Briggs praises work of Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations

Lothian MSP Miles Briggs has praised the work of the Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) in supporting charities, social enterprises and Voluntary groups to make Scotland a better place.

The SCVO promotes voluntary organisations and lobby the Scottish Government on their behalf.

To celebrate 20 years of the voluntary sector and the Scottish Parliament working together SCVO have published a book, “Charities, Scotland & Holyrood, Twenty Years Delivering Change”. You can find an electronic copy of the book here.

Miles Briggs, Scottish Conservative Lothian MSP, said: “The voluntary sector in Scotland plays a huge role in communities up and down the country.

“Thousands of volunteers give their time and money to help a range of excellent causes that make a huge difference to peoples life.

“The SCVO do an exceptional job speaking on behalf of volunteers in Scotland and this new book aptly celebrate the working relationship between the Scottish Parliament and the voluntary sector over the last 20 years.”

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Miles Briggs MSP calls for powerchair football support in Lothian

Miles Briggs MSP for Lothian Region is backing the Scottish Powerchair Football Association and Lothian Wolves Powerchair Football Club in their call to give more people across Scotland the chance to play powerchair football.

Miles met with representatives of the SPFA who were visiting the Scottish Parliament to promote the growing sport. Continue reading Miles Briggs MSP calls for powerchair football support in Lothian

Briggs welcomes £3 million investment into CAHMS staff recruitment

Scottish Conserative health spokesman Miles Briggs MSP has welcomed the news that NHS Lothian are investing £3million into the recruitment of Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services staff. Continue reading Briggs welcomes £3 million investment into CAHMS staff recruitment

“A state of chaos”: Further delay to full paediatric service at St John’s

The full reinstatement of 24/7 paediatric services at St John’s Hospital has been further delayed, Health Secretary jeane Freeman confirmed today. Continue reading “A state of chaos”: Further delay to full paediatric service at St John’s

Support for automatic access to Blue Badge Scheme for people with MND

Lothian MSP Miles Briggs has given his support to the campaign for people with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) to receive automatic access to the Blue Badge scheme. Continue reading Support for automatic access to Blue Badge Scheme for people with MND

End in sight to rip off TV charges at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary

NHS Lothian have confirmed that they are not going to renew their contract with entertainment provider Hospedia, who have come under criticism due their expensive fees for patients to watch television in hospital.

At the ERI patients are charged £5.00 for two hours of television or £17.50 for two days. Continue reading End in sight to rip off TV charges at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary

NHS Lothian needs more government support, says Briggs

NHS Lothian lowest funded health board per head of population.

NHS Lothian have not hit a single one of their performance targets and have the lowest funding per head of population, with £1,540 based on mid 2018 population estimates. Continue reading NHS Lothian needs more government support, says Briggs

Waiting time figures highlight need for urgent action to tackle child mental health crisis

  • The NHS in Scotland failed to meet a maximum 18-week waiting time target for children and young people to receive treatment from mental health services
  • More than 3 in 10 are waiting more than 18-weeks for treatment.
  • 12 out of 14 health boards failed to meet the 18-week waiting time target:
    • NHS Fife, NHS Grampian, NHS Highland, NHS Lanarkshire, NHS Lothian, NHS Tayside, NHS Borders, NHS Ayrshire and Arran, NHS Orkney, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley, NHS Shetland and NHS Forth Valley
  • 151 children and young people waited more than a year prior to being seen for treatment, three times that for the same quarter of last year.
  • More than one in five referrals for treatment are rejected.
  • Figures show only 0.53 per cent of NHS expenditure is spent on CAMHS, less than 7 per cent of the mental health budget.
  • Coalition calls for fundamental rethink and renewed focus on prevention and early intervention, including embedding mental health within education.

Continue reading Waiting time figures highlight need for urgent action to tackle child mental health crisis