Cancer waiting times: NHS Scotland 20% better than NHS England and 44% better than NHS Wales
This information today from reader Dottie’s Phone today, based on extractions from the Guardian’s £14bn plan to reduce NHS cancer backlogs in England is failing, MPs say England: The MPs found waiting times for cancer treatment were “at their worst recorded level”, and concluded that the target to ensure that 85% of people did not wait more than 62 days for cancer treatment after an urgent GP referral would not be met by March 2023. In the first five months of 2022-23, only 62% of patients met the target and 11% were treated more than 104 days after an urgent … Continue reading Cancer waiting times: NHS Scotland 20% better than NHS England and 44% better than NHS Wales
UK poll of 20 000 puts support for Scottish independence ahead with massive 19% lead
Published today, Hope Not Hate’s poll, aimed primarily at measuring support for right-wing extremism, has inadvertently revealed broad support for Scottish independence across the UK. I should, as always, note a lack of any detail on research methods, especially sampling. Source: Continue reading UK poll of 20 000 puts support for Scottish independence ahead with massive 19% lead
UK campaign group puts support for Scottish independence alongside racism, misogyny, violence and holocaust denial
In their otherwise interesting and useful survey of 20 000, Hope Not Hate, describer a tiny number of right-wing and violent extremists operating in Scotland. Most are also extreme Unionists yet mainstream, democratic and socially progressive support for Scottish independence is right in the centre of this graphic, next to an array of violent, racist, holocaust denial and misogynist sentiments. Disgraceful Anglocentrism, even on the supposedly educated left. Full text at: https://hopenothate.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/state-of-hate-2023-v7-1.pdf Continue reading UK campaign group puts support for Scottish independence alongside racism, misogyny, violence and holocaust denial
ONE YEAR hospital waits five fold higher in England than in Scotland and surging in England
The Herald is reporting today that, according to Public Health Scotland (PHS) in December 2022, there were 6,856 inpatient/day case patients waiting who had waited longer than 104 weeks and that according to the IFS, in England, the figure was only 2 200. England has 10 times the population but far less waiting for more than 2 years? Two years waits are ‘five fold higher’ in Scotland than in England? Here’s the IFS statement: The recovery plan included the ambition that the NHS would eliminate waits of more than two years for treatment by July 2022. This has largely been … Continue reading ONE YEAR hospital waits five fold higher in England than in Scotland and surging in England
Murder now 31% more common and crime overall three times more common in England & Wales
England & Wales has 11 times the population of Scotland. Based on today’s release for Scotland and the September 2022 release for England & Wales, on recorded crimes in 2021, there were: 44 murder and culpable homicide cases in Scotland as opposed to 633 in England & Wales, 31% higher, per head of population; 287 678 crimes overall in Scotland as opposed to 9 100 000 in England & Wales, more than 3 times as many, per head of population; 69 117 crimes of violence in Scotland as opposed to 1 135 802 in England & Wales, 60% higher, per … Continue reading Murder now 31% more common and crime overall three times more common in England & Wales
SNP Government allocates further £14 million for already target-busting drugs treatment service
From Public Health Scotland in December 2022: The Scottish Government set a Standard that 90% of people referred for help with problematic drug or alcohol use will wait no longer than three weeks for specialist treatment that supports their recovery. Nationally, the Standard was met for referrals starting treatment across all substances: problematic use of drugs (94%), alcohol (91%) and co-dependency (93%). https://www.publichealthscotland.scot/publications/national-drug-and-alcohol-treatment-waiting-times/national-drug-and-alcohol-treatment-waiting-times-1-july-2022-to-30-september-2022 Today, attracting of course, zero coverage, this: Three organisations supporting people with problem drug use will receive more than £14 million to increase the number of residential rehabilitation placements. The funding will create an extra 225 placements each year … Continue reading SNP Government allocates further £14 million for already target-busting drugs treatment service
Experts say Scotland leads and has always led the way in driving improvement and outcomes in sustainable procurement
From ‘Independent Review: Scotland’s journey of achieving sustainable procurement outcomes (2002-2022)‘ by Harkins Research & Consultancy Ltd, published today: From the early 2000s, Scotland has demonstrated a real commitment and desire throughoutlocal and national government to encompass community benefits and sustainable outcomesthrough public procurement activity. This is evidenced by its policy, practice, culture, andthrough a substantial programme of activity across the public sector. The literature reviewacross the UK indicates that Scotland appears to be leading the way in many areas. Theseinclude: The strength of commitment to the sustainable procurement agenda and theconsistent focus which has driven innovation and improvement, most … Continue reading Experts say Scotland leads and has always led the way in driving improvement and outcomes in sustainable procurement
Scotland’s secret success as 100% IVF system saving thousands in ‘not in public interest’
Above BBC Scotland, as the Scottish IVF waiting time target results are published. Now if the trans rapist was to be denied IVF treatment, that would be a story. Try searching ‘BBC Scotland IVF‘ and all you will get is stories of the experience of one or two individuals or of how an unvaccinated person was refused treatment during the pandemic. You won’t see this: The 90% standard was met, with 99.6% of patients attending a screening appointment within 52 weeks of referral. 98.9% of all patients waited 39 weeks or less to be screened, similar to the previous quarter … Continue reading Scotland’s secret success as 100% IVF system saving thousands in ‘not in public interest’
SNP accused of destroying Yorkshire with cheap electricity link
In the Yorkshire Post today but not in the public interest in Scotland, judging by the zero coverage: Landowners in East Yorkshire have complained of feeling “pressurised” over an undersea electricity “superhighway” from Scotland to England which will cross their land. The £2.1bn link between Peterhead in north east Scotland and Drax in north Yorkshire, is expected to provide enough “green” electricity from Scottish offshore wind farms to power 2m homes in England. Spaldington parish council said agents had visited local properties last year and they’d received complaints that “the actions of said individuals could be considered inappropriate”. Clerk Simon Baxter said: … Continue reading SNP accused of destroying Yorkshire with cheap electricity link
The Act of Union in 1707 had very little legitimacy then and clearly has none today
I’ve been reading the above and getting a wee reminder of how little we need honour the Act of Union in 1707. Here’s why: Only 177 unelected worthies got to vote. Many had been bribed. With one fifth (1 million) of England’s population (5 million) Scotland only got one eleventh (45) of the total 513 seats. English troops were massed on the border, in case the offer was not accepted. If Scotland rejected the offer, all trade would be banned, Scots ports would subject to a naval blockade, and all Scots living in England would be ejected. There was rioting … Continue reading The Act of Union in 1707 had very little legitimacy then and clearly has none today
