Latest news with #MareeTodd
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Minister makes Stirling visit as improved CAMHS waiting times hailed
The health board had come under scrutiny for the amount of time children and young people were waiting for mental health support - but data shows an improvement in the last 18 months. Recent steps taken in Forth Valley to cut down on waiting times for children and young people seeking vital mental health support have been praised on a visit by a Scottish Government minister. Waiting times for the region's Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services had been a previous area of crisis for local health chiefs, with ministers placing it into direct oversight over a number of concerns, including the state of the CAMHS offering. At that point in November 2022, more than 40 per cent of those still waiting for assessment by CAMHS had been doing so for more than a year. But following concerted efforts and a new plan to tackle the service's waiting times, the most recent figures for the first quarter of 2025 have revealed a major turnaround, with no patients now waiting more than the national standard of 18 weeks for support. The local data for the period between January and March this year also outlined that a whopping 99.1 per cent of those starting treatment in the last three months had only been waiting a maximum of 18 weeks to do so. On a visit to the Stirling Health and Care Village on Tuesday, the Mental Wellbeing Minister Maree Todd met with families making use of the service, as well as staff and NHS Forth Valley's Allan Rennie and Helena Marshall. During the visit, Ms Todd said: 'We want all children and young people to be able to access appropriate mental health treatment as and when they need to, and this continued progress on waiting times is testament to the hard-working staff who care for those referred to these services. 'We have exceeded our promise to provide funding for 320 additional staff for CAMHS by 2026 and this will no doubt have contributed to the improvements we are seeing but I am well aware there is still much to be done if this is to be sustained and consistent across Scotland. 'However, we are on the right path and the £123.5 million we have allocated to NHS Boards this year will mean the quality and delivery of all mental health services – including CAMHS - will continue to improve.' The turnaround in CAMHS provision has been linked to a 'radical new approach' made in Forth Valley - including the introduction of a Choice and Partnership (CAPA) approach aimed at increasing the range of treatment options available, maximising capacity and improve the management and monitoring of demand and capacity. Lesley Dunabie, Department Manager and Head of Nursing for NHS Forth Valley CAMHS, said: 'We are delighted that the changes introduced by local staff over the last 18 months have made such a positive impact to our waiting times and significantly improved the services and support available for children and young people with serious mental illness. 'We are committed to building on this by continuing to develop and improve local services for children and young people and working with a wide range of partners to help increase access to support in local schools and communities at an earlier stage.'
Scotsman
6 days ago
- General
- Scotsman
Age Scotland dementia event champions lived experience and inclusion
Age Scotland has marked a significant milestone in its dementia work with a national event in Stirling. Bringing together people living with dementia, unpaid carers, community organisations and professionals to help shape the future of support across Scotland. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The event introduced Age Scotland's refreshed dementia team and branding, and reinforced the charity's commitment to placing lived experience at the heart of all its work. Through meaningful conversations and interactive sessions, the event reflected the charity's focus on co-production, collaboration and building inclusive support that reflects the real needs of Scotland's diverse communities. To date, nearly £1 million in community grants has been distributed across the country, provided by Scottish Government funding. In addition, Age Scotland's dementia network now includes 147 dementia friendly communities, spanning all 32 local authority areas. This reflects the breadth and impact of local, grassroots efforts to make Scotland a more dementia-inclusive nation. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad With attendees traveling from across Scotland, the day highlighted the importance of reaching underrepresented groups and ensuring dementia support is accessible and inclusive, regardless of geography, background or identity. Attendees at event Maree Todd, Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport, joined the event and delivered a keynote speech, emphasising the role of grassroots leadership and lived experience in the national dementia strategy. Anna Clements, Head of Dementia at Age Scotland, said: 'This event was about connection, collaboration and celebration. It was truly inspiring to see such a passionate and diverse group of people, each bringing their own lived experience, come together with a shared determination to improve the lives of those living with dementia and unpaid carers. 'We're building on a strong foundation of community-led activity and advocacy, and this event marks a significant step forward in placing lived experience and inclusion at the heart of everything we do. I'm excited about what comes next and proud to be working alongside such engaged and committed people from communities across Scotland.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Attendees at Event Maree Todd, Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport, said: 'It was a pleasure to attend this event and hear from people directly impacted by dementia, as well as those working to create more supportive and inclusive communities. 'The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that people can live well with dementia, and events like this show just how important it is to centre lived experience in that mission. We welcome Age Scotland's leadership in this area and look forward to continuing our work together.' As part of its ongoing work, Age Scotland is inviting people living with dementia and unpaid carers to join its Dementia Lived Experience Forum. The forum brings together voices from across Scotland to influence policy, shape resources and improve services, ensuring lived experience continues to guide the charity's work. New members are welcome to apply at: www/
STV News
14-05-2025
- Business
- STV News
National Insurance hike has forced closure of 'at least five Scottish care homes'
The UK Labour Government's National Insurance hike has been blamed for the closure of at least five adult social care services in Scotland in the last month. On Wednesday, Scotland's social care minister Maree Todd warned that more care service closures are likely to follow. 'We cannot stand by and allow the care sector to be sacrificed,' Todd said. 'Without swift action from the UK Government, I fully anticipate that more care services will close and there will be areas of Scotland without access to social care.' Todd added: 'For some, this will mean difficulty securing care home placements, or individuals being cared for many miles from their family, friends and communities. That is not a future I want to see.' Calling the increases a 'nightmare' for the care sector, Todd said she has been notified of five social care services in the last month alone that are closing 'where increases of National Insurance were a major contributing factor'. She said the closures will result in the loss of more than 80 care home beds. 'The Scottish Government will continue to work collaboratively, constructively, and proactively to support the sector in the face of substantial risk, but there's only so much we can do,' Todd said. Todd accused the UK Labour Government of being 'intent on delivering blow after blow to social care'. In October 2024, Westminster announced its decision to increase the rate of employer's National Insurance contributions from 13.8% to 15%. The Government also reduced the threshold above which contributions should be paid from £9,100 to £5,000. Todd claimed that the National Insurance changes would cost the adult social care sector more than £84m. More recently, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced immigration proposals that would put an end to new visas for migrant social care workers – which his critics have said the sector is reliant on. Todd told the Scottish Parliament that all of these decisions are having a detrimental impact on Scottish health and social care. 'It's like the UK Government decided to make social care provision as hard as possible,' she said. However, Todd was criticised by opposition parties in the chamber for ignoring the SNP Government's role in social care sector challenges. Tory MSP Dr Sandesh Gulhane accused Todd of 'passing the buck' and 'failing to accept responsibility'. 'The SNP have failed the sector for almost two decades with a lack of workforce planning, a lack of proper investment and failures to end delayed discharge,' he said. 'We have less adult care homes, with 250 closing under this SNP gov. The SNP have also wasted £30m on its failed National Care Service.' Scottish Lib-Dem leader Alex Cole Hamilton added: 'There is no doubt that the Labour government's decisions have dealt a huge blow to social care. But people are fed up with the SNP pretending that they haven't done any damage either.' Scottish Labour MSP Jackie Baillie also criticised the SNP's decision to shelf £30m plans for a National Care Service. Instead of responding directly to the National Care Service criticisms, Todd hit back at UK Labour for being an 'increasingly unrecognisable party of austerity cuts, Brexit, and hostile immigration policies'. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Herald Scotland
25-04-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
PFA Scotland chief predicts SFA and SPFL ‘fudge', calls for overhaul
Nor does he believe the complaints which have been made to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) about certain SFA and SPFL rules by the Children and Young People's Commissioner (Scotland) and campaign group Real Grassroots will bring about changes which he and many others believe are needed. 'If they are told to scrap these rules their next step will be to say, 'What is the absolute minimum we can do so we can fudge this?',' said Wishart. 'If these rules are found to be breaking competition law, the response will be to say, 'How can we get away with this now?'.' The unwillingness of those who occupy positions of power in the Scottish game to accept that improvements need to be made and implement them – even when it comes to a matter as serious as the physical and mental wellbeing of the kids who are in the pro-youth set-up – has long been a source of frustration for him. He can appreciate why the CMA have been asked to examine if the 'no poach', the 'no approach' and the 'development contribution' rules which are currently in the SFA and SPFL handbooks breach competition law. He can understand why an outside agency has been urged to look at the controversial two-year registration which children at elite level in the Club Academy Scotland system sign when they turn 15. He is convinced that a complete overhaul of how football is governed in this country is required for much-needed change to take place. 'Over the years, very little has changed, not just in this area, but in all areas of Scottish football,' he said. 'It is important to always remember the game is run by the clubs. We have clubs investigating clubs, clubs setting the rules for the clubs. For me, that is a major issue. They won't change unless they're absolutely forced to. 'Nobody is asking awkward questions. At PFA Scotland, we do ask awkward questions. But there are not enough people doing that in my view. Little changes unless you actually force through change.' There have been growing calls for Scotland to follow the lead of England and appoint an independent regulator who can help to safeguard the financial stability of the senior football clubs and ensure there is good governance of the game. Maree Todd, the Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport, refused to commit to bringing one in following a debate in the Scottish parliament last year, but cross-party discussions have since been held about the feasibility, effectiveness and cost of having someone in the new role. Wishart is not in favour of that move. However, he has seen how clubs in Scotland and down south are increasingly involving fans in their day-to-day running and is convinced that a drastic change in how the sport in this country is governed is vital. He would like to see players, managers, coaches and supporters have a far greater say going forward than they do at the moment. 'My position, and the position of PFA Scotland, is that there is no need for an independent regulator up here,' he said. 'It would be costly and it would take money out of the game. 'But that's dependent on the governance model changing. The biggest challenge for the SPFL and the SFA is how they involve stakeholders like ourselves. We have regular meetings with the SPFL and the SFA to discuss issues, but we don't have a formal role in the governance of the game. Nor do other stakeholders, like supporters. 'There should be no need for a regulator, but you do need to have a collaborative approach. You need to have people with different opinions and you need to be able to make an informed decision, not just have rules that are there simply to protect football clubs and ensure they get compensation for kids. 'I've asked people, 'Why are PFA Scotland not more involved in the governance of the game?' They reply, 'It's because you ask awkward questions'. But that should be for the good of the game.' Wishart continued: 'I am on the FIFPro global and European boards. The European board deal with UEFA. We have just signed a memorandum of understanding with UEFA. We are going to work together on all sorts of topics. 'We will also have two seats on the UEFA executive board from 2026. It means we are sitting around the table with clubs, the leagues and UEFA and can find solutions to potential problems. Fraser Wishart is the chief executive of PFA Scotland (Image: SNS Group Rob Casey) 'I've got good relations with the governing bodies in Scotland. We had a meeting last week to discuss a number of topics. The door is always open. But when it comes down to the overall governance of the game, the clubs don't want us in the door, they don't want managers and coaches in the door, the don't want the supporters in the door. 'Behind the scenes, they control things, they decide the rules, they decide the regulations. But it's not good governance if you've not got different voices at the table. It's very much a case of, 'You stay outside, we'll run our industry, don't bother coming to tell us what to do'. 'It's about control for the clubs, the bigger clubs especially. If they feel they're losing a bit of control, they don't like it. I'm not particularly in favour of politicians having a great influence over the game of football, but in matters of public interest like the treatment of children, you have to listen to them.' Wishart is certainly unsettled by how kids are treated by many professional clubs, how few of them make the successful transition into the paid ranks and how they are viewed as prized possessions to be cashed in on, not people. 'I have become very aware in recent years of clubs always talking about compensation when they talk about youth players,' he said. 'That is all they speak about, they are utterly obsessed by it. Players, whether they are 12 or they are 21, are treated like commodities. It is just about money. 'The problem for me is that clubs are not actually looking to develop these young lads into good players, to help them break into the first team, to give them a career. I think they're only interested in selling them. For me, that is an unhealthy obsession in Scottish football that we need to change. 'It's just not right. It's clogging up the system. You've got players at clubs who aren't getting a game, but their club won't release them because they want a compensation fee. So they just stagnate. When they eventually leave the club for a free transfer at 22 or 23, it's hard for them get first team football anywhere and their career's gone. Read more: The London lawyers who are taking on the SFA and SPFL 'cartel' for free What Hearts losing wonderkid to Rangers for 'absolute pittance' shows 'There are exceptions. Lennon Miller has done well because he has played a lot of games at a young age. But it goes back to the fact that clubs almost don't want players for their clubs, they want players they can turn them around and sell on quickly. 'Are they interested in a kid who might take more work over a five or six-year period, but who will end up as a first team player for 10 years? Not really. They want instant hits or you are out of the door. 'Their obsession with compensation, with controlling the player's career, is to the detriment of the player. If he's not going to make it at your club then let him go, don't hang onto him hoping for a compensation fee.' Wishart added: 'One of the worst things that is in place is the two-year registration. When you're 15 years old you sign a registration that ties you to the club until you're 17. But they don't have to offer you a professional contract when you are 16. 'You might want to become a pro footballer at another club, you might have an offer there, but you can't go because a club has your registration. The whole system is just wrong. 'The fact that it is so confusing to us and requires lawyers to look at it is wrong as well. What do most parents make of it? Do parents understand how it works? I am not sure they do. If I am still not 100 per cent clear about how it all works then what chance do they have? 'Parents are running their kids to training three nights a week and taking them to games at the weekend. They are giving up so much. For what? Hardly any players become professionals at the end of it all. 'How many players who started in the system when they are 11 are still in it at 21? How many are playing professional football? How many are playing on a Saturday? There are very few. 'But clubs would rather stop a player leaving their club and developing elsewhere than that just allowing them to go and be happy. If a 13-year-old isn't happy, why should he be stopped by registration, by compensation, by rules which are designed to be unclear? Why is that allowed? 'Maybe he isn't enjoying the training, maybe he isn't enjoying being at the club, maybe he fancies going back to playing with his pals for fun. Why have we got a system like that? The question you have to ask is, 'If you're not going to play young players why are you bothering developing them?' The answer is easy. It's about money. 'It is not just the youth registration which is an issue. If you are out of contract after turning professional at the age of 16 before you turn 23 and you move from a Scottish club to an English there is a FIFA matrix that determines how much compensation is paid. 'If you move in Scotland, though, it's still an unknown. An independent panel is set up to give a very subjective view. But that scares off Scottish clubs from signing a young player from another Scottish club. It is another case of clubs making rules for clubs so that nobody ever leaves. Clubs like grey areas. 'Nobody has any idea what the compensation is. But clubs like that because it means that a buying club won't take that gamble. It might be £100,000, it might be £500,000, it might be £1 million. So clubs won't take that gamble. But that is what it is designed to do. It's designed to restrict the movement of players. Clubs like a mess, like uncertainty, like the waters to be muddy, so that nobody will use the rule. 'I think we have got ourselves in a bit of a mess with the player trading model. When you look at the Premiership teams on a Saturday, you're lucky if there's any Scottish players under the age of 21 playing.'
The National
25-04-2025
- Sport
- The National
PFA Scotland chief predicts SFA and SPFL ‘fudge', calls for overhaul
The former Motherwell, St Mirren, Falkirk, Rangers and Hearts defender, though, is not at all surprised that deep concerns about how young people are treated by professional clubs remain today. Nor does he believe the complaints which have been made to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) about certain SFA and SPFL rules by the Children and Young People's Commissioner (Scotland) and campaign group Real Grassroots will bring about changes which he and many others believe are needed. 'If they are told to scrap these rules their next step will be to say, 'What is the absolute minimum we can do so we can fudge this?',' said Wishart. 'If these rules are found to be breaking competition law, the response will be to say, 'How can we get away with this now?'.' The unwillingness of those who occupy positions of power in the Scottish game to accept that improvements need to be made and implement them – even when it comes to a matter as serious as the physical and mental wellbeing of the kids who are in the pro-youth set-up – has long been a source of frustration for him. He can appreciate why the CMA have been asked to examine if the 'no poach', the 'no approach' and the 'development contribution' rules which are currently in the SFA and SPFL handbooks breach competition law. He can understand why an outside agency has been urged to look at the controversial two-year registration which children at elite level in the Club Academy Scotland system sign when they turn 15. He is convinced that a complete overhaul of how football is governed in this country is required for much-needed change to take place. 'Over the years, very little has changed, not just in this area, but in all areas of Scottish football,' he said. 'It is important to always remember the game is run by the clubs. We have clubs investigating clubs, clubs setting the rules for the clubs. For me, that is a major issue. They won't change unless they're absolutely forced to. 'Nobody is asking awkward questions. At PFA Scotland, we do ask awkward questions. But there are not enough people doing that in my view. Little changes unless you actually force through change.' There have been growing calls for Scotland to follow the lead of England and appoint an independent regulator who can help to safeguard the financial stability of the senior football clubs and ensure there is good governance of the game. Maree Todd, the Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport, refused to commit to bringing one in following a debate in the Scottish parliament last year, but cross-party discussions have since been held about the feasibility, effectiveness and cost of having someone in the new role. Wishart is not in favour of that move. However, he has seen how clubs in Scotland and down south are increasingly involving fans in their day-to-day running and is convinced that a drastic change in how the sport in this country is governed is vital. He would like to see players, managers, coaches and supporters have a far greater say going forward than they do at the moment. 'My position, and the position of PFA Scotland, is that there is no need for an independent regulator up here,' he said. 'It would be costly and it would take money out of the game. 'But that's dependent on the governance model changing. The biggest challenge for the SPFL and the SFA is how they involve stakeholders like ourselves. We have regular meetings with the SPFL and the SFA to discuss issues, but we don't have a formal role in the governance of the game. Nor do other stakeholders, like supporters. 'There should be no need for a regulator, but you do need to have a collaborative approach. You need to have people with different opinions and you need to be able to make an informed decision, not just have rules that are there simply to protect football clubs and ensure they get compensation for kids. 'I've asked people, 'Why are PFA Scotland not more involved in the governance of the game?' They reply, 'It's because you ask awkward questions'. But that should be for the good of the game.' Wishart continued: 'I am on the FIFPro global and European boards. The European board deal with UEFA. We have just signed a memorandum of understanding with UEFA. We are going to work together on all sorts of topics. 'We will also have two seats on the UEFA executive board from 2026. It means we are sitting around the table with clubs, the leagues and UEFA and can find solutions to potential problems. Fraser Wishart is the chief executive of PFA Scotland (Image: SNS Group Rob Casey) 'I've got good relations with the governing bodies in Scotland. We had a meeting last week to discuss a number of topics. The door is always open. But when it comes down to the overall governance of the game, the clubs don't want us in the door, they don't want managers and coaches in the door, the don't want the supporters in the door. 'Behind the scenes, they control things, they decide the rules, they decide the regulations. But it's not good governance if you've not got different voices at the table. It's very much a case of, 'You stay outside, we'll run our industry, don't bother coming to tell us what to do'. 'It's about control for the clubs, the bigger clubs especially. If they feel they're losing a bit of control, they don't like it. I'm not particularly in favour of politicians having a great influence over the game of football, but in matters of public interest like the treatment of children, you have to listen to them.' Wishart is certainly unsettled by how kids are treated by many professional clubs, how few of them make the successful transition into the paid ranks and how they are viewed as prized possessions to be cashed in on, not people. 'I have become very aware in recent years of clubs always talking about compensation when they talk about youth players,' he said. 'That is all they speak about, they are utterly obsessed by it. Players, whether they are 12 or they are 21, are treated like commodities. It is just about money. 'The problem for me is that clubs are not actually looking to develop these young lads into good players, to help them break into the first team, to give them a career. I think they're only interested in selling them. For me, that is an unhealthy obsession in Scottish football that we need to change. 'It's just not right. It's clogging up the system. You've got players at clubs who aren't getting a game, but their club won't release them because they want a compensation fee. So they just stagnate. When they eventually leave the club for a free transfer at 22 or 23, it's hard for them get first team football anywhere and their career's gone. Read more: The London lawyers who are taking on the SFA and SPFL 'cartel' for free What Hearts losing wonderkid to Rangers for 'absolute pittance' shows 'There are exceptions. Lennon Miller has done well because he has played a lot of games at a young age. But it goes back to the fact that clubs almost don't want players for their clubs, they want players they can turn them around and sell on quickly. 'Are they interested in a kid who might take more work over a five or six-year period, but who will end up as a first team player for 10 years? Not really. They want instant hits or you are out of the door. 'Their obsession with compensation, with controlling the player's career, is to the detriment of the player. If he's not going to make it at your club then let him go, don't hang onto him hoping for a compensation fee.' Wishart added: 'One of the worst things that is in place is the two-year registration. When you're 15 years old you sign a registration that ties you to the club until you're 17. But they don't have to offer you a professional contract when you are 16. 'You might want to become a pro footballer at another club, you might have an offer there, but you can't go because a club has your registration. The whole system is just wrong. 'The fact that it is so confusing to us and requires lawyers to look at it is wrong as well. What do most parents make of it? Do parents understand how it works? I am not sure they do. If I am still not 100 per cent clear about how it all works then what chance do they have? 'Parents are running their kids to training three nights a week and taking them to games at the weekend. They are giving up so much. For what? Hardly any players become professionals at the end of it all. 'How many players who started in the system when they are 11 are still in it at 21? How many are playing professional football? How many are playing on a Saturday? There are very few. 'But clubs would rather stop a player leaving their club and developing elsewhere than that just allowing them to go and be happy. If a 13-year-old isn't happy, why should he be stopped by registration, by compensation, by rules which are designed to be unclear? Why is that allowed? 'Maybe he isn't enjoying the training, maybe he isn't enjoying being at the club, maybe he fancies going back to playing with his pals for fun. Why have we got a system like that? The question you have to ask is, 'If you're not going to play young players why are you bothering developing them?' The answer is easy. It's about money. 'It is not just the youth registration which is an issue. If you are out of contract after turning professional at the age of 16 before you turn 23 and you move from a Scottish club to an English there is a FIFA matrix that determines how much compensation is paid. 'If you move in Scotland, though, it's still an unknown. An independent panel is set up to give a very subjective view. But that scares off Scottish clubs from signing a young player from another Scottish club. It is another case of clubs making rules for clubs so that nobody ever leaves. Clubs like grey areas. 'Nobody has any idea what the compensation is. But clubs like that because it means that a buying club won't take that gamble. It might be £100,000, it might be £500,000, it might be £1 million. So clubs won't take that gamble. But that is what it is designed to do. It's designed to restrict the movement of players. Clubs like a mess, like uncertainty, like the waters to be muddy, so that nobody will use the rule. 'I think we have got ourselves in a bit of a mess with the player trading model. When you look at the Premiership teams on a Saturday, you're lucky if there's any Scottish players under the age of 21 playing.'
