colleagues.
Hannah played a vital role in helping international midwives transition to UK practice, providing mentoring and support to build confidence and a sense of belonging.
Commenting on her nomination, Hannah said: “When somebody recognises that hard work, it’s good, it’s important. It keeps up your morale, and it keeps you coming back in the next day. To win it would be the icing on the cake.”
The Tom Waterson Support Staff Award recognises non-clinical staff who make an exceptional contribution to patient care and staff support.
This year, the prestigious accolade was scooped by George Vint, Head Porter at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, whose remarkable contribution to the service spans almost five decades with NHS Lothian.
His nominator said: “George’s contribution over almost 50 years has made a lasting and positive impact on countless patients, staff members and the wider organisation.”
His dedication, positive attitude and service have made him a valued member of the Royal Edinburgh Hospital team and a worthy winner of this year’s award.
Dr Andrew Williams, Consultant Gastroenterologist, Endoscopy, NHS Lothian, was named Caring Champion of the Year.
The judges were flooded with nominations for Andrew, with colleagues describing him as the very definition of a caring champion. Over almost 40 years with NHS Lothian, he has become known not just for his clinical expertise but also his kindness, compassion and unwavering support for patients, families and colleagues.
Chris Suttie, Project Manager within NHS Lothian’s Estates and Facilities team, was named Young Achiever of the Year.
Early in his career, Chris has already demonstrated exceptional professionalism, leadership and commitment to improving services for patients and staff.
The Lynn Jackson Nurse of the Year Award recognises exceptional nurses who go above and beyond in delivering outstanding care, compassion and support.
This year, Leanne Warren, Senior Charge Nurse within the Learning Disability Inpatient Service at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, took home the award for consistently putting patients at the centre of everything she does.
One of her team members said: “Leanne is a key source of advice and support, and her presence is a reassuring constant within the unit.”
In addition to her role as Senior Charge Nurse, Leanne supports colleagues across NHS Lothian as a Safe Management of Violence and Aggression trainer, helping build confidence in managing complex situations.
Caroline Hiscox, Chief Executive, NHS Lothian, said: “The Celebrating Success Awards give us a chance to pause and recognise the individuals and teams who go above and beyond every day, often without seeking recognition.
“Our winners demonstrate the values that underpin NHS Lothian and have made a lasting impact on the patients, families and colleagues they support. We are delighted to celebrate their achievements and thank them for their outstanding contribution.”
Young athletes from across Edinburgh were among the biggest contingent at last weekend’s SprintFastest All-Star Indoor Championships, with 25 athletes representing the City of Edinburgh Council area.
The Edinburgh contingent, drawn mainly from Edinburgh AC and Harmeny AC, included rising sprint talents Aoiffion McVittie-Brangan and Reeva Grant, who joined more than 180 young athletes from across Scotland at the Glasgow International Arena.
Funded through a £20 million Scottish Government investment and supported by sportscotland as part of the national Summer of Sport 2026 initiative, the event followed the inaugural SprintFastest, which was held at Grangemouth Stadium in March.
Thanks to summer of sport funding, the indoor championships were bigger and better attracting more than 180 young athletes from across the country.
SprintFastest is recognised for its commitment to accessibility, inclusivity, and strengthening pathways into athletics for young people across the country and to provide a platform for Scotland’s rising sprint stars.
Founder of SprintFastest, Dr Enoch Adeyemi, set out to create an accessible youth athletics event to bring families and young people together. He said: “At SprintFastest, we believe every young person deserves the chance to shine.
“This event is about much more than racing. It’s about creating opportunities, building confidence and showing young people what they can achieve when they are given the right platform.
“Thanks to sportscotland’s Summer of Sport funding, we’ve been able to bring together some of Scotland’s most talented young athletes while making the experience accessible, welcoming and inspiring for families from across the country.”
The talented field included boys and girls across five age categories, drawn from 24 local authority areas of Scotland.
Minister for Community Care Alison Thewliss MSP and sportscotland Chair Maureen Campbell attended the event to see first-hand how the young people were benefiting from Summer of Sport investment.
Ms Thewliss MSP, Minister for Community Care said: “The Summer of Sport programme has been a fantastic way to help more children and young people across Scotland discover the joy of being active, while removing some of the barriers that can prevent them from taking part.
“SprintFastest is a brilliant example of this in action, bringing young people together through an exciting and accessible athletics experience. It’s exactly the kind of opportunity we want to see more of, giving young people the chance to try something new, build confidence and hopefully discover a sport they can enjoy for years to come.”
Game On: Creating opportunities for children and young people across Scotland
Since launching in May 2026, the Summer of sport programme has supported local authorities, schools, clubs and sporting bodies to create free and low-cost opportunities for children and young people aged between three to 26 to take part in sport and physical activity.
The campaign, backed by Scottish government investment, as part of a £20 million fund has been administered by sportscotland and was inspired by the landmark summer of international sport, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
A wide range of sporting organisations received funding through a competitive application process to sportscotland, including football, cycling, cricket, golf, padel, archery and judo.
Maureen Campbell, Chair of sportscotland, added: “The Summer of Sport programme has shown what can be achieved when we work together to make sport and physical activity more accessible, inclusive and enjoyable for young people across Scotland.
“The response so far has been hugely encouraging, with young people telling us that the programme has helped them become more active and inspired them to do more sport. SprintFastest is a great example of that ambition in action, creating an exciting opportunity for young people to experience athletics, have fun and be inspired by what they can achieve. We’re proud to be supporting opportunities like this as Summer of Sport events continue into the new year.”
Inspiring a new generation to get active and try sport
Interim survey data conducted by sportscotland shows the Summer of Sport is already making a lasting impact, with 75% of children and young people surveyed saying they had become more active as a result of taking part, while 79% said it had made them want to do more sport.
One in four (25%) had already taken up a new sport and one in five (20%) had joined a new club, highlighting the programme’s ability to turn new experiences into continued participation.
The programme is also helping break down barriers to participation, with 28% of young people trying their chosen activity for the first time. Low-cost and local opportunities have been key, with 73% of parents and carers saying being local or easy to reach helped their child participate, while 63% highlighted free access. The experiences have been rated highly, with children and young people giving activities an average score of 4.7 out of 5.
Activities will take place beyond the summer, supporting increased opportunities and participation.
Scotland’s national children’s charity, Children First, has revealed new figures showing that financial difficulties remain the top reason for families to call its support line, as it urged families who are struggling to get in touch for support.
Over half of Edinburgh families (56%) who got in touch with the charity’s support line between July and September were experiencing money worries, with callers seeking help and advice when rising costs, household bills and unexpected expenses become difficult to manage.
Children First’s support line provides practical, emotional and financial support, including debt support, to parents and carers 365 days a year.
Last year, the charity worked with nearly 1,500 families to provide financial wellbeing support and advice that helped put £1.8 million in financial gains back in their pockets and manage over £1 million in debts.
Kerry* recently contacted Children First as she was experiencing high levels of stress, anxiety and a difficult financial situation that was affecting her whole family.
Describing the immediate impact of speaking to Children First, she said she felt:
“Overwhelmed in a good way as I have been listened to and told that food can be on the table tonight.
“Children First’s support line saved me – held me and gave me hope for the first time that there was light at the end of the tunnel.”
Children First was able to provide immediate hardship funding so the family could buy groceries. The family was also referred for ongoing support with energy debt and income maximisation, helping them develop a plan for their financial situation and allowing Kerry to focus on parenting and meeting her children’s needs.
Simon McGowan, Assistant Director at Children First, said: “When a parent or carer is worrying about whether there will be food on the table, it can be incredibly difficult to focus on anything else. It’s so important that families can access support before financial pressures become a crisis.
“Our support line provides a place for families to talk, be listened to and access practical, emotional and financial help without judgement.
“This Challenge Poverty Week and beyond, we’re urging families in Edinburgh not to struggle alone. If money worries or other pressures are making family life difficult, please reach out to Children First. We’re here for you.”
With around 210,000 children in Scotland living in poverty, the gap between current child poverty levels and the targets for 2030/31 is significant. As part of efforts to address this challenge, Children First has received a £2 million investment from the Scottish Government to expand its support line and help even more families.
Any family worried about their financial situation can call the Children First support line on 08000 28 22 33.
