The NEN – North Edinburgh News – Page 232 – The community media resource for north Edinburgh

Pay increase formally offered to Resident (i.e. Junior) Doctors

An incremental pay increase offered to Resident Doctors, formerly known as Junior Doctors, and Dentists in Training will ensure NHS Scotland remains an attractive place to work and train in, Health Secretary Neil Gray has said.

If accepted by trade union members, the investment of more than £64 million in 2024-25 will see an 8.5% pay increase backdated to 1 April 2024, with a further 2.3% increase applied from 1 October 2024.

The offer will make significant progress towards tackling pay erosion and is in line with the shared aims of the multi-faceted 2023-24 pay deal, which included commitments to contract reform and work on a pay bargaining review mechanism.

Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “Following weeks of constructive engagement with BMA Scotland, I am pleased to have agreed a pay offer that will ensure that our Resident Doctors, and Dentists in Training continue to feel valued while allowing NHS Scotland to remain the place of choice for them to work and train in.

“I want to express my thanks again to Scotland’s hardworking Resident Doctors, and Dentists in Training. I am pleased we have been able to work together to honour the agreement from 2023-24, with this offer making significant progress towards resolving pay erosion.

“I am grateful for the continued efforts around the table and, with the unions now consulting their members, I hope it will be accepted.”

This pay deal represents a £64.1 million investment and means a doctor at the start of their career will receive a salary increase of £3,418 in 2024-25. For those at the end of their training, the rise will be £7,088 over the same period.

The starting salary for a Dentist in Training will increase by £4,239 in 2024-25. For those at the end of their training, the rise will be £5,902 over the same period.

New 2024-25 Pay Scales

Resident Doctors

	Pay Point	Pay Scale 2023/24	Pay Scale 01 April 2024	% Uplift	£ Uplift	Pay Scale 01 October 2024	% Uplift	£ Uplift	Cumulative % increase	Total £ Increase
Foundation year 1	0	£31,082	£33,724	8.5%	£2,642	£34,500	2.3%	£776	11%	£3,418
Foundation year 1	1	£33,024	£35,831	8.5%	£2,807	£36,655	2.3%	£824	11%	£3,631
Foundation year 1	2	£34,964	£37,936	8.5%	£2,972	£38,808	2.3%	£873	11%	£3,844
Foundation year 2	0	£38,553	£41,830	8.5%	£3,277	£42,792	2.3%	£962	11%	£4,239
Foundation year 2	1	£41,075	£44,566	8.5%	£3,491	£45,591	2.3%	£1,025	11%	£4,516
Foundation year 2	2	£43,597	£47,303	8.5%	£3,706	£48,391	2.3%	£1,088	11%	£4,794
Doctors in training	0	£40,995	£44,480	8.5%	£3,485	£45,503	2.3%	£1,023	11%	£4,508
Doctors in training	1	£43,504	£47,202	8.5%	£3,698	£48,287	2.3%	£1,086	11%	£4,783
Doctors in training	2	£47,007	£51,003	8.5%	£3,996	£52,176	2.3%	£1,173	11%	£5,169
Doctors in training	3	£49,126	£53,302	8.5%	£4,176	£54,528	2.3%	£1,226	11%	£5,402
Doctors in training	4	£51,680	£56,073	8.5%	£4,393	£57,362	2.3%	£1,290	11%	£5,682
Doctors in training	5	£54,235	£58,845	8.5%	£4,610	£60,198	2.3%	£1,353	11%	£5,963
Doctors in training	6	£56,793	£61,620	8.5%	£4,827	£63,038	2.3%	£1,417	11%	£6,245
Doctors in training	7	£59,384	£64,432	8.5%	£5,048	£65,914	2.3%	£1,482	11%	£6,530
Doctors in training	8	£61,903	£67,165	8.5%	£5,262	£68,710	2.3%	£1,545	11%	£6,807
Doctors in training	9	£64,461	£69,940	8.5%	£5,479	£71,549	2.3%	£1,609	11%	£7,088

Dentists in Training

Pay Point	Pay Scale 2023/24	Pay Scale 01 April 2024	% Uplift	£ Uplift	Pay Scale 01 October 2024	% Uplift	£ Uplift	Cumulative % increase	Total £ Increase
Min	38,553	£41,830	8.5%	£3,277	£42,792	2.3%	£962	11%	£4,239
1	41,075	£44,566	8.5%	£3,491	£45,591	2.3%	£1,025	11%	£4,516
2	43,597	£47,303	8.5%	£3,706	£48,391	2.3%	£1,088	11%	£4,794
3	46,117	£50,037	8.5%	£3,920	£51,188	2.3%	£1,151	11%	£5,071
4	48,638	£52,772	8.5%	£4,134	£53,986	2.3%	£1,214	11%	£5,348
5	51,158	£55,506	8.5%	£4,348	£56,783	2.3%	£1,277	11%	£5,625
6	53,679	£58,242	8.5%	£4,563	£59,581	2.3%	£1,340	11%	£5,902

Fantastic family films headline this October half term at Vue venues in Edinburgh

A mixture of old and new faces are heading to Vue venues in Edinburgh this October Scottish half term – offering plenty of opportunities for audiences of all ages to enjoy a trip to the big screen.

Families and film fans are invited to Cybertron in Transformers One, which rolls out at Vue sites just in time for the Scottish school holidays on 11 October. Learn the untold origin story of the iconic Autobot hero Optimus Prime and the villainous Megatron – and discover how these two sworn enemies were once close friends.

The first-ever fully CG-animated Transformers movie to appear on the big screen, Transformers One will be an action-packed adventure with everyone’s favourite Robots in Disguise.

Also for the Scottish half term, film fans eager to catch Dreamwork’s The Wild Robot will be able to enjoy Scotland only exclusive screenings at Vue on the 16^th & 17^th October, promising a beautiful, wild ride for all the family.

Following the charming tale of Roz, a futuristic robot who finds themselves on a deserted island filled with adorable animals, The Wild Robot is set to be a hugely emotional journey packed with discovery when it hits the big screen this month.

One of 2024’s most popular family favourite is also returning to the big screen this October, screening everyday of the school holidays as part of Vue’s Mighty Mornings with our favourite emotions in Pixar’s Inside Out 2 – available from just £2.49 when booked online.

Providing a short and sweet set of screenings for younger audience members, Vue’s Big Shorts will invite audiences to spend time with some of their favourite TV characters, with Bing & Friends: Birthday Celebration showing each day from 11 October.

From just £3.99 when booked online, these screenings offer a relaxed big screen environment with dimmed lights and reduced sound, tailor-made for younger film fans aged one to four.

Robert Smith, General Manager at Vue Edinburgh Omni, said: “We’ve got a great selection of new films and family favourites heading to the big screen this October half term, offering an ideal way to enjoy quality family time together this school holiday.

“Parents and children can come along, switch off and immerse themselves in great stories.”

Tickets are available at www.myvue.com

Family Fun this October Half Term at Vue line-up

Transformers One – from 11 October
Vue’s Big Shorts – Bing & Friends: Birthday Celebration – w/c 11 October
Mighty Mornings: Inside Out 2 – from 11 October & 18 October
The Wild Robot – from 16 October

Holyrood Committee welcome commitment to increased culture funding but call for more clarity and greater certainty

A year on from the Scottish Government commitment to increase investment in culture by £100 million annually by 2028-29, stakeholders have indicated confidence in the culture sector remains low due to the lack of clarity from the Government regarding how the additional investment will be rolled out, say the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee.

The Committee say the Scottish Government should provide this greater clarity and certainty to the sector following the UK Spending Review, when it has more clarity on its longer-term budgetary outlook. The findings are part of the Committee’s pre-budget scrutiny of the culture portfolio ahead of the Scottish Government Budget 2025-26.

The Committee says it recognises the challenging environment facing public finances currently and welcome the Scottish Government’s commitment to increase investment in culture by £100 million annually by 2028-29. It also welcomes the intended minimum £25 million increase in culture funding for 2025-26.

The Committee say the recent temporary closure of the Open Fund for Individuals was unhelpful given the urgent need to restore confidence in the culture sector.

It says it’s unclear why Creative Scotland and the Scottish Government were unable to resolve any issues before the fund closure was announced and is seeking reassurances from both that lessons have been learned from the significant uncertainty this caused to the sector.

The Committee add that the recent postponement of announcing the Multi-Year Funding Programme outcomes until January 2025, a matter of weeks before those decisions were scheduled to be announced, has led to yet more uncertainty for the sector.

The Committee say there is a need for a substantially improved relationship between Creative Scotland and the Scottish Government and therefore welcome the proposed review of Creative Scotland.

As part of this review the Committee say it should review the legislation which sets out Creative Scotland’s statutory roles and responsibilities, consider where it sits within the wider culture sector, and the level of resourcing it requires to fulfil its functions.

Following the significant concerns highlighted by the Committee regarding Creative Scotland’s handling of the funding for Rein, the Committee say the review must also consider effective governance and transparency.

The Committee also welcome that this will form part of a wider review of the way the culture sector is supported, which it says will be valuable in supporting the effective distribution and investment of additional funding for the sector. However, the Committee say it is key this review does not delay the delivery of additional investment, including the planned minimum £25 million additional funding for 2025-26.

The Convener of the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee, Clare Adamson MSP, said: “We recognise the funding challenges facing the Scottish Government and we welcome their commitment to increase investment in culture by £100 million annually by 2028-29 and the intended £25 million at least increase for culture in 2025-26.

“We think the Scottish Government should provide greater clarity and certainty to the culture sector on planned funding increases following the UK Spending Review, when it has greater clarity on its own budgetary outlook as this can increase confidence in the sector.

“There must also be a strategic approach taken for any increased funding to ensure the Scottish Government maximises the impact of the increased investment in culture that it has committed to deliver. That’s why we welcome the review of the way the culture sector is supported.”

The Deputy Convener, Alexander Stewart MSP added: “The temporary closure of Creative Scotland’s Open Fund for Individuals and the postponement of announcing the outcomes of their Multi-Year Funding Programme only add to the feeling of uncertainty and precariousness across the culture sector.

“We believe the relationship between Creative Scotland and the Scottish Government must substantially improve and while we welcome the proposed review of Creative Scotland, we recommend it should be independent and look at effective governance and transparency.

“We support this forming part of a wider review of the whole culture sector, how it is supported and funded, in order to foster a sustainable and thriving sector for all.”

Detectives continue to appeal for information following serious assault

Detectives investigating the serious assault of a woman in Dalkeith have launched an online portal for members of the public to contact officers directly, one week on from the attack.

Between 5.30pm and 6pm on Friday, 4 October, 2024, a 26-year-old woman was attacked on a path in a wooded area near the golf club on Abbey Road.

Emergency services attended and the woman was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

An extensive investigation remains ongoing, with a significant police presence remaining in the area. The online portal that gives people access to a form to send information, pictures or videos directly to the team can be accessed by following the link: https://mipp.police.uk/

Detective Chief Inspector Nicky McGovern said: “We’d like to thank the local community for their continued assistance with our investigation, as we continue to appeal for information as part of our extensive enquiries into this attack.

“We are continuing to assess a significant amount of information and have a dedicated team of officers carrying out local and CCTV enquiries at this time.

“Anyone who has yet to speak to police, and has information which may assist our investigation, is asked to contact us.”

Inspector David Rourke, Deputy Local Area Commander, said: “I’d like to reassure the public that we have increased high visibility patrols in the area and these will continue over the coming days as enquiries progress.

“Anyone with information or concerns can speak to these officers.”

If you believe you have information which could assist officers, please use the online portal link above, or contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting reference number 3107 of 4 October, 2024.

Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The rich get richer, but 80,000 Edinburgh citizens live in poverty

Efforts to tackle poverty in Edinburgh have put almost £24 million into the pockets of residents who need it most, according to a report published yesterday (Friday 11 October).

Edinburgh’s latest End Poverty Annual Progress report looks at how partners are responding to the recommendations put to the city by the Edinburgh Poverty Commission in 2020.

Around 80,000 people in Edinburgh are currently living in poverty, including 20% of all children.

The report reveal grants and welfare advice has increased by 20% over the last year, helping residents to access millions of pounds in unclaimed benefits, and that positive collaboration between the council and partners has also led to:

Supporting 5,000 people into work or learning (a 19% increase on the previous year)
Driving down bills for 900 homes thanks to new energy efficiency measures
Securing savings worth £206k for tenants through Energy Advice Support (an average of £428 per household)
Helping to prevent homelessness for 461 households
Over 9,000 free school meal payments and nearly 8,400 clothing grant awards
Supporting 95% of all pupils to reach positive destinations after school
Encouraging payment of the living wage (up 80 in a year to 720 accredited employers)
Agreeing Council contracts committed to paying the real Living Wage (96% of suppliers, up 14%)
Introducing a new Regenerative Futures Fund, a third sector led programme bringing £15m of new investment

Marking this year’s findings, shared during Challenge Poverty Week 2024, the Council Leader Cammy Day made a visit to Fresh Start in West Pilton.

One of the many partners involved in helping to tackle poverty in Edinburgh, Fresh Start is a charity which offers a food pantry and helps people who have been homeless with essential supplies.

The full report will be considered by members of the Policy and Sustainability Committee when it meets on Tuesday 22 October.

Council Leader Cammy Day said: “We have shown that when we come together as a city, we can make a real difference. And this difference really can be life changing.

“We’ve put more money directly into the pockets of those people who need it most this year, also helping 5,000 people into work or learning. We’ve retained Edinburgh’s 95% record for positive destinations for school leavers, and as part of our Housing Emergency we’ve been able to build more new Council homes this year than the previous two years combined.

“The Council’s budget decision to allocate an additional £500,000 investment in actions to address poverty this year is also helping to increase support to foodbanks and other frontline services tackling poverty.

“Yet, for all our combined efforts, poverty remains one of the biggest challenges of our times. There are 80,000 people in our city who are living on incomes below the poverty threshold, and they are hurtling towards another winter of money worries.

“Without additional urgent action, one in five children in this city – Scotland’s most affluent city – will continue to grow up in poverty. So, we have clear asks to Scottish and UK Governments on the support we need to meet the poverty targets we have set together. We also know there is much more we can do by working with local partners, so we’ll work on a refreshed partnership led programme to improve the impact of our work to prevent destitution.

“Next year will mark the mid-point between the publication of the Edinburgh Poverty Commission’s final report and our city’s target to end poverty by 2030. We must be more motivated than ever to take all steps necessary to give the very best future we can for Edinburgh’s children and young people.”

Fanette Genais, Fundraising Manager for Fresh Start, said: “Our food pantry and shop allows people to choose items they need and our starter packs help people who have been homeless and who don’t have many belongings to set up a new life, from white goods to bedding.

“I’m really pleased to see the new Regenerative Futures Fund set up and I’m looking forward to seeing it tackle poverty in our city.”

End Poverty in Edinburgh Annual Progress Report (1)Download

All aboard Santa’s Grotto at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store

Garden Centre gives children a magical grotto experience

Dobbies Garden Centres is unveiling a magical line up of festive experiences for all the family to enjoy this Christmas at its Edinburgh store, including the much-loved Grotto which is back with a brand-new look.

Santa will take residency at the new Little Seedlings train-themed Grotto this November and December at the Edinburgh store, spreading the joy of Christmas to families in the area.

After a warm welcome from the elves at Sleighbell Station, children will get to experience snowy scenes, spot woodland characters, find hidden nutcrackers, all culminating in the chance to tell Santa what they would like for Christmas. Here, families will have the chance to capture the moment with a photograph of Santa, making a lasting memory of the experience.

Dobbies will also offer a sensory-friendly Quiet Grotto experience at its Edinburgh store on Friday 6 December, designed to help reduce anxiety and provide a customised environment for children with additional needs. Lighting, sound and visual effects will be minimised, giving kids that cherished moment with Santa. Session times are extended to allow for a slower, relaxed experience.

Dobbies’ Events Programme Manager, Ayesha Nickson is looking forward to welcoming kids along to the brand-new Little Seedlings train-inspired Grotto at the Edinburgh store.

She said: “Whether little ones are meeting Santa and his elves for the first time, or it’s a family tradition, our Grotto and Quiet Grotto experiences aim to create magical moments that can be treasured for years to come.

“There’s the chance to gather the whole family for a range of our festive experiences including our delicious Festive Afternoon Tea, charity Christmas Shopping Night in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust, or a paw-dorable picture moment at Santa Paws. A visit to Dobbies will really be a treat for all the senses this Christmas.”

Customers are encouraged to book in advance for Dobbies’ Christmas events to avoid disappointment.

Santa’s Grotto runs from 28 November until 24 December, £12.99 per child
Santa’s Quiet Grotto takes place on 6 December, £12.99 per child

To learn more about the Christmas events at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store and make a booking, visit dobbies.com/events.

World’s largest schools pipe band championships opens doors to 2025 entries

NEW BUMPER CASH PRIZE

The Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships 2025 is open to entries, and has announced a new bumper prize of £2,500 for the popular Freestyle category, with runner up prizes totalling £3,250.

All eight competitions within the championships offer generous prizes, but the popular Freestyle event tops the lot.

The Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships is the largest event of its kind in the world. A record 73 youth pipe bands from across Scotland took in the last event, as well as 8 quartets and 17 freestyle ensembles for a day of inspiring musicianship, camaraderie and competition.

Hundreds of young musicians from 99 schools gave 83 performances. In addition to the Freestyle event, the Championships offer six graded competitions for pipe bands, for those new to competition right up to bands at the top of their game.

Piping quartets are also welcome. Next year’s event takes place on Sunday 9 March at the William McIlvanney Campus in East Ayrshire.

Although there are generous prizes for all the pipe band competitions, the Freestyle event offers the biggest incentive with winners taking away £2,500 and runners up receiving attractive increases in prizemoney with £1500, £1000, £750, £500 respectively.

The Freestyle welcomes school band and group performances of any musical genre, contemporary or traditional, with any combination of instruments and vocalists, as long as they include the pipes. It is designed to showcase the versatility of the pipes and to encourage their inclusion in mainstream music-making in schools.

Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust, the charity that organises the Championships, believes in the transformative power of music, and in the wider achievement that pupils can experience by being part of a pipe band.

The charity helps state schools to sustain and set up piping and drumming tuition for their pupils, and lends pipes to pupils free of charge.

Chief Executive Alex Duncan said, “The Freestyle event celebrates the fact that pipers can play music of all genres, traditional and contemporary, along with other instruments. For schools wanting to give this ago, we can lend concert chanters free of charge, so that the pipes can be tuned to the same pitch as other instruments.”

“We thank East Ayrshire Council for hosting the Championships at the fabulous William McIlvanney campus in Kilmarnock again. With an impressive modern main stage arena that seats an audience of over 400 people, two more large performance spaces, 50 classrooms for changing, easy access for transport and parking, and excellent catering and exhibition space, the venue surpasses anything that we have seen in Scotland.”

The Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust is a registered charity promoting the playing of pipes and drums in Scottish state schools.

The charity offers cash grants for tuition and other related band costs, free bagpipe and b-flat concert chanter loans, paid trainee internships, and organises the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships – the biggest schools piping competition in the world.

More details on the Championships can be found at:

https://thechampionships.org.uk/

or find us on social media @Piping4Pupils

Police lead day of action to tackle human trafficking and modern slavery

Police Scotland led a multi-agency day of action in Kirkcaldy in relation to an ongoing human trafficking and modern slavery investigation.

One male aged 18 was arrested for human trafficking and modern slavery offences and has been released pending further enquiry.

A 52-year-old woman and a 46-year-old man were arrested for immigration offences and enquiries are ongoing.

Officers visited a business in the area on the morning of Thursday, 10 October, 2024, following intelligence received.

Representatives from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the Gangmasters and Labour Exploitation Authority (GLAA) and Justice and Care were also in attendance.

Detective Inspector Scott Wilson from Dumfries CID said: “Human trafficking and modern slavery are happening in our communities and this operation demonstrates our commitment to tackling this issue.

“We work closely with our partners to identify situations where this criminality is taking place and provide appropriate support to victims. However we cannot do this alone, and it is important that we increase awareness of the warning signs so that reporting can increase.

“Signs that someone could be being exploited at work can include being paid no legal wage and having little or no money, living in poor conditions and having their time on and off duty controlled by their employers.

“If you suspect modern slavery is happening in your community it is vital that you report this and enable us to protect victims and take action against those responsible for this exploitation.”

Anyone with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Scottish businesses invited to attend sustainability webinar with Royal Bank of Scotland

On 29th October, Royal Bank of Scotland, in collaboration with the Supply Chain Sustainability School, will host an open webinar session to help businesses in Scotland to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the local transition towards net zero.

The free-to-attend webinar is part of Royal Bank’s education programme to provide practical support and guidance for business. The webinar will share insight into the fast-growing net zero opportunities across the built environment and follows the recent provision of retrofit training classes for the UK construction industry.

The session will offer commentary from industry experts who will highlight the significant opportunities available in Scotland by demonstrating key policy and sector standards creating the need for change, as well as outlining key pipelines of work in net zero built environment in the region.

Speakers include a keynote from Sean Smith, Director of Future Infrastructure at University of Edinburgh, followed by contributions from Nick Ribbons from Zero Waste Scotland, Angela Pllu, Senior Environmental Sustainability Manager, Balfour Beatty and Callum Scott, Senior Sustainability Manager, Multiplex.

The sessions will also help local businesses understand the change happening in their region around net zero, how businesses and pipelines of work are reacting to this and what these opportunities mean for them.

Laura Capper, Head of Manufacturing & Construction at NatWest Group said: “As a key supporter of UK business, NatWest Group aims to back proactive and ambitious businesses that are committed to developing their environmental credentials and achieving growth goals alongside making meaningful differences for customers and communities alike.

“We are launching this session to help Scottish businesses take advantage of the changes impacting the local landscape. Sustainability is becoming an essential part of everyday business, and we want to help leaders to understand and embrace the opportunities presented.”

Launched in 2012, the Supply Chain Sustainability School is a free virtual learning platform around sustainability, with the aim to upskill those working within, or aspiring to work within, the built environment sector.

Holly Hansen-Maughan, Sector Manager for Retrofit and Future Workforce at SCSS, said: “The transition to a net zero built environment is a significant challenge. However, it is also a massive opportunity for businesses across the country.

“That is why it is so important businesses understand the opportunities being taken, and created, in their regions”

Callum Scott, ESG Lead – Scotland, Multiplex said: “In this crucial decade of climate action it is imperative that businesses step up as a force for good. In doing so, there is a significant opportunity to generate new value propositions and create a more resilient value chain.

“The supply chain is often where the largest impact can be made, which is why Multiplex are delighted to be supporting the Supply Chain Sustainability School and Royal Bank’s efforts to provide accessible and tangible resources to those looking to seize the net zero opportunity.”

Professor Sean Smith, Director, Centre for Future Infrastructure, Edinburgh Futures Institute; Chair of Future Construction, University of Edinburgh said: “Net zero is heavily dependent on business and industry sectors working closely with their supply chains.

“The collective positive actions from so many working together has a positive legacy far beyond our current generations.”

The webinar will take place on 29th October at 12 – 1pm.

Businesses interested in attending can register through the following link with Royal Bank of Scotland here.

Charity urges greater support for those with arthritis

Versus Arthritis, the leading charity supporting those with arthritis and other musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions in Scotland, is marking World Arthritis Day tomorrow (Saturday 12 October) with a call for greater community-based support for children, young people and adults living with arthritis.

Marking the day, Versus Arthritis has published the report, Putting the Pieces Together in Drumchapel, which shows how tackling MSK conditions is about ‘more than just healthcare’ and that support within and by communities is vital in improving the lives of Scots living with arthritis.

A staggering one in three people in Scotland are affected by musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions like arthritis, which includes problems that affect our bones, joints and muscles. Unfortunately, MSK conditions will remain one of the leading causes of disease and injury in Scotland over the next 20 years.

Arthritis is often debilitating, isolating and can dramatically impact people’s quality of life. In fact, those with arthritis are 20% less likely to be in work and around one in five people with arthritis experiences anxiety and depression. The impact can also be felt by businesses, as MSK conditions are the third most common cause of sickness absence, with over 20 million working days lost per year.

MSK conditions are also more common in areas of greater poverty, and with Scotland facing some of the worst health inequalities in Europe, according to Public Health Scotland, the challenge is to ensure that care and support across the country is equitable and meets the needs of people locally.

Drumchapel is one such area where there are high levels of deprivation and associated health problems, and where there are gaps in supporting people with arthritis. But crucially, as this report points out, it is also an area of mutual support, community organisation, partnership and networks. There are opportunities to make a real difference.

In line with this year’s World Arthritis Day theme (Informed Choices, Better Outcomes), the conclusion of the Versus Arthritis report is that MSK conditions must be understood in terms of the places where people live, meet and interact, including how they access and use information about support and care.

Alan McGinley, Policy and Engagement Manager Scotland, said: “This Versus Arthritis report highlights that ‘softer services’, such as community and peer support groups, matter greatly, and that alternatives to formal care that support wellbeing are important in living well with arthritis.

“That is why Versus Arthritis is calling for a ‘whole community’ approach in looking after the wellbeing and health of those with MSK conditions. We firmly believe that by ensuring our healthcare services are understood in the context of community networks and support, we can build a future where people with arthritis can live the lives they choose.”

ACHE report_digital Download