It is well acknowledged that too many care-experienced children and young people are not receiving the vital care and support they need to thrive in education, a point further reinforced in a recent report from the charity Who Cares? Scotland for the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland.
This highlighted the need for a whole-school approach to supporting care-experienced children, as well as a requirement for a statutory right to independent, relationship-based lifelong advocacy for all care-experienced people who need it. This aims to ensure that these individuals are aware of their rights and can make informed decisions about their lives.
The latter is eminently achievable, as the Scottish Government’s recent Programme for Government outlined that a Children and Young People (Care) Bill will be forthcoming.
This legislation aims to further support The Promise, produced by the Independent Care Review in 2020, and which is Scotland’s pledge to care-experienced children and young people that they will grow up loved, safe, and respected.
With the Promise Bill now part of the government’s legislative programme, it is time for this fundamental right, as committed to in The Promise itself five years ago, to be enshrined in law.
Too many individuals are currently missing out on the advice and support they desperately need, often when they need it most.
Scotland has an opportunity to lead the way, and the Bill provides the opportunity to deliver action on advocacy.
During Carers Week 2025, The Eric Liddell Community spotlighted the invaluable role unpaid carers play in supporting loved ones living with dementia.
Through its dedicated Carers Programme and specialist Dementia Day Care Service, the Edinburgh-based charity is providing essential respite, meaningful connection, and personalised support for carers across the city.
Caring for a loved one with dementia can be emotionally demanding and socially isolating. According to Carers UK, eight in ten carers regularly experience feelings of loneliness or anxiety.
To help support unpaid carers across Edinburgh, The Eric Liddell Community delivers a range of inclusive, practical, and therapeutic services that aim to reduce isolation, improve wellbeing, and provide vital moments of rest and relief.
John MacMillan, CEO of The Eric Liddell Community, said:“Carers Week was a chance for us to honour the incredible role unpaid carers play in supporting their loved ones living with dementia, while also reaffirming our commitment to supporting them.
“At The Eric Liddell Community, we’re proud to offer services that not only provide vital respite, but also help reduce isolation, and offer a supportive community with others in a similar position.
“Through our Carers Programme, Dementia Day Care Service, and initiatives like Liddell Lions and Eric’s Escapes, we aim to create to provide companionship and a break from the isolating realities many carers face.”
The Carers Programme is more than just a series of activities – it’s a lifeline, a place where unpaid carers can recharge, rediscover themselves, and build lasting connections.
Whether it’s the joy of music, the rhythm of dance, or the quiet creativity of the arts, every session offers a chance to step away from daily pressures and embrace moments of renewal. Carers can also develop digital skills, experience holistic therapies, and join social gatherings that remind them they are not alone.
The programme’s impact is best seen in the story of Mary and John, both in their late 80s and living with dementia. As their needs grew, their daughters sought support from The Eric Liddell Community.
What followed was nothing short of transformative.
John rekindled his passion for gardening, finding peace among flowers and fresh earth, while Mary, once hesitant, discovered confidence through music, proudly contributing to daily activities with a newfound spark.
“We feel so lucky we found you,” their daughter shared, capturing the deep gratitude felt by so many families touched by the programme.
With growing demand, The Eric Liddell Community remains committed to expanding its services—ensuring every unpaid carer in Edinburgh has access to a compassionate, uplifting community.
To learn more about the Carers Programme and other available services, visit:
A further three men have been arrested in connection with Operation Portaledge, the ongoing investigation into violent incidents in the East and West of the country.
These arrests bring the total so far to 47.
On Monday, 16 June, 2025, officers arrested and charged two men, aged 26 and 20, in connection with the attempted murder of a 54-year-old man on Pitcairn Grove in Edinburgh on Thursday, 22 May.
They were due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Tuesday, 17 June.
A 26-year-old man was arrested in connection with outstanding warrants after officers attended at a property in the Muirhouse Drive area around 6pm on Sunday, 15 June. He was also charged in connection with a wilful fire at a premises in Albert Street in Edinburgh on Thursday, 6 March.
He was due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, 16 June.
Officers from local divisions and a dedicated team of officers from our Specialist Crime Division, continue to carry out extensive enquiries to gather vital evidence and reassure the public with intelligence-led patrols.
Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry said: “Further to these arrests, we have also recovered a vehicle and a firearm, both of which are believed to have been used in recent incidents.
“This activity highlights our continued commitment to tackling organised crime and we are following a number of positive lines of enquiry.
“We still require further support from local communities as our investigation progresses. If you know anything that could assist our ongoing investigation, please do the right thing and speak to us.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 0562 of Friday, 21 March, 2025. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.
BBC ALBA and The Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival have once again teamed up with a quest to find the best up-and-coming musical talent from the Highlands and Islands.
The winner of the talent search will be given the opportunity to perform on the main stage at this year’s Belladrum Tartan Heart Music Festival.
Open to solo artists and bands (where at least 50% of its members have a Highland home address) across all genres, one newcomer will be given the opportunity to perform on the main stage at this year’s Belladrum Tartan Heart Music Festival.
Public votes can be cast on the Belladrum website and will be closing at 5pm Friday 20 June, ahead of Belladrum Tartan Heart Music Festival 2025 from Thursday 31 July to Saturday 2 August.
Eight incredible up-and-coming acts are in the running to open the MAIN STAGE at Bella 2025!
Low Light Listening Lounge
Falasgair
The Cherries
Isla Scott
The Chosen Lonely
El Sartel
Ró Ó hEadhra
Scott C. Park
Known for its unique and diverse showcase of music and the arts, the festival has grown in popularity over the past 20 years, now attracting thousands of visitors.
As it prepares for its 21st year, with acts including Texas, Supergrass, Paul Heaton, Tom Walker and Natasha Bedingfield confirmed, the team is on the hunt to find the best new homegrown talent to open the main stage at the Hot House Arena on Thursday 31 July.
True to its longstanding support of Scottish artists, BBC ALBA is supporting the search, providing a platform to propel newcomers onto the celebrated Scottish music scene, as well as an additional opportunity for the winner to record an acoustic session in the BBC ALBA studio at the festival.
For those unable to attend, BBC ALBA will be bringing the best of the festival to viewers at home with its annual live coverage broadcast across the weekend, available on BBC ALBA and BBC iPlayer.
Public Health Scotland (PHS) has published a new analysis of the possible future demand for healthcare services in Scotland over the next decade.
The analysis, which focusses on unplanned NHS hospital activity and is based on historic trends and projected demographic change, offers a best estimate of future demand if current trends continue.
The report, “Projecting Future Demand for Health and Care Services in Scotland (2024-2034) – A Focus on Unplanned Inpatient Admissions to Acute Hospitals”, estimates an 11.8% rise in unplanned hospital admissions between 2024 and 2034, from approximately 586,000 to 656,000. This projected growth appears to be driven primarily by the impacts of an ageing population.
This latest report builds on the work of the Scottish Burden of Disease study, which has highlighted potential future population health challenges across a wide range of health conditions.
This projected demand for healthcare services is far from inevitable and it is being used to plan for a healthier, better future for everyone. PHS’s extensive modelling of possible future demand has helped to inform the Scottish Government’s Population Health Framework, published yesterday (17 June).
Recognising that people’s health is about more than healthcare, the framework introduces a whole-system, whole-person approach to promoting health, preventing illness and tacking health inequalities.
Dr Fatim Lakha, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at PHS, said:“Our report estimates that, by 2034, Scotland’s NHS could be managing around 1,300 additional unplanned hospital admissions each week.
“A substantial part of this rise is expected to come from people aged 65 years and over, primarily driven by Scotland’s ageing population. Meanwhile, admissions amongst children under 18 years are expected to remain at similar levels, even though the number of people in this age group is decreasing.
“It is important to note that these projections are not inevitable. Every additional admission represents a person whose health issue might have been prevented through earlier action.
“Strengthening the building blocks of health – like secure income, fair employment, quality housing and education – offers the greatest opportunity to improve Scotland’s health and stop these projections becoming a reality.
“Reforming NHS services is also essential to managing rising demand. But without sustained action across both prevention and service redesign, pressures on hospitals are likely to continue, even as the quality of care itself improves.”
https://twitter.com/i/status/1934988684790562885
Dr Andrew Lee, Whole-systems Lead, at PHS, said:“We celebrate the fact that more people are now living longer, thanks to advances in public health.We must also ensure that, in these additional years, they also enjoy good health and a good quality of life.
“By acting now to improve health and wellbeing across the population, we can support a better quality of life in later years, ease pressure on healthcare services, and help to build a sustainable, future-ready NHS.”
Plans to boost and encourage the use of Gaelic and Scots have been passed by the Scottish Parliament.
The Scottish Languages Bill will enable parents to ask for a Gaelic school to be established in their area. Local authorities would then be required to assess if the request was practical and affordable. After taking advice, ministers could direct local authorities to proceed with the establishment a new Gaelic school if the authority’s assessment considers it to be viable.
Other measures include:
introducing educational standards for Gaelic and Scots
establishing Gaelic and Scots as official languages
supporting the creation of areas of linguistic significance in Gaelic communities so that ministers can better target policies to support the language’s growth
enabling parents in every part of Scotland to apply for Gaelic nursery and early years places for their children
ensuring that more qualifications are available in Gaelic
introducing targets on the number of people speaking and learning Gaelic
Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic Kate Forbes said: “This legislation will introduce powers to accelerate the growth of Gaelic and Scots. It will establish them as official languages, introduce new educational standards and support the creation of areas of linguistic significance in Gaelic communities.
“While there has been an encouraging increase in the number of Gaelic speakers across Scotland, we recognise that more support is needed in communities where the language is traditionally spoken.
“That’s why the Scottish Government is providing an additional £5.7 million to promote Scotland’s languages. We are also working to drive growth in Gaelic communities so that more people who speak the language continue to live in those areas.”
Census statistics show that 130,161 people in Scotland had some Gaelic skills in 2022, an increase of 43,105 from 2011. The census shows that 2,444,659 people in Scotland had some Scots skills in 2022, an increase of 515,215 from 2011.
Scotland’s population is around 5.5 million.
The latest version of the Scottish Languages Bill is available online.
POLICE are appealing for information following an assault and robbery in Leith.
Around 9.45pm on Monday, 16 June, 2025, a couple were walking in the Leith Links area, near Duncan Place, when they were approached by three men who demanded they hand over their phones.
The man was then assaulted and knocked to the ground before his phone was stolen. The woman was not injured.
The suspects made off in the direction of Duke Street.
The three male suspects are all described as white, around 30 to 35-years-old, of heavy build with brown hair.
They were in the company of a woman described as white, around 5ft 2in tall, of slim build, with medium-length curly dark brown hair which was tied back. She was wearing a light-coloured top and jeans.
None of the suspects appeared to be English-speaking.
Detective Constable Jo Robertson said: “This was a violent and unprovoked attack which left the victims understandably shaken.
“We are carrying out enquiries to identify those responsible and would urge anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information that could help with our enquiries to come forward.
“We understand that a passer-by stopped to help the victims and are keen to trace this person as they may have information that could assist.
“Anyone with relevant dashcam or private CCTV footage is also asked to contact police.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3597 of 16 June, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Huge congratulations to our incredible staff who have been recognised at this year’s RCN Nursing Awards!
NHS Lothian staff were recognised at this years RCN awards for their pioneering innovations, dedication and exceptional care.
Kath Williamson, Senior Clinical Nurse Specialist in Bariatric Care, picked up the Inspiring Excellence – Nursing Innovation and Research Award at the ceremony at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.
Described as a pioneering nurse and researcher, Kath is dedicated to improving care for people living with severe obesity.
While working as a District Nurse, she identified a critical gap in services for housebound patients and went on to pursue a PhD to better understand their needs, experiences, and the associated costs of care. Her mixed-methods research has revealed fragmented services, widespread stigma, and significant unmet needs among this vulnerable group.
With the support of her CSO Fellowship, Kath established the NHS Lothian Bariatric Forum, a multidisciplinary group working to improve care coordination and outcomes for patients with complex obesity. Despite the limited clinical academic pathways for nurses in Scotland, Kath continues to lead innovative research, mentor others, and advocate for greater nurse involvement in academic work.
In a close second, Stacey Boyle, Midwife, and Marianne Hay, Senior Charge Midwife at St. John’s Hospital, were recognised as runners-up for their innovative scrubs, made from recycled NHS fleeces, that enable partners to provide vital skin-to-skin contact with their newborns after a caesarean section.
The special theatre scrubs allow newborns to nestle inside, regulating their heart rate and breathing, as well as assisting with immediate bonding, while the surgical team focus on the mum and the completion of the procedure.
Gillian McAuley, Nurse Director Acute, NHS Lothian, was named runner-up for the Clinical Leadership Award. Gillian was recognised for leading the development of a five year Nursing and Midwifery Strategic Plan, driving key initiatives like care assurance systems, digital care planning, and a BME career programme.
Through innovation, collaboration, and strategic leadership, she’s strengthened patient care and staff support.
Scott Taylor, Co-Chair of the Scottish Learning Disability Lead Nurse Group, was also a runner up for the Learning Disability Nursing Award. Along with Kerry Anderson, Scott has played a key role in advancing learning disability nursing across Scotland.
Through strategic leadership and national engagement, he’s helped raise the profile of the profession, tackled health inequalities, and ensured the needs of people with learning disabilities are reflected in national policy.
The South East Forensic Healthcare Team at the Royal Edinburgh and Associated Services, also came second for the nursing team of the year award.
The Team delivers trauma-informed, person-centred care to vulnerable individuals in the justice system. Their work spans forensic examinations, mental health support, and harm reduction services like naloxone distribution.
Partnering with agencies like Police Scotland, they tackle health inequalities and prevent drug-related deaths.
Alison MacDonald, Executive Nurse Director, NHS Lothian, said: “I’m incredibly proud of all our staff who have been recognised at this year’s RCN Awards.
“Congratulations to Kath on her outstanding achievement and to all our runners-up, whose dedication, innovation and compassion continue to raise the bar for nursing excellence.
“These accolades are a testament to the remarkable talent we have across NHS Lothian.”
Regeneration specialist Artisan Real Estate has submitted a planning application to the City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) to transform a sandstone office building on the edge of Edinburgh’s New Town into a sustainable 102-bedroom city centre hotel.
The current occupiers of Albany House, located at 58 Albany Street on the corner of the capital’s Broughton Street, are relocating to new offices in the city centre later this year. The five-storey building was constructed in the 1980s and was designed to reflect the adjacent Georgian neoclassical town houses along Albany Street.
Artisan have agreed terms with Whitbread to operate the completed hotel under its popular hub by Premier Inn brand. The proposals will retain much of the external structure of the building whilst replacing the top floor facade with a contemporary new cladding and finish to meet current building standards.
Internally, the hotel’s design specification will meet high environmental and sustainability standards, with air-sourced heat pump technology replacing the existing fossil fuel water system.
Artisan Real Estate has an established track record of delivering innovative hotel development in architecturally sensitive city centre locations.
This includes three hotels as part of the award-winning New Waverley development in the heart of the Edinburgh’s Old Town – including partnering with Whitbread to deliver a Premier Inn and hub by Premier Inn.
Most recently, the developer has completed the transformation of Glasgow’s historic Clydeside Custom House into a new hotel quarter.
Welcoming the submission of the planning application, Artisan’s Managing Director for Scotland, David Westwater, said: “This design proposal will bring continued interest and investment to a vibrant corner of Edinburgh’s eastern city centre.
“The existing sandstone building is well-suited to hotel development with high levels of natural daylight and an established entrance area.
“We are pleased to be once again working with Whitbread to create a modern and contemporary interior providing the high levels of insulation and energy technology, delivering both a sustainable and attractive addition to Edinburgh’s successful hospitality sector.
“Albany House is the latest in a succession of high-profile planning proposals delivered by Artisan in Edinburgh’s city centre during the last 12 months and reinforces our stated commitment to bring substantial investment coupled with high quality development to the heart of Scotland’s capital.”
Whitbread currently welcomes close to a million visitors to its established network of hotels within the City of Edinburgh Council area. The business calculates its guests staying at these hotels generate more than £32 million in visitor expenditure to the Edinburgh economy every year.
Jill Anderson, Acquisitions Manager for Whitbread, added: “Premier Inn has been part of Edinburgh’s hospitality scene for more than 30 years.
“We’re incredibly proud to have built a network of popular, good-value hotels across the city, and we see great potential for further investment given that budget hotels like Premier Inn account for just 20% of the city’s bedroom stock.
“The hub by Premier Inn brand is designed to appeal to budget, short-stay travellers. It offers all the comfort, consistency, and reliability of Premier Inn, but with a smaller bedroom, and the format allows us to offer great-value rooms in the most connected and interesting city centre locations.
“Albany House is an excellent location for us, and I am very pleased to be working with Artisan to expand our footprint in the city in a sustainable way through the proposed conversion of the 1980s office building.”
Artisan Real Estate was founded in 2009 as an independent, entrepreneurial, values-led property developer and investor operating primarily in key regional city centre locations across the UK – including Scotland and the north of England.
During the last 16 years, Artisan has established itself as one of the UK’s most progressive and respected commercial and residential developers, specialising in transforming complex sites in sensitive urban locations into residential, commercial, leisure and mixed-use quarters.
The Albany House planning proposal follows Artisan’s successful application to transform the city’s historic Caledonian Brewery into a new residential neighbourhood which received planning consent from CEC in May 2025.
The developer is also progressing with the homes-led regeneration of a vacant office block on the city’s Ferry Road, to the north of the city centre.
Supporting people to lead longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives will be at the heart of two new ten-year plans published today to create and maintain good health, prevent disease and reform health and social care services.
The Population Health Framework aims to tackle the root causes of poor health and outlines a wide range of actions, including giving greater access to green spaces and opportunities for sport and active recreation.
Addressing these underlying factors can increase life expectancy, reduce the gap between the most deprived communities and the national average and prevent chronic illnesses like diabetes and cardiovascular disease which disproportionately affect those in more disadvantaged areas.
The Population Health Framework includes legislating to make the balance of foods available on promotion healthier and to restrict the location of less healthy foods in stores and on websites.
Targeting the location and promotion of foods high in fat, salt or sugar will focus on those foods of most concern for childhood obesity, which mirrors the current policy in England and Wales.
The Health and Social Care Service Renewal Framework aims to ensure health and social care services are sustainable, efficient, high quality, and accessible – which includes being able to expect faster and fairer access to care.
It empowers people to be more involved in and in charge of their own care and includes measures to improve access to treatment in the community; enhance preventative services and maximise the opportunities of digital innovation.
There will also be a new national body called NHS Delivery, created by bringing together NHS National Services Scotland and NHS Education for Scotland.
This will provide a focal point for training, digital and support to other health boards, with scope to deliver more national support to local services in future.
Health Secretary Neil Gray visited Blackburn Partnership Centre in West Lothian with COSLA Health and Social Care Spokesperson Councillor Paul Kelly before launching the frameworks in the Scottish Parliament.
The centre includes a GP practice and community centre which promotes weight loss and healthy living through exercise and low-cost, nutritious food.
Mr Gray said: “Too many lives are cut short in Scotland because of illness that is preventable. We know health is not determined solely by what happens within the walls of hospitals or care homes and we want to create an environment in which everyone can live a healthy life.
“Through action on early years, jobs, income and building powerful communities the Population Health Framework builds the conditions to help people thrive and prevent poor health.
“Addressing the problem of obesity and helping people eat well and maintain a healthy weight is a public health priority. We are taking wide-ranging action to support people to make healthier food choices, recognising the contribution which poor diet makes to worsening health trends.
“Through the Service Renewal Framework we will take action to deliver care closer to home, support people to better manage their own treatment and build on innovation, digital and treatment advances.
“This will help shape an efficient health and social care system that is focused on prevention and early intervention, and delivers high quality care at the right time in the right place. The creation of a new national body, NHS Delivery, will help to support that journey.
“Refocusing the whole system towards preventing ill-health from occurring or escalating can help us ensure the sustainability of our National Health Service. I am determined to ensure the measures outlined are delivered effectively and as quickly as possible as we work to transform the health of the nation.”
Cllr Kelly said: “Health is created in the communities in which we live, go to school or work, and access essential services. It is at the local level where we find the key levers to tackle the root causes of health problems and ensure people live long, healthy and fulfilling lives. Local Authorities, working with key partners, are uniquely placed to shape our communities.
“The Population Health Framework sets out action across every building block of health. Committing to this preventative approach requires whole system working in order to intervene as early as possible and provide support to people in all aspects of their lives.
“Currently, people from deprived communities have less access to affordable, nutritious food. The Population Health Framework sets out a priority to improve the food environment and ensure access to a healthy, balanced diet is accessible and affordable to all.
“Alongside this, Local Government is committed to improving public services across the whole system, and the Health and Social Care Service Renewal Framework sets out our high level ambition for improving the sustainability of the system and services people may need in order to help them live healthier, fulfilled lives.”
Obesity Action Scotland Chair Andrew Fraser said: “Obesity Action Scotland welcomes the Scottish Government’s commitment to taking progressive measures on retail food and drink promotions.
“They will improve the food environment and protect consumers from in-store choices that encourage people to purchase food that is high in fat, sugar and salt.
“Promotions result in over-consumption of calories, and make it easy to gain weight; measures that counter this pressure on consumers will contribute to the prevention of overweight and obesity that we want to see.”
