The biggest most disruptive rail strike in a generation gets the above coverage. You won’t find a picture of the PM or the Transport Minister anywhere. The Mail even sticks to the old 70’s practice of blaming the Unions. Scotland’s biggest ‘intelligent’ newspaper used to adopt the same approach but, since the arrival of an SNP Government in Scotland, has had a very different approach: Simply, demonisation of the First Minister. Continue reading Rail strikes in England and Scotland blamed on very different targets

By stewartb The selectivity of the Unionist-inclined media in Scotland in reporting health-related statistics is no longer a surprise! Here is another example of omission, even though it’s from an organisation that is frequently quoted by BBC Scotland to frame a ‘bad’ news story. Source: Royal College of Emergency Medicine (May 2022) RCEM Acute Insight Series: Beds in the NHS. (https://rcem.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/RCEM-Acute-Insight-Series-Beds.pdf The RCME records that since 2010/11, the NHS has lost almost 25,000 beds across the UK. Whilst acknowledging that changes in the nature of healthcare provision has meant that the role of hospital admission has changed, it argues, reasonably … Continue reading The selectivity of the Unionist-inclined media in Scotland in reporting health-related statistics

Clearly of no interest to ‘Scotland’s’ MSM but from SNP Media yesterday: NHS staffing in Scotland has reached a new record high level, increasing by nearly a quarter under the SNP. Under the SNP’s time in government:– Qualified nurses and midwives are up by over 5,500 – an increase of 13.7%;– Medical and dental consultants up by 63.2% with 2,000 extra in post;– Allied health professionals (excluding paramedics) up by over 2,000, an increase of 26.3%. Plus, more than 1,000 additional healthcare support staff have been recruited since last October and almost 200 registered nurses from overseas. https://twitter.com/scotgovhealth/status/1534110214588403715 Continue reading NHS Scotland staffing at record high under SNP

In the Herald, unchecked it seems, from the Scottish Tory Branch: HUMAZ (sic) Yousaf has been accused of being politically “impotent” after A&E waiting time performance worsened again last week. Figures released by Public Health Scotland showed a decline in the overall number of patients seen on time, and increases in those enduring extreme waits. https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/20191797.health-secretary-humza-yousaf-condemed-impotent-e-performance-declines/ The facts? In April 2022: 72.1% of attendances at A&E services were seen and resulted in a subsequent admission, transfer or discharge within 4 hours. 9,417 (7.9%) patients spent more than 8 hours in an A&E department. 3,588 (3%) patients spent more than 12 hours in an … Continue reading FACTCHECK: Yousaf confirmed as important as A&E performance IMPROVES

At first sight, that’s bad news. More young folk being referred does worry but what if they’re still getting treated as quickly? The number of children being referred for mental health care in Scotland has risen by 22% since last year. In that quarter, 73.2% were seen within 18 weeks – a slight increase from 72.7% during the same period last year. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-61709166 So, a ‘massive’ 22% increase yet still ‘slightly’ more in percentage terms being seen within the target? Isn’t that a very good news story? Shouldn’t the headline be: ‘Despite massive increase in referrals NHS Scotland continues to … Continue reading Yet NHS Scotland performance improves?

From Public Health Scotland: Seven out of ten (73.2%) of children and young people were seen within 18 weeks of referral, which is an increase from 70.5% for the previous quarter, and also from 72.7% for the same quarter ending March 2021. The Scottish Government standard states that 90% of children and young people should start treatment within 18 weeks of referral to CAMHS. 5,016 children and young people started treatment at CAMHS in Scotland. This is an increase of 7.7% from the 4,659 starting treatment in the previous quarter, and an increase of 20.5% from the 4,162 starting treatment … Continue reading NHS Scotland improves Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) waiting times despite surge in demand

From Public Health Scotland: 19,977 people started psychological therapies treatment in NHS Boards and NHS 24 in the quarter ending March 2022. This is an increase of 10.5% (1,905) from the previous quarter, and an increase of 9.2% (1,684) from the same quarter the previous year. More than four out of five (83.1%) people started their treatment within 18 weeks of referral, compared to 84.8% of people for the previous quarter, and 80.6% of people for the quarter ending March 2021.  https://www.publichealthscotland.scot/publications/psychological-therapies-waiting-times/psychological-therapies-waiting-times-quarter-ending-march-2022/ Continue reading NHS Scotland improves annual psychological services performance despite massive increase in demand

The key initial Quality Performance Indicators for Melanoma Cancer, have been met in 2020/2022, for more than 96% of those referred. This is up from 91.5% in 2018/2019 and beats the 90% target by some way. QP1 definition: Proportion of patients with cutaneous melanoma who have their initial diagnostic biopsy carried out by a skin cancer clinician*. https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:32e1f3e7-9e87-4356-9d46-014c605df879#pageNum=7 Continue reading Major success in improving cancer diagnosis

From Public Health Scotland today: 72.1% of attendances at A&E services were seen and resulted in a subsequent admission, transfer or discharge within 4 hours. https://www.publichealthscotland.scot/publications/ae-activity-and-waiting-times/ae-activity-and-waiting-times-month-ending-30-april-2022/ The NHS England data for April are not out yet but in March 2022: NHS Scotland saw 71.6% in 4 hours. NHS England only saw 58.7%. NHS Scotland’s performance was thus 21.9% better (71.6 – 58.7 as a % of 58.7) Sources: https://www.publichealthscotland.scot/publications/ae-activity-and-waiting-times/ae-activity-and-waiting-times-month-ending-31-march-2022/ https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/ae-waiting-times-and-activity/ae-attendances-and-emergency-admissions-2021-22/ Continue reading Scottish A&E performance improves

..to a change in consumption among people drinking at harmful levels. Academic from Sheffield and Australia also found some some people experienced financial strain and they cut spending on food or bills while others switched to lower-strength drinks. Needless to say this research, like all research, can be dissected to get what you want from it. Notice it’s only ‘some people.’ They, ‘some people’ only ‘cut food bills’, not went without. And, that last bit, switching to lower strength drinks? Isn’t that what the SNP wanted to happen? Look at this quote. Prof John Holmes, director of the Sheffield Alcohol … Continue reading SNP alcohol policy encourages ‘some people’ to switch to healthier lower-strength drinks and weight loss!