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Welcome,

It is a privilege to represent the Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn constituency as your local Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP).

I stay in Maryhill with my wife, together with my young son and daughter. Before I became an MSP, I was a secondary school teacher for ten years. Since first being elected as a Glasgow MSP in 2007 I have worked hard to deliver for local constituents.  As your constituency MSP, I will continue to help to protect the communities I know best and deliver to all people in Maryhill and Springburn

Bob Doris signature web

Bob Doris MSP


 

Key announcements today:

  • As of 0900, 13,627 people have tested positive for Covid-19. 1,862 patients who tested positive have sadly died.
  • A new platform to help health and social care workers and carers look after their physical and mental health was launched today.
  • Emergency measures to protect people facing financial hardship and allow public services to operate effectively have been introduced to Parliament in response to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.

 

UNIQUE SUPPORT FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE

A new national digital wellbeing hub launching today will enable staff, carers, volunteers and their families to access relevant support when they need it, and provides a range of self-care and wellbeing resources designed to aid resilience as the whole workforce responds to the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19). 

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “The hub, the first of its kind in the UK, has the theme ‘You look after us, so we’ll look after you’ and has been developed with the support of a range of organisations, including professional bodies and trades unions. It actively encourages people to make use of available services such local NHS helplines for staff across health and social care services, including care home workers.”

  • The Scottish Government press release can be found here.
  • Twitter

 

SECOND CORONAVIRUS (SCOTLAND) BILL

Emergency measures to protect people facing financial hardship and allow public services to operate effectively have been introduced to Parliament in response to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.

Key elements of the Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Bill include a proposed additional £19.2 million investment in Carer’s Allowance Supplement, the introduction of notice to leave periods for students in purpose-built student accommodation and halls of residence, and additional protections for those facing bankruptcy.

Constitutional Secretary Michael Russell said: “Throughout this crisis we have tried to achieve consensus and will continue to work on a cross-party basis to enable the government to take the steps necessary to help Scotland get through these extraordinary times.”

 

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF NHS SCOTLAND STANDS DOWN DUE TO ILL HEALTH

Malcolm Wright, Chief Executive of NHS Scotland and Director General (DG) Health and Social Care has tendered his resignation on health grounds due to an underlying medical condition. 

To ensure that there is additional capacity to respond to the intense and challenging period of response and recovery from the COVID-19 emergency, Elinor Mitchell, Director for Community Health and Social Care has been appointed interim DG Health and Social Care and John Connaghan, Chief Performance Officer NHS Scotland and Director of Delivery and Resilience, has been appointed interim Chief Executive of NHS Scotland.  

Announcing the resignation Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “I am very sorry that Malcolm Wright has had to resign from the Chief Executive of NHS Scotland and DG Health and Social Care role.  I know this was a difficult decision but one he has had to make for medical reasons. He leaves with my greatest respect and gratitude. I have valued the wealth of knowledge and experience that he brought to the role, especially at this challenging time. I wish him well for a happy and healthy future.”

  • The Scottish Government press release can be found here.

 

SCOTS BACK 'STAY AT HOME' MESSAGE

The YouGov survey, from fieldwork yesterday (Sunday 10th May), suggests 72% of people in Scotland believe only the "Stay home, Protect the NHS, Save lives" message makes it clear what they are supposed to do. This follows separate polling from YouGov on 1st May, which found an overwhelming majority of Scots (74%) believe the SNP government is handling the coronavirus pandemic well - and 71% have confidence in First Minister Nicola Sturgeon making the right decisions.

Commenting, Shadow Health Secretary Dr Philippa Whitford said: "During this global pandemic it is vital that governments provide strong and clear public health messages that are easy to understand and implement. The message in Scotland couldn't be clearer - stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives.”

 

TORY GOVERNMENT MUST NOT CUT FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR WORKERS

Following reports that the Chancellor is planning to cut furlough scheme payments to sixty per cent, Shadow Chancellor Alison Thewliss said: "Cutting financial support in the middle of a public health emergency would push people further into hardship and increase unemployment. Instead of reducing furlough scheme payments the Chancellor should extend the scheme, fix the serious gaps and ensure people get the support they need.”

 

CHANGES TO ADVICE ON GOING OUTDOORS

The advice on how often people can venture outdoors is being changed.  Starting  today, the advice is that people can go outside more than once a day to exercise. This activity should continue to be undertaken close to home. Those going out to exercise should either go alone or with members of their household.

The First Minister said: “The core principles of lockdown in Scotland remain the same, people should stay at home to help save lives and protect the NHS.

“We do not underestimate how difficult these measures are, particularly for those living alone, or living in smaller accommodation with children or without access to a garden or outdoor home space.

“This change on going outside will be monitored carefully and reviewed in order to assess the effects on physical distancing and infection spread.”

 

SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY CORONAVIRUS

Up to £10 million is being made available to support community organisations. The funding from the Scottish Government’s Supporting Communities Fund will go directly to more than 250 community groups.

Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said: “We know that community groups working in the heart of our communities and neighbourhoods have a wealth of experience in responding to challenges. We have seen this through many examples of the incredible response to COVID-19 in the past weeks that have made such a huge difference to so many people. This inspiring work that is already underway in our neighbourhoods is proving essential to our nation’s resilience.”

  • The Scottish Government press release can be found here.
  • Twitter

 

OPPOSITION LEADERS CALL FOR COORDINATED APPROACH TO TACKLE CORONAVIRUS 

Opposition leaders have called, in a joint letter to the Prime Minister, for a coordinated approach to the coronavirus crisis to ensure as many lives are saved as possible.

Westminster Leader Ian Blackford said: “The UK government must consult and cooperate with the devolved nations if we are to have a truly effective approach to tackling coronavirus.

“I am grateful to the other opposition leaders for working with us and collectively putting our concerns to the Prime Minister.”

 

UPTAKE IN THOSE WITH URGENT HEALTH CONCERNS USING NHS

New research, commissioned to support the recently launched NHS is Open campaign, has highlighted that people in Scotland are more likely to go to their GP practice or to hospital with an immediate medical concern not related to coronavirus (COVID-19) than they were two weeks earlier.

Jason Leitch said: “Your community pharmacy and your GP are open. Your first GP appointment may be by telephone or video but it is still a hugely important step in finding out if you, or your loved one, needs urgent medical help.”

  • The Scottish Government press release can be found here.
  • Twitter

 

INCREASE IN PPE PRODUCTION

Contracts between NHS Scotland and a number of Scottish-based companies will help strengthen and expand the supply of vital protective gowns in Scotland, securing long-term stock levels. NHS Scotland has established the entirely new supply chain, from start to finish, within the space of a month.

Trade Minister Ivan McKee said: “This new supply chain means significant volumes of the PPE gowns used in Scotland can be manufactured in Scotland – thereby helping to protect us from any global supply issues and ensure frontline staff continue to have the protection they need.”

  • The Scottish Government press release can be found here.
  • Twitter

 

SNP CALL ON TREASURY TO SCRAP COUNCIL DEBT PAYMENTS FOR THIS FINANCIAL YEAR

Shadow Financial Secretary to the Treasury has written to the Chancellor calling on him to scrap council debt payments for this financial year, as the impact of the coronavirus pandemic hits communities.

Commenting, Stephen Flynn said: “Councils across Scotland and the rest of the UK are working on the front-line providing support to many of the most vulnerable people in our communities during this pandemic…We are in unprecedented and challenging times and I urge the UK government to explore measures it can take to help communities during this period."

  • The text of the letter can be found here.

 

MILLIONS MORE ITEMS OF PPE FOR FRONTLINE STAFF FROM NEW BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS

NHS and social care staff in the UK are set to receive millions of items of personal protective equipment (PPE) over the coming months thanks to new collaborations with a number of organisations.

  • The UK Government press release can be found here.

 

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT COVID-19 GUIDANCE PUBLISHED OR UPDATED RECENTLY

Coronavirus (COVID-19): public use of face coverings

Guidance on the personal use of face coverings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): staying at home and away from others (physical distancing)

Rules on staying at home and away from others to help protect the NHS and save lives.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on domestic abuse

Guidance on domestic abuse to support the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions) (Scotland) Regulations 2020.

Public attitudes to coronavirus: April summary

High level findings from recent polling work on public attitudes to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in Scotland.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): clinical and practice guidance for adult care homes – updated 8 May 2020

National clinical and practice guidance (updated 8 May 2020) to support those working in adult care homes in Scotland during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Scottish Government COVID-19  statements published recently:

First Minister address to the nation 11 May 2020

Statement given by the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon during an address to the nation from St. Andrew's House, Edinburgh

Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: First Minister's speech 11 May 2020

Statement given by the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at a media briefing in St. Andrew's House, Edinburgh on Monday 11 May.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: First Minister’s speech 10 May 2020

Statement given by the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at a media briefing in St Andrew's House, Edinburgh on Sunday 10 May.

 

UK GOVERNMENT COVID-19 GUIDANCE PUBLISHED OR UPDATED RECENTLY

Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Impact on Trade Unions and Employers’ Associations

Advice regarding complying with the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992

Help and support if your business is affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) - UPDATED

Watch videos and register for the free webinars to learn more about the support available to help you deal with the economic impacts of coronavirus.

UK Government COVID-19  statements published recently:

Transport Secretary's statement on coronavirus (COVID-19): 9 May 2020

Announcing a £2 billion package to support active travel to help the country emerge from coronavirus crisis.

 

SOCIAL MEDIA

Twitter

In Scotland, the lockdown measures remain in place

By staying home, you're saving lives every day. Let's not undo it now

SCVO: Round 2 of the Wellbeing Fund is now open for applications

Minister for Older People and Equalities writes about the support available for older people and others struggling with loneliness and isolation during the lockdown period.

 

Facebook

In Scotland, the lockdown measures remain in place

Coronavirus - Latest Government Advice

A helpline for those at high risk of #coronavirus who don’t have existing support or internet access

 

YouTube

Coronavirus - Latest Government Advice

Coronavirus update (11 May 2020)

In Parliament

Twitter Latest

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