Scotland’s independent think tank
It was a conversation with my sister about our dad’s death which sparked the initial thought that maybe I could draw attention to an issue that seems to have gone almost unnoticed. She had been just 8 and my other sister 13 when Dad died suddenly one Saturday morning of a massive heart attack. Our …
Change is needed if we are to better support bereaved children – Christine Jardine MP Read More »
When I spoke to the Chief Executives of the NHS Boards back in 2014, I challenged them to stop commissioning 600,000 occupied bed days of Delayed Discharges. Nothing significant changed, in fact it is still increasing. I was told I had been too gentle! This is the equivalent of 2 District General Hospitals and approaching …
Can Scotland deliver NHS reform in 2023? – Dr Alastair Noble Read More »
It’s official: plans for a National Care Service are in trouble. Yesterday Alex Neil said it should be scrapped. That followed fellow SNP MSPs calling it a ‘blank cheque’. The Fraser of Allander Institute, Cosla, unions, NHS leaders – and of course Reform Scotland – have all voiced concerns. This is more than just the usual chuntering. This is the backbone of Scotland’s …
A 3-point plan to save the National Care Service – before it’s too late – Gordon Hector Read More »
The House of Commons’ Health Committee in its latest report has said clearly that we must return to personal lists for GPs. The committee called for a return of personal lists, so each patient is assigned an individual GP, alongside an expansion of GP training places. By 2027, 80% of GP practices should be using …
Scottish General Practice: The Right Way Forward – Dr Alastair Noble Read More »
Everyone can see the NHS is in trouble. But what do we do? Answers seem in short supply. Last week the Scottish Government put out a press release, announcing a new urology hub near Falkirk. It was a bit of summer fluff and it’s a relatively small facility. But it’s more interesting that it first looks. It …
Since the start of the pandemic, I have filled 26 notebooks with the stories and reflections of people who have told me about their experiences during this difficult time. As the Chief Executive of Scottish Care, which represents the independent care sector in Scotland, I speak virtually daily to those who deliver care and support …
A chance to reshape our approach to bereavement – Donald Macaskill Read More »
This article is written in response to Paul Gray’s blog -A Critical Moment for Health and Social Care. All the evidence supports the simple fact that the NHS and social care have been a remarkable success since 1948. We have the fittest elderly population ever and the ability to help many people’s social care needs. …
Can Holyrood succeed where Westminster is floundering? A vexed question we have become wearingly familiar with north of the border in recent years. But with respect to the future of social care, it is far from fantasy politics. The Scottish Government’s Programme for Government, published in September, indicated it would ‘establish a National Care Service, …
Building a social care system fit for purpose – Chris Creegan Read More »
Paul Gray’s blog presents some critical challenges to us as we move forward, making an NHS that is fit for purpose for today and not relying on a 1948 or 2019 context. However, perhaps we need to pull back to a broader lens. A reason that the NHS is not where it needs to be …
We need to focus policy on prevention – Helen Chambers Read More »
A wee theme has emerged during the ambulance crisis: that it comes after years of cutting bed numbers, and therefore the NHS isn’t ready. This claim popped up earlier in summer, and then again last week. It’s true, but only half the story. Here’s why. An NHS bed exists in time and space: technically we count …
Should we be worried about the number of hospital beds? – Gordon Hector Read More »