Getting the Right Care in the Right Place (changes to the way we access A&E)
 
A&E is always there for those who need it
 
The way people access A&E services is changing to keep patients and NHS Scotland safe this winter – making sure everyone gets the right care in the right place.
Local A&E departments remain open for those who have a life-threatening emergency.
 
However, to ensure patients have the fastest access to the treatment they need, anyone with a non-life threatening condition who would usually go to A&E should now call NHS 24 on 111 first, day or night, to be directed to the right NHS service.
 
If A&E is the most appropriate place to provide the right care, patients will either be directly referred to A&E by NHS 24 or a telephone or video consultation with a senior clinical decision maker.
 
For further information on where to access the right medical care, visit www.NHSinform.scot/right-care  

The library has not reopened following the festive break.

From the Secretary, Dunblane Community Council

The Community Council has received comments/complaints from a number of people
about the lack of salting/gritting of the pavements and footpaths around
the town  Certainly some of those I use are quite icy  The road gritter
seems to have been round but pavements seem to have a lower priority.

We were not sure if the pavement gritter has been out - there is not a
lot of evidence that it has been.  Our chair, David Prescot, asked
Graham Houston, our elected member of the administration of SC and posed
the questions:

*  What has happened? - has the Council changed its priorities?

*  Given the priority being given to Active Travel and the critical
importance of avoiding fall injuries to reduce the load on our hospitals
(and reduce the risks of people catching Covid in hospital)  then
gritting and salting the pavements seems like a critically important
task.

*  I understand that some community volunteers have been out in places,
especially where there are vulnerable people but there is not a lot of
grit for them to use - and with DIY stores shut less chance of getting
some.

Alan Booth

From: Councillor Graham Houston

I also have had some people in touch with me and I did notice that the
pavement on the High Street  just at the library was particularly bad.

The pavement tractor has been doing the usual route in the early
mornings but I think it did miss one day last week and I am still
waiting to hear the reason for that.  I reported it at the time to Bruce
Reekie.

We moved to priority 3 treatment on Wednesday and as of yesterday we
will have had a period of 120 hours adverse weather and a 5 day weather
forecast predicting severe weather wintery conditions which means the
treatment moves to priority 4 routes.

Priority 4 routes cover the remainder of the public road network. Within
Priority 4 routes; priority will be given to locations such as difficult
junctions, gradients, bends or short, sharp incline, together with
reasonable lengths of carriageway adjacent to these specific problems.
I have asked Bruce Reekie if a drop of salt/grit mixture could be
deposited at the Millrow Car park for the public to help themselves as
it looks like this cold spell with be with us for a few days yet.

I attach the detailed policy covering the implementation of the various
priorities which I hope Is helpful.

Graham Houston

The Friends of Holmehill contacted the website team with an update about the new owners’ plans for Holmehill. Here is their email

We recently asked The Carman Family Foundation for an update as to what has happened over the last few month. The response from Bill Carman is below:

Over the last few months:

1. The Braeport meadow has been tilled and the seedling trees removed. 54 small-medium sized decorative trees have been planted in groups of 3, with 10 more (a bit bigger) to go. Some outlines of paths have been created - these will probably be finished with plastic matting and grass growing through the plastic.

2. The paths on the top have had leaves removed.

3. The paths going down to ground level have also been cleared to a reasonable state. We need to think of more permanent solutions.

4. The chip paths need an alternative surface - any ideas of what might look natural yet last for a few years? The weeds on either side have been dug out.

5. Some of the Scots pines have been eaten (rabbits?). They have been replaced and tubes now keep the rabbits out with wire mesh to keep the deer off them.

6. Around the grasses next to the tennis court we  have planted a bamboo hedge.

7. Wire has been put back into the metal posts of the old fence to stop people tumbling down the hill

8. 150 longer tubes were supplied by the Woodland Trust to replace the short tubes.

Next year jobs include:

1. Planning for a pond at the bottom of the meadows

2. Moving the shed next to the red lodge (or getting a new hut) for storage of garden equipment.

3. Planting snowdrops in february.

4. We are in discussions with people on types of plants to put under the new trees on the meadow. We want colourful plants of all sizes which will attract pollinators and birds. All suggestions welcomed.

5. Next year, we will roundup the edges of the paths on the top in April.

6. Putting Up a chain barrier to stop people driving on to the grass on top.

7. A few more "nice" trees for around the perimeter of the grass on top.

8. 4 carved benches will be made this Winter, 3 representing each primary school, using the wood we took off the hill 2 years ago.

Someone who currently works with me will be at Holmehill for 2 days per week from now (ish).

The Friends of Holmehill can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

The Carman Family Foundation cab be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.