The consultation period for my bill to prevent the harmful use of restraint and seclusion closes today. There is still time to share your views and you can do that here: Proposed Restraint and Seclusion Prevention in Schools Scotland Bill | Scottish Parliament Website Every child deserves to be safe and included in school. My bill suggests that we can do that by: Thanks to everyone who has already submitted a response over the course of the consultation period....

Meeting with different constituency groups – the Laurels, Scottish Edge Winner, Living Rent  It’s the end of another busy week in Edinburgh Southern and I’ve spent the last few days meeting with various groups and constituents.  The Laurels is a service for more younger adults who we are supporting to live a more independent life. A life which embellishes their community and helps to increase their independence. On Tuesday, I attended the their Garden party, which was in celebration of the young people...

Visit to intradrive  At the end of last week, I had the exciting opportunity to visit intradrive and learn more about the exciting technology they’ve been developing in Edinburgh. The team have been working on developing high performance e-mobility powertrain technology, using a circular economy model.  Thanks for letting me come down and test drive the new models! Visit to Abertay University  I was delighted to be in sunny Dundee this week to see the innovative work going on in our higher education...

Five things I did this week A visit to the Royal Edinburgh Infirmary Thrombectomy treatment is extremely beneficial for stroke patients and can dramatically improve their health outcomes. It was great to visit the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary’s stroke unit on Wednesday morning, to learn all about the service they provide. Unfortunately, due to restricted budgets, Thrombectomy procedures are not available 24/7 in Edinburgh. This means that many patients are unable to access vital treatments, with Scotland falling behind both England and Northern Ireland in...

In Edinburgh Southern Grange Fair and Bridgend Farmhouse Market What a fantastic way to spend a sunny Saturday in the local community. Bridgend Farmhouse Farm Market and Grange Fair both demonstrated why it’s so important to stick up for and preserve our community projects. Thanks to all the organisers who work so hard to bring our community together. Lots of cakes and other goodies were purchased. Newington Cemetery Wall The wall at Newington Cemetery was damaged by an uninsured driver and recently...

Weekly Blog w/c 20th March Constituency Advice Sessions and Slateford Rail Depot Community Meeting On Monday morning, I held advice sessions by appointment at my constituency office on Comiston Road. Throughout the day, I held various meetings – meeting with the Cross-Party Group on Autism and Network Rail. In the evening, I held a community meeting with local residents about the ongoing issues with the Slateford Rail Depot and National Rail. Thanks to those that came along. If you couldn’t make it...

This is the first post in a series of weekly blogs. The purpose of this series is to keep my constituents up to date with what I get up to each week, both in Edinburgh Southern and the Scottish Parliament. St Columba’s Hospice On Monday morning I visited St Columba’s Hospice to talk about the financial problems the end-of-life care sector is facing. I was pleased to be able to discuss these issues, alongside other issues I’ve previously addressed in the...