NHS Highland’s finances highlighted by MSPs scrutinising health board failings
NHS Highland's financial bail-outs, locum spend and missed mental health targets have been highlighted by MSPs examining health board “failings”.
Donald Cameron
Ferry delays and cancellations fast becoming a ‘scandal’ claims Tory MSP
The Scottish Tories yesterday accused the government of letting down island communities due to the "scandal" of repeated ferry delays and cancellations.
Scale of police station closures ‘alarming’ for north-east and Highland communities
More police offices and stations have been shut down in the north and north-east than anywhere else in the country since the formation of Police Scotland.
Government urges US ambassador Woody Johnson to act on 25% whisky tariffs
The US Ambassador has been urged to intervene in the trade war which has led to a punitive 25% tariff being imposed on whisky and other traditional Scottish products.
Depopulation is a ‘real threat’ to some island communities, says Scottish Government strategy document
Falling population is a “real threat” to the future of many Scottish island communities, a Scottish Government report has warned.
Anger over plummeting value of Scottish Government loans and guarantees to businesses
Around £140million in Scottish Government loans and guarantees to private companies including the Lochaber Smelter have dramatically reduced in value, it has emerged.
John Swinney scraps controversial `named person’ scheme
John Swinney has confirmed the Scottish Government's named person scheme is to be scrapped.
NHS Highland and Western Isles top bed-blocking table
Health chiefs in the Highlands and islands have been urged to tackle bed blocking after statistics indicated they had the country's highest rates of delayed discharge.
Scottish politicians reject no-deal Brexit in symbolic Holyrood vote
Scottish politicians last night rejected a no-deal Brexit in a symbolic Holyrood vote.
BMA demands urgent action to tackle rural GP recruitment crisis
The British Medical Association (BMA) has demanded urgent action to address the rural GP recruitment crisis, warning failure to do so will have “serious implications” for care in remote areas.
SNP ‘proposing austerity on steroids’ for an independent Scotland, claim opponents
Labour and the Tories have hit out at claims by a senior nationalist that Scotland could cut its deficit by more than half within three years of independence.
Tories pushing for 100% farm subsidy loan payments
The Scottish Tories have called for government farm subsidy loan payments to be increased to 100% of what a farmer or crofter is due.
Concern over patients released from critical care due to staff or bed shortages
Highlands and islands health chiefs have been urged to explain why they have Scotland’s highest rates of patients released from critical care due to staff or bed shortages.
Alex Salmond paid more than half a million by Scottish Government following flawed investigation
Alex Salmond has been paid £512,250 by the Scottish Government for legal costs relating to the botched internal investigation into his behaviour.
Community calls for answers on how long ancient Western Isles broch will remain closed for
A Highlands and Islands MSP has called for answers on how long a historic Western Isles tourist attraction will remain closed.
Exporting waste to England could affect island ferries, Tories warn
Island ferries could face a "real problem" as a result of sending rubbish to England to meet a Scottish ban on landfill.
North and north-east cancer patients missing key waiting target
North and north-east cancer patients face some of the longest waiting times in Scotland when it comes to meeting a key treatment target for urgent cases.
Belford Hospital in Fort William records highest death rate in Scotland
Belford Hospital in Fort William has recorded the highest “crude” death rate of any hospital in Scotland, NHS figures revealed yesterday.
North and north-east MSPs fear superfast broadband target will be missed
North and north-east MSPs are growing increasingly concerned the Scottish Government will miss its target of delivering superfast broadband to all properties by 2021.
MSP calls for action to protect Coll, Colonsay and Tiree flights
Highland MSP Donald Cameron has demanded action to protect flights to Coll, Colonsay and Tiree after receiving details of the financial challenges facing the service.
Donald Cameron MSP claims Western Isles is being starved of cash
Ministers have been accused of starving Western Isles Council of cash after it received the worst financial settlement of any Scottish local authority while facing a rising rates bill.
Western Isles has greatest proportion of overweight primary one children
The Western Isles area has the greatest proportion of overweight or obese primary one children of any local authority in Scotland.
Struggle to fill teaching posts in north and north-east
More than 1,000 teaching posts across the north and north-east have had to be re-advertised over the past three years because of a failure to fill vacancies first time round.
Children as young as eight reported for housebreaking in the past three years across the Highlands
Children as young as eight have been reported for housebreaking in the Highlands, new official figures show.
Tory MSPs slated for high earnings from second jobs
A string of north and north-east MSPs are facing a backlash over their second jobs – with one potentially topping up their Holyrood salary by the equivalent of £14,000 per day.
Thousands of planned ambulance journeys cancelled, new figures show
More than 16,000 scheduled ambulance journeys were cancelled across Scotland in the last year amid rising demand and staff and resource shortages, according to new figures.
Nursing applications from EU countries plummet after Brexit vote
Nursing applications from EU countries have plummeted since the Brexit vote last year.
Sturgeon accused of “well-rehearsed game” as she makes case for second independence referendum
The Scottish Government was accused last night of using Brexit as an excuse to pursue its "holy grail" of independence above all else.
Money allocated to boost general practice
Scottish Health Secretary Shona Robison has unveiled nearly £72million of funding for general practice.
Donald Cameron: HIE is vital for technology, communities and economy
HIE is nothing short of vital for the Highlands and Islands. It is vital for the economy: by supporting new and existing businesses and social enterprises.
SNP candidate attended same school as David Cameron
He has accused “posh boy” David Cameron of running away from a debate with First Minister and leader of the SNP Nicola Sturgeon.