Forward Planning Required to Secure Midwife Numbers
Scotland's NHS is facing another crisis, as a new report has revealed the country will face a significant shortage of midwives in the next few years if action is not taken to improve numbers,
The Royal College of Midwives has warned that Scotland is facing a major staffing shortfall in the coming years, with 40% of midwives approaching retirement. This is up by 10% in the last four years.
In its report, the RCM highlighted:
- the number of younger midwives in Scotland is falling.
- 56,725 babies were born in Scotland last year.
- the number of births to women in their early 40s has been above 2,000 (2,075 in 2014) in every year since 2008
- 148 babies were born in Scotland last year to women aged 45 or above, representing a five-fold increase since 2000
- the percentage of staff aged 50 or more rose from 32% of the workforce in 2011 to 42% in 2014.
Mark said:
“The Royal College of Midwives have revealed concerning figures that shows a staff ticking time-bomb.
“The SNP Government knew this was an issue four years ago when Nicola Sturgeon was Health Secretary, yet she reduced training places for midwives by a fifth and cut over 2,000 nursing jobs.
“This is just the latest example of the problems facing our NHS. In our own community we see staff shortages, services reduced or cut entirely and targets missed. Scottish Ministers must now act, not only to address the problem outlined by the RCM, but to get a grip of the NHS in Scotland.”
Coming to the Aid of Refugees
Mark Griffin MSP has joined community activists in Bellshill to assist the Wishaw to Calais Group.
The project has collected tens of thousands of supplies for refugees fleeing war-torn Syria and has been supported throughout by North Lanarkshire Council, which has provided warehouses to store the donations and vans to allow delivery to Calais.
Mark said:
"People from across Central Scotland and beyond have contributed to the project, which has already made a trip to Calais to drop off thousands of supplies, including clothing, tents and toiletries. The group, set up by Angela and Maria Feeney and Peter McDade has been supported throughout by North Lanarkshire Council. The Council have provided vans and two warehouses to store the tremendous number of donations received.
Mark Welcomes Greenfaulds to Parliament
Pupils from Greenfaulds High School in Cumbernauld visited the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 27 October and were greeted by Mark Griffin MSP.
The 23 Third Year Modern Studies pupils were given a tour of the Parliament, sat in on a session of the Justice Committee and watched the afternoon debate. The class also had a question and answer session with Mr Griffin.
Speaking after the visit, Mark said:
"I was pleased to welcome Greenfaulds High School to Parliament and I hope the S3 class enjoyed their visit.
"The young people asked some excellent questions about important local and national issues, as well as on my day to day work as an MSP.
"I am always happy to welcome local schools and organisations to the Scottish Parliament and I am delighted that Greenfaulds came to visit."
Royal Assent for BSL Bill
Mark Griffin MSP’s British Sign Language Bill, unanimously passed by the Scottish Parliament on 17th September, has received Royal Assent and has become the British Sign Language (Scotland) Act 2015.
The Act will seek to increase awareness of BSL and improve access to services available for Scotland’s Deaf and Deafblind population.
Under the plans, Scottish Ministers will be required to develop a BSL National Plan for Scotland, with public authorities producing plans in line with the National Plan. While retaining collective responsibility of ministers, the Scottish Government will assign BSL to a minister, who will have responsibility for updating Parliament on the progress of the National Plan and the public authority plans, highlighting best practice and flagging up those organisations that are failing to take action. A National Advisory Board made up predominately of BSL users will also be established to advise Scottish Government Ministers on the National Plan.
Mark said:
“I am delighted that Royal Assent has been confirmed.
“The BSL Act is the first step on the journey to break down the barriers facing Deaf and Deafblind people on a daily basis.
“BSL is the first language of many Deaf and Deafblind people in Scotland. It is the only language some have ever known, or ever will know, yet getting access to basic information in BSL is incredibly difficult. Simple things that so many hearing people take for granted, such as arranging doctor appointments, or reporting a crime to the police, are incredibly difficult for those who communicate in BSL.
“I am incredibly grateful to all those who have assisted with developing and supporting the Act over a number of years. Without that support and dedication, particularly from Deaf organisations and BSL users throughout Scotland, we would not have the BSL Act.”
Action Needed to Save Steel Jobs
Tata Steel has confirmed that it will cut 270 jobs from its two Lanarkshire sites. The losses, which represent a 68% reduction to the Clydebridge and Dalzell workforce, will have a shattering impact on the steel industry.
Once a Scottish powerhouse, it is an industry that been whittled away in the last several decades.
Mark said:
"These cuts will have a devastating impact on workers, their families and local economies.
"Whilst I am pleased that the Scottish Government has assembled a task force which will bring together representatives from North and South Lanarkshire Councils and Trade Unions, the full force of both the UK and Scottish Governments must be used to support workers. This is especially true given the track record of both governments. It is an industry that the Uk Government were happy to see dismantled under Margaret Thatcher, and an industry that just 3 years ago the Scottish Government were happy to ignore when awarding the £790 million Forth Road Bridge contract to companies in China, Poland and Spain.
"The workers at the Clydebridge and Dalzell plants are highly skilled. Action must be taken to fight for their jobs and secure a positive future for manufacturing in Scotland. The Scottish Government stepped in to save Fergusons and Prestwick Airport when they faced closure. We need them to do the same for our steel industry."
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