Staying aware in the mayhem

But calls are made to clear operation backlog

With all that’s happening to us just now with COVID-19 and all the worries that brings, it’s easy to become immersed in issues very person to ourselves, family and friends.

However, despite all of this people right across the world recently came together in support of the ‘Black Lives Matter’ campaign.

This was after the terrible death of US citizen George Floyd when he was brutally detained by police officers. Yet another such incident and people took to the streets to protest about racism – not only in the US but across Western society.

There was a bit of kick-back from those who said,“don’t all lives matter?”.

Yes, of course they do, but it’s harsh reality that far too often black lives apparently matter less than white.

I got a lot of contact from residents in East Kilbride about various aspects of the‘Black Lives Matter’campaign, mostly supportive of the recognition that even in Scotland, where we tend to pride ourselves on acceptance of others, there’s yet work to be done. East Kilbride’s Inter-faith gathering recently, held online and attended by those of many faiths and none, recognised this by choosing‘Black Lives Matter’as their theme.

As did Friday evening’s online Eid gathering of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Glasgow. Both events had excellent contributions and discussions as to how we can move towards a more just society.

Equalities and fairness have always been at the heart of my own politics. When that comes to how we should treat each other and regard each other then my favourite tenet comes to mind -“do as you would be done by!”I’ve never understood why some people can be deemed“less important” or“lesser”than others. Over the centuries many have come to Scotland, made their homes and enriched our society. For centuries Scots have emigrated – for good reasons and bad - and made lives for themselves in other parts of the world. We’ve often welcomed those facing severe hardship in other countries and fleeing to safety – in recent years from Syria.

I am seriously upset at the UK Government’s formal request, by UK Home Secretary Priti Patel, to the Ministry of Defence to send Royal Navy warships to block migrants from crossing the Channel, despite warnings they will drown and threats of legal action.

After all, under international law people are entitled to claim asylum and sailing a small boat to do so is not illegal. This is a horrible political act and lacking in any decency.

I was disgusted to see the appalling Nigel Farage claim at the weekend that there was an“invasion”off the coast of Kent.

I didn’t see an invasion, I saw a dinghy full of children, holding their parents’hands.

Those images reminded me of the wee Syrian lad who almost five years ago hit the news headlines across the world. He was pictured washed up on a beach, as his family tried to cross the Mediterranean, escaping from a home ravaged by civil war.

Surely, surely, no-one ever wants to see that again.

Compassion must be at the heart of our actions – compassion for those suffering at home, and compassion for those fellow humans suffering elsewhere. I believe that all we do should stem from that basic principle.

From that comes action to promote fairness.

As I said, when we’re facing such a hard time as we are at the moment, it’s difficult sometimes to look beyond our own small circle – that’s when those who would erode human rights take full advantage.

Tell them it’s not on. Stay aware, and keep safe.

STEPHEN BARK

Almost 94 per cent of A&E patients were seen at Lanarkshire’s hospitals within the four-hour target.

In the week ending July 19, 3595 patients were seen by staff at A&E departments across the county with 93.7 per cent seen within the four target and all but two were seen within 12 hours.

Wishaw General was the best performing of the county’s three A&Es with 95.1 per cent seen within four hours ahead of Hairmyres (94.7 per cent) and Monklands (91.2 per cent).

That’s a vast improvement on the pre-lockdown figures, where as few as 77.8 per cent of patients were being seen on target, with 65 patients having to wait over 12 hours in the week ending January 12.

Dr John Keaney, NHS Lanarkshire acute medical director and consultant in emergency medicine, said: “We want to provide the best and safest care to our patients.

“And I’d like to thank the public for their careful use of A&E during the past few months and urge them to continue to think carefully before attending these services.

“Remember, quicker, alternative solutions could be the most effective answer, saving time and resources.”

As more and more NHS services begin to resume, the government have launched their ‘should you go to A&E’ campaign.

This is aimed at reminding people that emergency departments remain open for those who need immediate or emergency care, but that for those with less urgent concerns alternative treatment options available.

These include contacting your GP practice, or NHS24 on 111 out of hours, visiting a local pharmacy or NHS Inform online will provide

A councillor has raised concerns over pupils congregating in large numbers at St Leonards shopping mall when schools return this week.

Independent Jim Wardhaugh (pictured) fears the mall will be swamped with high school pupils from nearby Calderglen during lunch breaks.

He is calling for measures to be put in place to mitigate any risks, warning that social distancing will be nearly impossible in what he says is a relatively confined space.

Councillor Wardhaugh told the News:“Under normal circumstances the square and the mall is packed full with school children during the advice and direct people to the most appropriate service.

Meanwhile, Graham Simpson has challenged the SNP government to tackle what he calls a “ticking timebomb” of operation backlogs

The Conservative MSP made the call after the latest figures from ISD Scotland showed around 20,000 fewer operations were carried out in June compared to 2019.

That was as a result of the COVID-19 shutdown, with 1944 fewer patients having operations than 12 months previously.

He has asked SNP health secretary Jeane Freeman to ensure NHS Lanarkshire have the sufficient funding and support in order to carry out operations without any further delays.

Mr Simpson added: “This backlog of operations across NHS Lanarkshire is of huge concern. lunch break.

“I know they are going back in a phased approach this week but what happens when they are all back?

“In others areas social distancing is easier, but St Leonards mall is not a large space and you could easily have hundreds of youngsters descending on it , and a lot of them not wearing masks.

“I very much doubt the schools

“While it was right NHS Lanarkshire focused on tackling COVID-19, the SNP now need to urgently lay out how the backlog of operations will be tackled to ensure waiting time targets are not routinely missed again.

“Right now they are facing a ticking timebomb when it comes to targets for patients waiting to be seen. It is concerning to hear of patients already travelling south to tackle chronic pain issues as a result of health services restarting more slowly under the SNP.

“The safety of patients is paramount, but there still seems to be a real lack of urgency from Jeane Freeman and the SNP to tackle the backlog of operations.

“This should be rectified as a matter of urgency to patients waiting for operations in NHS Lanarkshire.” would allow that many pupils in an enclosed space, such as a hall, at one time under the current circumstances so how is this any different? And most don’t simply just go and get their lunch and leave, most of them sit in the mall.”

And Councillor Wardhaugh also hopes a system can be put in place at the local Tesco store to maintain social distancing if a high number of pupils use it during the lunch break.

“I have spoken to Tesco and suggested that one entrance be used for school pupils to help control numbers,”he added.

“But I would urge parents to give youngsters a packed lunch where possible to avoid large numbers leaving school grounds.

“And I have also asked the council if the school can help get the message out as well to avoid any issues.”

Lynn Sherry, Head of Education, said:“Pupils will be reminded about social-distancing, wearing of face coverings in shops and also to adhere to any measures put in place by shopkeepers.”