It's time Scotland's NHS got into the digital age
Figures show health boards have spent at least £4.6million on the ancient devices since 2019.
Which begs the question, why?
Surely, in the 21st century and the era of WiFi, a more up-to-date digital device could be issued to staff working in hospitals?
It doesn't seem fair that nurses are reliant on pagers while the vast majority of the patients in their care will own smartphones.
Bureaucracy in the health service is legendary but the multiple levels of managers running the organisation must surely be able to come up with a better solution.
And that's not to mention the 13 fax machines still being used in some arm of the Scottish NHS.
This isn't down to a lack of money.
The health service will receive a record £21billion from the Scottish Government this year alone.
If money can't be found from that to end the reliance on 80s communication devices, senior NHS figures deserve to be asked why.
It's another reminder that, for all the respect Scots have for the health service, it is frequently failing to offer the standard of care all patients should expect.
Pagers may not be the most pressing issue facing hospitals but they illustrate a wider story.
The NHS needs reform, as well as adequate funding. It can't continue to rely on antiquated devices, no matter how small.
Air solution
It's deeply concerning that a summer of strikes at Glasgow Airport look set to go ahead.
Around 100 workers, including airside support officers, engineers and managers, will down tools in a two-day walkout in an ongoing dispute over pay.
Unite, the union representing the workers, said its members were struggling with chronic fatigue and understaffing.
Members will walkout for 48 hours from 6am on Thursday, July 24, until 6am on Saturday, July 26.
The disruption is expected to affect thousands of holidaymakers setting off on their summer getaways.
It's on company bosses at the airport to get back around the table with union reps and iron out these issues.
It's not fair on the thousands of Scots holidaymakers who have saved hard all year to have their travel plans thrown up in the air.
It's vital a resolution is found to satisfy workers and passengers alike.
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