Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account – 12266421 Name – JOHN ROBERTSON Generally, I’d caution against using weekly data on NHS performance but comparing how A&E copes on special weeks such as the one around Christmas is suggestive of meaningful change. Above, the percentage seen within 4 hrs in NHS Scotland Type 1 A&E departments suggests a significant improvement in that high pressure week around Christmas Day, of around 18%. The monthly averages, also, confirm improvement. Remember that 3.5% increase is 3.5% of tens of thousands of patients. Source: … Continue reading Looking at NHS Scotland A&E performance around Christmas peak pressure suggests major improvements from 2022 to 2025

Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account – 12266421 Name – JOHN ROBERTSON I’ve held back from commenting on the sad reports from the Skye House psychiatric unit for 11-18 year-olds, in Glasgow, but it’s clear that the media are in a sickening feeding frenzy on the reports by three teenagers, former patients, of abusive behaviour by staff there. No one else seems prepared to speak on behalf of the staff and the unit. So, three teenagers reported abusive behaviour by nurses including mocking suicide attempts. Skye House supports 24 … Continue reading Skye House ‘abuse’ – This media feeding frenzy in a psychiatric unit for adolescents is a new low in ethical standards across journalism in Scotland

Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account – 12266421 Name – JOHN ROBERTSON I know it has a tiny audience, but Michael Marra of ‘Scottish’ Labour had a rant on BBC Scotland’s Debate Night, of such hysterical dishonesty and fear for the near extinction event they face in May , I feel obliged to respond. We have the fastest A&E departments, other than that one long waiting list for non life-threatening conditions, wheeled out every time, we have the shortest and falling waiting lists for all procedures, for cancer, heart … Continue reading Absolutely appalling – Michael Marra’s frothing, fearful, false rant on the best NHS in the UK is easily dealt with

Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account – 12266421 Name – JOHN ROBERTSON Once more, the Times‘ supposed Scotland edition does not just not do Scotland, it misrepresents it. There are no directly comparable data for 18 to 24 year-olds but there are for 16 to 24 year-olds and they’re shockingly different which may explain why no Scottish media are going there. Scotland – Skills Development Scotland (SDS) – Economy, People and Skills: January 2026 (published January 20, 2026): Reports the 16-24 youth unemployment rate in Scotland as 10.2% for … Continue reading Youth employment nearly 60% higher in England than in Scotland