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Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency has sent an urgent letter to the Chair of the West Lothian Integration Joint Board on the future of St Michael’s Hospital in Linlithgow and Tippethill House Hospital in Armadale, both sites have been recommended for closure by the IJB. The IJB is due to meet on Tuesday 8th August. Fiona wrote to the Head of the West Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership ahead of the IJB’s June meeting, this letter has gone unanswered. She has now written urgently to the Chair of the IJB to demand that the IJB listens to local people, takes West Lothian’s significant growing aging population into account and commits to working with NHS Lothian to secure the retention of both of these valued and valuable sites. Fiona…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, highlights the extension of boardwalk at the Blawhorn Nature Reserve near Blackridge. The extended boardwalk has now opened at Blawhorn National Nature Reserve (NNR), which is managed by NatureScot, has now opened giving visitors more opportunities to explore this extraordinary natural area. The 280m extension was funded by NatureScot and Drumduff Wind Farm, a joint venture by GreenPower and Third Renewables. Blawhown Moss is one of the best examples of a lowland raised bog in Scotland. The Reserve is in the hills behind Blackridge and is a rare example of raised and blanket bogs, containing over 8,000 years of history within the Bog. Fiona commented: “I am pleased to see the boardwalk at Blawhorn Moss extended and have additional seating areas installed.…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, encourages Constituents to visit the UCI Cycling World Championships which will be held in Scotland this summer. The UCI Championships will be held in Scotland in August and will see more than 2,000 elite cyclists and para-cyclists arrive from over 100 countries to take part in the 2023 Championships. This event will be hosted in Glasgow with events taking place across the country and will bring together 13 World Championships being held in one place for the first time. Fiona commented: “In my previous position as Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary with responsibility for Major Events I was instrumental in bringing the first ever UCI World Cycling Championships with all competitions taking place in one country at the one time here to Scotland…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, in her capacity as the Scottish Government’s Minister for Transport, opened the new Stirling Train Station on Tuesday 27th June. Fiona officially opened the new station following a £5 million upgrade to the station. The improvements include a complete re-design of the public realm outside the station, creating a pedestrianised plaza that delivers improved access for people walking, wheeling and cycling and the creation of a secure CyclePoint offering more than 140 additional cycle parking spaces. Commenting after the opening Fiona said: “It was a pleasure to join all the partners involved in the official opening of the refurbished Stirling Train Station. “The new station will be more welcoming with greater integrated access for cyclists and new drop off and waiting room…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed the news that four care homes in West Lothian that had been threatened with privatisation have been given a reprieve and funding for four years from West Lothian Council following a strong campaign from local people, politicians and trades unionists.  Fiona was also pleased that no immediate decision has been made in relation to the IJB proposals to permanently close St Michael’s Hospital and Tippethill Community Hospitals in her Constituency but still has concern as to what might happen. Fiona commented, “I am pleased that the community, trades union and political pressure put on West Lothian’s Council to save four care homes in West Lothian, including Whitdale in Whitburn, have resulted in a funding reprieve. “These proposals have been widely…

Following the release of the Economy and Fair Work Committee's Inquiry Report on a Just Transition to Net Zero for the Grangemouth Area, Fiona commented, "Any Just Transition for Energy in Grangemouth to deliver carbon emission reductions and deliver Net Zero, should include the whole community, not just the industrial site. "I served on the Economy and Fair Work Committee for 2 years before re-joining the Government very recently. I know there will be a number of my Constituents who work at INEOS Grangemouth who will want to hear about Just Transition to Net Zero for the Grangemouth area and how this relates to the rest of Scotland. "You can read the Committee's  important Inquiry Report in full here: https://digitalpublications.parliament.scot/Committees/Report/EFW/2023/6/21/6e87dd81-d734-4271-951b-900f627cf613#afd5a6d2-8e5d-4a84-ab03-5926b310a6d5.dita " ENDS

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has marked 75 years of NHS Scotland. This year also marks the 75th year of social care services. Founded on July 5th 1948, NHS Scotland has provided health and social care services to people across Scotland and a reception was held in Parliament last week (Tues 20th June) to celebrate and commemorate the dedication of staff and volunteers over the years. Fiona said, “I want to take this opportunity to officially recognise the vital, often lifesaving, contribution made over the years by staff, partners in care, voluntary organisations and volunteers and I would like to thank each and every one of them for their commitment and dedication to their work, not least during the pandemic. “The hard work and sacrifices made by…

Fiona Hyslop MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency is encouraging Constituents who are able to, to donate their blood, platelets and plasma as part of an ongoing Campaign by the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service Team who visited Parliament last week. (Thursday, 15th June) Fiona commented, “Blood, platelets and plasma donation are a genuine lifeline for those in need, and the majority of people need it more than once. “I was delighted to meet with the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service Team this week and would encourage all my constituents who are able to donate blood to do so, to share life, and share often. “You can visit the Scot Blood website for more information on how and where to donate.” Scotblood | Homepage ENDS

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, spoke in a Members Debate: Late-diagnosed Deaf Children (Lothian), in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 8th June 2023. The debate, which was held in the name of Jeremy Balfour MSP, focussed on ensuring that Lothian late-diagnosed deaf children get the support that they need. Following the debate Fiona said: “Children who were not diagnosed promptly as babies as being deaf need NHS Lothian and Education services to provide ongoing support. “NHS Lothian’s 2021 review of their Paediatric Audiology Service identified major failings within the service. The children who this audit identified as receiving a late diagnosis must receive specific and additional support, they need to ensure they thrive and flourish. “I am pleased that Lothian MSPs from across the political parties have…

Local Linlithgow Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, attended Poppyscotland’s exhibition at the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 11th May and spoke with the team about their invaluable work.  Poppyscotland provide holistic and bespoke support for current and former members of the Armed Forces as well as their families. From October 2021 to September 2022, Poppyscotland provided assistance to 1,520 individuals and families across a wide range of their services. Poppyscotland also reach many more people through the Armed Services Advice Project, Legion Scotland's Pensions Service and by providing funding to other organisations. Fiona discussed various aspects of their work with the team, including their Welfare Service Statistical Report, which outlines the assistance they have provided to individuals and families via a range of their Welfare Services, including Grants, Employment Services and their newly…