Stay of execution for third sector projects as EIJB forced to think again

EDINBURGH Integration Joint Board has reined back on plans to slash services delivered on their behalf by third sector organisations across the city. The EIJB is trying to tackle a massive funding deficit but bowed to pressure to rethink their plans at a meeting yesterday.

Change Mental Health is relieved that the Stafford Centre and services delivered in Edinburgh by the organisation are effectively safeguarded, for the time being, following yesterday’s decision by the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (EIJB). However, there is still a lot of work to be done to ensure better collaboration leading to better outcomes.

Nick Ward, CEO of Change Mental Health, said: “While this is good news for the people who use our services, we remain clear that the proposed cuts were in themselves not needed. They represented a tiny part of the EIJB’s budget while having a significant, detrimental effect upon Edinburgh’s population.

“The process they put in place was fundamentally flawed in its approach, causing unnecessary distress to both organisations and service users. It has been disheartening for the third sector to have to continually make the argument that cutting early intervention and prevention services will only ever result in greater costs in the end.

“The fact remains that there are still significant cuts taking place to mental health services in the city and our sympathy and solidarity goes out to those charities affected. We are very disappointed and concerned that many of these cuts have been passed that disproportionately affect ethnic minorities and LGBT+ people.

“We called for the EIJB’s proposals to be paused to allow for a full, evidence-led and co-produced redesign of services. That appears to be what will now happen and we are grateful for that.

“We will now be a part of a crucial recommissioning exercise that can enable services to be more integrated and cost-effective through a better collaborative approach.

“However, trust needs to be rebuilt. There needs to be full transparency and a genuine dedication to working with the third sector by the EIJB, as well as a commitment to the principles of community-based early intervention and preventative approaches. We’re here to work closely with them, along with our partners, to ensure that we can truly meet the needs of our communities.”

Speaking after the meeting, Billy Watson, Chief Executive of SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health), said: “We are in a mental health crisis, and community and preventative mental health support is an essential part of how we tackle it.

“We welcome the IJB’s decision not to go ahead with the original proposals which would have effectively ended that support in Edinburgh. However, we are disappointed that a number of impactful support and advocacy services have been cut.

“This process has shown that we need to come together – funders, providers and especially the people who need this support – to jointly design a mental health system that works for and meets the needs of the people of Edinburgh.

“Redhall Walled Garden will continue to provide essential support to people with mental health problems for the time being, albeit with reduced funding and a recommissioning process to come.

“We’re hugely grateful to everyone that came out in support of Redhall, including Edinburgh’s politicians, members of the public and, most importantly, the people we support at Redhall and who make it what it is.”

The IJB voted in favour of the proposals relating to agenda item 6.1.

Late Composite Proposal – Item 6.1 Review of Contracts and Service Level AgreementsDownload
Review of Contracts and Service Level AgreementsDownload

International Dog Day: How to welcome an adopted dog to your home

Dog lovers preparing to adopt or rescue are receiving expert advice on how to effectively welcome their new furry companions and ensure a smooth transition into their home.

ON International Dog Day (26 August), the dog training experts at ACME Kennels have shared essential tips for those planning to adopt a dog, ensuring they’re fully prepared to provide their new companion with everything needed to thrive.

Image credit: ACME Kennels

With an estimated 100,000 homeless dogs in the UK*, international Dog Day, created by Colleen Paige in 2004, encourages adoption, raises awareness of animal welfare and promotes responsible pet ownership.

Adopting or rescuing a dog is a deeply rewarding but huge commitment, requiring an owner to educate themselves, understand the dog’s unique needs and be honest with both themselves and the rescue organisation about their ability to handle potential training or behavioural challenges.

In addition to learning about the dog’s temperament, key tips for a smooth transition include having the right gear, establishing consistent household rules and teaching basic training depending on their specific needs.

Ben Mcfarlane, dog expert from  ACME Kennels , said: “Adopting or rescuing a dog comes with its own unique challenges, requiring careful preparation and knowledge, with key considerations both before adoption and once the dog is home, to ensure a smooth transition and support their well-being.

“A well-prepared home and owner are crucial for the dog’s happiness and development, so research which breed is right for you, prepare your space, gather equipment, set house rules and consider their personality when making training decisions.”

Five top tips to help welcome an adopted dog to the home:

  1. Understand the dog’s breed, temperament and needs

Before adopting, it’s important to consider the dog’s specific requirements. Whether young or old, rehoming a dog can present unique challenges- such as house training a puppy or managing behavioural issues in a fearful dog, which may require time, patience and professional support.

To be fair to both owner and dog, thorough research is essential before bringing them home.

  1. Make critical decisions before the dog arrives home

It’s essential to make key decisions before bringing a new dog home to avoid confusion and establish clear boundaries from day one and ensure a smoother transition.

This could include rules like whether they’ll be allowed on the couch, or if crate training will be considered and setting up a consistent schedule for feeding and walks. 

  1. Consistent house rules

Ensure everyone in the family understands the ground rules because this will make training so much easier.

Dogs need consistency to learn how to behave correctly, and if someone is going against the rules and feeding the dog scraps from the table or letting them on the couch when no one else is looking it could cause confusion and unwanted behaviour in the dog.

  1. Buy the right equipment 

Proper preparation with the right equipment is very important when welcoming an adopted dog home. A comfortable bed offers security, while familiar food helps prevent digestive upset.

Other essential items like toys, safety measures, training tools, and appropriate walking equipment support the dog’s well-being and assist in establishing good habits from the start.

  1. Training

Training an adopted dog requires careful consideration of their specific needs, as rehoming can present different challenges. Expect an adjustment period and start training once they’ve settled, focusing on housetraining and teaching their name for puppies, and positive reinforcement with high value treats and praise, keeping sessions short and enjoyable for older dogs.

Whistle training with a reliable whistle like the Alpha is also recommended to maintain consistency and strengthen the bond between pet and owner, offering adopted dogs a neutral, stress-free way to learn. Most importantly, build trust, maintain consistency and seek professional advice for the best unique training approach.

For more information on how to prepare the home for an adopted dog, please see here: 

https://www.acmewhistles.co.uk/stories/must-haves-bringing-home-puppy-rescue-dog  

For more information and training tips from Ben visit ACME Kennels.

Appeal for information following fatal crash in Edinburgh

Officers are appealing for information following a fatal crash in Edinburgh.

The crash happened around 2.10pm on Thursday, 21 August, 2025 on Dalkeith Road at the junction with East Mayfield involving a pedestrian and a black Volkswagen Tiguan.

A 76-year-old man, the pedestrian, was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, where he died on Tuesday, 26 August, 2025. The driver of the vehicle did not require treatment.

The road was closed and reopened around 7.30pm.

Sergeant Louise Birrell said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the man who has died at this difficult time.

“Enquiries are ongoing and we are appealing to anyone who witnessed the crash to contact us.

“We also ask anyone driving in the area at the time with dash-cam footage to come forward.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident 1837 of Thursday, 21 August, 2025.

New disc golf course approved for Hailes Quarry Park

DISC Golf, a new free golf attraction, has been approved for installation at Hailes Quarry Park.

Disc golf is a fun and fast-growing sport where players throw a frisbee-like disc towards a target, following rules similar to traditional golf. Players complete a hole by throwing their disc from a tee area towards a target, throwing again from where the previous throw landed. The target is a metal basket that is fixed into the ground. Lowest number of throws wins.

Installed and maintained by the Edinburgh Disc Golf Community (EDGC), the course at Hailes Quarry Park will be open to all and free to access.

The disc golf course will remain fully open to the public, with no fenced or restricted areas. Players will be expected to wait until the space is clear before taking a shot.

Disc golf is a rapidly growing sport with over 12,000 courses worldwide. Until last week’s approval from councillors the nearest course to the capital was in Dunbar.

Culture and Communities Convener, Cllr Margaret Graham, said: “We are really pleased to be able to offer more activities at Hailes Quarry Park and the fact that they are free and accessible to everyone makes them an excellent resource for the community. And I hope more people give the sport a try.

“A priority for the Council is to provide more opportunities for people to get active and encourage greater participation in sports as part of a healthy lifestyle.

“The new course will help us to achieve this and will be a real asset for local people of all ages.”

Peter Dawson, EDGC Founding Director, said: “Everyone connected with the Edinburgh Disc Golf Community are thrilled to be able to install the capitals first ever free to play disc golf course.

“This project has been years in the making and to finally have our own permanent free to play course is a huge step forwards for Scottish Disc Golf.

“We can’t wait to share this growing sport with the local community and get frisbees flying in the Hailes Quarry Park.”

MISSING: Have you seen Ahmad?

POLICE are appealing for the assistance of the public as part of ongoing efforts to trace fifteen year old Ahmad Bader who is currently missing.

Ahmad left his home address in the Granton area at 0830hrs on Friday morning the 22nd August.

He was last seen by his brother around 1330 hours on the same date walking past Granton Primary school whilst riding the bus home from school.

If you have any information, please contact us on 101 using incident 2562 of 23/08/25.

Poor quality bone services in Scotland have led to a devastating rise in broken hips, putting older people’s lives at peril

Scottish Govt must now deliver a mandate for universal Fracture Liaison Services and set rigorous care quality standards – just like England and Wales

A failure to deliver high-quality Fracture Liaison Services (FLS) across Scotland is contributing to a devastating increase in broken hips, say campaigners.   

FLS are early diagnosis services for osteoporosis, which is one of the top drivers of disability and early death amongst older people in Scotland.  

Osteoporosis causes bones to weaken and break more easily – often just from a fall from standing height, a cough or a sneeze.  

Half of women aged over 50 will suffer devastating broken bones as a result of osteoporosis, as well as a fifth of men. The end result of late treatment of osteoporosis is a life-threatening hip fracture, which kills over a quarter of sufferers within a year.  

The number of people aged 50 and over who suffered hip fractures rose considerably in 2024 to 8,426* cases, a new report by Public Health Scotland shows. 

The Royal Osteoporosis Society is now calling on the Scottish Government to deliver a mandate requiring all health boards to have high-quality Fracture Liaison Services (FLS). The Scottish Government must also set rigorous performance standards for FLSs to ensure enough patients are being identified, treated and monitored. 

A mandate like this is already in place in England and Wales, leaving Scotland trailing behind, despite Glasgow being the birthplace of the FLS model, which has been copied in 57 countries.   

Without a mandate from the Scottish Government, NHS chiefs are not incentivised to provide high-quality FLS in all areas. The lack of publicly available data – because a national audit of all FLSs has been delayed – is concealing life-threatening gaps where services are not present or performing.  

Fracture Liaison Services are specialist NHS clinics that diagnose and treat osteoporosis in people over 50 after the first broken bone. Early detection and treatment – with inexpensive medication that is available on the NHS – is vital in preventing further fractures such as broken hips. 

Currently, many patients in Scotland are not having their osteoporosis diagnosed and treated, which is leading to a devastating cascade of further avoidable fractures. 

If Scotland had quality universal FLS coverage, over a five-year period, it is estimated: 

  • 8,899 fractures will be prevented – with 3,341 of those being hip fractures 
  • 60,000 acute bed days will be saved 
  • £104m in all associated costs can be saved – including £64m in acute care costs 

Craig Jones, Chief Executive of the Royal Osteoporosis Society, said: “In England and Wales, the governments have promised a national roll-out of life-saving bone clinics, but the Scottish Government has, so far, declined to match that commitment, saying an audit of current services is needed first.

“The slow pace of auditing services is fuelling the rise in life-threatening hip fractures, which will lead to lost lives. Scotland invented the world standard for fracture care, so it’s hugely disappointing to see the nation fall behind England and Wales.”  

Carol Mochan, Shadow Minister for Women’s Health, said: “Every one of these hip fractures represents a person whose life has been turned upside down, and too many could have been prevented.

“The Government knows what we need – a mandate for universal, high-quality Fracture Liaison Services. Wales has done it. England is doing it. There’s no reason people in Scotland should be left behind.” 

Dr Sandesh Gulhane, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, said: “Scotland led the world in creating Fracture Liaison Services, but that early lead has been squandered. 

“Latest figures show that the number of people aged 50 and over with hip fractures has been rising, with the largest increases amongst people aged 70 to 89. This could be prevented by timely diagnosis and treatment, yet only 41.5% of patients in Scotland receive a full inpatient care package within 24 hours of admission. 

“The rise in hip fractures is the inevitable result of this inaction. The promised audit remains unfinished, and without a mandate for quality services, patients will keep falling through the cracks. The Scottish Government must act now to put Scotland back at the forefront of osteoporosis care.” 

  • Almost 200,000 people in Scotland are living with undiagnosed spinal fractures due to under-prioritisation of osteoporosis care.  
  • Osteoporosis affects around 250,000 people in Scotland, and it’s estimated that 41,900 ‘fragility’ fractures occur here every year.  
  • Fractures are the fourth worst cause of premature death and disability in Scotland.  
  • Half of women over 50 and one fifth of men will break a bone due to osteoporosis, a condition where bones lose strength and break more easily – even from a cough, a sneeze or a hug.  
  • Fractures are preventable with safe, effective medications that are highly affordable for NHS Scotland.  
  • 3.5 million people in the UK are estimated to have osteoporosis.  
  • Osteoporosis causes 500,000 broken bones every year in the UK, costing over £4.5 billion.  

The report by Public Health Scotland also shows standards of care in hospital for people following a hip fracture have plummeted. The average time patients spent in the emergency department after a hip fracture increased to 5 hours 36 minutes, compared with 5 hours 10 minutes in 2023.

Just 30% were admitted to a ward within the four-hour target in 2024, which compares with 37% in 2023. Scottish hip fracture audit – reporting on 2024 – Scottish Hip Fracture Audit – Publications – Public Health Scotland    

The Welsh Government issued a mandate to deliver universal FLS, which has been achieved. Wales also published a Quality Statement for Osteoporosis and Bone Health, which committed to delivering quality standards of care for people with osteoporosis. Targets have been set to identify, treat and monitor more patients. 

England has committed to rolling out universal FLS by 2030.

£26.7m impact of spending just £1-a-week more with local businesses 

Potential spending is just ‘tip of iceberg’ of what can be achieved, says Scotland Loves Local chief

An extra £26.7m could be driven directly into Edinburgh’s economy if everyone in the city spent just £1-a-week more with local businesses.

The significant financial difference that can be made – safeguarding the future of businesses and protecting jobs – has been highlighted as part of Scotland Loves Local Week, which runs until Saturday (August 30).

The call to think local first is spearheaded by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP) – the organisation behind Scotland Loves Local – with support from the Scottish Government.

STP has calculated that, if every person in Scotland were to spend just £1 more per week with local businesses in their area, an additional £282.7m would be generated annually.

STP Chief Officer Kimberley Guthrie said: “The reality is that £26.7mm is the tip of the iceberg of what can be achieved in Edinburgh. If £1 more every week can make a transformational impact to the people who make our places, just imagine what is truly possible by choosing local even more.

“Money stays local for longer when you spend with local businesses.The multiplier effect is massive. These businesses spend with other businesses, who employ other local people, who then spend with other local businesses. Every penny spent is an investment in the future of your area.

“The jobs and livelihoods of your neighbours, friends and family depend on you doing so.”

STP champions the critical part that towns and local neighbourhoods play in creating a better Scotland and the need to invest in them.

Scotland Loves Local is the drive for people to build stronger, more sustainable futures for their community by supporting the businesses in their area.

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “Local spending is vital to the prosperity of our villages, towns and cities. It keeps people in jobs, businesses open and wealth in communities.

“The Scottish Government continues to work closely with Scotland’s Towns Partnership to drive forward the Scotland Loves Local campaign which aims to strengthen communities by putting localism and thriving town centres and high streets at the heart of a green, fair and growing economy.

“To create jobs and boost local economies we are also progressing our Community Wealth Building Bill which would, if passed by MSPs, encourage councils, NHS boards and other public bodies to buy more goods and services from their local businesses.”

Edinburgh International Book Festival celebrates success as it flourishes in new home

  • Ticket sales up 11% on 2024 including significant rise in first time buyers
  • Footfall increased by 60% with 25,000 visitors in a single weekend
  • Library streaming service resounding success with 41 libraries in 12 local authorities tuning in, for free, for over 90 ‘watch parties’
  • Digital reach saw audiences in 63 countries, ranging from Japan to The Vatican, join online, expanding global audience reach
  • Female Scottish authors and independent publishers topped the Waterstones bestseller lists, alongside event led hits like Katabasis by R. F. Kuang and Nicola Sturgeon’s memoir, Frankly
  • New Kids’ Zone gets seal of approval from thousands of young people and families, with Princess the Unicorn, Bunny Vs Monkey, Supertato and Pikachu inspiring future generations of readers
  • This year’s children’s programme featured multiple sold-out events and a world premiere from Julia Donaldson’s Paper Chase.

Edinburgh International Book Festival has wrapped up a landmark year, celebrating a two-week long ‘Repair’ themed programme of events for all ages and interests, that saw conversations of global significance take place on stage, and connected with existing audiences while welcoming a whole new generation of readers.

The 2025 festival, which hosted over 650 authors and nearly 700 events saw a remarkable 11% increase in ticket sales over the previous year, with record numbers of people enjoying the vibrant atmosphere.

The festival’s new home at EFI proved a major draw with the courtyard welcoming over 25,000 visitors in a single weekend and a whopping 161,889 people in total, an increase of 60% compared to 2024, an unquestionable sign it’s settled into its new, permanent home.

This surge in footfall, combined with a significant rise in first-time bookers, shows the festival’s success in reaching new audiences and capitalising on its new location right at the heart of the Edinburgh Festivals footprint.

This was evident not least in the newly increased and re-targeted YA programme, which proved a resounding success, hitting its mark with readers 30 and under, solidifying the festival’s appeal to the next generation of literary enthusiasts.

Once again, The Front List strand of events, which increased from eleven to fifteen in 2025, were packed out with over 12,000 people turning up in person at McEwan Hall to hear from writers including literary titans Ian McEwan and Maggie O’Farrell, contemporary phenomena Asuko Yuzuki and R F Kuang, political heavyweights Yulia Navalnaya and Nicola Sturgeon, and even the celebrity co-creator of beloved sitcom Gavin and Stacey, Ruth Jones.

This year also marked a cornerstone moment for Scottish independent publishers and female writers. The bestseller list was topped by standout titles from Scottish women including Mairi Kidd’s The Specimens, and event led titles including Katabasis by R. F. Kuang and Nicola Sturgeon’s Frankly.

Beyond the physical site, the festival’s digital reach expanded dramatically, connecting communities across 12 local authority areas by streaming events, free of charge, into over 40 libraries, which in turn hosted over 90 ‘watch parties’, as part of the newly launched Paper Trails initiative.

In addition, a global audience of almost 19,000 from 63 countries across five continents tuned in for streamed events, proving the festival’s ability to foster conversations that transcend geographical boundaries. And with events available for the rest of the year, and more to be added on an on-demand basis in Autumn, global audiences have lots more coming to enjoy.

This year’s program was defined by timely and important discussions that reflected a public hunger for considered, informed conversations on global issues. Sold-out events like the discussion with prominent Israeli historians Ilan Pappé and Avi Shlaim on the history of Israel and Palestine, a conversation between renowned journalists Lindsey Hilsum and Edward Wong, and several events looking at the impact of AI on literature and the arts more widely, exemplified this trend.

These events drew large audiences and sparked meaningful dialogue on topics of international significance, underlining the festival’s role in generating constructive in person conversations.

The brand new, dedicated Kids’ Zone was also a resounding success, providing a comfortable environment for families to relax and have fun for free, and complementing the children’s programme with unmissable opportunities to meet the Gruffalo, Pikachu and Supertato – and also, for the first time in book festival history, the real-life Princess the Unicorn.

Hosting just some of the sold-out events in the Children and Families programme were Julia Donaldson, who attended with her world premiere of Paper Chase, Cressida Cowellwho hosted a record-breaking back-to-back signing, ensuring hundreds of young people left with a memory that will last a lifetime, and the iconic Michael Rosen.

The festival’s continued growth in both physical attendance and online engagement demonstrates its enduring relevance, and by providing a space for a diverse range of voices and fostering conversations that matter, it continues to thrive and align with its audiences in both its fun-filled programming and its considered approach to conversations of global significance.

Increase in numbers of newly qualified paramedics

MORE THAN 450 RECRUITS SINCE 2020

Health Secretary Neil Gray has welcomed an increase in the number of newly qualified paramedics joining the Scottish Ambulance Service, with 360 new recruits joining the service since 2023.

New figures show a steep increase in recruitment between 2022-23 and 2023-24, and a total recruitment of 489 since 2020.

The investment in newly qualified paramedics is designed to give the service more resilience, improve capacity and increase the number of patients treated in the community.

A three-year paramedic undergraduate degree programme was launched at Glasgow Caledonian University in 2017 and is now available at five universities across Scotland.

Figures for the last five years, which include graduates from outside Scotland, are:

2020-21 = 24

2021-22 = 58

2022-23 = 47

2023-24 = 179

2024-25 = 181

The number of paramedics currently working in Scotland is 2,156.6 whole time equivalent posts.

Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “The Scottish Ambulance Service is an absolutely vital part of the health service, so the Scottish Government is working hard to provide it with the staff and resources it needs to continue delivering a high-quality emergency service to people across Scotland.

“Since 2020, we have supported the recruitment of additional staff, with further recruitment already underway this year—bringing workforce levels to a record high.

“Ambulance staff have shown outstanding resilience in the face of sustained pressure, and I want to thank them for their continued dedication and hard work.”

Michael Dickson OBE Chief Executive of the Scottish Ambulance Service said: “We are delighted to welcome this number of newly qualified paramedics to SAS. This reflects their experience to date, and it also reinforces the important role paramedics can play in the future of NHS Scotland.

“Our continued ambition, supported by Scottish Government, is to grow and develop the SAS workforce, ensuring we continue to deliver the very best patient care by boosting capacity and increasing our resilience in communities across Scotland.”