THE Scottish Government have now launched a contact tracing app ‘Protect Scotland’ which is a private and anonymous app that uses Bluetooth to alert you if you have been in close contact with another app user who tests positive for coronavirus. The app is free and available to download now.

As we see the rates of infection beginning to rise, it will stop the spread of coronavirus by using effective tracing methods. This will help us to avoid a lockdown, by containing the virus and keeping track of its spread. We can then encourage targeted testing for those who have been in close contact with someone who has Covid-19. I am pleased to see such an innovative app that is undoubtedly a significant step forward in getting our society back on track to something closer to normal. I would encourage all my constituents to download this app, and to work together to protect Scotland from the spread of coronavirus.

I am pleased to hear that Headway East Lothian has been shortlisted in the ‘Community Champions’ category at the Scottish Charity Awards, and I am delighted to have been the one to nominate them. Headway do a huge amount of positive work in the community, working to support brain injury survivors, as well as those who care for them. I am glad they are getting some recognition for their efforts and I wish them luck at the Scottish Charity Awards.

I have been receiving a large number of complaints about Riverside Medical Practice in relation to their phone systems not being answered. I am working to address this issue, and I have been in contact with Riverside to make them aware of these concerns and to urge them to address this matter. I understand that it is vital for constituents to have accessible health services, and it is important that they feel supported in their healthcare, especially in the midst of a pandemic. I hope to work with Riverside to rectify these issues and to make sure that constituents are provided with a service which meets their needs.