Author: johnrobertson834

Retired Professor of Media Politics Not-for-profit independent political analysis
5 Comments

New research reveals how Jeane Freeman saved thousands in Scottish care homes as others dithered

johnrobertson834

This site costs nothing to run so donate to our friends at  https://www.broadcastingscotland.scot/donate/ The Herald today has: Mortality rates from Covid plunged among care home residents following the rollout of vaccinations, according to the first study to compare outbreaks across the initial three waves of the pandemic in Scotland. Academics from Glasgow and Edinburgh universities analysed data on infections and deaths recorded in care homes from March 2020 to October 2021. Ironically, in the middle of the report they have a link to: Jeane Freeman ‘I will always regret care home Covid deaths. Why ironic? Vaccines were rolled out in Scottish … Continue reading New research reveals how Jeane Freeman saved thousands in Scottish care homes as others dithered

7 Comments

Cancer waiting times far shorter in Scotland according to BBC UK Health Correspondent

johnrobertson834

This site costs nothing to run so donate to our friends at  https://www.broadcastingscotland.scot/donate/ The Herald is front-paging an international study of the percentage who get radiotherapy or who get chemotherapy as if that was the only measure of success and with some average waiting times as opposed to the percentage treated within the target of 62 days. The above graph from BBC Health in November 2022, is clear. Far fewer wait too long in Scotland than elsewhere in the UK. By the end of 2023, the Scottish figure had worsened to 28% but in Wales it had risen to a … Continue reading Cancer waiting times far shorter in Scotland according to BBC UK Health Correspondent

8 Comments

Affordable housing completions in Scotland soar above rest of UK but Labour/Con/Lib Dem unholy coalition in Fife get on BBC Scotland with a different story

johnrobertson834

This site costs nothing to run so donate to our friends at  https://www.broadcastingscotland.scot/donate/ As BBC Scotland delights today in the irony of the one housing officer, in Fife, who had to declare herself homeless after her private landlord decided to sell, their extended report has, of course, no context. Here is some. The above graph speaks for itself. Since the SNP came into power in 2007/2008, when Labour Scotland’s affordable housing completions were only just above those in Labour England, the Scottish level has climbed and stayed way above that in Con England and even further above that in Labour … Continue reading Affordable housing completions in Scotland soar above rest of UK but Labour/Con/Lib Dem unholy coalition in Fife get on BBC Scotland with a different story

2 Comments

Anti-social behaviour reported to Police Scotland plummets

johnrobertson834

This site costs nothing to run so donate to our friends at  https://www.broadcastingscotland.scot/donate/ The total number of anti-social incidents reported to Police Scotland has fallen notably in the last two years. The reporting of anti-social incidents in England & Wales is significantly lower, around only half, than in Scotland. https://crimerate.co.uk/anti-social-behaviour#:~:text=During%202022%2C%20England%20%26%20Wales’s%20police,per%201%2C000%20people%20for%202021. This means? There’s more anti-social behaviour in Scotland? Scots are more sensitive to it? Scots know its worth reporting it because Police Scotland will respond to it? This site costs nothing to run so donate to our friends at  https://www.broadcastingscotland.scot/donate/ Continue reading Anti-social behaviour reported to Police Scotland plummets

10 Comments

Scotland training far far more doctors than rest of UK

johnrobertson834

This site costs nothing to run so donate to our friends at  https://www.broadcastingscotland.scot/donate/ Many thanks as, often before, to Dottie for alerting me to this. From the Guardian yesterday: Ministers have dramatically stalled plans to double the number of doctors being trained in England by 2031 in a move that has caused dismay across the NHS, as well in medical schools and universities, the Observer can reveal. In June last year, ministers backed a long-term plan to expand the NHS workforce and pledged, amid great fanfare, to “double medical school places by 2031 from 7,500 today to 15,000, with more medical school places in areas … Continue reading Scotland training far far more doctors than rest of UK

11 Comments

Labour Dame and oily journalist lie about ferry service

johnrobertson834

Facts: Arran? ‘Be aware’ warning only as core single vessel operating. Yesterday, 1 out of 8 cancelled but plenty spaces on the others. Barra? Barra Eriskay ‘Normal service’, Oban Barra ‘one of more sailings disrupted due to strong winds.’ Yesterday, all 3 Barra services at 100%. The Dame lies about this. Coll? ‘Due to an oil leak, the vessels port stabiliser has been temporarily taken out of operation. As a result, there are now limitations in place regarding the weather and sea states in which the vessel can safely operate and service is at risk of short notice disruption or … Continue reading Labour Dame and oily journalist lie about ferry service

1 Comment

Less than half the cost of dog attacks on farm animals in Scotland despite more sheep and cows here

johnrobertson834

This site costs nothing to run so donate to our friends at  https://www.broadcastingscotland.scot/donate/ …than doubled in 12 months according to the latest figures. NFU mutual say farm animals worth more than £120 000 were severely injured or killed last year while total UK cost was £2.4 million. Context? Not Reporting Scotland’s thing except for drug deaths. Regulars know where I’m going with the first one. Scotland has a 12th of the population but only around a 20th of this crime. Where are those County Lines gangs when they need them? Scots dogs and owners are far better behaved under the … Continue reading Less than half the cost of dog attacks on farm animals in Scotland despite more sheep and cows here

4 Comments

Ferry captain accused of causing millions of dollars in damage accident had a history of workplace problems at Washington State Ferries

johnrobertson834

This site costs nothing to run so donate to our friends at  https://www.broadcastingscotland.scot/donate/ There’s so much bad news out there about ferries, from Alaska to New Zealand, you have to wonder how ‘our’ journos have the time to write every day about CalMac. Today, in the US Times Post: Ferry captain accused of causing millions of dollars in damage accident by MV Ferry Cathlamet July 2022 had a history of workplace problems at Washington State Ferries (WSF)KING 5 Investigators found. State records show that in the months and years leading up to the accident, colleagues and ferry managers expressed concerns about Capt. Dave’s … Continue reading Ferry captain accused of causing millions of dollars in damage accident had a history of workplace problems at Washington State Ferries

3 Comments

Canadian ferries vibrating too much due to cost-saving in German yards

johnrobertson834

This site costs nothing to run so donate to our friends at  https://www.broadcastingscotland.scot/donate/ B.C. Ferries vessel Coastal Inspiration. B.C. FERRIES As the new Clydebuilt CalMac ferry is reported to have had ‘overwhelmingly positive trials, clearly demonstrating the advanced technology which MV Glen Sannox will bring to the CalMac fleet‘, troubled BC Ferries in Canada, seem to have bought cheap but not ‘properly built’ in a foreign yard. In the Times Colonist yesterday: The reliability of Coastal Class ­vessels hinges on B.C. Ferries addressing their inherent vibration issues, stemming from partially submerged ­propellers. These issues, present since inception, necessitated the avoidance … Continue reading Canadian ferries vibrating too much due to cost-saving in German yards

2 Comments

Saturday Night Misery as Isle of Wight Ferries leave motorists stranded

johnrobertson834

This site costs nothing to run so donate to our friends at  https://www.broadcastingscotland.scot/donate/ From BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight today: Passengers were left stranded after a ferry company cancelled its late-night crossings. Wightlink, which runs services between Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, suspended car ferries on Saturday night, blaming “technical issues” in an email to customers. In a message on X, posted 25 minutes after the 22:00 crossing had been due to depart, Wightlink said there would be an additional FastCat sailing for foot passengers at 00:15 on Sunday. One passenger told the BBC he had to leave … Continue reading Saturday Night Misery as Isle of Wight Ferries leave motorists stranded