E-news

October

Latest Parliamentary News from Sarah Boyack MSP

2012
DEMENTIA CARE IN SPOTLIGHT AT ERI
A recent unannounced inspection of the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary uncovered serious concerns regarding care of elderly patients. During the visit, inspectors had to intervene on numerous occasions to ask staff to help preserve patient dignity and to provide assistance to patients at mealtimes. In one instance an individual had to wait 20 minutes for help after food was brought to them and left out of reach. The report also notes that on one ward, there was not enough staff to cover all aspects of patients needs. Being in hospital can be particularly stressful and confusing experience for older people. This report raises serious concerns over the dignity afforded to these patients and once again exposes the unacceptable pressure being placed on staff. Nurses are working flat out to try and provide a caring environment but their efforts are being undermined. As this report makes plain, overstretched resources are preventing proper care being delivered.

Member of the Scottish Parliament for Lothian (Scottish Labour)

ANGER OVER REMPLOY WORKER TREATMENT

would not provide this information. The Minister maintained that the Government is committed to supporting workers to find other employment but I share the concerns of employees and trade unions that jobs will be hard to find. News of closure has come as a devastating blow to workers in Edinburgh and I have sought assurances that they will be supported both in terms of finding new work and ensuring that their health is not affected. Ensuring that disabled people dont face discrimination in the job market is vital as many disabled people continue to face significant barriers. Supported employment provides a practical solution. Under European law, public bodies can reserve certain contracts for supported employment providers. These contracts are a way for the public sector to support disabled people to find and stay in work. The closure or Remploy is the latest blow to the supported workplace sector in the Lothians following the closure of Blindcraft last year. Following the meeting I am continuing to seek assurances that the UK and Scottish governments will act to safeguard jobs, increase opportunities for all and send a clear message to public bodies that they allocate contracts to supported employment organisations.

The UK Minister for Work and Pensions, Esther McVey MP, met with MSPs last week to discuss Remploy in Scotland. I attended the meeting to argue the case for the Edinburgh Remploy being kept open and given a second chance. Remploy operates supported workplaces across the country providing work opportunities for people with a range of disabilities. However, following the UK Governments decision to remove public funding, the organisation welcomed bids for individual sites from potential operators. Edinburgh initially attracted interest but, last month, confirmation came that the factory would close after no best and final offer was made. I asked the Minister to provide details of the bids that Edinburgh attracted and was very disappointed that she

Get the latest news online

For all the latest news of my work in the Scottish Parliament, visit my new website. The website is updated on a regular basis with news of what Ive been up to in Parliament and a video diary on current issues. There are also links to a variety of useful information on the workings of Parliament.

Contact Sarah
As an MSP for Lothian I am keen to hear any problems or concerns you may have. If you think I could help you, get in touch Write: The Scottish Parliament Edinburgh EH99 1SP E-mail: sarah.boyack.msp@scottish.parliament.uk Online: www.sarahboyack.com Twitter: @sarahboyackmsp

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WINTER RESILIENCE

APPLE DAY 2012

At the start of this month I cosponsored Holyrood Apple Day. The annual event, organised by the Commonwealth Orchard, brings together MSPs, growers and other enthusiasts from across Scotland to showcase the huge variety of apples grown in Scotland. The campaign aims to develop a fruitful Scotland, encouraging people to plant fruit trees in schools, gardens, and other public spaces. People are increasingly aware of where their food comes from and how much it costs. Encouraging people to plant orchards offers an excellent opportunity to learn about the benefits of growing your own. The campaign sends out the message that growing your own food not only saves money and the environment but is also fun and healthy way to bring communities together to improve an area's appearance.

NEWS IN BRIEF
Here is a brief look back at some of the stories that have been covered since the last e-news. Click the links below to read more on these stories. Worlds Biggest Coffee Morning At the end of September I hosted an event at the Braidwood Centre in support of Macmillans Worlds Biggest Coffee Morning. The annual event is Macmillans biggest fundraising campaign which raised over 10m last year. The money that Macmillan raises is helping to make an enormous difference to the lives of cancer sufferers and their families, providing an invaluable support system that allows patients to know someone is with them every step of the way. Success for Remade I recently received the welcome news that the Remade in Edinburgh project has secured premises on the Royal Mile. Remade in Edinburgh provide weekly drop in sessions that give people new skills to repair and reuse items such as clothes and computers. After reconsidering the groups proposals, councillors have given the project permission to set up home in the old bagpipe shop near the Parliament on the Royal Mile. Tackling Empty Properties This week I will be taking part in a debate on the Governments proposals for unoccupied properties. On high streets across Scotland, the sight of empty shops has become increasingly familiar. The Scottish Government has introduced legislation to try to address the situation by altering the rules on rates relief. I am concerned that the proposals have not been properly thought through and will be urging the Government to listen to the concerns of organisations like the Scottish Chambers of Commerce.

With cold weather starting to close in, the Scottish Government has outlined its winter resilience plans. The winters of 2009 and 2010 were particularly bad, bringing some of the heaviest snow and coldest weather in living memory. The impact of the bad weather was widespread. On a national level, we saw travel chaos with major routes and closed and public transport heavily disrupted. Locally, we saw schools closed, businesses affected and people struggling with icy pavements. An issue where more action is needed is support for vulnerable people who were particularly affected. What is important now is that the Scottish Government and Councils react quickly should bad weather hit and that the lessons learned from previous years kick into action. In winter months it is important that people are prepared for the cold weather and you can find out more by visiting the Scottish Governments Ready Scotland campaign site.

VISITING CRAMOND PRIMARY SCHOOL

was hugely impressed by their enthusiasm and with the questions they had prepared for me. Its great to be able to engage young people in politics and to give them an insight into how the system works and who knows, one of the pupils I met could go on to be an MSP themselves one day. One of the key reasons behind setting up the Scottish Parliament was to bring the political process closer to the people it affects and I see it as a privilege to be able to involve schools and be part of that process. If you are interested in finding out more about the Parliaments education programme, visit the Scottish Parliament website.

I recently paid a visit to Cramond Primary School as part of the Parliaments Education outreach programme. The Parliament produces a range of resources for schools to teach pupils about how the Parliament works. It was great to get the chance to meet pupils from Cramond. On the visit, I

working hard
Promoted by Sarah Boyack MSP. The costs of this publication have been met out of parliamentary resources