Reducing diagnoses to address antibiotics resistance
Thousands of cases of the sexually transmitted infection gonorrhoea could be prevented through a new vaccine programme.
The Scottish Government is funding the programme, which will begin in August, to address increasing health inequalities and growing resistance to antibiotics treatment.
Those eligible include gay and bisexual men at highest risk of infection, those involved in selling or exchanging sex regardless of gender and those who sexual health clinic professionals assess as being at a similar risk level.
Gonorrhoea can cause significant pain and discomfort and in rare cases, life-threatening sepsis. The number of cases has been rising steadily in recent years and it is the second most common bacterial STI in Scotland. Latest figures show there were 5,999 diagnoses in 2023, a 59% increase on pre-pandemic.
Speaking at the Public Health Scotland Scottish Vaccination and Immunisation Conference in Edinburgh, Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said: “This action is urgent and timely since the number of diagnoses has been high and the disease is becoming increasingly difficult to treat with antibiotics.
“The science tells us that this vaccine will potentially protect thousands of people and prevent the spread of infection.
“Anything which stops people from contracting gonorrhoea in the first place can have huge benefits, including ensuring our health system remains resilient by reducing the amount of treatment needed.”
Dr Sam Ghebrehewet, Head of the Vaccination and Immunisation Division at PHS, said: “With gonorrhoea diagnoses having increased in recent years, the offer of the 4CmenB vaccine to those at highest risk of exposure is a welcome new intervention. This vaccination programme is expected to help control and prevent the spread of gonorrhoea.
“Public Health Scotland is working with the Scottish Government and colleagues across NHS Boards to finalise plans for the roll out of this targeted vaccination offering to those at increased risk of gonorrhoea from August 2025.”
Police are appealing for the help of the public to trace a 29-year-old woman reported missing from Dalkeith.
Toni McNelis was last seen in the early hours of Thursday, 5 June in the Niddrie area.
She is described as being around 5ft 4in tall, of slim build, with short blonde hair. When last seen, she was wearing dark blue leggings, white trainers, a white flowery tank top and a white/cream cardigan.
Constable Lourens said: “We are concerned for Toni’s welfare and are asking anyone who knows where she might be to come forward.
“Her family and friends are extremely worried and just want to know she is safe and well.
“I would also appeal directly to Toni – if you see this, please get in touch.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 2078 of 6 June.
From 27 June, Edinburgh’s landmark cinema Filmhouse will re-open its doors with a hand-picked programme of the very best films the cinema missed out on playing during the venue’s two-and-a-half-year closure.
The programme will have a strong emphasis on films that did not screen in the city because of its absence. Tickets are on sale now via the Filmhouse website.
Filmhouse has long been celebrated as a cultural cornerstone, showcasing world cinema in all its brilliance and diversity, from crowd-pleasing favourites and to avant-garde arthouse works, restored classics, and curated retrospectives.
The first film to welcome audiences back to the venue will be the much-loved film gem and ode to the beauty of the cinemagoing experience, Giuseppe Tornatore’s Cinema Paradiso (1988).
On opening weekend, audiences can also enjoy Martyn Robertson’s acclaimed new film Make It To Munich, an inspiring documentary which follows 18-year-old Ethan Walker, who just months after nearly losing his life in an accident, embarks on a 1200km cycle ride to Munich for Scotland’s Euros opening game against Germany.
Ethan himself will attend a special Q&A screening on Filmhouse’s opening day, alongside the film’s director Martyn Robertson and former Motherwell, Chelsea, Everton and Scotland winger Pat Nevin.
Edinburgh based filmmaker Matt Palmer will present a free double-bill of his gutsy thriller Calibre (2018) starring Jack Lowden and Tony Curran alongside his hit horror Fear Street: Prom Queen (2025) which debuted at No.1 on Netflix on its release earlier in the year and will have its first ever public cinema screening at Filmhouse. Matt will also take part in a Q&A after the screening.
Lotte Reiniger’s classic feature length paper cut animation The Adventures of Prince Achmed (1926)will screen in a special event soundtracked with live music by Edinburgh based musical improvisers and innovators S!nk in a transportive performance filled with swirling, spiralling strings, saxophones, accordion, percussion and voices.
Also screening at the cinema are a selection of recent acclaimed films from around the world from new and established filmmakers including Payal Kapadia’s soulful All We Imagine As Light, Sébastien Marnier’s thrilling Origin of Evil, Christian Petzold’s riveting Afire, Gints Zilbalodis’s enchanting animation Flow, Hlynur Pálmason’s nuanced drama Godland, Alice Rohrwacher’s radically adventurous film La Chimera, Maryam Moghadam & Behtash Sanaeeha’s joyous My Favourite Cake, Mario Martone’s brilliantly shot Nostalgia, Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s tense thriller The Beasts, Ilker Çatak’s uncompromising TheTeachers’ Lounge, Alexandre de La Patellière & Matthieu Delaporte energetic take on Count of Monte Cristo, Manuela Martelli’s compelling noir 1976, Víctor Erice’s mysterious Close Your Eyes, Robert Zemeckis’s Here and Celine Song’s acclaimed Past Lives.
70mm engagements at the cinema will include Brady Corbet’s award-winning The Brutalistand Christopher Nolan’s epic Oppenheimer alongsideRobert Egger’sNosferatuon 35mm.
More upcoming screenings will be announced via Filmhouse socials soon.
Alongside this, the cinema will also screen events such as National Theatre Live for the first time, with more details to be confirmed in the coming months. Details of Filmhouse’s involvement with this year’s Edinburgh International Film Festival are yet to be announced .
With, ultimately, a total capacity of 340 seats, Filmhouse is set to once again become a hub for film enthusiasts, offering a cutting-edge cinematic experience, a vibrant social space, and a platform for film lovers and filmmakers to engage with the very best in global cinema.
Previously a three-screen venue, the new Filmhouse will become a four-screen cinema and soon will be unveiling a fourth screen with a capacity of 24, allowing for an even more expansive programme, as well as being available for private screenings and hires.
Filmhouse’s technical capabilities include 70mm, 35mm, 16mm, 8mm, and digital projection. The cinema also includes a Clipster Unit for creating Digital Cinema Packages (DCPs) required for festival and theatrical distribution.
Comfort has been prioritised across the new Filmhouse. Film-lovers can expect extra legroom and comfortable seats across the cinema’s screens, alongside a completely reworked foyer space.
Built in a repurposed church on Edinburgh’s Lothian Road, Filmhouse has been a cinematic landmark since 1978. Following a £2 million refurbishment, Scotland’s leading independent cinema Filmhouse returns with new leadership, a vision which builds on the venue’s legacy as a space for learning and discovery, and a commitment to building a sustainable future for this iconic cultural landmark.
The completely refurbished Filmhouse Bar will be able to seat 100 people for lunch and dinner, with drinks available throughout the day, catering for the many communities who enjoyed the welcoming atmosphere, and placing an emphasis on produce from Edinburgh and Scotland, offering great food and drink alongside environmental sustainability. Filmhouse fans will be pleased to know that the cinema’s world-famous nachos are staying put too.
The cinema will announce new membership offers and multiple-tier ticket pricing over the next few weeks.
Following its closure in October 2022, the reopening of Filmhouse marks the culmination of a three-year long campaign to save the historic cinema backed by film lovers in Edinburgh, Scotland, and around the world and by A-list film talent including patrons Jack Lowden and Charlotte Wells, as well as Dougray Scott, Brian Cox, and Emma Thompson.
The stage is set, the screens are ready, and the story of Filmhouse continues.
Rod White, Programming Director of Filmhouse, said: “Looking into the films that simply didn’t make it on to Edinburgh cinema screens at all during Filmhouse’s closure only hammered home the need for it in this great City of Culture.
“It’s been tough – whilst Filmhouse was closed – to watch some brilliant films come and go from cinemas without being able to offer a venue to watch them in. The good news is, Filmhouse has never been a better place to watch a film (and talk about it afterward!) than it is today and we simply cannot wait to welcome everyone back, or, for the first time! ”
Greenlight – ECCAN’s Seedgrant Funding Opens June 16th!
We are excited to announce that this year we will be sharing £115K for climate action projects delivered by community groups within the city of Edinburgh. We will also accept applications from individuals on behalf of informal groups.
Organisations and groups can apply for grants in the following categories:
Grants of up to £20,000 each (large grants for co-designed projects with partner working) – nominally two awards.
Grants of up to £10,000 each (large grants – can be co-designed) – nominally two awards.
Grants of up to £5,000 each (medium grants) – nominally 4 awards.
Grants up to a value of £1,000 each.
Small grants of up to £500. For individuals or informal groups the limit is £350.
You need to be an ECCAN member to apply (membership is free).
For more information, check our website on the day:
Quotes from three of Scotland’s most well-known poets have been unveiled on the Scottish Parliament’s Canongate Wall on the Royal Mile.
Earlier this year, over 5,000 public votes were cast from people all over Scotland who chose which works by previous Scots Makars Liz Lochhead, Jackie Kay and Kathleen Jamie should feature.
The winning quotations were sent to Perthshire-based stone carver Gillian Forbes, assisted by apprentice Cameron Wallace, who carried out the letter-cutting process for the new quotes as well as many of the original ones already featured.
In total 29 quotations now feature on the Canongate Wall from Scottish writers and thinkers as well as popular proverbs and poems which are letter-cut into stones sourced from across Scotland. The Wall was designed by artist Soraya Smithson which pays tribute to the design ideas of Holyrood lead architect Enric Miralles.
The winning quotations are:
Liz Lochhead
this our one small country… our one, wondrous, spinning, dear green place. What shall we build of it, together in this our one small time and space?
– from Grace, A Handsel, New & Collected Poems, 2012
Stone cut into Achnaba Schist from Lochgilphead.
Jackie Kay
Where do you come from? ‘Here,’ I said, ‘Here. These parts.’
– from In my country, Darling: New & Selected Poems, 2007
Stone cut into Ailsa Craig Granite from Ayrshire.
Kathleen Jamie
Be brave: by the weird-song in the dark you’ll find your way.
– from The Storm, The Bonniest Companie, 2015
Stone cut into Dalbeattie Granite from Dumfriesshire.
Presiding Officer Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP said: “Adding new quotations onto one of Scotland’s most prominent public sculptures is a celebration of the talent and skill of women who are performing at the very top of their professions.
“The inspirational words of our three poets – Liz Lochhead, Jackie Kay and Kathleen Jamie – combine with the skill of stone carver Gillian Forbes, making these quotes something of real beauty using stone from across Scotland.
“This is only possible thanks to the original vision of Enric Miralles and artist Soraya Smithson, who designed the wall as a permanent reminder of our rich cultural heritage.
“I’m proud to unveil these new quotes, which ensure that this piece of living public sculpture reflects the writing talent we have in Scotland today.”
Liz Lochhead, Makar from 2011 to 2016, said: “It’s a big part of my life, being a Scot, being somebody who has a parliament, and getting some of my words on the walls here, it’s fantastic.”
Jackie Kay, Makar from 2016 to 2021, said: “It’s a huge honour and so extraordinary to be carved into stone.
“It’s so strange to think of your words surviving you – but in a sense, that’s every writer’s dream.”
Kathleen Jamie, Makar from 2021 to 2024, said: “Poetry is very democratic. It’s available to anybody – through libraries, through memory.
Councillor Mandy Watt, Depute Leader and Finance and Resources Convener, writes:
As Edinburgh continues to grow, one of the most pressing issues we face is the shortage of affordable housing.
We’ve seen demand for homes increase year after year, but at the same time housing costs keep rising. The city’s supply of social housing and the grant funding we receive from the Scottish Government to build new homes just hasn’t kept pace with demand.
We’re working to tackle this housing emergency by both building homes and buying them. With around 5,500 households in temporary accommodation every night because of homelessness, we’ve set a target to significantly improve housing and to source homes quickly, within the means that we have.
Edinburgh continues to be the lowest funded local authority in Scotland per head of population, and currently has fewer council-owned homes, so we need to do things differently from other councils.
In the same way that homebuyers need a mortgage, borrowing has become a vital and standard part of our financial planning when we buy or build homes. It’s the most straightforward way to overcome the shortfall in our grant funding.
At the same time, we’re also continuing to make considerable investment in net zero energy improvements to existing council homes and retrofitting buildings because we need them to be more sustainable and in good condition. This too is supported by capital borrowing.
While our debt levels remain prudent, and in line with our income and spend, our financial planning in this area is enabling us to fund the regeneration the city needs. We’re using this approach to build and extend schools for the next generation, restore important structures like the North Bridge and create new communities, like the Granton Waterfront.
We’ve also taken a big step this week towards finding a solution for the existing community on Dreghorn Estate, and it’s an excellent example of the power of well-managed borrowing.
At a special meeting of our Finance and Resources Committee on Monday, we agreed in principle to purchase 38 homes from the Ministry of Defence for £6.65 million, using a mix of funding from the Scottish Government housing grant together with long-term loans. Rental income, over the life of the properties, will cover the borrowing costs.
If agreed at Full Council, this purchase will secure the futures of families already living on the estate, and it will also provide us with an already thriving community for other council tenants to move into.
This is a huge step towards a positive outcome – a fantastic example of doing things differently to make sure we address our housing emergency – and I know residents are very grateful that this proposal has had so much support from councillors.
This article first appeared in the Edinburgh Evening News on 11 June 2025
Carers urged to check for financial support during Carers Week
This Carers Week (9 – 15 June), unpaid carers across Scotland are being encouraged to find out if they are eligible for social security support – through Carer Support Payment, Carer’s Allowance Supplement and Young Carer Grant
Carer’s Allowance Supplement – a payment only available north of the border – was the first benefit delivered by Social Security Scotland in 2018 to provide extra financial support for carers, recognising their important contribution.
Since the payment’s introduction, unpaid carers in Scotland will be up to £4,475 better off by the end of 2025.
She met with parent carers of adults with additional support needs and heard about the importance of peer support at @vocalmidlothian and the financial support from Social Security Scotland. pic.twitter.com/sipNwTU7vK
— Social Security Scotland (@SocSecScot) June 12, 2025
On a visit to Midlothian Carers Centre to meet with parent carers of adults with additional support needs, Minister for Equalities, Kaukab Stewart, said: “Social security in Scotland isn’t about renaming benefits previously delivered by the UK Government.
“We are about delivering social security with dignity, fairness and respect, continually listening to what carers and support organisations have to say to help shape the changes we’re making.
“We introduced Carer’s Allowance Supplement and Young Carer Grant, which are only available in Scotland, and widened eligibility for Carer Support Payment to enable more carers in education to access it.
“We’re also committed to introducing new extra support for carers who care for more than one person. Changes to help improve the lives of carers in Scotland.
“Social security is something anyone may need at any point in their life. It’s a public service and I encourage all unpaid carers to find out if they are entitled to financial support and apply.”
Carla Bennett, Carer Services Manager at VOCAL Midlothian added: “Unpaid carers often face financial hardship, with many forced to give up paid work or reduce their hours to support those they care for.
“Caring for someone comes with additional costs too, such as transport, heating, equipment and food. These expenses, combined with reduced income, mean carers are more likely to experience poverty.
“Demand for VOCAL’s income maximisation service has doubled in the past year, showing that carers are feeling the strain. Accessing financial and social security support can ease this burden and make a significant difference to the lives of carers and those they care for.
“We would encourage carers to find out what they might be eligible for.”
With a heavy heart, we share the sad news of the passing of our dear honorary patron and ELREC’s longest serving member, Professor Sir Geoff Palmer, OBE KT.
A man of immense wisdom, dignity, and unwavering integrity, Sir Geoff’s life was a powerful testament to resilience, courage and a commitment to justice.
His contributions to science, education, and the ongoing fight for racial equality have left an indelible mark on the world.
Beyond his remarkable achievements, Sir Geoff will be remembered for his humility, kindness, and the way he inspired generations to think critically and act compassionately. His voice was one of clarity in challenging times, and his legacy will continue to guide and uplift us.
Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched. May he rest in peace, and may we honor his memory by continuing the work he so passionately championed.
Gone, but will never be forgotten
ELREC (Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council)
Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Robert Aldridge said: “I was deeply saddened to learn of Sir Geoff Palmer’s passing. A tireless advocate for equality and a pioneering academic, Sir Geoff was a true inspiration and will leave a lasting impression on Edinburgh.
“In 2022 I was honoured to present Sir Geoff with the Edinburgh Award in recognition of his academic achievements and his passionate defence of human rights and justice in the city and beyond.
His handprints remain immortalised alongside those of other Edinburgh Award recipients and will give passers-by pause to reflect on the huge impact he had here.
“In chairing the Edinburgh Slavery and Colonialism Legacy Review Sir Geoff made a vital contribution to recognising and profiling the Capital’s links with Slavery and Colonialism in the public realm.
“I know Sir Geoff’s legacy in academia and activism will live on for years to come, inspiring future generations. He will be dearly missed – my thoughts are with his friends, family and all those who knew him.”
New name signals commitment to making Scotland more active
SCOTLAND’S national walking and wheeling charity has today announced it has rebranded, marking a bold new chapter after almost 30 years of empowering people to walk more, move more and enjoy the outdoors.
Walking Scotland has officially unveiled its new identity, replacing its long-established name, Paths for All, to better reflect its mission and growing impact across the country.
The change signals the charity’s renewed commitment to embedding walking and wheeling into the everyday lives of Scots, enhancing health, wellbeing and sustainability.
From local Health Walks to national policy changes, the organisation has built meaningful partnerships and inspired communities to enjoy the benefits of active travel.
This rebrand follows their ‘Every Day in May’ campaign as part of National Walking Month, which encouraged people across Scotland to walk daily and to discover the profound social, physical, and mental benefits that even short walks can bring.
The charity’s new name reinforces its position as the country’s national authority on walking and wheeling – building on decades of proven impact while setting ambitious goals for the future. It envisions a Scotland where everyone, regardless of who they are or where they live has access to safe, welcoming environments to walk and wheel.
Walking Scotland’s launch follows overwhelming support for a clearer, bolder brand that better communicates its purpose and makes it easier for people to get involved – whether through walking, wheeling, supporting or donating.
The shift also reflects the growing recognition of walking as a low-cost, high-impact solution to a range of societal challenges, from health inequalities to the climate-nature emergency.
Kevin Lafferty, Chief Executive of Walking Scotland said: “This isn’t just a name change, it’s a renewed commitment to putting walking and wheeling at the heart of everyday life in Scotland.
“For almost 30 years, we’ve made a real difference in communities across the country. But we’re not done yet. Walking changes lives – it improves health, connects people and helps address some of Scotland’s biggest challenges.
“Walking Scotland reflects a fresh and inclusive identity that truly captures the scale of our ambition for the next 30 years. We want everyone in Scotland to be able to walk and wheel, everywhere, every day.
“The feedback from our stakeholders, communities and partners has been incredibly positive – this brand resonates and will help us reach more people and grow our impact.”
The organisation points to a growing body of evidence that supports its mission. According to the most recent national attitudes survey, over 77% of Scots agree that walking helps to clear their minds and improve their mood.
Crucially, walking is free, widely accessible, and requires no special equipment, making it a simple yet powerful tool in the fight against inactivity, social isolation, and pressure on the NHS.
Advanced clinic provides same-day scan and surgeon consultation
SCOTLAND’s most comprehensive same-day breast implant health check service has launched at a new state-of-the-art hospital.
Based at Waterfront Private Hospital in Edinburgh, the specialist service is the first of its kind in the country, providing women with same-day ultrasound scans and consultant-led advice from a plastic surgeon, all in a single visit.
Leading the service is radiologist Dr Theodora Zachari, whose expert ultrasound scanning is carried out using advanced Canon Aplio i-series equipment, regarded as the gold standard in soft tissue imaging.
Following the scan, patients immediately meet with a highly experienced consultant plastic surgeons for interpretation and advice.
Dr Omar Quaba, consultant plastic surgeon and co-founder at Waterfront Private Hospital, said: “Many women with breast implants are unsure about their long-term condition, especially those placed over a decade ago or performed overseas.
“This one-stop clinic removes the need for multiple appointments, giving patients peace of mind and a clear pathway for future care, all on the same day.”
While breast implants are considered safe, patients are advised to monitor them regularly, particularly as they age. Changes in shape, discomfort, or concerns about rupture or capsular contracture are among the common reasons for seeking checks.
Until now, women in Scotland often faced long waiting times, fragmented care or the need to travel elsewhere in the UK to access equivalent services. The new health check clinic aims to address these gaps by providing a streamlined, patient-focused experience delivered by specialists.
Dr Theodora Zachari, Consultant Radiologist, said: “Women deserve accessible, high-quality care when it comes to their health. This service brings together radiology and surgical expertise to provide answers without delay.”
The hospital’s new clinic provides a safe, professional alternative for those seeking clarity on the health of their implants, whether they are experiencing symptoms or simply want reassurance.
Operating as a boutique family-run hospital, Waterfront Private Hospital has gained a strong reputation for personalised care and surgical expertise. Patients are seen in a luxury clinical environment, with direct access to the same medical team for follow-up care and advice.
Dr Quaba added: “Our goal is to demystify breast implant health and make it easy for women to take control. Whether it’s peace of mind or planning a revision procedure, this clinic gives them the trusted information they need.”
Women can self-refer or be referred by their GP, and the service is open to anyone with implants, regardless of where or when the surgery took place. Consultations typically last around an hour and are followed up with a tailored report and further guidance where needed.
The Waterfront Private Hospital team stresses that implant-related issues can often be managed effectively when identified early. As such, regular health checks are increasingly considered a vital part of long-term cosmetic care.
Opened in late 2023, the hospital is home to some of the most qualified and experienced plastic and skin surgeons in Scotland, including dual-qualified specialists in plastic surgery and dermatology. This expertise allows for a full spectrum of care, from cosmetic procedures to life-saving skin cancer treatments.
