More news you won’t hear – New £49 million, Scottish Government-funded terminal to enhance island life and economy

By Professor John Robertson From the Scottish Government today and, of course, utterly ignored by ‘your’ media in Scotland: A Scottish Government-backed deep-water terminal which will support future renewable energy developments and cruise ship opportunities on the Western Isles has been officially handed over to operators by Deputy First Minister Shona Robison.  Ms Robison toured the new Stornoway deep-water terminal to mark the end of the construction phase. It has delivered a new terminal with a cruise ship berthing facility capable of accommodating vessels more than 1,000 feet long (330 metres) and a new deep-water dock for large cargo vessels, … Continue reading More news you won’t hear – New £49 million, Scottish Government-funded terminal to enhance island life and economy

Why is Scotland’s cancer rate significantly higher than that in England – nuclear waste, nuclear power and nuclear weapons placed as far from London as possible?

By Professor John Robertson In Scotland: In 2021, the rate, or risk, of new cancers also increased to 644 per 100,000 [around 700 for men and 600 for women (an increase of 3.1% compared with 2019). In England, in 2020, the rate for men was 590 and for women, 487. These are significant differences. There are several explanatory factors including smoking (England lowest 13%, Scotland next at 13.9%, N Ireland at 14% and Wales at 14.1%) and better NHS detection services but you have to wonder about the Sellafield reprocessing plant, the most toxic nuclear plant in Europe, seeping pollutants … Continue reading Why is Scotland’s cancer rate significantly higher than that in England – nuclear waste, nuclear power and nuclear weapons placed as far from London as possible?

Using Labour’s ‘Drunkford’ method Scotland’s A&E hits 86% seen in 4 hours

‘A message from my mum – thanks for not doing a wealth tax.‘ Talking-up Scotland costs nothing so donate to our friends at  https://www.broadcastingscotland.scot/donate/ or take out a subscription to the Scots Independent newspaper in which I have a column, at: https://scotsindependent.scot/FWShop/product-category/subscriptions/ In 2022, Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, said the A&E figures, obtained by the party through freedom of information requests, were “shocking” NHS Scotland, though always far better than the other 3 nation’s NHS system, has not met the 95% within 4 hours target since the early days of 2020: But yesterday, the Labour leader in Wales, who shares the … Continue reading Using Labour’s ‘Drunkford’ method Scotland’s A&E hits 86% seen in 4 hours

Injury after collisions involving HGVs and Buses with bridges fall dramatically

Talking-up Scotland costs nothing so donate to our friends at  https://www.broadcastingscotland.scot/donate/ or take out a subscription to the Scots Independent newspaper in which I have a column, at: https://scotsindependent.scot/FWShop/product-category/subscriptions/ Published yesterday as part of a Freedom of Information request, by the Scottish Government, the latest data reveal a big decline in the number of incidents where people were injured after a bus or an HGV vehicle hit a bridge, in Scotland. Not the biggest of Talking-up Scotland scoops, I know, but one more area where Joe Public might be forgiven for thinking the trend goes the other way, based on media reporting. Who … Continue reading Injury after collisions involving HGVs and Buses with bridges fall dramatically

Channel 4’s Ciaran Jenkins on NHS Scotland cancer waiting times fails to mention referrals (demand) soaring by 24%

Talking-up Scotland costs nothing so donate to our friends at  https://www.broadcastingscotland.scot/donate/ or take out a subscription to the Scots Independent newspaper in which I have a column, at: https://scotsindependent.scot/FWShop/product-category/subscriptions/ He asks, How much better or worse is the NHS in Scotland compared with ten years ago? and claims it is: x3 worse cancer treatment within 31 days x7 worse cancer treatment within 62 days Here are the data: So, from 100% of patients seen on time in 2012 to 94.9% and 72% by the end of 2023. You can clearly say 5.1% and 28% worse but how do you come up with 3 … Continue reading Channel 4’s Ciaran Jenkins on NHS Scotland cancer waiting times fails to mention referrals (demand) soaring by 24%