Tag: healthcare

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First GP Walk-in clinic – Herald evaluation is too quick, asks wrong questions and their ‘top medic’ is far from that

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The Herald today has: Doctors have told the SNP to drop its plans to expand walk-in GP clinics after new figures showed patients waited up to six hours to be seen at the first facility in Scotland. The clinic at Wester Hailes Healthy Living Centre in Edinburgh, opened in February and was the first of around 30 walk-in clinics promised by the Scottish Government, currently led by the SNP. and So, another combined effort by Scottish BMA and the Herald to undermine the top party leader, John Swinney and the SNP. Are they stupid? Don’t they know this? Early reporting (including the article you … Continue reading First GP Walk-in clinic – Herald evaluation is too quick, asks wrong questions and their ‘top medic’ is far from that

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The causes of healthy life expectancy falling – Scotland already has far more, per head of population, GPs, nurses, midwives and other professionals than other parts of the UK so maybe look at this?

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The Herald today has: Scotland already has far more, per head of population, GPs, nurses, midwives and other professionals than other parts of the UK (table above, sources below) so Prof Cameron’s theory seems a little thin, simplistic. Here’s another explanation but one of course which cannot be laid at the door of the SNP Government’s limited devolved powers. The major rise in processed/UPF availability and reliance began decades earlier (1980s–2000s), becoming entrenched by the 2010s. This long-term poor diet quality (cumulative effects on obesity, inflammation, mental health, and chronic conditions) helps explain why health gains from medical advances stalled … Continue reading The causes of healthy life expectancy falling – Scotland already has far more, per head of population, GPs, nurses, midwives and other professionals than other parts of the UK so maybe look at this?

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How diplomacy by the Scottish Government helped to avert all planned health service strikes in Scotland

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In the Guardian today: Many of us reluctantly supported industrial action at the beginning, with a government that wasn’t listening – wanting to support junior colleagues whose pay had fallen far behind contemporaries. Now we see how divided and conflicted resident doctors are too, and we long for a resolution. We recognise that the strikes are harmful. Communication and diplomacy are skills we pride ourselves on, and politicians have never needed them more than now. Diplomacy is the way to resolve this crisis for our NHS as well.Dr Helen HoltConsultant physician and chair of the medical staff committee, University Hospitals Dorset https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/apr/15/strike-is-harming-the-nhs-and-dividing-doctors To what … Continue reading How diplomacy by the Scottish Government helped to avert all planned health service strikes in Scotland

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Disturbing research finding repeat AI errors in a medical procedure cast doubt on UK Labour’s rush to replace clinicians and confirm Scottish Government’s caution

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Thanks to NHS for YES for alerting us to this. From a February 2026 peer-reviewed research paper on an AI tool for Nasogastric Tube Position, the above image and this disturbing conclusion: Administration of food or medication through a misplaced nasogastric tube (NGT) constitutes a “never event” (defined by the National Health Service as a serious incident that is wholly preventable) in health care systems given the high likelihood of patient harm. Efforts to ensure adequate NGT positioning typically focus on increased education. Artificial intelligence (AI)–driven decision-support tools could address such challenges in a more streamlined manner, yet external validation … Continue reading Disturbing research finding repeat AI errors in a medical procedure cast doubt on UK Labour’s rush to replace clinicians and confirm Scottish Government’s caution

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Scotland’s model for pharmacy offers lessons for predicted ‘Iran war’ shortages

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In the Guardian 29 March 2026: Britain [sic] is “a few weeks away” from medicine shortages ranging from painkillers to cancer treatment if the Iran war continues, according to experts, while drug prices could also rise. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/mar/28/uk-weeks-away-medicine-shortages-iran-war-impacts-experts-warn The above makes no mention of Scotland. Searching for reports of shortages in Scotland gets the same story of shortages in England plus, When I saw the Guardian piece I was reminded of this intriguing suggestion: One potential solution lies in affording community pharmacy greater latitude in altering prescriptions – a practice that could save immense amounts of NHS funds and ease the … Continue reading Scotland’s model for pharmacy offers lessons for predicted ‘Iran war’ shortages

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Scotland’s GPs have ‘negotiated, investment-heavy multi-year package aimed at stabilisation’, while England’s GPs have strongly rejected what they see as ‘burdensome, under-resourced changes’

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Thanks, once again, to Dottie for alerting me to this: Today, from Doctors’ Association UK: The Doctors’ Association UK (DAUK) has given its strong support to general practitioners in England after they overwhelmingly rejected this year’s imposed contract changes. Almost 17,000 GPs and GP registrars took part in the BMA’s referendum, with 98.9% voting against the plans. They have called on the Government to return to negotiation with the BMA’s GP committee (BMA GPC) to jointly develop and agree a brand new contract.  https://dauk.org/government-urged-to-listen-after-gps-reject-contract-changes/ AI question – How does the current GP contract in Scotland compare with that for England … Continue reading Scotland’s GPs have ‘negotiated, investment-heavy multi-year package aimed at stabilisation’, while England’s GPs have strongly rejected what they see as ‘burdensome, under-resourced changes’

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As healthcare in England becomes a full-blown two-tier system with only 84% now in the NHS how health care in Scotland remains 96% within the NHS

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Headlining on BBC Breakfast this morning, this claim from Health Watch UK: NHS Scotland is not part of the study: In 2023, 9% of those we polled had accessed private healthcare in the last year. By 2025, this figure nearly doubled to 16%. The use of private dental care increased from 22% to 32% over the same period. The poll of 2,593 people in England, aged 18 and above, was run by Savanta between 31 October and 7 November 2025. We asked about the public’s use of NHS and private health care, and their confidence in accessing timely NHS care. https://www.healthwatch.co.uk/news/2026-03-16/two-tier-healthcare-increases-confidence-timely-access-remains-low … Continue reading As healthcare in England becomes a full-blown two-tier system with only 84% now in the NHS how health care in Scotland remains 96% within the NHS

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As the QEUH witch-hunt continues, two experts say 100% mould-free large hospitals ‘not realistic’ only months after two die and four almost die in Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred hospital

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In the Herald yesterday: Mould growth has been found in a cancer ward at a flagship hospital which was partially closed due to mould and dirty water ingress, the Health Secretary has confirmed. Neil Gray said he was made aware on Thursday morning that mould growth was found in one of the rooms on the bone marrow transplant ward at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) in Glasgow. Is it possible for any large hospital to be 100% free of any mould growth, at all, in at least one of its hundreds of wards? Experts and industry sources consistently state … Continue reading As the QEUH witch-hunt continues, two experts say 100% mould-free large hospitals ‘not realistic’ only months after two die and four almost die in Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred hospital

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12 hour A&E waits – TWICE as common in NHS Wales than in NHS Scotland and not far short of that in NHS England

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Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above.Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account – 12266421 Name – JOHN ROBERTSON This was researched by stewartb. I’ve just framed it a bit. Here’s what stewartb sent me: Dr Fiona Hunter, RCEM Vice President for Scotland is quoted in a press statement (March 3) headed: ‘Scottish A&E 12-hour waits hit ‘grim milestone’ of 10,000 in worst month on record’. It is commenting on ED performance figures for January 2026. Commenting on ED waits, she states: “Just because the situation here is better than in other UK nations does not mean the status … Continue reading 12 hour A&E waits – TWICE as common in NHS Wales than in NHS Scotland and not far short of that in NHS England

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Why are more GPs opting to work outside the NHS? They’re not in Scotland where almost 100% work in the NHS

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Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above.Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account – 12266421 Name – JOHN ROBERTSON From BBC England this morning, the above and: In her consulting room, Dr Yvonne Girgis-Hanna is at work as a GP, but not for the NHS. She is one of an increasing number of family doctors opting to practise privately. “I could not work as a full‑time NHS GP,” she says. “The days I do in the NHS, the next day I’m totally wiped out… You might have 30 face‑to‑face contacts, then extra telephone calls and paperwork. You … Continue reading Why are more GPs opting to work outside the NHS? They’re not in Scotland where almost 100% work in the NHS