Latest news with #BeatriceWishart
Glasgow Times
30-06-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
MSP vows to continue campaign for brain tumour cure after leaving Holyrood
Beatrice Wishart has been a supporter of the charity Brain Tumour Research since her daughter Louise Fraser, now 47, was diagnosed in 2012. The Liberal Democrat MSP for the Shetland Islands will step down from frontline politics at the 2026 Holyrood election. But the 69-year-old said that will not stop her from continuing to push for more research into brain tumours. Beatrice Wishart and other MSPs supporting Wear A Hat Day at Holyrood in aid of Brain Tumour Research (Brain Tumour Research/PA) 'Louise had suffered with debilitating migraines for many years, so we were used to the phone calls and knew the routine – help with the children, keep things quiet, and let her rest in a dark room,' Ms Wishart said. 'But on New Year's Day (2012) she became seriously unwell. When I went to check on her, she wasn't speaking properly and I honestly thought she'd had a stroke. It was terrifying. 'Due to staff shortages and as there wasn't an MRI scanner in Shetland at the time, it took a few days before she was flown to Aberdeen. 'That's when we were told it was a brain tumour. Your whole world falls apart when you hear those words, especially when it's your child. 'I remember being told it was low-grade and slow-growing, but the diagnosis still knocked the wind out of me. 'In that moment, everything changed. 'Once I had a better understanding of Louise's treatment, I wanted to know more about the prevalence of brain tumours and that led to wanting to do something to raise awareness for more research, ultimately leading to better support and early diagnoses for other families going through the same fear and uncertainty.' The Fraser family including Louise, right, completed the Edinburgh half-marathon in May in aid of Brain Tumour Research (Brain Tumour Research/PA) Ms Fraser underwent surgery at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and her tumour is now stable and monitored regularly. Brain Tumour Research said tumours can impact people of any age, and kill more children and adults under 40 than any other cancer. But just 1% of the national spend on cancer goes to brain tumour research, it said. Ms Wishart has campaigned for more money to fund brain tumour research and ensure people can receive an earlier diagnosis. The MSP helped set up Holyrood's Cross-Party Group on Brain Tumours and has supported the launch of the Scottish Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence, which Brain Tumour Research described as a 'game-changing' collaboration with the Beatson Cancer Charity. Following the death of Ms Fraser's husband Kris from a brain haemorrhage in 2024, Ms Wishart continued to increase her support for the charity. The Liberal Democrat has helped raise thousands of pounds through various events in memory of Mr Fraser and in ongoing support of her daughter. Beatrice Wishart, second right, with her daughters Louise Fraser, centre, and Clare Inkster, right, wearing hats in support of the charity (Brain Tumour Research/PA) As she prepares to leave the Scottish Parliament next year, Ms Wishart pledged to continue to fight for those with brain tumours. She said: 'Just because I'm stepping back from Parliament doesn't mean I'll stop fighting for this cause. 'Brain tumours have had a profound impact on my family, and I know we are not alone. I will keep speaking up, sharing our story, and doing whatever I can to push for change. 'I'm proud of what was started in the Scottish Parliament, and know the Cross-Party Group will continue to carry that work forward. Only together will we find a cure for this devastating disease.' Thomas Brayford, policy and public affairs manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: 'Beatrice has been an outstanding advocate for the brain tumour community in Scotland. 'From raising policy issues in Parliament to supporting events in her local area, she has helped give a voice to so many families and inspired others to act. 'We are incredibly grateful for everything she has done and continues to do.' To support Ms Wishart and her family's ongoing fundraising efforts, visit:
Western Telegraph
29-06-2025
- Health
- Western Telegraph
MSP vows to continue campaign for brain tumour cure after leaving Holyrood
Beatrice Wishart has been a supporter of the charity Brain Tumour Research since her daughter Louise Fraser, now 47, was diagnosed in 2012. The Liberal Democrat MSP for the Shetland Islands will step down from frontline politics at the 2026 Holyrood election. But the 69-year-old said that will not stop her from continuing to push for more research into brain tumours. Beatrice Wishart and other MSPs supporting Wear A Hat Day at Holyrood in aid of Brain Tumour Research (Brain Tumour Research/PA) 'Louise had suffered with debilitating migraines for many years, so we were used to the phone calls and knew the routine – help with the children, keep things quiet, and let her rest in a dark room,' Ms Wishart said. 'But on New Year's Day (2012) she became seriously unwell. When I went to check on her, she wasn't speaking properly and I honestly thought she'd had a stroke. It was terrifying. 'Due to staff shortages and as there wasn't an MRI scanner in Shetland at the time, it took a few days before she was flown to Aberdeen. 'That's when we were told it was a brain tumour. Your whole world falls apart when you hear those words, especially when it's your child. 'I remember being told it was low-grade and slow-growing, but the diagnosis still knocked the wind out of me. 'In that moment, everything changed. 'Once I had a better understanding of Louise's treatment, I wanted to know more about the prevalence of brain tumours and that led to wanting to do something to raise awareness for more research, ultimately leading to better support and early diagnoses for other families going through the same fear and uncertainty.' The Fraser family including Louise, right, completed the Edinburgh half-marathon in May in aid of Brain Tumour Research (Brain Tumour Research/PA) Ms Fraser underwent surgery at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and her tumour is now stable and monitored regularly. Brain Tumour Research said tumours can impact people of any age, and kill more children and adults under 40 than any other cancer. But just 1% of the national spend on cancer goes to brain tumour research, it said. Ms Wishart has campaigned for more money to fund brain tumour research and ensure people can receive an earlier diagnosis. The MSP helped set up Holyrood's Cross-Party Group on Brain Tumours and has supported the launch of the Scottish Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence, which Brain Tumour Research described as a 'game-changing' collaboration with the Beatson Cancer Charity. Following the death of Ms Fraser's husband Kris from a brain haemorrhage in 2024, Ms Wishart continued to increase her support for the charity. The Liberal Democrat has helped raise thousands of pounds through various events in memory of Mr Fraser and in ongoing support of her daughter. Beatrice Wishart, second right, with her daughters Louise Fraser, centre, and Clare Inkster, right, wearing hats in support of the charity (Brain Tumour Research/PA) As she prepares to leave the Scottish Parliament next year, Ms Wishart pledged to continue to fight for those with brain tumours. She said: 'Just because I'm stepping back from Parliament doesn't mean I'll stop fighting for this cause. 'Brain tumours have had a profound impact on my family, and I know we are not alone. I will keep speaking up, sharing our story, and doing whatever I can to push for change. 'I'm proud of what was started in the Scottish Parliament, and know the Cross-Party Group will continue to carry that work forward. Only together will we find a cure for this devastating disease.' Thomas Brayford, policy and public affairs manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: 'Beatrice has been an outstanding advocate for the brain tumour community in Scotland. 'From raising policy issues in Parliament to supporting events in her local area, she has helped give a voice to so many families and inspired others to act. 'We are incredibly grateful for everything she has done and continues to do.' To support Ms Wishart and her family's ongoing fundraising efforts, visit:
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
MSP vows to continue campaign for brain tumour cure after leaving Holyrood
An MSP who has been campaigning for a brain tumour cure since her daughter was diagnosed with one more than a decade ago has vowed to continue the fight when she leaves Holyrood. Beatrice Wishart has been a supporter of the charity Brain Tumour Research since her daughter Louise Fraser, now 47, was diagnosed in 2012. The Liberal Democrat MSP for the Shetland Islands will step down from frontline politics at the 2026 Holyrood election. But the 69-year-old said that will not stop her from continuing to push for more research into brain tumours. 'Louise had suffered with debilitating migraines for many years, so we were used to the phone calls and knew the routine – help with the children, keep things quiet, and let her rest in a dark room,' Ms Wishart said. 'But on New Year's Day (2012) she became seriously unwell. When I went to check on her, she wasn't speaking properly and I honestly thought she'd had a stroke. It was terrifying. 'Due to staff shortages and as there wasn't an MRI scanner in Shetland at the time, it took a few days before she was flown to Aberdeen. 'That's when we were told it was a brain tumour. Your whole world falls apart when you hear those words, especially when it's your child. 'I remember being told it was low-grade and slow-growing, but the diagnosis still knocked the wind out of me. 'In that moment, everything changed. 'Once I had a better understanding of Louise's treatment, I wanted to know more about the prevalence of brain tumours and that led to wanting to do something to raise awareness for more research, ultimately leading to better support and early diagnoses for other families going through the same fear and uncertainty.' Ms Fraser underwent surgery at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and her tumour is now stable and monitored regularly. Brain Tumour Research said tumours can impact people of any age, and kill more children and adults under 40 than any other cancer. But just 1% of the national spend on cancer goes to brain tumour research, it said. Ms Wishart has campaigned for more money to fund brain tumour research and ensure people can receive an earlier diagnosis. The MSP helped set up Holyrood's Cross-Party Group on Brain Tumours and has supported the launch of the Scottish Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence, which Brain Tumour Research described as a 'game-changing' collaboration with the Beatson Cancer Charity. Following the death of Ms Fraser's husband Kris from a brain haemorrhage in 2024, Ms Wishart continued to increase her support for the charity. The Liberal Democrat has helped raise thousands of pounds through various events in memory of Mr Fraser and in ongoing support of her daughter. As she prepares to leave the Scottish Parliament next year, Ms Wishart pledged to continue to fight for those with brain tumours. She said: 'Just because I'm stepping back from Parliament doesn't mean I'll stop fighting for this cause. 'Brain tumours have had a profound impact on my family, and I know we are not alone. I will keep speaking up, sharing our story, and doing whatever I can to push for change. 'I'm proud of what was started in the Scottish Parliament, and know the Cross-Party Group will continue to carry that work forward. Only together will we find a cure for this devastating disease.' Thomas Brayford, policy and public affairs manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: 'Beatrice has been an outstanding advocate for the brain tumour community in Scotland. 'From raising policy issues in Parliament to supporting events in her local area, she has helped give a voice to so many families and inspired others to act. 'We are incredibly grateful for everything she has done and continues to do.' To support Ms Wishart and her family's ongoing fundraising efforts, visit:
Daily Record
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
More than 6,000 Dumfries and Galloway properties still rely on RTS meters
The system is due to be switched off at the end of next month, meaning people are at risk of losing control of their heating and hot water systems. More than 6,000 properties across Dumfries and Galloway are still using electricity meters that will stop working within weeks. And new figures show that the vast majority of them are likely to still have a radio teleswitching service (RTS) meter installed when the service is switched off at the end of June. That means they're at risk of losing control of their heating and hot water systems. The figures have been revealed by the Scottish Liberal Democrats and Energy Action Scotland. Lib Dem MSP, Beatrice Wishart, said: 'The RTS switch-off has been depressing, frustrating and entirely avoidable. Frankly it is a national disgrace. 'We have weeks until the deadline but the energy companies are still so far behind. No one should be left without basic hot water or heating. 'Across Scotland, it will take more than a year for all remaining RTS meters to be exchanged. 'We have been promised technological fixes in advance of the switch off, yet we are, at the 59th minute of the 11th hour, still finding that there has been limited development in technology or greater connectivity to the smart metersignal.' The data shows that as of April 18, 124,864 properties across Scotland still relied on meters using the RTS system, which controls when they switch between peak and off-peak rates. There were 6,218 properties with a Dumfries and Galloway postcode still with the RTS system – a drop of just 413 or 10 a day from the figure onMarch 7. At that rate, there would still be 5,510 properties using RTS by the end of June. And it would take 632 days – more than 20 months – for all properties to be changed to a new system unless the process is sped up. Chief executive of Advice Direct Scotland, Andrew Bartlett, said: 'With less than six weeks to go until the deadline, these figures lay bare the scale of the challenge ahead. 'The replacement rate simply isn't fast enough and must urgently speed up. 'We are continuing to see a rise in the number of calls from worried households and expect this to increase as we get nearer to June 30. 'The system isn't working as it should, putting thousands at risk of losing heating or hot water. 'Anyone who thinks they might be affected should act now and contact their supplier. If you know someone with an RTS meter, especially if vulnerable, encourage them to act. 'Free advice is available at or by calling 0808 196 8660.' Director for retail pricing and systems at Ofgem, Charlotte Friel, said: 'We have been continually monitoring the industry's efforts to replace RTS meters as this ageing infrastructure reaches the end of its life. Click here for more news and sport from Dumfries and Galloway. 'Last year we decided more needed to be done so convened the sector and made clear to suppliers they have to move faster. 'Following that intervention, the rate of meter replacements has increase from around 1,000 a month to more than 1,000 a day. 'However suppliers need to do more and ensure customers are protected from detriment, which is why industry is putting in place a phased area-by-area shutdown beginning from June 30. 'We have made clear that the signal serving a specific area should not be switched off until suppliers have demonstrated that they are ready and able to respond quickly to any issues customers experience.'
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Beware the great energy switch off - families at risk of power meltdown amid meter upgrade chaos
Around 125,000 Scots are still at risk of losing their heating and hot water when their meters are switched off next month. New figures show that large numbers of households across Scotland still have Radio Teleswitching System (RTS) meters which are due to be deactivated at the end of June. A major rush is taking place to ensure they are replaced in time but energy firms are only currently dealing with 5,000 households per fortnight. It has led to concerns that many of the homes could lose their heating and hot water if their meter is not replaced in time. According to Ofgem figures provided to Liberal Democrat MSP Beatrice Wishart by Energy Action Scotland, 124,864 of the RTS meters still needed to be replaced across Scotland as at April 18. The figure had only fallen from 129,814 on April 4 and 134,829 on March 21. Ms Wishart, who represents Shetland where 4,204 meters still need to be replaced out of 10,600 households, said: 'The RTS switch-off has been depressing, frustrating and entirely avoidable. Frankly it is a national disgrace. 'We have weeks until the deadline but the energy companies are still so far behind. No one should be left without basic hot water or heating. 'In Shetland and across Scotland, it will take over a year for all remaining RTS meters to be exchanged. We have been promised technological fixes in advance of the switch off, yet we are, at the 59th minute of the eleventh hour, still finding that there has been limited development in technology or greater connectivity to the smart meter signal. 'I urge local authorities and local resilience partnerships to ready themselves for any potential adverse outcomes of the RTS switch-off which may include thousands of homes without heating and hot water.' The figures show there are still 22,579 of the RTS meters in Glasgow, and 17,175 in Edinburgh. The UK Government is facing calls to require energy suppliers to compensate any household that requested a replacement meter before the switch-off but did not receive it in time. Andrew Bartlett, chief executive of Advice Direct Scotland, said: 'With less than six weeks to go until the deadline, these figures lay bare the scale of the challenge ahead. The replacement rate simply isn't fast enough and must urgently speed up. 'We are continuing to see a rise in the number of calls from worried households and expect this to increase as we get nearer to June 30. 'The system isn't working as it should, putting thousands at risk of losing heating or hot water. 'Anyone who thinks they might be affected should act now and contact their supplier. If you know someone with an RTS meter, especially if vulnerable, encourage them to act.' Some parts of Scotland with a large rural population are more likely to have households which use the meters for hot water and heating because they are off the gas grid. The RTS system - a feature of older electricity meters which controls heating and hot water - uses a longwave radio frequency to switch between peak and off-peak rates. But the technology is becoming obsolete and energy companies have a deadline to change their customers' meters by June 30. Charlotte Friel, director for retail pricing and systems for Ofgem, said: 'We have been continually monitoring the industry's efforts to replace RTS meters as this ageing infrastructure reaches the end of its life. Last year we decided more needed to be done so convened the sector and made clear to suppliers they have to move faster. Following that intervention, the rate of meter replacements has increase from around 1,000 a month to more than 1,000 a day. 'However suppliers need to do more and ensure customers are protected from detriment, which is why industry is putting in place a phased area-by-area shutdown beginning from 30 June. We have made clear that the signal serving a specific area should not be switched off until suppliers have demonstrated that they are ready and able to respond quickly to any issues customers experience. 'While this carefully managed phaseout should reassure customers that they will be protected, it remains crucial that these meters are replaced so I would urge customers to engage with their supplier when offered an appointment - even if it is after the 30 June date that marks the beginning of the process.'
