|
Colin Beattie MSP visited the Musselburgh Primary Care Centre in East Lothian to hear first-hand about the positive impact direct access to the Care When it Counts (CWIC) service is having for patients in East Lothian.
The CWIC Service’s clinical team provide same day primary care appointment services, offering assessments, diagnoses, and treatment for a range of non-recurring acute illnesses. Following an initial assessment over the telephone, patients may be offered a follow up appointment at the Musselburgh Primary Care Centre, or an onward referral to a specialist team if required. SNP MSP Colin Beattie said: "The health of our country is one of the Scottish Governments main priorities and I am all too aware of the issues constituents are facing when booking an appointment with a GP. "Piloting direct access to services like CWIC are key in helping relieve the pressures that GPs face and ensuring that patients are seen by a medical professional. "Being assessed by the correct expert is key, and this is why the CWIC service can provide swift access to a range of multi-disciplinary clinicians and is proving to be a great success with patients. "Registered patients of Inveresk, Riverside, Tranent and The Harbours have access to the CWIC service. The CWIC direct access telephone line is available Monday to Friday 8:30am to 10:30am on 0300 790 6292. “The CWIC service and our wider health service would not be what it is without the hard work of the staff. "Whilst the CWIC service will not single handedly reduce the pressure on GP Practices, it is a welcomed step in the right direction. I would like to thank all the staff at CWIC for their hard work and commitment to patient care, and for accommodating me and showing me the positive impact, the service is having." ENDS
0 Comments
SNP MSP Colin Beattie has encouraged all eligible people in [LOCAL AREA] to make sure that they get their winter flu jag to protect them against serious illness.
Scotland had the highest uptake of flu vaccines amongst people over 65 in the UK last winter, with research from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) showing that 79.8% of people over 65 in Scotland received their winter flu vaccine. This was a higher percentage than in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. Latest figures show that so far this winter 53.2% % of eligible adults in NHS Lothian have received their flu and Covid-19 vaccines. People have until 31st March to receive their jags but are being encouraged to book an appointment as soon as possible to protect them against serious illness this winter. Other eligible groups for the double dose flu and Covid-19 vaccination include pregnant women, people with certain health conditions and frontline health workers. Those entitled to the flu-only vaccination include primary and secondary school pupils, unpaid carers and the homeless. SNP MSP Colin Beattie said: “Getting vaccinated gives you the best possible protection against flu viruses which are circulating this winter. The flu vaccine offers strong protection, while the Covid-19 booster reduces the severity of illness and boosts protection. “The vaccines will reduce your risk of needing to go to hospital with serious illness and help to protect those around you from catching flu and getting ill. “It is hugely encouraging that Scotland had the highest uptake of vaccines in the UK last winter and I encourage everyone in Midlothian North & Musselburgh, who hasn’t already done so this winter, to check if they are eligible. “Getting vaccinated is not only the best way to protect yourself and your family from serious illness this winter, but it will also help to reduce the pressure on the NHS over the busy winter period.” ENDS Colin Beattie MSP has hit out at the UK Labour government’s betrayal of WASPI women as figures from SPICe reveal 5,630 women in Midlothian and 7,170 in East Lothian may have lost out on pension payments.
As a result of the DWP’s failure to inform them of changes to the state pension age, it is estimated that a total of 355,910 women across Scotland did not receive money they were entitled to. Now, following their electoral victory in July last year, the UK Labour government have reneged on their promise to compensate these women. The SNP however continues to call for the WASPI Women to receive the compensation they deserve, doing so again in a Holyrood debate this week. Commenting, Colin Beattie MSP said: “The Labour government’s betrayal of the WASPI Women is utterly shameful. “As many as 5,630 across Midlothian and 7,170 in East Lothian have lost out as a result of a UK government mistake, and many have tirelessly campaigned for decades to right this wrong. “For the Labour Party – after mere months in power – to break their promise to compensate these women is wrong and an enormous breach of trust. “The SNP will continue to campaign alongside the WASPI Women for the compensation they deserve. I urge the Labour government to see sense and u-turn on their decision.” ENDS Christmas can be a difficult time, and sometimes we all need a bit of extra support. Whilst my offices are closed until 6 January 2025, there is still help and advice available. Some important emergency contact are listed below for your reference:
Emergency Services – 999 Non-Emergency (Police) – 101 Non-Emergency (NHS) – 111 Midlothian Council:
East Lothian Council:
Scottish Water – 0800 0778 778 SEPA Floodline – 0345 988 1188 SP Energy Networks – 105 Crimestoppers – 0800 555 111 Childline – 0800 1111 Drugs and Alcohol Support (call Frank) – 0800 77 66 00 Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0800 027 1234 Breathing Space – 0800 83 85 87 Samaritans – 116 123 NHS 24 Mental Health HUB – 111 Shelter Scotland – 0808 800 4444 SNP BUDGET PROMISES ABOVE INFLATION INCREASE IN EDUCATION SPENDING
OPPOSITION PARTIES MUST BACK FUNDING FOR EDUCATION IN MIDLOTHIAN NORTH AND MUSSELBURGH SNP MSP Colin Beattie has demanded local opposition MSPs Jeremy Balfour back the Scottish Government’s Budget to deliver an above inflation increase in spending for education. Opposition politicians can show their support for Midlothian North and Musselburgh’s young people by backing the Budgets £158 million increase in education spending - a 3% increase over and above inflation. The increased funding will be used to reform education bodies, maintain teacher numbers, and improve ASN (Additional Support Needs) services with a £29 million investment. This Budget also includes £120 million for headteachers to address the poverty-related attainment gap. Additional funding has been allocated to expand breakfast club availability through the ‘Bright Start Breakfasts’ initiative and extend free school meals to primary 6 and 7 children from low-income families. Commenting, SNP MSP Colin Beattie said: “The above inflation investment announced by the SNP Scottish Government will make a real difference to young people in Midlothian North and Musselburgh – ensuring improved support for ASN pupils, maintaining teacher numbers, and providing more resources for headteachers to tackle the attainment gap. “If opposition parties want more investment in education and our young people, then they must vote for it by backing this Budget. “While the UK Labour government has failed to deliver significant investment in education, the SNP is committed to prioritising Scotland’s future by investing in schools, teachers, and our young people. “Opposition parties now have the opportunity to show that they support Scotland’s young people and schools in Midlothian North and Musselburgh by backing this budget to deliver substantial investment in education.” ENDS Colin Beattie MSP said the Scottish Budget an “enormous step forward” in achieving the Scottish Government’s mission of eradicating child poverty in Midlothian North and Musselburgh as progress begins in ending Labour’s two-child cap.
The two-child cap was introduced by the Tories as part of their programme of austerity and has been subsequently adopted by Labour as one of their policies, despite their previous promises to scrap it. Across Scotland the cap impacts 83,000 children and 26,000 households – that’s 980 families in East Lothian and Midlothian alone. By ending it the SNP government will lift 15,000 children out of poverty. Commenting, SNP MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh said: “The two-child cap is an abhorrent policy that has harmed 980 households in East Lothian and Midlothian. “Yet it is another Tory policy which Labour has adopted as one of their own. “With 83,000 children across Scotland impacted, it is right that this SNP Government has made the decision to end the cap once and for all – lifting 15,000 children out of poverty and making progress on the key mission of this government: to eradicate child poverty once and for all. “It is disappointing that the Labour UK government has chosen to maintain the cap, and I would urge their colleagues in the Scottish Parliament to choose differently and back this budget; made for Scotland, by Scotland.” The SNP Government’s Budget will deliver progress for Scotland, by Scotland – after listening carefully to the people of Scotland and taking action on their concerns.
SNP MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh Colin Beattie highlighted key SNP policies which will be taken forward in the Budget which will benefit people in Midlothian North and Musselburgh including: · Record levels of NHS funding – throwing the weight of the government behind NHS improvement · Reintroducing universal winter heating payments for pensioners after they were axed by the UK Labour Government · Scrapping Labour’s Two Child Cap – lifting 15,000 children out of poverty · Increased investment in housing, supporting the delivery of 8,000 homes · Delivering a fair tax system – meaning the majority of people in Scotland pay less tax than in the rest of the UK Colin Beattie MSP said: “I am delighted at the support John Swinney’s first Budget is offering for people in Midlothian North and Musselburgh. It will deliver real progress on people’s priorities – and will offer hope, putting in place the investment for Scotland to win big in the future. “The First Minister has listened to what people have told him on the NHS – that’s why he is investing record amounts and throwing the whole weight of the government behind improving the health service, making it easier for people in Midlothian North and Musselburgh to see their GP and bringing down waiting times. “People across Midlothian North and Musselburgh have been let down by the UK Labour Government. While the UK Government’s Budget treated Scotland as an afterthought – this is a Budget that puts the people of Scotland first. “While they cut winter fuel payments, the SNP is introducing universal support and while they push kids in Midlothian North and Musselburgh into poverty with the cruel two-child cap, the SNP will scrap it and give thousands of kids a better chance in life. “All this is being achieved while delivering the fairest tax system in the UK – with the majority of people in Scotland paying less tax than south of the border. “That is what you get from a Swinney Government – listening to people’s concerns and taking strong and decisive action to deliver on their priorities.” ENDS PAYMENT DELIVERED BY ‘A GOVERNMENT THAT PUTS SCOTLAND FIRST’
The Scottish Government’s decision to deliver a new payment to support older people with energy bills “has righted a disgraceful wrong by the UK Labour government”, Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North & Musselburgh, has said. Cabinet Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville announced the support payment in a statement to Holyrood, confirming the payment will be rolled out to every pensioner in Midlothian North & Musselburgh when the SNP Government’s new Pension Age Winter Heating Payment is introduced next year. Scottish Labour MPs, including local Labour MP Kirsty McNeill, shamefully followed Prime Minster Sir Keir Starmer in the voting lobbies at Westminster backing the cut of the Winter Fuel Payment for 900,000 Scots while SNP MPs voted to scrap the cut. Weeks later, Scottish Labour MSPs voted against a Holyrood motion by First Minister John Swinney demanding the UK government to reverse the introduction of means testing for the Winter Fuel Payment. Colin Beattie MSP said: “The announcement of this new support by the SNP Scottish Government has righted a disgraceful wrong by the UK Labour government, ensuring pensioners in Midlothian North & Musselburgh are supported at a time of soaring energy bills and shameful inaction from the UK government. “The SNP Scottish Government offers a wealth of support for Midlothian North & Musselburgh's older people and this new payment will be a vital lifeline for nearly a million Scots - delivered by a Government that puts the people of Scotland first. “During the election campaign, Sir Keir Starmer promised to bring down energy bills and support older people. Labour’s Winter Fuel Payment cut to 900,000 Scots was a gross betrayal of their promises to the public and shows just how little ‘change’ there is under a Labour government at Westminster. “Scotland will not forgive Scottish Labour MPs and MSPs who shamefully backed the cutting of the Winter Fuel Payment. I will always stand up for Midlothian North & Musselburgh's older people - especially when Westminster fails to do so.” ENDS UNPAID CARERS IN MIDLOTHIAN NORTH & MUSSELBURGH URGED TO CHECK ELIGIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT26/11/2024 OVER 11,610 UNPAID CARERS IN MIDLOTHIAN AND 13,147 IN EAST LOTHIAN
Local MSP Colin Beattie has urged unpaid carers in Midlothian North and Musselburgh to check their eligibility for financial support from Social Security Scotland. The call comes following the figures in the latest census, which show that there are 24,757 unpaid carers in Midlothian and East Lothian. Earlier in November, Scotland's Carer Support Payment, which replaces Carer’s Allowance in Scotland, was rolled out across the country, expanding eligibility to those who are in full-time education, and introducing backdating for some applicants. This joins a suite of support for carers only available in Scotland, like the Young Carer Grant and Carer’s Allowance Supplement. Unpaid carers in Midlothian North and Musselburgh are being urged to check their eligibility for the financial support available from Social Security Scotland. Commenting, Colin Beattie MSP said: “Unpaid carers go above and beyond to support those they care for – so it is absolutely vital that they access the support they are entitled to. “The latest figures show that there are 24,757 unpaid carers in Midlothian and East Lothian. I would urge all of them to ensure they are receiving the support they deserve. "The SNP developed Social Security Scotland with the principles of dignity, fairness and respect at its heart, and the new Carer Support Payment is no different – improving on Carer’s Allowance by making those in full time education eligible and introducing backdating for some applicants. “I would urge all unpaid carers in Midlothian North and Musselburgh to check their eligibility for financial support available from Social Security Scotland.” ENDS SNP SUPPORTING YOUNG PEOPLE FROM BIRTH
Colin Beattie, SNP MSP for NHS Lothian, has welcomed new figures which show that 56535 baby boxes have been delivered to support expectant parents across NHS Lothian. Over 319,800 baby boxes have been delivered to expectant parents across Scotland - providing them with around £420 worth of essential items for their newborn. The SNP remains committed to ensuring that all of Scotland’s young people have a secure and healthy start to life, a policy which aims to significantly improve positive health outcomes and support for newborns and families across Scotland. Commenting, SNP MSP Colin Beattie said: "56535 baby boxes have now been delivered to support expectant parents across NHS Lothian - providing a substantial £420 worth of items to support newborns from birth. "Recent analysis has shown that the SNP Government's approach to supporting infants, young people and their families is having significantly positive health outcomes - and the baby box is helping contribute to that with over 300,000 boxes delivered since the policy was introduced. It is also one of the actions from the SNP Government which is ensuring that 100,000 children are kept out of poverty this year. "The SNP is determined that every child in Scotland should have the best possible start to life. The baby box helps to ensure that every child has the support they need to fulfil their potential and can also make a huge difference to parents faced with the high cost of products for newborns especially in the current cost of living crisis.” ENDS |
Parliamentary Work
Archives
December 2024
Links
|
