PPE FOR CARE STAFF
Community Wind Farm charity, Point and Sandwick Trust, working in partnership with Lews Castle College UHI, have delivered further PPE (personal protective equipment) to NHS Western Isles. This week’s delivery includes the first batch of safety visors, for care home staff across the Western Isles.
Staff from the college and the wind farm charity, have been working together, to produce PPE for the islands’ frontline. The safety visors are made using facilities, at the windfarm-sponsored Innovation Centre at the college.
The safety visors come in two parts. The plastic headbands are manufactured at the college using a 3D printer and disposable clear plastic sheets are attached to clips, on the headbands to function as face shields.
The aim is for all care staff who need a visor, to have their own headband, which can be cleaned by washing in hot soapy water, and enough face sheets, which can be changed at regular intervals.
Read more: Isles FM News in association with Hebrides News: Friday 8th May 2020
CARERS ALLOWANCE SUPPLEMENT
The Scottish Government, is proposing an additional £19.2 million investment, in Carer’s Allowance Supplement. This is in recognition of the additional pressure, that carers are under, as a result of the ongoing pandemic.
If approved by parliament, eligible carers will get an extra £230.10 through a special one-off Coronavirus Carer’s Allowance Supplement in June.
Carers are not required to register to get this extra payment, as it will be paid automatically, to those in receipt of Carer’s Allowance.
Shirley-Anne Somerville, Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People, said: “We introduced the Carer’s Allowance Supplement to recognise the important contribution unpaid carers play in our society. They provide vital support to family, friends and neighbours. Our collective efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus, will see many of these carers experiencing additional pressures, particularly financial, right now”.
Read more: Isles FM News in association with Hebrides News: Thursday 7th May 2020
SPECIAL MEASURES FOR COMHAIRLE MEETING
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, have special measures in place, to allow a meeting of the Comhairle, today Wednesday 6th May. This will be the first time such a format has been adopted.
As a result of the COVID-19 crisis, committee meetings have been temporarily suspended, but items will be considered at the full meeting of the Comhairle.
Most Members of the Comhairle will attend on a virtual basis. An archive recording of the meeting, will be available on the Comhairle website shortly afterwards.
Read more: Isles FM News in association with Hebrides News : Wednesday 6th May 2020
COMHAIRLE MEETING WEDNESDAY 6th MAY
As a result of the COVID-19 crisis, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is putting special measures in place to allow a meeting of the Comhairle this week on Wednesday 6th May.
Committee meetings have been temporarily suspended but items will be considered at the full meeting of the Comhairle. This will be the first time such a format has been adopted.
Most Members of the Comhairle will attend on a virtual basis. The public and press will not be able to attend the meeting in person but will be able to follow on-line through Vscene. A link to the meeting will be posted on the Comhairle website issued via a press release and posted on the Comhairle’s social media channels, ten minutes prior to the meeting.
An archive recording of the meeting will be available on the Comhairle website following the meeting.
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Chief Executive, Malcolm Burr, said:
“As has been often stated, these are unprecedented times and therefore we are having to take unprecedented steps to allow the democratic process to continue to take place. It important that we do so and that all Members have the opportunity to discuss issues and take decisions.”
The full Comhairle meeting will take place at 10am on 6 May.
Read more: Isles FM News: Tuesday 5th May 2020
