NHS Highland launches Power of Attorney campaign
NHS Highland has launched Power of Attorney campaign to help people plan for circumstances in which they may no longer be able to make decision for themselves
Granting a Power of Attorney (PoA) allows you to nominate who would make decisions for you if you were no longer able to make them yourself. This would be someone you trust, such as a relative or close friend.
Highlighting the importance of arranging Power of Attorney, Dr Andrew Jamieson, a NHS Highland consultant physician, said: “It is estimated that there are over 944,000 people living in the UK with dementia, with 42,000 people under 65 years-of-age living with the condition.
“However, you can only grant a Power of Attorney if you have capacity. If you have an accident or an ongoing medical problem, which leaves you incapable of looking after your own affairs, it’s too late.
He added: “Without a Power of Attorney, your family or friends will have to apply to the courts for a Guardianship Order to allow them to make decisions on your behalf and this can be a lengthy and far more costly process.
A survey conducted by Age Scotland across April and May 2023 on the matter, received more than 4,000 responses with local authority area in Scotland was represented.
The survey found that older respondents were significantly more likely to have an up-to date Power of Attorney in comparison with those in their 50s and 60s.
Forty seven per cent of people in their seventies who responded say they had a Power of Attorney, while the figure was 63 per cent of those in their eighties. However, the corresponding numbers for those in their sixties was 29 per cent and just 16 per cent in their fifties.
Meanwhile, 26 per cent of respondents with a total gross annual household income of less than £10,000 had a Power of Attorney which stated their current needs but 25 per cent in this income bracket said they could not afford a Power of Attorney.
NHS Highland will be sharing information about Power of Attorney during World Alzheimer’s Awareness Month this September.
Mental health services “slow, complicated” and “fragmented”
A new report on mental health provision in Scotland has found that the system is fragmented with access to adult services in Scotland slow and complicated for many.
The report published today by public body assessor Audit Scotland, also detailed that, in particular, ethnic minority groups, people living in rural areas and those in poverty all face additional barriers in accessing services
It agues that accountability is complex with Scottish Government, NHS boards, councils, Integration Joint Boards, Health and Social Care Partnerships and other sectors all involved in funding, planning or providing services.
The result of which, the report finds, is complications and delays in developing care focused on the needs of individuals.
NHS boards spent £1.2 billion on adult mental health in 2021/22. However, one in four people experience mental health problems in any given year and 2,742 people waited more than a year to start psychological therapies in 2022/23.
People living in the most deprived areas are also three times more likely to end up in hospital for mental health issues than those in the least deprived areas
Audit Scotland has recommended that the before the end of 2023 Scottish Goverment publish its guidance on measuring and evaluating outcomes from mental health and wellbeing services in primary care, which was expected to be published in April 2022.
It has also called for the Scottish Government to publish a costed delivery plan, as soon as possible, setting out the funding and workforce needed to establish and accommodate primary care mental health and wellbeing services across Scotland by 2026.
Among its recommendations Audit Scotland has also stated that the NHS must provide people with a choice about whether they access mental health services remotely or face-to-face, in line with the commitment in the Digital Health and Care Strategy
While it has said that councils must urgently improve how mental health, primary care, housing, employability, and welfare support services work together to address and prevent the causes of poor mental health, by developing shared goals and targets, sharing data and jointly funding services
Date announced for latest Skye childcare crisis meeting
A childcare crisis meeting led by the Highland Council’s early learning and childcare commissioner is set to be held in Skye next week.
The council’s ELC commissioner Tracy McIlvar will host the meeting at the Skye Bible Church in Portree on Thursday 21st September from 12.15 to 2pm.
Community representative Claudia Pech is encouraging all parents to attend whom are affected by the current childcare crisis.
She said that Highland Council is keen to discuss a way forward and possible solutions so it is important that as many parents as
A childcare survey conducted by the Highland Council of more than 100 parents and guardians across the island has revealed a demand for provision for children under three as well as term-time and holiday childcare for kids of school age.
The meeting will follow on from two separate forums held earlier this year by the Highland Council and Skye’s MSP Kate Forbes.
Strathpeffer to host energy efficiency information day
An Energy Efficiency Scotland information event is set to take place at Strathpeffer Community Centre
The Highland Council has been awarded funding from the Scottish Goverment to install energy efficient measures such as installation, air source heat pumps, and solar PV and battery storage to homes.
The scheme is eligible for properties which are main residences and not bed and breakfasts, owned or privately rent, and are Council Tax bands ABC – or D – where EPC rating is D, E, F or G.
The event will be held between 11.30am and 4.45pm at Strathpeffer Community Centre today (Wednesday 12th September).
Header image credit: Christian Erfurt via Unsplash
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Highland Council launches Skye and Raasay childcare survey
The Highland Council has launched a Skye and Raasay childcare survey to gauge the needs of local families across the islands.
The survey follows on from a childcare crisis meeting held in Portree earlier this month, which was led by Tracy Mcilvor, the Highland Council’s early learning and childcare commissioner.
At the meeting, sixteen women from across Skye and Raasay – some of whom are pictured – expressed concerns over a dearth of after-school and holiday provision, which they said was or would soon affect their families and careers.
The closing date of the survey is Friday 7th July.
The survey can be accessed here.
New Skye-based transport director rules out tokenism
The north of Scotland managing director of Stagecoach, who lives in Skye, says he will not be a token appointment after joining the board of CalMac’s parent company.
Skye resident, David Beaton, who has worked in the transport industry for more than 35 years, will serve as a non-executive director of the board of David MacBrayne Limited .
Speaking to Radio Skye, today Mr Beaton said he was quick to address the matter of tokenism during his interview.
He said: “I wanted to make sure that David MacBrayne Limited and Transport Scotland weren’t just kowtowing to the public and pulling someone in from the islands just for the sake of it.”
“But the questions they asked at the interview and following that gave me an insight into their thinking and I quickly understood it wasn’t an exercise in keeping face.
They really are interested in what the islanders face day to day.
David Beaton told Radio Skye that phase two of the Uig pier redevelopment would likely be the hot topic at his first board meeting in July.
Skye and Lochalsh youngsters impress at European pipe band championships
The Lochalsh Junior Pipe Band and Skye Youth Pipe Band both earned top 10 placings at European Pipe Band Championships held in Aberdeen on Sunday.
The annual musical event, which attracts thousands of spectators was held in Aberdeen’s Duthie Park.
The Lochalsh Junior Pipe Band (pictured below) achieved seventh place in a field of 16 bands in its grade, and narrowly missed out on a prize by just one point.
The championships were final performance of S6 pipers Ellie and Sandy who bade farewell to the band after the competition.
Meanwhile, for some of the younger members of the Isle of Skye Youth Pipe Band, who are just finishing primary school, it was their first taste of competition.
Speaking to Radio Skye, Isle of Skye Youth Pipe Band Major Ian Ruari Finlayson said he was “absolutely delighted with the bands performance and with how fantastic the trip was from start to finish.”
The Skye Youth Pipe, (pictured below) secured 10th place in their grade against strong competitions at the championships.
Skye pupils’ bake sale raises over £400 for refugees
Pupils from Portree High School have raised more than £400 for a refugee initiative through a bake sale at the school.
The pupils took in a total of £425 as part of a project on refugees.
The money will go towards aiding the work of the Highlands Supports Refugees.
The pupils fundraising efforts have been praised by island group the Skye Fugees have have leading the refugee support efforts across Skye, Raasay and Lochalsh in tandem with Highland Supports Refugees.
Portree High School will welcome any further donations to the cause at its prizegiving ceremonies this week.
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