Colin Beattie MSP has congratulated Shona Black from Musselburgh on winning Health Walk Volunteer of the Year Award.

Shona received the reward alongside her guide dog Matt at the Paths for All Volunteer Awards held in the Scottish Parliament on 28 September 2022.

Shona leads the RNIB East Lothian Health Walk at Musselburgh Harbour fortnightly on a Thursday morning to help build confidence and bring together the blind and partially-sighted community in East Lothian. Shona is partially-sighted herself and is accompanied on the walks by her guide dog Matt.

Colin Beattie MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh commented:

“It was a pleasure attending the ceremony in the Scottish Parliament and see Shona win the Health Walk Volunteer of the Year Award.

“The work that Shona does is hugely important for the blind and partially-sighted community in my constituency and I am pleased her hard work has been recognised.

“I would personally like to thank Shona for her work and I look forward to joining her and the walking group for stroll along the promenade soon.”

Award winner Shona commented:

“I am delighted to have won this award. The real reason for starting the walking group was to help build confidence and combat isolation in the blind and partially-sighted community after the Covid-19 pandemic.

“At first these walks were a way of getting back into the community after periods of lockdown but have now continued with 10 core participants.

“Not only does the walking group help the mental and physical health of members but also provides the opportunity for them to socialise together.

“Going forward, I hope to expand the group and start another walking group in Haddington to cover more of East Lothian.”

NOTES:
Photo L-R: Colin Beattie MSP, Shona Black and Guide Dog Matt.
If you would like more information, contact Shona Black at shona.black@rnib.org.uk
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SNP MSP Colin Beattie, welcomed the news that 19,733 children and young people in Midlothian and East Lothian are benefiting from free bus travel since the introduction of the SNP Government's scheme for under 22's.

In figures released yesterday, the Scottish Government revealed that - as of 12 September 2022 - a total of 483,931 children and young people across Scotland are cardholders under the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme and that a total of 21,723,100 journeys made under the Young Persons’ (Under 22s) Free Bus Travel Scheme since its introduction.

Commenting SNP MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Colin Beattie said:

"It is brilliant that so many children and young people in Midlothian and East Lothian are already benefiting from the SNP Scottish Government's free bus travel and I want to make sure that even more young people take advantage of this.

"This initiative is not only about helping our young people get about more often and more easily - whether that be local journeys or journeys right across Scotland - but it is also about embedding more sustainable travel behaviour from a young age which will support all of our efforts to tackle the climate emergency.

"It also is a key way of maintaining vital services in many areas, especially rural or outlying ones, and can provide help to people struggling with the cost of living crisis right now - by making travel affordable."

Colin Beattie MSP has called on Riverside Medical Practice to accept and action the 17 recommendations set out in the External Review ‘Access and Capacity of Riverside Medical Practice LLP & Associated Services – September 2022’ Report.
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The report was commissioned in April this year to assess patient concerns regarding access to care provided by Riverside Medical Practice and associated services in Musselburgh including the East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership. 

Recommendations set out in the report include urgently reviewing the telephony system, introducing an on-line appointment system for routine appointments, and reviewing their complaint handling process by adopting the NHS Model Complaints Handling Procedure.

An independent Review Team, led by Dr Dorothy Armstrong, spent 5 months researching, engaging, and analysing feedback from patients and other community stakeholders with the final report published on Friday 23 September 2022.

MSP for Musselburgh, Colin Beattie commented:

“My constituents have long awaited the outcome of this report after years of complaints regarding issues accessing healthcare at Riverside Medical Practice.

“I would urge Riverside, the East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership and NHS Lothian to take on board all 17 recommendations set out in the report and collaboratively action them as quickly and efficiently as possible.

“The issues regarding access to healthcare at Riverside have gone on for too long and it would now be unfair to delay any improvements the patients have long-awaited for.

“I will continue to support my constituents and ensure improvements are made at the Practice. I have subsequently set up a meeting with the Review Team and will meet again with the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Humza Yousaf to ensure these recommendations are carried out in a timely manner.”

The full report can be found here: www.eastlothian.gov.uk/elhscp

 

5,020 CHILDREN IN MIDLOTHIAN AND EAST LOTHIAN HAVE BENEFITTED FROM SCOTTISH CHILD PAYMENT

2,585 children in Midlothian and 2,435 children  in East Lothian have been supported by the Scottish Child Payment since its introduction, according to figures released by the Scottish Government. This amounts to £1,607,650 having been paid to families in Midlothian and £1,442,350 paid to families in East Lothian.

 The Scottish Child Payment of £20 per week per eligible child under 6 has been hailed 'an absolute game changer in the fight to end child poverty' by anti-poverty charities and described as a “lifesaver" by parents.

 The payment, unique to Scotland and in place since February 2021, provides regular financial support to parents and carers to help with the costs of caring for a child and latest research has also found that the payment is contributing to reducing child poverty in Scotland.

 The Scottish Child Payment is set to increase to £25 per week and be rolled out to all children up to 16 years old by the end of the year.
 
Commenting SNP MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Colin Beattie said:
 
"During a Tory-made cost of living crisis, it is great to see the progress being made with the SNP's Scottish Child Payment - especially knowing the huge difference it has made to 5,020 children in Midlothian and East Lothian since its introduction.
 
"I know the severe pressures facing household across Midlothian and East Lothian just now and that families are struggling to get by. The Scottish Child Payment is providing over £3 million in support  for low income households in Midlothian and East Lothian which is lifesaving.
 
"Sadly, we know that the cost of living is only set to increase so I am glad that families will benefit even further from this payment increasing to £25 per week and being extended to under 16 year olds by the end of the year.
 
"During these difficult times, the SNP Scottish Government is taking the bold action it can to support families with the powers at its disposal but sadly it is battling against a cruel Tory Westminster government refusing to take any meaningful action to help people.
 
"This level of negligence by Westminster is inexcusable and down right cruel. It illustrates exactly why we need to have the full welfare and tax powers of an independent country so we can build a fairer country."