Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, has said that the development of Edinburgh City Bypass must be a priority in the Scottish Government new national infrastructure investment plan, due to be published this month.
This week at the Scottish Parliament the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said that the Scottish Government would “set out the framework for £32 billion of infrastructure investment over the next five years.”
In May 2018, Miles Briggs MSP held a Members debate in the Scottish Parliament where the then Transport secretary Humza Yousaf that the Edinburgh City Bypass was a priority for the Scottish Government (link).
In June 2018 the now Transport Secretary Michael Matheson declined to give a timetable for when Edinburgh City Bypass would be developed to address overcapacity issues.
Two years since the promise of a review into the strategic importance of the A720 Edinburgh City Bypass and there has still been no progress made.
Edinburgh City’s bypass over congestion is an issue that Miles has campaigned on since his election in 2016.
Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said:“Lothian residents and businesses are increasingly concerned that SNP Ministers are not demonstrating the urgency required to avoid the bypass becoming gridlocked in future as usage will continue to grow and grow.
“Overcapacity issues on the bypass must be a national transport priority for this government and they must bring forward detailed new plans to improve this key trunk road.
“SNP Ministers have been delaying the development of this much needed infrastructure for residents and commuters in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
“The development of Edinburgh City Bypass must be part of the new national infrastructure investment plan.”
Almost 1.4 million meals were claimed throughout August in Edinburgh, at an average of £6.90 a meal, under the Eat Out to Help Out UK government scheme to get people back to restaurants.
The scheme gave 50% off meals, up to £10 per person through August on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
A total of £9,630,000 was claimed for across 465 registered restaurants in the capital.
Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, has hailed the success of the Eat Out to Help Out scheme getting customers back into restuarants.
The figures also don’t yet highlight the figures from the last day of the scheme on Monday 31 August, meaning the final total will be higher.
Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said:“I am delighted that the Eat Out to Help Out scheme has been such a huge success in Edinburgh and that it has given restaurants a much needed boost after lockdown.
“The restaurant and hospitality sector is central to Edinburgh’s economy and the scheme will have helped many restaurants survive, as well as saving jobs.
“Almost £10 million in claimed discounts show just how big a success this scheme has been.”
A mistake in a spreadsheet calculation set in motion a series of events that led to the delayed opening of the new £150m Sick Kids hospital, a new report has revealed.
The go-ahead for a new hospital at Little France, a replacement for the ageing Sick Childrens Hospital in Sciennes, was first agreed by NHS Lothian in 2005 but the project has seen a catalogue of delays and spiralling costs.
Scottish Conservative health spokesman, Lothian MSP Miles Briggs, said: ““It is absolutely staggering that this mistake has had such huge repercussions and was not picked up until after the new hospital had been built.
“This review is highlighting how ill equipped health boards are for undertaking projects the magnitude of a new hospital.
“SNP Ministers are ultimately responsible for what has been described as a ‘collective failure’ in the specifications of ventilators at the hospital.
“This fiasco has cost the tax payer enormous amounts of money, money which should have gone towards properly resourcing hospitals and improving treatment times.”
Scottish Government officials tried to block a tourism campaign to encourage visitors from the rest of the UK to come to Scotland, according to the Daily Mail.
Emails between Visit Scotland and the Scottish Government show that government officials altered a press release removing references to England and Northern Ireland. However, Visit Scotland highlighted the pressure they were receiving from the tourism industry to target tourists from the rest of the UK.
The tourism body say they have still not extended the campaign to the rest of the UK due to Scottish Government guidance.
Figures from Scottish Enterprise show that UK based tourists made up 77% of overnight tourism trips in Scotland in 2018.
A recent study by the University of Edinburgh Business School said that UK visitors are most interested and able to afford visits to Scotland and should be targeted, according to The Times.
Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said:“Tourism is a key part of Edinburgh’s economy and decisions by SNP Ministers are actively hurting the capitals economic recovery.
“English, Welsh and Irish tourists are welcome to Edinburgh, despite the SNPs nationalist agenda.
“Local coronavirus guidelines must still be followed, but sending this message to the rest of the UK about visiting Scotland is not helpful.
“With international free movement being limited for the foreseeable future, tourism from other parts of the UK will be more important than ever for getting Edinburgh and the South East of Scotland’s economy back on track.
“It is vital that we protect and global reputation of Edinburgh as an inclusive and welcoming city – that fundamentally starts with our brothers and sister in other parts of Britain.”
A restructuring process at Edinburgh Airport due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the aviation industry will see around a third of its workforce leave the business.
Following a lengthy and detailed consultation process with staff and unions, the airport has made the regrettable decision as it prepares for a prolonged recovery.
The airport directly employs 750 people and the redundancy process will begin today, covering all areas including frontline staff, management and support functions. The restructuring includes compulsory and voluntary redundancies across the business.
The airport consulted with staff and unions and its proposals on terms of redundancy were supported by more than 90% of people who took part in the ballot.
Colleagues who will unfortunately be made redundant will begin to receive letters as of 1 August and will leave the business on 31 October
Gordon Dewar, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport said: “This is a bitterly sad day for the airport and for those colleagues who are losing their jobs through no fault of their own but due to the impact of this dreadful pandemic.
“We have worked with unions and staff over the past four months to protect as many jobs as possible, but unfortunately we have to confirm this regrettable news as the business prepares for whatever comes next.
“Last year we welcomed a record 14.7 million people through our doors. This year we will be lucky to see a third of that and next year won’t be anywhere near where we have previously estimated so the business has to right size to be in a position to survive and recover when it can.”
The airport has used the UK Government’s Job Retention Scheme over the past few months as it has carefully considered the best approach to its recovery. It has helped to retain jobs, but the upcoming closure of the scheme and uncertain recovery of aviation means jobs will still be lost.
Gordon Dewar added: “The furlough scheme has undoubtedly helped us to retain jobs and we are grateful for the UK Government’s support, as well as that of the Scottish Government through things like rates relief.
“Despite this, we continued to burn around £3.5 million a month as passenger numbers dropped dramatically and airlines drastically scaled back operations. It will be a very long road to recovery, and we cannot successfully make that journey while we are set up as a 15 million passenger airport.
“Aviation was one of the industries to be hit first and unfortunately will be one of the last to fully recover, so job losses have been unavoidable. The situation has been exacerbated by the introduction of an ill-thought out and unworkable blanket quarantine policy which has massively impacted on passenger numbers.
“Aviation jobs rely on passengers and flights. That has been lost in this argument and despite us working with unions to make the case for directed support, we are still waiting to find out what will be done to preserve these jobs which are crucial to any industry and economic recovery.
“Throughout the consultation we have striven to be fair, compassionate and seek an outcome that protects as many people as possible.
“We bitterly regret this necessity and all of our talented colleagues departing the business leave with our very best wishes. They are an incredibly talented workforce who have served Edinburgh Airport fantastically well and we will do what we can to help them find other employment. We are sorry to see them go.”
Lothians MSP Miles Briggs commented: “Edinburgh Airport have had no choice but to make these redundancies, because of the impact of Covid-19 on the aviation industry, and my thoughts are with employees who will be made redundant through no fault of their own.
“These job redundancies reinforce the importance of investing in the South East of Scotland to grow the economy and create more job opportunities.
“Employees who are being made redundant must be fully supported to find new roles and develop new skills for career changes until the aviation industry recovers.”
NHS Lothian staff working across a number of Children’s Outpatient services at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children have been busy packing, ahead of the move of the first children’s clinical services to the new facilities at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People.
This move is being delivered in a phased approach, and already a number of administration teams have migrated and settled into their new environment.
Alongside the provision of outpatient face to face appointments, NHS Lothian will continue to make use of video call technology ‘Near Me’ for a number of appointments, offering greater flexibility as well as reducing the need for families to travel to attend in person.
The move plan, which was agreed with the full involvement of clinical teams, is not only helping to free up space at the existing Royal Hospital for Sick Children site, but is enabling NHS Lothian to continue to deliver paediatric clinics in a way which fully adheres to and supports social distancing.
Susan Goldsmith, Finance Director and Executive Lead for the project, said: “It is exciting to see the first of our Children’s services move to their new home at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People. We have reached a significant milestone in this project’s journey, which is important to acknowledge and celebrate.
“While delays to the opening of the new facility have been well publicised, I hope that as each service moves and appointments commence; patients, visitors and staff will be able to see just how impressive the facilities really are.
“Reaching this stage in the project has required a tremendous amount of work from the contractors on site, as well as our own project and clinical teams and for that I would like to say a huge thank you.”
While the first outpatient services settle into their new home, work on the final stages of the remedial and enhancement work in other areas of the building continues. Once this has been completed, and following final commissioning, the second phase in the move of NHS Lothian’s Children’s services will take place.
At this point, those services still situated at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children site will also move to the new building.
Lothian MSP Miles Briggs said: “It is terrific that staff are finally able to move across to the new facilities at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, based at little France.
“This move has been a long time coming and I wish all NHS Lothian staff the best at their new home.”
FAQs
How do I know where my child’s appointment will be?
Your appointment letter will tell you where your child’s appointment is being held. If it is to be held at the new Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, you will also receive a phone call to make sure you know where you are going.
Is there parking available?
Parking is available on site. Parking stewards will direct you to the most appropriate car park. A small number of spaces are also bookable in advance, but these are reserved for patients with the greatest need, based on clinical priority.
My child has an appointment at the RHCYP, how do I find out the latest travel information?
With COVID ongoing, is it safe to bring my child to hospital?
Yes. We have separate areas for patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 and for those who have not. There are also a range of enhanced infection control measures in place, such as staggered appointment times to limit the number of people in any one area of the building, physical distancing within waiting areas and enhanced cleaning in consulting rooms between each patient.
My child has an appointment in August, does this automatically mean it will be in the new building?
No. Although most outpatient services are moving over the coming weeks, some will remain at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children site at Sciennes, until the new building is ready to be opened to all services, including inpatients. This is because some services need access to other clinical support, which will not be moving until the whole building is open. Departments that will not be moving at this stage include, but are not limited to: Pain, Respiratory (asthma, allergy, CF), Cardiology, Haematology Oncology, Plastics and Plastics dressings clinic. Does the move mean that the reported problems in the building have been fixed?
Our project team, as well as the contractors on site, are continuing to work on the final stages of the remedial and enhancement work. Once this has been completed, and following final commissioning, the second phase of the move will take place.
Why has everything not moved across to the new building?
Remedial and enhancement work is still taking place at the new building, which means that some services cannot move at this time.
If my child has an emergency, where do I go?
Children’s Emergency Services remain at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children at Sciennes. If you need to access this service, you should continue to do so at the old site. There are no Emergency Services at the new building within the Little France site at this time.
It has been reported that the RHCYP building will be opening in Autumn 2020, are things on track for then?
Our project team, as well as the contractors on site, are continuing to work on the final stages of required remedial and enhancement work. As part of this, we are due to imminently receive the final works programme. Once this has been received and discussed with the services involved, an opening date for the full building will be announced, alongside more detailed plans for the migration of the remaining Children’s services.
Call for extra help and Leith Open For Business campaign
Lothian MSP Miles Briggs says that local businesses on Leith Walk will need extra support if they are to survive Covid-19 restrictions and work being carried out on the trams extension.
Work on the controversial tram extension down to Newhaven has resumed, creating more disruptions for local businesses.
The tram extension has gone ahead, despite the ongoing inquiry being carried out into why the initial project was significantly over budget and over time – the inquiry has so far cost the tax payer over £10 million.
Mr Briggs has said that the combination of Covid-19 restriction and disruptions from the trams have put businesses on Leith Walk under severe pressure and extra support must be offered by Edinburgh Council.
Included in the support measures suggested by Mr Briggs to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture are an advertising campaign to promote businesses on Leith Walk during and after the tram works.
Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said: “The current uncertainty for businesses around Covid-19 restrictions and when they will be able to start fully operating again is very challenging.
“Businesses on Leith Walk have been dealt a double blow of Covid-19 restrictions and now disruptions from tram extensions as well, putting businesses at risk.
“I have written to Edinburgh Council to raise these concerns and ask what additional support will be made available for businesses on Leith Walk.
“I have also written to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture to ask what support will be provided by the Scottish Government and if there will be an advertising campaign to promote businesses on Leith Walk during and after the tram extension.”
Lothian MSP Miles Briggs says that the level of Covid-19 testing in care homes still falls well below the level expected.
The latest figures published by the Scottish Government on care home testing shows that 3,345 cumulative tests have been carried out on care home staff, and 2,840 cumulative tests have been carried out and care home residents, as of 14th June.
In Edinburgh and the Lothian only 646 care home staff and 376 care home residents tests were carried out between 8-14 June – despite a promise made last month by SNP Health Secretary Jeane Freeman that all care home staff would be tested.
Mr Briggs has questioned SNP Ministers commitment to testing, which he has repeatedly expressed his concerns about since the start of the Covid-19 outbreak.
There are an estimated 53,000 care home staff across Scotland.
Conservative Health spokesman Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said: “SNP Ministers have shown an unsatisfactory approach to testing, since the start of the Covid-19 outbreak and testing does not appear to be a central part of the Scottish Governments response to Covid-19.
“The SNP Minister for Health, Jeane Freeman, has shown that she is not committed to her promise last month that all care home staff would be tested.
“The level of testing that has been carried out through Edinburgh and the Lothians has simply not been good enough.
“A deadline must be confirmed for when all Care Home staff will be routinely tested for Covid-19 to keep care home staff and residents safe.”
Lothian MSP Miles Briggs has praised Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s work to reform the way people with lung conditions access rehabilitation and support.
Covid-19 is expected to lead to a dramatic increase in the numbers of people managing what will possibly be long-term lung conditions and needing support for rehab and recovery.
Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland have been working with NHS Lothian to make rehabilitation support to accessible to patients who are recovering from Covid-19.
A total of 2,807 people in NHS Lothian have been confirmed as having Covid-19 since that start of the outbreak.
As of 16 June, 131 patients were in NHS Lothian hospitals with Covid-19, 193 patients with suspected Covid-19 and 6 patients in Intensive Care.
3,929 patients who have tested positive for Covid-19, who have previously required hospital treatment, have now been discharged from hospital since the start of the outbreak, with the most serious cases having longer term conditions.
A full list of measures put into place by NHS Lothian and CHSS Scotland is included below.
Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said: “I am pleased that NHS Lothian have put a range of measures in place to support survivors who have had severe cases of Covid-19.
“Having rehabilitation support in place for patients is crucial for their recovery and quality of life after having Coronavirus.
“The Covid-19 pandemic will have an impact on NHS Scotland for years to come, with increased waiting times for treatments.
“Prevention and recovery will be more important than ever for keeping people in Scotland healthy.
“I have called on SNP Ministers to develop a national Covid-19 rehab strategy to support people who will have long term health conditions from contracting Covid-19.”
Measures put into place by NHS Lothian and CHSS
Establishment of a comprehensive rehabilitation and support pathway for survivors of severe COVID across all three Lothian acute sites.
An Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) discusses all cases weekly, and agrees personalised requirements for physiotherapy, dietetics, Occupational Therapy (OT), and Speech and Language Therapist (SLT).
In addition, all patients have psychological review and support.
Case management is coordinated by an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) trained nurse, who uses previously established pathways to liaise with relevant health-social care hubs, GPs, pharmacy, and other community based services in relation to anticipatory discharge planning and support post discharge.
Rehabilitation services at Astley Ainslie Hospital (AAH) join the weekly Multidisciplinary Team and where appropriate review patients and transfer them at an appropriate time to the AAH.
NHS Lothian are also working with Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS) to liaise with their community staff (who are linked with the Managed Clinical Network (MCN) for respiratory).
NHS Lothian are producing a patient/family information resource for COVID survivors in collaboration with CHSS (funded in part by the Edinburgh and Lothian Health Foundation).
There has also been a community advice line resource set up by therapists in Edinburgh which allows patients to access community services such as pulmonary rehabilitation’.
Lothian MSP Miles Briggs has called on everyone to show their support for carers during National Carers Week (8-14 June).
Carers have an invaluable role in society looking after people who need their support, many of who are unpaid.
The Covid-19 outbreak this year has been very challenging for carers who have not been able to see loved ones in person, to protect the people they are caring for.
The Scottish Conservative Health Spokesperson has used the week to call on the SNP Government to recognise the role that many unpaid carers play on a daily basis and ensure that they have the resources to provide financial and wellbeing support to relatives and loved ones.
Carers work at this time should never be forgotten and MSP Miles Briggs says everyone owes them a huge debt of gratitude.
Lothian MSP Miles Briggs campaigned with Amanda Kopel to pass Frank’s Law in Scotland and ensure under 65s have access to free personal care.
Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said: “Carers are integral to our communities and look after those people who are most vulnerable in our society.
“The Covid-19 outbreak has been incredibly challenging for carers, with care homes being particularly affected by Covid-19.
“National Carers Week is an opportunity to highlight the hard work of carers across Edinburgh and the Lothians and the sacrifices they have made during this pandemic.
“SNP Ministers must ensure that resources are in place to support all carers who have taken on unpaid roles caring for relatives and friends during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I will continue to push the SNP Government for greater support to be given to carers throughout Scotland.”
