NHS HQ Opened

Three NHS facilities were praised by Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing when she formally opened the building they all share as their headquarters.

Caledonia House at Fifty Pitches site in Cardonald is home to NHS 24, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and the Scottish Ambulance Service among other health agencies. Around 700 employees work there round the clock. ‘This is a fantastic example of joint working,’ said the Cabinet Secretary as she unveiled a brass plaque. ‘It is THE leading example and is no mean feat for everyone involved.’

 

Refurbished at a cost of £1.6m, Caledonia House was built in 2000 and is leased by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde for 15 years. The joint project was completed within 18 months.

‘Not only does it provide quality accommodation, the benefits of staff working closely together are already being found. Face to face working transforms contact. Now people aren’t just talking on the phone, they can walk a few steps to see the person they need to talk to. Such integration provides for better patient care,’ said the Minister. ‘This is a fantastic achievement and is thoroughly impressive,’ she said adding her personal thanks for the hard work which had gone into the project.

Andrew Robertson, Chair of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: ‘Three bodies was enough critical mass to achieve this. There is no down side. We have quality accommodation, effective joint working where we gain from each other and there is real value for money.’

Alan Watson, Chairman of NHS 24 added: ‘This move is providing an excellent opportunity for better integration, particularly in Out of Hours care which can only improve patient experience in the longer term.’

The Out of Hours service is the largest in Scotland if not the UK and cares for 1.25 million people. ‘Close working partnership put us in a better position to meet the current winter’s higher levels of demand,’ said Andrew Robertson.

William Brackenridge, Chair of the Scottish Ambulance Service Board said: ‘The new facility has improved our ability to answer 999 calls and quickly dispatch the most appropriate response to patients. Altogether, the move adds up to a better service for our patients.’

St Kentigern’s Medieval Music

Ancient music sings out Glasgow’s story

The rare sound of Medieval music in praise of Glasgow’s Patron Saint, St Kentigern, was heard in Glasgow Cathedral in January.

‘It made my hair stand on end just to hear it,’ said Bailie Catherine McMaster, chair of Glasgow City Council’s Local History and archaeology working group who introduced the event. She said: ‘This connects the past with our present and helps us to learn our own story.’

St Kentigern – a sixth century holy man known also as St Mungo – became known as the first bishop of Glasgow and the city’s patron saint. His legendary miracles are remembered in the bird, tree, bell and fish with golden ring, as seen on the city’s coat of arms.

The music was selected from chants of the Office (service) which were composed especially to celebrate his feast day which falls on 13 January. The manuscript which contains this Office is known as the Sprouston Breviary dated around 1300 and is housed in the National Library of Scotland. It is the only known manuscript which contains both the text and the music for his feast.

Known to a limited number of scholars familiar with early editions of the chant texts, it was brought to public attention during the BBC radio series, Scotland’s Music, by John Purser. Following that, Alan and Rebecca Tavener of Cappella Nova commissioned Dr Greta-Mary Hair and Dr Betty Knott-Sharpe to prepare a performing edition of chants from the Kentigern Office for a concert and recording.

The performance in Glasgow Cathedral was given by Canty and Schola Glasguensis – professional Medieval singers and musicians. Canty director, Rebecca Tavener said: ‘Performances of medieval material would not be possible without the tireless expertise and generosity of very special scholars, Dr Greta-Mary Hair who transcribed and edited the music and Dr Betty Knott-Sharpe, editor and translator of the texts.’

Afterwards, Dr Hair told the LOCAL NEWS: ‘It is always gratifying to hear a good, live performance after having worked on the manuscript.’

* The entire Office will be published later this year by Musica Scotica Trust.

PlatForum Launch New Health Project

The new offices for PlatForum, the mental health organisation in Govan, were officially opened by Nicola Sturgeon, Govan MSP and Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing and Jenny McGlynn a longstanding member of the South West Community Mental Health Project.

They both cut a ribbon at 31 Burleigh Street, last month.

PlatForum provides information and support and is lead by service users who live in the South West Glasgow area.

Its aim is to provide a voice for people with mental health issues to have a say on how mental health services are run.  They also want the service users and provider to work together and share information.

Eddie Aitken, Secretary of PlatForum said: ‘PlatForum is an organisation that provides a way for service users of local mental health services to have a say in how these are developed. We work closely with a number of local statutory and voluntary agencies to ensure that any changes to our mental health services are done with our input.

So far we have adopted an action plan that sets out the priority areas of work for PlatForum and we’ll be working to meet those over the coming months.’

Maxwell Park Station Adopted

Maxwell Park Train Station has been adopted by a local conservation group under Scotrail’s ‘Adopt a Station’ scheme.

Pollokshields Heritage has transformed the station’s former ticket office and turned it into a community meeting venue and exhibition space. The station adoption was officially launched by Jack Kernahan, author of ‘The Cathcart Circle’ and railway historian.

Jack shared memories of spending time at the station in the early 1960s when he was a pupil at Hutchie Grammar. Jack and his friend Hamish Stevenson helped out at the station in their spare time and did their best to maintain the gardens. Jack also donated some historic artefacts, including station master Tom McPherson’s hat, a map of the surrounding area drawn by a staff member in 1920, and a selection of photos and tickets from the 1960s. One of the photos from 1951 shows the station in the days before the line was electrified. Lighting came from gas lamps and the locomotives on the line were mostly steam powered.

The station was built in 1894 by the Caledonian Railway Company as one of the ten original stations on the Cathcart Circle. Although it was un-staffed by 1987, the building was ‘B’ listed in 1990. By 1996 the building was in serious disrepair, and British Rail actually applied to demolish it, as they subsequently did to Pollokshields West train station. 

Homeless Mental Health Warning

A mental health epidemic looms as evictions and house repossessions dramatically increase the number of people likely to become homeless.

Three agencies which worked together to prevent homelessness, have piloted a way to reduce the stress of people facing eviction and to address the often very complex, issues and problems which surfaced with each case.

South West Glasgow Community Health and Care Partnership, Govan Law Centre and Money Matters, Money Advice Centre combined in an s.11 Partnership – named after section 11 of the Homelessness etc (Scotland) Act 2003, which comes into force on April 1.

Because the person in difficulties was seen by the same professional from the beginning, trust was gained and the clients all praised the help they had received. ‘It was so good to have someone on my side,’ said one. ‘They helped me see the light at the end of the tunnel,’ said a young mum.  But almost everyone developed mental or physical illnesses as a result of facing homelessness.

The s.11 Partnership saved the public purse between £24,000 and £80,000 per client and up to £7,000 per client in NHS spend. But their report ‘Prevention of Homelessness Partnership Evaluation’ by Danny Phillips Associates published at the beginning of February stated that the s.11 Partnership is not sustainable if voluntary organisations such as theirs have to supplement the costs from reserves.

*In January the s.11 Partnership recorded a 66% increase in their workload with 501 new cases of potentially homeless people asking for help.

Castlemilk Pool Re-Opened

Castlemilk Swimming Pool has re-opened following a £5m renovation. The building closed over two years ago when it was discovered that the 1970’s-built structure was deteriorating. The facility now features three new pools with a 120-seat viewing gallery, a dance studio and a fitness suite.

Councillor Archie Graham said: ‘The re-opening of Castlemilk Pool after its refurbishment will delight the local community. The new layout of the pool, alongside the revamped health suite, provides the people of Glasgow with another first-rate sports facility.’

The pool officially re-opened on Monday 2 February. Councillor John McKenzie told the Local News: ‘I intend to visit in the very near future with my 3 year old grandson. I am totally delighted that at last the pool is open. After so many false dawns I know that the people in the area will also be delighted. I have had a constant stream of people asking when the pool would be re-opened.’

The closure of the pool left Castlemilk residents with a 5 mile journey to the nearest swimming pool at Gorbals Leisure Centre or a 6 mile journey to Bellahouston. Eastwood Pool is a similar distance but there are no direct public transport links between the two locations. Holyrood Sports Centre offers swimming facilities but only 2 evenings a week and on Saturdays.

 

Victory for Glasgow Home Owners Campaign

A move by Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) to allow home owners up to two years to pay large bills has been welcomed.

‘This is a victory for us,’ said Sean Clerkin, leader of the Glasgow Home Owners’ Campaign (GHOC) which has been campaigning vigorously for more time for owners to pay. The average bill for re-cladding, re-roofing and similar work is £7000 per household and payable within one year.

Said civil servant Linda Wood (61) (pictured right): ‘I’m delighted. I don’t have a sword of Damocles hanging over me now. But I’ll still need to work two years longer than I had planned to pay my bill of £6648.35.’

In a four-in-the-block property, she would have had to repay £550 a month under the original scheme which required bills to be cleared within one year. ‘There is no way I could do that. I don’t have that amount of money. But spread over two years it is possible –just!’

 

Said a GHA spokeswoman: ‘we believe the extra lifeline will assist owners who are willing to pay their bills, but are struggling to meet the current 12 month payment period.’ She added that the vast majority of owners – 98% – pay their bills within the 12 month period.

School and Nursery Closures

Parents across the city are mobilising in protest against threatened closures of schools and nurseries.

Glasgow City Council has announced 22 closures and amalgamations, in an attempt to address the issue of sub-standard buildings and under-occupancy.

There will be a consultation period starting in February, for parents and others to comment on the proposals.

St Gilbert’s primary in Germiston is one of the schools facing an uncertain future. Pupils will move to St Philomena’s primary nearly a mile away, and pupils from Barmulloch primary are due to move in to the St Gilbert’s building.

Members of the parent-teacher council secured 5000 signatures on a petition within two days of the proposals being announced. The group also held a public meeting to discuss tactics.  Mary Scott has two grandchildren at the school, Rosemary, 6 and Jordan, 8.

Mary, who worked as a breakfast club assistant at the school for eight years, said: ‘The kids are settled in the school. To move them would be a major disruption to their education.’

Jim McCann has three children at the school, Chloe, 10, Amy, 9 and Ryan, 7.   He told the Local News: ‘Our family moved to Airdrie for two years, and we thought so much of St Gilbert’s that we commuted the kids to school here. We have now moved back to the area, largely because of the high quality of education provided at the school.’

St Gilbert’s has 190 pupils on the school roll, and employs 10 teachers, 5 support staff, 4 cleaners and 2 breakfast club staff.

Attending the protest meeting were Paul Martin MSP and councillors Jim Todd, Grant Thoms and Phil Greene.

Grant Thoms announced that the council’s forthcoming budget vote on 12 February includes the projected savings from the school closures, but the schools consultation does not finish until March, indicating that the decision has already been made. Phil Greene also alleged that elected officials were kept in the dark until the last minute, and the news was leaked via the Evening Times newspaper before the schools were informed.

Schools and nurseries on the Southside will also be affected. Victoria Primary in Govanhill has 88 pupils and 60 pre-school children in its nursery. Cathy Wotherspoon, chair of the Parent Council, said: ‘Moving the pupils to Annette Street and Cuthbertson Primary is a bad idea. There is a full class of 22 P1 children waiting to come into the school and there is a waiting list for the nursery. Moving the nursery kids to Govanhill Nursery makes no sense as that nursery is already full to capacity. There were 175 parents and kids at our public meeting because people feel strongly about the issue. The school and nursery are like a family, it has taken a long time to build this atmosphere.’   

Shawbridge Street nursery is also facing closure, with the children due to join with Pollokshaws nursery, then move to the new Tinto nursery and primary school facility after a year. Rachel Beattie worked at the nursery for 21 years before she retired. She said: ‘The nursery has always operated at full capacity. The building is in excellent condition. Pollokshaws nursery is listed as being in poor condition, so why move children from a good building to a bad one? Also, John Maxwell primary is to remain open right until the new Tinto school is ready, Shawbridge should remain open also.’ Stacey Buchanan’s son Kenzie White, 3, is enrolled at Shawbridge nursery. Stacey is concerned about the level of disruption. Having just moved to the area, this is Kenzie’s second nursery. If the plan proceeds he will have attended four nurseries in total before starting primary school.

At a meeting of the full council on Thursday 29 January, councillors voted in favour of proceeding with the consultation.

 

The full list of proposed closures and amalgamations;

 

• Sighthill Primary to close and pupils to transfer to Rosyton Primary.

• St Gilbert’s primary to close and pupils to transfer to St Philomena’s. Barmulloch primary to close and pupils to relocate to St Gilbert’s building. 

• Victoria Primary to close and pupils to transfer to Annette Street and Cuthbertson Primary. Victoria Nursery Class to transfer to Govanhill Nursery.

• Bellahouston Primary to close and pupils to transfer to Ibrox Primary.

• Albert Primary in Springburn to close and pupils to transfer to Elmvale Primary.

• St Agnes’ primary in Cadder to close and pupils to transfer to St Blane’s.

• St Aloysius’ Primary in Springburn to close and pupils to move to St Stephen’s.

• St Gregory’s in Maryhill to close and pupils transfer to St Mary’s.

• Wyndford Primary in Maryhill to close and pupils to transfer to Parkview Primary.

• St James primary in Calton to close and pupils to transfer to Alexandra Parade primary.

• Ruchill Primary to close and pupils to move to Westercommon Primary.

• Our Lady of Assumption primary to be closed and pupils to move to St Cuthberts.

• Shawbridge Nursery to close and children to move to Pollokshaws nursery.

• Kinning Park Nursery to close and children to move to Festival Park Nursery.

• Merrylee Nursery class to close and combine with Holmlea Day Nursery – these are housed in the same building. 

• Mile End nursery to close and combine with Bridgeton Family Learning Centre.

• Garscube Nursery to close and combine with Cowcaddens Day Nursery, both housed in the same building.

• Craigielea Nursery and Broomapark Nursery to close and children to attend St Denis’ primary instead.

• Anderston Nursery  Class to lcose and children to attend either Anderston Street Nursery or Sandyford Day Nursery.

• In Dalmarnock, Queen Mary Street nursery is to close and children will be offered a place at London Road Nursery.

• Newark Drive, Nithsdale Road and Pollokshields Nurseries to close, and children to transfer to new early years centre at Pollokshields Primary Annexe.

Sunny Govan Radio Fundraiser

Sunny Govan Radio will host a fundraising event on Thursday 19^th February at the Grand Ole Opry on Govan Road.  The evening, starting at 7.30pm, has a great line-up of entertainment planned with local bands supplying live music as well as a huge raffle and prize auction taking place.  Those entering the raffle will have the chance to win some great prizes,  the most sought after surely being 2 tickets for a trip aboard the Seaplane or a shirt signed by Olympic cycling hero, Sir Chris Hoy.  For those of you with designer tastes, GMTV presenter Lorraine Kelly has donated a super dress which will be up for auction along with autographed pictures of the entire GMTV team.

 

The target figure of £2500 will go a long way to help keep Sunny Govan Radio on the air.  Sunny Govan Community Radio is a not-for-profit radio station and aims to encourage and support local creative talent, fostering local traditions and providing services for the benefit, entertainment, education and development of our community.
Formed in 1998 the station broadcast for 2 weeks in August as a one-off but continued due to overwhelming support from listeners.  Over ten years later Sunny Govan is now a 24 hour radio station with March 2009 being the 2 year anniversary of their 24 hour, all-Glasgow licence to broadcast.  To listen, tune into 103.5FM or log onto www.sunnygovan.org to listen online.

Gaza Protests

A thousand people marched through the streets of Glasgow on Saturday January 3 to show their support for Palestinian civilians caught up in the Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip.

 The marchers called for an immediate end to the violence and the removal of blockades which are preventing aid from reaching the besieged Gaza residents. The marchers assembled at Blythswood Square then made their way to the Merchant City.

 They were addressed by speakers including MSPs Bill Kidd, (SNP) Pauline McNeill, (Labour) and Hugh O’Donnell (Lib Dem), as well as Barrie Levine of Scottish Jews for a Just Peace and Nazia Iqbal of the Scottish-Islamic Foundation.

The following night, a fundraising dinner at the Glasgow Central Mosque by Islamic Relief raised £160,000 for humanitarian aid for Gaza. The dinner was attended by Nicola Sturgeon MSP, who said: ‘I congratulate Islamic Relief and the people of Glasgow for raising over £150k in one evening.

‘This shows the strength of feeling from people about the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.’

On Tuesday January 6, the International Committee of the Red Cross warned that Gaza faces an imminent humanitarian disaster. The Committee’s director of operations, Pierre Krähenbühl, said ‘There is no doubt in my mind that we are dealing with a major crisis in humanitarian terms. The situation for the people in Gaza is extreme and traumatic as a result of ten days of uninterrupted fighting. In that sense, their situation has clearly become intolerable.’

Further demonstrations took place in London and Edinburgh on Saturday January 10 by both pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian groups.

 At the London pro-Israeli rally, Chief Rabbi, Jonathan Sacks called for an end to violence saying: ‘We say to those who criticise Israel: You want Palestinian children to gorw up with hope, so do we. You want Palestinians to be able to live with dignity, so do we.’

In Edinburgh around 7000 people marched in support of the Palestinians. As protesters passed the American Embassy, a torrent of shoes was thrown at the building – including ski boots and clogs. Three police officers suffered minor injuries.

 

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