Uncategorized – Page 256 – The NEN

TTIPing point

Greens urge First Minister to get tough on TTIP

Alison Johnstone, Green MSP for Lothian and a member of Holyrood’s economy committee (above), is urging the First Minister to oppose TTIP, the controversial EU-US trade deal.

Writing on behalf of the five-strong Green-Independent group of MSPs, Ms Johnstone calls on Alex Salmond to press the case against a power grab by big business that undermines democratic decision-making.

The full text of the letter can be seen online at greenmsps.org. It is supported by Alison’s Green colleague Patrick Harvie, along with independent MSPs John Finnie, Jean Urquhart and John Wilson.

Alison Johnstone MSP said: “”TTIP is a power grab by private corporations which threatens the NHS. Although Scottish ministers have said they oppose the inclusion of health services in TTIP the negotiations have not yet provided any clear protections, and I urge the First Minister to press the case.

“There’s huge public concern at the offshore corporate courts being proposed. These would enable corporations to sue governments for passing laws which may be in the public interest but affect a company’s profits, an outrageous suggestion.

“We could also see watering down of European protections from the likes of GM foods and beef produced with growth hormones, an issue causing real concern for Scotland’s farmers.

“I hope the Scottish Government will write again to the UK Government stating opposition to TTIP. There is mounting public concern that cannot be ignored.”

Transport Hub to transform patient travel

Patient transport in NHS Lothian has been transformed after the health board became the first in Scotland to create a dedicated Transport Hub. The unique system, which is expected to save an estimated £1 million, organises all non-emergency patient journeys and has been designed to boost efficiency and improve patient flow.

With a fleet of ambulances, mini-buses with carers, volunteer cars and taxis at its disposal, the Transport Hub provides a single point of contact for staff seeking to arrange patient transfers or to take the patient home.

It means that when a patient, who requires transport, is due to leave hospital, ward staff simply have to make one call to the hub, which is open 365 days per year.

Specially-trained staff at the end of the phone will then organise the right kind of vehicle, depending on the needs of the patient and their clinical requirements.

In the past, ward staff would have contacted The Scottish Ambulance Service to arrange a journey or would have booked a private ambulance company directly.

Jim Crombie, Director of Scheduled Care, NHS Lothian, said: “The Transport Hub is a completely unique concept and we are really proud to be the only health board in Scotland to have taken this approach to planned patient transport.

“The Transport Hub is a much more efficient way of working. It improves the overall patient experience while also freeing up ambulances to be used for emergency transfers.”

The Transport Hub, which is based at the Astley Ainslie Hospital in Edinburgh, has become a crucial link in the discharge process, ensuring a smoother, smarter and more efficient way of working.

The team handle around 400 calls a day, from 24 of NHS Lothian’s Acute and Primary Care sites and also offers a level of support to a number of care homes within our boundary. Using a Patient Needs Assessment (PNA), the call handlers gain information from ward staff which allows them to arrange the most appropriate transport and equipment for the individual needs of the patient. This is done in real time so that each journey can be planned and logged and the caller advised immediately as to the transport option available.

By ensuring the correct mode of transport is in place, the system helps reduce clinical risk, allowing the patient to be moved safely from hospital to home. It also means hospital beds become available for new and emergency patients in a more timely and organised fashion.

Strollers strive to stamp out sectarianism

Civil Service Strollers club secretary Keith Stewart writes about an initiative to tackle a problem that continues to blight our ‘beautiful game’:

Civil Service Strollers is the only football club in Edinburgh that has received funding from the Scottish Government’s Voluntary Action Fund to undertake workshops on understanding sectarianism and how it affects the community.

We recognise the problem sectarianism plays in dividing communities, particularly in relation to football allegiance, and have set out to work with players and the local community to participate in informal education workshops that help increase their understanding of the issue and the negative impact on everyday interactions.

The workshops will culminate into a public event, when a range of community stakeholders will be invited to witness the showcasing of Civil Service Strollers workshop participants journey on achieving its aim of non- tolerance to sectarian behaviours in their football community.

A club spokesman said: “It’s about football clubs taking a stance to address sectarian issues that exist by bringing everyone together to understand the impact of sectarian behaviours on day to day relationships.”

Anyone interested in taking part in weekly community workshops should contact Club Secretary Keith Stewart on 07402521912

Sing out at St Serf’s

THE SINGING GROUP
FOR PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA & THEIR CARER(S)
(Formerly known as Singing for the Brain)

Our group has been running since June 2010, meeting at 2.30pm on the first and third Thursday of each month. We currently meet at Inverleith St Serf’s Church Hall on Clark Road, Edinburgh

The group is for people with dementia, and their carers, who still live at home in the community. Research has indicated that people with dementia leave singing groups ‘on a high’ and this positive mood can last for some time after each session. This is also good for the well being of the carer.

The group come together to sing with emphasis on enjoyment and fun. Volunteers are on hand but those with dementia should be accompanied. There is no charge for attending the Singing Sessions, but a donation for refreshments is appreciated.

The group meet for coffee and conversation first, giving people a chance to socialise. Support is also available from volunteers and other families. When singing begins, we sit in a circle ensuring that everyone is equal and not identified by their illness. We then sing along together for around
45 minutes, led by ‘music volunteers’.

The group was started by a small number of individuals who were inspired by the “Singing for the Brain” groups running in England.

For further information, please contact: Sheila Hardie 551 1229, Kate Walker 554 4940, Diana Kerr 552 3857 or Pam Robertson 553 7239.

Lazarowicz backs rail Bill

Mark Lazarowicz MP backs Bill to allow public sector train operators

Local MP Mark Lazarowicz was today among MPs to support a Motion by Labour MP Andy Sawford for a Bill to be introduced to permit public sector railway operators.

The Motion was passed by 197 votes to 38 and even if the Bill does not reach the statute book the vote shows the strength of feeling amongst Labour MPs about the franchise system and the service that passengers are receiving.

The new franchise for the East Coast Line is due to start in March 2015 but the UK Government has repeatedly refused to allow Directly Operated Railways (DOR), the public sector company currently running the East Coast Main Line, to bid for it.

The North & Leith Mp said: “I strongly welcome this Bill which would permit a public sector company to bid for a franchise as I have been urging the Government to allow the current public sector operator of the East Coast Line to be allowed to do given the successful way it is running it.

“Given the franchise fiasco of the West Coast Line last year and East Coast’s private sector operator reneging on the terms of that contract in 2009 surely it’s time a public sector operator is given a chance at last to bid for a franchise or is the Government afraid of a public sector bid coming out on top.”

The railway network was privatised in 1993 by the then Conservative Government of John Major. The East Coast Line is currently the only franchise run by a UK public sector rail operator and it has consistently been amongst the top train operators for value for money for the taxpayer.

The latest results for Directly Operated Railways showed that in the last financial year before it is reprivatised, to March 2014, it paid £225m to the government after it’s pre-tax profits for the year rose 40%. Over the five years the company has run the East Coast Line since 2009 it has paid more than £1bn in premium payments to the Government.

Partnerships Make Advice Work in Edinburgh

Edinburgh’s ‘Making Advice Work’ (MAW) programme is now one year old, and delegates to a Scottish Parliament reception heard that the service has delivered quality advice and support to clients in desperate need of help across the city.

Last October the Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) was asked by the Scottish Government and the Money Advice Service to run a new grant funding programme to focus on improving access to advice. A wide range of Edinburgh-based organisations joined together and successfully bid for MAW funding and an interim report on progress was presented at an event at Holyrood last night.

The statistics are impressive – over twelve months MAW-funded organisations gave advice to 1632 people who reported accumulated debts of over £1.2 million. Clients were represented at 119 tribunals or Sheriff Court cases and financial gains achieved for clients totalled over £1.8 million. It’s worth noting that in many cases these figures are in addition to organisations’ other client groups – organisations like Granton Information Centre have been able to see more people in need as a direct result of SLAB funding.

Statistics only tell part of the story, however, and behind ever figure there is a person or family in need of help and support. The recession and subsequent welfare reforms have hit communities hard and all advice agencies have struggled to cope with record numbers of clients. For some, it’s being unable to understand complicated forms, for others it’s an unexpected change of circumstances. Some are these are on the verge of losing their family home, some facing mounting debts with seemingly nowhere to turn – and all of them need help.

Housing and Welfare Minister Margaret Burgess MSP knows more than most the value and importance of good quality advice – she has front line experience as a former adviser with Citizens Advice. One grateful former client recently recognised and approached the Minister – not as a politician but as a person who was there to provide support when it was most needed – fully nine years ago!

After talking of the social challenges faced by families and communities, Ms Burgess told delegates: “There are undoubtedly challenges, but we can see through the case studies and your report that help is being provided to those most in need. Tonight is a night to celebrate what you have achieved”.

Projects involved in the partnership include CHAI, Citizen Advice Edinburgh, Dunedin Canmore, Deaf Action, Shelter Scotland, Hillcrest Housing Association, Granton Information Centre, The Action group, Cyrenians, Prospect Community Housing, Port of Leith Housing Association and the City of Edinburgh Council.

Making Advice Work has three programme streams – community-wide advice, helping tenants of social landlords and a thematic stream which aims to tackle barriers in accessing advice for people with disabilities and others experiencing domestic abuse.

The Making Advice Work projects operating across the city cover all three of these programme themes, and David Gardner (CHAI), Brendan Fowler (Prospect Community Housing) and Cheryl-Ann Cruickshank (Shelter Scotland) gave short presentations to give a flavour of the type of work taking place in Edinburgh.

Brendan Fowler explained: “It can be intense, but the best advice is face to face, one to one. This project is good value for money because it works. This funding has helped to change people’s lives”.

SLAB Chief Executive Lindsay Montgomery CBE (above) thanked the organisations for their efforts over the last twelve months. “When this funding was introduced we were very clear that it would be dependent on organisations being able to show that they could work in partnership with others to produce positive outcomes. The results so far have been very encouraging and it’s to be hoped that other parts of Scotland will follow Edinburgh’s lead”.

The event was co-sponsored by Labour MSPs Sarah Boyack and Kezia Dugdale.

For more information on Making Advice Work – and the organisations involved in the programme – go to http://goo.gl/HPnt9E

Nominations open for the Edinburgh Award

The Edinburgh Award is seeking its eighth recipient as nominations open to find the successor to art entrepreneur Richard Demarco:

First launched in 2007, the Edinburgh Award is a way for Edinburgh citizens to pay a lasting tribute to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the city through their achievements.

Past recipients include authors JK Rowling and Ian Rankin, sports stars Sir Chris Hoy and George Kerr, scientist Professor Peter Higgs and artist Elizabeth Blackadder – each of whom has a cast of their handprints imprinted in flagstones in front of the Capital’s City Chambers.

Nominations are sought annually from communities, businesses and individuals across Edinburgh and the winner is selected by a panel chaired by the Lord Provost.

The Rt Hon Donald Wilson, Lord Provost, said: “The Edinburgh Award is a coveted accolade and celebrates those people who have been outstanding ambassadors for the city at home and throughout the world.

“If you know somebody who should have this award get involved and nominate them now. In addition to the award itself the recipients have their handprints embedded into the stones in the City Chambers Quadrangle, providing a visual and lasting tribute to their contribution to this great city. We all have people in mind that we think are deserving so make sure you get online and make your views known.”

Nominations are now open and can be made online at

www.edinburgh.gov.uk/edinburghaward

and must be received no later than Thursday 27 November.

Postal nominations are also available.

The recipient will be presented with an engraved Loving Cup by the Lord Provost at a ceremony early next year.

Edinburgh Award criteria state that the individual being nominated:

– was born in Edinburgh or resided in the City for the past 12 months
– has not previously been awarded The Freedom of the City of Edinburgh
– is not a previous winner of The Edinburgh Award
– is not a serving politician.

Once all the nominations have been received, the recipient will be selected by a judging panel chaired by the Lord Provost, with representatives from all political groups on the City of Edinburgh Council, Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations Council and Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce.

Muirhouse & Salvesen Community Council

JAMES McGINTY reports on Muirhouse Salvesen Community Council’s annual general meeting:

The Community Council held their Annual General Meeting in Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre on 20 October. Eight people were present to hear Chairperson Roy Douglas welcome everyone, gave the apologies for the four councillors and introduce guest speaker Christine Mackay, manager of the Total Craigroyston project.

Mr Douglas then stated that “during the meeting we would be looking at the year past and the year ahead.” The Chairperson later laid out in the form of a document the aims and goals of the Community Council and listed the achievements for 2013/14.

He highlighted the community council’s input to the Pennywell & Muirhouse Master Plan and new Health Partnership Hub and the support given to local groups and organisations in the Muirhouse.

These groups and organisations to benefit from the Council’s support were:

The Centipede project (The Old Kirk and Muirhouse Church) started by Linda Dunbar, who has now moved on to a new position within the Church of Scotland.
The highly acclaimed Community Shop in Pennywell shopping centre.
My Adventure and the forthcoming £200 donation to the bothy project in the borders from the Community Council.
Assisting Friends of Linear Park and finally cleaning up the lane between Salvesen and the Waterfront.

The Financial Report was then discussed and approved.

Guest speaker Christine Mackay (above) then gave an in depth report on the Total Craigroyston project and conducted a question and answer session centred on this far reaching and ambitious Project.

WPC Helen Lyon (above) gave a police report, highlighting the area’s problems and the steps towards alleviating them.

All in all, a very well structured and transparent AGM, but we would ask members of the community to come along and give more support to what is your own communities’ council – especially as more powers are being handed down from the City of Edinburgh Council.

James McGinty

Muirhouse & Salvesen Community Council

Keir welcomes airports’ submission

‘Case for devolution has been made – Labour must drop opposition’

The SNP has today welcomed a joint submission by Scotland’s three main airports to the Smith Commission, calling for Air Passenger Duty (APD) to be devolved to the Scottish Parliament ahead of next year’s General Election.

The submission ‘A Case for APD’ – signed by Amanda McMillan, Managing Director at Glasgow Airport, Gordon Dewar Chief Executive at Edinburgh Airport and Carol Benzie, Managing Director, Aberdeen International Airport – backs the Scottish Government position.

The airports also say they “simply do not understand the foundation” of Labour’s opposition to the devolution of APD.

Their submission states: “Reducing APD will incentivise more direct travel from Scotland, and will likely reduce the need to transfer through European airports to avoid paying APD. We simply do not understand the foundation of the Scottish Labour Party’s concerns here.”

“Unless APD is devolved, people travelling to and from Scotland – who in most cases fly due to the lack of feasible alternatives – will continue to face some of the highest levels of taxation in Europe, which is clearly a disincentive to travel.”

SNP MSP for Edinburgh Western Coin Keir said this submission provided Labour with an opportunity to drop its opposition to the devolution of APD and try to prove that Labour in Scotland was controlled in Scotland and not in Westminster.

Mr Keir, the MSP for Edinburgh Airport, said: “This submission to the Smith Commission by Scotland’s three leading airports is very welcome indeed – it backs up our position and dismantles Labour’s weak proposals.

“The case for the devolution of APD has been made – today’s submission from the airports has demolished any remains of Labour’s threadbare argument against it. Labour in Scotland could start to show that it is Scotland, not Westminster, in control by dropping its opposition and supporting the devolution of APD.

“Assuming this common sense submission is taken forward by the Smith Commission in its proposals – the pressure will be on David Cameron and the Westminster system to act immediately and devolve the powers over APD at once.”

Let’s make Bonfire Night the safest ever

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is appealing for the public’s help to ensure that 2014’s Bonfire Night is the safest ever for Scotland:

Bonfire Night is traditionally one of the busiest nights of the year for the SFRS with the number of emergency calls typically seeing a 40% increase throughout the period. SFRS is up to four times busier on 5 November than any other night of the year.

From 2009 to 2012, the number of secondary fires, which includes bonfires and refuse fires, averaged 1118. In 2013 there was a significant drop in this number to 517 bonfires on November 5th, with an overall drop in secondary fires of around 40% compared to 2012. SFRS aims to maintain and improve upon this decline in calls for Bonfire Night 2014.

The Service is appealing to the public to stay safe this Bonfire Night by attending organised events rather than staging their own bonfires or fireworks displays.

Assistant Chief Officer Lewis Ramsay, Director of Prevention and Protection for the SFRS said: “This year we want Bonfire Night to be the safest one on record. I’d ask every member of the public who is thinking of holding their own bonfire or fireworks display to attend an organised event instead. These events are well organised, much more spectacular than a DIY display and most importantly it’s much safer for you, your family and friends.

“When our crews are called to attend bonfires it means we have to divert resources away from other emergencies and life threatening calls – that could end tragically for anyone who truly needs our urgent help.

“We want everyone to be able to celebrate on 5 November and have fun, but in a safe way that doesn’t require the intervention of the emergency services.

“In the run up to Bonfire Night 2014 our Service personnel will be going to schools across Scotland to teach children about the dangers associated with bonfires and fireworks.

“We can all play a part in making this time of year safer. It is against the law for fireworks to be sold to children and young people. If you are aware of this happening please report it to Police Scotland or Trading Standards. We would also encourage the public to report unsafe or dangerous bonfires or bonfire materials and any suspicions of deliberate fire setting. In doing this, we can keep our communities safer together.

“The public are requested to pass on any information about who may be responsible for fire setting to Police Scotland using the 101 non-emergency number or Scotland Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.”

Daren Mochrie, Director of Service Delivery at the Scottish Ambulance Service said: “Every year our ambulance crews and hospital departments treat people for severe burns and other firework night related injuries. Fireworks are safe when used properly but the consequences can be tragic and life changing if the appropriate precautions are not followed and we recommend that people go along to a professionally organised display.

“In the event of someone suffering from a burn or scald, you should act quickly and:

Stop the burning process as soon as possible. Do not put yourself at risk!
Use cool water to cool a burn and reduce pain (no more than 30 mins of cooling and be aware of hypothermia due to prolonged cooling).
Remove clothing and jewellery but do not remove burnt clothing that has stuck to skin.
Do not use any creams or oils on injuries. Cover with a clean dressing or ideally cling film.

The majority of minor burns and scalds can be treated at home and if unsure you can contact NHS 24 on www.nhs24.com/SelfHelpGuide or phone 111 for further advice. If injuries are serious, seek urgent medical help and call 999 and ask for ambulance”.

Superintendent Danny Hatfield, Head of Prevention and Interventions, Police Scotland, said: “We want people to listen to safety advice and attend organised events so families can keep safe and enjoy the Bonfire celebrations. The best way of keeping safe is to attend official bonfire events which will also help reduce the number of unnecessary call outs for Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

“We can all play a part in making this time of year safer while having fun. Remember it is against the law for fireworks to be sold to children and young people. Please help us keep people safe by reporting any concerns to Police Scotland by calling 101.”

SFRS have produced lots of guidance and safety tips about Bonfire Night 2014, available online now at http://bit.ly/SFRSbonfire2014.

Advice includes information about bonfire and fireworks safety (including a bonfire and fireworks safety leaflet available for download) along with links to our TV, radio and press advertisements.

SFRS will be offering tips on staying safe in the lead up to Bonfire Night through our social media channels on Facebook and Twitter.