Making a difference to life in Scotland

With the Scottish Parliament now well into its fifth session since the election held last May, I have been giving some thought to where Scotland and Stirling stand now.

It was recent information from the European Union Regional Social Progress Index that sparked off these thoughts.

The report showed that people in Scotland have the best quality of life in the UK, with Scotland outperforming the rest of the UK on education, environmental quality, personal freedoms and social tolerance.

And it is true that in recent years we have made considerable progress across a range of measures that have improved the quality of life for people living in Scotland and here in the Stirling constituency.

Since the SNP came into office in 2007 people are living longer, relative poverty has fallen, the gender pay gap has decreased and young people are more likely to be in education, training or work.

Further to this, recorded crime in Stirling has fallen by 35 per cent in the 10 years between 2006/07 and 2015/16, part of a nationwide fall of 41 per cent. It is excellent to see such a decline in recorded crime. Having safer communities where everyone feels welcome is vital to creating the society that we all want to see and these trends show that we have made significant progress in achieving the goal of making our communities safer and fairer.

As winter approaches people are checking the heating systems in their homes and making sure their cars are ready for the cold to come. In just the same way the Scottish Government is helping the NHS in Scotland to prepare for the extra pressure that the winter season inevitably brings.

That is why health boards across Scotland are sharing an additional £9 million this year that will go directly to emergency departments, hospitals and primary and social care teams. The funding will support dedicated multi-disciplinary teams to improve patient flow in A&E, across the hospital and in the community.

During last winter A&E attendances increased yet emergency departments consistently improved their performance. This is testament to the immense hard work and dedication of our NHS staff. The additional funding this year will help ensure patients get the best treatment in the most appropriate place, easing pressure on our A&E departments and maximising patient flows within hospitals which face additional admission demands in winter.

As part of Mental Health Week I was delighted First Minister Nicola Sturgeon recently visited McLaren High School in Callander to discuss mental health issues affecting young people in Scotland.

Ensuring everyone is able to access effective mental health treatment is an important step in our efforts to create a healthier, happier society and, in recognition of the increasing challenges facing mental health services, the additional funding being made available for psychiatric services is a positive development.

Across the constituency I have recently held street surgeries in Killearn, Balfron, Throsk, Buchlyvie and Stirling, with more to come in the next few weeks. I believe it is important for me to meet as many people as possible within the varied communities that make up the constituency. I am also aware that it is not always suitable for people to meet me in local halls or at my constituency office. Street surgeries allow me to make home visits and speak to people who may not always find it easy to meet directly with their MSP.

However, as ever, if have any issue you wish to discuss you can contact my constituency office at Unit 111, John Player Building, Stirling Enterprise Park, Stirling, FK7 7RP, by telephone on 01786 471899 or by email at bruce.crawford.msp@ parliament.scot.

Having safer communities is vital to creating the society we all want to see