NHS staffing issues must be addressed urgently, Scottish Government warned
The Scottish Government has been urged to act on NHS staffing levels as new figures show a drop in the number of nurses and midwives.
Monica Lennon
Mental health waiting times for youngsters ‘intolerable’, say Scottish Labour
The Scottish Government has been challenged to take urgent action to tackle “intolerable” waiting times for specialist mental health services for children and young people.
Coronavirus testing expansion to include care homes, NHS staff and students
Coronavirus testing will be expanded to all frontline health and social care staff, care home visitors, hospital patients and students returning home over Christmas, Scotland’s Health Secretary has announced.
Scotland first country to provide free period products
Scotland will become the first country to provide period products for free, following a vote at Holyrood.
More than 100,000 Scots waiting for key NHS tests to be carried out
More than 100,000 Scots are now waiting for key diagnostic tests to be carried out by the NHS.
Period products bill: Chance for a global first and to provide access with dignity
Scotland will become the first country in the world to introduce free universal access to period products if a landmark bill passes through Holyrood today.
Coronavirus deaths in Scotland pass 3,500 by daily measures
The coronavirus death toll in Scotland has risen by seven in the past 24 hours.
Reluctance for Covid testing in hospital dangerous, says Scottish Greens
The Scottish Greens have said reluctance for regular Covid-19 testing in hospitals is “dangerous”.
Coronavirus vaccine: One million people in Scotland will get jab by end of January
A million Scots will receive the coronavirus vaccine by the end of January in "one of the biggest civilian logistical challenges in our lifetime", the health secretary has confirmed.
Ban all alcohol advertising in Scotland, say campaigners
A campaign group has urged every candidate in next year’s Holyrood election to support a “total ban” on alcohol advertising.
Alcohol addiction warning as almost 24,000 Scots admitted to hospital in year
Scottish Labour has pushed for an increase in funding for alcohol addiction services amid fears of a “ticking health time bomb”.
Coronavirus tracers fail to contact thousands of Scots who tested positive
More than 3,500 Scots who have tested positive for Covid-19 have not been spoken to by coronavirus contact tracers.
MSPs vote for weekly Covid testing of all health and care staff
MSPs have voted to “immediately” introduce weekly coronavirus testing for all health and social care workers.
Coronavirus vaccine breakthrough ‘a glimmer of hope’
Nicola Sturgeon has described the prospect of an effective coronavirus vaccine as a "ray of hope in a pretty dark tunnel" but cautioned any treatment may not provide a "way out" of current restrictions until next year.
Immediate inquiry into care home deaths demanded by opposition parties
Opposition parties at Holyrood have united to demand the Scottish Government holds an immediate public inquiry into coronavirus deaths in care homes.
Donald Macaskill: ‘Unfair’ to criticise care home report authors for not having ‘all the answers’
A care home industry chief has accused others of putting "more weight" on a new report on positive Covid-19 cases transferred from hospitals to care homes than it "ever intended to deliver".
Residents die in coronavirus outbreak at third HC-One care home
A number of residents have died in a coronavirus outbreak at a third care home operated by HC-One, the firm has said.
‘Shambolic’ flu jab system not model for Covid vaccine strategy
Ministers will begin work on a national strategy for rolling out a coronavirus vaccine as part of a £37 million NHS winter preparedness plan but have ruled out using the system behind this year's “shambolic” winter flu jabs.
Opposition politicians renew calls for public inquiry into care homes ‘scandal’
Calls are growing for a public inquiry to be held into the discharge of dozens of Covid-19-positive patients into care homes from hospitals across Scotland.
Test and Protect is not being outsourced – Nicola Sturgeon
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said the Test and Protect system is not being outsourced, despite a contract being awarded to a private company to provide contact tracing staff.
Test and Protect outsourcing shows ministers struggling, claims Lib Dem leader
Opposition parties have attacked the Scottish Government after reports that contact tracing has been outsourced.
Care homes: Safety fears sees call for end to ‘postcode lottery’
Fears of “inhumane” treatment of care home residents have been raised following the publication of the latest report summarising the findings of inspections of premises.
Parent and baby group restrictions relaxed after backlash
Restrictions on parent and baby groups have been relaxed by the Scottish Government after public backlash.
Opposition parties push for action over parent and baby groups
Opposition MSPs have called for the Scottish Government to allow parent and baby groups to go ahead.
Health Secretary urged to avoid a ‘winter of hell’ for care home residents
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has been urged to act to prevent a “winter of hell” for care home residents and their families by allowing more access.
SNP’s Angus Robertson condemned for ‘disgraceful’ comments suggesting elderly deaths were leading to independence ‘gain’
The SNP’s Angus Robertson has been condemned for an article arguing the deaths of old people are benefiting the Scottish independence cause.
Nicola Sturgeon urged to ‘do whatever it takes’ on care home visits
Nicola Sturgeon has been urged to do “whatever it takes” to allow more people to visit relatives in care homes during the coronavirus pandemic.
Sturgeon has ‘huge sympathy’ for people unable to see relatives in care homes
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said she has “huge sympathy” for relatives unable to see loved ones in care homes.
Protesters demand families have more contact with relatives in care homes
Campaigners have gathered outside the Scottish Parliament to call for care home visiting restrictions to be eased.
Small fire at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital ‘sparked by cigarette’
A fire at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) in Glasgow was likely caused by a discarded cigarette, according to the health board.