Category: News

Hyslop Praises Hardworking NHS Staff Ahead of Festive Period as Staff Numbers Rise Fiona Hyslop, Local Constituency MSP for Linlithgow has praised the staff working in our NHS who are helping to deliver the best-performing NHS in the UK ahead of the busy festive period after latest statistics showed increased staffing levels that will help give patients the best possible care. West Lothian is benefitting from an increase in the numbers of NHS staff working for the Lothian health board – part of a Scotland-wide increase that has seen the NHS workforce reach record levels in 2017. NHS Lothian had its full-time equivalent staff levels increase from 19,999 to 20, 458. Commenting, Fiona said; “Staff are the lifeblood of our NHS – and it is always welcome news when there…

Hyslop Supports Youth Parliament Rights Campaign Local Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop is supporting the Scottish Youth Parliament’s Campaign, Right Here, Right Now which aims to uphold the rights of young people living in Scotland. Fiona commented: “I am supporting the Scottish Youth Parliament’s Right Here Right Now Campaign to ensure the rights of our young people are upheld and respected. “It is important that decisions made for young people are made by listening to young people and that they can have a say on any legislation that affects them. I have made contact with the two MSYPs for Linlithgow, Alice Fergusson and Lucy Martin and hope to meet with them in the near future to discuss issues of importance to young people and the action we can take locally to…

  Hyslop Anger at Second Bank Closure in Matter of Days Local Linlithgow MSP Fiona Hyslop has expressed her anger at the second announcement of a bank closure in Linlithgow. Santander’s Linlithgow Branch has announced that it will close in May 2018, just a few weeks before Royal Bank of Scotland will close their branch in June “It is extremely disappointing that news of the closure of Santander’s Linlithgow Branch in may next year has come hard on the heels of last week’s announcement that RBS will close its Linlithgow branch in June. “I have already been contacted by constituents who feel let down by banks whose digital focus is at the expense of the face to face contact that they supposedly value and I have written to the Chief…

  Hyslop Welcomes Superfast Broadband Boost for West Lothian   Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the Scottish Government’s roll out of superfast broadband which is benefitting 94% of people in West Lothian. Superfast broadband coverage in West Lothian prior to the SNP Scottish Government’s intervention through the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme was less than 73% as Broadband is still reserved to Westminster. Following Scottish Government action, the percentage of premises with access to fibre broadband in West Lothian is 94% putting West Lothian and Scotland well on course to meeting the 100% coverage target by 2021. Fiona commented; “A lack of sufficient internet access can be detrimental to local businesses and community connectivity; it is an issue I am approached about as a constituency MSP regularly. “With…

  Hyslop Pledges Support to Campaign Against Gender Based Violence Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop has signed the #16DaysEdin Pledge to combat gender based violence in Scotland. Fiona commented; “I am pleased to support this important campaign and hereby pledge to combat Gender-Based Violence to ensure the security dignity and equal rights of women, girls and non-binary people in Scotland. “It is important that we can all come together to eradicate gender violence and spread the message that silence and inaction is not an option.” ENDS    

Hyslop Supports St Andrews Day Kindness Campaign Local Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop is supporting the #BeLikeStAndrew campaign to mark the start of our Winter Festivals. The #BeLikeStAndrew campaign is asking members of the public to do a good deed on St Andrew’s Day to celebrate Scotland’s history, culture and the nation’s shared values. Charity partners Princes Trust Scotland, Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland, Crisis Scotland, have joined the Scottish Rugby Union and Stoats to back the campaign. Fiona commented: “Our Winter Festivals always kick off on St Andrews Day with a variety of events locally and across Scotland. “St Andrew is Scotland’s patron saint and was known for being strong, sociable and fair, encouraging people to share what they had with those in need. I am happy to support the…

Hyslop Comments on St John’s Recording of A & E Waiting Times Figures Following the announcement by the Health Secretary, Shona Robison MSP, of an independent review into the way in which St John’s Hospital in Livingston has been recording A & E waiting times figures, local Linlithgow MSP Fiona Hyslop commented: “I am pleased that the Health Secretary has moved swiftly to investigate concerns about how St John’s Hospital has been recording A & E waiting times figures. While these are very serious allegations it is encouraging that staff have felt able to raise their concerns. “I know that the people of West Lothian are very grateful for the quality of the care they receive from St John’s Hospital, particularly at traumatic times, but these reports are very concerning…

Hyslop Presents Special Awards on Graduation Day Local Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop attended West Lothian College’s Graduation Day Ceremony this weekend (Sat 28th Oct) and presented 7 special awards to students being recognised for outstanding personal achievements and enterprise awards. Fiona commented: “I am always pleased to attend West Lothian College’s Graduation day to meet some of the young people as they start a new chapter in their lives. “It was particularly enjoyable this year, to give out the awards to students who have not only acquired new qualifications in their chosen subjects but have also shown outstanding personal achievements throughout their time at West lothian College. “Over 92% of West Lothian’s young people are choosing to continue their education, enter training or get a job after leaving school, which is…

  Hyslop Calls for All to Get behind St John’s Comments on Review of Children's Services Report Following the release of the recent Report by the Royal College of Paediatricians and Children’s Health into the progress in implementing the plan for a sustainable 24/7 Children's Ward at St John's Hospital in Livingston, Fiona Hyslop commented: "Although parents will be disappointed that the Report doesn't present an instant solution to returning immediately to 24/7 opening of the Children's Ward, this is a considered, detailed, realistic and constructive assessment of the significant progress made to date giving a clear route forward to achieve it. Everyone including politicians from all parties need to get behind implementing their proposals. "The Report calls on everyone, including politicians and NHS Lothian to provide the space and…