The National Health Service (NHS) seems to be straining under the immense pressure it’s currently facing. There appears to be a crisis brewing, with the health service in a precarious position.
It’s alarmingly difficult for patients to reach their general practitioner (GP). We find that almost one out of every six individuals in Scotland is stuck on a waiting list.
The state of the ambulance service is quite concerning, and A&Es in Scotland are grappling with immense load. Fresh statistics illustrate the dire condition of emergency departments in Scotland.
Overcrowding is a severe issue that’s resulted in over 50% of such units resorting to treating patients in hallways.
Out of the 826 patients across the 21 emergency departments, approximately 12.8 per cent had to receive emergency care on hospital trolleys in corridors.
It’s little surprise that Dr John-Paul Loughrey from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine characterized these statistics as “deeply saddening.” He expressed that many Scots are facing a “devastating,” “inappropriate,” and “undignified” situation.
General elections serve as an excellent medium to underscore the state of public services.
Such exercises reveal the areas in which ministers are performing inadequately and where enhancements are needed.
Despite this being a Westminster election, the governing SNP must address the issues plaguing the Glasgow-based NHS.
Indeed, there is no denying that 14 years of austerity under the Tories has adversely affected all public services in Scotland.
Covid-19 and the subsequent lockdowns have also left a significant dent on the health service across the entire UK.
However, various essential components of the NHS are malfunctioning, and the excuses for the same are losing their credibility.
Scotland requires more hospital beds, an effective staff retention strategy, and integrated social care police to alleviate the A+E crisis.
The experiences endured by patients in this advanced age is wholly unacceptable and calls for an immediate transformation.
Salute Souness
The honours system has been criticised in the past for largely recognising Tories who have served for an extended period, career civil servant or wealthy businessmen.
Thus, it’s exhilarating to witness countless genuine heroes receive recognition in the King’s Birthday Honours list this year.
Among these deserving recipients is the Scottish football sensation, Graeme Souness. The formidable athlete has displayed a tender side by extending his support to the ailing ‘butterfly girl’ Isla Grist, diagnosed with the painful disorder, Epidermolysis bullosa.
Souness, moved by her ordeal, pledged to do everything within his capabilities to raise awareness about this malady, besides contributing funds for research to discover a cure.
He undertook a challenging swim across the English Channel with a team that included Isla’s father, and has consistently contributed significantly toward the charity Debra. This organisation aids children like Isla and others suffering from this condition.
Congratulations are in order for Graeme and all the Scots who have made it onto the King’s Birthday Honours list.
The honours system’s true essence lies in prioritising such everyday heroes over others.
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