News release
Immediate release
27/01/10
North SNP MSP Rob Gibson has welcomed Scottish Government funding for Dunnet Forest Trust to facilitate closer involvement between the community and the forest.
Mr Gibson was speaking following an announcement from Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham. The award is for £41,509 for a project to strengthen local community involvement with the forest through volunteering, events, school and youth activities.
Mr Gibson said…
"This is great news. Forests play an important role in people's quality of life especially in Caithness where trees are scarce."
"Getting more community involvement across the age spectrum is something worth perusing. It leads to a common sense of ownership and belonging as well as promoting healthier living for people. and I am happy to see that the Dunnett Forest Trust has secured the funding from the Scottish Government to this end."
"I look forward to seeing the outcomes that the funding will make."
ENDS
Note
The grants are from Forestry Commission Scotland’s Woods In and Around Towns initiative and Forest for People challenge funds. These funds are designed to help woodland owners revitalise existing woodlands for the benefit of local people and support community-based health and education activities.
Amongst the projects receiving grants are:
· Dunnet Forest Trust: awarded £41, 509 for a project to strengthen local community involvement with the forest through volunteering, events, school and youth activities.
Wednesday, 27 January 2010
Monday, 25 January 2010
Gibson queries rheumatology figures
News release
Immediate release
25/01/10
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP has written to NHS Highland querying the figures used to justify the cutting of beds at the Rheumatology unit in Dingwall.
The unit closed four beds till the next financial year following claims from NHS Highland that beds occupancy was running at just 70% of capacity. That depends on how you calculate the days available to patients, many of whom spend 11 days in the unit.
Mr Gibson has written to Mid Highland CHP General Manger Gill McVicar asking for clarification over the accuracy of their figures.
Mr Gibson said…
"It is important that the statistics used by the Mid Highland CHP to justify the temporary cutting of beds are explained. I have two contrasting figures regarding occupancy so it would good to find out which one is correct 68% as alleged by the CHP or 90% as calculated by patients."
It is important that the rheumatology unit is retained. It is used by people from throughout the Highlands and Islands. I am convinced that it could run at a higher capacity that is needed. It is a unique unit in Scotland and would be unacceptable to the public if it was to be downgraded."
ENDS
Immediate release
25/01/10
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP has written to NHS Highland querying the figures used to justify the cutting of beds at the Rheumatology unit in Dingwall.
The unit closed four beds till the next financial year following claims from NHS Highland that beds occupancy was running at just 70% of capacity. That depends on how you calculate the days available to patients, many of whom spend 11 days in the unit.
Mr Gibson has written to Mid Highland CHP General Manger Gill McVicar asking for clarification over the accuracy of their figures.
Mr Gibson said…
"It is important that the statistics used by the Mid Highland CHP to justify the temporary cutting of beds are explained. I have two contrasting figures regarding occupancy so it would good to find out which one is correct 68% as alleged by the CHP or 90% as calculated by patients."
It is important that the rheumatology unit is retained. It is used by people from throughout the Highlands and Islands. I am convinced that it could run at a higher capacity that is needed. It is a unique unit in Scotland and would be unacceptable to the public if it was to be downgraded."
ENDS
Friday, 22 January 2010
Gibson meets Cabinet Secretary over Dornoch abattoir
News release
Immediate release
22/01/10
Rob Gibson SNP MSP for Highlands and Islands discussed the future of the Dornoch abattoir when he met Richard Lochhead the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture in Parliament.
Mr Gibson has been working closely with efforts by local producers and HIE to find a solution to the closure notice signalled by ANM group of Inveraray.
He said after the meeting on Thursday afternoon,
"I discussed ways to save threatened rural abattoirs at Dornoch and Forres. There are niche markets to serve and since lamb production is seasonal other EU countries must have cracked this problem. Richard Lochhead agreed that an understanding of how other EU states coped with seasonality and fluctuating markets for lambs must be established."
"Issues such as the excessive costs of the meat hygiene regime and vets requiring a presence at the time of slaughter are an issue that needs revisited."
" Meanwhile a consortium of local producers who can guarantee throughput for Dornoch [Premier Scottish Meats] and Forres [Highland Country Foods] would seem the best outcome. We can also study how the Stornoway abattoir works and gain valuable knowledge to help save the Dornoch and Forres plants.
ENDS
Immediate release
22/01/10
Rob Gibson SNP MSP for Highlands and Islands discussed the future of the Dornoch abattoir when he met Richard Lochhead the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture in Parliament.
Mr Gibson has been working closely with efforts by local producers and HIE to find a solution to the closure notice signalled by ANM group of Inveraray.
He said after the meeting on Thursday afternoon,
"I discussed ways to save threatened rural abattoirs at Dornoch and Forres. There are niche markets to serve and since lamb production is seasonal other EU countries must have cracked this problem. Richard Lochhead agreed that an understanding of how other EU states coped with seasonality and fluctuating markets for lambs must be established."
"Issues such as the excessive costs of the meat hygiene regime and vets requiring a presence at the time of slaughter are an issue that needs revisited."
" Meanwhile a consortium of local producers who can guarantee throughput for Dornoch [Premier Scottish Meats] and Forres [Highland Country Foods] would seem the best outcome. We can also study how the Stornoway abattoir works and gain valuable knowledge to help save the Dornoch and Forres plants.
ENDS
Thursday, 21 January 2010
Gibson welcomes law review
News release
Immediate release
21/01/10
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has welcomed news that consultation on the laws of succession is to be started.
Mr Gibson received the assurance from Communities safety Minister Fergus Ewing during question in the Scottish Parliament.
The minister responded that proposed changes would be put to Parliament following the consultation however said that that was not likely to happen until after the 2011 Scottish Elections.
Mr Gibson who had introduced a Members Bill on the issue in 2006 said that changes are needed to the law which dates back to the 1960s.
In his Bill Mr Gibson proposed amending the existing law to remove any distinctions between heritable and moveable property, and to equalise the rights of inheritance so that the spouse, civil partners, co-habitees and heirs can succeed to heritable property in the same manner as to moveable property.
At the moment when a person dies intestate (without a will) any land or heritable property (see below) is passed to the eldest child regardless of how many children are in the family or the marital status of the deceased. Mr Gibson wants that changed so that
• Where a person dies intestate survived by a spouse, but no children, the spouse should inherit the whole of the estate
• If the deceased had no spouse, but left children, then the children should wholly inherit
* If the deceased left a spouse and children, than his estate should be split in an agreed proportion between the two groups
• If legal shares are to be paid out on agricultural property, provisions could be made for them to be paid out over no more than 10 years
He said changes along those lines would make practical uses to areas such as farming and other land ownership …
"The announcement from the Minister is very welcome. It shows that the SNP Government sees the importance making this law fit for purpose in the 21st century. This consultation will be a good exercise in fleshing out arguments and to make change that is needed."
"The law must to be fairer to families and therefore to society in general. I look forward to the consultation and the changes that will come form it."
ENDS
Immediate release
21/01/10
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has welcomed news that consultation on the laws of succession is to be started.
Mr Gibson received the assurance from Communities safety Minister Fergus Ewing during question in the Scottish Parliament.
The minister responded that proposed changes would be put to Parliament following the consultation however said that that was not likely to happen until after the 2011 Scottish Elections.
Mr Gibson who had introduced a Members Bill on the issue in 2006 said that changes are needed to the law which dates back to the 1960s.
In his Bill Mr Gibson proposed amending the existing law to remove any distinctions between heritable and moveable property, and to equalise the rights of inheritance so that the spouse, civil partners, co-habitees and heirs can succeed to heritable property in the same manner as to moveable property.
At the moment when a person dies intestate (without a will) any land or heritable property (see below) is passed to the eldest child regardless of how many children are in the family or the marital status of the deceased. Mr Gibson wants that changed so that
• Where a person dies intestate survived by a spouse, but no children, the spouse should inherit the whole of the estate
• If the deceased had no spouse, but left children, then the children should wholly inherit
* If the deceased left a spouse and children, than his estate should be split in an agreed proportion between the two groups
• If legal shares are to be paid out on agricultural property, provisions could be made for them to be paid out over no more than 10 years
He said changes along those lines would make practical uses to areas such as farming and other land ownership …
"The announcement from the Minister is very welcome. It shows that the SNP Government sees the importance making this law fit for purpose in the 21st century. This consultation will be a good exercise in fleshing out arguments and to make change that is needed."
"The law must to be fairer to families and therefore to society in general. I look forward to the consultation and the changes that will come form it."
ENDS
Wednesday, 20 January 2010
Ross-shire world leader to be eaten at Parliament
News release
Immediate release
20/01/10
A Ross-shire first world champion is to be eaten during a celebration in Parliament next week.
For the 3rd consecutive year Cockburn's haggis from Dingwall (which won the honour as the First World champion Haggis Maker) will be served at the Scottish Parliament Burns night celebrations.
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson, who secured the reappearance of the Haggis, said that Cockburn's continued to show the way in haggis making.
Mr Gibson who will be singing at the event also said…
"Cockburn's haggis is the chieftain of the haggis race. I've yet to taste a better. It goes down extremely well at Parliament and it was not too difficult to get the organisers to agree to serve it again."
"Great credit goes to the butchers at Cockburn's in Dingwall. The Scottish Government food policy is about promoting and recognising the healthy and sustainable and excellent produces from right across Scotland. In the Highlands and Islands we are spoilt for choice."
"Produce such as Cockburn's are key to this policy and will confirm Scotland as a land of food. I am looking forward to raising a glass to the bard and the haggis next week."
ENDS
Immediate release
20/01/10
A Ross-shire first world champion is to be eaten during a celebration in Parliament next week.
For the 3rd consecutive year Cockburn's haggis from Dingwall (which won the honour as the First World champion Haggis Maker) will be served at the Scottish Parliament Burns night celebrations.
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson, who secured the reappearance of the Haggis, said that Cockburn's continued to show the way in haggis making.
Mr Gibson who will be singing at the event also said…
"Cockburn's haggis is the chieftain of the haggis race. I've yet to taste a better. It goes down extremely well at Parliament and it was not too difficult to get the organisers to agree to serve it again."
"Great credit goes to the butchers at Cockburn's in Dingwall. The Scottish Government food policy is about promoting and recognising the healthy and sustainable and excellent produces from right across Scotland. In the Highlands and Islands we are spoilt for choice."
"Produce such as Cockburn's are key to this policy and will confirm Scotland as a land of food. I am looking forward to raising a glass to the bard and the haggis next week."
ENDS
Monday, 18 January 2010
Gibson questions Minster on Dingwall Unit
News release
Immediate release
18/01/09
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has gained an assurance that the fate of the rheumatology unit has not been sealed following the temporary cutting of beds.
Mr Gibson gained the assurance in a question to Health cabinet Secretary Nicola Sturgeon during themed questions last week.
Ms Sturgeon said that she was aware of the situation at the Dingwall unit and said that NHS Highland were carrying out a review into it and no decision had been taken as to the future.
Ms Sturgeon further confirmed that a decision to cut the number of beds from 14 to 10 was a temporary move till the end of the financial year and did not pre pre-empt the review which is at an early stage.
Mr Gibson said…
"I am reassured by the Minister's response. I was perturbed to hear about the cutting of beds earlier this week. However the fact remains that the review is ongoing and it no decision has been made on the unit.
"This unit is well used and loved by people across the Highlands and Islands and it would be short sighted and wrong to close it. It offers rest-bite and peace of mind to those that use it. The expertise that are available there is without parallel in Scotland."
"I fully back the campaign to keep the unit open. If it goes it will be a backward step for the Highlands and Islands I hope that those carrying out the review will listen to the campaign and see that it makes sense to keep it open."
ENDS
Note
Copy of Q & A (14/01/10)
1. Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in discussions with NHS Highland to ensure the provision of a seven-day rheumatology service in Dingwall providing specialist facilities to the whole national health service board area. (S3O-9079)
The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing (Nicola Sturgeon): I apologise to members for my rapidly disappearing voice. You will be pleased to note, Presiding Officer, that that will lead to shorter answers than normal today.
A review of the rheumatology service across Highland, which includes the Highland rheumatology unit at Dingwall, is currently under way. The review is at an early stage and no decisions have been made. The issue was raised with me at the board's annual review on 7 December, and I have asked the board to keep me informed of progress.
Rob Gibson: Does the cabinet secretary agree that NHS Highland is indulging in sharp practice in using an efficiency savings drive in the mid-Highland community health partnership to remove four of the 14 beds at the Dingwall rheumatology unit while conducting a whole health board review of the service that may take longer than this financial year? Does she also agree that NHS Highland should clarify what efforts it is making to offer relief to as many patients as possible who want to use that well-loved unit, which has welcomed patients from all over the Highlands and the Western Isles?
Nicola Sturgeon: I can inform Rob Gibson that I have received information on the matter from NHS Highland and reassure him that the decision on beds to which I will return in a second—in no way pre-empts the wider review of the rheumatology service to which I referred.NHS Highland has made a temporary move, until the end of the financial year, to reduce the number of beds from 14 to 10. It has advised me that the beds in Dingwall were underoccupied, with the average occupancy rate being 70 per cent. Because the service operates mostly on the basis of planned admissions, it is possible—indeed, it is the best use of resources—for it to operate at near full capacity. I am also advised that the change allows the operation of a new day-case service for patients who need infusion therapy. Currently, those patients have to travel to Inverness.Members will appreciate that, in the current economic climate, the Government has taken steps to protect the NHS budget into the next financial year. Nevertheless, all NHS boards are required to ensure that they use funds efficiently, which means using funds to deliver the best quality of service to patients. I note the points that Rob Gibson has made and ask him to accept my reassurance that the decisions that have been made in the short term in no way pre-empt the longer-term review.
Immediate release
18/01/09
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has gained an assurance that the fate of the rheumatology unit has not been sealed following the temporary cutting of beds.
Mr Gibson gained the assurance in a question to Health cabinet Secretary Nicola Sturgeon during themed questions last week.
Ms Sturgeon said that she was aware of the situation at the Dingwall unit and said that NHS Highland were carrying out a review into it and no decision had been taken as to the future.
Ms Sturgeon further confirmed that a decision to cut the number of beds from 14 to 10 was a temporary move till the end of the financial year and did not pre pre-empt the review which is at an early stage.
Mr Gibson said…
"I am reassured by the Minister's response. I was perturbed to hear about the cutting of beds earlier this week. However the fact remains that the review is ongoing and it no decision has been made on the unit.
"This unit is well used and loved by people across the Highlands and Islands and it would be short sighted and wrong to close it. It offers rest-bite and peace of mind to those that use it. The expertise that are available there is without parallel in Scotland."
"I fully back the campaign to keep the unit open. If it goes it will be a backward step for the Highlands and Islands I hope that those carrying out the review will listen to the campaign and see that it makes sense to keep it open."
ENDS
Note
Copy of Q & A (14/01/10)
1. Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in discussions with NHS Highland to ensure the provision of a seven-day rheumatology service in Dingwall providing specialist facilities to the whole national health service board area. (S3O-9079)
The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing (Nicola Sturgeon): I apologise to members for my rapidly disappearing voice. You will be pleased to note, Presiding Officer, that that will lead to shorter answers than normal today.
A review of the rheumatology service across Highland, which includes the Highland rheumatology unit at Dingwall, is currently under way. The review is at an early stage and no decisions have been made. The issue was raised with me at the board's annual review on 7 December, and I have asked the board to keep me informed of progress.
Rob Gibson: Does the cabinet secretary agree that NHS Highland is indulging in sharp practice in using an efficiency savings drive in the mid-Highland community health partnership to remove four of the 14 beds at the Dingwall rheumatology unit while conducting a whole health board review of the service that may take longer than this financial year? Does she also agree that NHS Highland should clarify what efforts it is making to offer relief to as many patients as possible who want to use that well-loved unit, which has welcomed patients from all over the Highlands and the Western Isles?
Nicola Sturgeon: I can inform Rob Gibson that I have received information on the matter from NHS Highland and reassure him that the decision on beds to which I will return in a second—in no way pre-empts the wider review of the rheumatology service to which I referred.NHS Highland has made a temporary move, until the end of the financial year, to reduce the number of beds from 14 to 10. It has advised me that the beds in Dingwall were underoccupied, with the average occupancy rate being 70 per cent. Because the service operates mostly on the basis of planned admissions, it is possible—indeed, it is the best use of resources—for it to operate at near full capacity. I am also advised that the change allows the operation of a new day-case service for patients who need infusion therapy. Currently, those patients have to travel to Inverness.Members will appreciate that, in the current economic climate, the Government has taken steps to protect the NHS budget into the next financial year. Nevertheless, all NHS boards are required to ensure that they use funds efficiently, which means using funds to deliver the best quality of service to patients. I note the points that Rob Gibson has made and ask him to accept my reassurance that the decisions that have been made in the short term in no way pre-empt the longer-term review.
Thursday, 14 January 2010
Gibson raises abattoir issue with First minister
News release
immediate release
14/01/10
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has raised the issue of the closure of the Dornoch and Forres abattoirs at First Ministers Question Time.
Mr Gibson asked an emergency constituency question in Parliament following the announcement this week that both abattoirs were to close with the loss of 40 jobs…
Mr Gibson has already written to HIE Chairman Willie Roe regarding the situation and contacted the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Richard Lochead.
Today he raised the issue with the First Minister asking if the Government could do all it can to try and save jobs at both sites.
The First Minister responded that the Government would and to that end the Cabinet Secretary would be meeting with Rob on the issue.
Speaking after Mr Gibson said….
"It is important to raise these matters at the highest level. I am heartened by the First Minister's response as he said the number of jobs under threat are proportional huge for the small towns concerned. It is important that HIE is working hard to apply the Government's wishes to find the best solution to this problem"
"Both sites are attractive propositions for people to invest in. If they are allowed to close then it would have a detrimental effect on the local economy. Local and organic meat processing could be enhanced in line with the widely acclaimed Scottish Food and Drink Policy."
ENDS
immediate release
14/01/10
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has raised the issue of the closure of the Dornoch and Forres abattoirs at First Ministers Question Time.
Mr Gibson asked an emergency constituency question in Parliament following the announcement this week that both abattoirs were to close with the loss of 40 jobs…
Mr Gibson has already written to HIE Chairman Willie Roe regarding the situation and contacted the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Richard Lochead.
Today he raised the issue with the First Minister asking if the Government could do all it can to try and save jobs at both sites.
The First Minister responded that the Government would and to that end the Cabinet Secretary would be meeting with Rob on the issue.
Speaking after Mr Gibson said….
"It is important to raise these matters at the highest level. I am heartened by the First Minister's response as he said the number of jobs under threat are proportional huge for the small towns concerned. It is important that HIE is working hard to apply the Government's wishes to find the best solution to this problem"
"Both sites are attractive propositions for people to invest in. If they are allowed to close then it would have a detrimental effect on the local economy. Local and organic meat processing could be enhanced in line with the widely acclaimed Scottish Food and Drink Policy."
ENDS
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
