‘Failure’ in mental health treatment and drug addiction services responsible for Scotland’s drug death rate – Aberdeen Evening Express

NHS in Scotland needs ‘radical surgery’, former chief executive says – Aberdeen Evening Express

Extreme waiting times for A&E are becoming ‘the new normal’ – Aberdeen Evening Express

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“Extreme waiting” times in Scotland’s NHS have been branded the “new normal” after accident and emergency departments posted the third worst results on record.

“Extreme waiting” times in Scotland’s NHS have been branded the “new normal” after accident and emergency departments posted the third worst results on record.

The most recent data showed that in the week ending September 19, fewer than three quarters (74.4%) of patients were dealt with in this time – an increase from the record low of 71.5 that was recorded the previous week.

But this was still the third worst performance since weekly monitoring began, and well below the Scottish Government’s target of having 95% of patients in A&E dealt with within four hours.

Public Health Scotland data showed that of the 26,872 people who attended A&E in the week ending September 19, 1,413 were there for more than eight hours.

This included 341 patients who spent more than 12 hours there.

Tory health spokesman, Dr Sandesh Gulhane, responded: “Our A&E departments are still overwhelmed, and Scotland’s NHS would be much better served if (Health Secretary) Humza Yousaf focused on fixing the problems on the front line, instead of making sure he gets a photo op.”

With coronavirus continuing to put pressure on the NHS, the Scottish Government has already called in the help of both the army and firefighters to drive ambulances.

But with patients reported to have died while waiting for help to arrive, Mr Cole-Hamilton demanded an independent inquiry into “all unnecessary deaths connected to ambulance waiting times”.

The Scottish Liberal Democrat leader said: “Extreme waiting times in A&E seem to be the new normal in the eyes of the SNP Government.

Education experts say Curriculum for Excellence must be ‘radically simplified’ – Aberdeen Evening Express

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The Commission for School Reform said the implementation guidance around CfE ran to 20,000 pages and placed too heavy a burden on teachers.

In June, a report into CfE from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) said CfE had suffered from failures of implementation.

Chaired by Dr Keir Bloomer, one of the architects of CfE, the Commission on School Reform has published a paper examining the OECD report.

Dr Bloomer’s group stressed the importance of the acquisition of knowledge as well as skills in education.

It called on the Government to “radically simplify” the implementation of CfE.

For more education news click here: https://www.scotlandmatters.co.uk/education-matters/

‘Shocking’ 17% rise in number of households in temporary accommodation – Aberdeen Evening Express

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Scotland’s criminal gangs ‘think they’re untouchable’ due to ‘soft sentencing’ – Aberdeen Evening Express

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‘There’s just hatred’: SNP and Alba clash over commitment to Scottish independence – Aberdeen Evening Express

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