North Edinburgh News – Page 1775 – The NEN

National Museums Scotland listings to 15 February

Exhibitions & Displays

National Museum of Scotland
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
Open 10:00–17:00 daily

OPENING SOON Audubon’s Birds of America
12 Feb – 8 May 2022
Member Preview Day, 11 Feb
Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3
Ticketed, £0-£10

This new exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland will examine the artistry and legacy of one of the world’s rarest, most coveted and biggest books.

Published as a series between 1827 and 1838, Birds of America by John James Audubon (1785-1851) was a landmark work which achieved international renown due to the epic scale of the project and the book’s spectacular, life-sized ornithological illustrations.

Audubon’s Birds of America (12 February – 8 May 2022) will showcase 46 unbound prints from National Museums Scotland’s collection, most of which have never been on display before, as well as a rare bound volume of the book, on loan from the Mitchell Library. This exhibition is a unique opportunity to see so much of Audubon’s work in one place.

Supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

Book now nms.ac.uk/Audubon

Anatomy: A Matter of Death and Life
1 Jul – 13 Nov 2022
Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3
Ticketed

Explore the history of anatomical study, from artistic explorations by Leonardo da Vinci to the Burke and Hare murders.

This exhibition will look at the social and medical history surrounding the practice of dissection. It will trace the relationship between anatomy, its teaching and cultural context and the bodies that were dissected. Looking at Edinburgh’s role as an international centre for medical study, the exhibition will offer insight into the links between science and crime in the early 19th century.

Sponsored by Baillie Gifford Actual Investors.

Visit nms.ac.uk/Anatomy

The Typewriter Revolution
Until 17 Apr 2022
10:00–16:30
Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3
Free entry

The typewriter’s social and technological influence is revealed in this new exhibition and looks at its role in society, arts, and popular culture. It traces the effect and evolution of typewriters across more than 100 years, from weighty early machines to modern style icons.

The impact of the typewriter has been much wider than simply speeding up the way we write. It helped revolutionise the world of work and change the lives of working women in particular. Typewriters helped them launch their own businesses at a time when female employers were rare and became a vital weapon in the fight for the vote.

Inspiring Walter Scott

Until 8 Jan 2023
Exhibition Gallery 4, Level 1
Free entry

On the 250th anniversary of Sir Walter Scott’s birth, experience his novels through objects that inspired him. In this small exhibition we show how Scott drew upon real historical objects for inspiration, placing objects alongside Scott’s words, and the stories in which they feature. While you view these fascinating objects, you can listen to an actor reading extracts from these tales.

In association with Walter Scott 250: Celebrating 250 Years of Scotland’s Greatest Storyteller.

Visit nms.ac.uk/walterscottexhibition

Scotland’s Climate Challenge

Until 27 Mar 2022
Exhibition Gallery 3, Level 1
Free entry

This small exhibition highlights the exciting work being carried out in Scotland to fight against climate change. It brings together just some of the technological responses that have been developed in Scotland or that are being used here in the effort to cut carbon dioxide emissions.

On show are a range of leading-edge equipment, much of it newly collected, alongside samples of natural material.

Supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

Visit nms.ac.uk/ClimateChallenge

National Museum of Flight
East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian, EH39 5LF
Saturdays and Sundays 10:00 – 16:00

LEGO® Concorde Model
Until 30 Jan 2022
Saturdays and Sundays 10:00 – 16:00
Free with pre-booked museum entry

Master builder Warren Elsmore and his team have created a LEGO® Big Build of the National Museum of Flight’s Concorde.

Six metres long and made of over 60,000 bricks, you can see the model on display alongside the real thing. The model is made purely from standard 2×4 LEGO bricks and took five days to build as part of our Brick Wonders exhibition in Spring 2021.

Visit nms.ac.uk/exhibitions-events

EVENTS

National Museum of Scotland
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
Open 10:00–17:00 daily

Origami Dove Making
Fri 21 – Sun 23 Jan 2022
11:00-13:00, 14:00-16:00
Grand Gallery, Level 1
Free, drop-in

Try out your origami skills and help to create a flock of birds to become part of Les Colombes (The Doves), a stunning installation symbolising love, hope and kindness. The artwork will make its Scottish debut in St Giles’ Cathedral as a highlight of the annual Burns & Beyond Festival in March 2022.

This event is part of Burns & Beyond 2022.

Visit nms.ac.uk/origami-dove-making

Victorian Edinburgh

20 Jan – 31 Mar 2022
11:00 – 13:00
Seminar Room, Learning Centre Level 4
£175 for 10 sessions (concessions available)

Join this short course from National Museums Scotland and the University of Edinburgh, a great way to explore our collections and their wider history with experts.

Victorian Edinburgh considers the complex challenges and changes wrought in the period 1837–1901 within Scotland’s capital city. It examines examples of the economic, social and political context in which ‘Edinburghers’ lived, and assesses their responses to the most important Scottish, British and international events.

This course will be led by Helen Rapport PGCE, M.A., PhD. The University of Edinburgh Short Courses are presented by the Centre for Open Learning.

Book now nms.ac.uk/VictorianEdinburgh

Georgian Scotland

20 Jan – 31 Mar 2022
14:00 – 16:00
Seminar Room, Learning Centre Level 4
£175 for 10 sessions (concessions available)

Join this short course from National Museums Scotland and the University of Edinburgh, a great way to explore our collections and their wider history with experts.

Georgian Scotland explores Scotland’s great changes and developments from 1714–1815. Making extensive use of National Museum Scotland’s collections, the course covers the Enlightenment and the growth of universities, trade, transportation and industry, as well as the impact of Jacobite rebellions and events overseas, from France and Spain to the American colonies.

This course will be led by Helen Rapport PGCE, M.A., PhD. The University of Edinburgh Short Courses are presented by the Centre for Open Learning.

Book now nms.ac.uk/GeorgianScotland

Discovering Decorative Arts at the National Museum of Scotland

20 Jan – 24 Mar 2022
11:00 – 13:00
Dunfermline Room
£175 for 10 sessions (concessions available)

Join this short course from National Museums Scotland and the University of Edinburgh, a great way to explore our collections and their wider history with experts.

This course will introduce the magnificent decorative arts collections within the National Museum of Scotland. We will explore the historical developments of decorative arts and how they have influenced the modern methods and techniques used to create many of the beautiful objects on display in the National Museum of Scotland.

This course will be led by Karen A Clulow BA MA FSA Scot. The University of Edinburgh Short Courses are presented by the Centre for Open Learning.

Book now nms.ac.uk/DecorativeArts

*NEW Spotlight On: Audubon’s Birds of America *

8 Mar 2022
14:00-15:00
Auditorium, Level 1
Free, advance booking required.
Suitable for those aged 12 and over.

Join exhibition Curator Mark Glancy and Paper Conservator Lisa Cumming as they discuss how our upcoming exhibition Audubon’s Birds of America took flight.

Discover how Birds of America, one of the world’s rarest and most coveted books, was made, and learn about the ongoing conservation work to preserve these life-size, hand-coloured prints for future generations. 

Exhibition supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery

Boon now nms.ac.uk/exhibitions-events

For booking, opening times and location details, contact National Museums Scotland on 0300 123 6789

Local MSP slams £82.5 million bill for delayed discharge in Capital

Edinburgh Labour list MSP Foysol Choudhury has slammed the SNP’s failure to end delayed discharge, after it was revealed that it has cost £82,411,987 in the City of Edinburgh over the last five years.

Statistics revealed by Scottish Labour have shown that the total cost of delayed discharge across Scotland has hit over £1bn over the last eight years.

In total, 325,736 bed days have been lost in Edinburgh due to delayed discharge between 2016/17 and 2020/21 with a total cost of £82,411,987.

Local MSP Foysol Choudhury has said that this is symbolic of SNP failure to deliver on its promises and shows the damage done to public health and finances by SNP incompetence.

He warned this will only get worse if the SNP fail to fix the growing crisis in social care, criticising the Scottish Government’s decision not to give carers a fair pay deal in this year’s budget.

The Edinburgh Labour MSP said: “Never mind the spin and promises, the numbers speak for themselves – SNP incompetence has cost Edinburgh £82,411,987 in delayed discharge alone.

“For years the SNP promised to end this dangerous and costly practice and for years they have failed.

“It is simply unacceptable to have patients left needlessly stranded in hospital and the public purse drained due to poor provision of care for those leaving hospital.

“Things will only get worse if the SNP fail to deal with the crisis in our social care system.

“This makes the SNP’s failure to give carers a fair deal in this budget all the more damaging.

“Ending this costly and dangerous practice must be top of Humza Yousaf’s priority list as we enter the new year.

“This means properly funding social care in Edinburgh and giving staff the real pay rise they so badly deserve.”

Delayed discharge 2016-17 to 2020-21:

Local authority of residence	Total Bed Days lost	Total Costs
Scotland	2,448,948	£623,641,618
Aberdeen City	77,922	£19,421,606
Aberdeenshire	74,507	£18,812,235
Angus	29,759	£7,593,790
Argyll & Bute	37,964	£9,687,010
City of Edinburgh	325,736	£82,411,987
Clackmannanshire	16,149	£4,155,811
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar	32,742	£8,267,394
Dumfries & Galloway	69,290	£17,710,667
Dundee City	52,217	£13,206,196
East Ayrshire	23,196	£5,889,582
East Dunbartonshire	21,952	£5,675,305
East Lothian	41,985	£10,469,017
East Renfrewshire	10,978	£2,805,220
Falkirk	87,703	£22,374,280
Fife	171,809	£43,936,581
Glasgow City	202,643	£52,290,504
Highland	187,903	£47,838,848
Inverclyde	8,444	£2,139,961
Midlothian	52,311	£13,330,822
Moray	55,017	£13,953,009
North Ayrshire	78,324	£20,076,967
North Lanarkshire	179,598	£45,912,014
Orkney	6,365	£1,627,198
Other	2,427	£612,271
Perth & Kinross	68,060	£17,087,463
Renfrewshire	31,950	£8,342,877
Scottish Borders	59,496	£15,215,448
Shetland	6,017	£1,523,845
South Ayrshire	100,431	£25,776,248
South Lanarkshire	194,721	£49,369,081
Stirling	36,757	£9,374,287
West Dunbartonshire	26,849	£6,997,222
West Lothian	77,726	£19,756,872

Source: https://www.publichealthscotland.scot/publications/delayed-discharges-in-nhsscotland-annual/delayed-discharges-in-nhsscotland-annual-annual-summary-of-occupied-bed-days-and-census-figures-data-to-march-2021-planned-revision/

Red squirrel conservation strategies ‘likely to undermine species survival in future’

New research has shown how current red squirrel conservation strategies in the UK and Ireland, that favour non-native conifer plantations, are likely to negatively impact red squirrels.

The research shows that native predators in native woodland, and not conifer plantations, are the key ingredients for red squirrel survival in Britain and Ireland. This contradicts existing red squirrel conservation strategies that promote non-native conifer planting and instead highlights the value native predators can deliver (to native biodiversity).

Current conifer plantation focused afforestation strategies in the UK and Ireland are sold as a nature-based solution for tackling climate change and the biodiversity crisis, particularly that of the threatened flagship species the red squirrel.

However, new research from Queen’s University Belfast and the University of St Andrew’s challenges this approach. Together with Ulster Wildlife and citizen scientists, they used camera traps to survey over 700 sites across Northern Ireland over a five-year period for red squirrels, grey squirrels and pine martens.

The results show that with the recovery of the pine marten, conifer plantations planted under the guise of protecting the red squirrel, are likely to have a damaging impact on the species survival.

Until recently, the pine marten was a little-known elusive member of the weasel family, restricted to the northern reaches of the Scottish Highlands, and the western counties of Ireland.

Following its protection in the 70s and 80s, this native predator has made an astounding recovery. Previous research has shown how the pine marten benefits the red squirrel by providing natural biological control of the invasive grey squirrel, which has replaced the red squirrel throughout much of Ireland and Britain.

New research, published today (Wednesday 12 January) in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B and funded by the British Ecological Society, has shown that the presence of pine marten increases red squirrel occurrence across the landscape, especially in native broadleaf woodlands.

This is because the pine marten suppresses the grey squirrel regardless of habitat. However, this effect is reversed in large non-native conifer plantations, where the pine marten reduces the occurrence of red squirrel.

This could be due to the lack of alternate prey, and the lack of refuges for red squirrels in highly simplified landscapes. However, it is likely linked to the fact grey squirrels don’t do well in these habitats, and thus following pine marten recovery, red squirrels do not get the benefits of release from their nemesis as they do elsewhere in the landscape.

Dr. Joshua P. Twining, lead author from Queen’s University Belfast, explains: “Restoration of native predators is a critical conservation tool to combat the on-going biodiversity crisis, but this must be in conjunction with maintenance and protection of natural, structurally complex habitats.

“This has global implications given the on-going recovery of predators in certain locations such as mainland Europe. It also shows that the current national red squirrel conservation strategies that favor non-native confer plantations are likely to have the opposite impact to what is intended.

“Timber plantations are often promoted as being beneficial to red squirrel conservation, but our results show that they will have a detrimental effect on the species in the future.”

Dr Chris Sutherland, from the University of St Andrews, added: “This research demonstrates the enormous value of large scale data collected through public participation. Combining this data with state-of-the-art analytical techniques has generated important conservation insights that until now have been overlooked.”

The UK and Ireland has some of the lowest forest cover in Europe and over 75% of it is made up of non-native timber plantations.

Dr Twining concludes: “This work shows that we need to develop an alternative national conservation strategy for the red squirrel, focused on planting native woodlands alongside continued pine marten recovery.”

Shawfair Park secures good outcome from Healthcare Improvement Scotland inspection

Inspection finds the hospital to be safe and well-led
95% of patients rate their experience as very good or good

Shawfair Park Hospital, part of Spire Edinburgh Hospitals, has received a good outcome from an unannounced inspection by Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS).

Inspectors visited the hospital in early November and their review focused on three key areas: patients’ experience of their care, whether the care provided was safe, and the quality of leadership. In their report, published today, HIS rated the hospital ‘Good’ on all three counts.

Inspectors noted the positive feedback that the hospital receives from its patients. 82% of patients who responded to an email survey rated their experience as very good, with a further 13% rating the service as good, and patient testimonials received are generally very positive.

The inspectors commented on the way that feedback is regularly discussed by senior managers and action plans developed to address issues that are raised by patients.

Both the inspectors and patients they spoke to commented on the cleanliness and tidiness of the hospital. Inspectors also noted that effective systems are in place to maintain good infection control, which is so crucial during the COVID pandemic.

HIS also praised the visibility of the hospital’s leadership and the way they support colleagues with their development and education. A system for rewarding colleagues who are ‘inspiring people’ was singled out as good practice.

Shawfair Park and Spire’s other hospital in Edinburgh, Murrayfield, employ over 500 colleagues and partner with 250 consultants.

They see around 30,000 patients each year who come to the hospital for a range of treatment ranging from orthopaedics to ophthalmology, through to care for cancer and other critical conditions.

Paul Gregersen, Hospital Director at Spire Edinburgh Hospitals, said: “I am very pleased that Healthcare Improvement Scotland has concluded that our hospital provides safe, high quality care to patients and that they highlighted the positive feedback we get from our patients.

“These findings reflect the dedication of our staff who have worked so hard in such challenging circumstances over the past two years.

“We look forward to continuing to serve our local community in the months to come as we help to meet the demand for treatment and diagnosis across Edinburgh and beyond.”

HIS’s report can be accessed here

Support for NHS during ‘most difficult winter’

New remote monitoring tools to support people with Covid to stay safely at home, and free up hospital beds are among a range of steps being put in place to support the health and care workforce and maximise capacity.

Measures include £500,000 to fund 25,000 remote monitoring kits, including additional pulse oximeters, and a dedicated team which will support the early identification of patients who would benefit from antivirals treatments and get these started as soon as possible. This will free up beds in acute hospitals.

COVID admissions are rising at a rate 45% faster than they did last winter, and this combined with existing winter pressures is creating significant demand on hospitals. A large spike in staff absence relating to COVID is also significantly impacting NHS service provision.

In addition to the investment in remote monitoring, the Scottish Government will also expand existing programmes, including Hospital at Home, Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) services for managing infections and Community Respiratory pathways. These services allow patients to be treated in their own home and to receive the relevant treatment without admission to hospital.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “The next few weeks will probably be amongst the most difficult our NHS has ever faced in its 73 year existence. We are facing pressure on a number of fronts.

“Modelling suggests that infections and associated staff absences due to the coronavirus could peak by mid-January. Treating more people who previously may have been admitted to hospital at home with anti-virals and suitable support is essential to free up capacity in our hospitals.

“We know Discharge Without Delay has made a significant impact in some parts of the country and rolling it out to all health boards will make a major difference. Local contingency plans are in place to focus on the redeployment of available clinical and support services staff to essential services.

“All of this builds on work already underway as part of our £300 million investment in health and care services as part of winter preparations, to help maximise capacity, support the wellbeing of our fantastic health and care staff, support flow through the system and improve outcomes.”

Search is on for the UK’s most marvellous moggy

Cat lovers across the UK are being invited to nominate their furry friends for the biggest event in the feline year – the National Cat Awards.

Run by the charity Cats Protection, the annual event celebrates the nation’s most marvellous moggies, with heart-warming tales of devotion, courage and companionship.

This year’s event also features a new Cat Colleagues category to honour the feline heroes who have helped their owners adjust to working from home, or have made going to work a little easier during the pandemic.

Entries open today – Tuesday 11 January – and owners have until noon on Thursday 10 March to nominate their cat in one of four categories:

Cat Colleagues – Cats who bring joy to the workplace or make working from home a pleasure
Most Caring Cat – Cats that positively impact a person’s health or wellbeing
Furr-ever Friends – Tales of friendship between children and cats
Outstanding Rescue Cat – Fabulous felines adopted from animal charities

Helping to launch the awards, cat lover and BBC weather presenter Owain Wyn Evans said: “I’m a big fan of cats, not just because they’re such amazing animals, but also because of the incredibly positive impact they can have on people’s lives.

“It’s such an honour to be helping launch the National Cat Awards, and I really hope this national celebration of our feline friends will inspire more people to welcome a cat into their lives.”

Cats Protection’s Awards organiser Kate Bunting said: “Over the past two years, the UK’s pet cats have played an even more important role in our lives – whether it’s keeping the kids’ company during home schooling, being a companion for people living alone in lockdown or simply being there during times of uncertainty.

“From chilled out cats that provide comfort and support, to the mischievous moggies that make us smile, cats undoubtedly have a special place in the hearts and homes of millions of people. We’re thrilled to once again be hosting our National Cat Awards and are looking forward to sharing many wonderful stories of moggy marvelousness!

“We hope that by celebrating some of the UK’s most incredible cats we’ll inspire more people to consider adopting a cat in 2022.”

Winners will be selected by a panel of celebrity cat lovers before being announced at a star-studded ceremony at London’s Savoy Hotel on 4 August 2022.

The winner of the National Cat of the Year will inherit the title from Minty, a three-legged moggy from Holywell, Wales, who helped six-year-old Connor Raven cope with severe learning difficulties and medical conditions.

To nominate your cat, or for further information about the Awards, log on to www.cats.org.uk/national-cat-awards from today – Tuesday 11 January.

To find out more about adopting a cat from Cats Protection, visit:

www.cats.org.uk/adopt-a-cat

Smart motorway rollout to be paused as Government responds to Transport Committee report

Rollout of new All Lane Running smart motorway schemes will be paused until five years of safety data available
Current stretches of smart motorway to be further upgraded with best-in-class technology and resources
£900 million commitment to ensure drivers feel safe and confident, including extra £390 million to install additional emergency areas

The rollout of new smart motorway schemes will be paused until a full five years’ worth of safety data is available, as the Department for Transport invests £900 million to improve safety on existing All Lane Running (ALR) motorways.

In line with the Transport Committee’s most recent recommendations, the rollout of new ALR smart motorways will be paused until a full five years’ worth of safety data becomes available for schemes introduced before 2020. After this point, the Government will assess the data and make an informed decision on next steps.

Although available data shows smart motorways are comparatively the safest roads in the country in terms of fatality rates, while their rollout is paused, the UK Government will go further by ensuring current smart motorways without a permanent hard shoulder are equipped with best-in-class technology and resources to make them as safe as possible.

This will include investing £390 million to install more than 150 additional Emergency Areas so drivers have more places to stop if they get into difficulty. This will represent around a 50% increase in places to stop by 2025, giving drivers added reassurance.

The Department for Transport has welcomed the Transport Committee’s report, which endorsed its focus on further upgrading the safety of existing ALR smart motorways rather than reinstating the hard shoulder.

As concluded by the Committee, evidence suggests hard shoulders do not always provide a safe place to stop, and by reducing motorway capacity, they could put more drivers and passengers at risk of death or serious injury if they were to divert onto less safe local roads.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “One of my first actions as Transport Secretary was to order a stocktake of smart motorways and since then, I have worked consistently to raise the bar on their safety. I am grateful to the Transport Committee and to all those who provided evidence for its work.

“While our initial data shows that smart motorways are among the safest roads in the UK, it’s crucial that we go further to ensure people feel safer using them.

“Pausing schemes yet to start construction and making multi-million-pound improvements to existing schemes will give drivers confidence and provide the data we need to inform our next steps. I want thank safety campaigners, including those who have lost loved ones, for rightly striving for higher standards on our roads. I share their concerns.”

National Highways CEO Nick Harris said: “We have listened to public concerns about smart motorways and we are fully committed to taking forward the additional measures the Transport Committee has recommended.

“While we pause those all lane running schemes yet to start construction we will complete the schemes currently in construction, we will make existing sections as safe as they can possibly be and we will step up our advice to drivers so they have all the information they need.

“We are doing this because safety is our absolute priority and we want drivers to not just be safer, but also to feel safe on our busiest roads.”

Independent road safety campaigner, Meera Naran, whose 8-year-old son Dev, died in a motorway crash on the M6 in 2018, said: “Conventional and smart motorways both have their risks and benefits. I welcome this pause in the rollout of smart motorways which will give us all a positive opportunity to assess the future of our motorway network.

“I’m encouraged by the commitment of £900 million to improve the safety of our motorways, following my campaigning since Dev died. However, I’ll continue to both challenge and work alongside the Department for Transport to ensure even more is done, including calling for legislation to be looked at for Autonomous Emergency Braking and further support for on-going driver education.”

The Government’s response to the Transport Committee builds on the significant progress already made against the Department’s 18-point Action Plan to improve smart motorway safety, announced in March 2020, including adding emergency areas and upgrading cameras to detect Red X offences.

The measures in the Stocktake and Transport Committee response represent over £900m of improvements in total, including £390m of new money for extra emergency areas, with the remainder of the funding delivering other measures such as Stopped Vehicle Detection and concrete central reservation barriers.

National Highways will also ‘ramp up’ communications so drivers have better information about how to drive on smart motorways.

While the Department for Transport will be taking forward all the recommendations set out in the Committee’s recommendations, it does not agree with the view that smart motorways were rolled out prematurely or unsafely. All ALR smart motorway schemes are, and will continue to be, subject to high standards of design, risk assessment and construction, followed by detailed monitoring and evaluation once opened to traffic.

While further data is being collected, National Highways will continue work to complete schemes that are currently in construction, which will all open with technology in place to detect stopped vehicles.

These schemes are all more than 50% completed and halting progress on them now would cause significant disruption for drivers. Design work will also continue on those schemes already being planned, so they are ready to be constructed depending on the outcome of the pause. No preparatory construction work will take place.

Also, in line with the Committee’s recommendations, National Highways will pause the conversion of Dynamic Hard Shoulder (DHS) motorways – where the hard shoulder is open at busy times – into All Lane Running motorways, while it investigates alternative ways of operating them to make things simpler for drivers. National Highways will also install technology to detect stopped vehicles on these sections.

Joint pledge to ensure essential support for social care prioritised

Support for social care is to be intensified as a national priority alongside the NHS and emergency services, as staffing pressures and increased demand reflect the extent and nature of the spread and effect of Omicron.

As a result of staffing availability due to Covid, the Scottish Government and COSLA, working with local partners across the public services in Scotland, have agreed a joint approach to maximise social care support to ensure people receive the care they need, dignity and human rights are upheld, and to avoid further pressure falling on the NHS.

Some local public services report that pressure is very significant with some health and social care partnerships being asked to prioritise capacity and identify staff who can be deployed to sustain and maintain support for some of the most vulnerable people in society. This may mean some other services are temporarily paused or reduced to redeploy capacity and expertise.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “In order to protect life preserving services, and protect the vulnerable, local authorities and public services will prioritise what they deliver in the weeks ahead as a result of staffing availability due to Covid.

“That may mean some services being closed for a period or operating on reduced hours or service levels. This will free up resources to make sure we can deliver core, essential services. As soon as demands and resources allow, any affected services will resume normal operation.

“People across public services and critical national infrastructure are working hard to keep essential services going. In a lot of cases they are already being asked to be flexible to cover for absent colleagues.

“I am grateful to everyone who is helping us through this difficult period. The Third Sector has a huge amount to offer while the private sector and employers can contribute, either by releasing staff who can help in this effort, or by supporting carers leave for family and friends who might need it.

“Local public services are delivering national priorities and programmes such as testing and vaccination programmes, delivering business grants, self-isolation grants and support, and much more.

“They have played a key role throughout the pandemic in supporting vulnerable people and key workers. That partnership between local and national government is, and will remain, essential.”

COSLA President Alison Evison said: “Once again, no matter the ask, councils along with other public services will rise to the challenge in terms of providing an appropriate local response. As the sphere of government closest to our communities across Scotland, once more Local Government will play our part in the Covid response.

“Where pressures on staffing levels are identified, help and support for those most vulnerable as well as the life and limb services in our communities will be prioritised. As it has been throughout the pandemic, Health and Social Care and keeping people safe will be front and centre of local prioritisation.”

Scottish Government and Cosla Joint statement on social care support

Shelter Scotland’s famous Stockbridge January launch raises thousands

Shelter Scotland’s Stockbridge shop has smashed fundraising records at its popular annual January launch.

The shop raised over £20,000 across the week of the launch, which saw excited shoppers snap up designed bargains, rare collectibles and beautiful antiques.

This beats the previous fundraising record of £18,600 set in 2019.

Running since 2003, the event attracts shoppers from across Edinburgh and beyond.

Peter Jew, manager of Shelter Scotland’s Stockbridge shop, said: “It’s been nearly 20 years since we held our first January event and I’m delighted that the range of exciting items we’ve been able to offer this year has proven more popular than ever.

“I’d like to thank all of our customers and doners for their generosity and for helping to keep Shelter Scotland in the struggle against homelessness.

“Too many people are denied their right to a safe, secure and affordable home and it’s Shelter Scotland’s mission to change that.

“While our January event is a big day in the calendar, we’re here all year round.

“So, if you have any unwanted Christmas gifts and or you’re just having a January clear out then feel free to donate to us and help us fight back against the housing emergency.”

Police appeal: Images released following Frederick Street assault

Police Scotland has released images of four men they believe may hold information which might assist in relation to a serious assault that occurred on Frederick Street around 3.20am on Friday, 4 September, 2021.

The first man is described as being Asian, 18-30-years-old, medium build, wearing a light pink coloured shirt, blue jeans and white trainers with an item of clothing tied around his waist.

The second man is described as being Asian, 18-30-years-old, tall and thin build, mid length black hair, wearing a grey t-shirt with dark coloured shirt which is open. Grey jeans and dark coloured trainers.

The third man is described as being Asian, 20-30-years-old, medium build, with long black shoulder length hair and facial hair, wearing a grey shirt carrying a grey jacket, tan coloured trousers and black shoes.

The forth man is described as being white, 18-25-years-old, medium build, wearing a short sleeved patterned shirt, jeans and dark coloured trainers with a white sole.

Detective Constable Mark Walker of Gayfield CID said: “I would urge each of these four men, or anyone who has information relating to any of these four men, depicted in the images to make contact with the Police.

“Members of the public can contact Police Scotland via the 101 non-emergency telephone number quoting incident number 0657 of 4 September, 2021 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”