British diplomat Stephen Ellison has been awarded the Royal Life Saving Society UK’s (RLSS UK) ‘Certificate of Recognition’ after his heroic efforts saved a woman from drowning.
Mr. Ellison, currently serving as consul-general in Chongqing in China, hit headline news in November 2020, after footage of him bringing the unconscious woman to the riverbank, went viral.
Out walking that morning, Mr. Ellison noticed the woman struggling in a fast-moving current, after falling into deep water. A seasoned open water swimmer through his participation in triathlons, Mr. Ellison wasted no time in getting into the water and bringing her to safety.
“RLSS UK’s ‘Certificate of Recognition’ celebrates members of the public who successfully rescue someone from the water,” explains RLSS UK CEO, Robert Gofton.
“Mr. Ellison’s selfless actions saved that lady’s life, and it is a testament to his courage and water safety knowledge that they both survived the ordeal.
“I was delighted to be joined by RLSS UK President Mark Smith, to award Mr. Ellison the certificate via a video call, and I look forward to the chance to meet him face-to-face, one day in the future.”
“It’s often the case with a situation like this, that everyone was taken by surprise by the sudden turn of events,” said Mr. Ellison. “As someone who takes part in triathlons, I felt confident that I could safely reach the lady in the water and help.
“I was just over-the-moon that she recovered consciousness and required no further treatment.
“It’s a wonderful surprise and an honour to be recognised by the Royal Life Saving Society UK.”
Over three-in-ten people who have started claiming Universal Credit (UC) during the pandemic have either acquired new debts, or seen their existing debts grow, as the crisis enters its eleventh month, according to new research published by the Resolution Foundation.
The debts that divide us – which includes analysis of a detailed online YouGov survey, supported by the Health Foundation – explores how people who have newly claimed UC during the pandemic have coped financially, as well as their prospects for the coming months.
The Foundation notes that of the almost six million people who are currently claiming UC, around three-in-five made a new claim in 2020, including many of the 1.4 million people who made a new claim at the start of the crisis in April and May of last year.
The research finds that families newly claiming UC have taken a major income hit, even with the vital £20 a week uplift to UC. Almost half (45 per cent) reported seeing their income fall by at least a quarter, while around one-in-three (34 per cent) reported seeing their income fall by at least 40 per cent.
And with the pandemic-induced economic crisis having lasted almost a year, the research shows that the big income losses faced by people moving onto UC are taking their toll on their ability to cope financially.
The research finds that over three-in-ten (31 per cent) new UC families have either acquired new debts or seen their existing debts grow, while around one-in-five (21 per cent) have fallen behind on paying essential (non-housing) bills.
Looking ahead to the next three months, a period in which UC is set to be cut by £20 a week (from 5 April 2021), three-in-five (61 per cent) UC families say they will struggle to keep up or will fall behind on bills, around twice the proportion of families across the economy as a whole (31 per cent).
The Foundation says that the uplift to UC has been essential for protecting family incomes during a pandemic that is lasting far longer than anyone expected when the policy was announced back in March 2020. The uplift is likely to prove just as vital in the coming months too, as more people claim UC off the back of rising unemployment.
It adds that with millions of households claiming UC experiencing real financial hardship, cutting their support in just two months’ time would be a grave error – and extinguish any hopes of a living standards recovery this year.
Karl Handscomb, Senior Economist at the Resolution Foundation, said:“Over three million people have started claiming Universal Credit since the pandemic began, including 1.4 million people who moved onto the benefit right at the start of the crisis.
“As the pandemic reaches its eleventh month – a depressing duration few expected last March – the income shock from with moving onto Universal Credit has evolved into mounting debts and arrears on essential bills.
“The Chancellor was right to raise Universal Credit to support families through tough economic times. And with tough times set to continue as unemployment rises through 2021, this vital boost to family incomes must be maintained.
“Cutting the incomes of six million families in just two months’ time, when public health restrictions are still likely to be widespread, makes no sense politically, economically, or in terms of raising people’s living standards.”
It’s a long road to recovery for many who have contracted COVID-19. In Scotland over 185,000 people have tested positive for the virus, with over 57,000 of these cases recorded within Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
NHSGGC’s Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy teams have created a new online resource to help anyone who is recovering from the virus, having distilled what they have learned from helping people recover both at home and in hospital.
The new self-management resource is available to the public and is aimed at anyone managing the many types of symptoms associated with COVID-19. It also notes the pace of recovery may be slower than expected.
Common symptoms can include: fatigue, breathlessness, reduced exercise tolerance and lack of physical strength. The resource offers advice on recovering from the virus, managing breathlessness, general wellbeing, managing fatigue, exercise programmes and more.
Lynn Glen, Physiotherapist, NHSGGC, said: “We know that the lingering effects of COVID-19 can vary from person to person. We’ve had younger and older patients admitted to wards and intensive care units, some dealing with debilitating fatigue and breathlessness for months after being diagnosed, requiring weeks and months of rehab and physiotherapy input.
“Other patients may only require physiotherapy input for a shorter period. The length of time recovering from COVID-19 can also vary so we had to find a way to support people at home.
“We wanted to help people get back on their feet, to gain knowledge about the virus, learn how to manage their symptoms and ultimately recover with this new resource.”
You can access the new NHSGGC online resource here:
Lorna Graham, 27, who has been a nurse for three years, was diagnosed with COVID on 8 April 2020 and has not yet fully recovered. She was off work for six months and has since been diagnosed as suffering from Long COVID.
Lorna said: “The acute phase of my illness lasted a few weeks and I can truly say I felt like I was dying. Without question it was the worst I have felt in my life. It’s not that I haven’t been ill before. I have had sepsis and swine flu but this was different. It felt like I was drowning; at times I couldn’t get a breath.
“This all happened despite me being a fit 26 year old. I wasn’t a fitness fanatic, but I was active on my days off. I would go hillwalking regularly, so you could say I was fit and obviously young too.
“In the first few weeks I was at the COVID assessment centre a few times and was sent to hospital, although never admitted. I had a temperature, no taste or smell and just slept and slept.
“I waited to recover fully and it just never came. It was October before I felt able to go back to work.”
Nearly ten months on, Lorna’s health has yet to recover fully.
Top Ten Tips for Recovering from COVID-19:
Take it slow – recovery may take longer than you expect.
Eat well – your body needs nutrients to get better. This can be difficult when you lose your sense of taste / smell but just as important.
Sleep well – your body needs rest, take it easy.
Plan your day – especially important if you’re feeling fatigued. Plan your day and week to include consistent activity, rather than boom and bust cycles which may leave you more tired.
Deep breathing – sit in a relaxed position, breathe in through your nose, out through your mouth, lying on your front can also help.
Stay active – your physical strength may be impacted so build yourself back up with regular activity like walking or at home exercises.
Get up – easy to forget in lockdown, make sure you are regularly standing, set a timer to make sure you’re getting up once an hour.
Get out – make sure to get outside with nature proven to improve our wellbeing.
Relax – remember to relax your mind however that may be. Some people find meditation helpful.
Stay connected – speak to your loved ones regularly about your recovery and how you’re doing. We all need support.
Businesses in Edinburgh are on course to save more than £8m on their energy bills with the support of a Scottish Government-funded programme.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have been taking advantage of a free service run by Zero Waste Scotland to discover ways they can cut their energy use and reduce carbon emissions.
Marissa Lippiatt, head of resource efficiency at Zero Waste Scotland, said: “It is pleasing to see so many businesses in Edinburgh deciding to take action to reduce their energy use.
“Not only does this add profit directly to their bottom line, but it also goes a long way to helping Scotland meet its target to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2045.”
Since the start of 2016, the impartial advice given to companies in Edinburgh has identified £21m of potential energy savings through things like heating, lighting and building upgrades.
To help SMEs finance the recommendations the Scottish Government currently provides interest-free loans and cashback grants.
“The actions taken by Edinburgh SMEs to implement our recommendations will reduce their collective carbon output by 22,000 tonnes. That’s equivalent to the emissions from 78 million car miles.”
Throughout Scotland, companies are on course to make close to £207m of lifetime energy savings with the Highland Council area leading the way with £18m.
More than 720,000 tonnes of carbon emissions can be cut from the atmosphere nationally because of the changes recommended. This would equate to the emissions created from more than two billion car miles, or 102,400 journeys around the world.
Marissa (above) said: “We have an increasing number of businesses coming to us for support and advice which demonstrates the growing awareness of the climate emergency and how we can all take steps to make changes.”
Zero Waste Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Business Support Service provides free, independent advice to SMEs, guiding them to introduce more energy efficient technology. The programme is funded by the Scottish Government and the European Regional Development Fund.
Businesses can apply for an interest-free Scottish Government SME Loan of £1,000 to £100,000 with a maximum cashback grant of £20,000 for eligible measures.
New research conducted by IAM RoadSmart, the UK’s largest independent road safety charity, has found overwhelming support for a 12-month minimum learning period for new drivers before they are allowed to take the practical driving test.
In its in-depth survey of more than 2,000 motorists, the charity found that more than two-thirds (68 per cent) strongly backed the suggestion that all new drivers, regardless of age, should undergo at least a year’s training and supervised practice before being allowed to take their practical test.
And while the Government committed to investigating some form of Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) in 2019, including the possibility of a 12-month minimum learning period as a key component, they have still not offered any firm conclusions.
IAM RoadSmart is therefore calling for urgent action on this issue. The charity, citing the evidence presented to the recent House of Commons Transport Committee Inquiry into Young and Novice Drivers along with the strong public support demonstrated in this latest study, says that a move to Graduated Driver Licensing is a crucial step forward in improved road safety.
Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart Director of Policy & Research, said: “The Government must listen to the concerns of the vast majority of motorists who clearly understand the long-term safety benefits that a 12-month minimum learning period for all new drivers would bring.
“A lifetime of safe driving starts by gaining the right experience behind the wheel. Even the Government’s own statistics show that one in five new drivers crash within their first year on the road, so a longer learning period can only help make our roads safer for all road users.”
Meanwhile, the study found that around two-thirds (65 per cent) of people also support more encouragement for post-test training, believing that it would be beneficial for drivers to improve their skills through advanced driver training and testing. This rises to 71 per cent among drivers aged 17 to 49.
Neil added: “Lessons learnt at the start of your driving career can pay dividends and if new drivers had longer to experience all road types, in all weathers and at all times of the day and night before their test, the benefits can only increase. Experienced license holders need to update their observation, anticipation and planning skills too, to ensure they remain safe throughout their driving and riding careers.”
A Health and Sport Committee report into the future of social care has said those delivering and receiving care must be at the heart of social care reform with the current model described as unsustainable.
The Committee say a national conversation on the future of social care is needed and that the myriad issues facing staff must be addressed in the development of any new system. The Committee’s report says the problems faced by the care sector have been compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Committee express concern over the lack of value placed on social care and social care staff, in stark contrast to NHS staff. The report emphasises the ongoing difficulty the sector faces in attracting and retaining staff; citing a lack of training and staff development opportunities, alongside low pay as the key reasons for this.
A number of problems with the current care model are highlighted by the Committee including the continued lack of progress on health and social care integration. They also recommend the Scottish Government seek alternative models of commissioning and procurement with the current ones described as ‘counter-intuitive’.
The Committee describe the current model of crisis driven, reactive care as unsustainable and say more must be done to shift the focus to a preventative model, involving local communities in the future planning of health and social care services.
Lewis Macdonald MSP, Convener of the Health and Sport Committee, said: “Throughout this inquiry the message we have been given from those receiving care, and from paid and unpaid carers, is that they have not felt listened to and have been undervalued. That’s why it is essential that they are at the centre of much needed reform of the social care system.
“There is no doubt the current model of care is unsustainable, with some of the issues facing the sector exposed by the pandemic. We want to see a nationwide conversation held into the future of social care and we hope that the findings of our report, and the independent review, can help in shaping this future.
“We are grateful to all of those from across the care sector who provided evidence to our inquiry and gave their keen insight into how it is experienced in Scotland.
“I’d like to put on record our thanks to the tireless and passionate workforce, both paid and unpaid, who undoubtedly deserve better.”
The My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, founded by rugby legend Doddie Weir, has donated an additional £100,000 to MND Scotland and £200,000 to the MND Association of England Wales and Northern Ireland, to support people living with motor neurone disease (MND).
Doddie, who first shared his MND diagnosis in June 2017, has pledged to help others living with the rapidly progressing terminal illness, as well as funding for vital research into finding a cure.
To support families currently affected, the Foundation has committed annnual funding to MND Scotland and the MND Association, since 2018.
The Foundation also made one-off donations to the charities in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, taking its total contributions to MND Scotland and the MND Association to £380,000 and £670,000, respectively.
The new funds will be used by both charities to help families across the UK cover some of the financial burden that comes with a diagnosis of MND, through their grant programmes.
These programmes aim to help reduce some of the extra costs that come with living with MND. The grants can be used in various ways, for instance; to help with costs towards home adaptations, such as ramps and stairlifts, for specialist equipment to live life more independently, and for respite activities for carers and families.
Jill Douglas, CEO of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, said: “We are delighted to continue and further strengthen our relationships with MND Scotland and MND Association by working with both these charities to support people living with motor neuron disease.
“This commitment, by Doddie and the Foundation, to help patients and their families, is one of our main strategic goals and we look forward to sharing our plans for the future in the coming months.
“Our ability to offer grants to families, through the existing frontline care charities, is only possible through the amazing contribution of our fundraisers and supporters and we’d like to thank everyone who has helped and supported us, you inspire us every day!”
Adrian Murphy, MND Scotland’s Chair, said:“I’d like to thank the Foundation for its ongoing support of our grants programme which allows us to provide essential support to the families affected by this devastating disease.
“Since his own diagnosis, Doddie has raised an incredible amount of awareness by sharing his personal journey with MND, and through his Foundation has raised vital funds to support the cause. By continuing to work together we can help make life a little easier for people living with MND right now.”
Sally Light, Chief Executive of the MND Association for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, said:“We are really pleased and grateful that Doddie is channelling money raised by his Foundation in the last year into our care grants programme once again, ensuring it goes directly to people affected by MND who desperately need it.
“We have a long-standing and comprehensive programme which we know makes such a difference and support like Doddie’s and that of his Foundation’s supporters is vital to us continuing with that.”
All arrivals to Scotland from outside the Common Travel Area must book and pay for managed isolation in quarantine hotels to help protect against the importation of Coronavirus (COVID-19) from Monday (15 February).
Six hotels close to Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow airports with a combined capacity of 1,300 rooms will be used to implement the quarantine at a cost of £1,750 per individual traveller. Final costs for those not travelling alone are currently being worked through, as well as the details for a Managed Isolation Welfare Fund which will be launched for those who cannot afford the charge.
All arrivals must quarantine for at least ten days and will be tested twice for the virus – once on day two and once on day eight after arrival.
Existing travel exemptions will be strengthened, including limiting overseas training for elite sportspeople to athletes and coaches preparing for the Olympics and Paralympics.
A small number of arrivals will not be required to isolate, such as those involved in essential supply chains for goods coming into Scotland.
The Scottish Government will continue to engage with airports and discussions to secure a four nations approach to contracting the security, transport and accommodation services required are already under way.
As regulations to support the introduction of managed isolation are developed a range of offences and penalties to help ensure compliance will be considered.
It is still the case that all non-essential international travel is not permitted.
In a statement to Parliament the Transport Secretary urged the UK Government to match the comprehensive approach being taken by the Scottish Government.
Transport Secretary Michael Matheson said: “To manage the risk of importing new variants, and to give vaccine deployment the best chance of bringing us closer to normality here in Scotland, we have to place further limits on international travel.
“The UK Government has only committed to adopting this for travellers returning from “red list” countries. However, we know that is not sufficient and we will go further.
“The clinical advice is clear that a comprehensive system of managed quarantine is essential to minimise the impact of new COVID-19 variants.”
Travel conditions remain tricky today and weather forecasters advise only essential travel.
There will be occasional snow showers in the east. Edinburgh, Lothians and Borders seeing sunshine and a few snow showers, these becoming less widespread this afternoon. It will be very cold, maximum temperature 1 °C.
Tonight: Many places will have a dry, clear and very cold night. Still a chance of an isolated snow shower across the east. Widespread severe or very severe frost. Minimum temperature -10 °C.
Edinburgh Tram services are currently suspended due to weather conditions.
Good morning from Edinburgh Trams. Due to weather conditions, all services are currently suspended. Ticket acceptance in place with @on_lothianbuses. Apologies for any inconvenience. #edintravelpic.twitter.com/b1hObntt7b
LOTHIAN BUSES report that due to adverse weather buses are unable to serve Picardy Place and Leith Street and are instead diverted via London Road, Regent Road and Waterloo Place southbound only until further notice.
Car Won’t Start?
The RAC estimate that 28% of breakdown issues are battery-related, so it is best to keep it regularly maintained, charged and in good health.
This is one of the handiest pieces of advice at your disposal when the cold weather begins to creep in.
After all it is illegal to drive if your visibility is impeded and steamed up windows are the biggest culprit of this. Did you know that more often than not you will actually clear your windscreen faster using cold air than hot air?
The Freemasons are encouraging its 200,000 members to roll up their sleeves and volunteer to help vaccinate the population.
To help protect all UK citizens during this difficult time, the Freemasons have also offered their lodges to administer the vital jabs and many buildings are being used as Covid-19 vaccination centres.
In Hertfordshire, for example, Halsey Hall is being used as a vaccination centre and supporting three local GP surgeries. The centre has been operational since 15 January and once fully scaled, there will be up to 1,000 vaccinations given each day at the centre.
NHS frontline staff members are also administering the jabs at the Freemasons building in Essex. Meanwhile, Freemasons in south Wales are opening the doors of Barry Masonic Hall to local medical practices to help in the mass vaccination against Covid-19, from 21 January.
Two halls are also being used as vaccination centres in west Kent. At the Westwood Masonic Centre in Welling, more than 2,000 people were vaccinated on 9-10 January 2021, while the Tunbridge Wells Masonic Centre opened its doors for vaccinations on 14 January.
In addition, the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE), the governing body for Freemasonry in England and Wales, is encouraging Freemasons to donate their time and efforts to help fight the virus. It also emphasised that those volunteering should not participate if they are in an at-risk group.
Freemason Alec Hurley is a retired RAF senior medical officer and a self-employed medical examiner for the Civil Aviation Authority. During these difficult times, he is back on duty working 12-hour shifts three times a week for clinical Covid-19 assessment, and as a clinical supervisor at the Stevenage super hub for vaccinations.
In many provinces, Freemasons are volunteering to help. In Devonshire, Lincolnshire, Leicester and Wiltshire they are assisting at vaccination sites, while in Dorset they are driving ambulances and working as volunteer vaccinators.
More than 100 Freemasons from Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire have volunteered with St John’s Ambulance to help the NHS Covid-19 vaccination team. St John’s Ambulance is providing full training for the volunteers, while the Freemasons have made their buildings available to the St John’s logistics team.
Meanwhile, in Cheshire, Freemasons are working with the Clinical Commissioning Group to provide the local Masonic Hall as a major vaccination hub to protect patients.
The UGLE campaign is being carried out through its monthly email to members and official social media channels. The idea is to reach as members as possible, to encourage them to help immunise the population.
Dr David Staples, chief executive of the UGLE, said: “In 2018, more than 18.5 million hours of volunteer work were undertaken by Freemasons. Now that we have the vaccine in the UK, it is crucial that we help in every way we can to protect the population. If the NHS needs people, then we are happy to encourage and emphasise the importance of this to our members.
“We want to support the NHS and show our gratitude for its people’s efforts and the amazing job they have done during the pandemic. Freemasons always stand behind our core values of friendship, integrity, charity and respect – and we are proud to help so many people.”
According to the NHS, more than six million people had received a vaccine by 28 January. Britain has ordered 140 million vaccine doses – enough to protect the entire population. But the NHS faces a race against time to protect everyone before a possible new wave.
More than ever, efforts to vaccinate those most at risk from serious illness are now paramount, and there is a need to ensure that the NHS has as many volunteers as possible. To help the NHS in the vaccination campaign, volunteers should sign up at: https://nhsvolunteerresponders.org.uk
Volunteers will then receive an email with login details to sign up online and be asked to download the GoodSAM app, which will match the person to their area.
