Latest news with #IJB
Daily Record
26-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Cafe in West Lothian pensioners' housing complex given further two month reprieve
West Lothian Integration Joint Board agreed to a motion put forward by chair Councillor Tom Conn postponing a decision on the cafe in the Rosemount complex in Bathgate until in August. A community cafe in a West Lothian pensioners' housing complex has been given a further two month reprieve. West Lothian Integration Joint Board agreed to a motion put forward by chair Councillor Tom Conn postponing a decision on the cafe in the Rosemount complex in Bathgate until in August. Councillor Conn said that 'matters had moved on' since an initial meeting in early March with tenants and families. She added: 'We are so happy to be given the chance to save the cafe. Good sense prevailed. Now we can move forward with our business plan.' The motion was backed by Independent councillor Andrew McGuire who told the meeting: 'I would be very happy to second that and hope that further discussion will reach a conclusion that everyone is satisfied with.' Councillor Conn met with campaigners and tenants groups on Monday. He said: 'Residents expressed concern that they had not been adequately engaged with as consumers throughout the process. The IJB is required when taking strategic decisions to comply with the statutory duty introduced by the Consumer Scotland Act 2020. 'That act places a duty on the IJB when making decisions of a strategic nature to have regard to the impact of these decisions on consumers in Scotland and the desirability of reducing harm to consumers.' He added: 'Whilst I note that it is provided in the Consumer Duty Impact Assessment a member of the management team met with tenants, their families, groups and members of the community on 13 March regarding the proposal, matters have moved on since with the result that the evidence gathered could be improved if further targeted engagement with tenants and community groups was now undertaken.' He said that was 'a material change of circumstances which would allow the decision taken by the board on 25 March to be changed, within six months in accordance with Standing Orders.' He added: 'I move the position that the board agrees to move the determination on this matter to its meeting on 17 August to allow us to bring back a revised consumer duty impact assessment and a revised impact assessment if necessary to the Board for consideration.' Earlier, Councillor Damian Doran-Timson, Conservative group leader on the council, said the choice facing the Board was 'Hobson's Choice', ie no choice at all, since no alternative savings of £136,000 in the reassignment of the cafe staff had been identified. The Consumer Duty Impact Assessment drawn up in March described Rosemount as an assisted living environment. There is a total of 30 tenancies, offered to individuals with varying degrees of support needs. It added that the while the cafe's closure would have an impact 'tenants are not dependent on the service to have their nutritional needs met'. All tenants within Rosemount Gardens have kitchen facilities to prepare food and if necessary assistance can be provided by a care at home provider to support meal provision.' Robin Allen, Senior Manger Older People Services told the Board that no viable offers to take over the cafe had come forward since the initial deferral.
Daily Record
23-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Carnwath becomes Lanarkshire's first ‘Breastfeeding Friendly' town
A celebratory event was held this week at Carnwath Primary School. Carnwath has made history as the first town in Lanarkshire to be officially recognised as 'Breastfeeding Friendly', creating a welcoming and supportive environment for breastfeeding mums and their babies. To mark this important milestone, a celebratory event was held this week at Carnwath Primary School, where local MSP and recent mum Mairi McAllan joined Lesley McDonald, vice-chair of South Lanarkshire Integration Joint Board (IJB), to present certificates to local venues in the community supporting the initiative. The small rural village in Clydesdale, with a population of around 1400, has historically faced challenges when it comes to breastfeeding, with exclusive breastfeeding rates at six to eight weeks being consistently lower than the national average. The 'Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland Scheme' was introduced nationally by the Scottish Government and implemented locally by NHS Lanarkshire in partnership with local businesses and community groups. It aims to ensure public spaces across Scotland are open and supportive to breastfeeding. For one local mum, this initiative is a game-changer. Melissa Gibson said: 'My life is so easy because I can just feed her, she goes to sleep, and we get on with our day. As a breastfeeding mum, I don't care where I breastfeed and I want other mums to feel like that too. 'Seeing the Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland award displayed all over Carnwath helps make breastfeeding feel normal and supported. I feel proud that Carnwath is leading the way in making breastfeeding feel normal and supported in our community and creating a relaxed, welcoming environment for mums like me.' Speaking at the event, Ms McAllan said: 'I couldn't be prouder that Carnwath has become the first breastfeeding friendly town in Lanarkshire to receive this award. 'This is an issue that is really close to my heart. My family moved to Carnwath in the 1920s and I spent so much of my younger years here. I have a ten-month-old boy, so I'm very aware of the challenges of being a new mum. Carnwath celebrating this achievement is very important to me. 'I would love to say breastfeeding was easy for me, but that wasn't the case. The one thing that helped me keep going was the support network around me – from midwives and maternity care assistants, right through to health visitors, friends, family and of course other mothers. 'This award feels like Carnwath is standing up and saying: 'we want our little ones to have the best start in life and as a community, we're putting our arms around mums and supporting them'.' Lesley McDonald added: 'This initiative is a wonderful example of how communities, services and families can come together to make a real difference. By showing mums that they are welcome and supported, Carnwath is helping to build a healthier, more compassionate future for our children.' Shops, cafés and community venues throughout the village have signed up to display the 'Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland' award, reassuring mums that they are welcome to feed their baby whenever and wherever they need to. Barbara Harding, health improvement senior at NHS Lanarkshire, said: 'Mothers who feel supported are more likely to continue breastfeeding, which has significant health benefits for both mum and baby. A welcoming community where mums can feed their babies without hesitation can make all the difference in their breastfeeding journey. 'Encouragement from local businesses, community groups and health professionals helps to normalise breastfeeding and reinforce its importance. It is vitally important to create a community-wide culture of support. Carnwath is setting a brilliant example for other communities to follow.' Breastfeeding provides the best possible start in life for babies and has lasting benefits for both mother and child. It provides lifelong health benefits, reducing the risk of infections, allergies and long-term conditions such as diabetes and obesity. It also promotes bonding between mother and baby while supporting maternal and infant health. Anne Marie Bruce, infant feeding development midwife at NHS Lanarkshire, said: 'By recognising Carnwath as a breastfeeding-friendly town, we are reinforcing the message that breastfeeding is normal and should be supported in all public spaces. We know that not everyone can or wants to breastfeed but everyone has a role to play in supporting breastfeeding. This initiative will make a real difference to families in the area, ensuring that mums feel confident and empowered to breastfeed wherever they choose.' Carnwath's commitment extends beyond public venues. The local nursery has signed up to the 'Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland Early Learning Award', with changes to the environment and staff training to promote a breastfeeding friendly culture from infancy. Professor Soumen Sengupta, chief officer of South Lanarkshire University Health and Social Care Partnership, said: 'There is a proverb that states that 'it takes a village to a raise a child' – and that sentiment is certainly one that the community of Carnwath has taken to heart here. 'My thanks all those staff who promote breastfeeding and to all of the local groups and venues in the community who are showing their support for families. 'Most importantly, our thanks to all of the mums for everything they do to give their babies the best start in life.' Certificates were awarded to: Carnwath Primary School and Nursery, Carnwath Bowling Club, Carnwath Community Council, Medwyn Medical Practice, Apple Pie Bakery, Carnwath Deli, Carnwath Pre-5s Group, Carnwath Pharmacy and Carnwath Golf Club. NHS Lanarkshire continues to welcome interest from local groups and volunteers who want to contribute to strengthening support networks for breastfeeding families. *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here. Article continues below
Daily Record
20-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Carers urged to find 'inner strength' and protest cost-cutting proposals in Renfrewshire
Campaigners set to pick up their placards and make their voices heard again over potential health and social care cuts. Carers have been urged to find their "inner strength" and protest cost-cutting proposals that would affect some of Renfrewshire's most vulnerable people. Campaigners are set to pick up their placards and make their voices heard again next week after Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) published stark detail on potential measures to close its budget gap earlier this month. Documents released as part of the engagement process provided grim substance to plans that were discussed at the integration joint board (IJB) – which oversees the HSCP – last year. The range of services that could be impacted cater to people with learning and physical disabilities and autism as well as older adults and children. It comes just over a year after carers won their battle to prevent the amalgamation of Mirin and Milldale day services – an idea which was voted down at the IJB last April. But they plan to return to Renfrewshire House on Friday, June 27, to fight fresh proposals, including a redesign of day services for people with learning and physical disabilities, a respite review and other possible closures. Linda Murray, a representative of the Renfrewshire Learning Disability Carers Group, said: "We knew it wasn't a done deal last year. We basically got a stay of execution. "We're tired, we're exhausted, it took a lot out of all of us and we expected to at least get a couple of years' grace but we knew it wasn't over. "They're making all these proposals but they can't give us an idea of what the services are going to look like going forward. There's no substance behind the numbers. "It just seems to be all about the money and not about the people, the lives and the impact that this is going to have on those people. I said the same last year, it's pounds over people. "It seems to be a constant battle but I would just ask people to find that inner strength that I know that they've all got and give us another 45 minutes to an hour on Friday, June 27, to show solidarity for the services that are impacted." If approved at the IJB in September, day services for people with learning and physical disabilities would operate across three hubs – Milldale at the On-X in Linwood and the Anchor Centre and Spinners Gate in Paisley. Services would no longer use Paton's Resource Centre in Johnstone or the Mirin at Lagoon Leisure Centre and the Disability Resource Centre in Paisley. There could also be changes to respite provision at Weavers Linn, with people deemed in 'critical need' receiving up to 28 nights per year and in 'substantial need' receiving up to 21 nights. In older adult day services, the closure of Ralston Day Centre has been proposed and people would instead be offered a place at facilities in Johnstone and Renfrew. Autism Connections and Flexicare, which support people with autism and learning disabilities, could be shut down while the HSCP could make a saving by ending the assertive outreach model, which helps people with learning disabilities with high care needs. Other ideas include removing three staff posts from the health visiting team through retirement or not filling vacancies and the scaling back of the Childsmile programme. Linda, whose daughter Gillian has Down syndrome and a learning disability, has criticised a number of the suggestions put forward by the HSCP. She added: "We're all realistic people, we've all had to cut our cloth with the financial crisis that's going on just now and we totally understand that, but I just think it's been done so haphazardly and the areas that they're cutting and making savings on are so ill-conceived. "The learning disability community and the physical disability community as well now seem to be an easy target." An HSCP spokesperson said: "IJBs across Scotland are currently facing significant financial challenges. "In recognition of this position, Renfrewshire IJB considered around £19m of possible savings options across HSCP service areas when it met in December 2024. "This reflected the IJB's decision that savings of 10 per cent across all influenceable service budgets should be identified, wherever possible. "Several proposals were approved at the time, which will enable the HSCP to deliver operational efficiencies and achieve savings through the redesign of internal service models. "This included proposals for care at home, community nursing, primary care support and community mental health. We are engaging with our staff around these proposals and the revised models for these areas are in development. "Responsibility for implementation and monitoring of these proposals has been delegated to the HSCP's sustainable futures programme board. "The proposals that are currently open to the live public engagement process were also considered in December 2024 and the IJB agreed that these should be further developed, with feedback gathered through public engagement. "The proposals currently being discussed were developed through ongoing discussion with service users, carers, impacted staff and partners. "As part of our engagement approach, we have offered people a variety of ways to share their views on the proposals. This is well underway, but options will be available for them to contribute until the end of June. "Feedback gathered will be used to help IJB voting members understand the impact each proposal would have when they meet to review the updated proposals at their meeting in September. "However, it is important to emphasise that no decisions will be made on any of these proposals until then."
Scotsman
29-05-2025
- Health
- Scotsman
Edinburgh cuts to mental health services 'unacceptable': John Swinney urged to intervene
First Minister John Swinney has been urged to intervene to stop "unacceptable" cuts to voluntary organisations which could leave Edinburgh without any third-sector mental health services. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A succession of Lothian MSPs used First Minister's Questions in the Scottish Parliament to highlight the threatened cuts by the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board, which oversees health and social care in the Capital. Labour's Foysol Choudhury said the organisations affected included the Stafford centre, which supported 640 people with mental health issues and was estimated to save the NHS up to £4.4 million in hospital admissions. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Noting Mr Swinney's support for prevention, Mr Choudhury asked: "Given the situation in joint boards across Scotland, does the First Minister recognise that prevention will not be possible if IJBs are in permanent financial crisis?" Lothian Tory MSP Jeremy Balfour said: "I have been contacted by numerous charities in my region that will have to cease providing vital preventative care for individuals in the Lothians due to the IJB cuts." And he asked of Mr Swinney: "Will he now intervene in the crisis to make sure that NHS Lothian does not cut the budget to the IJB? That cut would put vulnerable people out of the services that they require. 'Will he now be proactive in working with NHS Lothian and the council to make sure that the IJB gets the appropriate funding?" Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Swinney said he wanted to ensure the type of services referred to were supported around the country. But he said: "Those are operational decisions for integration joint boards to make." And he attacked both Labour and the Tories for not supporting the government's budget, which he said was delivering the investment that was necessary in health and social care. Lothian Tory MSP Miles Briggs returned to the issue, asking if Mr Swinney thought that health services would be improved by the IJB decisions. Mr Briggs said: "The proposals are likely to see key services cut, including drop-in support, carers services and, even as we mark victory in Europe day, veterans support services. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The First Minister apportioned blame, but the cuts are not acceptable. The IJB will cut £29 million from services in Edinburgh. "Will he agree to meet the cross-party group of MSPs who are trying to raise the issue in Parliament and who have just had the First Minister whack this back at us? We need action and we want the First Minister to take heed of that today." Mr Swinney said investment in preventative services did not happen by accident, but by political choice. "Mr Briggs was one of those who voted against the Government's budget and he argued in favour, as his leader did, of £1 billion of cuts in public expenditure. How does Mr Briggs think that it would be possible to invest in local services with £1 billion of swingeing cuts from the Conservatives?"
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Meeting to decide the fate of 'lifeline' mental health services in Edinburgh pushed back
A formal meeting to decide on proposed funding cuts to an Edinburgh mental health charity's "lifeline" services has been pushed back. The proposals put forward by the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (EIJB) would see a potential £188,000 funding cut to The Stafford Centre on Broughton Street. Change Mental Health, which encompasses the Stafford Centre, say that these cuts would make it impossible for the vital centre to continue to operate. Now, the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership (EHSCP) have decided to further delay formal consideration of their proposal until the IJB meets on August, 26. READ MORE: Edinburgh mental health charity raises alarm on 'lifeline' services facing the axe READ MORE: Two Edinburgh drivers hit with ASBOs for excessive revving In an email to services that would be impacted by the intended £2.2 million in cuts to social care charities, Christine Laverty, the chief officer of the EHSCP, said: "I wrote to you on April 4 regarding the review of your contract or service level agreement with the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership, letting you know that the decision on contract-related savings would be taken to the Integration Joint Board (IJB) on 17 June. "Since then, many of you will have attended Integrated Impact Assessments (IIAs) to understand and consider the impact of these proposed savings. There are still some IIA meetings to take place over the coming weeks, to ensure that each group of contracts is considered consistently and potential impacts are captured. "I want to thank you all for the time and effort that you have put into these meetings. Your input has been invaluable and has really helped us to ensure that this process is carried out as fairly and robustly as possible. "I want to be sure that we have taken adequate time to fully understand the data and evidence relating to each individual contract or service level agreement, and that we have considered the concerns which have been raised by providers, both through the IIA sessions and separately. "On that basis, I have discussed with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the IJB and we have agreed to further delay formal consideration of this proposal until the IJB meets on 26 August 2025. "I am aware that this delay may increase uncertainty amongst providers, staff and service users, however, it will help ensure that recommendations to the IJB are robust and evidence-based." The decision comes after a public meeting held on Monday, May 26 organised by service providers impacted by the EIJB cuts. The meeting was attended by EIJB members, such as Chair Katharina Kasper and Vice Chair Tim Pogson, who fielded questions from service users. During the forum, EIJB members were implored to halt the cuts and give more time to consult with affected organisations. CEO of Change Mental Health Nick Ward, told Ms Kasper: 'We're not given meetings. We're told to go through a process with a tick form asking the most basic questions. We are not being treated as partners, we are not being treated as equals, and that is the problem.' The Stafford Centre provides drop-in mental health services such as counselling, peer support groups, and art therapy, and deliver targeted support to vulnerable groups through specialised programmes, such as offering support to men - who are at higher risk to suicide - and to veterans. Edinburgh Live previously spoke to Jim Hume, director of public affairs and communication at Change Mental Health. At that time he said: ""The Stafford Centre is essential. It supports people with post traumatic stress, with serious mental illness. It supports people with financial worries with their mental health. It's a lifeline for many people - there are 640 individuals every year supported at that centre. "There was a change with Covid. It had a lasting effect. Depression during Covid doubled. And anytime there is uncertainty with finances - money is tight at the moment - it can affect mental health." Without the EIJB funding, Jim says Change Edinburgh could not run the Stafford Centre. He continued: "We'd have to find funds, but it's not possible in such a short period as they're talking about. "We're calling for there to be more time to consider options - rather than leaving people behind in the process." In an effort to protect the centre's vital mental health services, a petition has been launched. It reads: "The Stafford Centre has been a beacon of hope and support in Edinburgh, offering tailored mental health services that cater to the unique needs of each individual. "For years, it has been a safe space for those dealing with mental health challenges, providing therapy, counselling, and a supportive community." More information on the petition and how to sign it can be found here. If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email jo@ or visit their site to find your local branch.
