Fed by Jackie Baillie to once more politicise serious health matters, The Times pokes at a massive and massively complex programme of vaccinations, in a sad attempt to score political points. Vaccinating millions of people, twice, at speed, is comparable to steering a super-tanker which takes miles to turn. The opposition parties with their media rodents seem to think it’s like driving a mini. On 14 May 2021, the JCVI recommended that the second dose interval be brought forwardfrom 12 to 8 weeks. In December 2020, Scotland followed JCVI advice and concentrated on vaccinating care home residents before all others. … Continue reading Scotland sticks with JCVI guidelines again

It’s easy to get things wrong, to misinterpret data, and most journalists seem to when it comes to Scotland, so with help from our graphics guy, Sean (14), we’re making things more accurate for folks at the BBC, above, and at the Telegraph, below: It’s free. The originals? Somewhat different understanding of the truth. Continue reading Making sense of the news

Yesterday we heard Professor Sridhar advise: If it avoids rising cases, people getting ill, another lockdown and helps businesses stay open -> doesn’t it make sense to keep face masks for indoor settings like shops & public transport, until we understand more about vaccine effectiveness in stopping transmission? On the 22nd June the First Minister said: Also, at least for a period we are likely to require continued wearing of face coverings in certain settings – for example public transport. Since then Professor Leitch has repeated that face coverings are still likely to be required in public places. But, according … Continue reading Boris pushes bus drivers under a bus

They’re are loving this. When Scotland had a far lower infection rate than England in January, not a peep but now, at last, they have something to worry us with. Of course, there’s something missing in their accounts. There is a wee hint in the BBC Scotland report but they don’t follow it up: A lack of “natural immunity” in the population has led to Scotland having the highest Covid rates in Europe, the national clinical director has said. There’s an obvious question, why? Why do we have a lower level of natural immunity? Why has England a higher level? … Continue reading Europe’s ‘hotspot’ now because we did so well in the early stages and saved more than THREE THOUSAND lives

‘Doctors?’ It’s 175 ‘health care professionals’ out of maybe 100 000 such in Scotland, surveyed by a US-based group and led by this extremely true-believer guy: Galloway, MB ChB MD DSc FRCS[G] FRCS[Ed] FACS FRCP[Edin] FAMM FAIS FRCPI FCSSL FICP FACP FIMSA was President, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow 2015 – 2018. Public opinion on this? The usual trick. Way down in the 21st of 22 paragraphs: Mr McArthur put forward the proposals last month for a Members Bill at Holyrood which, if passed, would permit assisted dying for adults who are both terminally ill and mentally … Continue reading 2 that we know of out of 10 000 ‘doctors’ criticise Lib Dem bill

In both of the above: 175 Scottish health care professionals from a variety of specialities have signed a letter to Health Secretary Humza Yousaf with their concerns about the proposed legislation. 175, was that too difficult to say? Is 175 ‘nearly 200?’ Is 175 ‘hundreds?’ I know why they felt the need to make this sound bigger. There are around 60 000 doctors and nurses working in NHS Scotland plus who knows how many ‘health care professionals’ there in the private sector. So, at the most, we’re looking at a protest by less than 0.3% of the professions. This is a Lib … Continue reading Assisted dying bill next anti Scottish Government campaign focus with inaccurate reporting

From the Herald’s Writer at Large (anything goes), yesterday: Extremism is now mainstream. Globally, the far right is shaking democracy to its foundations. How did this happen? To find out, Writer at Large Neil Mackay speaks to Dr Joe Mulhall, one of the world’s leading experts on the far right and a man who risked his life infiltrating extremist organisations in order to discover their plans to seize power. Scotland has long had its own far right groups from Combat 18 to the National Front and BNP. However, the far right additionally plays into the loyalist-republican divide in Glasgow. There’s … Continue reading Neil ‘Troubles’ Mackay’s Big Nightmare: The inside story of Scotland’s teeny far-right

I was worried as case levels soared until early last week. BBC Scotland seem to have no good news for us on that front yet. They were on the ball in June warning us: I suppose cases must still be soaring? Wait: What’s this? The number of cases has fallen for the third day in a row? Why has BBC Scotland not told me this? What do I pay a licence for? Does this mean the SNP’s management of the pandemic measures is working? Without Boris telling us what to do? Continue reading Covid cases fall for third day in a row except in Pacific Quay

On Reporting Scotland and the BBC Scotland website tonight: The Scottish government has said there will be “ongoing need” for face coverings when all other restrictions are lifted on 9 August. It said that while measures are “under review” people could still be expected to wear masks on public transport and in shops. In England, however, wearing masks is soon expected to become a “personal responsibility”. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-57713127 Reporting Scotland went beyond the website report to find a medic who would say that this might be confusing. I suppose if you don’t know which country you are in, you’re confused by a … Continue reading Gleeful and infantile, Reporting Scotland spot SNP not following England’s rules

As always, I have long suspected that NHS Scotland would be outpacing NHS England, wounded by corruption and confusion at Westminster, in catching up on operations after the pandemic but it has been difficult to get comparative data. I need a researcher as well as a carer, and a physio and a dietician and….. Anyhow, surely the BBC and the Times can be trusted. Don’t answer that. According to the BBC, 385 000 have been waiting more than a year in England. In Scotland according to our pals at the Times: Just over 28 000 have been waiting a year … Continue reading If they lived in Scotland, 105 000 would be seen in less than a year. 12 month hospital waiting lists 27% longer in NHS England