Tag: NEN

Boris Johnson: ‘It’s humanity against the virus’

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will today co-host a major international conference to drive forward the global race for coronavirus vaccines, treatments and tests – and call on other countries to step up their efforts and work together on the “most urgent shared endeavour of our lifetimes”.

The Prime Minister’s call to action will come during the virtual Coronavirus Global Response International Pledging Conference, which is co-hosted by the UK and eight other countries and organisations.

He will confirm the UK’s pledge of £388 million in UK aid funding for research into vaccines, tests and treatments – part of a larger £744 million existing UK aid commitment to help end the pandemic and support the global economy.

This includes £250 million for the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to develop vaccines against coronavirus – the biggest such donation to the fund by any country.

Speaking to the conference, the Prime Minister will say: “To win this battle, we must work together to build an impregnable shield around all our people, and that can only be achieved by developing and mass producing a vaccine.

“The more we pull together and share our expertise, the faster our scientists will succeed. The race to discover the vaccine to defeat this virus is not a competition between countries, but the most urgent shared endeavour of our lifetimes.

“It’s humanity against the virus – we are in this together, and together we will prevail.”

International Development Secretary, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, said: “It is only by working together that we will prevent future waves of infection and end this pandemic as quickly as possible.

“By strengthening developing countries’ health systems and working to find a vaccine, the UK is playing its part in stopping the global spread of coronavirus to save lives everywhere and protect our NHS.”

Tackling coronavirus globally is crucial to preventing a second wave of the virus re-emerging in the UK, which would put even further pressure on the NHS. It will also ensure that life-saving vaccines, treatments and diagnostic tests are available as soon as possible.

In the UK, work is progressing at pace on vaccine development – on Thursday the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca announced a partnership to support large-scale manufacture and potential distribution of a vaccine currently being trialled by the university.

On the 4th June, the UK will host the Global Vaccine Summit, bringing together countries and organisations to follow the UK’s lead in investing in the work of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

Last week International Development Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan announced a funding pledge equivalent to £330 million a year over the next five years to Gavi. This will help immunise 75 million children in the world’s poorest countries.

More mental health support after forty days of lockdown

Key mental health services to support families, young people and autistic people are to receive more than £1 million additional funding.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman made the announcement yesterday after 40 days of lockdown when many people have felt an effect on their mental health.

The allocation of funding comprises:

• £768,000 for a relationships helpline to be delivered by The Spark counselling service
• £105,000 to support Young Scot to develop enhanced digital content and resources on mental health
• £205,000 to support 47,000 autistic people across Scotland, including funding to increase capacity at the Scottish Autism Helpline and help for the National Autistic Society to keep people in touch online during lockdown

Ms Freeman said: “While everyone is experiencing different challenges at this time, the mental health of children, young people and families can be put under great strain.

“We appreciate that spending a lot of time together in isolation and home-working, home-schooling and juggling childcare can be really tough.

“This crisis means many people are dealing with anxiety, fear, uncertainty, anger or sadness. They may feel overwhelmed and relationships can be placed under a lot of pressure.

“We want to ensure that the right help and support is in place for the mental wellbeing of our children, young people and families. This package of measures focuses on prevention and recovery, and on maintaining healthy relationships throughout the current restrictions. It follows the launch of our national campaign, Clear Your Head, last week.”

The Clear Your Head campaign highlights practical ways to look after mental health and wellbeing while continuing to stay at home – and signposts sources of help and advice.

The Spark is a third sector organisation which delivers counselling services to families across Scotland, including relationship and couples counselling and counselling for children and young people.

They currently operate a Relationship Helpline on a small scale for nine hours a week. The number of the Relationship Helpline is 0808 802 2088 and this additional funding will enable the helpline to operate Monday-Thursday 9am to 9pm and Friday 9am to 4pm.

Scotland has launched a digital resource called Mind Yer Time specifically to help children and young people learn about the healthy use of screens and social media.

It supports mental and physical health online and was developed by the Scottish Youth Parliament and Children’s Parliament. In the first ten days since its launch the guide had almost 13,000 views.

The additional funding will allow the Scottish Autism Helpline to open 8am-8pm, seven days a week on 01259 222022.

Key workers recognised in new pack

A brand new edition of Top Trumps, honouring Covid 19 key and essential workers, hits shops tomorrow (Monday 4th May).

The game lauds and applauds those key and essential workers who have saved Britain during the Pandemic: from doctors and nurses to less high-profile professions such as pest controllers, midwives and sea merchants.

Politicians, who are depicted on the Top Trumps card by Boris Johnson (controversial! – Ed.)  and journalists are included too.

One of the four scoring sections in the new game is ‘Unsung Heroes’ … and in that category it is the partners of key workers who come out top. They get a maximum 10 out of 10.

Binmen and binwomen scored a point lower at nine out of ten. Less unsung heroes like doctors (8), nurses (8) and police (7) fare lower.

In its card citation Top Trumps point out that being a partner of a key worker is “stressful and worrying”.

Claire Simon, from Top Trumps, says: “Every single front-line key worker is, of course, a heroine and hero and would each score 10 (or even 11) out of 10 by any reckoning if we had devised a Hero category.

“By creating an Unsung Heroes category we have ensured varying marks, in keeping with the game’s core classic and its unique and much-loved branding.

“From our research, which has been intensively conducted over the six weeks, partners of key workers came out top in this section. There are an estimated one and a half million partners of key workers in Britain so that’s a lot of Unsung Heroes and Heroines.

“Many of the public we spoke to pointed out that partners too are putting their lives on the line, albeit less directly. As well as being there physically they are providing emotional support. For that reason we listed partners as key workers.”

Other features of the pack include: 

  • Binmen and binwomen being named as the most stylish of all the key and essential workers.  That’s because of their fluorescent and neon clothing, which is all the fashion rage at the moment. They score 10 /10 on ‘Street Style and as they are also runners-up in the ‘Unsung Heroes’ section then they are very much the card not to bin during the game!  In its card citation Top Trumps point out that refuse collectors first began their profession during the 14th Century Black Death that swept across Europe and add: “In terms of facing a pandemic, refuse collectors can rightly joke that ‘we’ve bin here before’ ”.
  • Stuffy politicians score just 1/10 in the style section – with teachers not doing much better and obviously in need of extra fashion homework. They get just 2/10.  Journalists only manage 5/10.
  • Religious and spiritual workers are listed by Top Trumps as the very oldest profession of all the workers in the pack in an ‘Originated’ section. They are named as first appearing in 50,000 BC, which easily wins this category.
  • Gadgets and gizmos winner is the journalist, which isn’t surprising bearing in mind the lightening media advances with Zoom and the like – since the start of the Pandemic. The profession with the least formal gadgets and gizmos includes mental health workers.
  • One of the very best cards to hold in Top Trumps terms is the courier. That’s because it features very well in the Originated section: at 2400 BC. It also scores very highly in the Unsung Heroes category – notching up a nine out of ten. And in terms of gadgets and gizmos it is only shaded by journalists.

Claire Simon, who is Global Marketing Manager at Top Trumps, added: “We are sure that this new edition of Top Trumps can lift spirits in this very challenging and unprecedented period of time, as well as raising money for the NHS, with all net proceeds going direct to the NHS.”

In this version of the celebrated card game 30 different professions are listed, each marked in typical Top Trumps style across four separate scoring categories:

  1. Unsung Heroes: In the pack Top Trumps explains: “All our key workers are heroes, but some jobs are often less praised. We want to make sure key workers are given the praise they deserve”.
  1. Street Style:  Top Trumps explains: “Neon is in! This section assesses the gear and garb a key and essential worker wears”.
  1. Gadgets & Gizmos:  “What equipment the worker uses and carries to do their job.”
  1. Originated:  “The year in which profession was established (or in the case of religious and spiritual workers the estimated year: 50,000 BC!).

Top Trumps Britain at its Best: Key Workers is available priced £5 from Monday (4th May 2020) exclusively at: winningmoves.co.uk and comes in a twin deck (the other pack being Britain at its Best: Hospitals* see further below for some details on this pack).

And the dual Britain at its Best deck really IS Britain at its very best, literally. The whole product – from concept to completion – is 100% British, with the cards being manufactured by The St Austell Printing Company in St. Austell, Cornwall.

The £5 price for both packs includes postage and packaging and the Top Trumps makers say £1.50 from each dual deck sold go to the NHS.

TOP facts about Top Trumps Britain at its Best: Hospitals pack

  • The pack features UK Hospitals from Britain’s oldest (Barts – 1123) to one of its very newest (Nightingale, London – 2020).
  • It’s full of fascinating facts and the 30 different cards feature leading UK hospitals inc. Guy’s, Addenbrooke’s, St Thomas’, John Radcliffe and Manchester Royal Infirmary.
  • The four scoring categories are: ‘Year Opened’ ; ‘No. of beds’ ; ‘Fame’ and ‘Rainbow Rating’.
  • St. Thomas’ Hospital, where PM Boris Johnson was successfully treated during his recent Covid 19 confinement, features as one of the 30 cards.
  • Highest in the ‘Rainbow Rating’ section is Great Ormond Street Hospital, which has a rainbow theme throughout.
  • But arguably Britain’s most crucial hospital is a moving one, not a permanent structure or even semi-permanent as in the case of the Nightingale. And that is ‘The Ambulance’ (which features on its very own card)..
  • .. ‘The Ambulance’ has just the one bed so in terms of Top Trumps that’s a low rating. However it comes high in the OLDEST category, dating back to 1487.

    

TOP facts about Top Trumps generally:

  • Top Trumps first hit shelves 40 years ago – very rapidly becoming a playground sensation.
  • Early packs tended to focus on younger themes such as ‘Awesome Animals’ and ‘Pop Stars’ but by the 1990’s – with the initial fan base now in their twenties – all themes became universal.
  • More than 1,000 different topics have had the Top Trumps treatment .. from ‘007 James Bond’ to ‘Great British Bakes’ to ‘Harry Potter’.
  • The biggest selling deck ever is ‘Dinosaurs’  – and overall more than 50M packs of Top Trumps have been produced since inception.
  • The game is enjoyed and played all over the world and in 16 different languages, including Icelandic and Japanese.
  • Top Trumps is owned and produced by Winning Moves UK, which makes a host of other classic Brands too, including: Official versions of MONOPOLY, Waddington’s Number One playing cards and very many more.

Council Leader’s Report

Heartfelt thanks to Edinburgh’s frontline heroes

I’d like to begin by thanking Council staff and those working for the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership for all their hard work, dedication, and selflessness in these extraordinary times, particularly those caring for our most vulnerable citizens in both care homes and in their own homes.

I was pleased to see the Evening News recognise this with a special ‘thank you’ video for Clap for Carers night, featuring colleagues from across our frontline services, who are themselves doing such a fantastic job.

I know everyone is anxious and worried about their loved ones and I’d imagine it must be even harder if they’re feeling vulnerable and being looked after elsewhere. I’d like to reassure you that the Partnership is taking great care to follow government guidance to prevent the spread of the virus to keep our residents and staff safe.

Amongst the sadness, I’ve seen some great uplifting stories on social media about residents chatting to relatives using iPads donated to them as well as a lively outdoor karaoke session in one care home. Keeping spirits up is something every one of us needs to work hard at during this crisis for our own wellbeing – and that of others.

Package of support for our most vulnerable

One of the most affected groups in these extremely testing times is those citizens who are at their most vulnerable or at risk. These include those aged over 70, with a physical or mental disability, and households who don’t have online access or are struggling financially. We’re working hard to co-ordinate help for them through our teams, with great support from third sector, community and voluntary organisations.

Thanks to an injection of £1.65m from the Scottish Government’s Food Fund, we’ve linked up with EVOC to set up a food distribution network, which will see over 3,000 emergency food parcels delivered across the first fortnight. These supplies are in addition to the ones we’re already sending to identified families in need with babies, under 5s and the many thousands of parcels being distributed by community groups. Families are also benefitting from Free School Meal payments paid directly to them every fortnight.

We’ve also partnered with the national homelessness charity, Bethany Christian Trust, to provide accommodation at the Old Waverley Hotel and specialised support for rough sleepers – an alternative to their Care Shelter and a lifeline for many over the coming weeks and months.

Multimillion pound boost for businesses

Our local businesses and independent retailers have always had a special place at the heart of our communities. They help our high streets to thrive, they support thousands of local jobs and they are key to making our neighbourhoods such fantastic and vibrant places to live.

We all want to be able to enjoy our high streets once again and supporting these businesses through the crisis is high on our list of priorities. We’ve now directed £61m in government grants to organisations in Edinburgh to help owners with bills, overheads and staff. We’ve seen high demand for this financial support and recognition from the Federation of Small Businesses for the team’s effort in working through almost 6,000 applications. Later today we’ll have responded to every application we’ve received, and we’ll be working to widen support to include businesses operating from more than one property, sole traders and social enterprises.

Yesterday we also launched a fund for the newly self-employed, an important scheme that will provide grants of £2,000 to workers who haven’t been able to qualify for other support. For those who haven’t been successful, our award-winning Business Gateway service has a range of resources to help all organisations through the emergency. We’re encouraging anyone would would benefit from advice to get in touch online.

Keeping essential services going through the crisis

We’ve made every effort to continue delivering frontline services to the people of Edinburgh over recent weeks. Our refuse collection crews have worked extremely hard to help ensure the majority of waste and recycling services continue uninterrupted and I know residents will join me (as they already are) in recognising the great job they’re doing during these hugely difficult circumstances.

We had to make some changes to services as part of our response, both due to staff shortages but also to protect the safety of crews, but we’re now returning to a full kerbside and communal waste service with the reintroduction of glass recycling collections (blue boxes) this week and garden waste pick-ups from 11 May.

One positive to come from the crisis is how brilliantly people in Edinburgh are looking out for one another – whether that be offering to pick up supplies, walk the dog or put their bins out. I hope to see this community spirit continue as normal services resume, and would encourage residents to look after our collection crews too by following our advice on what to do with waste if you have coronavirus symptoms.

A hub of activities

Under normal circumstances, our pupils would be busy preparing for their exams and starting their new academic session just now but, like many others, the coronavirus pandemic has changed our education landscape dramatically.

Hundreds of children of key workers are coming along to our 10 school hubs every day, including three special schools, having ensured this provision was available over the two-week Easter break as well. The messages of support from both parents and the children themselves have really been appreciated and thanks must go especially to the teams running them in these challenging circumstances.

The success of the hubs, support from our partner provider nurseries in caring for the Under 5s of key workers and the breadth of home learning taking place across the city are welcome signs of everyone working together to ensure all of our young people continue to receive childcare, learning and teaching.

Technology has long been a key part of day-to-day school life but never more so than now as our teachers and young people embrace the digital world that is now their classroom. I’ve heard lots of great examples of fun, innovative learning opportunities being brought to life with technology – whether that be virtual class meetings, live geography field trips (from Ipswich!) or making best use of #edutwitter and other networks.

We’re currently carrying out a survey of all our young people to explore whether we can provide even more support to those of them who don’t have the same access to devices and internet as their peers.

Taking Edinburgh forwards into a more sustainable future

The climate emergency has been pushed off the front pages temporarily. But the 50th anniversary of Earth Day last Wednesday saw this crucial issue regain the foreground, not least with the thoughtful and instructive article by the Chair of our new Edinburgh Climate Commission, Dr Sam Gardner.

In this, Dr Gardner makes a compelling case for the need for us to build a better and more sustainable Capital once the Covid-19 crisis has passed – as he says, “back to normal” simply won’t be good enough.

Our City’s new Climate Commission Chair argues that the vastly improved air quality as road traffic has fallen, with lots more of us travelling (when essential) by bike or on foot, and working efficiently from home rather than commuting – are all changes we’re living with now that we should look to sustain to tackle carbon emissions.

The crisis we’re living through has brought enormous challenges for each and every one of us, but we can use this experience to inform our next steps towards tackling the looming climate crisis.

Acting now to prepare for recovery

Helping our businesses and industries get back into shape is another pressing priority and we’re already ramping up recovery plans, working closely with partners and organisations across the city. In recent weeks I’ve spoken to dozens of businesses, we’ve held a meeting of the City’s Economic Advisory Panel, I joined the first meeting of the new Climate Commission to discuss how we can recover sustainably and chaired the first tourism roundtable, focusing on one of the Capital’s key economic engines.

In all of these discussions, there’s been consensus that we need to put sustainability and inclusivity at the heart of our economy as Edinburgh recovers. This means a responsible visitor economy, balancing the needs of residents and using our many economic strengths, including emerging technologies, as a platform for recovery.

As we expand on this work to consult with other key sectors in the coming weeks and months, it will be important for us to look at Edinburgh’s recovery plan in the round and consider residents’ views too. Thanks to our recent 2050 City Vision project, we have a wealth of ideas and opinions on the type of city the people of Edinburgh want us to be in years to come. I’m sure this feedback will prove vitally important when the whole city is ready to move forward.

Now is a good time to reflect on our latest accolade, courtesy of National Geographic last month, as one of the five most forward-thinking cities in Europe – as well as ‘the greenest city in the UK.’

Green spaces help us tackle the Covid blues

It’s more important than ever that we stay active and spend some time outdoors – and being the greenest city in the UK, our 144 public parks and greenspaces can accommodate lots of people walking, running, cycling or playing without being within two metres of others. While these remain open for local people, please continue to follow the national guidance for physical distancing: stay local, limit outings to once a day for exercise and adhere to our guidelines.

If you live close to Princes Street Gardens you’ll have seen how sensational the West gardens are looking in all their spring glory, judging by some photos I’ve seen on social media. You’ll also have noticed that works, including new drainage and the re-turfing of banks and lawns, are progressing well in the East.

We’re also implementing emergency measures to help our pedestrians and cyclists remain socially distant along pinch point pathways and roads, working closely with Transport Scotland and Sustrans to develop an approach to re-designating road space. We’ve already begun making changes, and you’ll continue to see improvements being made around the city in the coming weeks. We want to ensure that our City can support essential journeys and help local people to use open spaces, with the safest, most accessible routes we can offer.

Ensuring all voices can be heard

In the weeks and months ahead, the outbreak will remain firmly at the forefront of residents’ minds and, as agreed at last week’s Leadership Advisory Panel (LAP), it’s right that our public consultations should be delayed.

This includes the much-anticipated public conversation on the future of Edinburgh’s winter festivals, an important and timely debate for our city to have. All political parties agree that the next contract for these events (for the winter of 2022 and beyond) should be shaped by the people of Edinburgh and we’re absolutely committed to conducting a wide-ranging exercise to gather their views, but only when it’s safe and practical to do so.

In the coming weeks, councillors will have further key decisions to make and we’re committed to these being subject to the right scrutiny and transparency. Starting this month, the LAP will be replaced by the reinstated Policy and Sustainability Committee, allowing a broader spectrum of political involvement. From June, the opposition-chaired Governance, Risk and Best Value committee will also return, allowing for further scrutiny of our decision making.

It’s good to talk

We all know that staying safe at home is really important when it comes to getting through this pandemic but it can also bring great pressures on families. Our day to day lives have been turned upside down and many of our young people may be feeling particularly unsettled and struggling to cope with the big changes that have now become normality.

That’s why our educational psychologists are making sure they are there for our young people and their families. They are offering advice to young people, parents, carers and school staff who want support in managing their home learning and wellbeing.

They’ve produced a guide which provides key messages and recommended resources which will prove helpful. So please don’t hesitate to contact them on 0131 469 2800 or psychologicalservices@ea.edin.sch.uk if you want support and advice. Please make sure you take time to look after yourself, as well as others.

There are lots of great tips out there on protecting your personal wellbeing, and we’re also sharing a treasure trove of activities to do at home, compiled by one of our lifelong learning team and offering options for people of all ages to try out.

Thank you once again for playing your part in Edinburgh’s response to this crisis. We’ll get through it together, and I know we’ll emerge stronger.

Death in Service: paramedic dies of coronavirus

A paramedic has died from Covid-19, the Scottish Ambulance Service has confirmed. The staff member has not been named.

Pauline Howie, Chief Executive of the Scottish Ambulance Service, said: “It is with very great sadness to report the news that one of our dear colleagues from the Scottish Ambulance Service has tragically passed away after contracting COVID-19.

“The staff member, a Paramedic in the West Region, sadly passed away in hospital on Saturday (May 2). On behalf of everyone at SAS, I would like to offer my heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies to the family. Our focus will be on supporting them during this very difficult time.

“I would also like to thank our NHS Scotland colleagues for the compassionate care they have shown our friend during their illness.

“I know there will be many people within the Service who will be affected by this very tragic news and we are working to support our staff. ”

Out of respect for the family, no further details will be provided at this stage.

Testing: the picture in Scotland

A further expansion of coronavirus (COVID-19) testing in Scotland has been announced as it was confirmed that the target to reach capacity for 3,500 tests a day across NHS labs has been exceeded.

On Friday, it was announced that the normal daily capacity for analysing tests in Scotland had now reached 8,350. This figure is made up of 4,350 NHS tests and 4,000 from the Glasgow Lighthouse Laboratory.

The First Minister confirmed the numbers as she announced testing in Scotland will be expanded to include:

  • enhanced outbreak investigation in all care homes where there are cases of COVID – this will involve testing, subject to individuals’ consent, all residents and staff, whether or not they have symptoms. Where staff work between homes run by the same operator, testing will also take place in those homes following a risk assessment
  • sample testing in care homes without cases of the virus. This will involve testing of some asymptomatic residents and social care workers
  • testing through the regional testing centres and mobile units of symptomatic over 65s, and those with symptoms who cannot work from home and need to leave their homes to work. Households of these two groups will also be eligible for tests where they have symptoms. The online booking system for these tests is being updated and tests will be available over the weekend
  • Health Protection Scotland will introduce antibody testing as part of enhanced surveillance testing. Antibody testing detects whether somebody is likely to have had the virus more than two weeks ago. It takes approximately two weeks for the immune response to fully develop. Starting next week, blood samples from across Scotland will be tested as part of this enhanced surveillance enabling us to learn more about the virus and gain an understanding of how it is spreading through the population in Scotland

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “At the start of this outbreak, only two laboratories in Scotland carried out tests. Now there are labs at all 14 health boards, we have exceeded our target to test 3,500 samples a day in the NHS and, working with the Lighthouse Lab at Glasgow University, capacity for testing in Scotland has now reached 8,323 and is on track to expand further this month.

“Given that our capacity has now expanded significantly, that means we can further extend eligibility for testing.

“We now intend to undertake enhanced outbreak investigation in all care homes where there are cases of COVID-19 – this will involve testing, subject to individuals’ consent, all residents and staff, whether or not they have symptoms. In addition, we are testing symptomatic over 65s as well as those who need to leave their homes to work.

“We are also expanding the surveillance testing programme to include antibody testing. This is another tool which will allow us to monitor the proportion of people exposed to COVID-19 and help tackle its spread across the population.”

Testing at Regional Testing Centres and mobile units

In addition to key workers currently eligible, all symptomatic over 65s and household and those of any age who are symptomatic who need to leave their homes to work and household will have access to tests.

Tests will be booked through the UK Government’s on-line system at https://self-referral.test-for-coronavirus.service.gov.uk/ and will be conducted at five regional drive-through test sites in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness and Perth and at mobile test sites being initially located at a number of locations including Motherwell, Dunoon, Prestwick, Stranraer, Galashiels, Peterhead and Elgin. At times a queuing system may have to be put into operation on the website for those locations where demand is highest. This is monitored regularly.

Serology stream of the enhanced surveillance programme (antibody testing)

The serology stream of Health Protection Scotland’s enhanced surveillance programme will run for at least 16 weeks and will initially involve six NHS boards; expansion into other boards is also planned.

Approximately 500 residual blood samples from biochemistry laboratories (submitted from primary care) will be tested per week at the Scottish Microbiology Reference Laboratory in Inverness. To ensure comparability with other UK data, HPS will be using similar methodology originally developed by Public Health England. To achieve a fair representation of the Scottish population, the initial samples will be distributed across the six participating boards, and by age-group and sex.

Laboratory capacity to process tests in Scotland on 30 April 2020

NHS Scotland Labs: 4,350 tests

Glasgow University Lighthouse Laboratory: 4,000 tests

Total current capacity in Scotland: 8,350 tests.

Target was 3,500 by end April.

Note:

Since the start of the Coronavirus outbreak, NHS lab capacity has been increased from two NHS labs (Glasgow and Edinburgh) with total capacity to do 350 tests a day, to a point today where there is lab testing capacity in all 14 health board areas.

NHS Scotland labs – this figure represents maximum capacity. Capacity may fluctuate – and exceed testing demand – on a daily basis for a number of reasons. We work closely with health boards to improve the efficiency of the testing system and the National Labs Programme (led by NSS) is leading work to optimise the capacity utilisation of the system.

The capacity of NHS Scotland labs is projected to increase to at least 8,000 by the middle of May.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): how to get tested

Coronavirus: ‘A Time To Be Bold’

British Chambers of Commerce President, Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith, has written an open letter to the Prime Minister setting out principles for a phased restart of the UK economy.

The leading business group set out its integrated approach, the first step in a three-stage process,as the government prepares to ease initial lockdown restrictions.

The letter reads: “The fight against the virus must remain the top priority, but the planning and communication of a carefully phased approach to lifting lockdown must begin immediately if we are to harness the public health and economic benefits, both now and in the future.”

Praising the work of Chambers of Commerce across the UK as the “first responders” of the business world, the letter is accompanied by detailed policy proposals for safely reopening the economy, comprising steps to:

  • Safely reopen public spaces and restore services (including schools and public transport)
  • Safely reopen workplaces and commercial spaces
  • Minimise job losses and business failures
  • Rebuild supply chains and customer bases; and
  • Put the UK economy on a high-growth, high-wage and low unemployment trajectory as soon as possible

The letter continues: “This is a time to be bold. Government should not shy away from sustaining high levels of public spending in order to restart and renew our communities and the economy in the short and medium-term, while not tying the hands of future generations.

“An expansionary fiscal policy, including a commitment to transformative infrastructure investment, will be needed in order to generate the returns that will help to pay down the national debt in the longer-term.

“We see the journey ahead as having three phases:

  • Restart: a phased reopening of the economy
  • Rebuild: building resilience for firms and households
  • Renew: returning to prosperity and growth

“We plan to share some principles for each of these three phases over the coming weeks, beginning today with ‘Restart’.

“Fundamental prerequisites to beginning this journey include mass testing and contact tracing; clear decisions and guidance on what PPE is needed in workplaces; and proactive steps to ensure adequate supply of PPE to both the health service and to businesses where necessary.”

The letter welcomes the “speed and scale” of existing government support schemes and indicates that they will need to “continue to evolve to support a phased restart of the economy, enabling businesses to survive through this crisis and thrive in the future.”

The letter concludes: “We commit to working with you and your colleagues across Government on exploring these phases in detail as we plan our path forward. We owe nothing less to our businesses, and the communities and people they support, who have been battered by this storm.”

20-05-01 Letter from British Chambers of Commerce

Yet another delay for the new Sick Kids hospital?

The saga of Edinburgh’s new Sick Kids hospital is set to be extended again – after health secretary Jeane Freeman admitted the latest timescale was “under review”.

The facility, which is now eight years late, was supposed to finally open in the autumn.

However, Ms Freeman admitted in a parliamentary answer on Friday that the handing over looked set to be held up again because of coronavirus pressures.

Ms Freeman said: “NHS Lothian is working closely with IHSL to ensure delivery of the programme as close to the timeframe of a full handover in Autumn 2020, but this timeframe is now under review. A refreshed programme is likely to be available during the second half of May and I will of course keep Parliament updated.”

Shadow health secretary Miles Briggs said while this particular delay may be understandable given the Covid-19 crisis, it could have all been avoided had the SNP hit any of the previous targets for opening.

The much-needed facility has been plagued by problems, meaning staff and patients have been forced to continue to use the ancient building in the Sciennes area of the city, which the health board itself has acknowledged is no longer fit for purpose. 

Scottish Conservative shadow health secretary Miles Briggs said: “Obviously with the current situation it’s inevitable there will be delays with almost all projects of this nature.

“What wasn’t inevitable was the SNP’s failure to get this hospital open in anything like the timeframe initially set out. This vital hospital – which was commissioned, planned and built by the SNP – was meant to open in 2012.

“It should currently be open, thriving and assisting our dedicated NHS staff with the coronavirus battle. Instead, it lies empty while the rest of the hospital estate is placed under immense pressure.

“Families across the east of Scotland will not forget the SNP’s spectacular mismanagement of the Sick Kids project.”

Funding boost to support autistic people

Two specialist organisations will receive additional funding to support 47,000 autistic people across Scotland during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has confirmed:

  • £160,000 to increase capacity in the Scottish Autism Helpline
  • £45,000 for the National Autistic Society to help people keep in touch online during lockdown

The Health Secretary said: “Autistic people find the extreme change in their daily lives more difficult to deal with, which is why we have fast-tracked this funding to improve the consistency and availability of support. These are unprecedented times and it is important autistic people know this support is there to help them and how to access it.

“This funding will help organisations provide autistic people and their families with a source of up-to-date information to manage their physical and mental health and wellbeing, as well as reduce social isolation by helping them forge sustainable and meaningful relationships.”

Charlene Tait, Deputy CEO at Scottish Autism, said: “During these uncertain and challenging times, our aim is to provide reassurance, guidance and support to autistic people and their families across Scotland. 

“These extra funds will allow us to extend our Autism Advice Line offering, enabling us to increase our operating capacity to seven days a week, 8am to 8pm.  We are all too aware of the impact this crisis is having on the emotional, physical and mental wellbeing of autistic people and their families. This funding will enable us to reach out and support people at this difficult and stressful time.”

Nick Ward, Director at the National Autistic Society Scotland, said: “We are very grateful to the Scottish Government for their work throughout this crisis to support autistic people and their families.

“With this funding we can drastically increase the number of online Social Groups, where people can meet and talk about the things that are important to them, form meaningful relationships and feel more connected. Our staff will also be on hand to offer support and tips around managing mental health and well being and importantly staying safe.”

Blair Spence, 19, of Maxwell Park, Glasgow, said: “I’ve been going to the Social Groups for about 9 months, they’ve really helped my confidence and conversation skills as well as make new friends. 

“The new online groups have been really fun. There are about 10 of us in the group and it works really well. It’s good to stay in touch with other people and we’ve done some exciting things with the group leaders like a virtual tour of an Aquarium and around San Francisco including going across the Golden Gate Bridge! 

“I really look forward to the weekly online groups and I would recommend to other autistic people to give them a go.”

Additional funding of £159,920 over a four-month period will allow the Scottish Autism Helpline to open 8am-8pm, seven days a week on 01259 222022.

National Autistic Society Scotland will use £45,057 to fully redesign face-to-face services onto an online platform, NAS Connect, to provide support during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The website will bring people together through interests such as film, books, arts, cooking, quizzes and computer games by facilitating social groups, coffee clubs and branch meet-ups that are unable to meet face to face at this time.

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Izzy, wizzy, let’s get quizzy!

Sooty hosts RNIB quiz for children across the nation

The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) is encouraging children across the UK to beat boredom by joining a Facebook Live quiz on 07 May hosted by the nation’s favourite magic bear.

The virtual event, which will begin at 2pm and last half an hour, will be hosted by Sooty and The Sooty Show’s TV presenter Richard Cadell. It has been designed to help alleviate the boredom which children may be feeling due to coronavirus restrictions.

During the quiz Sooty and Richard will ask fun questions aimed at children aged 6-11 years old, although younger children are also welcome to join in. Sooty and Richard will also interact with the audience through the comments on the broadcast.

The event is free for anyone to take part, with an option to make a donation to Sooty’s longstanding charity partner, RNIB, which has worked with The Sooty Show since the 1960s.

Richard Cadell said: “Sooty and I are really looking forward to hosting the quiz and are hoping to see as many children as possible from across the UK take part – the more the merrier.

“We encourage children to bring their parents or invite their friends to take part through the Facebook Live link. Izzy, wizzy, let’s get quizzy!”

Becca McRow-Brewer, RNIB Senior Manager, Community Giving said: “We are delighted to work with Sooty and Richard to deliver what is sure to be a really fun event.

“We’re hoping to see children from all across the UK, and we have designed the quiz without picture rounds, so it will be accessible for children with sight loss.

“The quiz is free, but donations will support RNIB’s work to support the over two million people living with sight loss across the UK during this particularly challenging time.”

Join the quiz on 07 May at: rnib.in/sooty

Donations can be made online at rnib.org.uk/sooty-quiz-donate or by texting Sooty to 70007 to donate £3 to RNIB.