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Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed the announcement £30 million in additional funding, from the Scottish Government, to reduce NHS waiting times. It is expected that this funding will significantly increase activity across the NHS, including 12,000 additional procedures, 40,000 extra diagnostic procedures and 12,000 new outpatient appointments.  Making the announcement, Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray MSP, said the action will “help Scotland’s NHS maximise capacity, build greater resilience and deliver year-on-year reductions in the number of patients who have waited too long for treatment”. Commenting Fiona said: “The Scottish Government have made it clear that improving public services is a key priority for this government – and this investment in reducing NHS waiting times in West Lothian is at…

“I am delighted to see that Bathgate based energy company Invinity has expanded and officially opened their new manufacturing facility in Motherwell. “Invinity plays a crucial role in assembling the vanadium battery systems for export to customers around the world and I was very impressed with their work when I visited them previously, contacting the then Scottish Government Energy Ministers to ensure that they too visited the site.   “At six times the size of Invinity’s existing facility in Bathgate, the new facility and will increase the Company’s UK assembly capacity to over 500 MWh per year, support the creation of more than 40 new jobs in the region and enable faster and more efficient delivery of vanadium flow batteries across the UK, Europe and further afield. “I have written…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency Fiona Hyslop, is calling on Bank of Scotland to reconsider plans to close their Linlithgow branch, after the announcement from Bank of Scotland. Commenting Fiona said; “The closure of the Linlithgow Bank of Scotland branch will be a huge loss to the town, and I would urge Bank of Scotland to reconsider their position on the closure of this branch. “The Bank of Scotland Linlithgow branch is a facility needed by not only local residents but also many local businesses. “In 2017, we seen the closure of the Royal Bank of Scotland's Linlithgow Branch and this closure is another disappointing blow for the town. The Bank of Scotland facility is needed by not only local residents but also many local businesses. "Bank of Scotland…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency Fiona Hyslop, is calling on Bank of Scotland to reconsider plans to close their Bathgate and Linlithgow branches, after the announcement from Bank of Scotland. Commenting Fiona said; “The closure of the Bathgate and Linlithgow Bank of Scotland branches will be a huge loss to West Lothian, and I would urge Bank of Scotland to reconsider their position on the closure of these branches. “The Bank of Scotland Bathgate branch is one of only three dedicated banking facilities in the town and is needed by not only local residents but also many local businesses, especially with the Royal Bank of Scotland due to close in September. “In 2017, we seen the closure of the Royal Bank of Scotland's Linlithgow Branch and this closure is…

MSP for Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, is raising awareness of the Safer Scot Campaign to alert people to the dangers of spiking. The site - https://safer.scot/spiking/ - provides information and advice on where to get support and how to report incidents. Spiking is when someone is given alcohol or drugs without their consent. Spiking can take different forms, it could be someone adding drugs or extra alcohol to your drink or spiking by injection. Drink spiking is the most common form of spiking and can also take place in private spaces/social events as well as in bars and nightclubs. Fiona said, “First and foremost, spiking is never the victim’s fault. The Safer Scot webpages offer valuable advice on staying safe and what to do if you think you have been…

Fiona Hyslop MSP for Linlithgow Constituency is highlighting a Scottish Government Vaccine Programme aimed to help respiratory care in older people and pregnant people ahead of this winter. From August 2024, the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccination will be available to older adults and to protect infants, through maternal vaccination. RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild cold-like symptoms in adults and children, however the severity of the illness can vary and in infants can cause bronchitis, which can be very serious. RSV is one of the leading causes of hospitalisation in the first year of life. Older adults are also more likely to experience hospitalisation. Commenting, Fiona said, “The introduction of the RSV vaccinations aims to reduce the burden of this illness across communities and alleviate…

Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, has visited 10 venues across a number of smaller towns and villages across her Constituency to hold summer surgeries. They took place on Wednesday 10th July and Friday 12th July. Fiona visited and conducted surgeries in Bridgend, Winchburgh, Uphall, Dechmont, Newton, Blackridge, East Whitburn, Boghall, Bridgehouse/Westfield and Torphichen in just two days. Fiona said, "The summer surgeries, which I have organised now over the summer recess a number of times, was hugely successful and a great opportunity to meet local people and businesses based in the semi-rural areas of my Constituency. "I want to thank everyone who came along to a surgery, who chatted to me on the streets or stopped me in passing to say hello or to pass on any concerns or news…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, welcomes £4 million investment from the Scottish Government in the Extra Time Programme. The Extra Time Programme, a joint initiative with the Scottish Football Association, supports free before and after school clubs and holiday clubs for children from families on low incomes, offering free childcare provision. The Extra Time Programme provides after school and holiday activity clubs for primary school aged children, projected to provide 3,000 each week free access to sport and other fun activities outside of school hours. Commenting Fiona said: "I was pleased to see the Scottish Government's investment in the Extra Time Programme double from £2 million to £4 million this year, with £149,700 of this budget being allocated to Broxburn United Sports Club in my Constituency. "This…

Local Linlithgow Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, met with Glenn Miller, Captain of the Linlithgow Cycling Without Age Chapter this week to hear more about the Global Initiative and their fundraising plans for the future. Cycling Without Age aims to enhance and enrich lives by giving older people and those with disabilities access to walks and areas outdoors that they might not otherwise be able to visit through the use of their pioneering trishaw rides. Fiona commented, “The Cycling Without Age Initiative is a fantastic way of ensuring those with mobility issues can get out in the fresh air and see the countryside, town and landmarks where they live. “I have heard much positive feedback from users of the service and from their volunteers and it was great to meet Glenn…

Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, welcomes the news that among 2022-23 school leavers, 92.8% were in a positive follow-up destination, including higher and further education, employment, voluntary work and training. 91.1% of all school leavers across West Lothian were able to go into work, training or further education. Over the long term, this has increased from 81.9% in 2009-10. Commenting Fiona said; "I was pleased to see that of 2,129 school leavers across West Lothian, 91.1% were able to go into positive destinations, including higher education, training and employment in 2022-23. "These figures are a true testament to the commitment and dedication of teachers, parents and young people across West Lothian. "So many of our young people are able to follow their ambition as they leave school,…