Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : Storm Arwen review [October 2022]
The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 28 October 2022.

New processes in place one year on.

Organisations across Scotland have put in place a series of measures to protect communities from the effects of severe weather ahead of winter.

It follows a review of the Storm Arwen response published in January 2022, which set out 15 recommendations for the Scottish Government and its partners.

A report published today updates on progress since then, with a range of improvements put in place ahead of winter. These include:
- A full winter readiness exercise carried out by emergency responders across every area in Scotland by the end of November
- A new online learning and training hub to help individuals, community groups and the voluntary sector to prepare, respond and recover from emergencies
- The development of a new process to monitor and evaluate Scotland’s resilience system annually to identify and resolve issues quickly and effectively
- Increased integration and engagement with the voluntary sector, and expansion of local directories of assets and capabilities to support resilience activity
Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans, Keith Brown, said:

“The Scottish Government committed to a full review of the circumstances of Storm Arwen, and this report demonstrates clearly the range of work that is underway to ensure that lessons are learned.

“Our responder community, including our blue light services and our local authorities, will put these recommendations in place and we will support them to ensure our resilience arrangements continue to strengthen to protect communities.”

Chair of the Scottish Resilience Partnership Jim Savege said:

“Responders have worked hard through the year, reviewing the risks we need to be prepared for, planning and exercising and making sure we are as prepared as we all can be for any future events and incidents we may have to respond to. More than ever, emergency services have considered wider risks that may be realised, and the growing reality of having to deal with concurrent risks and incidents.

“Significant additional work has been invested this year into working with voluntary organisations and communities to ensure their resilience and their ability to deal with incidents has been enhanced. Community and business resilience are the bedrock upon which emergency services work and respond.

“The SRP is grateful for all of the work that so many colleagues have invested in ensuring we are as prepared as we can be for the winter ahead.”
October 30, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Tenant Protection Act becomes law [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 28 October 2022.

Rents frozen and evictions prevented.

Emergency legislation giving tenants increased protection from rent increases and evictions during the cost of living crisis has become law after receiving Royal Assent.

The Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) Act gives Ministers temporary power to cap rent increases for private and social tenants, as well as for student accommodation.

This applies to in-tenancy rent increases, with the cap set at 0% from 6 September 2022 until at least 31 March 2023, effectively freezing rents for most tenants during this period.

Enforcement of eviction actions resulting from the cost crisis are prevented over the same period except in a number of specified circumstances, and damages for unlawful evictions have been increased to a maximum of 36 months’ worth of rent.

Tenants’ Rights Minister Patrick Harvie said:

“Many people who rent their homes are facing real difficulties as a result of the cost of living crisis. While bills are rising for all of us, many tenants are more exposed as they are more likely to be on low incomes or living in poverty than other people.

“These measures aim to give tenants greater confidence about their housing costs and the security of a stable home.

“Some landlords may be feeling the effects of this crisis too. So while the primary purpose is to protect tenants, the emergency measures also include safeguards for those landlords who may be impacted.

“For anyone struggling with their rent, I would urge you to contact your landlord, an advice organisation or a tenants’ union to get help as early as possible.”

October 30, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Progress in NHS Highland [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 28 October 2022.

Improvements in governance, leadership and culture.

NHS Highland will move from Stage 3 to Stage 2 of NHS Scotland’s national performance framework following improvements in governance, leadership and culture.

The Health Secretary confirmed that the health board had taken actions to warrant reviewing the escalation, initially put in place in 2018, and will continue to be monitored by the Scottish Government.

In addition to a review into working practices by John Sturrock, an Independent Review Panel of the Healing Process was established and has delivered a number of reports to the board.

NHS Highland remains under Stage 3 escalation over its mental health and finance performance, meaning that the Scottish Government is providing extra support to improve these areas.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said:

“I welcome the progress that NHS Highland has made, and the reassurance the board has given, over the improvements made since the escalation was introduced. I would also like to thank the staff for their work to deliver the changes that will make working in health care services across the region better.

“I know the toll it will have taken on those who came forward to the Independent Panel and Sturrock Review to voice concerns on a culture of bullying in the board. I want to repeat my thanks to all who took part, and to everyone working to make an improved and more supportive environment so the best level of care can be provided. The board has acted on the recommendations of the review and is committed to working to embed these improvements.

“The Scottish Government continues to work with the board to improve services further, particularly in the face of the huge challenges created by the pandemic and going into winter.”

October 30, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 27 October 2022.

Lord Brailsford to be appointed as new Chair.

The Hon. Lord Brailsford, a Senator of the College of Justice of Scotland, will be the new Chair of the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry, Deputy First Minister John Swinney has confirmed in a statement to Parliament.

Lord Brailsford will replace the Hon. Lady Poole on Friday 28 October. It will now be a matter for Lord Brailsford to determine how handover arrangements will work in practice, to best support continuity within the work of the Inquiry.

The Deputy First Minister also confirmed an amendment will be made to the Inquiry’s terms of reference to include a clear reference to a human rights-based approach. This addition further emphasises the expectation the Inquiry will take a human rights-based approach, and that it will demonstrate how that approach has informed and improved the recommendations it makes.

Mr Swinney said:

“The Scottish Government wants the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry to be delivered at speed and to address the range of questions that people have – the bereaved, in particular – so that we can learn lessons and benefit from them as early as possible. That is why arrangements for identifying a new judicial Chair for the Inquiry have been taken forward urgently to ensure a swift and successful transition.

“From my own and the First Minister’s interactions with Lord Brailsford, I am in no doubt that he has the necessary leadership skills, integrity and experience to continue the work of this Inquiry.

“I am grateful to Lady Poole for the important work she has undertaken since the establishment of this Inquiry. I thank Lady Poole for her work and wish her well.”

Lord Brailsford said:

“I am honoured to have been appointed as the independent Chair of the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry. The pandemic impacted everyone across the country to some degree. There is barely a family, business or organisation that wasn’t affected in some way. This Inquiry seeks to find out whether anything could or even should have be done differently and what lessons can be learned for the future.

“The public are rightly looking for answers and no more so than the loved ones of the nearly 16,000 people in Scotland who died during this pandemic. I am immensely aware of the enormous responsibility this places on me and the Inquiry. I promise the families, that along with the Inquiry team, I will work independently to establish the facts and ensure the Inquiry thoroughly examines the decisions taken throughout the pandemic.”

October 30, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Protecting Scotland’s wildlife [October 2022]
The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 26 October 2022.

Consultation on proposals for new Wildlife Management Bill.

Tighter laws around grouse shooting in Scotland are being considered, in an effort to protect wildlife and the environment.

The new proposals published for consultation will form a new Wildlife Management (Grouse Moor) Bill, which aims to ensure that grouse moors are managed in a sustainable way.

The consultation will seek views on a wide range of topics related to wildlife including:
- introducing a licensing scheme for grouse shooting
- increased regulation of muirburn – the burning of vegetation to maintain moorland
- banning the use of glue traps
- increased regulation of other wildlife traps
The Bill aims to implement the recommendations set out in the Werritty Review, an independent report which called for widespread changes to grouse moor management and the use of traps in Scotland.

Environment Minister Mairi McAllan said:

“Over a number of years, the Scottish Government has introduced a wide range of measures to tackle wildlife crime including a poisons amnesty, restrictions on general licences and most recently, significant increases in penalties for wildlife crimes.

“Despite these measures, the persecution of raptors persists in Scotland. That is why we commissioned the independent Werritty Review and why we will now move to implement its recommendations in full.

“I recognise that the management of grouse moors for grouse shooting makes an important contribution to the rural economy. However, it is clear that grouse moors must be managed in a sustainable and responsible way, ensuring minimal negative impact on other wildlife, and that we cannot tolerate raptor persecution by a destructive minority.”
October 30, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : “We are investing in the lives of those who need a helping hand,” says Social Justice Minister after meeting with care leavers benefitting from Basic Income pilot scheme [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 28 October 2022.

Launched in July, the scheme will see more than 500 people turning 18 and leaving care in Wales being offered £1600 each month (before tax) for two years to support them as they make the transition to adult life.

It is hoped the pilot will set care leavers on a path to live healthy, happy and fulfilling lives.

The £20 million pilot, which will run for three years, will be evaluated to carefully examine its effect on the lives of those involved.

In the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, it is hoped the lessons learnt from the pilot scheme can benefit future generations to come by helping them overcome barriers they face starting adult life. This could benefit them and wider society.

After launching the scheme with the First Minister and Deputy Minister for Social Services Julie Morgan, Social Justice Minister Jane Hutt and the Deputy Minister met with a number of young people benefitting from the pilot at Conwy Business Centre earlier today (Friday, 28 October) as part of National Care Leavers Week.

It has been fantastic to hear about how the pilot scheme has already impacted the young lives of those taking part in it,” she said.

Our ambition for the scheme is that it will allow the young people who are benefitting to make their own choices, whether that means they are able to choose where they live, what jobs they can apply for, whether to continue studying or deciding to go and travel the world. The life choices of looked after children should not be determined by the circumstances of their childhood.

It is heartening to hear how many have already received support to take the first steps to achieve this and it puts them in good stead for the future.

She added:

We want them to have independence as they get older, and by giving them a helping hand as they start their adult life we can improve their chances of doing so.

By providing financial stability to a generation of young people facing huge barriers to reach their full potential, we are giving them the tools to overcome them and thrive.

Those taking part in the pilot will also receive individual advice and support to help them manage their finances and develop their financial and budgeting skills.

Deputy Minister for Social Services Julie Morgan said: “It has been heartening to hear from the young people the impact the pilot scheme has had on their lives.

We’ve learnt a lot from meeting with them today and we appreciate them sharing their thoughts with us

We are committed to providing support to the most vulnerable in our society, many of whom have grown up without a support network through their formative years.

We hope this scheme, as well as the advice and information available to them through it, will give them the confidence and strong foundations to achieve their dreams.

Local authorities will play a key role in supporting them throughout the pilot. Voices from Care Cymru will also work with the young people to give them advice on wellbeing, education, employment and help them plan their future after the pilot.

Emma Phipps-Magill, of Voices from Care Cymru, also attended the meeting and said:

We have already seen the pilot have a positive impact on young care leavers as they adapt to having financial independence.

We are still at a very early stage of the pilot, but they have grasped the opportunity with both hands and have already made progress with many of their goals.

October 30, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Pay rise and new contract for GPs in Wales [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 28 October 2022.

Health Minister, Eluned Morgan, has announced a new contract agreement with GPs in Wales, which will deliver the most significant reform of the contract since 2004.

It includes a new pay deal for all staff working in general practice and plans to reduce the administrative burden for GPs, enabling them to focus on providing high-quality care in contract arrangements from 2023.

Recognising the vital role of GPs and their teams, the agreement for this year includes a 4.5% pay uplift for GPs as recommended by the Doctors and Dentist Review Body, and goes further to ensure all staff working within general practice also receive the same 4.5% pay uplift.

From April 2023, access standards, which practices have been working towards since 2019, will become mandatory to achieve and maintain as part of the GMS contract. This will help make it easier for people to access GP appointments across Wales and they will know what to expect when they contact their GP practice.

The new Unified Contract, will be consulted on in spring 2023 and implemented from autumn 2023. This will streamline and simplify current arrangements to ensure GPs and their teams are able to focus on delivering services to patients.

Welsh Government, GPC Wales and NHS Wales have committed to undertake further joint work, to pursue further changes and improvements in a number of key areas including the sustainability of the workforce and the service.

Health Minister Eluned Morgan said:

GPs and their staff have worked tirelessly in the face of ongoing pressure, to meet the needs of their patients. They have remained agile and responsive in these challenging times, and this agreement and investment acknowledges that commitment to delivering services to patients.

We recognise that more still needs to be done to improve access to GP surgeries and this new contract will go some way in addressing that. However, there have continued to be challenges faced by some people in accessing their GP practice which need to be resolved and we will ensure we continue to pursue improvement.

As we move forward, a new simplified and streamlined contract will not only remove unnecessary bureaucracy for GPs and their teams but will also reinforce the standards by which we expect GP practices to operate – with patient access an integral part of those standards.

In April next year, I will set out more detail on how this new contract will work.

Nicola Prygodzicz, Chief Executive, Aneurin Bevan Health Board said:

We are pleased to see this agreement, reached through a collaborative round of tripartite negotiations, which recognises the hard work and dedication of all staff working within general practice.

The scale of change being sought is ambitious and is testament to the commitment of all parties to reduce bureaucracy and improve services for people in Wales. The wider agreements, including the joint commitments to take forward work in key areas, will enable us to continue to work closely with the profession and our stakeholders to support the sustainability of the service in the longer term.

Dr Gareth Oelmann, Chair of GPC Wales said:

This contractual agreement is firmly rooted in providing patients with access to services based on clinical need, with an increased emphasis on preventative health measures.

We have fought hard to ensure the best deal possible for GP practices in Wales in the current climate. The restructured contractual payment mechanisms, whilst providing simplification and decreased box ticking bureaucracy, will create security of income streams for practices, at a time when the viability of many has been brought into question.

We are additionally pleased that as a consequence of this deal, our hard-working practice staff are able to receive a pay uplift.

We look forward to delivering further change and improvements for GPs and patients in Wales in 2023.

October 30, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Welsh Minister looks forward to ‘bright industrial future’ for site set to home new global rail centre [October 2022]
The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 28 October 2022.

The Global Centre of Rail Excellence (GCRE) has reached a major milestone with the formal acquisition of the former Nant Helen opencast site and Onllwyn Washery in South Wales from opencast mining company Celtic Energy, Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething announced today.
- Minister for the Economy confirms the acquisition of land allowing contractors to prepare for construction of UK’s first Net Zero Railway
- The site will become the UK’s ‘one stop shop’ for railway innovation
- The first phase of the masterplan construction is expected to be completed by the middle of 2025.
The 700 hectare site at the head of the Dulais Valley in south Wales will now be transformed and developed to become the UK’s ‘one stop shop’ for railway innovation, from research and development, through testing, verification and certification, to applied innovation on mainline passenger and freight railways.

Outline planning consent for GCRE was granted by Neath Port Talbot Council and Powys County Council in 2021.

A range of consultants and contractors including Hirwaun-based Walters Group, Atkins, Fifth Studio, Arcadis and Mott MacDonald are now working in an alliance to design the site and begin preparation for construction in early 2023.

GCRE is split in to three core phases:
- Phase 1: The provision of sidings for rolling stock from the summer of 2023
- Phase 2: The building of two electrified test loops, one high speed test loop 6.9km long and a 4km Infrastructure test loop, together with supporting infrastructure and buildings from 2024
- Phase 3: The addition of expanded stabling, maintenance, and commissioning facilities along with research facilities, hotel, and business park in 2025 and ongoing.
Visiting the site of the £250 million infrastructure project, Minister for Economy, Vaughan Gething, reiterated the significance of the GCRE project:

The Global Centre of Rail Excellence being constructed here in Wales is one of the most critical and creative infrastructure projects happening anywhere in Europe.

Its significance to the local community and the Welsh economy should not be underestimated. This is a vital regeneration project which will create much-needed jobs and skills. I’m confident it will support a bright industrial future for the Dulais Valley and the surrounding area.

Deputy Minister for Climate Change, Lee Waters, reiterated the significance of the GCRE project:

GCRE will be a unique facility offering world class testing of infrastructure, rolling stock and new technologies that will fill a much-needed gap in the rail industry. Crucially, it will help manage the cost of rail projects by testing ideas earlier before their deployment on projects and support the vital innovation we need to get to Net Zero.

The formal acquisition of the land now paves the way for the start of construction by allowing GCRE and their contractors to take control of the site and begin to establish the infrastructure required to turn this ambitious and exciting vision into reality.

Chief Executive of GCRE, Simon Jones said:

We are moving at pace to deliver on our ambitious plans to deliver a modern and comprehensive rail testing and innovation facility, building our team and preparing for construction with the aim of having our commercial rolling stock storage facility available to the market within the next 12 months.

The next stage of our procurement process will begin shortly with both a meet the buyer event and the launch of a separate innovation competition next week to give potential suppliers and partners the opportunity to find out more about how they can get involved. This will be followed by the launch of an exciting investment prospectus to attract private funding for the project. With the support of the Welsh and UK Governments and Powys and Neath Port Talbot local authorities, we really are on a mission to put Wales and the UK at the very heart of 21st century sustainable transport innovation.
October 30, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Next three year plan launched to transform pharmacy in Wales [October 2022]
The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 27 October 2022.

Updated goals for the pharmacy profession have been published today, as the transformation of pharmaceutical care in Wales continues.

The Welsh Pharmaceutical Committee’s vision for pharmacy, Pharmacy: Delivering a Healthier Wales, was first published in 2019. Developed by the pharmacy profession, the 10-year plan aims to provide a clear direction for pharmacy professionals in every part of the NHS, focusing on meeting patients’ and the NHS’s needs now and in the future.

The new goals refresh expectations of what the pharmacy profession can achieve in the three years to December 2025, including:
- undertaking a comprehensive review of how the skills and expertise of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians can be more effectively used to support hospital patients
- reviewing how automation, electronic prescribing and pharmacogenomics can help transform the way pharmacy professionals deliver care
- exploring how supporting research and development in pharmacy practice can provide a platform for further innovation in the delivery of pharmaceutical care.
Eluned Morgan, the Minister for Health and Social Services, welcomed the new goals, saying:

Earlier this year we introduced the most significant reform of the way community pharmacies provide services since the NHS was created more than 70 years ago.

A great deal has already been achieved towards our vision, with community pharmacy teams now consistently using their expertise to support patients and our health and care services.

As the pharmacy profession embarks on the next phase of its journey, I am looking forward to seeing how the role of pharmacy professionals in other sectors can be transformed to achieve even more in the coming years.

Andrew Evans, the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for Wales, said:

Pharmacy: Delivering a Healthier Wales provided a clear direction for the development of pharmaceutical care in Wales. The transformation of the role of community pharmacies has helped us meet the unprecedented challenges we face as a result of the last two years.

Good progress has been made in delivering our aspirations in all sectors of pharmacy practice. The refreshed goals provide the basis for supporting and developing the role of pharmacy professionals who work in our hospitals and in community care, to ensure they can continue to meet the changing needs of patients and are empowered to respond to the challenges faced by the NHS.

Our ambitious new goals build on the work we are already doing to implement ePrescribing in secondary and primary care, increasing the use of digital technology and pharmacogenomics. We also want to ensure the profession meets its obligations to be more socially responsible, tackling inequalities in health, supporting environmental sustainability and promoting the use of the Welsh language.

Elen Jones, Director of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Wales, said:

The 2025 goals continue to drive our aspirations for pharmacy in Wales, breaking down boundaries between care settings and developing the workforce to ensure patients benefit from the expertise of the pharmacy team wherever and whenever they need it.

The RPS has been proud to be a part of these developments. Putting plans into action across Wales is the next important step and we look forward to working with colleagues in supporting this important agenda over the next three years and beyond.

Jonathan Simms, Chair of the Welsh Pharmaceutical Committee, said:

Today marks an important step in our journey towards our 2030 vision for pharmacy in Wales. The goals set the ambition of how pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and our support staff, across all care settings, will enhance patient care and improve medicine optimisation for the citizens of Wales.

So much has been achieved since the publication of Pharmacy: Delivering a Healthier Wales, particularly through the pandemic where teams needed to adapt to maintain vital services to patients. The new goals recognise the challenges that the workforce currently face as we recover from the pandemic. With this comes opportunities to deliver new roles, embed new skills and drive the use of technology to make Wales a vibrant place to work whilst delivering excellent pharmaceutical care.
October 30, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Delivering a Healthier Wales 2025 Goals [October 2022]
The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 27 October 2022.

Eluned Morgan, Minister for Health and Social Services.

The 10-year pharmacy plan, Pharmacy: Delivering a Healthier Wales, was published in 2019 and sets out how services need to be transformed and how the workforce needs to develop to meet the needs of people in Wales.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has been reviewing the significant progress made against the 15 goals set for 2022 and has been engaging with pharmacy professionals to refresh the vision and to set new goals for the next three years.

The new goals, which are published today, set the expectations for what more can be achieved collectively by 2025. These goals are ambitious, people-focused and designed to harness the contribution of the entire pharmacy team, in all care settings.

We continue to work towards the original aspirations set out in Pharmacy: Delivering a Healthier Wales:
- To enhance patient experience,
- To develop the workforce,
- To deliver seamless pharmaceutical care; and
- To harness the benefits of innovation and technology in pursuit of our aims.
Excellent progress has been made to deliver these aspirations in all sectors of pharmacy practice. Since the introduction our new community pharmacy contractual arrangements, which were described in Presgripsiwn Newydd last year, we are ensuring community pharmacies consistently provide the widest range of clinical services people and the NHS in Wales need.

Approximately one in five community pharmacies are now providing our national pharmacist independent prescribing service, which offers prompt access to treatment for a range of conditions and to regular contraception. We are working to increase this so the service is available in one in three pharmacies by the end of March.

Pharmacy professionals play an essential role in our hospitals and GP practices and we have recently commissioned the Royal Pharmaceutical Society to review how the clinical skills of pharmacists, pharmacist prescribers and the wider pharmacy workforce can be used effectively in hospital settings to improve people’s health outcomes.

The new goals mean that by 2025, pharmacy teams will feel empowered to make every patient contact count, building on strengths of community pharmacies as community assets, as sources of both social capital and convenient access to the services people need.

By continuing to increase the capability and skill within pharmacy teams we will also ensure people have consistent access to highly trained and motivated members of the pharmacy workforce.

Optimising the knowledge and skills of pharmacy professionals as medicines’ experts, we will ensure they are integral in supporting people as they transition between different parts of the health and social care service.

Increasing use of automation will increase the capacity for pharmacy professionals to deliver outstanding care, and using the NHS app, pharmacy teams will work with patients who are empowered to take greater control of their health and medicines.

A great deal has already been achieved. As we embark on the next phase of the journey, pharmacy professionals will achieve even more in the next three years. I am therefore delighted to endorse the pharmacy profession’s refreshed plans.
October 30, 2022