It is encouraging that John Swinney has taken charge of the way his government runs the health service. It also good that he is already chairing weekly meetings and stepped in over the festive period.
He has even gone to witness the issues that the NHS is facing by visiting an accident and emergency unit in Edinburgh. The NHS is in crisis and has been for some time.
Hundreds of thousands of Scots are on waiting lists. This is forcing some to spend all their savings to go private while those who cannot afford to do so are forced to suffer. Nearly 1700 people waited more than half a day in A&E for treatment over Christmas – with the Record reporting on one man who was forced to lie on the floor for five-and-a-half hours before he was even offered painkillers.
Workers are under immense pressure, coping with numerous vacancies and staffing levels at breaking point. At the same time the demand for care is only increasing as the population continues to age.
The current situation is an unacceptable one and has to be turned around quickly. Swinney being heavily involved shows that he acknowledges the scale of the problems facing our NHS.
He was able to admit that it is the public service which is under the most pressure. This is welcome but the proof will be in the delivery.
The SNP government is failing patients and staff feel worn out and demoralised. Swinney’s government has to cut waiting times, improve staffing levels and ease the pressure on our accident and emergency departments.
It is a huge task and will need decisive action to make it happen.
Axe the hunts
Fox hunting is a particularly barbaric pursuit. In 2023, the Scottish Government passed legislation to consign the blood sport to where it belongs – the dustbin of history.
But where loopholes exist in any field anywhere, someone will always look exploit them. The activity we highlight today appears to be case in point.
If the law has been broken in any way, we hope the police take firm action. But if those people who seek to keep fox hunting alive in this country are somehow finding a way to carry on then that should be a matter of concern.
Hunting foxes has no place in modern Scotland.
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