Campaign against ‘alarming’ cuts to health and social care

Edinburgh residents are being asked to write to their local politicians to put a stop to the reductions in vital services. Sexual health, support and rehabilitation for substance abuse, support for independent living and an improved quality of life for people with disabilities will all be affected by a £8.95million budget cut approved by the Edinburgh Integrated Joint Board last week.

Edinburgh East Save Our Services say: “It’s time to make sure our elected representatives really listen to us”. 

The campaign group has already emailed their councillors and MSPs and hope others will join them. They have provided a style email for people to use or adapt is included below and the email addresses for councillors can be found here and MSPs here

A spokesperson for the group said: “The pandemic has shown how much we depend on good health care, good education & good services. Coming at any time these cuts would have a terrible impact on some of the most vulnerable people in our city. In the wake of lockdown and with the prospect of a winter second wave of Covid-19, the effect will be devastating.

“What’s more, these cuts and any short term savings are false economies. Reducing services which ensure sexual health, support and rehabilitation for substance abuse, support for independent living and an improved quality of life for people with disabilities is inefficient economically.

“We know we need each other and care for each other. Our elected representatives must concentrate on ensuring integrated, properly funded services to tackle the hardship and suffering many people face. This may mean borrowing and putting pressure on the Scottish government to provide sufficient funding. But in every consultation Edinburgh folk have said that this support is more important than creating a playground for visitors .”

Style Email below is proposed by Edinburgh East Save Our Services:

Dear …………….

We are alarmed at the current measures to reduce health and social care services in the city. (We refer to the Phase Zero cuts agreed by the EIJB (Edinburgh Integration Joint Board)).
The expressed desire of citizens and the Council is to tackle poverty in Edinburgh. This is wanted for humanitarian reasons.

We are also certain that these cuts and any short term savings are false economies. Reducing services which ensure sexual health, support and rehabilitation for substance abuse, support for independent living and an improved quality of  life for people with disabilities is inefficient economically. 
Austerity policies and the current pandemic have shown up the lack of resilience in our public services. 
We call on you as our representatives to take a stand.  This may mean borrowing and putting pressure on the Scottish government for sufficient funding.Please assure us that we can rely on you to commit to integrated, properly funded services to tackle the hardship and suffering many people face.
Regards