GMB welcomes announcement to bring forward home care testing roll-out – but warns any failure will be met with action
GMB has warned the Scottish Government and local authority health and social care partnership (HSCPs) that any failures in the roll-out of COVID-19 workplace testing for home care workers “will be met with collective action”.
Following the threat of a full industrial action ballot by GMB members in Glasgow HSCP, Scotland’s biggest home care service, Cabinet Secretary Jeane Freeman confirmed at Friday’s press briefing that testing for all home care workers will be brought forward from March to Monday 18 January.
And after meetings between GMB, Scottish Government and COSLA representatives this morning, where assurances were given on the delivery of testing kits and support measures, the union has agreed to suspend next week’s scheduled industrial action ballot in Glasgow HSCP.
Rhea Wolfson of GMB Scotland Women’s Campaigns Unit said: “It’s a significant step forward for the safety of home care workers across Scotland in the fight against COVID-19 – our members have fought hard for this.
“But the Scottish Government and local authority employers have done more in a week than they have for ten months on testing for home carers, and neither should be congratulating themselves here.
“People should be asking why it’s taken nearly a year of struggle, and in the case of Glasgow HSCP to the brink of a strike ballot, for a workforce of predominantly low-paid women to get COVID-19 testing at work?
“GMB called for a national plan for social care last March, we called for testing, but the First Minister told us that Scotland was prepared for COVID-19. We know now the country wasn’t prepared and what we got was negligence while home carers struggled with only PPE for safety.
“The Scottish Government and HSCPs across Scotland should be well-aware that we will be carefully monitoring the roll-out of testing for our members and any failure to protect their safety and rights will be met with collective action.”
A new report [1] published by INSIGHT UK reveals that pupils leave school with an incorrect and sparse understanding of Hinduism. INSIGHT UK is an organisation that aims to address the concerns of the British Hindu and British Indian communities.
The document titled “A report on the state of Hinduism in Religious Education in UK Schools”, includes claims of bullying and inferiority complex issues experienced by British Hindus because of the inaccurate teaching of Hinduism in RE.
It states some disturbing findings, including parents highlighting misinformation spread by UK schools, for example linking gender disparity in education in India to Hinduism and linking social issues from South Asia to Hinduism. A teaching book even suggested that Hindus were turning to terrorism.
The report also provides evidence that the subject is not available for most students taking GCSE exams, despite Hindus being the third-largest religious group in the UK. The project by INSIGHT UK was supported and guided by major Hindu organisations in the UK. Asmita Bhudia, a Hinduism Tutor and School Teacher, says, “The choice is taken away from pupils and parents to accurately study Hinduism in many UK schools”.
INSIGHT UK carried out consultations and research with SACRE members, academics, teachers, and parents followed by a national survey, which is being described as one of the most successful Hindu surveys in the UK in terms of responses and coverage.
Data captured showed that the majority of British Hindus were dissatisfied with the teaching of Hinduism in UK schools and unhappy with teachers’ knowledge of the subject. The report mentions that as a result, students in the UK schools are being deprived of the correct knowledge of Hinduism and hence of a true world view.
Recent research has claimed many schools were breaking the law when it comes to RE [2]. This comes at a time when Hindus have faced attacks for practising their faith [3].
This project of INSIGHT UK was supported and guided by the following major Hindu organisations in the country:
Lothian MSP Miles Briggs has sought assurance from the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform this week that Kirkliston would be prioritised for future flood prevention works.
Early last December, after torrential rain, the River Almond burst its banks at Kirkliston, much to the concern of local residents, who have faced regular flooding threats and the damage that floods have caused over many years.
At the Scottish Parliament this week, Lothian MSP Miles Briggs, asked – What assessment has been made of the additional measures that will be required to protect residents and businesses in Kirkliston? Will the cabinet secretary assure local people that the Scottish Government will support any necessary measures?
Full transcript of question in Parliament below.
Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said:“I am pleased that the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform has agreed to look into what plans there are for flood prevention measure at the River Almond in Kirkliston.
“Last year saw unprecedented levels of flooding in Kirkliston and it is clear flood prevention work needs to be carried out.
“I will continue to lobby on behalf of residents and businesses in Kirkliston for the River Almond to be a top priority for flood prevention works to be carried out.”
In our programme for government, we committed to providing an extra £150 million for flood risk management, in addition to the £420 million 10-year funding that we have provided to local authorities.
We continue to work with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, local authorities and other relevant bodies to deliver the actions that are detailed in the current flood risk management strategies and plans. That includes supporting the estimated £42 million Musselburgh flood protection scheme, which is at design stage. The next round of strategies and plans will detail the actions that have been prioritised in the 2022 to 2028 flood risk management cycle in order to reduce the risk of flooding to communities in Lothian and elsewhere.
The cabinet secretary will be aware that, after torrential rain in early December last year, the River Almond burst its banks at Kirkliston, much to the concern of local residents, who have faced regular flooding threats and the damage that floods have caused over many years. What assessment has been made of the additional measures that will be required to protect residents and businesses in Kirkliston? Will the cabinet secretary assure local people that the Scottish Government will support any necessary measures? Will she also agree to a site visit with me to see the impact of flooding on the local community in Kirkliston?
I am not certain that I can agree to the site visit proposal in the current circumstances. I will need to take advice, but we will certainly liaise with Miles Briggs on that.
For any proposal, detailed discussions involving local authorities and SEPA need to take place. I am not certain how far that process has gone in relation to Kirkliston. If Kirkliston is not already one of the areas that is listed in the plans, consideration will be given to its inclusion. I undertake to write to Miles Briggs on that specific issue. Given the recent nature of the incident that he talked about, it would be helpful to know the extent to which consideration and discussions are already taking place on the inclusion of Kirkliston in future flood risk management proposals.
RAC marks National Pothole Day with stark warning about the long-term health of local roads
Despite lower overall traffic volumes than normal due to the pandemic RAC patrols went to the rescue of nearly 1,500 drivers who had more than likely suffered a pothole-related breakdown in the last three months of 2020.
An analysis of fourth quarter RAC breakdowns* for National Pothole Day reveals there were 1,461 call-outs for damaged shock absorbers, broken suspension springs and distorted wheels reveals, representing nearly 1% (0.9%) of all RAC attendances.
While the pothole proportion of all RAC breakdowns in the last three months of 2020 is down on the previous quarter, it is identical to the same period in 2019 and slightly higher than 2018 (0.8%). The RAC finds this concerning given the lower traffic volumes brought about by coronavirus travel restrictions as in theory, less traffic should mean less damage to road surfaces.
Looking across the UK, the South East saw the largest number of vehicle problems most likely to be caused by potholes at 242 – equating to 17% of all the pothole-related call-outs dealt with by the RAC’s expert local patrols. While this could be attributed to the region being more densely populated, this is unlikely to be the case for the South West which saw 12% of all the RAC’s pothole breakdowns (173), almost the same number as the North West (170).
However, the RAC’s Pothole Index**, which is a long-term indicator of the health of the UK’s roads available, suggests the overall standard of road surfaces has been improving since the start of 2019. Having begun at 1.0 in 2006, the index currently stands at 1.44 which means drivers are nearly one and a half times as likely to experience damage caused by a pothole as they were 15 years ago.
RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said: “As if 2020 wasn’t bad enough for other reasons, nearly 1,500 of our members have also had to endure unwanted, and no doubt expensive, damage to their vehicles caused by potholes and other road surface defects.
“While the actual number of pothole-related call-outs our patrols have attended is down significantly compared to the same time in 2019 due to lower traffic volumes in the pandemic, they account for the same proportion (0.9%) of all RAC rescues which clearly demonstrates there are still far too many poorly maintained roads.
“We realise council budgets are under incredible pressure due to the coronavirus, but we badly need the Government to recognise the significance of local roads and take a fresh look at how to fund them.
“The Government’s approach of allocating funding to councils from various pots on an annual basis means authorities are always having to play catch-up by fixing potholes rather than focusing on preventative maintenance.
“We would prefer to see them make five-year funding settlements which would allow councils to make longer-term plans for their roads. This could be funded by introducing a similar scheme to the National Roads Fund which ringfences money paid in vehicle excise duty by road users in England for the upkeep of major roads.
“Putting aside 2p from the existing 58p a litre duty on the sale of petrol and diesel would generate nearly £5bn of additional funds for local roads over five years. This would surely help to bring our local roads back to a fit-for-purpose state.
“The RAC Pothole Index clearly shows that the long-term degradation of road surfaces, which began in 2008, has now – to some extent – been arrested, but nevertheless overall road conditions are precariously balanced on a knife-edge. The fact the country is experiencing a colder winter than it has done for several years, coupled with the risk of less investment in local road maintenance due the pandemic, means that the delicate balance may sadly end up tipping in the wrong direction.
“We also know from the 2020 RAC Report on Motoring that the condition and maintenance of local roads is currently the top overall concern for drivers so there is a real clamour from drivers for action to fix them. And if the UK is to emerge strongly from the pandemic and the ensuing recession, good quality infrastructure is essential.”
The team at the Edinburgh Crisis Centre are cheering on one of their volunteers as she begins a running challenge during January. Nicky Braidwood from Edinburgh is aiming to run 100 miles in January to raise awareness of the Centre’s work.
The Edinburgh Crisis Centre is managed by Penumbra on a daily basis and by a representative group involving Centre user representatives (supported by Advocard), NHS Lothian, City of Edinburgh Council, and the Edinburgh Carers’ Council as part of an ongoing Public Social Partnership.
The Penumbra team at the Crisis Centre supports around 2000 people each year. The team at the Edinburgh Crisis Centre provides short term emotional and mental health support to people in the city aged 16 and over who are in distress or who are at risk of suicide and self-harm, and provides a safe and non-judgemental environment where people can talk in confidence.
Penumbra is one of Scotland’s largest mental health charities supporting 1800 adults and young people each week across Scotland. In addition to grassroots support services, the charity also campaigns nationally to promote positive messages around mental health and works with government to improve mental health policies. The charity is a member of the National Suicide Prevention Leadership Group and is a partner in #UnitedToPreventSuicide.
Edinburgh Crisis Centre Assistant Manager, Nick Bell, commented:“We’re really lucky to have Nicky as our volunteer gardener here at the centre and we’re all cheering her on through her 100-miler.
“One of the things we hope that will come out of Nicky’s mammoth run is that it’ll get people talking and thinking about mental health and wellbeing. We also hope it’ll be a reminder to people that our team are here in the city and can offer support 24/7 to people aged 16 and over across Edinburgh free of charge by freephone or email.
“The pandemic has been daunting for everyone, and there’s a real risk that people already living with mental ill health could find themselves in distress. The pressures of dealing with isolation, financial worries, and other impacts of lockdown are potentially creating a perfect storm for people reaching crisis. We want people to know that even during lockdown, they can still contact us for support 24/7.”
Fundraiser Nicky Braidwood added:“My aim is to run 100 miles during the month of January to raise funds for this amazing place, which is close to my heart. I am the volunteer gardener at the centre and I love what I do there.
“The Edinburgh Crisis Centre is a 24/7 service and supports about 2000 people each year so any amount raised would be massively appreciated, and it will spur me on to complete my challenge.
“I really hope that my fundraiser raises awareness around the importance of talking about mental health and suicide prevention, and to let people know that there is support out there in Edinburgh if you’re experiencing feelings of distress or reaching a point of crisis.”
People living in Lothian are being urged to seek the right medical help and to only go to A&E if it is a life threatening emergency. The call comes as hospitals are under increasing winter pressure and people are continuing to attend A&E and minor injury units with conditions that could be treated more quickly or closer to home by other health services.
Winter is always a busy period for the NHS, as last year demonstrated with more than 57,000 people attending A&E across the Lothians. This winter is no different despite Coronavirus.
Dr Tracey Gillies, Medical Director of NHS Lothian explains: “Now more than ever it’s vital people access the right care in the right place.
“As the global pandemic continues, we need to avoid overcrowding in our hospitals which are extremely busy. People can get help more swiftly and safely from other health services.”
NHS Lothian is signposting people to the range of services on offer and how to access urgent care. If people think they need A&E but it is not life threatening they should now call NHS 24 on 111, day or night, to be directed to the right service or given an appointment to attend hospital if needed.
People can also call 111 if they have a minor injury, such as a sprain, strain or for a suspected broken arm or leg. If suitable they will arrange an appointment with Call MIA – NHS Lothian’s video consultation service – which facilities an online assessment with a qualified nurse practitioner who can recommend treatment.
For online guidance on minor conditions and a directory of local health services visit NHS Inform. Or for advice about minor illnesses, such as sore throats, headaches or stomach upsets, contact a local community pharmacy first who can also recommend medicine if they think it is needed.
GP practices should continue to be contacted during normal opening hours for an appointment or over the phone advice on routine or urgent care.
If people have COVID-19 symptoms of either a new continuous cough, fever or change to sense of taste or smell, they should self-isolate immediately and order a test on the NHS inform website www.nhsinform.scot. It is essential people continue to self-isolate if they receive a positive test result and do not attend A&E or visit any health service unless directed.
Dr Tracey Gillies added: “We want to thank the public for continuing to follow guidance to help stop the spread of Coronavirus. It really does make a difference. But we do, nevertheless, still have a lot of patients in our hospitals with Covid and this adds to the winter pressures we are experiencing.”
“We want everyone to stay safe and well this winter, so we’re asking people to make sure they know where to turn for help. There’s lots of help available for both physical and mental illnesses and by using it you can help yourself and protect our NHS.”
Anyone needing emotional or mental health support can call 111 and select the Mental Health Hub for advice and guidance. Or call the Breathing Space telephone helpline on 0800 83 85 87.
Funding to help more vulnerable young people across Scotland into work has been announced by Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop.
Part of the Scottish Government’s Young Person’s Guarantee, the £986,702 investment will provide specialist pre-employment support for an additional 1,300 16 and 17-year-olds.
Two existing programmes delivered in partnership with the third sector – Our Future Now and Discovering Your Potential – will provide the support.
Ms Hyslop said: “This pandemic continues to hit us hard – especially our young people who are facing fewer opportunities, and even more so for those who are vulnerable and have recently left school.
“As part of our national mission to create jobs, and through our Young Person’s Guarantee, we must all work together to help this generation who have been caught so cruelly in the eye of the coronavirus (COVID-19) storm.
“These two dedicated programmes, delivered in partnership with the third sector, will allow us to help even more young people access the support they need to build their confidence and develop valuable skills that employers require.”
Vulnerable young people are defined as those with multiple barriers to employment. This includes:
young people at risk of not being in education, employment, or training
young carers
young care-experienced people
young people with disabilities
young people with previous convictions
young homeless people
young people mental health issues
young refugees
Further information regarding the Young Person’s Guarantee can be found here.
Inspiring Scotland, who deliver Our Future Now, will receive funding of £500,702.
The Young Person’s Consortium, which includes Barnardo’s, Action for Children, and The Princes Trust, deliver Discovering Your Potential. They will receive funding of £486,000.
A UK package coach holiday operator is reporting signs of growing confidence from the ‘grey pound’ in their ability to start to travel again in 2021.
The package coach holiday division of National Express, which includes Lucketts Travel and Woods Tours, has seen a 185% increase in bookings for Spring and Summer 2021 compared to figures for 2020 (pre-Covid)*.
Jit Desai, head of holidays and travel at National Express explains: “98% of our customer base is over 65 and we’ve seen an increased appetite for travel in the last week or two with an uplift in enquiries and bookings every time there’s been an announcement about new vaccine approvals and the roll-out programme.
“Some of this is postponed travel carried over from last year. But there’s definitely a trend of customers being comfortable that they will have had their vaccination and be protected from Spring onwards, so can start to make travel plans. Some are telling us that they’ve already had their jab and can’t wait to go on holiday once guidance allows again. ”
Lucketts Travel and Woods Tours provide package coach holidays across the UK and Europe which include accommodation, meals, excursions and return coach travel. They are currently taking bookings for travel from May onwards.
The top 10 most popular UK destinations for 2021 bookings to date are:
The Cotswolds
Isle of Wight
York
The Lake District
North Wales
The Isle of Man
Northumbria
Isles of Scilly
Scotland
Cornwall
“Customers are telling us that they are choosing the UK because of the uncertainty around international travel and flights. They are worried about the possibility of cancellations and the potential that they may have to quarantine on return to the UK.”
National Express is offering the option of £1 deposits and a no-quibble 100% refund, or a free transfer to another departure date of the customers’ choice if their holiday is cancelled due to Covid-19.
“This flexibility has been an important part of our discussions when customers are making enquiries and bookings, along with the details of the covid-secure measures we have put in place.”
Enhanced cleaning regimes ensure vehicles are sanitised multiple times a day; including the disinfection of all high-contact areas with antiviral products and fogging systems. New air filtration systems have also been installed to regularly purify the air on board the vehicle throughout the coach journey.
All coaches have limited seating capacity with passengers required to only use designated seats to comply with social distancing rules.
Drivers are temperature checked prior to starting their shift and all passengers must be temperature checked before they can board the vehicle.
“We’ve worked hard to make sure we can offer the same great coach holidays with added reassurance in 2021 and look forward to being back on the road when the time is right.”
National Express temporarily suspended all coach services on Sunday 10 January.
Concerns over new variant of coronavirus in Brazil
Following identification of a new variant of coronavirus in Brazil, the Scottish Government has imposed additional restrictions on all arrivals from South America, as well as several countries with strong travel links to affected countries.
In addition to the South American nations of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela, this will also apply to Portugal, including Azores and Madeira, Panama and Cabo Verde (Cape Verde) and British Overseas Territory of the Falkland Islands.
These travel restrictions will replicate the measures that were put in place for Denmark and South Africa and came into force at 04:00am this morning (Friday 15 January).
Travellers who have been in any of these countries or territories in the 10 days prior to their arrival in Scotland must isolate, along with all members of their household. No exemptions from isolation will apply.
Qatar and the Caribbean islands of Aruba and Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba are also removed from the country exemption list at the same time.
The UK Government has confirmed that implementation of pre-departure testing for arrivals into England is delayed until Monday morning, to allow carriers and passengers additional time to prepare.
The Scottish Government intended to introduce this additional measure on Friday 15 January, but it is necessary to also delay implementation to allow for coordination between the UK Government’s regulations and the relevant Scottish regulations.
Transport Secretary Michael Matheson said: “It is important that everyone follows the regulations that mean any travel must be for an essential purpose. Very few people should be travelling internationally, and then only for a genuinely essential reason.
“The emergence of concerning variants identified in Brazil, as well as South Africa and Denmark in recent months, means we must think carefully about restrictions on international travel.
“At this early stage of vaccine rollout, and with case rates at high levels across the UK, it is important we take the right steps to prevent importing new strains that can increase transmission or undermine the vaccine in Scotland.
“We are in close discussion with other administrations about additional measures we can put in place, including the timing of the introduction of pre-departure testing.”
The RNLI are warning those who live near to Cramond Island and planning a walk across this weekend to be aware of the high spring tides that may cut off your path on the tidal causeway.
Spring tides happen every lunar month throughout the year without regard to the season. During this time the earth, sun and moon are lined up in a row which results in a higher swell. This makes the high tides higher and the low tides lower than other days throughout the month.
The next high spring tides will start today (Friday 15 January) and continue throughout the weekend. This means the danger of being cut off by the fast-rising tide while walking to or from Cramond Island is higher than usual.
Current Scottish Government guidance allows for exercise that starts and finishes at the same place, providing you remain within your local authority area. This means that people living near to Cramond may decide to choose this option for essential exercise, but the RNLI are urging those people to consider the unusually large tides expected this weekend.
The island is popular with walkers who take the opportunity to venture across at low water. When the tide rises, under-prepared walkers can find themselves stranded. Over the last two months, the volunteer crew at Queensferry RNLI have been called to evacuate a total of nine people and two dogs who found themselves cut off by the tide.
To avoid this happening over the weekend, the lifesaving charity are asking walkers to check the tide times before crossing.
Michael Avril, RNLI Regional Water Safety Lead for Scotland said: ‘Our volunteers remain on call, ready to respond, but the need for our help can be avoided if walkers plan ahead by checking the tide times before setting off.
Spring tides will make the high tides higher and they will also come in quicker. The danger in this is that people can get cut off quicker without even realising until it’s too late.’
The coast is a dangerous and unpredictable place and Michael urges those who intend to walk this weekend to act before you go to get the necessary help to you if needed.
He said: ‘Accidents happen, and it is important that you are able to call for help if you need it. If you find yourself or spot others in trouble, call 999 and ask for the coastguard straight away. Stay calm and don’t try and wade through the water as this could be dangerous.’
For more information of how to stay safe at the coast, please visit the RNLI website: www.rnli.org.uk
