Tag: online portal

Police renew appeal for help to trace Khasha Smith

POLICE are continuing enquiries to locate Khasha Smith, 35, who is missing from the Calder area of Edinburgh.

Extensive enquiries are ongoing and police we have established that the last known confirmed sighting of Khasha was Tuesday, 10 October, 2023.

Her family is extremely concerned for her and are today appealing to the public for any information which could help trace Khasha.

Khasha’s mum Nicola Neil said: “Khasha, we love you so much and just need to know you are safe. We need you home with us. If anyone, anywhere, knows where Khasha is – please tell us. Please don’t let us go on like this.

“Khasha is a brilliant mum to her three children and is loved by all our very close family. We are all sick with worry. Khasha is my friend as well as my daughter and we are living a nightmare. 

“It’s hard to find the words to explain the “not knowing” where she is and if anything has happened to her. These past few weeks have been horrendous and painful for us all. I would ask anyone out there – even if we don’t know you – please come forward if you know anything at all.

“Please help us bring Khasha home. This waiting is unbearable. I’m begging you from the bottom of my heart – please get in touch. I miss her so much and we need to find her.”

Khasha’s daughter Calley Smith said: “I recently had my 18th birthday and didn’t hear anything from my mum. She would never miss my birthday, my sisters’ birthdays, or Christmas.

“It’s just not her. We miss her so much. We want nothing more than my mum to walk through the door and to be able to give her a massive hug. It feels like I’m living the worst dream I could ever imagine. 

“I can’t express what it would mean to have my mum home. Even the smallest piece of information might be all we need to find her.

“So I’m asking anyone with any information – please come forward and help the police bring my mum home for me, my sisters and the rest of the family.”


Khasha is around 5ft tall, with a slim build. She has blue eyes and long, blonde hair. She also has tattoos, one which is visible on her right wrist and says ‘Forever’.

She is known to visit the Gorgie, Broomhouse and Wester Hailes areas.

Khasha always maintains contact with her family. However, none of her relatives or her friends have seen, or heard from her, and this is very distressing for them.
  
Specialist officers are supporting and keeping in close contact with Khasha’s family.  

A number of national resources have been used in the search for Khasha including the dog branch, underwater unit and specialist search officers.

Enquiries are ongoing and officers are again appealing for anyone with any information to come forward.


Detective Chief Inspector Bob Williamson said: “Khasha’s family are understandably extremely worried about her.

“We have a dedicated team of officers who are working around the clock to find her and get answers for her family.

“While we are keeping an open mind, and continue to hope Khasha will be found safe and well, we have to consider the possibility that she may have to come to harm. We must consider all possibilities.

“Our enquiries are ongoing and a key focus of our investigation is continuing to build up a picture of Khasha’s life in the months prior to her disappearance.

“We are keen to speak to any of Khasha’s friends who may have information about her whereabouts before the last known confirmed sighting of her on Tuesday, 10 October, 2023.



Police have also set up an online portal to encourage members of the public to submit information, including any recorded footage.

The Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) is a website that gives the public access to a form so they can send information directly to the major investigation team.

“It is absolutely vital that we find Khasha and I would again ask anyone with information – no matter how small or insignificant it may seem – to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3915 of 5 January, 2024.”

The MIPP can be accessed here: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/SCOT24S01-PO1

Granton murder: Online portal set up

DID YOU SEE RED HYUNDAI TUCSON IN THE AREA ON NIGHT OF SHOOTING?

Detectives are continuing to appeal for information following the murder of a man during a firearms incident in Granton on Hogmanay.

Police were called to Granton Crescent around 11.50pm after a firearm was discharged, seriously injuring two men. Emergency services attended and the two men were taken to hospital, where a 38-year-old man was pronounced dead a short time later.

A 39-year-old man remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.

The dead man has been named locally as Marc Webley.

From enquiries carried out so far, it is understood a red Hyundai Tucson pulled up beside the men in West Granton Road.

The driver exited the vehicle and discharged the firearm before returning to the vehicle and making off travelling eastwards towards Leith.

Detectives believe there was at least one other person within the vehicle at the time of the incident.

Road closures remain in place on West Granton Road and Granton Crescent while police enquiries continue. 

Detective Superintendent Graham Grant said: “An extensive police investigation is ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident and we are doing everything we possibly can to identify and trace whoever is responsible.

“We would like to thank members of the public who have assisted our enquiries so far and would continue to ask anyone with information who hasn’t yet spoken to us to please come forward.

“In particular, we are appealing for any information or footage of the suspect vehicle and it’s movements before and after the incident happened. If you saw this vehicle in the surrounding area late on Sunday evening, we would like to hear from you.

“Our thoughts and condolences remain with the family and friends of both men involved.”

Superintendent Sam Ainslie said: “We completely understand local community concern following this shocking incident and would like to reassure members of the public that this is believed to have been an isolated targeted attack.

“Police Scotland takes incidents of this nature extremely seriously, this type of reckless criminality will not be tolerated, and we will do everything in our power to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“Officers continue to carry out extra patrols in the area to provide reassurance and we would urge anyone with concerns or information to contact us via 101 quoting reference 3819 of 31 December. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111”. 

An online portal has been set up to allow members of the public to send information directly to the police.

This can be accessed here: Public Portal (mipp.police.uk)

Live chat support for self-harm now available Scotland-wide

Self-Harm Network Scotland (SHNS) have announced the launch of their new live chat service; available to anyone aged 12 + across Scotland who needs support with their self-harm.

This new service is in addition to its online portal which launched on Self-harm Awareness Day 2023.

The SHNS service is operated by Penumbra Mental Health, a pioneering charity providing dedicated services for people with mild to serious enduring mental ill health.

SHNS is funded by the Scottish government.

The live chat, which can be found on the online portal, will be available every day between the hours of 6pm-10pm from Tuesday 10th October 2023.

The live chat was created to provide a support service outside of normal working hours, when those experiencing self-harm may be at their most vulnerable.

The live chat is a new addition to the portal, which was created to provide recovery-focussed support, tools and information that anyone can access to enable people to support themselves and others. This includes sections for those who self-harm, people supporting someone who self-harms, and professionals working with someone who self-harms. Additionally, you will still be able to self-refer onto the service via an online form outside of the live chat operating ours.

This next step will allow people anywhere in Scotland to get immediate support from one of the trained volunteers or peer practitioners. They can offer a listening ear, guidance and support when it’s needed most. Penumbra Mental Health is the largest employer of mental health peer workers in Scotland with 26% of its teams in peer support roles.

SHNS hopes that this service will reach people in their time of need, get them to where they need to be, keeping them safe and well on their journey to recovery.

Shona McBain, Senior Peer Practitioner, Self-harm Network Scotland, said: “Through the live chat, you will still receive that emotional peer connection that you receive through all our other services.

“You will either be connected with one of our peer practitioners or trained volunteers, many of whom have their own lived experience of self-harm.

“The difference with this service is that there is no requirement to agree to ongoing support. Our team will meet you at whatever stage you are at in your self-harm journey, and provide you with support that is tailored to your own needs. This might be a one-off conversation, or we may refer you to ongoing support if you wish.”

Meghan Drysdale, Service Manager, Self-harm Network Scotland, said: “Since SHNS’ infancy, the service has continued to grow and adapt to meet the needs of people across Scotland and raise awareness of Self-harm.

“Our team of practitioners exemplifies their unwavering commitment to working with those who engage in Self-harming, and this is driven by genuine enthusiasm for supporting others.

“Every member of our team brings a unique blend of passion and expertise, and this has allowed our service to grow and work so well to reach those in need.

“The addition of the live chat allows us to continue to reach more and more people in need of support. It reduces barriers and allows anonymity for those who aren’t ready to be known.”

Supported Person, Self-harm Network Scotland: “I received support from Self-harm Network Scotland after suffering with anxiety and depression following the birth of my daughter. I used self-harm at the time to cope with my feelings and emotions.

“The support I received was amazing. One of the best parts of the whole service was having someone with lived experience like my peer practitioner by my side. They helped me understand that I wasn’t alone in what I was experiencing.

“I had 15 sessions in total and I was initially worried about them coming to an end. When I found out about the live chat launching, this filled me with confidence. I knew that I had the tools to cope that my peer practitioner had equipped me with, but also, that the chat was there if I was ever struggling and needed to talk to someone quickly.

“I want more people to be aware that the live chat and self-referral process are there if you need help.”

NHS Lothian launches new text message service 

Online portal offers convenience to patients whilst minimising wasted appointments

NHS Lothian have launched a new text message service and online portal, making it quicker and easier for patients to update their details.

The two services are being rolled out across a range of specialties starting with Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Gynaecology, Colorectal General Surgery, Ear, Nose & Throat, Gastroenterology, General Surgery, Urology, Neurosurgery, Plastic Surgery and Rheumatology.

Patients who have been waiting for outpatient appointments will receive a text message from NHS Lothian asking them to log in to an online portal using a unique PIN and their date of birth.

Once logged in, the patient can quickly and easily provide an update on whether they still need an appointment. Gathering this information is critically important for outpatient services, as it ensures that appointments are only issued to those who still require them.

Anne Lavery, Head of Access for Scheduled Care, NHS Lothian explained, “When patients are waiting for appointments, their circumstances can change. Some people may see an improvement in their condition, others will have received treatment elsewhere and indeed some may have moved away.

“The new text message service and online portal allow patients to quickly, easily and securely confirm whether they still require an appointment, reducing the number of wasted appointments issued to those who no longer require them.”

The new text message system is being introduced following a successful trial period. From the trial, useful learning was received which has supported the further expanded roll out.

Anne added, “From banking to online shopping, people are used to receiving and responding to text messages. The new text message system offers our patients convenience, while also helping to minimise the number of wasted appointments.”

The new text message service will be complimented by more traditional communications methods, helping to ensure that no patient is excluded. Clear processes are also in place to ensure that appropriate follow-up action can be taken should a patient not respond to a text they receive.

Jacquie Campbell, Chief Officer, Acute Services said: “NHS Lothian is committed to reducing waiting times for patients and significant work is underway as part of national efforts to remobilise, recover and redesign services following the pandemic.

“As part of this work, we are also actively exploring how we can improve the experience for patients who are waiting for an appointment, recognising that for many this can be a frustrating and worrying time.

“The introduction of the text message service is something our patients said would be helpful for them and I am delighted that we are beginning to roll this out. By reducing the number of appointments issued to those who no longer need them, we can in turn help to reduce waiting times for others.”