Alison Johnstone, Green MSP for Lothian, has called for an extension to the public consultation on City of Edinburgh Council’s plans to redesign the Picardy Place junction, with one of the City’s key gateways set to be transformed into a large, car-dominated gyratory. Continue reading Green MSP calls for extension to Picardy Place consultation
A survey of nurses, showing that three quarters of those questioned say they feel financially worse off than they did five years ago, puts pressure on the finance secretary to announce an above inflation pay rise on Thursday says a Green MSP.
The survey by RCN Scotland also reveals that more than a third of nursing staff say they are looking for a new job, a situation Alison Johnstone MSP says will only get worse if Derek Mackay does not announce a “fair pay settlement” as part of the draft Scottish Budget this week.
Alison Johnstone MSP, the Scottish Greens’ health spokesperson, said: “Public sector workers play a vital role in our communities, from nursing and social care staff to teachers and police officers and the real-terms pay cuts they’ve endured must end. The findings of this report should confirm what ministers should already know, that problems like recruitment, retention and staff morale will become even worse if we don’t ensure a fair pay settlement, above inflation, to nurses and other dedicated professionals working in the NHS.
“These real-terms pay cuts in recent years are clearly having a negative impact. The finance secretary must listen to groups representing frontline workers such as RCN Scotland and back the basic principle that a pay rise for our public services is due and can be funded, not from cuts elsewhere, but from fairer taxation that protects low earners.” Continue reading Budget: Nursing survey shows need for pay rise, say Greens
Green MSP Alison Johnstone has called for the findings of a report into the scandal of women being forced to live in severe and constant pain because of transvaginal mesh implants to be looked at again. The Scottish Greens’ health spokesperson says the recommendations do not give sufficient clarity to ministers, MSPs and the Scottish Mesh Survivors – the group behind the Hear Our Voice campaign.
Lothian MSP Alison Johnstone said: “The Public Petitions Committee has reflected that Professor Alison Britton’s report on the independent review will focus on the process that was followed and will not revisit the findings and recommendations of the report itself. In Dr Wael Agur’s view, a consultant urogynecologist who is playing a leading role in the review, recommending that ‘transvaginal mesh procedures must not be offered routinely’ does not give sufficient clarity. I too believe that the findings of the report must also be revisited.
“Scotland had an opportunity to show global leadership on mesh. I am, like other MSPs, extremely dismayed that the final report did not reflect that. We missed the opportunity to lead then and we let down mesh survivors in the process.
“Work to improve reporting of adverse incidents related to medical devices is more urgent than ever. The case for imposing a real suspension of all transvaginal mesh procedures is stronger than ever and I urge the Cabinet Secretary to open the Final Report of the Scottish review of mesh surgery up to public consultation.”
Ms Johnstone added: “Meeting the mesh survivors when they came to Parliament was eye-opening. No one appreciates more than the women themselves how debilitating, how life-restricting incontinence can be. While we all appreciate that surgery can never be guaranteed 100% safe or side effect free, to have such devastating outcomes in a group of patients is absolutely unacceptable.”
Scottish Green MSP Alison Johnstone has confirmed that she intends to bring forward a member’s bill to ban foxhunting. Continue reading “Time to take a stand”: Johnstone to bring forward Bill to ban hunts
A publication by the Accounts Commission, showing the extent of the financial stress faced by councils, serves as a wakeup call to the finance secretary say the Greens. Local government spokesperson for the Scottish Greens Andy Wightman says the report’s findings make it difficult for Derek Mackay to dismiss key Green demands for the forthcoming draft budget that include protecting public services and a real terms pay rise.
Continue reading Holyrood budget: Greens pledge to protect public services
Continue reading Greens celebrate first steps on the road to a national Citizens’ Income
Women are experiencing austerity and welfare reform disproportionately a Green MSP will warn today at a meeting of academics and third sector experts on the day of the UK government’s budget. Continue reading #Budget2017: Green MSP launches Women and Welfare Summit
Andy Wightman MSP, Housing spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, has today launched his “Homes First” campaign to control the rapid and unregulated growth of short-term lets, where owners of residential properties offer them as holiday accommodation. Continue reading Homes First: Wightman launches campaign to control short-term lets
“A vision of what’s possible”
Patrick Harvie MSP will tell his party’s autumn conference today that Greens are ‘leading the change’ in Scotland, with other parties playing ‘catch up’ in proposing policies for a fairer and greener country. Continue reading Harvie: Greens ‘leading the change’ in Scotland
Green MSP Alison Johnstone used yesterday’s First Minister’s Questions to highlight the “gazumping” of one of Scotland’s first major urban community buy-outs, the Sick Kids Hospital site at Sciennes. Green councillor Claire Miller also raised the issue of the Sick Kids sell-off during yesterday’s full council meeting. Continue reading Gazumped! Green concerns over Sick Kids sell-off
