World First Aid Day
To celebrate World First Aid Day on September 14th I was joined in Parliament by primary school pupils and representatives from the British Red Cross who wanted to showcase their newly acquired first aid skills to me and my MSP colleagues.
St John’s Hospital paediatrics delayed again
Today, the Scottish Government announced that the reinstatement of 24/7 paediatric service at St John’s Hospital will be delayed once again.
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Survey shows Scotland's health “stagnating”
New statistics showed health and lifestyle measures “stagnating”.
Statistics published today showed:
- The measure of mental wellbeing for adults is at its lowest level since recording began in 2008;
- Two thirds of adults are overweight, including 28% who are obese;
- A third of men drink to levels described as hazardous or harmful;
- Only around 1 in 5 adults met the 5-a-day recommendation, while 10% didn’t consume any fruit or vegetables the previous day.
“scandalous” cancer waiting times
Statistics published today by ISD Scotland show 82.4% of patients started treatment within the 62-day standard during the quarter ending June 2019, compared to 84.6% for the same quarter the year before.
The 62-day standard was only met by NHS Borders, NHS Lanarkshire, and NHS Orkney.
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Shetland By-Election Victory!
It's wonderful to be working alongside Beatrice Wishart MSP after the fantastic Liberal Democrat victory in Shetland. Already doing a brilliant job of standing up for her constituents in Holyrood.
A&E performance this summer
Throughout the whole of this summer, performance against the A&E target has been worse than it was at the same time last year.
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South Queensferry Beach Clean
This month I joined local residents, the Marine Conservation Society and ASH Scotland for a clean up of Queensferry beach just off the high street. We also took a survey of the rubbish we found along a 100 metre stretch which will be sent to the UN who are conducting the same survey in beaches all over 70 costal countries.
“Lax and irresponsible” adverts still directing parents to deserted Sick Kids site
Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has today criticised the “lax and irresponsible” mismanagement of the Sick Kids crisis, after revealing that more than a month after the hospital move was cancelled buses in Edinburgh are continuing to display adverts that direct parents to the deserted hospital.
Early cancer diagnosis essential
Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP today said the Scottish Government is failing patients after new figures out today show that it is still missing its own cancer detection target by a wide margin, years after it was supposed to be met.
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Audit shows delayed discharge challenge for critical care
Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP today said it is no surprise that staff shortages and delayed discharges are taking its toll on every part of the NHS, after a new audit report highlighted critical care units struggling with demand and obstructions.
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