Every day we hear about the length of waiting lists in Scotland’s hospitals and the numbers who need treatment.
But nothing shows how bad the situation is than the plight of little Harvey Martin, whose case was highlighted in the Scottish parliament yesterday.
Harvey is just nine years old and spends every day in pain but cannot get an operation to end his suffering. He is a real life example of how poorly the NHS is performing.
Saying there are fewer people waiting two years or more now simply doesn’t cut it when Scotland has a treatment time guarantee of 12 weeks.
To even be talking about people waiting years is a scandal and in breach of the Scottish Government’s own promises to have patients receiving treatment within three months.
Harvey and everyone else, deserves much better from our national health service.
Now his mum is planning to fundraise to pay for a private operation because there are no guarantees when he will get his surgery. The next First Minister of Scotland must address cases like Harvey’s as a matter of urgency.
The in-fighting and squabbling we have seen from SNP leadership candidates in recent days will not address the waiting list crisis which is priority for the majority of Scots.
Reducing waiting times is a major challenge for the Scottish Government and the new First Minister, and it is one which must be tackled immediately.
Campaign making a big difference for Our Kids
The Record’s Our Kids … Our Future campaign has demanded a nationwide crackdown on youth violence after a sickening spate of brutal attacks on teens.
It has also called for social media giants to take a zero tolerance approach to video clips of violence against young people.
Last week it was praised by Nicola Sturgeon for bringing attention to an issue too easily ignored.
The Scottish Government has now announced funding for a new service to help youngsters across the country who have experienced criminal activity.
The programme, called SAFE Service, will give young people and their families access to free care and guidance.
It’s a welcome development and a step in the right direction. It’s to be hoped the programme is the first of many that will help vulnerable kids.
We need more services like this, not fewer. But it’s further proof that the Record’s campaign is already making a difference.
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