Category: Uncategorized

4 Comments

NHS Scotland to be hammered for hundreds of millions in US drug deal Scotland had no say in

johnrobertson834

In the Guardian today something we, well stewartb, warned was coming. The NHS across the UK will have to divert £45bn from essential services to pay for the trade ‘deal’ the UK Labour Government has just done with big pharma in the US. Scotland’s share, unavoidably as the deal is done by the UK Government alone, will cost NHS Scotland around 8% of that or £360 million. In April 2026, stewartb, warned this was coming and NHS Scotland would just have to meet the cost from its finite budget unless the UK Government did something. stewartb Seems like another example … Continue reading NHS Scotland to be hammered for hundreds of millions in US drug deal Scotland had no say in

2 Comments

‘Localised pollution’ in Fife ‘could’ be a risk but the were no could be’s when Cryptosporidium in London, Diarrhoea in Devon, Human Waste in the Thames and in Windermere and Sick sheep in a Yorkshire burn were found

johnrobertson834

BBC Scotland yesterday, making as much as they can from this: Environmental inspectors have warned the public to avoid entering the water at a beach in Fife due to “localised pollution” in a stream. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) said water quality in the Kinghorn Burn had been found to be “intermittently poor” during recent testing. The watchdog said the water, which flows under the town into Kinghorn harbour beach, could be a risk to human and animal health. You have to worry about the wee souls at BBC Scotland’s Pacific Quay site on the Clyde watching folk falling … Continue reading ‘Localised pollution’ in Fife ‘could’ be a risk but the were no could be’s when Cryptosporidium in London, Diarrhoea in Devon, Human Waste in the Thames and in Windermere and Sick sheep in a Yorkshire burn were found

3 Comments

Researchers cast serious doubt on reality of hate crimes ‘surging’ in Scotland – I’m certain they’re not – they probably fell by around 4%

johnrobertson834

BBC Scotland today try to have it both ways in this headline. What percentage of the population is, like TuS readers, media students and other perceptive folk out there, thinking ‘Ah it’s just charges. It might not really be soaring at all?’ It’s not. Hate crimes in Scotland are not ‘soaring.’ I’m as certain as I can be. Why? First, from the same report: A new law introduced in 2024 created a new crime of “stirring up hatred” relating to age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity or being intersex.1 Broaden the definition of hate crime and more cases are … Continue reading Researchers cast serious doubt on reality of hate crimes ‘surging’ in Scotland – I’m certain they’re not – they probably fell by around 4%

10 Comments

Little delight as brand-new Turkish-built ferry doors last only 15weeks and the other unfinished three vessels have to be paid for in full meaning they might need to be towed somewhere for finishing-off – How about the Clyde?

johnrobertson834

From BBC Scotland today: CalMac’s newest ship – the Turkish-built MV Isle of Islay – is to be withdrawn from service for repairs later this month, just 15 weeks after carrying its first passengers. The roll-on roll-off ferry entered service on 31 March, but six weeks later a hinge problem with its bow doors meant it has had to operate “single ended” ever since. The issue is understood to be the only “big ticket” item out of about 150 lesser problems that CalMac wants fixed under warranty. Separately, Scotland’s state-owned ferries body is trying to establish if three other CalMac … Continue reading Little delight as brand-new Turkish-built ferry doors last only 15weeks and the other unfinished three vessels have to be paid for in full meaning they might need to be towed somewhere for finishing-off – How about the Clyde?

1 Comment

David Lammy’s shocking incompetence to be tested again? Remember when he oversaw the release in error of 179, more than THREE times as many prisoners proportionally as in Scotland, 5

johnrobertson834

Prison security is a big story across UK media this morning, prompted by the above in the Telegraph, this morning. BBC Scotland have nothing on it but do have a piece on the QEUH not being able to report even one positive Ebola case. In April 2026, BBC Scotland were interested in the same story – prisoners released in error – as the UK media. As always, they failed to spot the main issue: Shocking incompetence as Lammy oversees the release in error of more than THREE times as many prisoners as Constance in Scotland Justice Secretaries in April 2026, … Continue reading David Lammy’s shocking incompetence to be tested again? Remember when he oversaw the release in error of 179, more than THREE times as many prisoners proportionally as in Scotland, 5

3 Comments

NHS Scotland has met the national drug and alcohol treatment waiting times standard for community services every year going back to 2011 when it was first set

johnrobertson834

From National drug and alcohol treatment waiting times 1 January 2026 to 31 March 2026 Accredited official statistics, published today: Source: https://www.publichealthscotland.scot/publications/national-drug-and-alcohol-treatment-waiting-times/national-drug-and-alcohol-treatment-waiting-times-1-january-2026-to-31-march-2026/ Since 2021, when the current system of recording was put in place, NHS Scotland has never failed to meet the standard, other than in prisons. https://publichealthscotland.scot/publications/show-all-releases?id=20553 Prior to that and going back to 2011 when the standard was first set, there are no reports of ever missing the 90% target. Continue reading NHS Scotland has met the national drug and alcohol treatment waiting times standard for community services every year going back to 2011 when it was first set

1 Comment

NHS England waiting list queue is 300 000 or 5% longer than Scotland’s

johnrobertson834

From Stage of treatment waiting times New outpatients, inpatients and day cases published today, the above graph and: At 31 May 2026, there were an estimated 579,814 individuals on at least one new outpatient, inpatient or day case waiting list. This is equivalent to around 1 in 10 of Scotland’s population (mid-2024 estimates).1 All things being equal, pro rata, the figure for England with 10 times the population should be 5.8m The equivalent figure for NHS England is estimated (!) at 6 .1.2 There are thus 300 000 people, 4.9% more, on the NHS England waiting list who would not … Continue reading NHS England waiting list queue is 300 000 or 5% longer than Scotland’s

Leave a comment

NHS Scotland cancer treatment facing massive increase in referrals since pandemic yet performing better than then and saving thousands who would have been delayed in NHS England

johnrobertson834

From Cancer waiting times 1 January to 31 March 2026 published today: There were 4,668 eligible referrals where the 62-day standard applied, a decrease of 2.7% from the previous quarter, but an increase of 25.4% from the quarter ending 31 December 2019, the last full quarter pre‑pandemic. 72.2% of patients started treatment within 62 days, compared with 72.6% in the previous quarter. There were 7,225 eligible referrals where the 31-day standard applied, a decrease of 2.0% from the previous quarter, but an increase of 13.1% from the quarter ending 31 December 2019. 94.5% of patients started treatment within 31 days, … Continue reading NHS Scotland cancer treatment facing massive increase in referrals since pandemic yet performing better than then and saving thousands who would have been delayed in NHS England

2 Comments

SNP Government builds 6 times as many and sells 18 500 times fewer council houses than England after two years of Labour

johnrobertson834

From Housing statistics quarterly update: new housebuilding and affordable housing supply published today, we see that Scotland’s local authorities built 1 707 council houses in 2025, down 17 from the previous year but up by nearly 600 on 1 123, ten years before, in 2016.1 All things being equal and now two years into a Labour government, you might expect England to be building around 17 00. Hmm, no, just 2 850, only a sixth of the level in Scotland.2 They have ‘beaten’ Scotland on one thing though. Scotland sold no council houses because Thatcher’s right to buy legislation is … Continue reading SNP Government builds 6 times as many and sells 18 500 times fewer council houses than England after two years of Labour