Humza Yousaf must be sacked for ‘dangerous negligence’, Scottish Labour MSP Sarah Boyack has said, as the party revealed that the number of patients waiting over 12 hours to be seen in Accident and Emergency in Lothian has soared.
Statistics have shown that, in the year from November 2021 to October 2022, a shocking 15,936 people in NHS Lothian spent more than 12 hours in A&E waiting to be seen – despite an SNP government commitment to see 95% of patients within four hours.
This figure has spiralled in recent years, with the number of people waiting more than 12 hours now around 18 times higher than the same period in 2018/19.
With A&E services in disarray and the situation only worsening throughout the winter, Scottish Labour is warning that lives will be lost due to the SNP-created A&E crisis.
Scottish Labour MSP Sarah Boyack said: “The facts are plain for all to see – NHS Lothian’s A&E services have been plunged into a deadly freefall by Humza Yousaf’s dangerous negligence.
“Despite the efforts of hardworking staff, the number of patients spending a shocking 12 hours waiting in A&E has soared this year.
“The SNP’s mismanagement of our NHS is putting lives at risk – we urgently need a real plan to put a stop to this chaos and protect services in Lothian.”
The Scottish Conservatives are also calling for Yousaf’s sacking. A spokesperson said: “With each passing week, Humza Yousaf continues to preside over complete chaos in our A&E departments.
“His tenure as Health Secretary has been nothing short of a disaster and Nicola Sturgeon must sack him immediately.”
Number of A&E patients waiting more than 12 hours:
Police in Edinburgh are appealing for information after a 32-year-old woman was assaulted in the Graysknowe area.
The incident took place around 6pm on Christmas Day (Sunday, 25 December), when the victim was attacked by a man, who entered the passenger side of a dark-coloured Volkswagen parked nearby and left the area. The victim did not require hospital treatment.
The suspect is described as being a white man, around 6ft and slim build, wearing a black padded jacket, black jogging bottoms and black trainers.
Enquiries have established that the suspect’s car was parked in the West Pilton Lea area by two men, around 6.45pm on the same day. Later that night, around 11.30pm, an unknown man was seen returning to the vehicle and setting it alight.
Detective Inspector Kevin Tait, from Corstorphine CID, said: “This appears to have been a targeted attack and we can be thankful that the victim was not more seriously injured.
“We are appealing to anyone with information, or was in either the Graysknowe or West Pilton Lea areas and witnessed anything suspicious, to please come forward.
“You can contact police on 101, quoting incident 1821 of 25 December, 2022. Alternatively, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, if you wish to remain anonymous.”
WE visited the wee Garden Centre regularly. We much preferred it to those huge, impersonal Garden Centres – the ones with cafes and food halls and play areas; the garden centres that sell everything but where actual gardening seems to be an afterthought.
Yes, our wee garden centre was pretty basic – plants, pots, compost – but the staff knew their stuff, and there was one guy in particular who was like a walking encyclopaedia.
There was nothing remarkable about Will Moss – his name was on his badge – other than his amazing horticultural knowledge. He was a small, stocky bloke with craggy features and the complexion of someone who enjoys the outdoor life. His hair was dark, with flecks of grey, and it was really hard to tell how old he might be. My wife thought late forties, I guessed a good few years older but we really didn’t have a clue.
Will couldn’t have been more helpful and nothing was too much trouble for him. When we visited he never seemed too far away and when we needed his advice Will always seemed to be on hand, always there but never intrusive. You would always smell him before you saw him: Will was clearly a big fan of Old Spice.
Once we had got to know him a bit better we made a point of testing him out. On the way to the garden centre we would come up with all sorts of devilishly difficult gardening dilemmas – but without fail he would come up with a practical solution for each and every one of them. He enjoyed the challenge but was modest about his vast knowledge, embarrassed even.
Our garden flourished through Will’s expert guidance, and what had been a barren desert of spindly, weedy grass blossomed to become a beautiful oasis, vibrant with colour and teeming with bees and butterflies. Summer evenings were particularly heavenly, with the heady fragrance of the stocks, lillies and lavender filling the warm evening air.
In the autumn and even into winter there was stunning colour and variety in the garden, and that would have been impossible without Will. He had been such a huge help to us that we decided we really must say thanks in some way, and with Christmas approaching we decided to get him a gift to show our appreciation. It could only be one thing: a large Old Spice gift set. I remember we laughed when we imagined Will receiving gallons of the stuff from grateful customers like us at Christmas.
We went out to the garden centre in early December, and we were surprised that there was no sign of Will when we got there. He could have been on holiday or on a day off, of course, or maybe even off sick (although he had once proudly told us that he had never had a day off sick in his life).
When we asked another member of staff where he was we were astounded to hear that Will no longer worked there. He hadn’t left: he had simply disappeared.
From talking to other staff we discovered that Will has worked at the garden centre for many years, far longer than all the other staff but other than that, he was a pretty much a mystery.
He had always refused promotion when it was offered, seemingly content quietly working away. He didn’t talk an awful lot but everyone got on with him and respected him. He never talked about family and no-one knew anything about his personal life; he always took lunch on his own in the garden and never attended social events.
Strangest of all, the home address he had given his employers did not exist. It seems the street name he provided was demolished many years ago.
Bewildered, we left the garden centre without making any purchases and we didn’t talk all the way home.
I wandered into our garden to try to get things straight in my head, and sat on the bench under the lilac tree, a favourite spot.
I took a deep breath … and suddenly froze. I exhaled – and then carefully, ever so slowly, I breathed in once again. Yes, there was absolutely no doubt … the unmistakably pungent scent of Old Spice.
Will’s gift still sits on the workbench in the garden shed. Perhaps one day he’ll come to claim it.
Just like the Wet Bandits, criminals don’t take time off over Christmas
Be sure you’re Christmas trips away from home aren’t ruined on your return by making your home as secure as possible.
– If you leave any cars in the driveway or on the street, be sure to safely secure keys away in non-obvious places. Or better yet, take them with you.
– If possible, have lights on timers or left on to look like someone is home.
– Make sure your property is secure, including gates and garages etc which may give criminals easy access to your home.
– Ask close friends and family to keep an eye on your property while you are away.
If you know your neighbours are visiting loved ones over the holidays, please look out for any suspicious activity and report it to the police immediately.
Morrisons has unveiled a range of products and offers across food favourites, liqueurs, beers and soft drinks to bring in the new year in style.
Highlights include:
Up to 44% off 50cl-70cl liqueurs including Warnink’s Advocaat, Tia Maria Liqueur, Malibu Coconut Liqueur, Glayva Whisky Liqueur and Disaronno Amaretto (£9.99)
2 for £2.50 on Simon Howie’s range, including Black Pudding, Sliced Haggis, Beef Links, Pork Sausages and Lorne Sausage
The Famous Grouse Ruby Cask for £14 (Morrisons supermarket exclusive)
Ben and his mum always spent their holidays at Grandad’s. Ben and his mum lived in a big grey city but Grandad lived in a little village in the countryside. Ben loved it there – it was bright and green and it didn’t smell smoky. And you could hear the birds sing.
One holiday was especially special, more special than all the others and Ben would remember it forever.
It was the Christmas holidays and when Ben and Mum arrived at Grandad’s it started snowing – it was almost as if it was a special early Christmas treat for Ben to welcome him back!
Ben had a wonderful sleep in his own little bed at Grandad’s – he always had a great sleep there, but he got a real surprise when he got up and looked out of his window. There had been a storm during the night and the big tree in Grandad’s garden had been blown down!
As soon as he had finished breakfast Ben went out to see the tree. That wind must have been awfully strong, he thought. The tree is gigantic, but the wind had ripped it out of the ground and thrown it back down again. Superhero powers!
Ben had had lots of fun with that tree. He played games running round it; he climbed it; he read books in it’s shade in the summertime and had special picnics with Mum and Grandad under it’s leafy branches too. It’s trunk served as a wicket for his cricket games with Grandad, too, and often as a goal post when he imagined he was playing in a cup final. And it was always Grandad’s hiding place when they played Hide and Seek.
Now, the huge tree was lying on it’s side and there was a deep hole where it’s roots had been.
Ben peered into the hole – and then he noticed some tiny footprints in the snow, leading away from the hole over towards Grandad’s shed …
He followed the trail and noticed the door of the shed was slightly open. Unafraid, Ben went in. The shed was always dark, but Grandad kept a torch just inside the door and it was still there.
Ben slowly shone the torch round the shed … and there, sitting on Grandad’s stool in the corner, was the strangest wee figure. Ben bravely crept forward for a closer look … this was the strangest creature he had ever seen.
It was a mole! But this was no ordinary mole – this was a mole with a sou’wester hat, a plastic mac and wellington boots!
“You’ve got clothes on”, Ben said slowly … and the Mole replied! He actually SPOKE! In a quiet, squeaky voice the mole said: “Of course I’ve got clothes on – I’m outside and it’s cold! You wouldn’t go out without clothes on, would you?”
“Of course not, but I’m a boy! And you’re a mole!”
“Same difference”, said the mole sniffily. “We’re both small”.
“I’m not small. I’m SIX!” said Ben, indignantly. “And I’m big for my age!”
“It doesn’t matter”, said Mole. “Do you want to go out to play?”
“We can’t play together”, said Ben, wisely. “I am a boy and you are a mole.”
“Of course we can play together”, the mole replied. “I play with Badger, squirrel and hedgehog. We’re all different but we have fun together all the time.”
“Aah, but you are all … well, wild animals. And I am a boy … and a superhero! So that’s that!”
“But you play with your Grandad?”
“Yes, I play with Grandad. But he’s a grown up. He’s like an old me. I can play with him”
“Well … he plays with us, too!”
Ben was confused. This was difficult information to take in.
Finally, he said: “Okay, then. Let’s go out and play!”
Ben and Mole went back out into the snowy garden for a snowball fight, and they were soon joined by Badger, Squirrel and Hedgehog. They had great fun, and Owl and Robin watched on from the roof of the shed. It really was a wonderful morning.
When Mum called Ben in for lunch, the wee boy said goodbye to his new friends and went into the warm cottage.
Mum asked: “What have you been up to, Ben? Have you had fun?”
Ben couldn’t wait to tell her about his amazing adventure. “There was a mole and a squirrel and a badger and a hedgehog and we had a massive snowball fight and we had races and we played hide and seek and ….”
“Oh, Ben! Really, what an imagination! I’m sure you’ll be a famous storyteller when you grow up!”
“But it’s true! Grandad …”
Grandad put his finger to his lips and winked …
Ben looked outside. The snow was getting heavier and there was no sign of his playmates.
He never saw them again during the holiday, but on the day they left to go home both the owl and the robin were back on the shed roof, as if they knew …
That was their last holiday at Grandad’s. Mum said he had been very ill and that he would be happy now to be with Nan again.
Ben would never again return to the cottage and the magical animals would forever be their special secret.
Anyone who may be feeling anxious, stressed or low is being encouraged to seek support as soon as possible and not wait until the festive season is over.
They are also being reminded that mental wellbeing support is available over the festive period for anyone who may be struggling over the coming days and weeks.
Mental Wellbeing Minister Kevin Stewart said: “For some, the festive season can be a tough time. People may be on their own with no family, they may have health issues, concerns about Covid or flu or other worries affecting them. This time of year can also be the trigger for existing family tensions or anniversaries of a life-changing event.
“The rising cost of living is on everyone’s mind and many people are having to make difficult decisions about how they will pay for things. All this can have an impact on our mental health and wellbeing and lead to increased stress and anxiety.
“With the challenging times we’ve been through over the last few years, many are finding things particularly tough this year and it’s normal to feel stressed or down.
“Reaching out to others for help, whether that’s to friends and family or to services who can provide emotional support, is often the hardest step. There is help and support available throughout – please don’t wait until after the festive season to speak to somebody.”
If you need to talk to someone, you can call these free services:
On mental health and wellbeing:
Out of GP opening hours, telephone advice and support is available from NHS 24 via the Mental Health Hub on 111 and is open 24/7
Breathing Space offers free and confidential advice for people experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety, whatever the cause. They can be contacted on 0800 83 85 87, 6pm to 2am Monday to Thursday; and 6pm Friday through the weekend to 6am Monday.
Samaritans on116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org, for confidential emotional support if you’re in distress or despair. Open 24 hours a day.
There is also a range of practical resources and support on Mind to Mind
On money worries and finances:
Money Talk Team at Citizens Advice Scotland provides free money and debt advice for anyone living in Scotland or call your local Citizens Advice Bureau on 0800 028 1456.
Money Advice Scotland provides free and confidential advice to anyone with money worries. Their team is available on 0141 572 0237 Monday – Thursday 8:30 am to 8 pm and Friday 8:30 am to 5 pm.
Mental Health and Money Advice provides practical advice and support for anyone experiencing issues with mental health and money.
