A £4million funding package will help provide support to unpaid carers, in recognition of the enormous role they play in looking after loved ones, and the added pressure many have faced during the pandemic.
Over the next few weeks, the additional winter funding will allow organisations working with unpaid carers to expand the services they provide to all groups of adult and young carers, including those looking after disabled children and young people and those caring for a friend or relative with dementia.
To help reach as wide a range of carers as possible, the funds will be shared between organisations who are already working with different groups of carers:
£3million for local carer centres across Scotland to expand their vital support for adult and young carers
£200,000 to expand the Young Carers Package delivered by Young Scot to provide additional break opportunities, support and activities for young carers
£377,000 to expand Family Fund support with breaks for parents and families looking after disabled children and young people
£590,000 to expand wellbeing support and services for unpaid carers looking after a family member with Dementia, including grants for short breaks
Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care Kevin Stewart said: “Unpaid carers play a vital role in society and I know the pandemic has placed many additional pressures on Scotland’s carers.
“The Scottish Government has always been committed to improving carers’ rights and providing them with the support and extra help they deserve.
“The local services and third sector organisations that have been supporting carers during the pandemic have been exceptional. I am pleased to be able to announce this additional funding to allow them to continue their essential work.
“This support for carers comes on top of the Carer’s Allowance Supplement, the first payment made by Social Security Scotland, which increased Carer’s Allowance for eligible Scottish carers by around 13% compared to carers in the rest of the UK.
“In addition to this uplift to Carer’s Allowance, we made extra Coronavirus Carer’s Allowance Supplement payments in June 2020 and in December 2021 to support eligible carers.”
More mental health and wellbeing services will be provided within GP practices and community settings, backed by investment of up to £40 million a year.
Under the new system, patients who need mental health support will find a range of professionals available through their doctor’s surgery, rather than having to rely solely on their GP or a referral elsewhere. These could include mental health nurses, psychologists, peer support workers, occupational therapists, and link workers.
Funding of £1.5 million has already been made available from the Mental Health Recovery and Renewal Fund. This will increase annually to support implementation of the new Mental Health and Wellbeing Primary Care Services, reaching an expected £40 million per year by 2024-25.
This could amount to more than £100 million by the end of this Parliament, substantially increasing the mental health workforce and transforming how support is delivered.
Minister for Mental Wellbeing Kevin Stewart said: “Mental ill health is one of the major public health challenges in Scotland. We know the pandemic has had a significant impact, which is why mental health has remained a priority throughout our response to COVID-19.
“Around a third of all GP consultations now has a mental health component. But the range and complexity of issues requires a more varied and comprehensive response.
“This new multi-disciplinary model will deliver our commitment to provide 1,000 additional dedicated mental health staff by 2026, supporting communities to improve their mental health.”
Deputy chair of BMA Scotland’s GP Committee Dr Andrew Cowie said: “Scotland’s mental health has suffered significantly throughout the COVID19 pandemic, and we welcome the additional mental health staff that will allow for our patients to access support within their communities.
“GP practices are most people’s first point of contact and it is important that there is a range of help and services available there. This is a welcome initiative and we look forward to working with the Scottish Government to develop the scheme and ensure all patients in Scotland can access better mental health in their communities.”
Local Planning Guidance, to support integration authorities and local partners to plan and implement the new services, will be published on the Scottish Government’s website this week.
Services will also link to community support such as addiction services, food banks and benefit support, through a link worker dedicated to each GP practice.
THIRTEEN social entrepreneurs from across Scotland have secured a share of £160,000 to start and grow their social enterprises.
Start It and Build It awards are part of the Scottish Government’s Social Entrepreneurs Fund, delivered by Firstport, supporting individuals who are focussed on piloting and expanding new business ideas that tackle social and environmental issues.
Parenthood is a common theme in this latest round of start-up funding. Of the 13 entrepreneurs funded, three are focussed on supporting parents in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
With the impacts of COVID 19 still having a significant impact on individuals’ health and wellbeing, two of these enterprises, Spilt Milk CIC and Neighbourhood Postpartum, are focussed on improving the wellbeing of parents. The third, Wee Chance, is making sustainable baby and toddler clothing more accessible to families.
Based in Edinburgh, Lauren McLaughlin aims to grow her enterprise Spilt Milk Gallery CIC and support even more families in 2022. The social enterprise focuses on using arts and community workshops to improve mums’ mental wellbeing, through companionship and artistic expression.
They specialise in helping mums grow their artist opportunities, through access to workshops and an exhibition space.
Lauren McLaughlin, Founder of Spilt Milk Gallery CIC, said: “I am absolutely delighted to receive the Build It Award at such a pivotal time for our organisation.
“With growing concern over the effects of the pandemic on maternal mental health, I’m grateful that we can continue to provide the platform for mothers’ voices to be heard and their experiences valued.
“I’m very excited about the future of Spilt Milk, and with new permanent premises to operate from, I can see us going from strength to strength over the next few years.”
On the other side of the city, Laura Kerr has secured funding to start up her social enterprise ‘Wee Chance’ in North Edinburgh.
Wee Chance’s mission is to make sustainable baby and toddler clothing more accessible to families. They aim to do this by starting a free clothing donation and pick up service to promote a more circular marketplace and will provide education on the environmental impact of fast fashion alongside.
Laura Kerr, founder of Wee Chance, said: “The funding from Firstport will help us source more sustainable clothing, advertise our services, and build the Wee Chance brand, increasing our positive environmental impact and supporting our longer-term community goals”.
In the southside of Glasgow Jennifer Block is starting up Neighbourhood Postpartum, a drop-in support group for people who have recently given birth. Neighbourhood Postpartum will run welcoming and non-judgemental sessions for people to share their postpartum experiences, connect with others and ask any questions about parenthood they may have.
Run by experienced postpartum doulas – individuals specifically trained to support parents, children, and families – the sessions are designed to provide the local parent community with support and companionship.
Jenny Block, co-founder of Neighbourhood Postpartum, said: “Our hope is to reduce the isolation and confusion often experienced by postpartum people, replacing those feelings with a sense of nourishment and community.
“Our goal is not to tell new parents how to do things, our goal is to create an environment where they gain the confidence to do things their way. Thanks to Firstport, we can secure a bright, warm, and accessible space in a prime location for a year and promote the group to the local community. We are so excited to get started and serve these beautiful new families!”
Josiah Lockhart, Group Chief Executive of Firstport said: “With the pandemic still having an impact on our day to day lives, it is encouraging to see the continual growth and development of social enterprises across the sector.
“This latest round of funding highlights the importance of social entrepreneurs in building stronger communities across Scotland. In particular, the focus of these three enterprises to support parents and families is extremely exciting.”
PickupMyPeriod connects to hundreds of venues across Scotland
A mobile app has been launched to allow users to identify locations across Scotland where period products can be accessed for free.
The PickupMyPeriod app currently links to over 700 venues in many communities where free products are available – and the number is expected to grow where further local authorities join the app.
Scotland was the first country in the world to make period products widely available for free – firstly in schools, colleges and universities, then followed by wider access in communities. The PickupMyPeriod app builds on this world-leading work.
Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison launched the app virtually with pupils from St Paul’s High School in Glasgow, where the council has worked closely with students in the delivery of free period products since the policy was introduced.
Ms Robison said: “The app is a fantastic tool that will help everyone who wants to access free period products for themselves, a family member or friend to easily find them in many places across Scotland.
“I’m thankful for the support of local authorities in the implementation of access to free period products in Scotland. Young women and girls have been crucial in developing the best ways to access products to meet their needs and I’m grateful to them for sharing their views.”
COSLA President, Councillor Alison Evison, added: “Having recognised the impact lack of access to period products may have on individuals, Local Government has a longstanding commitment to provide free products both in education and community settings for those who may need them.
“As we look towards the implementation of the Period Products Act, I am delighted that work undertaken on period dignity both locally and nationally continues to progress and welcome the launch of the new app as a tool which can support this.”
Celia Hodson, Founder & CEO of Hey Girls and My Period, said: “This is a ground-breaking project for Scotland. For the first time, people across the country will be able to use an app to find and access free period products that they can walk or drive to easily.
“As a Scottish-based social enterprise whose core goal is to help eradicate period poverty, it was great to have our app idea adopted, part-funded and supported by the Scottish Government.
“PickupMyPeriod will act as a fantastic tool to raise awareness of period poverty and equality, as well as providing support to people who need a little extra support across Scotland.”
New remote monitoring tools to support people with Covid to stay safely at home, and free up hospital beds are among a range of steps being put in place to support the health and care workforce and maximise capacity.
Measures include £500,000 to fund 25,000 remote monitoring kits, including additional pulse oximeters, and a dedicated team which will support the early identification of patients who would benefit from antivirals treatments and get these started as soon as possible. This will free up beds in acute hospitals.
COVID admissions are rising at a rate 45% faster than they did last winter, and this combined with existing winter pressures is creating significant demand on hospitals. A large spike in staff absence relating to COVID is also significantly impacting NHS service provision.
In addition to the investment in remote monitoring, the Scottish Government will also expand existing programmes, including Hospital at Home, Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) services for managing infections and Community Respiratory pathways. These services allow patients to be treated in their own home and to receive the relevant treatment without admission to hospital.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “The next few weeks will probably be amongst the most difficult our NHS has ever faced in its 73 year existence. We are facing pressure on a number of fronts.
“Modelling suggests that infections and associated staff absences due to the coronavirus could peak by mid-January. Treating more people who previously may have been admitted to hospital at home with anti-virals and suitable support is essential to free up capacity in our hospitals.
“We know Discharge Without Delay has made a significant impact in some parts of the country and rolling it out to all health boards will make a major difference. Local contingency plans are in place to focus on the redeployment of available clinical and support services staff to essential services.
“All of this builds on work already underway as part of our £300 million investment in health and care services as part of winter preparations, to help maximise capacity, support the wellbeing of our fantastic health and care staff, support flow through the system and improve outcomes.”
Support for social care is to be intensified as a national priority alongside the NHS and emergency services, as staffing pressures and increased demand reflect the extent and nature of the spread and effect of Omicron.
As a result of staffing availability due to Covid, the Scottish Government and COSLA, working with local partners across the public services in Scotland, have agreed a joint approach to maximise social care support to ensure people receive the care they need, dignity and human rights are upheld, and to avoid further pressure falling on the NHS.
Some local public services report that pressure is very significant with some health and social care partnerships being asked to prioritise capacity and identify staff who can be deployed to sustain and maintain support for some of the most vulnerable people in society. This may mean some other services are temporarily paused or reduced to redeploy capacity and expertise.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “In order to protect life preserving services, and protect the vulnerable, local authorities and public services will prioritise what they deliver in the weeks ahead as a result of staffing availability due to Covid.
“That may mean some services being closed for a period or operating on reduced hours or service levels. This will free up resources to make sure we can deliver core, essential services. As soon as demands and resources allow, any affected services will resume normal operation.
“People across public services and critical national infrastructure are working hard to keep essential services going. In a lot of cases they are already being asked to be flexible to cover for absent colleagues.
“I am grateful to everyone who is helping us through this difficult period. The Third Sector has a huge amount to offer while the private sector and employers can contribute, either by releasing staff who can help in this effort, or by supporting carers leave for family and friends who might need it.
“Local public services are delivering national priorities and programmes such as testing and vaccination programmes, delivering business grants, self-isolation grants and support, and much more.
“They have played a key role throughout the pandemic in supporting vulnerable people and key workers. That partnership between local and national government is, and will remain, essential.”
COSLA President Alison Evison said: “Once again, no matter the ask, councils along with other public services will rise to the challenge in terms of providing an appropriate local response. As the sphere of government closest to our communities across Scotland, once more Local Government will play our part in the Covid response.
“Where pressures on staffing levels are identified, help and support for those most vulnerable as well as the life and limb services in our communities will be prioritised. As it has been throughout the pandemic, Health and Social Care and keeping people safe will be front and centre of local prioritisation.”
Scottish Government and Cosla Joint statement on social care support
Measures covering indoor events and hospitality to be reviewed in one week
Large outdoor events can resume without physical distancing or capacity limits from 00:01 on Monday 17 January, following a review of all measures in place to limit the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
To support the lifting of capacity limits on outdoor events, COVID certification will remain for these where more than 4,000 standing or 10,000 seated are in attendance, and all other events and venues previously covered. Organisers of all events with more than 1,000 attendees will be expected to check a minimum of 50% of attendees for certification of vaccination, exemption, or negative test.
From Monday, a person will need to show they have had a booster to be considered ‘fully vaccinated’ if their last vaccine dose was more than four months ago. The NHS Scotland COVID Status app will be updated from this Thursday and will include booster jags on the QR code for domestic settings. Updated paper and PDF certificates are already available on request from the NHS Inform website or helpline.
Cabinet will next review the state of the epidemic on Tuesday 18 January and consider whether it may be possible to lift capacity caps on indoor live events, including theatre performances and concerts, from 24 January, by which time the impact of the return to schools and workplaces following the festive period should start to show. Cabinet will also consider whether COVID certification should be required in a broader range of settings.
Local authorities will receive up to £5 million of additional support to ensure ventilation in schools and early years settings meets the latest COVID-19 safety guidance.
The funding is to improve air flow, such as adjustments to windows and doors, use of fan systems and use of air cleaning devices in line with existing safety guidance. This is in addition to Scottish Government funding of £10 million provided local authorities for ventilation and CO2 monitoring last year.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “We remain in a highly challenging phase of the pandemic. Case numbers are high, and the impacts of that are severe, and the future trajectory does remain uncertain at this stage.
“But, because of the efforts we have all made, we are in a better position than I feared would be the case when additional measures were announced in December, and I do hope we are now seeing signs of improvement.
“That is allowing us to start the process from Monday of lifting the additional restrictions – and I hope that next week I will be able to confirm the further steps in that process.
“In the meantime, we can all continue to act in a way that keeps things moving in the right direction. Get fully vaccinated as soon as you can – if you haven’t done so already, please do that and do it this week. Try to limit your contacts for a further period, and prioritise the contacts that matter most to you.
“If you are meeting other people socially, test before you go, every time, as close as possible to the time you will be seeing other people and remember to record the result whether that is positive or negative, and take all the other precautions that make a difference.
“‘Living with the virus’, a phrase that we hear more and more right now, is what we all desperately want to do. Unfortunately it doesn’t mean waking up one morning soon and find that COVID has disappeared or that we no longer need to think at all about mitigating the harm it can do.
“Hopefully, we are on a path from COVID being an epidemic to it becoming endemic – in other words, existing at more manageable and consistent levels.
“These are important issues for not just government, but for all of us – so as we prepare the revised strategic framework in weeks to come, we will consult with Parliament, business organisations and other partners across society.
“Our aim is to publish the revised strategic framework within the next few weeks.”
Scottish Rugby responded:
It’s disappointing news for the arts, however:
IMPORTANT CUSTOMER UPDATE from EDINBURGH PLAYHOUSE
Following the Scottish Government announcement on Tuesday 11 January, in which it was confirmed that indoor seated events continue to be limited to 200, we regret to announce that the following performances scheduled to play at the Edinburgh Playhouse have been postponed:
Waitress: 18th January – 22nd January
If you have tickets to these performances, you do not need to do anything at this time. You will be contacted from your point of purchase in the next few days with next steps.
Performances from 25th January onwards are still scheduled to go ahead as planned and any changes to this will be communicated as soon as possible if restrictions should be extended by the Scottish Government.
We thank you for your continued patience and understanding during this difficult time.
Scottish Fans Ask for a 3 Day Shift
“3 days will Make a Huge Difference”
The Scottish Football Supporters Association thank the First Minister and welcome the news that the cabinet have green lighted a return of fans above the short term limit of 500 imposed on 26th December.
Next week’s Scottish Premier League card can now take place in front of full houses starting with Celtic vs Hibs on Monday 17th and it means the early winter breakdown decision by our top 12 clubs has been commercially justified.
But as it stands the clubs below the Premier League and their fans face another weekend with restricted crowds.
The SFSA are aware that there is no strict science stipulating the 17th as the key restart date and ask that the First Minister, the Sports Minister and Cabinet revisit the decision urgently on behalf of all Scotland’s smaller clubs and their fans.
We ask that the date is brought forward to 14th of January instead of the 17th.
This will allow Ayr United, Dunfermline Athletic, Caledonian Thistle, Raith Rovers, Airdrie, Dumbarton and many other smaller clubs to allow their full fan communities back on Saturday. It will also allow for the top of the table clash in the Championship between Partick Thistle and Kilmarnock to have fans in attendance.
This simple change will bring financial benefits to clubs and communities and is we have been advised low risk.
Andy Smith, Chairman of the SFSA said: “A reprieve will make a huge financial difference to many of our smaller clubs and allow all their fans back and a normal Saturday in many communities.
“Too often Scottish Football overlooks the smaller clubs and their supporters when making big decisions. This is a chance to make a statement that football in Scotland is more than just the Premier League”.
Young people in Lothian are being urged by their local Scottish Greens MSP to apply for a new card which will allow anyone aged 21 or under to travel on the bus for free.
The scheme is being implemented by the Scottish Government, following budget negotiations with the Scottish Greens. It commences at the end of the month. Lorna Slater MSP is urging all eligible young people to apply, especially those who are key workers during COVID restrictions.
From today, anyone between 5-21 can apply for a new Young Scot Card or National Entitlement Card via the Transport Scotland website. Old cards will not work in the scheme.
Scottish Greens MSP for Lothian, Lorna Slater said:“I am delighted that young people will be able to travel anywhere in Scotland by bus for free from the end of the month.I’d encourage all young people who rely on buses for essential travel in Lothian to apply for their cards as soon as possible.
“As Covid travel restrictions start to lift, even more young people will be able to get onboard and enjoy the opportunity of free travel.
“Public transport will be a crucial part of the green recovery. By providing free buses we are helping to tackle Scotland’s role in the climate emergency while opening up opportunities for young people and their families.
“I’m very proud that this Green policy has gone from the drawing board to reality and, despite the difficulties of Covid, essential travellers, such as key workers, will be able to feel the benefit from day one.”
A number of different methods will be available for 5–21 year olds to get their card to access free bus travel: online at GETYOURNEC.SCOT or through parentsportal.scot if it is used by the child’s school; via a local council where it is not possible to apply online; and, in some local council areas, schools are coordinating applications on behalf of their pupils.
* Young people aged 16-21 should apply themselves.
* Parents or guardians will be required to apply on behalf of 5-15 year olds.
* Children under the age of 5 do not need to apply as they already travel for free on commercial bus services without a card.
‘Vaccination is vital’: Scots urged to get boosted as soon as possible
Anyone who has not yet received their booster or third dose is being urged to come forward now, to give the best possible protection against the Omicron variant.
That includes anyone who was unable to attend a vaccination clinic before the Hogmanay bells because of a COVID-19 infection, or if they were self-isolating.
People who are aged 18 and over can receive a booster 28 days after they tested positive or if it has been at least 12 weeks since their second dose.
Young people aged 12-17 can also attend for their second dose of the vaccine – many will have received an appointment but this group can also attend a drop-in clinic at a time and place convenient for them as long as 12 weeks have passed since their first jab.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “The recent acceleration of activity in response to the emerging threat of the Omicron variant has been a remarkable national endeavour and I can’t stress enough how grateful we are to all those involved.
“More than three million people have now received a booster or third dose, offering strengthened protection from the virus and reducing the risk of hospitalisation from the virus.
“However, we believe Omicron has not yet peaked, and the pressure being felt by the health and social care system is extremely high. So, to protect ourselves and the NHS at this critical time it is vital people complete the vaccination course for which they are eligible. It remains vital that everyone gets their booster vaccine when they are eligible.
“We know many people have been unable to attend appointments because of the virus, or due to self-isolation, so I urge anyone who has been unable to attend to rearrange it or go to a drop-in clinic.
“It is never too late to receive your booster – or a first or second dose – so please come forward as soon as possible, as there is plenty of capacity available.”
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Nicola Steedman said: “Data shows you are significantly more likely to be admitted to hospital if you are unvaccinated.
“We now know that boosters provide the best possible protection against this variant of the virus. My clinical colleagues and I know the difference this will make – we see it in our hospitals and communities every day. Please get vaccinated.”
Find out more about the COVID-19 vaccination at NHS Inform
From today (Friday) people travelling to Scotland from abroad who are fully vaccinated or under the age of 18 will no longer need to take pre-departure Covid tests, and will also no longer be required to self-isolate on arrival until they’ve received a negative result.
Travellers in this group will still need to take a test on or before day 2 after arriving in the UK – which can be a lateral flow device rather than a PCR test from Sunday.
Anyone who tests positive on their lateral flow test will need to isolate and take a free confirmatory PCR test.
The new measures apply across the UK after agreement between the UK Government and the three devolved administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Pre-departure Covid tests, the requirement to self-isolate and mandatory PCR tests were re-introduced in December to help stem the spread of the Omicron variant, but are now seen as less necessary because Omicron is now the dominant strain in the UK.
In addition, Ministers have agreed to approve vaccine certificates for a further 16 countries and territories from 0400 on 10 January to allow quarantine-free travel to Scotland. The red list of highest risk countries will remain unchanged with no countries currently on the list.
All four nations are also discussing what the requirements should be for border travel in the future.
Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport Michael Matheson said: “Given the rapid spread of Omicron last year it was essential that we took immediate steps to protect public health in Scotland, particularly with regards to international travel.
“We still have significant concerns over Omicron, but we recognise that, now it is the most dominant strain in Scotland and across the UK, it is sensible to review the measures currently in place.
“We also fully understand the impact of the restrictions on staff and businesses in the travel and aviation sectors and these changes demonstrate our commitment not to keep measures in place any longer than necessary.
“However, people still need to be extremely careful when travelling and to remember that both our and other countries’ COVID-19 requirements can change at short notice as things can evolve very quickly.
“People should therefore ensure they have travel insurance and carefully check their booking terms and conditions, as well as ensuring compliance with the latest regulations for the country being visited.”
