Committee Business and Seeing Auntie, again

A very busy Health Wellbeing and Housing Committee yesterday morning heard a deputation from the Prestonfield Neighbourhood Cebtre (pictured) They were asking that when the Council is carrying out modernisation works on the Kitchen and Bathroom programme we should also consult with tenants with a view to installing wet floor showers if so desired by the tenant. Prestonfield has quite an elderly population and the thinking is that when people require these adaptations to stay in their own homes its often a lengthy and expensive process and sometimes people have to reluctantly consider moving house if the adaptation can't be delivered. There was a lot of merit in their argument, though also some short term budget implications. However, in the finest traditions of cross party compromise we managed to agree to their request and called for a report into the wider Adaptations service. The complete committee papers can found on this link and part 2 of the papers on this link.

Committee was followed by our Policy Review session during which we saw the performance of Seeing Auntie again by Naomi Breeze. It had an equally powerful impact second time round and this time we followed the play with a discussion about how Edinburgh can move towards becoming a Dementia Friendly City. Some good ideas generated and further work is being carried out.

Hot footed it to the Corn Exchange for our third managers event to discuss Health and Social Care Integration. Really useful session with some positive feedback from Council and NHS managers. The draft bill has now been published in the Scottish Parliament so there should be some interesting debate in the months ahead.

Then, just made it to Clovenstone Community Centre for the management committee meeting, only to find it had been cancelled, but at least there was time to draw breath before the WEGARAH meeting at Prospect HA. Excellent turn out and a good discussion about recent racially motivated incidents and the welcome news that following the horrific events in Woolwich a few weeks ago there had been no negative backlash in Edinburgh with all communities and faiths united in condemning the murder of Lee Rigby and maintaining a united, civilised front.