Category: News in Lothian

Hyslop Echoes the Importance of 24/7 Children’s Services at St John’s Local Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop has reiterated the importance of 24/7 Children’s Services at St John’s Hospital – as recommended by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Children’s Health – following a debate in parliament on Wednesday 21st February. “I have always maintained the importance of fulfilling the recommendations of the RCPCH Report which called for children’s services to be open 24/7 when it is safe to do so and I have met with recently with the Health Secretary and the Chief Executive of NHS Lothian to impress this. “Last night’s (Wed 21st February) debate in Parliament allowed for backbench MSPs to raise their concerns about the evening closures and I am pleased that the Cabinet Secretary for Health…

  Hyslop Welcomes Historic Visitor Sites Access for Year of Young People Local Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the news from National Trust for Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland and the Historic Houses Association that they have launched a reduced £1 entry fee initiative to access places like Hopetoun House or Linlithgow Palace as part of the Year of Young People 2018. Fiona said; “This fantastic initiative will allow all YoungScot card holders to access over 30 Historic Scotland Visitor Attractions like Linlithgow Palace or Hopetoun House and others further afield like Edinburgh or Stirling Castle for just one pound. “We have a rich heritage in Scotland and there is much to learn about our local history. Our young people want to engage and visit our sites and this entry…

Hyslop Joins Campaign to Promote Safer Internet Day West Lothian Primary Schools to be Removed from Stranger Snapchat Search Local Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop has joined the campaign to boost internet safety for young people – after pressure from SNP MSPs Kevin Stewart and Gillian Martin led to Snapchat removing primary schools from their search function. Marking Safer Internet Day, Fiona backed this action and called on Snapchat to go further and also remove secondary schools from its search tool – which allows strangers to find and watch videos from these locations. Fiona is also encouraging pupils in West Lothian to take part in a nationwide film competition that aims to raise awareness of the dangers related to sending nude photos online. Fiona commented; “I appreciate the efforts made by…

Hyslop Welcomes Women’s Initiatives on 100th Anniversary of Votes for Women Local Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop has welcomed projects to encourage greater representation of women in political roles at all levels of Scottish society. The initiatives are to be backed by a new £500,000 fund and have been announced on the 100th anniversary of women securing the right to vote. Fiona commented; “This announcement comes on a very important date and I am delighted to support the measures that will see grants provided for grassroots and local projects across the country to empower more women into politics. “There have only ever been four female MPs and MSPs in West Lothian. Myself and Labour MSP Mary Mulligan for the Linlithgow Constituency, Scottish Government Minister Angela Constance MSP for Almond Valley and…

Hyslop Welcomes £5.396m Budget Boost for West Lothian Local Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the news that West Lothian Council will receive an extra £5.396m funding under the revised budget proposals unveiled this afternoon (Jan 31st) by Finance Secretary Derek Mackay. The budget boost comes as the Scottish Government confirmed that all local authorities will receive an above inflation increase in resource funding. The SNP budget will give Scots the best deal in the UK – with investment in public services and a tax cut for lower earners. Under the progressive tax reforms 70% of taxpayers will pay less than last year, while higher earners will face a modest increase. These tax changes will allow the Scottish Government to increase health spending by £400 million to £13.6 billion, lift…

  Hyslop Welcomes Time to Talk Campaign in Armadale Local Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop and Armadale Councillor Sarah King are supporting ‘Time to Talk’ – The See Me Scotland campaign that encourages people to talk about mental health and to highlight that anywhere, any time is a good place to start. The Shed in Armadale is a great place for people to come together to socialise as they use or learn new skills, like wood or metal work or weaving. Fiona said; “I am very pleased to support and raise awareness for Time to Talk Day.  There are too many people in society who are still made to feel isolated or embarrassed by mental health issues – one important way to combat this, is to talk about it. “The ‘Time…

Hyslop Congratulates West Lothian Singer on Award Win Local MSP Fiona Hyslop has congratulated singer Hannah Rarity, from Dechmont, on winning the Young Traditional Musician of the Year Award at Celtic Connections on Sunday 28th January. Fiona said: “I was delighted to present the Young Traditional Musician of the Year Award to Hannah Rarity, from Dechmont in my constituency, after a fantastic concert featuring five wonderful artists. I first heard Hannah sing four years ago, and it was clear that she was very talented, so I am pleased to see her talent being recognised. The award is a great platform for young artists and I wish Hannah well in her future musical career.” ENDS

  Hyslop Marks Holocaust Memorial Day Fiona Hyslop MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency has marked Holocaust Memorial Day by signing the book of commitment at the Scottish Parliament this week. (25th Jan). The Holocaust Memorial Day which falls on Saturday 27th January this year is an annual day of remembrance that marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz in 1945. It provides the opportunity for everyone around to world to remember the millions of people who were murdered during the Holocaust. It is also a time to remember the victims of other genocides the world has seen in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. Fiona commented; “Holocaust Memorial Day is about a world coming together to remember those who lost their lives through genocide and to learn lessons of the past.…

Hyslop Seeks Views for Loneliness Strategy Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop is calling on constituents across West Lothian to contribute to the Scottish Government’s new consultation looking at the causes of social isolation and loneliness and how they can be addressed. The consultation will run until 30 April and will thereafter feed into a new national strategy, one of the first in the world, to tackle loneliness and isolation. A national strategy to combat loneliness was a key ask of the Jo Cox Commission, which welcomed this announcement. Fiona commented; “Each and every one of us has a role to play in reducing loneliness in Scotland and so it’s important that voices from across West Lothian get involved in the Scottish Government’s consultation to help shape the new loneliness and isolation…

Hyslop Welcomes NHS Recruitment Success Local Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the announcement from NHS Lothian today (19th January) that they have recruited two new paediatric consultants – one has already joined the team and the other was offered a place just last week.   Fiona commented; “This is a great step towards delivering the Royal College’s (RCPCH) recommendations to ensure children’s services are open 24/7. “While they are not ready to resume overnight admissions at this stage, this is a very positive development and I will continue to press on NHS Lothian to carry on progressing its recruitment campaign. “Of course there is still some journey to go, however it is vital that we all get behind St John’s Hospital to ensure that applicants know that West Lothian…