Huntington’s disease (HD) is a devastating inherited neurodegenerative condition that causes a slow but relentless decline in mental health, thinking processes, speech, swallowing and balance, resulting in uncontrollable jerky movements. Those who have the condition will eventually lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, drink, make decisions or care for themselves. … [Read more...] about Why Huntington’s Disease is so prevalent in the North of Scotland
NHS Scotland
NHS alert: code red for climate change
Is the NHS equipped to deal with floods, gales and heatwaves of extreme weather? Can democracy Deliver in Time?We knew it was coming. The IPCC special report on Climate Change ('code red for humanity') should leave no-one in any doubt that we cannot afford to waste more time on promises yet to be delivered. We've been good at promises in Scotland as well as the rest of the … [Read more...] about NHS alert: code red for climate change
Primary care needs urgent support
My 82-year-old mother called her GP surgery early one morning this week; she was told there were no appointments, and to try again the next day. This is a concerning situation. It may be the practice is short staffed with staff off sick or in isolation, or they may have vacancies they cannot fill. The situation is getting worse and I fear will continue unless we face up to … [Read more...] about Primary care needs urgent support
Time to deliver
On becoming a Minister in the 1960s, Tony Benn reportedly had a map of Britain hung upside down in his Whitehall office. It was his reminder that there were different ways of looking at the world and a prod, so the story goes, to challenge thinking about the gravitational pull of power and wealth. The same kind of thinking was evident in the Christie Report on the future … [Read more...] about Time to deliver
Monklands Hospital: lessons from Labour’s flawed campaign
The recent Scottish Labour campaign on Monklands Hospital (MH) in NHS Lanarkshire (NHSL) was deeply flawed, and we must learn lessons from it.It was divisive and alienating for sections of the hospital’s catchment area, and failed to engage with basic facts on every aspect of the issue.This is worrying given the party’s aim to campaign in ways that ensure progressive and … [Read more...] about Monklands Hospital: lessons from Labour’s flawed campaign