Early Xmas gif t

AS the Covid death toll rises in care homes, finally there’s positive news for residents and their families after the bleakest of years. They will be among the first to get the vaccine – despite fears that the logistics of distribution meant care homes would miss out on the first batch.

Now that a solution has been found, vaccination can get under way for care home residents from December 14.

Hundreds of frail and elderly people died after Covid was allowed to run out of control. The discharge of Covid-positive and untested hospital patients into care fuelled the crisis. Ministers have refused to axe this reckless practice – and are stalling on an official inquiry.

They can’t be allowed to fail the most vulnerable i n our society again. The urgency of the task is underlined by figures showing an average of about 14 care home residents are dying from Covid every day.

This week, the SNP engineered a row with the UK Government over its plan for £500 bonuses for NHS and social care staff – as part of its relentless campaign of division.

But it’s worth reflecting that Scotland is once again reaping the benefits of our membership of the UK – the first country in the world to gain regulatory approval for the vaccine that will change our lives.

Now, as the lorries containing the eagerlyanticipated jab roll into the country, hopes are rising exponentially that all four nations are on the cusp of smashing this virus as one United Kingdom.