You can call 111 any time day or night to be referred to the right care service or for advice when your GP practice or dentist is closed.
If you have a minor injury, burn or strain, call 111 to arrange a video call or face-to-face appointment at your local minor injuries clinic.
Forth and Inverleith Voluntary Sector Forum will meet on Tuesday 20 July at 1pm via Zoom
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84802007045?pwd=WmU3REQrL2ZNa3NEVDg4Zlp3TkVGdz09
Meeting ID: 848 0200 7045
Passcode: 991758
We will use this following agenda to guide our discussion:
1 Welcome and Introductions
2 Pilton Community Health Project and ASH Scotland present on new work addressing smoking rates in areas of deprivation (see below)
3 Evaluating Third Sector contribution to LIP priority 3 – tackling poverty and inequality
4 LOG Update
5 Training Opportunities for third sector (EVOC)
6 Member update
Hope to see you there,
KATE BARRETT
EVOC Development Worker – Community Planning
Edinburgh’s St James Quarter is extending its enviable line for visitors once again, as it announces a further four new openings taking place this month.
French fashion retailer, The Kooples, and global skin care brand, Aesop, are both joining the 1.7 million sq ft city centre development at the end of the month.
And that’s not all, local independent Maki & Ramen and Bonnie & Wild both opened their doors earlier this week, adding some firm foodie favourites to the already mouth-watering line up of eateries within The Quarter – ensuring there is something for everyone to enjoy morning, noon and night.
Bonnie & Wild (above) is Scotland’s largest single food and drink site that offers a variety of locally sourced produce, served by some of Scotland’s best restaurants and award-winning chefs.
Whilst Maki & Ramen which offers authentic Japanese dishes, served with a side of Instagrammable interiors, including a large Cherry Blossom tree in the centre of the restaurant, and a brand-new cocktail menu exclusive to St James Quarter customers.
The Kooples, known for their rock-chic and contemporary apparel, will open on 23rd July, followed by Aesop, which will open its second Edinburgh store on 30th July.
Nick Peel, Managing Director at St James Quarter, said: “We’re delighted to be announcing a further four retailers who are opening their doors this month, two of which are allowing us to extend our already incredible food and beverage offering within the Quarter.
“Our goal is to provide visitors with an enjoyable and memorable experience with something new to see, do, and experience every time they come back to The Quarter.
“Bonnie & Wild, Maki & Ramen, The Kooples and Aesop are four incredible brands that each have something different and unique to offer, and I look forward to seeing them thrive over the coming months.”
With many people heading to the North of Scotland this summer, road policing officers are reminding road users to be safe on country roads.
Constable Neil MacDonald of Highlands and Islands Road Policing said: “The scenery in the area attracts people from all over the world. While we welcome the visitors we would like to remind them that some of the roads are different to what they may have encountered before and to be careful and safe while visiting.”
Drivers are reminded to reduce speed on approach to bends and junctions and look out for blind summits and hidden dips.
Many of the roads are single track and only wide enough for one vehicle. In these instances there will be signs for passing places and drivers are asked to use these responsibly and use them to allow vehicles to pass and overtake.
Chair of The Highland Council’s Tourism Committee, Gordon Adam said: “Driving throughout the Highlands is truly unique and the journey is very much part of the experience, however it does come with some challenges; particularly on narrow single track roads.
“We encourage all to drive according to the conditions of the road. Be courteous to other road users – please check your mirrors regularly and pull in and let the traffic behind you pass.
“Others may be carrying out vital deliveries or travelling to work, if you see a vehicle flashing headlights, it maybe someone attending an emergency. Pull in and let them pass. Take extra care when passing cyclists and walkers, particularly on single track roads and look out for livestock and horse riders.”
Drivers are also reminded to put away any distractions and always fasten seatbelts.
Constable Neil MacDonald said: “Following this advice will help ensure you have a safe and enjoyable trip while helping to play your part in ensuring the smooth and safe running of the roads in the north.”
Trish Robertson, chair of the Highland Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee said: “The Highland Council fully support Police Scotland’s Road Safety campaign to inform visitors of the challenges of driving in rural locations with single track roads.
“Please make use of the nearest passing place and pull to the left to let traffic pass. You may have to reverse to let a vehicle pass. If you see a large vehicle approaching in the distance, be prepared to stop in the next passing place and wait for them to go by you.
“Follow the guidance provided by Police Scotland to ensure that you and other road users can safely enjoy the beautiful Highland scenery.”
Police Scotland have released a new leaflet with advice on Road Safety on Country Roads. The public are asked to share the leaflet:-
In the North of Scotland we are fortunate to be surrounded by stunning scenery, with a road network that enhances the natural beauty of the landscape.
However these roads may be different to what you have encountered before and while we welcome and encourage you to enjoy this beautiful part of the country, we want you to be safe.
Please read and follow these useful pointers to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable trip, and which should help you to play your part in ensuring the smooth running of our roads on and near the North Coast 500 route:
» Please take extra care on rural roads and reduce your speed on approach to a bend – it may be sharper than it appears and you never know what could be round the corner. Also take care when approaching minor junctions and turnings which may be partially hidden. Drive at a speed that doesn’t affect your decision-making ability – this could be well below the speed limit.
» Look out for blind summits and hidden dips. Keep an eye on road signs and slow down as you approach.
» Single-track roads – these are only wide enough for one vehicle and you will see signs for ‘passing places’. If you observe a vehicle travelling towards you – or the driver behind wants to overtake – pull into a passing place on your left or wait opposite a passing place on your right. Do not park in passing places.
» Give way to vehicles coming uphill whenever you can. If necessary, reverse until you reach a passing place to let the other vehicle pass.
» Be prepared for pedestrians, horse riders and cyclists, or farm livestock or wild animals moving from one side of the road to the other. Allow yourself enough time and space to move either into a passing place or off the road.
» Always reduce your speed on the approach to built-up areas.
» Belt up – it could make a crucial difference to you and your passengers in the event of a crash.
» Prepare for the unexpected – you might know the road like the back of your hand, but conditions and other traffic are always changing.
» Put away any distractions. Ignore your phone and do not attempt to set your Sat-Nav while driving.
New data from Centre for Cities’ High Streets Recovery Tracker shows that the recovery of high streets stuttered in June as footfall fell back across the UK – raising concerns about the UK economy’s bounce-back from Covid restrictions.
Seaside and tourist destinations saw the sharpest drops in visitor numbers between the end of May and end of June, with visitors to central Blackpool and Bournemouth falling by by almost half.
Meanwhile, weekend visitors to other tourist destinations such as Brighton, York and Edinburgh also fell steeply.
Overall weekly footfall numbers fell by the end of June in 62 of the 63 city and town centres studied. On average, overall footfall in large city and town centres fell by seven percentage points.
| City or large town(selected seaside and tourist destinations) | Weekend footfall Fall in footfall from last weekend of May to last weekend of June (percentage point) | Weekly footfallOverall fall in footfall from end of May to end of June (percentage point) |
| Blackpool | -45 | -18 |
| Bournemouth | -45 | -15 |
| Brighton | -39 | -16 |
| Southend | -36 | -12 |
| York | -28 | -14 |
| Portsmouth | -25 | -12 |
| Oxford | -23 | -10 |
Pubs, bars and restaurants are also likely to have taken an economic hit as night-time visitors to city and town centres fell by six percentage points between the last weekend of May and last weekend of June.
Despite the fall, small and medium city and town centres continue to have seen the strongest recovery overall since restrictions were lifted, while bigger cities continue to struggle.
Southend, Blackpool and Basildon have come back strongest, with footfall being more than 70 per cent of February 2020 levels but London and other large city centres lag a long way behind – footfall in the centre of the capital was at just under a third of February 2020 levels.
| Rank | City or large town | Overall footfall recovery in last week of June (February 2020 = 100) |
| Top 10 | ||
| 1 | Southend | 81 |
| 2 | Blackpool | 77 |
| 3 | Basildon | 72 |
| 4 | Chatham | 72 |
| 5 | Burnley | 72 |
| 6 | Aldershot | 71 |
| 7 | Mansfield | 69 |
| 8 | Gloucester | 68 |
| 9 | Wigan | 68 |
| 10 | Barnsley | 67 |
| Bottom 10 | ||
| 54 | Milton Keynes | 50 |
| 55 | Liverpool | 50 |
| 56 | Nottingham | 49 |
| 57 | Aberdeen | 48 |
| 58 | Cardiff | 46 |
| 59 | Leeds | 46 |
| 60 | Glasgow | 43 |
| 61 | Manchester | 41 |
| 62 | Birmingham | 41 |
| 63 | London | 33 |
Centre for Cities’ Chief Executive Andrew Carter said: “Much discussion in the lead up to restrictions being lifted was about the amount of pent up demand that lockdowns had created, and the likely splurge in spending as a result. But while there was an initial jump, the data suggests this may have faltered.
“The weather and growing Covid-19 cases may be reasons for this, but with the end of the furlough scheme is in sight, high street businesses and workers will be hoping that the removal of restrictions on 19th July will help to sustain the high street’s recovery and bring more people back to the centre of our cities.”
From September 2021, providers will offer the flu vaccine to over 35 million people during the upcoming winter season, including all secondary school students up to Year 11 for the first time. This builds on the success of last year’s expanded flu programme, which saw a record number of people get their jab.
Last year, 4 in 5 (80.9%) people aged 65 and over in England received their flu vaccine – exceeding the World Health Organization uptake ambition of 75%.
Working with the NHS, the government is preparing to deliver the expanded flu programme alongside any booster programme for COVID-19 vaccines as part of wider autumn and winter planning, which centres around protecting as many lives as possible.
During the 2021/22 season, which starts in September, the flu jab will be available to:
The enlarged flu drive will build on last year’s expanded flu programme, where flu vaccinations opened up to 50 to 64-year-olds and year 7 pupils for the first time, with the aim of offering protection to as many eligible people as possible.
For frontline healthcare workers and two and three-year olds, the highest ever recorded levels of flu vaccine uptake were also achieved last year. This year, all frontline health and social care workers will be offered the flu vaccination again to ensure they, and the people they care for, are protected.
Eligible groups are urged to get their free vaccine every year and to protect themselves and the most vulnerable people in society ahead of the winter.
As a result of non-pharmaceutical interventions in place for COVID-19 – such as mask-wearing, physical and social distancing, and restricted international travel – flu levels were lower than expected across the world in 2020/21.
It is possible there will be higher levels of flu this winter, with more of the population susceptible given the low levels last season. The flu vaccine offers the best available protection against the virus and the public can reduce the spread of flu and other winter bugs by regularly washing hands, throwing away used tissues and practising good hygiene.
Alongside this flu drive, the government is preparing for a booster programme of COVID-19 vaccines and the Joint Committee on Vaccination (JCVI) and Immunisation has published interim advice on who would be prioritised for a possible third vaccine from September 2021.
The booster programme – which would be designed to ensure millions of people most vulnerable to COVID-19 continue to have the protection they need ahead of the winter and against new variants – will be informed by the JCVI’s final advice expected later this summer based on the very latest scientific data.
The Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and Improvement, and Public Health England have today issued the 2021/22 annual flu letter to providers, setting out plans for this year’s expanded programme. This blueprint will ensure GP practices, pharmacies and school-based providers are mobilised to begin administering flu vaccines from September.
Dr Yvonne Doyle, Medical Director at Public Health England, said: “The flu vaccine is safe, effective and protects millions of people each year from what can be a devastating illness.
“Last winter, flu activity was extremely low, but this is no reason for complacency as it means less people have built up a defence against the virus. Combined with the likelihood that COVID-19 will still be circulating, this makes the coming flu season highly unpredictable.
“We will be preparing for a challenging winter by expanding our world-leading flu vaccination programme to over 35 million people, saving more lives and limiting the impact on the NHS and social care.”
Dr Nikita Kanani, NHS medical director for primary care, said: “NHS staff across England vaccinated record numbers of people against flu last year – a potentially fatal illness – and they continue to pull out all the stops to deliver the biggest and most successful NHS Covid-19 vaccination programme in health history, protecting their patients and communities.
“Getting your free flu vaccine if you are eligible as well as keeping up good habits like regularly washing your hands could help save your life, so please do come forward when you are invited to give you and your loved ones vital protection this winter.”
The childhood flu programme aims to protect children and contain the spread of the virus to babies and vulnerable adults they may be in contact with. The nasal spray vaccine is offered to 2 and 3-year-olds and children in primary school and Year 7 and, for the first time this year, secondary school aged children up to Year 11.
A grant of more than £270,000 from the Scottish Government’s International Development Fund will fund the supply of 300 items of vital equipment to treat Covid-19 patients in Africa.
The funding will allow Kids Operating Room, a Scottish-based global health charity, to distribute 100 oxygen concentrators each to Malawi, Rwanda, and Zambia.
Covid-19 cases in Malawi, Rwanda and Zambia are rising quickly, with the health system in Zambia especially under severe stress.
One of the biggest impacts of the rise in Covid-19 cases is a shortage of oxygen, and oxygen concentrators are easy to use, are suitable for patients of all ages, and can be used throughout the health service.
External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson said: “The Covid situation in Malawi, Rwanda and Zambia has become very serious, very quickly, and we know that the pressure on health services are putting great stress on their infrastructure, especially in relation to the delivery of oxygen to patients.
“This funding for oxygen concentrators will go some way to help ease the current stress on the health services in our three African partner countries, and we are delighted to work with Kids Operating Room to make sure this vital equipment is put to use as soon as possible.
“Scotland remains fully committed to playing our part in tackling shared global challenges, and we are committed to increase the International Development Fund (IDF) by 50% to £15 million.
“As the global pandemic continues, we firmly believe this is not the time to turn our back on the poorest and those in dire need – instead, this is precisely the moment when we should be living up to our core values.”
David Cunningham, the chief executive officer of Kids Operating Room, said: “Our model is to listen to doctors, then give them what they need – right now, the message is coming back loud and clear that what they need is access to more oxygen to fight Covid-19.
“Oxygen concentrators are key pieces of equipment that are needed to meet the region’s critical oxygen shortage. They are suitable for all ages and durable for years to come post-Covid, making them incredibly essential to support the health services in the long-term.”
Kids Operating Room is a Scottish global health charity with bases in Edinburgh, Dundee and Nairobi. It works directly with local surgeons and their teams across Africa and South America to transform hospital spaces into dedicated operating rooms for children’s surgery.
Oxygen concentrators provide a sustainable and cost-effective source of medical oxygen – they draw air from the environment and then concentrate that room oxygen to therapeutic levels for delivery to patients.
The charity will coordinate the distribution of the oxygen equipment. They will arrange for delivery to doctors in Lusaka, Lilongwe and Kigali, and have the equipment distributed to the most in-demand hospitals.
Warm weather and rising wind speeds forecast for this weekend have increased the risk of surface fires across Eastern Scotland.
The wildfire danger assessment has been issued by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service today (Friday, July 16) in conjunction with the Scottish Wildfire Forum (SWF).
These surface fires could burn and spread with moderate to high intensity over Saturday and Sunday.
In Easter Ross, Inverness-shire and Morayshire, there could be very high fire intensity with wind speeds the highest on Saturday.
Area Commander Bruce Farquharson, the SFRS Wildfire Lead, said: “We are in the height of summer and with the warm forecast for the weekend it could bring with it the potential for wildfires, which can devastate vast areas of land and wildlife.
“As always, we would urge people who live within the high risk regions to be extremely careful.
“Please act safely and responsibly if you are out and about over the next few days.”
Follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, which can be found on the SFRS website.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf has visited a drop-in vaccination clinic in Arbroath as the national programme nears completion of first doses for all adults who attended their scheduled appointments on Sunday.
The clinic in Arbroath is one of many additional walk-in and pop-up facilities operating across the mainland to encourage people to get Jagged in July and Mr Yousaf urged anyone who is yet to take up their offer of a vaccine for whatever reason to come forward now.
No appointment is necessary at drop-in clinics and people can attend whether they are due a first dose or second dose, if eight weeks have passed. Anyone who wishes to book an appointment can do so at NHS Inform.
Mr Yousaf said: “I am pleased to see people making use of the vaccination clinic in Arbroath and urge others to do the same at their local drop-in venues if they haven’t yet come forward to be vaccinated.
“Getting vaccinated has never been easier. Simply head to a drop-in or pop-up clinic – the most up-to-date details of clinics near you can be found on your local NHS board’s social media posts or book an appointment online in a location which suits.
“The vaccination programme is working – evidence shows vaccination is weakening the link between case numbers and severe acute illness. However, case numbers are still high and vaccination continues to be the best way to protect yourself and those around you.
“We are currently working through the final group on the JCVI priority list – those aged between 18 and 29 – and we know that the extra drop-in clinics being operated by mainland health boards until Sunday make it easier for them to fit getting vaccinated into their busy lives. Walk-ins will still be available after this week but now is the time to take advantage of all the additional facilities on offer.
“I want to thank all those involved in setting up these clinics and of course, everyone involved in the national vaccination programme. It has been a huge success and without doubt, represents our best way out of the pandemic.”
NHS Tayside Director of Public Health Dr Emma Fletcher said: “Drop-in vaccination clinics are running at venues right across Tayside to make it as easy as possible for people to get vaccinated. No appointment is necessary and anyone over 18 can drop-in.
“So far, uptake of vaccinations in Tayside has been very good. We have delivered over 532,500 vaccines in Tayside with 300,000 people, 86% of the adult population, having one dose and around 232,500 people, 66%, having had both doses but we need that uptake to be higher to stop the spread of the virus.
“We know that getting both doses of the vaccine offers maximum protection against the virus and we are particularly encouraging people aged 18-29 to come forward as early as they can. So if you have not yet had your first jab, or you are longer than eight weeks from your first jab and are due your second jab, come along to your nearest clinic and we will get you vaccinated.”
Police are appealing for information after two cars were deliberately set on fire in the Colinton area.
The incident happened around 11.30pm on Wednesday (14 July 2021) on the driveway of a property in Spylaw Park.
Officers are keen to speak to two men seen at the time, both wearing grey tracksuits and dark-coloured trainers. One is described as around 6ft, the other as around 5ft 10ins and he was riding a mountain bike and carrying a rucksack.
The men may also have been in Lanark Road and Spylaw Avenue around the time of the incident.
Detective Constable Sam Gillies, of Edinburgh CID, said: “Fortunately no one was injured but this was a deliberate and reckless act that has destroyed two cars and could have caused more extensive damage if the fire had not been put out quickly by the fire service.
“We are asking anyone who may have seen something suspicious in the area at the time of the incident to get in touch, including if you were driving and have dash-cam footage that could help with our investigation.
“If you can help please contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 4203 of Wednesday, 14 July, 2021, or make a call anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
