Waiting to be seen at an A&E department can be stressful at the best of times – imagine having to spend more than 12 hours before you are assessed and either admitted or allowed home.
That was the grim reality for almost 2000 people in Scotland in the run-up to Christmas.
We can only imagine the chaos and carnage hero workers are dealing with.
Patients, some suffering severe pain and discomfort, will have faced a terrible ordeal at a time of year when they should be celebrating with friends and family.
But until we sort out the problem of bed blocking, the issues will remain.
That is why it is vital the Scottish Government does not kick its National Care Service plan into the long grass.
Council leaders and trade unions have raised legitimate concerns about how the policy will work and firm details from SNP ministers have not been forthcoming.
It’s now up to the Scottish Government to spell out exactly what concrete steps it will take to improve social care.
A comprehensive plan is needed now more than ever.
The alternative is we leave the NHS to deal with an ageing society where elderly people are too often left in hospital beds as there is no care available to them at home.
Bed-blocking isn’t the only cause of the current NHS crisis but it’s a major factor.
Bold reforms are required to ensure this emergency does not escalate
even further.
End this cruelty
THE distressing sight of a badger caught in an illegal snare should focus minds on how devastating these devices can be to wildlife.
A member of the public found the horrific scene and called the nearest animal welfare centre.
Thankfully, the poor badger was freed and eventually released back into the wild after treatment to its wounds.
The animal hospice volunteer who saved the creature has called for snares to be banned altogether.
Scotland has some of the most robust laws against animal traps, and for good reason.
The damage they cause not only to wildlife but also to domestic pets is horrific.
The Scottish Government acknowledges the harm they cause and has said it has sympathy for those calling for a complete ban.
Ministers are currently considering a review of snaring in Scotland.
They should heed the calls of animal experts who deal with the consequences of these barbaric traps before making their decision.
There can be no place for cruel devices like this in a civilised society.
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