Private schools and arms-length council companies to lose rates relief?

Private independent schools and so-called ‘arms-length’ council companies like Edinburgh Leisure could lose their charitable status and resultant business rates relief under proposals published yesterday. The independent Barclay review group’s report on non-domestic business rates  has made a number of recommendations to improve the current business rates system by stimulating growth, reducing administration and increasing fairness. Continue reading Private schools and arms-length council companies to lose rates relief?

FM Reading Challenge to be piloted in secondary schools

A scheme to encourage literacy and a love of reading in young people is being expanded to secondary schools across Scotland. The First Minister’s Reading Challenge will now be piloted up to S3 in six schools across Scotland.

Earlier this year the First Minister announced that the scheme was being rolled out to all primary school children, following a trial year among P4-P7. More than three quarters of all local authority primary schools in Scotland signed up to the First Minister’s Challenge in the first year of it being introduced when it was offered to older primary school children.

Research shows reading for pleasure drops off as young people reach secondary school and the expansion of the scheme is designed to ensure young adults continue to enjoy reading long after they have left primary school.

Speaking during a visit to one of the pilot schools, St Andrew’s and St Bride’s High School yesterday, the First Minister said: “I am incredibly proud of the success the First Minister’s Reading Challenge has had in nurturing a love of reading for pleasure amongScotland’s young people which is why this expansion to secondary schools is so exciting.

“I am determined to ensure we continue to promote reading as one of life’s greatest pleasures – and that young people reap the benefits of the resulting educational attainment that can be achieved.”

Michael Wilkie, Literacy Coordinator from St Andrew’s and St Bride’s High School, said: ‘We are absolutely thrilled to be part of the First Minister’s Reading Challenge. Reading has been such an important aspect of our plans for raising attainment in the last few years, and this exciting initiative will be the drive to expand reading for pleasure across the entire school community.

“Plans are already in progress to engage parents to help their children be the best readers they can be, to support staff across the curriculum to confidently teach and assess reading, and to give pupils as many opportunities as possible to pick up a book and get reading. With an active and enthusiastic literacy committee and pupils who thrive on reading, we are certainly up for the challenge.’

Marc Lambert, CEO at Scottish Book Trust, which runs the programme, added:”This expansion of the First Minister’s Reading Challenge builds on the huge success of its first year and opens up the joy of reading for pleasure to all primary children.  The secondary school pilot will focus on a key age group, among whom reading for pleasure can tail off due to the pressures on time that come with high school.

“The Reading Challenge will focus attention on this, giving pupils more opportunities to share and celebrate what they love reading, delve deeper into writing and discover different ways to enjoy books.”

Staying healthy at Festival time

NHS Lothian has some healthcare advice for the city’s summer visitors – and it’s useful for locals too:

Are you visiting Edinburgh for any of the 12 summer festivals, including the Fringe and the International Book Festival? 

The festivals in August are a huge part of Edinburgh’s modern culture and history. Established in 1947, the International Festival has grown significantly year by year, making it one of the most popular events in the world.

Last year, 31,545 people participated in shows on the Fringe Festival, and 2,475,143 show tickets were purchased. The average audience for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo each year is 220,000. For the Festival finale on 28 August, an estimated 250,000 spectators will see around 400,000 fireworks burst into the sky above Edinburgh Castle.

Given the numbers attending, it’s no surprise that some fall ill and we need to treat them. If you are one of these visitors or performers and you become unwell, it’s important for you to know who to turn to for medical advice or attention when you’re away from home.

Emergency care is always free at the point of use. For temporary residents from around the world, if you access any of our services we will treat you first and then sort things out later – you won’t be denied urgent care.

Here we summarise the most popular services you might need to access. For more details see our Festival Health website pages.

Common questions or minor ailments
Your local pharmacy will provide you with help and advice on common health problems, minor ailments and questions about medicines.

If you are from the UK and run out of repeat medication, a pharmacy may be able to help you get a prescription from your own GP practice, or an emergency supply.

Less serious injuries 
For minor injuries (minor cuts/burns, wound infections, sprains and small bone breaks), go to the Minor Injuries Clinic at the Western General Hospital. If you want to check if your injury is suitable for treatment here, phone ahead on 0131 537 3481.

The clinic treats adults and children over one year old and is staffed by specialist nurse, paramedic and physiotherapy practitioners. It’s open every day from 8am – 9pm. The last patient book-in is at 8.30pm, but no appointment is necessary.

Sexual health problems
The Chalmers Centre provides care and advice on sexual health issues, including emergency contraception. For appointments and advice, call 0131 536 1070. For walk-ins, you can attend the Centre between 8:30am and 10am.

GP services
If you are acutely ill and need contact with a General Practitioner (GP/family doctor) that day, you should first phone a local GP practice.

Alternatively, phone 0131 667 3925, where there are a number of additional appointments available during the festivals, between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday, from 4 August to 28 August.

Urgent mental health support 
The following are some useful telephone numbers to
Mental Health Assessment Service (MHAS) on 0131 537 6000
Breathing Space helpline – 0800 838 587
The Samaritans helpline – 08457 909 090
Edinburgh Crisis Centre – 0808 801 0414

Out of hours
Need urgent medical advice out of hours, and not sure what to do? Call NHS 24 on 111.

Dental health
For information on emergency dental care, see NHS 24’s website.

Emergencies
NHS Lothian has hospital Emergency Departments at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, St John’s Hospital, Livingston and the Royal Hospital for Sick Children. These services are for urgent and emergency situations only.

If at any time you think you need an emergency ambulance for a life-threatening condition, call 999.

A big welcome to Lothian’s temporary residents – we hope you all enjoy the summer festivals! 

Ferry Road hit and run: “Your help could prove vital”

Net closing on motorbike suspects

Police are continuing their enquiries following Saturday’s hit and run incident on Ferry Road in which a ten year old boy was seriously injured. There was a significant police presence across the area yesterday as the search for those for those responsible goes on. Continue reading Ferry Road hit and run: “Your help could prove vital”

Police hunt two for Ferry Road hit and run

“We need the help of the community to catch those responsible for this”

More details are emerging about the Ferry Road hit and run which saw a ten year old boy sustain serious injuries on Saturday evening. The child, who has not yet been named, remains in hospital in a stable condition and senior police officers are appealing for the community’s help to identify those responsible. Continue reading Police hunt two for Ferry Road hit and run