If NHS Scotland had the same level of admissions per head of population to A&E Type 1 units as NHS England does it would treat nearly 90% in 4 hours compared to their just over 60%
In May 2026 63.6% of 129 279 attending Type 1 A&E in Scotland were seen within 4 hours. The equivalent percentage for England was 61.9% of 923 959 admissions. If you were a Scottish MSM journo, you’d be quick to claim that’s little different. 1.7% better but: First, 1.7% of those 129 279 attending is 2 198 more treated on time who would not have been had they live in England. Tell them they’re insignificant. Second and this is a biggie, 63.6% of 129 297 attending in Scotland is 82 221 while 61.9% of 923 959 admissions in England is … Continue reading If NHS Scotland had the same level of admissions per head of population to A&E Type 1 units as NHS England does it would treat nearly 90% in 4 hours compared to their just over 60%
Deeply impressive – month after month, year after year, NHS Scotland is staffed and equipped to do 98% of operations on time despite ever-increasing numbers planned as it nears the pre-pandemic recovery level
From Cancelled planned operations Month ending 31 May 2026, published today, we can extract the above in a graphical form and read: There were 24,951 operations planned to take place across NHS Scotland. This is 0.5% less (-116) than the number planned in May 2025 (25,067). Over the course of the last 12 months, from June 2025 to May 2026 (308,249), there was a 7.7% increase (+21,911) compared to the previous 12 months (286,338). This is consistent with the trend of generally increasing numbers of planned operations since March 2021. Of all planned operations during May 2026 in NHS Scotland, … Continue reading Deeply impressive – month after month, year after year, NHS Scotland is staffed and equipped to do 98% of operations on time despite ever-increasing numbers planned as it nears the pre-pandemic recovery level
BBC Scotland’s Endometriosis claims are based on an unreliable survey
Under a tasteless image of a woman grimacing in pain, BBC Scotland today is using the news on new testing for endometriosis to suggest waiting times are longer in NHS Scotland than in NHS England based on the average. Using this measure, we hear it’s 10 years and 2 months in Scotland but 9 years and 4 months in England. There’s a problem. This is not based on Public Health Scotland officially checked and published statistics but, rather, it’s based on data collected by the charity Endometriosis UK. What’s wrong with that? Several things make the figures unreliable and, if … Continue reading BBC Scotland’s Endometriosis claims are based on an unreliable survey
Serendipitous National Party Government has ‘failed to exploit potential’ in rental e-bikes leading to only one sixth of the casualties per head of other parts of the UK
From BBC England this morning, the above, and: The cost of damages paid out to people injured in the UK by e-scooters and e-bikes has topped £110m, the BBC has learned. It is only seven years since the first claim was made, with the biggest individual payout being for £20m. Such claims have also led to premiums for drivers being pushed up, to effectively cover the bill for insurers. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c05y9pe5p1jo I’ve been unable to get a breakdown for the 4 UK nations or to find a comparative report for Scotland. I have, however, been able to compare the number of … Continue reading Serendipitous National Party Government has ‘failed to exploit potential’ in rental e-bikes leading to only one sixth of the casualties per head of other parts of the UK
As Sky News worries about killers and rapists released early from prison in England re-offending in Scotland plummets to 5%, due to more prison officers and more police officers
Both Sky News and BBC Breakfast today have reported concerns about early prisoner release in England including killers and rapists. BBC Scotland has no equivalent today though they have tried before to be Reporting Scotland Down this way. They struggled. Here’s why: On 17 June 2026 officers is raising concerns about the early release of hundreds of prisoners over the past two years. The early release scheme has been prompted by concerns over prison overcrowding and does not include prisoners convicted of sexual offences or domestic abuse. In a speech to the association of Scottish Police Superintendents, Rob Hay will … Continue reading As Sky News worries about killers and rapists released early from prison in England re-offending in Scotland plummets to 5%, due to more prison officers and more police officers
For the fiftieth time SNP government works respectfully with a health union to avert strike action and loss of life ‘setting it apart’ from other UK nations
There isn’t a precise record of this but I make it, conservatively, around 50 distinct strike actions and more than 100 days lost over the last 5 years, in NHS England and, in NHS Scotland, none, zero. What is the situation with consultants in Scotland? BMA Scotland has been in discussions/negotiations with the government. A recent pay offer for consultants is now being put to members in a consultative vote (not a formal strike ballot). https://www.bma.org.uk/our-campaigns/consultant-campaigns Earlier in 2026, BMA Scotland launched a pay survey and warned that failing to improve on the independent pay review body (DDRB) recommendation could … Continue reading For the fiftieth time SNP government works respectfully with a health union to avert strike action and loss of life ‘setting it apart’ from other UK nations
Students in England ‘mis-sold’ loans as Nurse students there owe £77k and those in Scotland get a £10k bursary – what effect might that have on training numbers?
BBC UK today has: Comparing student loan repayments to phone contracts or cinema tickets “amounted to mis-selling” by government, a group of MPs has said. In a new report, the Treasury Committee also said students were not told clearly enough loan terms could change retrospectively, and called for a U-turn on the decision to freeze the income threshold at which some graduates start repaying their loans. The student loan saga has run for years in England but rarely surfaces in Scotland. Here’s why: Let’s take the situation in nurse education. The Guardian in January 2026 had: Helen Lambert borrowed £57,000 … Continue reading Students in England ‘mis-sold’ loans as Nurse students there owe £77k and those in Scotland get a £10k bursary – what effect might that have on training numbers?
Anniversary of the Battle of the Somme reminds of Scotland’s higher blood price in WW1 and how that was suppressed for the Referendum in 2014 – short video
Ah lateral thinking! WordPress has been refusing my wee videos recently as direct posts but seems ok with them indirectly via X/Twitter. No idea why. Continue reading Anniversary of the Battle of the Somme reminds of Scotland’s higher blood price in WW1 and how that was suppressed for the Referendum in 2014 – short video
SNP’s ‘Mansion Tax’ will be popular, raise revenue and have no effect on inward migration
From the Scottish Government today: Views are being sought on plans to introduce two new council tax bands for properties worth more than £1 million and £2 million respectively to help fund local public services across Scotland. A public consultation seeks responses on possible increases of around £720 and £3,600 above the current highest Band H council tax charges. The final proposed rates for new Band I and Band J properties – expected to apply to fewer than 1% of properties – will be laid in Parliament for MSPs’ consideration following analysis of consultation responses and engagement with local government. Existing … Continue reading SNP’s ‘Mansion Tax’ will be popular, raise revenue and have no effect on inward migration
Scotland’s islanders paying between one quarter and a half of the price paid by those travelling to the Isle of Wight or the Channel Islands
Travelling to Scotland’s West Coast islands with Calmac typically costs between £0.20 to £0.70 per nautical mile. For example, Ardrossan to Brodick one way, 19nm, 55 min, for a foot passenger – £5-101 Similarly subsidised, the Northern Isles pay the same rate. Isle of Wight with Wightlink typically costs £1.50 to £2.50 per nm. For example, Plymouth to Fishbourne, one-way for a foot passenger, 10nm – £14-£22. 2 Channel Isles – £1.50 to £3+ per nm, Jersey to Guernsey 30nm, one-way foot passenger £32 to £50 .3 Sources: Continue reading Scotland’s islanders paying between one quarter and a half of the price paid by those travelling to the Isle of Wight or the Channel Islands
Talking-up Scotland 