The Edinburgh Marathon weekend was due to take place on 5th and 6th September and now will be a virtual event.
You can sign up and run your chosen distance anytime between now and the end of December and fundraise for Held In Our Hearts. You will still receive that all important blue t -shirt and medal. https://virtual.edinburghmarathon.com
The Edinburgh Kiltwalk was due to take place on 13th September but will now go ahead as a virtual event.
Held In Our Hearts is a local charity proving baby loss counselling and support to families. Formerly known as SANDS Lothians, we have 40 years’ experience of offering compassionate care bereavement care in the community.
When a family’s baby dies, it is an incredibly traumatic and extremely lonely time as parents struggle to find others who can connect with the overwhelming emotions they experience.
The majority of our staff are bereaved themselves, so we are there to let them know they are not alone. Through our support services, we journey with families providing empathy, while they start to come to terms with what has happened and help support them in their grief.
As we are now going into the second half of 2020 bereaved families need your support more than ever and as the world starts to return to a new normal our families know that life without their precious baby is a new normal for them.
For more information on your events or if you want to fundraise in other ways you can contact tracy@heldinourhearts.org.uk
Restrictions on social gatherings will come into force from today (Friday 28 August) making it an offence to breach coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance by having a large house party indoors.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon made it clear that the move, which will be reviewed every three weeks, was necessary to ensure socialising can continue in a safe and responsible manner ahead of an expected rise in indoor gatherings during autumn and winter months.
Reports from local outbreak Incident Management Teams suggest that the increasing number of house parties taking place against guidance pose a major risk of COVID-19 transmission and could present high-risk ‘super-spreader’ environments.
Taking responsible action now can help protect families, communities, schools and local businesses from having to return to the stricter lockdown measures necessary to contain any virus outbreak.
The First Minister said: “Seeing friends is particularly important during what is a really difficult period. But it needs to be done safely and responsibly. That is how we avoid the return of some of the stricter lockdown measures and continue to contain this virus.
“We know from our test and protect teams – and also from evidence around the world – that large, indoor gatherings pose a major transmission risk.
“The majority of people, young and old, will be sticking with limits under current guidance – and I am very grateful for that – however, there are a minority who don’t.
“I want to make it very clear – particularly to young people – that this is not about stopping you having fun, but enabling you to have fun safely.
“Ensuring police have the powers to enter and disperse large house parties is another tool in suppressing the virus. While we expect these powers to be used as a last resort, it will help to reduce the potential for future clusters and outbreaks.”
Under current guidance, no more than eight people from a maximum of three different households should be meeting indoors. That remains in place.
To take account of varying sizes and compositions of families across Scotland, it will be an offence for someone to have a party indoors in their house with more than fifteen people from more than one household present, with limited exceptions.
Medical doctor, clinical epidemiologist and public health consultant, Dr Paul Nelson, has developed a pioneering technology that will significantly reduce the risk of exposure to Covid-19 in all ‘economic spaces’ – shops? – across the City of Edinburgh and beyond.
The groundbreaking innovation, supported by early adopters, Essential Edinburgh and a number of independent retailers, is set to roll out across the city next month, affording shop workers and patrons a safer working environment whilst inspiring confidence and supporting the recovery of economic activity.
Dr Paul Nelsonsaid: “We are creating a Movement which is enabling business owners and residents alike, to take back some control and mitigate the effects that the pandemic has had on their livelihoods.
“We’ve witnessed a significant amount of initial interest so far and are delighted to be working with Essential Edinburgh to roll this out across Edinburgh and beyond.
“As we all get on board and as the shopkeepers (and other business owners) become gatekeepers, we all safeguard the economy by identifying symptomatic people. Businesses, harnessing the Dunkirk Spirit, will create a Cordon Sanitaire or Community Screening Programme that is currently lacking and not even possible to be provided in the usual way via public services.”
“Contact tracing is crucial to halt the spread of the virus and currently there is no way of picking up people who have symptoms if they don’t go to their doctor. According to the latest figures from ONS, 70% of cases are not currently referring themselves for testing.”
Roddy Smith, Chief Executive and Director of Essential Edinburghcommented: “Consumer confidence has understandably taken a big hit and businesses are also dealing with the huge impact of lockdown and will be for some time.
Empowering both businesses and consumers, FFZ has the potential to provide an additional level of confidence for both. We’re really looking forward to working with Paul and the team to further support our businesses and local community.”
Ian Murray MP, Labour Member of Parliament for Edinburgh South commented: “I am delighted that this idea, developed by a local resident Dr. Paul Nelson, is coming to fruition.
“I appreciate that many businesses will have suffered and most importantly will continue to suffer for the coming weeks or months as we recover from lockdown and this innovation provides a technological route to augment recovery for businesses across Edinburgh and beyond.”
The simple integrated symptom screening membership service designed to enable businesses and customers to reduce the risk of exposure to people with Covid-19 is completely non-invasive and simple to operate.
Shop owners will take the temperature of patrons on entry into their spaces using a clinically approved, contactless thermometer which will then communicate via Bluetooth to a free Fever Free app downloaded by each user.
The process uses a progressive web app, which means it doesn’t need to be downloaded from the App store and requires only bare minimum personal data.
Once cleared, the person is issued a six hours pass attesting they are fever-free. During this time, the pass ‘holder’ will experience a frictionless outing as they show it to other participating businesses in the area, all while preserving the privacy of all participants
If high temperature is detected, the shopkeeper will encourage the person to go home and the app will prompt them to pass on details to the contact tracing services (if they agree), who will get in touch with the person to be sent a test.
Argyle Place and Roseneath Street area, Edinburgh (EH9) businesses are driving the first Fever Free Zones as the team begin to roll out the technology.
An early adopter of FFZ, Karen Kirkness, owner of Meadowlark Yoga on Argyle Place, added: “We need to keep our spaces open if our economy is to survive, while maintaining the responsibility to do so as safely as possible.
“FFZ empowers us to identify symptoms that help our community to help itself in its efforts to stay healthy, engage with the economy, all while supporting the NHS’s efforts to track and trace.”
Dr Nelson concludes: “It is hoped that the frictionless access to fever-free high streets will inspire confidence and boost economic activity. If fevers are measured at the point-of-access, and if in turn this triggers a consent-initiated contact with NHS Test and Protect, then these measures could dramatically improve NHS Trace and Protect’s ability to eradicate COVID-19.”
UK government guidelines should be followed at all times, such as wearing a face covering and maintaining social distancing guidelines.
A CITY hotel’s new health and safety measures have been given the seal of approval from top surgeon, Professor Mike Griffin, as Edinburgh’s tourism industry reboots.
Ten Hill Place Hotel used their experience providing free accommodation and meals to NHS workers during the height of the pandemic to perfect their health and safety practices for reopening last month.
The hotel has been praised for its efforts by Professor Mike Griffin, the President of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd).
The new measures include the use of QR codes for collecting diners’ contact details, hand sanitiser stations around the hotel, and an innovative key card oven for hands-free cleaning. The sanitising oven uses ultraviolet technology to stop the risk of cross contamination from key cards being passed to different guests.
Behind the scenes, Ten Hill Place has undertaken risk assessments of all areas, and all staff have undergone rigorous training modules on health and safety.
Scott Mitchell, Managing Director at Surgeons Quarter, said: “We are all delighted to be open again and welcoming guests back to Ten Hill Place. We hope the extensive measures in place will ensure our guests are as relaxed as possible, and are still able to enjoy our warm Scottish hospitality.
“Hosting the NHS workers enabled us to assess all of our health and safety measures and put in place new protocols in light of COVID-19, while cooperating with our guests.
“We accommodated frontline guests in all extremities of the bedrooms within the hotel to ensure water systems were running smoothly and to prevent Legionella. We also had our lightning conductor tested to make sure everything we could possibly think of was covered!”
Professor Griffin paid a visit to Ten Hill Place and found the team had gone above and beyond in establishing protocols that facilitated safe service, while maintaining the crucial ability to make guests feel comfortable during a pandemic.
The Professor – who was awarded an OBE in 2013 off the back of his work overseeing huge improvements to cancer cure rates at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary – said: “I am absolutely delighted that Ten Hill Place is open again and ready to welcome back guests.
“I am truly astonished at the level of detail the team have put in to ensure all Scottish Government guidelines are adhered to whilst the Hotel still looks really welcoming and not clinical.”
Scott Mitchell added: “We are uniquely placed here at Surgeons Quarter that we have access to the experience of the membership of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.
“We can draw on clinical and medical input to enhance everything that we are doing in these times.
“Of course, we follow all Government advice and industry protocols but we further benefit from the experience of surgeons, clinicians and dentists. If they feel we are doing everything we can, I see this as a great endorsement for all guests to feel comfortable within Ten Hill Place”.
The hotel reopened on 15 July in accordance with Scottish Government guidance.
Ten Hill Place remained open from March to May in order to provide 2,137 free nights of accommodation and thousands of meals to frontline NHS workers during the Coronavirus pandemic – at a cost of more than £100,000 to the charitable organisation.
Ten Hill Place is run by Surgeons Quarter, the commercial arm of The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RSCEd). Surgeons Quarter promotes, sells and manages all commercial activities held within the RCSEd campus.
All profits support the charitable aims of the College which are education, assessment and advancement in surgical standards worldwide.
Updated guidance and indicative dates for return to competition
Scottish Hockey has released updated Phase 3 guidance and provisional dates outlining a staged return to competitive hockey.
It follows the Scottish Government announcement that from Monday 24 August full contact outdoor sports can take place for up to 30 people, following the guidance of sporting governing bodies.
With social distancing no longer required during on-pitch sessions, clubs can now focus on in-house games. Scottish Hockey’s Phase 3 Guidance outlines how this can be done safely and in line with Scottish Government guidelines.
From an indicative date of 5 September, local friendlies within your geographical district can be arranged where appropriate, when following guidelines, and is facility dependant.
This allows a build-up of activity from club to district to national level, focussing on a gradual build-up, local travel, while reducing the possibility of outbreaks in the return to competition.
Significantly, the provisional date for the return of Scottish Hockey competitions has been set for 3 October, subject to government guidelines and facilities.
Scottish Hockey CEO David Sweetman said, “I’m delighted we’re able to release this updated Phase 3 guidance and announce some provisional dates to work towards competitive match play.
“A phenomenal amount of work has got us to this stage, with clubs up and down the country doing incredible work to ensure their members return to the pitch safely, and Scottish Hockey staff working exceptionally hard to establish clear guidance and support clubs.
“We all still have to be cautious, take our time, and follow guidance to ensure Covid-19 is kept under control while we get back to enjoying the sport we love.”
The UK’s largest independent road safety charity, IAM RoadSmart, has partnered with the National Association for Bikers with a Disability (NABD), helping to remove potential barriers to becoming a safer rider.
IAM RoadSmart believes that adapting to different learning styles is key to making advanced driving and riding accessible to many, ultimately improving road safety on UK roads.
Commenting on the partnership, Dr Andy Arnott from the NABD, said: “Our aim is to ensure that people with disabilities can enjoy the freedom and independence of motorcycling. This partnership with IAM RoadSmart supports our aim.
“I have been a member and supporter of the NABD for the last decade and I was always conscious that many of the riders with disabilities I have worked with, have been keen to improve their skills but no one knew how to go about it.
“As an Advanced Rider as well, I spotted a natural opportunity for the two charities to collaborate, I look forward to helping to bring these two great organisations together.”
Richard Gladman, Head of Driving and Riding Standards at IAM RoadSmart, said: “It is important that road safety is all inclusive and that everyone has access to training to improve their skills on the road.
“I am extremely excited about this collaboration. The NABD is a great charity and we look forward to working with its members, giving them access to the support they would like and making even more people aware of what we offer to enhance rider skills and confidence.”
Earlier in the year, as part of its ongoing efforts to improve road safety for everyone, IAM RoadSmart also launched a guide to ensure all volunteer observers nationwide can adapt their driving and riding coaching to different neurodiversity needs and different learning styles, including: dyslexia, dyspraxia, autism and Asperger’s among others.
The latest phase of a thought-provoking study into the role of the funeral in the grieving process is now underway and funeral directors, as well as anyone who has been involved in organising a funeral, can participate.
The study, known as ‘Funeral Experts by Experience’, is led by Dr Julie Rugg from the University of York and Dr Sarah Jones from Full Circle Funerals, an independent funeral director with four Yorkshire sites. The research is overseen by an expert panel including the National Society of Allied Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF), The Good Funeral Guide and the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM).
The research is open to people from all ethnic, cultural and religious or non-religious backgrounds who lost a loved one before the Covid-19 pandemic. This second phase of the study aims to reveal, analyse and process people’s ideas, concerns and expectations about how someone is physically cared for after they have died and the personal care given to the body.
Last year the organisations completed the first phase of the research which has since been presented at several funeral industry conferences and events. The study identified all the factors that bereaved people consistently said were important to them when arranging or attending a funeral.
Dr Julie Rugg said: “During our initial research, lots of the participants shared their opinions about how people are physically looked after once the funeral director has been called, as well as the level of contact with the body.
“This became a focal point and raised further important questions that we plan to explore further. We are now asking volunteers to share their experiences, views and possible recommendations about how funeral directors care for people who have died. In addition, we would like to invite funeral directors to contribute with their thoughts regarding care for people who have died, prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Dr Sarah Jones added: “We have created an online questionnaire for funeral directors to complete and are asking anyone who has been involved in a funeral to share their experience and views with us, either during a short telephone interview or by videocall.
“We believe that understanding what bereaved people want, means the funeral industry as a whole can continue to improve the quality of funeral care services and this robust research and insight will help to set standards, training and future regulations.”
More information about the research, as well as the previous published report, is available at https://fullcirclefunerals.co.uk/learning-together/research/ and funeral directors wanting to participate will find the link to the survey there.
A planning application by Edinburgh-based Kiltane Developments Ltd for a mixed-use development at Gorgie Road has been granted (subject to conditions) by City of Edinburgh Council Development Management Sub-Committee yesterday.
Kiltane Developments is looking to build a development of 28 flats (eight of which will be affordable housing), 140 student flats and 77 student studios. Three commercial units are also proposed to be made available for retail, financial and professional services use.
There is a requirement in the area is for up to two-bed flats and 26 of the 28 units fall into this category.
The need for two-bedroom affordable accommodation in this area has been confirmed by the Council’s Housing Team. The residential mix includes 29 per cent affordable homes delivered on site and serving the social rented sector. This exceeds the policy requirement of 25 per cent.
The site is highly sustainable, within cycling distance of the city centre and is also on a number of major bus routes.
There will be 264 cycle parking spaces and car parking will be provided in the existing underground storage area. The proposed car parking represents just 30 per cent (33 parking spaces) of the maximum car parking allowed by parking standards (108 spaces).
The proposal seeks to extend the public amenity between the building edge and the Water of Leith Walkway to provide a shared space, adjacent to the proposed commercial unit serving local residents and users of the Water of Leith Walkway.
This will provide an attractive frontage on the Water of Leith and significantly enhance the public realm, including upgrades to the public footpath.
The site is in an accessible location and close to university facilities. Provision of purpose-built student accommodation will support the growth and development of the higher education sector in Edinburgh. In doing so it will increase the range and choice of accommodation offered to students.
The current ratio of approximately three students per one bed space in Edinburgh, demonstrates the demand for new purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA).
A spokesperson for Kiltane Developments, said:“I’m delighted with the decision taken today by councillors. As an Edinburgh-based company, we are thrilled to see this exciting project given the green light and look forward to bringing this mixed-use site forward.
“The delivery of housing, including much-needed affordable housing, student accommodation and commercial units will assist in preserving the viability of the nearby local centre. We are also providing an attractive frontage on the Water of Leith and significantly enhancing the public realm, including upgrades to the public footpath.
“We look forward to getting these proposals underway and will continue to work with council officials and the local community to deliver them.”
Important information for Edinburgh’s parents,carers and pupils
The EIS has responded to the Deputy First Minister’s announcement that Secondary school pupils aged 12 and over will be required to wear face coverings in school communal areas from the 31st of August.
EIS General Secretary Larry Flanagan said: “The EIS welcomes this decision by the Scottish Government today, which reflects the updated advice from the World Health Organisation recommending face coverings for those aged 12 and over, where 1m distancing cannot be maintained. Schools are busy places with a large number of adults and young adults moving around.
“The use of face coverings in these circumstances is a sensible and appropriate step to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading through school communities.
Mr Flanagan added: “While we welcome the announcement, the EIS believes that effective physical distancing between pupils is the best means of reducing the risk of COVID-19 spread in schools.
“This is an area where the guidance from the Scottish Government currently lacks specificity; there needs to be a much sharper focus on ensuring social distancing in schools to protect pupils, staff and the wider community. Smaller class sizes to ensure appropriate physical distancing of pupils are essential.”
He concluded, “Across all sectors, smaller classes would be a huge boost, also, to the educational recovery of those pupils most disadvantaged by the impact of lockdown. The Scottish Government, indeed, all political parties within the Scottish Parliament, should prioritise the expenditure required for the extra teachers needed to help our pupils.”
Face covering u-turn shows Ministers must listen to workers
In England, the GMB union has welcomed Education Secretary Gavin Williamson’s U-turn on face coverings in schools.
GMB, the union for school staff, says the Government’s u-turn on face coverings shows Ministers must learn to listen to workers.
Karen Leonard, GMB National Officer, said:“GMB wrote to the Education Secretary back in mid-July challenging the Government’s position on face coverings in school during the pandemic.
“Schools know social distancing will be extremely difficult and large ‘bubbles’ present a covid-19 risk. All we wanted was for staff who felt the need to wear a mask not to be actively discouraged from doing so.
“The Government appears to be ignoring the science in order to avoid a political hit. Now they’ve performed yet another u-turn.
“It’s time Ministers learned to listen to the concerns of the school staff who will be instrumental in keeping our schools safe and, importantly, open.”
