Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed Scottish Government funding to expand the Youth Navigator programme in Scotland.
Youth Navigator is a youth service run by Medics against Violence to support young people presenting to health care services.
Recently announced Scottish Government funding of £64,000 will allow the expansion of the service to University Hospital Wishaw and a pilot of the Youth Navigator programme in schools.
Commenting Fiona said:
“Youth Navigator provides vital support for young people, aged 12-16, as they access health care services. Hospital presentation by vulnerable young people is often when other underlying and pressing needs are identified.
“I welcome this announcement of funding from the Scottish Government to support the expansion of the Youth Navigator programme across Scotland.
“Youth Navigator has supported over 600 young people since it began in 2021 and was previously operating at St John’s Hospital in West Lothian.
“While this expansion is welcome news, the Youth Navigator Service, which was withdrawn in West Lothian in 2023, needs to be restored to West Lothian to provide much needed support to young people as they access services.
“I have written to the Scottish Government to urge Ministers to support Medics Against Violence and NHS Lothian to reinstate this service at St John’s and will continue to pursue this issue on behalf of my Constituents.”
ENDS