Tag: letters

Letter: It’s time for politicians to hear deaf people

Dear Editor, 
 
With just a few weeks to go before a pivotal election in Scotland, now is the time to urge our local representatives to address a major public health issue that has been overlooked for far too long.  
 
As I write, the needs of the 1.5 million people in Scotland who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus are being neglected, and this must change.  
 
It’s unacceptable that people with hearing loss in Scotland face routine waits of up to 18 months for audiology services, with some forced to wait even longer.  
 
Too often, healthcare services in Scotland also fail to meet the communication needs of deaf people and those with hearing loss, such as providing an accessible alternative to the telephone, or a BSL interpreter for those who need one. This leaves people unable to fully understand or participate in decisions about their own care.   
 
We want Scotland to be a country where the 1.5 million deaf people and people with hearing loss or tinnitus are fully included and treated with respect, dignity and understanding.  
 
In the run up to the election, RNID is urging people to raise these issues with their local MSP candidates. You can contact your local candidates by visiting www.rnid.org.uk or by clicking here.
 
Regards,  

Ruth MacLeod,  

Health Policy Advisor, RNID – the national charity supporting people who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus.  

Letters: The Scottish Government must play their part in keeping children safe online

Dear Editor,

Two recent court cases in the US have marked significant moments in the battle to keep young people safe online.

First, Meta was fined hundreds of millions of dollars for misleading users over the safety of its platforms for children. Then Meta and Google were sued for damaging a woman’s mental health in childhood through addictive platform designs.

These cases highlight how children and families are being failed by tech companies, who continue to expose young users to sexually explicit material, contact with dangerous adults and other preventable risks.

The online world is a central part of children’s lives. They learn, play and socialise online, and enjoy many benefits from social media, messaging apps, gaming and other digital platforms.

Children often don’t distinguish between their online and offline lives – both shape who they are. But alongside the positives, the online world also brings serious risks to children that must be addressed.

The scale of risk and online harm children face is unacceptable. Effective regulation of social media, a power reserved to Westminster and introduced through the Online Safety Act, is vital but not the only solution. The Scottish Government must play their part too. Devolved child safety online policy must also keep up with the fast‑changing digital landscape, including the challenges posed by generative AI.

The NSPCC wants to see a Scotland‑wide approach that brings together early years, education, child protection, the voluntary sector and law enforcement to keep children safe online.

We are calling on the next Scottish Government to provide clear leadership on prevention by retaining a strong, ambitious National Child Safety Online Action Plan, updated every year, aligned with the Online Safety Act, which is a key part of a wider public health approach to preventing child sexual abuse.

Yours sincerely,

Joanne Smith

NSPCC Scotland Policy Manager

Letters: RNID Public Transport Survey

Dear Editor,

Public transport is an essential part of everyday life, but for people who are deaf or have hearing loss – journeys by services like trains, buses or ferries can be a huge challenge.

Inaccessible audio announcements, a lack of deaf awareness amongst staff and no signed information for deaf British Sign Language (BSL) users are all barriers that can lead to stress, missed journeys and seriously affect people’s confidence when using public transport.

That’s why RNID is asking people who are deaf and have hearing loss to take part in a major survey. Whether you use public transport regularly, or avoid it altogether, your answers will be invaluable and help us work with transport providers, policymakers and technology companies to push for real, lasting improvements.

The survey, which closes on the 13th April, is part of a major project funded by the Motability Foundation and can be accessed here: www.rnid.org.uk/transport-survey  

Kind regards,

Victoria Boelman, Director of Insight and Policy, RNID

– the national charity supporting the 18 million people in the UK who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus.

Letters: Active April

Dear Editor,

Bowel cancer is the UK’s fourth most common cancer and its second biggest cancer killer. We know that one of the ways we can reduce our risk of developing bowel cancer is by taking part in regular exercise.

This April, for Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, Bowel Cancer UK are encouraging people to do something active every day as part of our ActiveApril campaign.

Whether your readers would like to challenge themselves to reach a fitness goal or get active in their own way, every movement they make in ActiveApril will bring us closer to a future where nobody dies of bowel cancer.

Yours sincerely,

Genevieve Edwards

Chief Executive, Bowel Cancer UK

Letter: Mother’s Day call for change

Dear Letters Editor,

Many families are getting ready to celebrate Mother’s Day this weekend, but for too many female cats, motherhood looks very different.

Cats Protection is campaigning to ensure cats are not forgotten by decision‑makers in England. As part of our Cat Manifesto, we are calling on Westminster to introduce regulations on cat breeding, and to ban the breeding of cats with extreme characteristics. 

A lack of breeding regulations leaves female cats at risk of being used as breeding machines, producing multiple litters a year in poor and sometimes dangerous conditions. These cats are often kept solely for profit, with little regard for their health or wellbeing.

Stronger safeguards would help ensure female cats are better protected, and that anyone breeding cats meets clear welfare standards.

Motherhood matters – for humans and for animals. This Mother’s Day, we are asking readers to join us in calling for change, to give cat mums and their kittens the best lives possible.

The Government has left cats behind by failing to include any regulation on cat breeding in the new Animal Welfare Strategy. 

Readers can add their names to our open letter calling for urgent action here: 

Sign our Open Letter. 

Yours faithfully,

Annabel Berdy,

Cats Protection Advocacy & Government Relations Manager

Letter: NSPCC calls for tech companies to keep under 13s off social media

Dear Editor,

The online world is now a major part of young people’s lives, and while it has incredible benefits, we know it comes with risks too.

Whether under-16s should have access to social media is a major source of debate in the UK at the moment, and the NSPCC is pleased to hear the Government is asking for people’s opinions as part of their Public Consultation which launched this week.

The status quo is not working for children, or for their parents who are desperate to keep them safe. Tech companies are failing to protect them from preventable risks and harms on social media platforms, gaming sites and AI tools.

This cannot be allowed to continue.  

We encourage parents, carers and children across the country to join the national consultation. Give your views, your firsthand experience of the good and the bad of the online world, and help decide what happens next.

The NSPCC is calling for tech companies to keep under 13s off social media – a move which would immediately protect 2.5 million children – for platforms to stop using design tricks which keep young people addicted, and to block harmful content at the source.

Making these crucial changes is in the power of Government, regulators and tech companies and more effective than a social media ban for under 16s. But at the same time, we recognise at the charity that a ban is better than doing nothing.

To have your say, go to www.gov.uk and search ‘social media consultation’ or click here.

Yours,

Chris Sherwood

NSPCC Chief Executive

Letters: Join Lymphoma Action at our National Conference

Dear Editor

Lymphoma Action are delighted to announce the return of our National Conference, taking place on Friday 8 May in York. Anyone affected by lymphoma is welcome to attend, whether they have received a diagnosis themselves or are supporting a loved one.

Readers might be interested in this unique opportunity to hear from lymphoma experts, meet others affected by the condition, ask questions and share experiences.

We will be joined by medical professionals who will talk about why lymphoma causes symptoms and the side effects of treatment, and our dedicated wellbeing sessions will offer practical tips for day-to-day living. Attendees will also hear the personal story of someone with a lived experience of lymphoma.

There will be plenty of time to connect with others affected by lymphoma throughout the day, and to find out more about the services and support Lymphoma Action has available as the UK’s leading charity dedicated to this type of blood cancer.

Our National Conference will be held on Friday 8 May at The Milner York Hotel in York. Tickets cost £30 per person (including lunch and refreshments) and prior booking is essential.

For further information, or to book your place, please visit: 

https://lymphoma-action.org.uk/conference  

Yours sincerely

Amanda Harris

Lymphoma Action

Letters: Make Tackling Pensioner Poverty a Priority

Dear Editor,

The Holyrood elections are fast approaching. Here’s why all candidates must make tackling rising pensioner poverty a priority.

In Lothian, 22% of older people told us they have skipped a meal, and 65% told us they are cutting back on heating and utilities. Across the region, around 13% of people over State Pension age survive on a very low income of under £15,000. None of us deserve to live our later life like this.

Many older people in Lothian also tell us they are feeling unheard, with 64% revealing that they don’t feel represented by the Scottish Government.

Without action, the number of older people in poverty across Scotland could rise by 20,000 by the end of the next Scottish Parliament. At Independent Age, we’re calling on all candidates to commit to a national pensioner poverty strategy in their 2026 Scottish Election Manifesto.

Not only is it the right thing to do, but it’s backed by the older public, with 83% of all older people in Lothian supporting the Scottish Government in doing this. We also want to see the next Scottish Government help older people feel listened to and represented, by creating an Older People’s Commissioner.

Together, we can make Scotland the best place in the world to grow old.

Debbie Horne,

Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Independent Age

Letter: Children struggling with disordered eating are not alone

Dear Editor,

This National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (23 February to 2 March), I’d like to remind children and young people who are struggling with disordered eating that you’re not alone.

I was a confident and happy child, but from a young age I was surrounded by diet culture that made me believe my body should be smaller. What began as insecurity when I was five, slowly developed into years of disordered eating and anorexia. At times, I felt consumed by food, calories, and the pressure to shrink myself. Even when I seemed ‘fine’, I was struggling more than anyone realised.

If you’re reading this and recognise yourself, please know support is available. An eating disorder is not your fault, and you deserve help and compassion. Reaching out for help can feel frightening – I remember that feeling well – but it’s also the first step towards getting better.

Talk to someone you trust, whether that’s a friend, teacher, parent or GP. And if speaking to someone you know feels too difficult, you can contact the NSPCC’s Childline service anonymously by calling 0800 1111 or visit: www.childline.org.uk.

You don’t need to have the right words or even know exactly what’s wrong – they will listen, without judgement, and help you find a way forward.

No one should face an eating disorder alone. Reaching out for support is an act of real courage, and the first step towards recovery.

With all my best wishes, Lauren* (age 24) from Scotland

NSPCC Lived Experience Advocate

*Lauren is not her real name – she requested that we protect her identity

Letters: SCSC calls for urgent introduction of LDAN Bill

Dear Editor

A recent report from the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee of the Scottish Parliament on ADHD and autism support highlighted that children and adults are frequently waiting multiple years for assessments of these conditions.

It called on the Scottish Government to take urgent action to develop and implement a national plan that ensures adults and children with autism and ADHD across all health boards in Scotland have clear, consistent pathways to support.

The report further reinforces the need for the Scottish Government to introduce the Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence (LDAN) Bill to Parliament at the earliest opportunity.

The LDAN Bill would help tackle long waiting times through new national and local strategies and introduce mandatory training for health and social care staff, as well as teachers and school staff, to ensure people’s needs are identified and met. 

The importance of the LDAN Bill in tackling the inequalities faced by individuals and their families cannot be overstated, and it has the potential to make a real difference for them in Scotland across education, healthcare, and employment. 

Yours faithfully

The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition:

Kenny Graham, Falkland House School

Lynn Bell, LOVE Care

Stephen McGhee, Spark of Genius

Niall Kelly, Young Foundations