Improve data on young people affected by conditions causing Sudden Cardiac Death
- 2,079 Signatures
On 19 March 2022, my son, David Hill, died while playing for the Parliament’s rugby team in Dublin. Almost a year after his death we found that he had died from an undiagnosed genetic condition which stopped his heart.
There is no screening programme for young people with these conditions and current estimates are that there are at least 12 preventable deaths each week in the UK.
Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) support and fund research as well as providing screening, which is mostly funded by bereaved families. Through this, CRY believes the incidence of young people identified with a potentially fatal cardiac condition (if untreated) to be 1:300, with another 1:100 to be found with a condition that could cause serious issues later in life if not monitored. The National Screening Committee (NSC) believe the incidence to be approx. 1 or 2:100,000. This discrepancy makes it difficult to establish the benefit of funding a national strategy. With accurate data from Scotland, the NSC could revisit their decision.
Screening costs £65 per person, and initially consists of an ECG, with follow-up by cardiologists.
Historic conservation areas throughout Scotland are falling into disrepair.
We understand the challenges faced by both national and local government in managing limited funding, however, current funding for conservation areas is insufficient. We kindly request that the Scottish Government address the specific concerns raised regarding the funding for conservation areas.
Residents at one conservation area - the Park Conservation Area in Glasgow - recently asked why works were not carried out in accordance with their area’s appraisal document. Glasgow City Council advised they do not have the funds for this work. As a result, the area’s history is being slowly eroded.
Preserving historic areas throughout Scotland is not merely an act of conservation, but testament to our collective identity and cultural diversity. Safeguarding these spaces helps honour the voices of our ancestors, celebrate the triumphs and lessons of history, and inspire future generations with a profound sense of belonging and continuity.
Review and cap public sector senior management salaries
- 40 Signatures
Most lower-paid public sector workers have to regularly review their role and rate of pay.
Is it acceptable that there are so many people in public sector senior management roles earning more than the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretaries and the First Minister? Examples are CEOs of Councils, NHS trusts, public bodies such as SEPA or Scottish Water, and education establishments.
The pedestrian crossing outside of my son’s primary school on Bonnington Road (B900) in Edinburgh was disabled in favour of making traffic flow easier. This decision disregarded the safety of the primary and nursery age children that require to cross this busy road. It took two weeks of reporting to many different people before this was finally fixed.
When a pedestrian crossing is disabled or otherwise bypassed, an alternative safety measure, such as a temporary light with pedestrian button or stationed personnel with traffic controlling powers, should be put in place.
Introduce a National Screening Programme for Prostate Cancer
- 540 Signatures
One in eight men will get prostate cancer. Scottish men are historically reluctant to go to the doctors. Prostate cancer symptoms may not be known about and regarded as just being part of getting older, or drinking too much tea or coffee. Meanwhile, a very serious illness can go undetected until it is too late. It is all very well to say that there can be risks associated with tests for prostate cancer, and it can be a process that causes alarm or anxiety, but should this not be a decision for the patient to make after having been given the options following an initial diagnosis?
Our dad was terminally ill in the high dependency unit of Perth Royal Infirmary, when during his final days his solicitor along with his business partner presented him with legal documents to sign. These documents affected the value of our dad’s estate, consuming his final moments and the little time we had with him.
We took the matter to the Law Society of Scotland, and the solicitor was found guilty of 5 counts of misconduct and received a £5000 fine. During the tribunal, part of the defence was that the solicitor didn't have to ensure dad's capacity in the same way as he would have to in England, where they have a "golden rule" to ensure any frail or extremely sick person has to get a medical professional to co-sign legal documents to guarantee capacity and confirm there has been no coercion.
My dog Monty and 4 other dogs tragically perished in a fire at the boarding kennels they were staying at in June this year. The kennels had a fire extinguisher on site which is all that is currently required under current legislation, but there were no smoke detectors/alarms to alert anyone to the fire which happened during the night. There were also no sprinklers in place as this is not a requirement. By the time the alarm was raised and the Fire Department were called to scene, a few hours had passed and by then all the animals had tragically perished. I want safety standard within boarding kennels improved to at least have smoke alarms and early detection systems in place to try and ensure this does not happen again. I would not want any other family to go through what we have all had to go through knowing our beloved pets died in such horrendous circumstances.
Despite having a very good track record with loads of experience of delivering large scale events, my business has, since 2006, tried to hire land from councils but we have been continually refused. Reasons given have included not wanting land to be damaged, being too close to a residential area, and in one case not allowing us to book the event space in case someone else wanted to book it. When trying to address these concerns, we have been fobbed off and declined meetings, this includes several attempts to meet with the Chief Executives for Glasgow and Edinburgh City Councils.
There does not appear to any reason for local councils to behave the way they are, other than they have their own agenda, which excludes anyone they don't want to engage with.
Having spoken to other business owners, we have become aware we are not the only people this is happening to.
Improve and prioritise pedestrian safety
- 45 Signatures
This report, written by Sustrans together with ARUP and Living Streets, published in 2022, calls for Government action to stop cars, cycles and e-scooters encroaching on pavement space.
Transport for All has campaigned for an Equal Pavements Pledge.
(https://www.transportforall.org.uk/campaign/equal-pavements-pledge/)
Review existing legislation and legal remedies against trespassers
- 13 Signatures
The current legislation in Scotland is poorly understood by laypeople with many people believing they have universal, unrestricted right of way over private property. It provides excessive protection to those abusing it.
Current legal remedies against trespassers often means costly court action or, alternatively asking trespassers to leave with little immediate power. This means that those experiencing persistent or hostile trespassers often find themselves with significant expenses to preserve their privacy and the integrity of their home. Additionally, a trespasser is owed a duty of care even if all reasonable/affordable steps have been taken to secure property against them.
Suggested actions:
1. Absolve homeowners of responsibility for injuries or inconvenience caused to trespassers
2. Allow easier access to interdicts
3. Permit criminal charges for demonstrable distress (especially to vulnerable people)
4. Lower evidential bars to prove trespass
These suggestions are hypothetical in the hope the Scottish Government can find more acceptable solutions if appropriate.