Tag: mental-health

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NHS England plans further cuts to mental health care for children to further widen the gap with ‘substantially’ better NHS Scotland but no media report it

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From the Guardian today, the above, and: Millions of adults and children in England face being forced to wait longer for mental health care, with more than two-thirds of NHS providers planning to cut services and half expected to axe jobs, the Guardian can reveal. With mental health services already under extraordinary pressure amid soaring demand for support, experts warned the proposed cuts – drawn up by trusts to plug holes in their finances – would also have “significant” consequences for the wider NHS, the economy and public services. Key services such as child and adolescent mental health care, talking therapies, addiction support, … Continue reading NHS England plans further cuts to mental health care for children to further widen the gap with ‘substantially’ better NHS Scotland but no media report it

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English newspaper looked 10 000 miles south to report opioid crisis in Australia but fails to notice a solution launched THIRTEEN years ago just 400 miles to the north

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The Guardian in September 2024 had: Australian demand for overdose drug naloxone more than doubles after spike in synthetic opioid deaths but no mention of Scotland in the report. Why might it have? This: Scotland was the first country in the world [2011] to introduce a national naloxone programme, empowering individuals, families, friends and communities to reverse an opiate overdose. https://www.gov.scot/policies/alcohol-and-drugs/naloxone-provision/#:~:text=Scotland%20was%20the%20first%20country,years%20from%202011%20to%202016. From Public Health Scotland in August 2021: Since the establishment of the National Naloxone Programme in 2011/12:• 74,629 THN kits have been issued by services based in the community.• 8,793 THN kits have been issued by prisons in Scotland.• 10,388 THN kits … Continue reading English newspaper looked 10 000 miles south to report opioid crisis in Australia but fails to notice a solution launched THIRTEEN years ago just 400 miles to the north

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Corridor care is much less common in Scotland but the Glasgow Times exploits one case to mislead and to scare you

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In March 2026, ITV News made it very clear, above, just how rare corridor care in Scotland was, in comparison with other parts of the UK – 4 times as common in Wales, nearly 4 times in Northern Ireland, and nearly 3 times as common across England. Today, the Glasgow Times tries to exploit a single case in an effort to mislead its readers as to the true situation and to damage trust in local hospitals: They are careful not to refer to the ITV report, nor these facts: From ITV News 16 March 2026, based on their own survey: A special … Continue reading Corridor care is much less common in Scotland but the Glasgow Times exploits one case to mislead and to scare you

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BMA Scotland and BBC Scotland accused of barely undergraduate level of criticism of GP walk-in clinic scheme before project is fully underway and worthy only of ‘F – do not resubmit’ result and invitation to seek counselling on course change

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BBC Scotland, Aimee Stanton, yesterday claimed, despite revealing the above graph in their own report: GP walk-in clinics see low attendance leading to accusations of failure – A series of walk-in GP clinics which the Scottish government said would end the “8am rush” for appointments have seen low attendance rates, first figures show. and: Dr Iain Morrison, chairman of the BMA’s Scottish GPs committee, said doctors had expressed reservations about the walk-in clinics when they were first announced – and it now looked like a case of “I told you so”. He told BBC Radio Scotland Breakfast (RSB): “In terms … Continue reading BMA Scotland and BBC Scotland accused of barely undergraduate level of criticism of GP walk-in clinic scheme before project is fully underway and worthy only of ‘F – do not resubmit’ result and invitation to seek counselling on course change

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Still challenged but Scotland’s care system is years ahead of any plans Burnham has

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As the new PM is pressed on England’s failing social care system, we sometimes hear, not on BBC Scotland of course, that though still challenged, Scotland system after nearly 20 years of centre-left government by the SNP is well ahead. What’s the evidence? What has the SNP done differently? In Scotland, there is free personal care for all adults assessed as needing it. This was introduced for over-65s in 2002 and extended to working-age adults in 2019. This covers help with personal hygiene, continence, diet, mobility, and simple treatments, whether at home or in a care home. The upper threshold … Continue reading Still challenged but Scotland’s care system is years ahead of any plans Burnham has

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A tale of two dentists – Anas Sarwar and ‘Odious’ Lord Offord’s Brother

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Three months ago, angered by Lord Offord of Reform’s claim that he had ‘bounced up to him’ seeking to collaborate against the SNP, Anas had some harsh words for Lord Offord. Did he know then that Lord Offord’s wee brother would be inviting him to speak at a a do on dentistry? How will that go? A surprise inclusion in the website of Vermilion, a private dental company owned by Dr David Offord, who I think, both born in Greenock. might be the brother of Baron Malcolm Offord of Garvel (and Reform UK). Vermilion hold a symposium every two years … Continue reading A tale of two dentists – Anas Sarwar and ‘Odious’ Lord Offord’s Brother

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Research reveals increasing mental health referrals among children may be more due to a greater readiness to come forward and to coding changes than to an actual increase in depression and anxiety and casts Daily Record reporting as ill-informed and exploitative

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The dominant narrative across the media operating in Scotland, the opposition parties and a few parents groomed by them, is, as in the Daily Record headline above, on 20 April 2026. Often ignored are these facts: From Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) waiting times Quarter ending March 2026 published today, the above graph showing the 90% target beaten for 6 quarters (3 months) in a row, and: 91.2% of people started treatment within 18 weeks of referral, which is an increase from 90.0% for the previous quarter. 3,858 people started treatment in CAMHS. This is an increase of 2.4% (91) from the 3,767 starting … Continue reading Research reveals increasing mental health referrals among children may be more due to a greater readiness to come forward and to coding changes than to an actual increase in depression and anxiety and casts Daily Record reporting as ill-informed and exploitative

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Six unique steps the SNP Government is taking to avert the claim that ‘children will be one of the unhealthiest generations in decades’

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You know what I’m going to say. Yes, no mention of Scotland in this, from the Guardian‘s Health Correspondent, Tobi Thomas. Do you think that means Tobi has done the research and knows that doomy claim applies equally to Scotland? Has s/he flip! The Scottish Government has taken several targeted actions on child nutrition, obesity, and related health issues, which could help mitigate aspects of the UK-wide problems highlighted in the RCPCH report upon which the Guardian report is based. Such as? Here are a selected six of them. Expansion of free school meals to tackle child poverty and improve … Continue reading Six unique steps the SNP Government is taking to avert the claim that ‘children will be one of the unhealthiest generations in decades’

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Disability benefits – Burnham only has to ask as Scotland already offers a large majority of what is proposed for a ‘truly progressive system’

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In the Guardian today, once more, complete Anglocentrism as a writer does not think to ask if any other part of the UK has already done what she wants Andy Burnham to do. There’s not a mention of Scotland in the above but to what extent does the Scottish system already offer what is suggested? Scotland’s Adult Disability Payment (ADP) system already delivers a substantial portion of what the article advocates, particularly in shifting away from the most criticised elements of the current PIP system in England and Wales. It provides a more humane, less intrusive process and greater security … Continue reading Disability benefits – Burnham only has to ask as Scotland already offers a large majority of what is proposed for a ‘truly progressive system’

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As youth violence and murder by minors plummet is this the Herald’s most inaccurate, misleading and unethical piece of clickbait ever?

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I know, I’ve already sorted the Herald‘s front page in an earlier report this morning but this email alert version above takes their dishonesty to a new level with the suggestion that ‘new data‘ from schools, on possession, exposes a rise in actual youth violence. It’s utterly untrue, a disgraceful lie aimed at clickbait at the expense of our mental health. So, to repeat: That claim of a rise in actual youth violence – What is the long-term youth violence trend in Scotland? Youth violence in Scotland involving individuals under 18 as victims, perpetrators, or both. Data come from sources … Continue reading As youth violence and murder by minors plummet is this the Herald’s most inaccurate, misleading and unethical piece of clickbait ever?