Category: North Edinburgh News

GP Practice payments for deprived areas not enough, say Greens

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The difference in payments per head to GP practices in the most and least deprived areas does not do enough to tackle health inequalities says a Green MSP.

Alison Johnstone, health spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, believes the difference of £3.97 per person should be considerably more, considering that practices in areas listed as Scotland’s most deprived by the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation see significantly more patients than in less deprived areas.

A report by ISD Scotland reveals that the overall payment to General Practice service providers of £753.9 million is “virtually the same amount” as last year.

Alison Johnstone, health spokesperson for the Scottish Greens and MSP for Lothian, said: “GP practices in the most deprived areas typically have more patients on their lists and less capacity to address patient needs.  Greens want to see increases in spending for general practice, and primary care more broadly, to be targeted towards practices with high levels of deprivation.

“Greater and more targeted spending for general practice can play a key part in an overall preventative spending strategy. By preventing ill-health, we can ease the pressure on our NHS and ensure that fewer patients end up needing more expensive treatment.” Continue reading GP Practice payments for deprived areas not enough, say Greens

Millennium Centre trembles as Muirhouse Minis do Halloween!

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Muirhouse Minis held their Hallowe’en Party for the children on Tuesday and 91 guests (54 kids-37 adults) were welcomed through the doors( writes James McGinty).

Preparation for the party with Danielle (mum, co-founder & committee member) started at 9.30 am with hall decoration, hotdog and cake making. Darren (D.J. and fun maker had his hands full for two full hours!

The following photos show the amountof work put in by the mums in decorating the hall and dressing up the kids, their imagination was amazing.  I apologise if your child does not appear in the many photos that were taken!

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Grab a ticket to Scotland’s past

Thousands of free tickets available for top heritage attractions across Edinburgh and the Lothians

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Historic Environment Scotland is giving people across Edinburgh and the Lothians a golden ticket to some of the region’s most iconic heritage attractions as part of its annual ticket giveaway weekend. Continue reading Grab a ticket to Scotland’s past

MSP calls on local organisations to pay the Living Wage

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Edinburgh Northern and Leith MSP, Ben Macpherson has welcomed the new Scottish Living Wage rate of £8.45 an hour and encouraged more employers across Edinburgh to sign up as Accredited Living Wage Employers. 

The Scottish Living Wage, calculated to meet the cost of living, is reviewed every year based on living standards. The rise of 20 pence per hour will benefit thousands of workers at Living Wage-accredited organisations across Scotland, including many in Edinburgh. Across the area, there is already an encouraging amount of accredited Living Wage Employers – including Cyrenians, Volunteer Edinburgh, Port of Leith Housing Association, Visit Scotland, YMCA Edinburgh, Edinburgh International Science Festival and The Scotch Malt Whisky Society. 

Ben Macpherson is a recently accredited/an accredited Living Wage employer himself, and works with the Scottish Living Wage Accreditation Initiative to promote the Living Wage in Edinburgh Northern and Leith.

The Edinburgh Northern and Leith MSP said: “The new Living Wage of £8.45 will be a welcome pay rise for thousands of workers across Scotland and in Edinburgh Northern and Leith, ensuring that people’s basic wage continues to meet the real costs of living.  

“I would encourage all businesses in Edinburgh to consider becoming Scottish Living Wage employers. For business, paying the Living Wage makes sense and benefits us all – it’s an investment in people and all the evidence shows it leads to increased productivity and reduced staff absence and turnover, while sending a strong signal to customers about fairness. 

“With millions of workers worse off as a result of the UK Government’s welfare cuts, and low pay one of the main drivers of in-work poverty, employers can make a real difference by choosing to pay the real Living Wage.

“I encourage all businesses in my constituency to recognise the benefits of paying the real Living Wage.”

Scottish Social Security consultation arouses strong feelings

Thousands of Scots share their views on the social security system

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The three-month consultation on building a Scottish social security system has ended – for now. Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman says the government will publish a report in the New Year and insists the dialogue will continue. Continue reading Scottish Social Security consultation arouses strong feelings