Pilton Community Health Project staff to protest against funding cuts

Scotland's oldest community health project - based in Edinburgh - is facing closure after cuts to funding.

Staff at the Pilton Community Health Project are planning to protest outside the city chambers on Friday after the decision by Edinburgh Council and NHS Lothian.

The centre is the oldest of its kind in Scotland and supports hundreds of vulnerable people in the north and north west of Edinburgh.

Project staff said they applied to the Integrated Joint Board (IJB) for renewal of £220,000 annual funding to cover core costs. A cut to that means the hub will be forced to close early next year.

The centre also employs 35 staff members.

Cllr Ricky Henderson, Chair of the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board said: “This is a new process for allocating grants which I strongly believe meets our strategic objectives for providing health and social care services across Edinburgh.

“Following the EIJB decision in November 2017 to review the grant programmes for those inherited from the Council and NHS Lothian, a steering group was formed and a grants programme was co-produced with the voluntary sector and subsequently agreed by the EIJB in August 2018.

“The steering group completed a robust and well thought out application and assessment process. Training and advice surgeries were held for applicants throughout and following the closing date an independent chair was appointed to moderate the allocation programme – ensuring objective and impartial decisions.

“The EIJB will consider the recommendations of sharing £14.2m from the grants review steering group at our next meeting on 14 December.