Royal Hospital for Children and Young People – The NEN

Children use virtual reality to prepare for surgery at New Sick Kids

An Edinburgh children’s hospital has become one of the first in Scotland to use a virtual reality headset to help children prepare for surgery. Patients at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP) will now be able to prepare for surgery through an immersive virtual reality (VR) experience.

Thanks to funding from the Hearts & Minds charity, the home of the Clowndoctors, and NHS Lothian charity, the RHCYP will launch its first VR film alongside five headsets this week as part of an innovative pilot.

A number of patients and staff members were involved in the development of the VR pilot including Isla Burns, 14, who advised on the script with Hearts & Minds and recorded the introduction.

The schoolgirl takes centre stage in the project after undergoing ten operations and surgical procedures since she was two-years-old and is keen to reassure and help other children and young people.

Isla from Edinburgh had surgery at the RHCYP to lengthen her left leg which had developed to be 8cm shorter than her right. She underwent an initial 8-hour surgery where her leg was broken and then encased in a brace which screwed 26 metal pins into her leg.

Every day, her mum Annabelle had to turn the pins to move Isla’s bones further apart, encouraging a ‘ghost bone’ to grow in between.

Isla said: “When I was a little younger and virtual reality wasn’t used in hospitals yet, it was hard to visualise what would happen before my operations by chatting it through.

“This virtual reality film will help young people by allowing them to see what the wards look like and get an idea of how the whole process works. It is a great visual tool that will help so many kids prepare for their operations and feel less anxious about what is to come.”  

After the operation, Isla’s leg grew 7cm in just seven weeks. She has since had had a further 9 surgeries and spent a full year learning to walk again under the guidance of physiotherapists at the RHCYP.

Under Isla’s guidance, the VR film features the Clowndoctors who are about to undergo surgery at the RHCYP. Alongside the help of NHS Lothian staff, the Clowndoctors showcase a virtual walk through of the pre-operation journey; from the surgical ward, into the anaesthetic room and then into theatre. 

Isla used her own experiences to help the Clowndoctors outline every step of the process and put the minds of younger patients at ease. 

The film, which was produced by filmmakers Neon8 who initiated the project with Hearts & Minds, uses cutting-edge technology which enables patients to have a gentle immersive viewing experience while remaining seated or reclined.

The VR pilot is being rolled out within the hospital and will be managed by Play Specialists who generally prepare children for surgery.

Allister Short, Director of Women’s and Children’s Services at NHS Lothian, said: “I would like to especially thank Isla and her family alongside our staff and charity partners who helped to craft this extraordinary VR film.

“When a child is about to have surgery, it is often an emotionally unsettling time for the entire family. It’s hoped that the VR headsets will help to alleviate patient’s anxieties before a procedure takes place.

“I look forward to seeing the positive impact this ground-breaking technology will have on patients and staff.”

Rachel Colles, Co-Artistic Lead, Hearts & Minds, said: “I first tried a VR headset when running a research project for children exploring virtual reality theatre with Neon8. It was fantastic to see the children’s responses and excitement with this medium and it occurred to us that we could use this in our work as Clowndoctors.

“This collaboration with NHS Lothian alongside our fabulous Clowndoctor colleagues has allowed us to create what I hope will be a beneficial and enjoyable way to support children preparing for surgery at the RHCYP.”

Jane Greenacre, Head of Programmes, NHS Lothian Charity, said: “We are delighted to have funded five VR headsets which aim to reduce children’s worries before they undergo surgery.

“The VR headsets will enable children and their parents to complete a virtual walk through of what will happen at each step of their pre-operation journey.

“This is a great example of how NHS Lothian Charity works with NHS Lothian colleagues and third sector partners to support ideas that improve the experience of patients and their families across the Lothians.”

Meerkat’s Out of the Bag! Cheeky creatures coming to Edinburgh Children’s Hospital

Children at an Edinburgh hospital will soon be learning important conservation lessons from some very unusual teachers – a mob of meerkats based in an outdoor classroom within the grounds!

The first programme of its kind outside of Australia, the meerkats from The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s (RZSS) Edinburgh Zoo will reside at NHS Lothian’s Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP) and be at the heart of an extensive learning and discovery experience.

Thanks to a partnership between Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC), NHS Lothian and RZSS, the inquisitive creatures will give young patients, particularly those staying long term, the opportunity to learn all about nature and the environment.

Edinburgh Zoo currently delivers a weekly programme of educational activities at the RHCYP, including projects on penguins, pandas and tigers, all of which encourage children to think about their place in the world and the importance of wildlife within it.

The meerkat enclosure will replicate their natural habitat and zookeepers from Edinburgh Zoo will care for them and provide meerkat educational sessions while on site.

Roslyn Neely, CEO of ECHC, said: “Some children are too unwell or have been in hospital for so long that they don’t have the opportunity to engage with the outdoors, or interact with animals.

“Many of the children who visit the hospital care passionately about nature and the environment. Our programme will allow them to learn from experts while getting up close to the best teachers of all – the meerkats themselves.

“The wellbeing benefits of engaging with animals and using nature in the healing process are well documented, and there’s great excitement within the hospital in anticipation of our furry friends arriving.”

David Field, chief executive of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, said, “Our conservation education programme has already been a great success and now we are taking this incredible next step by creating the only meerkat enclosure at a children’s hospital outside of Australia, making this a first in the UK and Europe.

“Being close to nature and animals can have a tremendous impact on people’s mental and physical health and wellbeing. We also know that people and communities are more likely to help protect nature when they have had the opportunity to connect with our natural world.

“We are really looking forward to bringing a group of meerkats to live at the hospital next year and seeing the impact this will have for the children and their families.”

Allister Short, Service Director, Women’s and Children’s, NHS Lothian, said: “We are really excited about this innovative programme coming to the RHCYP.

“Meerkats have been introduced into many children’s hospitals in Australia and this unique concept encourages children to learn and be inspired, particularly when they’re in hospital for long periods of time.

“We want to brighten up our patients’ days in an educational way and we know that the meerkats will be an exciting addition to the RHCYP.”

The programme is currently in the early stages of planning and it is hoped the meerkats will move into their new home at the RHCYP from 2024.

Princess Royal officially opens New Sick Kids Hospital

NHS Lothian welcomed HRH The Princess Royal to officially open the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP) and Department of Clinical Neurosciences (DCN) at Little France yesterday.

Offering world-class facilities for both children and adults, the building first opened its doors in July 2020, with all services transferred to the new space by March 2021.

The Royal Hospital for Children and Young People delivers local, regional and national services in some of the most modern and best-designed healthcare facilities in the world. The children’s hospital is physically connected to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh meaning that paediatric care, specialist neonatal care, neurosciences and both Emergency Departments are now all on the same site.

This reduces the need for emergency transfers between hospitals and ensures that clinical teams can share skills and expertise for the benefit of all patients.

The expert teams in Neuroscience are made up of a range of specialists, neurologists and neurosurgeons who treat people with disorders of the nervous system, such as problems affecting the brain and spinal cord, and the nerves and muscles in the rest of the body.

NHS Lothian’s Department of Clinical Neurosciences treats patients from the Borders, Dumfries & Galloway, Forth Valley and Fife as well as Lothian. It covers a population of 1.6 million across these areas, while for some specialist services it covers the 2.8 million people living on the east side of Scotland.

During the visit, HRH The Princess Royal enjoyed a tour of some of the building, meeting with staff and patients. Within the Dalhousie Ward at RHCYP, she heard about the important role Play Teams have in enabling children to be children even when in hospital and enjoyed some magic tricks performed by Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity funded magician Tricky Ricky. 6-year-old patient Harper presented Her Royal Highness with a posy of flowers to thank her for visiting.

Within the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, HRH The Princess Royal learnt more about the investigative work of our Neurophysiology Department and observed an EMG, a diagnostic procedure to assess the health of muscles and the nerve cells that control them (motor neurons).

The Princess Royal met with staff from the Neurosurgery and Neurology Departments before visiting the Neurorehabilitation Ward, to learn more about the work of NHS Lothian’s Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Speech and Language Therapists in supporting patients to return home, to re-learn basic tasks and to regain their confidence.

Calum Campbell, Chief Executive, NHS Lothian said, “We are delighted to have welcomed HRH The Princess Royal to officially open the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People and Department of Clinical Neurosciences.

“These healthcare facilities combine excellent architectural design, one of the UK’s largest Art and Therapeutic Design programmes and the latest clinical thinking and technology. Added to this are our amazing, dedicated and expert staff who deliver exceptional patient care day in, day out.

“The COVID pandemic may have delayed our official opening event, however we are delighted that on the 75^th anniversary of the NHS, HRH The Princess Royal could join us, as together we celebrate.”

As well as welcoming HRH The Princess Royal to the hospital, a range of special activities, organised in collaboration with NHS Lothian’s charity partners, and designed to mark the official opening took place yesterday (5 July).

This included an indoor garden party with giant games, information stalls run by all charity partners including Kindred, Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity, NHS Lothian Charity and Ronald McDonald House, a special ‘Cuddle Station’ featuring regular Therapet doggy visitors and refreshments. Staff, patients and their families were invited to join the celebrations.

NHS Lothian: Nasal flu vaccine drop-in clinic at Royal Hospital for Children and Young People this Saturday

Has your 2 – 5 year old still not had their flu vaccine?

You can book or drop-in to a mop-up clinic at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People this Saturday (21 January).

To book an appointment, please call 0300 790 6296

Hearts players spread festive cheer at New Sick Kids hospital

Children, families and NHS staff at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP) were treated to a special Christmas surprise when players from Heart of Midlothian FC came to visit.

Captain Craig Gordon and the first team squad spread lots of festive joy when they made their way around the hospital, meeting and speaking with some of their biggest fans on the wards and handing out Christmas goodies.

The annual visit is organised by NHS Lothian and Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC). This is the first time the Hearts players have been able to visit the hospital in person since 2019 due to Covid, making the occasion even more memorable.

Craig said: “This is an important day in our calendar and we are delighted to be able to visit everyone in person once again.

“Christmas is a special time of year but, unfortunately, not everyone is lucky enough to spend it at home, happy and healthy with family and friends.

“That it why this visit is really meaningful, because it affords us the chance to give something back and to, hopefully, put some smiles on some faces and spread some Christmas cheer.”

ECHC runs a programme of daily fun activities throughout December to make sure no one spending the season in hospital misses out on the magic of Christmas. So far, children and their families have been entertained by Santa abseiling into the building, a silent disco around the wards and a live pipe band, with plenty more still to come.

Pippa Johnston, Director at ECHC, said: “The Hearts team’s visit to the hospital always provides a real boost to children, families and staff so it is marvellous to be able to welcome them back in person. Some of the children are avid Hearts supporters so really enjoy the opportunity to meet and take photos with their favourite players and get some Hearts goodies too.

“Every year, together with our friends at NHS Lothian, ECHC works hard to make time spent in hospital a little bit brighter. We rely solely on donations and kindness to be able to do this, so we are enormously grateful to Hearts for taking time out of their busy schedule to visit those facing a hospital stay this Christmas.”

To find out more about ECHC’s Redirected Letters to Santa Christmas appeal and to donate, visit www.echcharity.org/donate

Charity brings stories to life at Royal Hospital for Children and Young People for Christmas

Children and their families at Edinburgh’s Royal Hospital for Children and Young People were visited by storytelling and performance duo Macastory as part of the Scottish Friendly Children’s Book Tour on Friday (9 December).

Macastory shared songs and stories in an interactive event for the children in attendance. The tour is run by Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives through reading and writing, and sponsored by Scottish Friendly.

Alongside the event, children at the hospital and their families were gifted books by Scottish Book Trust to keep and enjoy. These were gifted as part of Scottish Book Trust’s Christmas appeal, which is fundraising to help gift and distribute books to families across Scotland during the festive period through food banks, hospitals, and other community spaces. Books bring comfort, joy, and escapism, and the initiative aims to bring the magic of books to families most in need this Christmas – especially in light of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

The Scottish Friendly Children’s Book Tour takes brilliant authors and illustrators to schools in all areas of Scotland for fully-funded events that hope to inspire a lifelong love of reading and writing in pupils.

Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: ‘We’re delighted to have been able to return to Edinburgh Children’s Hospital with the Scottish Friendly Children’s Book Tour, this time for a fun-filled event with Macastory in time for Christmas.

‘Bringing the magic of stories and books to children in hospital is hugely important – books can provide comfort and pleasure as well as improve overall wellbeing. Alongside today’s event, we were glad to be able to gift books to children in hospital and their families thanks to the generous support of the public.’

Fiona O’Sullivan, Director of Children’s Wellbeing at Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “It was wonderful to welcome Macastory to the hospital for this fantastic event. Storytelling is so powerful; being transported to another time or place can be so beneficial for children when they are unwell.

“No one wants to be in hospital at any time, but at Christmas it can be especially hard, so we are enormously grateful to Macastory for bringing lots of fun and distraction to the wards and waiting areas.’

Macastory, comprising storytellers Ron Fairweather and Fergus McNicol, said before the event: ‘We are delighted to have been invited by the Scottish Book Trust to be involved in the Christmas programme at Edinburgh Children’s Hospital.

“It’s a great way for us to bring our Christmas storytelling to kids who otherwise might miss out on this type of fun at this time of year. So we’ve picked our favourite Christmas tales to bring to the kids, families and staff at the hospital and we can’t wait to create some Christmas cheer for everyone to enjoy!’

STOP: Mum issues safety warning after toddler suffered 27% burns

A mum whose daughter fell into a scalding bath when she was just three-years-old has urged other parents to be aware of the dangers of burns.

Little Courtney, now seven, spent years battling back to full health after she suffered devastating burns to more than a quarter of her body.

The schoolgirl, from Kirkcaldy, had to undergo numerous painful procedures and physiotherapy at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP) in Edinburgh following the accident.

Now on “Burns Awareness Day” (12^th October), her mum, Chloe Abrahams, is warning other parents to be aware of potential burns hazards around the home.

Chloe said: “I would never have thought that tap water could burn so badly.

“The pain Courtney went through just from lifting her into a different position on the hospital bed still breaks my heart when I think about it. Seeing my daughter in that state was the worst thing I’ve ever been through.”

Courtney’s accident happened in 2018. She was reaching for a toy when she tumbled into a bath that was filling with scalding water.

Chloe said: “We heard horrendous screams and found that Courtney had fallen into a scalding hot bath. I quickly scooped her out of the bath, stripped her clothes off and wrapped her in a wet towel. She was covered in massive bulging blisters and we rushed her to hospital. But at this point, I didn’t realise how much damage had already been done.”

Courtney was immediately transferred to the high dependency unit in the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP) where she was sent to theatre every few days to get her burns scrubbed and redressed to prevent any infections.

Her little thighs and feet received the worst damage as her socks and pants had held the scalding water close to her skin.

After being released from hospital, Courtney’s feet had to stay bandaged for over a month, meaning that she was struggling to walk for up to two months.

She received regular physiotherapy alongside numerous other appointments for over a year to aid her recovery and to help with the inevitable scarring.

Chloe added: “I honestly can’t thank all the amazing doctors and nurses at the RHCYP enough. Courtney is now seven and is doing great. She has lots of scars but she doesn’t let them define her.

“I would like other families to know that you can turn the water temperature down on your boiler. If we had known that – things might have been different for us.”

According to the Burns and Plastics Clinic at the RHCYP, burns are the most common household injury with over 7,000 children suffering serious burns or scalds in the UK in 2021.

As Halloween and bonfire night approaches Rosie Bainsfair, Burns & Plastics Nurse Specialist at the RHCYP, said: “Many of the children we see at the RHCYP in Edinburgh are injured in accidents around the house, involving very common things like hot drinks, irons or hair straighteners.

“If your child has a burn or scald, follow this simple ‘STOP’ first aid advice:

“Strip clothes, jewellery or nappies off (unless they are stuck to the skin).

“Turn on a cold tap or shower and run the burn under cool water for 20 minutes whilst keeping the child warm. Do not use ice.

“Organise medical assistance – attend A and E or dial 999.

“Protect the burn with cling film, provide painkillers and keep the child warm.”

To find out more about how you can prevent burns from happening at home, please visit the Royal Society For The Prevention Of Accidents website here.

New Sick Kids celebrates 1st Birthday

NHS Lothian’s Royal Hospital for Children and Young People is ready to celebrate a very special birthday today – Wednesday 23 March – marking one year since the world-class facilities fully opened.

The services moved to the new site from the old ‘Sick Kids’ gradually, with outpatients arriving in July 2020, CAMHS in January 2021 and finally the remaining services including inpatients and A&E in March that same year.

The building and facilities provide a world-class centre for child healthcare, enabling NHS Lothian to continue to build on the excellent reputation for trusted, quality care delivered by dedicated and expert teams.

To commemorate the birthday, activities have been arranged with both patients and staff in mind, and with generous support from a range of partners including Edinburgh and Lothians Health Foundation, Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity and Ronald McDonald House.

This includes the distribution of birthday-themed craft boxes with decorations for all wards; a birthday-themed projection on to the building; a drop-in photo booth; a birthday party with stalls, activities and live performances; complementary therapy & pampering sessions for families staying at Ronald McDonald House and treats for all staff which will distributed across each ward.

Allister Short, Service Director, Women’s and Children’s Services, NHS Lothian said, “The Royal Hospital for Children and Young people offers one of the most modern and best-designed children’s healthcare facilities in the world.

“I hope over the last twelve months, both patients and their families have been able to see what this means and the positive impact it has both for patient care and wellbeing.”

For the Simpson family from Torphichen near Bathgate, the facilities on offer not only help to provide a degree or normality but make a huge difference to the happiness of daughter Robyn.

Mum Michelle explained that the family have been in and out of hospital with Robyn ever since she was born, with the longest stay being four months.

She said, “It is really hard to have a child that is unwell. It places a real strain on you both physically, mentally and emotionally. Coming to the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People makes things just that bit easier – it’s bright, spacious and airy – feeling more like a hotel than a hospital.

“There are so many spaces especially for children and so many activities that they can get involved in – from art and craft to music. Seeing Robyn happy, even though she is in hospital, is incredible. It enables her to be a child rather than just a patient.”

Allister said, “The facilities on offer across the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People are truly incredible, however the services wouldn’t be anything without our talented and dedicated staff.

“Day-in-day-out they deliver so much to ensure the children and young people attending the hospital receive the very best care and support.”

Michelle added, “I can’t thank the staff enough. They offer so much support and reassurance as well as incredible care. It really does help to make it feel like a home from home whenever we’re here.”

For more information on The Royal Hospital for Children and Young People and the facilities that are available visit – children.nhslothian.scot.

To keep up to date with the latest news from across Lothian’s Children’s Services, follow them on social media – LothianChildHealth on Facebook and @LothianChildren on Twitter.

Meanwhile, demolition of the old Sick Kids continues …

Dobbies announces Edinburgh winner for the ‘Not Your Average Community’ campaign

Local charity, Young Lives vs Cancer, has been named as one of three winners for Dobbies’ Not Your Average Community competition.

The nationwide contest, run by the UK’s leading garden centre retailer, invited community groups, clubs, charities and neighbourhoods to apply and tell the Dobbies’ team about the work they are doing in their local areas and what they would do with the prize – £1,000 to spend in their local store on Christmas trees, lights and decorations

Dobbies were inundated with entries from across the country, reading heart-warming stories about the incredible work being carried out by dedicated volunteers and community workers, and had a difficult job selecting the three winners.

Young Lives vs Cancer at Ciaran’s House was a very worthy winner, providing accommodation to families whose children are receiving cancer treatment at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People. The families are able to stay as long as required and siblings can also stay in Edinburgh.

In their winning entry, the charity told how they wanted to transform the nine-bedroom house with trees, lights, wreaths and decorations for the families to decorate their own rooms and communal living space with their prize.

A member of the Edinburgh Dobbies’ team met with Mandy Tait, House Manager and Sandra Fox, Deputy Manager from the Ciaran’s House team to help them select the best products for their requirements, as well as treating them to Christmas Afternoon Tea in the restaurant.

Mandy Tait and Sandra Fox, said: “A huge thank you to the lovely team at Dobbies, not only for selecting us as winners, but for being so supportive and helpful while we selected our festive decorations.

“Dressing the house will make a massive difference to the team working there and those spending time with us this December.”

Graeme Jenkins, CEO of Dobbies, said: “A huge congratulations to Young Lives vs Cancer at Ciaran’s House for winning our Not Your Average Community campaign this year.

“The work they do is inspirational and we’re proud to be able to help them spread some festive cheer during what will be a difficult time for many.

“A huge thank you to everyone who entered our Not Your Average Community campaign. It was wonderful to see so many great projects taking place across Edinburgh and beyond.”

For more information on Not Your Average Community:

https://www.dobbies.com/not-your-average-community

Moderator embarks on first presbytery visit in Edinburgh

The Moderator of the General Assembly Lord Jim Wallace has embarked on a ten-day schedule to learn more about the life and work of the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh.

Lord Wallace said he is looking forward to attending events organised by the Presbytery of Edinburgh which will see him meet people from all walks of life and learn how they have coped during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Presbytery visits provide Moderators with an opportunity to offer encouragement and support to church members and the communities they serve.

Due to the lockdown, this is the first fully in-person visit to take place since 2019.

*Lord Wallace, Moderator of the General Assembly*

Lord Wallace, a QC and former MP and MSP, said the city is close to his heart. “I am very much looking forward to my first presbytery visit, not least because it is Edinburgh where I went to university, trained as a lawyer, practiced as a lawyer, sat in the Scottish Parliament and where I met my wife, Rosie,” he said.

“I am very grateful to the presbytery for putting together a very comprehensive programme, which will allow me to engage with a whole range of people who reflect my interests and background.”

Candidates

The programme will see Lord Wallace visit churches, hospitals, universities and a prison and meet ordinary church members, politicians, senior figures in the judiciary, ministers, chaplains and interfaith and ecumenical leaders.

Lord Wallace was ordained as an elder at what was St Bernard’s Church in Stockbridge in 1981. It is now called Stockbridge Parish Church and Lord Wallace joined the congregation there yesterday (above).

In the evening, the Moderator led worship at Holy Trinity Church in Wester Hailes.

Lord Wallace will meet with Councillor Frank Ross, Lord Provost of Edinburgh, at the City Chambers today and will later attend an event at New College to mark their 175th Anniversary and meet candidates for the ministry.

This evening, the Moderator will attend a civic event at the City Chambers for members of the Edinburgh Area Children’s Panel who make sure that a young person is at the heart of legal decisions that affect them.

Many church members are involved in this work and Lady Wallace, who will be accompanying her husband, was a panel member for many years until recently.

Courts and prison

On Tuesday, Lord Wallace, who is currently sitting on the non-affiliated benches in the House of Lords, is visiting the Charteris Centre run by Greyfriars Kirk, which is based in a refurbished church building at The Pleasance which is nearing completion.

It is a social enterprise initiative which seeks to provide a place for connection with communities of all kinds.

Afterwards he will visit Edinburgh Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Courts to hear more about the administration of justice, especially during the pandemic.

Lord Wallace will then travel to HMP Edinburgh in the Saughton area of the city where he will be given a tour and introduced to staff, prisoners and the chaplains who support them.

On Wednesday, he will visit Napier University’s Sighthill campus where he will meet Principal Andrea Nolan and be given a tour of the Clinical Centre in School of Health and Social Care.

He will meet staff, students, members of the university’s chaplaincy team and Professor Gary Hutchinson and Liz Aston from the School of Applied Sciences to discuss work with Scottish Institute For Policing Research.

In the afternoon, the Moderator will visit the Granton Goes Greener project at Granton Parish Church to learn more about an innovative clothes upcycling project which is part of work to reduce consumption as part of efforts to tackle the climate crisis.

He will later attend a special Presbytery service in St Giles Cathedral on the Royal Mile, which will be attended by the church’s ecumenical and interfaith partners, as well as national and civic leaders, and will be followed by a reception in Parliament Hall which will bring people from the worlds of religion, politics and legal profession together.

On Thursday, the Moderator is visiting Edinburgh Airport with Rev Moira MacDonald, minister of Corstorphine Old Parish Church and Workplace Chaplain, Esther Elliot, to hear about the work of workplace chaplains.

He will later meet with the Principal of the University of Edinburgh and visit the law school – the place where he studied – to speak with students and staff.

Frontline chaplains

In the evening, the Moderator will attend a Presbyterial Guild event in Craiglockhart Parish Church, speaking on the theme of “Look forward in Faith”.

On Friday, he is visiting the Royal Blind School, the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People and will attend an evening reception at Edinburgh Castle for chaplains who serve in a wide variety of contexts – hospitals, the military, universities and the workplace.

Lord Wallace said: “I am looking forward to meeting people engaged in chaplaincy, many of whom have been at the front line during the COViD-19 crisis.

“I will be very much in listening mode and hope to provide them with encouragement.”

Polwarth Parish Church is the Moderator’s next stop where, on Saturday, he will visit the new All Aboard canal boat that the congregation jointly own with a charity called People Know How.

It is used for spiritual and educational pursuits on the Union Canal, which links Edinburgh and Falkirk.

The Moderator will take part in worship at Tron, Moredun and Gilmerton Church on Sunday and join members of Leith Churches for a special service in the evening.

He will visit the Richmond’s Hope bereavement project for children and young people at Richmond Craigmillar Church the following day.

Very Rev Dr Derek Browning, Moderator of Edinburgh Presbytery, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming Lord Wallace.

“Presbytery visits allow Moderators to meet local Christians and gain a wider perspective of how the Church, and the communities we support, engage.”