Born in 1946 and brought up in Cupar, Fife, I was educated at the local school - 
Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson today welcomed the introduction of pilot project to screen patients for MRSA before admission to hospital.
From this summer, all non-emergency admissions to NHS Grampian hospitals will be screened for MRSA as part of the pre-admission procedures.
If the pilot is successful screening will be rolled out across the NHS in Scotland from 2009-10.
Commenting on the pilot project Mr Stevenson said:
"MRSA and Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI) in general have become a real issue in the provision of effective health care in our hospitals in recent years. The Scottish Government is determined to do all we can to minimise the risk of contracting MRSA not only in the hospitals around Banff & Buchan but throughout the country.
"This programme will see a simple swab as part of the pre-admission process. This is all it takes to establish whether a patient has MRSA. Many people carry the bug on their skin or in their nose but it is only when it enters an open wound that it causes problems - that is why we are introducing screening for hospital patients.
“I feel this pilot project is one that has the potential to really cut down the incidence of HAI and I am pleased that the people of Banff & Buchan will be the first to benefit. In tandem with initiatives such as our national hand hygiene campaign and a new reporting system for C.diff, MRSA screening will help us meet our target to reduce Staph.aureus blood infections by 2010."
Karen Adam is now the MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast
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3 June 2008
STEVENSON BUOYED BY NUMBER OF DESIGNATED BATHING AREAS IN BANFF & BUCHAN
Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson has welcomed the announcement that the number of designated bathing waters in Scotland has risen by a third to a total of 80, its highest level ever. Of the 80 locations in Scotland 6 can be found around the delightful coast of Banff & Buchan.
The Government designated sites are ones created in areas where traditionally a large numbers of bathers congregate. By giving certain areas designated bathing status resources are properly channelled towards protecting waters where most people are likely to bathe, this in turn ensures that with summer fast approaching we can feel all feel more confident about dipping our toes in the water in the coming months ahead.
The areas from Banff & Buchan that are on the designated bathing list included: Cruden Bay, Fraserburgh (Philorth), Fraserburgh (Tiger Hill), Rosehearty, Peterehead lido and Inverboyndie.
Commenting on the announcement Mr Stevenson said:
“Having designated bathing status is a fantastic means of creating greater levels of public awareness about where the safest bathing spots are. With Banff and Buchan having 6 sites we compare more than favourably with other areas of Scotland.
“Having this recognised status for our bathing hot spots also allows these beaches the chance to win quality awards, including the Seaside Award which Cruden Bay and Inverboyndie currently hold.
“The Seaside Awards are given on the basis of good bathing standards, litter management, information provision and community involvement and is certainly not easily achieved.
“These awards are a major tribute to the efforts of local people who have shown remarkable community spirit in contributing to the upkeep of our beaches and indeed to all of those who use the beaches, for acting so responsibly and respectfully during their visits.
“These awards in themselves lead to greater levels of pride in our coastal areas and more opportunities for the local authorities and public at large to work together to improve the bathing standards all along the coast.
“I have been known to have a wee dip in our lovely coastal waters as a welcome relief from my ministerial duties and hopefully we will have a sun kissed summer so that this will be very much on my mind this year.”
The Government designated sites are ones created in areas where traditionally a large numbers of bathers congregate. By giving certain areas designated bathing status resources are properly channelled towards protecting waters where most people are likely to bathe, this in turn ensures that with summer fast approaching we can feel all feel more confident about dipping our toes in the water in the coming months ahead.
The areas from Banff & Buchan that are on the designated bathing list included: Cruden Bay, Fraserburgh (Philorth), Fraserburgh (Tiger Hill), Rosehearty, Peterehead lido and Inverboyndie.
Commenting on the announcement Mr Stevenson said:
“Having designated bathing status is a fantastic means of creating greater levels of public awareness about where the safest bathing spots are. With Banff and Buchan having 6 sites we compare more than favourably with other areas of Scotland.
“Having this recognised status for our bathing hot spots also allows these beaches the chance to win quality awards, including the Seaside Award which Cruden Bay and Inverboyndie currently hold.
“The Seaside Awards are given on the basis of good bathing standards, litter management, information provision and community involvement and is certainly not easily achieved.
“These awards are a major tribute to the efforts of local people who have shown remarkable community spirit in contributing to the upkeep of our beaches and indeed to all of those who use the beaches, for acting so responsibly and respectfully during their visits.
“These awards in themselves lead to greater levels of pride in our coastal areas and more opportunities for the local authorities and public at large to work together to improve the bathing standards all along the coast.
“I have been known to have a wee dip in our lovely coastal waters as a welcome relief from my ministerial duties and hopefully we will have a sun kissed summer so that this will be very much on my mind this year.”
Consultation underway on integrated ticketing strategy
Transport Scotland has unveiled plans to introduce cash-less integrated tickets which can be used on buses, trains and ferries throughout Scotland.
Smartcard technology is being developed which will allow users to access different travel services, ensuring Scotland has one of the most sophisticated travel systems in Europe in place well in advance of the Commonwealth Games coming here in 2014.
The Integrated Ticketing Strategy for Scotland is currently being considered by transport operators, local authorities, Regional Transport Partnerships and transport user groups. Consultation is due to be completed later this month.
Stewart Stevenson, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change said:
“The eyes of the world will be on Scotland in 2014 and it is vital we have a sophisticated, effective ticketing system in place which provides genuine ease of access across our transport networks.
“We have therefore looked at existing smartcard-based ticketing systems used by other countries who have hosted events of the magnitude of the Commonwealth Games in order to develop something which is as good as anything seen anywhere in the world.
“Ensuring the millions of visitors coming to our country in 2014 experience a first class level of service is absolutely vital, but the effects of this policy will be felt well beyond the Commonwealth Games.
“This new ticketing system has the potential to change the way we all go about our daily business, making it easier to travel across different modes of transport through seamless integration between our trains, buses and ferries.
“Smartcard pilot schemes are already being developed in locations such as Orkney, Dundee and South Lanarkshire.
“Bus and ferry operators across Scotland are also being provided with smartcard-enabled ticketing equipment.
“We eagerly await the results of this consultation on the draft proposals and the feedback we receive will inform the new Strategy, which will provide the blueprint for how we implement a smartcard based integrated ticketing system across Scotland.”
Benefits of an integrated ticketing system are expected to include ease of use for users, revenue protection for operators, market growth, leading to better services and simplification for visitors.
Following the consultation exercise, the Strategy is set to be formally launched later this year.
The consultation document is Integrated Ticketing: A Strategy for Scotland.
Smartcard technology is being developed which will allow users to access different travel services, ensuring Scotland has one of the most sophisticated travel systems in Europe in place well in advance of the Commonwealth Games coming here in 2014.
The Integrated Ticketing Strategy for Scotland is currently being considered by transport operators, local authorities, Regional Transport Partnerships and transport user groups. Consultation is due to be completed later this month.
Stewart Stevenson, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change said:
“The eyes of the world will be on Scotland in 2014 and it is vital we have a sophisticated, effective ticketing system in place which provides genuine ease of access across our transport networks.
“We have therefore looked at existing smartcard-based ticketing systems used by other countries who have hosted events of the magnitude of the Commonwealth Games in order to develop something which is as good as anything seen anywhere in the world.
“Ensuring the millions of visitors coming to our country in 2014 experience a first class level of service is absolutely vital, but the effects of this policy will be felt well beyond the Commonwealth Games.
“This new ticketing system has the potential to change the way we all go about our daily business, making it easier to travel across different modes of transport through seamless integration between our trains, buses and ferries.
“Smartcard pilot schemes are already being developed in locations such as Orkney, Dundee and South Lanarkshire.
“Bus and ferry operators across Scotland are also being provided with smartcard-enabled ticketing equipment.
“We eagerly await the results of this consultation on the draft proposals and the feedback we receive will inform the new Strategy, which will provide the blueprint for how we implement a smartcard based integrated ticketing system across Scotland.”
Benefits of an integrated ticketing system are expected to include ease of use for users, revenue protection for operators, market growth, leading to better services and simplification for visitors.
Following the consultation exercise, the Strategy is set to be formally launched later this year.
The consultation document is Integrated Ticketing: A Strategy for Scotland.
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