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News

Record High Wait Times at Scotland’s Largest Children’s Hospital

By  Cameron Noble

 

Following the record attendance of 306 children at Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Children in one day, parents are encouraged to avoid A&E wherever possible.

71.5% of those who arrived at the emergency department of the Royal Hospital for Children were seen and admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours.

Resulting from a dramatic decrease in Scotland’s emergency departments’ waiting time performance, nearly 500 children waited longer than four hours, and 17 waited more than eight hours in the week ending November 20th.

Attached to the Royal Hospital for Children, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital had managed to deal with 35.1% of attendees within a four-hour period – the worst figures for any individual hospital recorded, according to Public Health Scotland.

Over the entire of Scotland, wait time performance for the week ending November 20th dropped to 63.1% – an alarming figure, considering the Scottish Government’s target aims to deal with 95% of attendees within four hours.

Humza Yousaf, Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, commented on the issue: “The figures for Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow are especially horrendous – the worst ever for any individual hospital with just 35.1% of patients seen within four hours.

“This is completely unacceptable and incredibly alarming for the safety of patients and staff at the hospital.”

Figures suggest the NHS will be undertaking the heaviest challenge to date over the winter period to find a way to improve their wait time performance and strive for 95% efficiency. Yousaf identified apparent factors which have contributed to the decreasing wait time performance and explained the £600m plan which is to be set to tackle the issue.

“Covid continues to impact the performance of services and pandemic backlogs, Brexit-driven staff shortages, and inflation costs have all contributed to make this winter the most challenging the NHS has ever faced.

“Delayed discharge continues to be the single biggest factor driving up A&E waits and we are working hard to ensure people are leaving hospital without delay, freeing up vital beds for those who need them most.

“A key focus of our winter plan is on social care and actions to encourage authorities to help ease delays.

“Our £600m winter plan will see us recruit 1,000 new NHS staff and our £50m urgent and unscheduled care collaborative looks to drive down A&E waits through scheduled urgent appointments, hospital at home and directing people to the most appropriate care.”

News

Short-term lets in Scotland’s capital city are being blamed on the popularity of short-term holiday lets

By Katrina Goldsmith

Edinburgh has a total of 7,818 listed homes on Airbnb as of 13th September 2022. This is a decrease since 2019 most likely due to Covid and new regulations. With so many tourists coming to Edinburgh, the demand for short-term rentals has increased. Airbnb is a service which allows property owners to rent out their homes and spaces to tourists looking for an affordable place to stay whilst travelling. Airbnb is the second most demanded accommodation brand and location in the UK. In 2019 11,048 homes were listed on Airbnb. This was at its peak demographic before COVID-19 heavily decreased the demand for the service. Since then, this number has dropped to just under 8000 homes listed as Airbnb in Scotland.

It is known that Edinburgh is fully populated during peak tourist season (June – August) as Edinburgh plays host to numerous successful festivals and events. Edinburgh is popular amongst visiting tourists, with attractions such as the world-famous Fringe or Hogmanay shows, with 3,012,490 people attending the fringe and 184,566 in attendance at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay event in 2021. This can make it challenging to find short-term accommodation within the city centre. Out of all Scottish cities, Edinburgh has the highest population of Airbnb listings.

Data from September shows that currently there are over 7000 homes listed for Airbnb. The pinpoints on the map indicate the regions with the highest number of homes listed on Airbnb. All of which are close to the city centre. With the likes of Old Town, Princes Street and Leith Street having 683 homes to let. Meanwhile, regions such as Fairmilehead currently have 2 properties listed. Having vast numbers of homes only available for short-term lets has many impacts on the locals who live in that area. Although Airbnb increases tourism and the economy of Edinburgh, it can reduce the availability of houses for those who need it, and the service also has a heavy impact on the affordability of homes.

However, since the peak of demand in 2019, calls for the government to place regulations on Airbnb in Edinburgh skyrocketed after locals struggled to find accommodation within the city centre. On the 5th of September, a short-term let controlled area was introduced by Edinburgh City Council which covers the entirety of the local authority area. This regulation meant that individuals who owned a second property and is not a primary residence accommodation in the Edinburgh council area must gain planning permission in order to list their property on Airbnb or as a short-term let. This exempts properties which have been operating without any planning permission for at least a minimum of 10 years prior. This would cost second home property owners between £600 – £24,300 depending on the size of the space they wish to let.

Owners who do not comply can be prevented from operating by Edinburgh Council. An enforcement notice will be passed onto the hosts and 28 days will be given for them to comply with the regulations. Failure to do so will result in a fine of up to £2000. In serious issues and repeated offences, this can increase to up to £20,000.

News

New evidence has emerged in the Sheku Bayoh investigation that the police left no room for de-escalation.

By Zak Williamson

The public inquiry, set up by Justice Secretary Humza Yousef in 2019 entered its second stage last week and is trying to determine whether the circumstances of the incident were racially motivated.  

The inquiry was initially set up to seek justice for Bayoh but also to prevent similar incidents from occurring in Scotland again.  

A report from the BBC shows that Police Training Safety Officer Martin Graves has suggested that the officers’ approach to the situation made it difficult for things to be resolved in a peaceful manner.  

Graves believes that a more considerate approach would have allowed things to turn out differently: 

‘”If you think of it as a ladder, it’s quite difficult to try and then climb back down the ladder once you have came in at a certain level. It’s a lot easier to come in at a lower level and then escalate from there.” 

Bayoh, a 31-year-old black man living in Fife was violently restrained by police constables and held down until he lost consciousness in 2015. He later passed away in the hospital.  

The incident occurred after police were responding to reports of an individual with a knife in the Kirkaldy area, where upon seeing Bayoh, they responded in a violent manner, using pepper spray and batons to subdue the reported assailant.  

This incident sent shockwaves throughout Scotland, with many believing the circumstances surrounding Bayoh’s death to have been driven by his race, with one of the constables at the scene reportedly partaking in racist behaviour in his personal life.  

The police officials involved in Bayoh’s death claim that they acted in self-defence after he reportedly assaulted a female officer, punching her to the floor and standing on her head.  

These reports have been disputed, however, as no evidence of severe injuries was found.  

Although the incident was back in 2015, there are those who believe that justice was not served for Bayoh’s death, with no charges brought to the police constables involved in the incident after a Police Scotland investigation in 2018.  

The recent report about the police’s behaviour comes after Bayoh’s family received racist abuse after his sister said that she ‘no longer felt safe in Scotland.’  

Bayoh is survived by two sons and his partner, Collette Bell who has been outspoken in his defence.  

News, Sport

Rugby legend Doddie Weir dead at 52

By Zak Williamson

Former Scotland International rugby player Doddie Weir has passed away aged 52 after a six-year battle with Motor Neurons Disease (MND).

After his diagnosis, Weir founded the ‘My Name’5 Doddie’. Created in 2017, they have been able to raise millions in support of research into combatting MND.

In a statement on its website, the foundation proudly declares that they ‘are absolutely committed to our vision of a world free of MND, leaving no stone unturned in our relentless pursuit of this goal.’

Capped for his country 61 times, Weir has been described as a ‘force of nature’ both on and off the field, with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon stating that ‘The brave way he responded to MND surpassed anything ever achieved on the rugby pitch.’

Weir was not only accomplished on the international stage, having a successful Rugby Union Career in which he won 6 Scottish Club Championships with Melrose RFC and an English Premiership title with the Newcastle Falcons in the 1997-98 season.

He was also selected to be a part of the British and Irish lions for their South African tour in 1997, where he suffered a bad knee injury.

He is survived by his wife Kathy and three sons. Commenting on her husband’s passing, Kathy said:

‘We are lucky to have shared our lives with him and we cherish all those memories: his love and warmth, his support and advice, his quick wit, and his terrible jokes. It is difficult to put into words how much we will miss him.’

Born in Edinburgh on 4th July 1970, Weir was not only a talented Rugby player, earning a Higher National Diploma from the Scottish Agricultural College during his years playing as an amateur.

Tributes poured in for the rugby legend from all across the world of sport.

Former Rangers striker Ally McCoist called him ‘an incredible example to us all’ and that his ‘smile made us all feel good.’

His former team, the British and Irish Lions also paid their respects to the Scottish Icon, tweeting:

‘We’re devastated to hear of the passing of Doddie. A Scotland legend, his determination to raise awareness & help find a cure for MND epitomised his personality.’

In the end, Doddie Weir will be remembered as a warrior who faced his challenges on and off the field with dignity and grace, inspiring those around him to keep pushing on through any adversities they may face.

Features, News

In a cost of living crisis, how do we future proof our high streets?

By Gregor Boyd

According to research by Retail Economics, the UK is set to face the “sharpest decline in spending” over the Christmas period compared to all other countries sampled.

Now on the road to recovery after the Covid-19 pandemic, the UK is in a new period of uncertainty with a cost-of-living crisis and skyrocketing energy bills, meaning that the public is expected to tighten their purse strings and spend less this year at Christmas. It is reported that sales forecasts are down as many companies are already bracing for the impact of a lacklustre Christmas.

If you take a walk down your average high street, you’ll see the retail casualties of the pandemic. Large retail chains that were once a mainstay now lie empty, yet the possibilities for those derelict retail spaces are still endless.  What used to be a multi-level department store could become a shared hub for several different businesses. A notable example of transforming retail spaces into experience-led spaces is the former BHS in Leith’s Ocean Terminal which is now ‘Transgression Skatepark’. 

One organisation that is setting out a more positive approach to Scotland’s high streets is Scotland’s Towns Partnership. They aim to highlight the potential diversity that can be achieved to showcase each town’s own identity. 

Scotland’s Town Partnership also aims to encourage developing the current infrastructure to allow town centres and local communities to thrive.  On their website, they have several key developmental actions focusing on community-led regeneration, an emphasis on living in town centres, supporting the local economies, maintaining accessible public services, and working with local businesses and residents to revitalize our high streets by bringing them into the 21st century and planning for the future.

Despite the positive approach to future-proofing our high streets. The current financial issues are affecting not just people but also those already struggling high street businesses. Retail owners are continually speaking out about how the uncertainty might put their business in the ground unless things changed. With the UK government offering some help but seemingly not going far enough to mitigate the ongoing troubles, a bigger discussion surrounding the future of retail in town centres and high streets is essential if we are to come out the other end.

Speaking to Leigh Sparks who is the Deputy Principal (Education and Students) and Professor of Retail Studies at Stirling University. He offered his perspective on how the cost-of-living crisis could hamper the development of Scotland’s high streets. Leigh points out that patching up high streets and town centres might momentarily work but as commercial activities continue to disappear from high streets, a bigger fiscal change that challenges vested interests is needed.

More information can be found on Leigh’s blog at Stirlingretail

 

News

How are the Creative Industries performing?

By Gregor Boyd

The Creative Industries are a huge player within the UK’s economy which generates billions in revenue each year, The key areas being London, The Northwest, and the Southeast of England.

But what exactly is Scotland’s contribution to the UK’s creative sectors? According to gov.scot, the creative industry is one of Scotland’s fastest-growing sectors.

According to the Office for National Statistics, Scotland’s highest contribution to the creative sector appears to be within the IT industry massively outperforming the other sectors with the lowest performing sector being the Craft sector followed by Museums & Galleries.

Within the IT sector sits the Games Industry, a behemoth.

Scotland is home to several games studios as well as leading universities offering courses on Games Design.

Dundee has in the past been dubbed the video game capital of Europe (as well as the drug death capital…).

However, it has cemented its status within the video game industry as the home of Lemmings and Grand Theft Auto as well as bringing Minecraft onto consoles.

In more recent years Rockstar North has shifted itself to headquarters in Edinburgh.  Dundee’s future as a game’s mecca is ongoing but not unrecognised. With future planning proposals to build an E-sports gaming arena as well, Dundee aims to cement itself as a key industry player for gaming.

All around roughly the same turnovers are Publishing, Design, Architecture, and Performing Arts. Sectors that are essential to Scotland’s goals of competing on the world stage

In Music & Performing Arts. Scotland’s nightlife tourism industry is essential to the growth and regeneration of towns and cities. Huge artists frequent venues throughout Scotland as well as smaller acts tour up and down the country providing residents in more urban areas with valued nightlife experiences.

The economic benefit is felt throughout bars, pubs, clubs, and hotels. The Runrig concert brought an estimated 45,000 fans from all over the world to Stirling with an estimated £ 7 million benefit to the local economy. A great success model for building on future events.

Though in recent years, the night-time economy has been suffering due to the Covid-19 Pandemic which led to several businesses having to close their doors temporarily. Combined with the cost-of-living crisis, the night-time economy is going to suffer seriously.

The UK is a global powerhouse when it comes to producing content for movies or television. Above is a breakdown of the Film Industry breakdown for Scotland, showing that the bulk of the turnover is generated through motion pictures.

Glasgow became an ideal filming location for some films over the past few years, most notably the Matt Reeves blockbuster adaption of Batman in which Glasgow was used as the murky backdrop of Gotham city. Several iconic locations were used throughout the film with the most recognisable being the Necropolis used at the end of the film. The cancelled Batgirl film was also filmed in Glasgow just recently with it being noted that Glasgow Council paid to have Warner Bros shoot the entire production in the city.

Forecasts done by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) have found that the UK Creative industry is set to grow to be worth £97bn in revenue by 2026.

If the UK as a whole is to tackle the financial despair it’s been in for several years now. It needs to embrace the creative economy for the powerhouse it ought to be recognised as.

 

News

Edinburgh Filmhouse: Crowdfunder campaign launched to save independent cinema

A crowdfunding campaign was launched to raise £2 million to save the Edinburgh Filmhouse and its long-running international film festival.

The 88 Lothian Road building, the former home of Edinburgh Filmhouse, was put up for sale after the charity running the cinema went into administration in October.

A group of former senior staff launched the crowdfunding campaign on 16 November, aiming to raise £2 million by the end of this week and buy the building from the administrators.

“The loss of the building is catastrophic, not only for Filmhouse but also the provision of cultural cinema in Scotland’s capital city,” states the group’s crowdfunding page.

“Edinburgh will become the only UK city of its size and international cultural ambition to lack a cinema devoted to the full breadth and depth of cultural film”.

The group hopes to attract support from the screen industries and Scotland’s cultural scene.

Actor Jack Lowden supported the campaign and told the Scotsman that “the idea of our capital losing such an important cultural centre is deeply saddening.”

“With the Scottish film industry growing faster and faster, it’s more important than ever to have a truly independent platform in our city. And just as importantly, a welcoming place to have a great night out,” says Lowden.

Paul Sng, an independent filmmaker based in Edinburgh, started an online petition to save the Edinburgh Filmhouse and the Edinburgh International Festival. The petition now has over 24 000 signatures.

“It was mainly to show that there is a level of love and support, that there is the belief in the festival and in Filmhouse as an organization to be something that is in Edinburgh for the community, for the people that love cinema”, says Sng.

“As a filmmaker, being supported by these two organizations, the cultural linchpins, has been massively important to me.

“On that professional level, to lose either of them would impact the industry and also impact me personally. Being a filmmaker that is making documentaries on sometimes tricky subjects, you don’t have that many options,” explains Sng.

The Edinburgh Filmhouse was not only an important cultural institution, but for many people it was primarily a safe space.

Vivian Chang, an Edinburgh University student said: “The Filmhouse was a very important place to me and to my friends, it was a beautiful place where we can get tickets just for 2 pounds every Tuesday and enjoy art.”

So far, the crowdfunding campaign raised £138,644, which is 6% off the amount needed to save the building.

To get to the final number would mean every person who has signed Paul Sng’s petition needs to add at least £83.

Edinburgh International Film Festival and the Filmhouse are not the only cultural institutions forced to (completely) limit their activities, due to lack of finances.

Last week it was reported The Edinburgh International Book Festival (EIBF) is resizing its team and pausing its streaming activity.

Amanda Berry, Head of Marketing and PR of the EIBF, said: “it’s a difficult time and we are busy with a consultation and planning process to address the economic challenges that lie ahead.”

Due to time difficulties, the EIBF’s team refused to give any further comment.

News

The cost-of-living crisis is causing a record need of food banks, as more parcels were handed out than ever in the last six months.

By Julie Dvorakova

The cost-of-living crisis is causing a record need for food banks, as more parcels were handed out than ever in the last six months.

The Trussell Trust, a nationwide network of food banks providing support to those in poverty, revealed new statistics that show record-breaking levels of need across the UK.

Revealed figures prove that from April to September, more emergency food parcels were given out than ever before in this period.

Emma Reive, the chief executive at the Trussell Trust, said: “These new statistics show that, even in summer months, people are struggling to afford the essentials and we are expecting that this winter will be the hardest yet for food banks and the people they support. This is not right.”

In Scotland, food banks in the Trussell Trust network distributed over 116,000 emergency food parcels between 1 April to 30 September 2022, including 40,000 parcels distributed to children.

This represents an increase (34%) compared to the same period last year and an alarming rise (65%) since the same period five years ago – a period not affected by the pandemic or cost of living crisis.

 

As Scotland faces the crisis while still recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic, the charity says the Scottish, local and UK governments need to do more.

“Over the last few years, the government has acted to protect people who are struggling, and this action made a difference”, said Reive, adding that they must now act again to help people through the winter.

In July 2022, households received the first Cost of Living payment from the UK government. Scottish foodbanks distributed 15,098 parcels in July, which is significantly less than any other month this year.

Despite this, data show that this payment was spent quickly, and record levels of emergency food parcels were then distributed in the following months.

The crisis is forcing more people to use food banks, as they, mostly for the first time, don’t have enough money to afford the essentials. Food banks across the UK are changing opening hours to be available to those working.

Josie Barlow, manager at Bradford Foodbank said: “Someone who came to the food bank recently told me that buying milk is a luxury now. So many people are struggling with bills and food prices.”

The escalating need for emergency food parcels together with rising costs is likely to lead to the most challenging winter yet for Trussell Trust and other networks in the UK.

“We are fortunate to be able to help people and we work hard to support them in both the short and long term, but we are also facing challenges”, says Barlow.

 

The charity says food banks are now at ‘breaking point’, as more and more people seek help due to the crisis.

Compared to England, the number of parcels distributed in Scotland has either been lower or not risen in line with the UK average.

This is because alternative food aid is becoming more available in recent years in Scotland.

In January this year, the Scottish government promised to develop a national plan to end the need for food banks as a primary response to food insecurity.

The Government recently responded to the crisis as The Scottish Child payment was increased from £10 a week to £25, with the extension to parents of children aged under 16.

Opinion

Can Scotland mimic Portugal’s approach to the drug crisis?

By Gregor Boyd

For many years now. Scotland’s drug crisis has been widely reported on. According to the National  Record of Statistics in Scotland. The number of deaths has continued to rise. 2021 saw a slight decrease in the number of drugs with 9 less than the year before.

Dundee has been dubbed the drug capital of Europe. With drugs being readily available and even purchasable online. It’s never been easier to find a supply. Despite attempts by police to clamp down on it. The people of Scotland continue to suffer and the impact this causes on local health services that are already struggling. Attempts by campaigners to change the laws surrounding drugs have been met with resistance.

Treating it as a health problem and not a criminal issue is seen by many as the way forward, emulating the approach taken by Portugal. This revolutionary method was adopted as a policy in 2001.  The policy decriminalised all personal possession, consumption and acquisition of drugs. 

This approach removed the criminal nature associated with being caught using drugs. This health-based policy saw benefits with decreases in drug use, drug death and more people seeking treatment, leading to other countries wanting to adopt similar methods due to the popularity of the policy.

Scotland’s attempts to mitigate this crisis have seen campaigns supporting the idea of injecting clinics where users can safely dispose of needles. People in shops are also being trained on reversing opiate overdose with Naloxone kits. Despite the steps put forward by the Scottish govt on proposed Injecting clinics, this has been knocked back by the UK government. A working solution in countries such as Denmark and Canada is to keep needles off of streets, prevent unnecessary drug deaths and mitigate some of the dangers users may face when trying to inject.

The problems facing Scotland’s drug population were also exacerbated due to the Covid-19 pandemic as places took steps to mitigate the spread of the virus. The isolation people had to undertake made things harder for many addicts who might have depended on social interactions or in-person meetings.

The Minister for Drug Policy Angela Constance has been in touch with the newly appointed Conservative MP Jeremy Quin, Minister of State for Crime, Policing and Fire in an attempt to collectively work to address and tackle drug use across the United Kingdom.  The UK government’s hardline approach to the drug policy published earlier this year appears to be a 3 tier structure starting with Fixed Penalty notices moving upwards in severity to mandatory drug testing and awareness courses and finally, formal court proceedings resulting in potential confiscation of Passport/Driving Licence.

News

Pet Aid available in Scotland to pet owners struggling financially

by Julie Dvořáková

Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) is aiming to help pet owners struggling due to the cost of living crisis by providing ‘Pet Aid’.

As millions of households suffer significantly higher emergency bills and other necessary expenses, the Scottish SPCA is expecting an increase in animals suffering from unintentional neglect.

The charity fears that more and more pet owners across Scotland will not be able to pay for food or veterinary treatment.

“We want to be there to support those people who really need it, who clearly want to care for their animal but are struggling with in particular some of the costs involved, “says Kirsteen Campbell, the CEO of Scottish SPCA.

“The expectation is that these challenges will be present in Society for many years to come and we have not felt the worse of it yet here in Scotland.”

Pet Aid service was developed by the charity to support pet owners at an early stage so that people and animals can be kept together as much as possible.

Chris Forest, a man living in Edinburgh, told BBC Scotland that the food bank saved him from giving up his cats that help with his mental health. “The cats keep me going – they interact with me and get me up in the morning as they need to be fed. I am in a much better place having them”.

“Nobody should have to give up their pet because they are unable to afford the items they need”, stated Scottish SPCA when launching the campaign.

SSPCA is hoping to quickly expand Pet Aid to be offered nationally. At the moment, Pet Aid provides 16 food banks with boxes that contain a mix of dry and wet pet food. Accessories such as water bowls, leads or harnesses are also provided when possible.

“These items are sourced from existing donations that have been made to the Scottish SPCA in which the Society is unable to use these donations for animals in its care,” explains Campbell.

The Scottish SPCA promises to provide Pet Aid boxes on monthly basis to charities, such as Simon Community Scotland (SCS), which mainly focuses on supporting homeless people and provides rather humanitarian support.

However, when visiting SCS in Edinburgh, the staff was not aware of SSPCA’s Pet Aid and recommended getting in touch with a different organization, Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home.

Campbell said that SSPCA is aware of other animal welfare organizations that are supporting food banks in Scotland. “We are making sure we are working together and not duplicating resources and are aware of who is supporting where.”

SSPCA’s recent research in partnership with the RSPCA Kindness Index found that 69% of pet owners in the UK say looking after their pets is more expensive than it was last year. 72% then stated they think the increasing costs of living will impact their animals, and 28% are worried about being able to care for their pets, due to the crisis.

Donating to Pet Aid is now possible via Amazon Wishlist or collection points located at selected supermarkets.