Young people to take the lead in mental health study

Young people will lead an in-depth, 15-month study into child and adolescent mental health services to recommend improvements to Ministers. Mental Health Minister Maureen Watt has announced £95,000 to establish the Youth Commission on Mental Health Services – a partnership between the Scottish Government, Young Scot and the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH). Continue reading Young people to take the lead in mental health study

Dodgy data 2: NHS Lothian to ‘re-model’

Reporting practices surrounding emergency department waiting times are to be ‘re-modelled’ across NHS Lothian following an internal review. An investigation, launched following a whistleblower’s revelations about the under-reporting of waiting times at St John’s in Livingston, has found that ALL emergency care hospitals across the region have misrepresented waiting times. Continue reading Dodgy data 2: NHS Lothian to ‘re-model’

Back the fight against puppy smugglers and backstreet breeders, says animal welfare Minister

People planning to add a four-legged friend to the family this Christmas need to be wary of unscrupulous breeders and sellers, animal welfare Minister Lord Gardiner has warned today. Continue reading Back the fight against puppy smugglers and backstreet breeders, says animal welfare Minister

Don’t be a turkey victim this Christmas

Don’t be a turkey ‘victim’ this Christmas

For many families across the UK, turkey will be the centerpiece of their menu this Christmas. A veritable feast undoubtedly lies in store but the traditional festive food highlight should be treated with the utmost care to avoid harmful bacteria spreading and causing potential infection. Continue reading Don’t be a turkey victim this Christmas

Council’s care staff feel ‘overworked, over-pressured, unsupported and disbelieved’

Under pressure: City care workers issue distress call

A UNISON survey of the city council’s Health and Social Care workers has concluded that they feel ‘overworked, over-pressured, unsupported and disbelieved’. The report says many care staff are taking on more work than they can safely manage. Continue reading Council’s care staff feel ‘overworked, over-pressured, unsupported and disbelieved’

Letters: Tears

Dear Editor

My tears are for all children, women and man who are suffering extreme poverty and starvation

My tears are for all animals, birds and wildlife

My tears are because of all the cruelty and the destruction of trees and natural habitat

But my tears are not tears of despair, they are tears of knowing how different things could be.

We have allowed a relatively few powerful financial organisations to control and exploit – with unbelievable callousness – people, animals and the natural environment for their private profit: these same people having created the biggest financial mess ever seen worldwide and are now passing it on to everyone.

This ‘system’ must be changed. Wealth created by the work of people must be used for the benefits of all people: we would then be able to deal with all these terrible problems.

A.Delahoy

Silverknowes Gardens