 Colin Beattie MSP has expressed great concern over the Pharmacy Practices Committee’s (PPC) decision to reject the appeal of the application for a pharmacy in Rosewell.
The PPC rejected the original application in October last year which saw rival three local pharmaceutical companies present at the hearing to represent their arguments but only one member of the local community from the Community Council. No other parties of local interest such as the Rosewell Development Trust, local Elected Representatives, local GPs or the Health and Social Care Partnership were invited to give their own arguments or even had their letters of support considered. Instead, all local letters of support were dismissed in favour of the views of rival pharmaceutical companies. Mr Beattie argues that to current system is flawed and not fit for purpose. Commenting, Midlothian North and Musselburgh MSP Colin Beattie said: “I find it hard to believe that such a Byzantine system is in place. The confrontational process pharmacy applicants are subjected to during these hearings and the interests of rival pharmacies being prioritised over the needs of a local community is just neither fair nor acceptable. “The current system needs urgently addressed to reflect the current needs of our communities – not the financial needs of large pharmaceutical companies. “The views of our communities must be heard but in this case, they were completely disregarded. Local elected representatives, including myself, all gave strong letters of support both for the original application and the subsequent appeal the local Health and Social Care Partnership also strongly supported – but neither views were even considered. “Applicants do not have much standing against their pharmaceutical rivals whose arguments go unquestioned during the process leading to allegedly biased, distorted, and inaccurate information being taken at face value over the real situation communities face. “It is time that this system is changed. It is time that rival pharmaceutical arguments are put in perspective during hearings. Most importantly, it is time a transparent and fair assessment process is put in place to prioritise our communities’ needs and to stop protecting the vested interests of large companies. “I have written to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Humza Yousaf MSP, requesting a meeting on this matter with hope that real change can be made to this outdated unfair legacy system which appears to pre-date devolution.”
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 Local MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Colin Beattie promised constituents that Riverside Medical Practice is top of his agenda and arranged a meeting with the Cabinet Secretary for Health and social Care, Humza Yousaf in September to discuss the distressing situation too many patients face at Riverside.
Following discussions prompted by Mr Beattie, Scottish Government officials met East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership on Friday 19th November 2021 who remain concerned with the access issues patients face. As an action point, the Partnership agreed to meet with the Practice and collate their own report detailing the issues patients face at Riverside. Riverside Medical Practice, the East Lothian Health & Social Care Partnership (ELHSCP) and NHS Lothian/the Primary Care Contracts Organisation (PCCO) and Lothian LMC met on 9 December 2021. All parties have now agreed to work collaboratively to find a solution to the ongoing issues. All parties have agreed to meet again at the end of January, after the teams at Riverside and ELHSCP have had further time to better assess current levels of patient demand, and what their capacity is to jointly and consistently meet that demand. The teams will also look to consider whether alternative access models represent a sustainable long-term solution for the Practice. MSP Colin Beattie is also due to meet again with the Cabinet Secretary Humza Yousaf on the 19th January to receive an update and push again for a solution. Commenting Colin Beattie MSP said: “The situation at Riverside is wholly unacceptable. I have continued to correspond with the Cabinet Secretary since September and I am pleased the Scottish Government has taken the first step to meet with the East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership. “I still remain deeply concerned with the access issues patients face at Riverside and it remains my upmost priority to find a solution. “This will not come overnight. However, the situation has gone on for too long and I appreciate patients are getting increasingly worried, frustrated and exasperated. It is a positive step that all parties have agreed to work together but it does not improve the current situation. “I hope the meeting next week with the Cabinet Secretary can provide us with a substantial update on how the situation at Riverside Medical Practice can be improved and ultimately, resolved.”  UNDER 22's CAN NOW APPLY FOR FREE BUS TRAVEL SCHEME
SNP MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Colin Beattie, has welcomed the opening of the application process for free bus travel for young people, under the age of 22 years old, in Midlothian and East Lothian. From today, all young people and children aged 5-21 years old in Midlothian and East Lothian can apply for their new or replacement National Entitlement Card (NEC) or Young Scot NEC to access the scheme from 31 January 2022. The scheme, extending free bus travel to everyone aged 22, builds on the Scottish Government’s commitment to providing free bus travel to all under-19’s in Scotland which started in August 2021. SNP MSP, Colin Beattie, has welcomed the initiative which is set to benefit around 930,000 young people across Scotland and pointed to research from Transport Scotland indicating that 70% of young people would use public transport more frequently if it was free. The scheme will be delivered in partnership with Transport Scotland, the Improvement Service, the National Entitlement Card Programme Office (NECPO), Young Scot, local authorities and bus operators. Commenting SNP MSP for SNP MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Colin Beattie, said: "I am delighted that applications are now open for young people in Midlothian and East Lothian, under the age of 22, to apply for free bus travel across the country. This is a hugely significant commitment from the Scottish Government that will benefit hundreds of thousands of young people across the country. "Young people in Midlothian and East Lothian are rightly challenging their politicians to take bold actions to create a sustainable future for them and free bus travel is an example of what can be done to rise to this challenge. "Making bus travel free for under 22's is not only important for helping tackle the climate emergency but it will take pressure off young people's finances and improve their access to education, leisure, and work. "Whilst we continue to live through the pandemic, we all recognise that essential travel must be prioritised so I want to specifically encourage those children and young people with essential journeys to make to apply now. “The SNP Scottish Government is once again making an investment in our young people’s future, supporting them to have the best possible start in life and creating the fairer, greener Scotland that we want to build.” Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, has held his fifth annual Christmas Card Competition for all primary school children within his constituency. The school children are asked to design a Christmas Card which fits in with the annual theme – this year the theme was ‘Together with Family’. The winning design is then used as the official Christmas card which Mr Beattie sends across the area to constituents, businesses, colleagues, charities and local organisations.
Book vouchers are awarded to the winner and the runners up, as well as to the three best overall classes. The top prizes this year were a £60 book voucher for the Individual Category and a £100 book voucher for the Best Class Overall Category. There were a high volume of entries this year from primary schools in Midlothian and East Lothian which made choosing the winning entries a tough decision for Mr Beattie and his fellow judges Stephen Thomson from JK Thomson in Musselburgh and Trish Sime from Bonnyrigg Rose FC. This year’s winner was Eva Redmond, a P7 pupil from Lasswade Primary School. 2nd place was Millie Cairns from Wallyford Primary School, 3rd Place was Yvie Burnett from Kings Park Primary and 4th Place was Oliver Kecik from Loretto RC. For the overall class prizes, winners were 1st place – P5M from Woodburn Primary School, 2nd place – P4/5 at Paradykes Primary School, and 3rd – P6 at Musselburgh Primary School. Commenting Colin Beattie MSP said: “The Christmas Card competition is always the highlight of the festive season for me. The skill and talent of the designs get better and better every year, it really makes choosing the winner a difficult job. “I would like to thank all the schools for their entries this year and all the children who worked so hard on their designs. “A special congratulations to the winner Eva – I am sure all those who receive my Christmas Card will love your design.” Judging – Stephen Thomson from JK Thomson (left), with Trish Sime from Bonnyrigg Rose FC (middle) and Colin Beattie MSP (right). Winner – Eva Redmond.  Colin Beattie has welcomed £4bn of investment in Scotland’s social security system announced in the Scottish budget to support families across Midlothian and East Lothian.
The 2022/23 budget includes £197m for the Scottish Child Payment – which is set to be doubled to £20 per child per week at the start of April next year. Children across Midlothian and East Lothian will also be supported to have the best start in life with £17.8m into the Best Start Grant and £13.1m investment in Best Start Foods. Those with a disability will be supported by billions of pounds of investment through support like the by £1.9bn of investment into the new Adult Disability Payment and £444m in the Disability Living Allowance. With carers benefiting from £314m of investment in the Carers Allowance, plus the £41.8m investment in the Carer’s Allowance Supplement. Commenting, SNP MSP Colin Beattie said: “The SNP Scottish Government continues to build a social security system built on fairness, dignity and respect. “Nothing demonstrates that more than the commitment Nicola Sturgeon made earlier this year to double the Scottish Child Payment at the start of April, earlier than planned. This will benefit families across Midlothian, East Lothian and Scotland. “Along with the Scottish Child Payment, the SNP Scottish Government continues to ensure that children in Midlothian and East Lothian have the best start in life with payments like Best Start Foods and the Best Start Grant. “Compare and contrast this with the callous decision by the UK Tory government to cut Universal Credit by £20-a-week at time when families needed it most – the tale of two governments facing the people of Scotland could not be more stark. “That is why we cannot trust the Tories to protect the future of families here in Midlothian, East Lothian and across Scotland. Which is why we must be able to choose a better path that would allow Scotland to have full powers over social security to build a fairer, independent country.”  NEW GUIDANCE TO REDUCE OMICRON SPREAD PUBLISHED
SNP MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Colin Beattie has today welcomed the publication of new guidance to help businesses employees and customers stay safe and reduce the spreading of Covid-19. The guidance, which comes into effect at 00.01 Friday 17th December 2021, is part of the Scottish Government’s efforts to tackle Omicron, the new variant of Covid-19. Other measures being asked of the people of Midlothian and East Lothian include limiting contact with other households, getting their vaccines and boosters, testing regularly, keeping windows open and rooms ventilated and working from home wherever possible. Commenting SNP MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Colin Beattie said: “The emergence of the Omicron variant is not what people across Midlothian and East Lothian wanted to be hearing about a couple weeks before Christmas but we can all help play our part to overcome it. “This new guidance for businesses and customers in Midlothian and East Lothian is very welcome. It will help reduce the speed of the spread of Covid-19 and keep our NHS safe at this difficult time. “The booster rollout is also going very well, with Scotland being the first nation in the UK to have over 50% of over 18s having had their Booster, but we know that we must do more in light of Omicron. “I urge everyone across Midlothian and East Lothian to help us all stay safe and protect our NHS by following these new guidelines, as well as all other protections the Scottish Government have put in place.”  Today in Chamber, Colin Beattie MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh asked the Scottish Government if they could provide an update on the proposed works at Sheriffhall roundabout as part of its £300 million commitment to the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal.
He also asked what action the Scottish Government are taking to address the delays to the works at Sheriffhall Roundabout and asked the Scottish Government to provide any reassurance to the constituents that this is in hand. The Minister for Transport, Graeme Dey MSP in response has given his reassurances that the Scottish Government are committed to delivering the grade separation at Sheriffhall Roundabout. A large number of objections have been received to the proposed works but the Transport Minister today provided reassurance that Transport Scotland is currently trying to resolve this. Although, due to the high number of objections received the Minister has noted a public inquiry may have to be held. The Minister does state, however, that Transport Scotland is working hard to satisfy all objections and have now issued replies to all the objectors. Commenting Colin Beattie said: “I understand the frustration of my constituents at the lack of progress being made with the works at Sheriffhall Roundabout and how these are much needed. “I mentioned in Chamber that this is a key travel route used by many of my constituents and those in the surrounding areas. The large volume of traffic often leads to a bottleneck situation. “I’m pleased the Minister could provide an update that all objections have been responded to now by Transport Scotland which shows some progress. “I agree with the Minister that it is important that all stakeholders and surrounding communities impacted by any works should be properly consulted and have their objections heard. I do hope Transport Scotland’s responses have addressed many of the concerns raised to avoid any further delay to these works. “I will continue to monitor the progress of the works and keep my constituents updated with any new developments.”  Local MSP Colin Beattie has welcomed record investment in Scotland’s NHS, including £1,639.3 million for NHS Lothian
The Scottish Government Budget confirmed £18 billion for Health and Social Care, including £12.9 billion for health boards through the pandemic and to accelerate the recovery of vital services. The Budget also supports the creation of a new National Care Service - the single greatest public health reform since the establishment of the NHS. Scotland’s Finance Secretary Kate Forbes also outlined:
Coin Beattie MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh said: “The Scottish Government’s Budget commits £18 billion for Health and Social Care this year - that’s the highest investment in the history of the Scottish Parliament. “Prioritising the NHS was a key commitment of the SNP in May’s election, so I’m delighted to see the SNP Scottish Government delivering on this commitment despite a challenging financial outlook. “In NHS Lothian, the Scottish Government has committed £1,639.3 million to NHS Lothian- an increase of £69.8 million on last year’s Budget. “This year, Scotland’s block grant has no Covid consequentials from the UK government - meaning when Covid spending is included, our budget decreased from last year. Prioritising Health and Social Care is absolutely the right thing to do - but it means difficult decisions elsewhere in Scotland’s budget. “Scotland doesn’t have the powers to borrow for our pandemic response under Westminster control, so the UK government must now deliver new money to aid Scotland’s fight against Covid.” MIDLOTHIAN NORTH AND MUSSELBURGH MSP WELCOMES PROGRESS FOR CREATING NATIONAL CARE SERVICE15/12/2021  SNP MSP Colin Beattie has welcomed the £500,000, announced in the Scottish Government’s budget, to lay the ground work for the establishment of a National Care Service.
The SNP Scottish Government’s budget announced record funding of £18 billion for Health and Social Care - the £500,000 was included by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Kate Forbes, as part of a total investment of over £718.9 million for social care. The MSP has said that the investment, alongside announcing a £10.50 minimum wage for social care staff, is a clear indication of the SNP’s commitment to create of a National Care Service that looks after people across Midlothian and East Lothian. Commenting Colin Beattie said: “I am delighted to see the SNP’s commitment to establishing a National Care Service backed up in this budget with £500,000 investment as part of the £18 billion earmarked for Health and Social Care. “Over the past two years, the importance of our social care services has never been clearer and people across Midlothian North and Musselburgh deserve a social care system that is consistent in the quality of service they receive. “Creating a National Care Service means that each of us in Midlothian North and Musselburgh and our loved ones will receive the consistency, equity and fairness we deserve in the care we need. “Getting this right is crucial to allowing everyone to take part in society and will have the ability to transform peoples' lives for the better. I am glad that the SNP Scottish Government are taking the steps needed to make this happen.” |
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