Page 10 - Borders General News Today

Education in the Borders is failing those in greatest need. Audit Scotland tells us that the gap in achievement between children from different economic backgrounds here is the widest in Scotland, is growing wider and that the achievement of our young people from the poorest homes is among the worst in Scotland. At the same time, Borders General has the worst waiting time figures in Scotland, with less than 75 per cent of A&E patients being seen in 4 hours or less. In the last year, the B...

THE Borders could get an empty homes officer in an attempt to bring vacant properties in the region back into use. Members of Scottish Borders Council will discuss the role, which 22 local authorities in Scotland now have, at the executive committee meeting on Tuesday (April 20). Councillors on the committee will be asked to approve the use of £40,000 to fund the full-time role for 24 months. Scottish Empty Homes Partnership, funded by the Scottish Government, will also contribute £40...

A MAJOR event scheduled for Peeblesshire could bring in £1.5 million, according to council papers. Members of Scottish Borders Council’s executive committee are due to meet on Tuesday (April 20) and will be asked to approve funding for the Enduro World Series (EWS) mountain biking event. Thousands of people are expected to visit Innerleithen and Peebles for the event in the autumn. Council papers state that the biking spectacle could have an “economic impact of £1.5m for the area�...

The maternity service at NHS Borders has been awarded a gold award through Unicefs Baby Friendly Initiative. Photo: Sandra Seitamaa/Unsplash THE maternity service at NHS Borders has struck gold by achieving the top award in Unicef UKs Baby Friendly Initiative. The accreditation scheme helps health services provide safe spaces for new parents to breastfeed and build relationships with their babies. The initiative was introduced in the UK in 1994, and 91 per cent of maternity units in the U...

AN INTERACTIVE map reveals which areas of the Borders have been least affected by coronavirus in recent days. The Public Health Scotland tool shows the number of cases per 100,000 population, over a seven-day period. The Borders figures are broken down into 30 neighbourhoods. And it shows that 11 communities have recorded between zero and two cases in the most recent seven-day period (January 17-23). They are: Tweeddale East; Peebles South; Peebles North; Lauder; Kelso South; Galashie...

A MAN has just skied past the window, but I ought not be surprised. The snow began yesterday afternoon and it has been softly falling ever since. In the early hours I looked out and the village green was bathed in a cold pure light, the whiteness smothering sound as well as cars. This morning the village snow brigade were out with their shovels, Alan forgoing his first cup of tea to help. But no sooner have they cleared a path than it begins to refill. It seems likely to get a good deal deepe...

BBC News Published image copyrightMJ Richardson image captionRoutine surgery has been suspended in an effort to help the hospital deal with the Covid outbreak A rise in Covid cases means infection rates in the region are "no longer consistent" with level one restrictions, NHS Borders has warned. An outbreak at Borders General Hospital has seen routine surgery suspended to the end of the year. However, the health board said numbers were "far larger" than the 22 cases involved in that cluster. Sc...

THE number of recent coronavirus cases in the region is “concerning”, according to a director at NHS Borders. The infection rate doubled within a fortnight and there have now been 1,144 cases of COVID-19 since March. Last week, the Borders moved into Level 1 of the Scottish Government’s multi-tier lockdown system, meaning restrictions have been loosened. READ MORE: NHS Borders associate director of public health, Dr Keith Allan, said: “Cases have risen even though we were still ...

Borders General Hospital In the Borders, the past week has seen a spike of Covid-19 cases, with 103 last week compared to only 47 the week before.  Meanwhile, there are 20 patients being cared for within the Borders General Hospital with either a confirmed positive case of Covid-19 or who are suspected to have the virus. With tier levels due to be reviewed again next week, it is uncertain whether the Scottish Borders will remain in Level 1 going forward - especially if cases continue to ...

BBC News Published image captionNHS Borders said pressure was increasing at the Borders General Hospital Health experts in the Borders have urged the public to be "extremely cautious" over the festive period after a sharp rise in Covid cases. The region moved to level one restrictions last week and was confirmed in that tier on Tuesday. However, NHS Borders said an increase in cases in recent days in the area was "concerning". It asked people to resist the temptation to socialise more in the ru...