Latest news with #ScottishConservatives
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
Scottish Government misses key skin cancer quality targets
A total of 10 of 15 Quality Performance Indicators (QPIs) were met in the last year, with persistent challenges in meeting targets related to pathology, imaging and systemic therapy, according to the latest Public Health Scotland data. The data also shows that the limited availability of pathology services and operating theatres in Scotland is causing delays in diagnosing and treating skin cancer. READ MORE: NHS 'dying before our eyes' as third of Scots go private NHS Scotland: 'neurological patients falling through cracks' NHS Scotland: Nearly £2 billion spent on temp nurses and midwives The quality performance indicator target 7 - which deals with pathology and theatre capacity - remains difficult to achieve, as regional reports highlight limited pathology service capacity and operating theatre availability as key barriers to meeting these standards. Performance on imaging scans for patients with melanoma has also declined and has fallen short of national targets. According to Public Health Scotland, this target worsened in 2023-2024 after some improvement in the previous year. The Scottish Conservatives have criticised the government for "shameful delays" to skin cancer treatment which puts "lives at risk". Scottish Conservative shadow health secretary Dr Sandesh Gulhane MSP said: 'Under the SNP, far too many patients are not being diagnosed and treated in time for skin cancer. 'We know that these shameful delays harm a patients chance of recovery and puts lives at risk. 'The SNP's failure to improve cancer services has led to a shortage of vital pathology support and operating theatre access, while performance on melanoma imaging scans continues to decline. 'With Scotland recently enjoying a heatwave and many people enjoying the sun, it was a timely reminder of the dangers of skin cancer — and the critical need for rapid, effective treatment. 'That's why the Scottish Conservatives have set out common-sense proposals to prioritise early detection, promote healthy lifestyles and guarantee cancer services will have the resources they need to support patients.' Most skin cancers are caused by exposure to the sun and, in May, new data published by the charity Melanoma Focus showed 45% of Scottish people suffer from sunburn at least once every year. There are around 17,500 new melanoma skin cancer cases in the UK every year and it is the sixth most common cancer in Scotland. Melanoma is considered the most serious form of skin cancer because it has the highest mortality rate, and deaths from melanoma are projected to continue to rise. The Scottish Government are committing £14 million for NHS Health Boards to improve cancer waiting times and £21 million targeted towards imaging. Ministers have said this is in addition to an increase in funding to address pressures within chemotherapy services, reaching up to £10 million annually by 2027, with £6.6 million released in 2025/26. Health Secretary Neil Gray said: 'Whilst we are treating more patients with cancer on time, within both standards, compared to the same quarter 6 years ago, it is vital we do more to reduce cancer waiting times, especially for those cancers which are more aggressive. 'As we see an increasing number of eligible cancer referrals, that means we also see an increase in demand for diagnostics. That is why we have committed to a range of actions to tackle waits. This includes expanding to seven-day radiology services, increasing recruitment of staff, using mobile scanning units and reducing radiology backlogs so that 95% of referrals are seen within six weeks by March 2026."
Powys County Times
a day ago
- Business
- Powys County Times
Government-backed scheme to transition oil and gas workers opens
A scheme backed by the Scottish and UK Governments will offer advice and training to oil and gas workers looking to move into green energy. The pilot will help about 200 current or former workers in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire with support and funding for training courses, in a move energy minister Michael Shanks said would 'help deliver a fair and prosperous transition'. Both Governments have pinpointed the north east as being crucial to the planned transition away from fossil fuels, with £900,000 made available by the UK Government and an additional £40,000 from the Scottish Government for the first raft of applicants. But the Scottish Conservatives criticised the plans as 'frankly embarrassing', claiming the funding was not enough. 'Aberdeen has been the energy capital of Britain for decades and while oil and gas will be with us for decades to come, we are determined to make sure that workers are supported to access the thousands of jobs in industries such as offshore wind and carbon capture,' the energy minister said. 'This funding will help deliver a fair and prosperous transition in the North Sea, unlocking the full potential of renewable energy and reaping the economic benefits from the skills and experiences of Aberdeen's workforce.' Scottish Tory net zero spokesman Douglas Lumsden said: 'It's frankly embarrassing that Labour and the SNP are boasting about this scheme. 'This support for 200 workers amounts to a drop in the ocean when compared to the projected 400 jobs a fortnight being lost thanks to their decimation of the oil and gas sector. 'Both parties shamefully opposed Rosebank and Cambo (oil fields) and have said they're against North Sea drilling altogether. 'This sector drives £14 billion into our economy and supports 83,000 jobs, but John Swinney and Keir Starmer have sold it down the river.' But Scottish Secretary Ian Murray described the announcement as 'good news' for the area and the industry, claiming it will 'ensure there is a key role for our offshore workers in delivering our net zero future'. And Scottish Energy Secretary Gillian Martin said: 'The north east of Scotland has long been a titan in the oil and gas industry and the expertise within our workforce must be at the heart of driving a just transition to new fuels and sustainable energy. 'This new oil and gas transition training fund will support offshore workers to take on roles in the sustainable energy sector and has been designed and developed by the Scottish Government, supported by funding from UK Government's regional skills pilot for Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, and will be delivered by Skills Development Scotland. 'Through initiatives such as the just transition fund and the energy transition fund, the Scottish Government has already invested £120 million in the north east's transition to net zero to help create green jobs, support innovation, and secure the highly skilled workforce of the future.'
South Wales Guardian
a day ago
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Government-backed scheme to transition oil and gas workers opens
The pilot will help about 200 current or former workers in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire with support and funding for training courses, in a move energy minister Michael Shanks said would 'help deliver a fair and prosperous transition'. Both Governments have pinpointed the north east as being crucial to the planned transition away from fossil fuels, with £900,000 made available by the UK Government and an additional £40,000 from the Scottish Government for the first raft of applicants. But the Scottish Conservatives criticised the plans as 'frankly embarrassing', claiming the funding was not enough. 'Aberdeen has been the energy capital of Britain for decades and while oil and gas will be with us for decades to come, we are determined to make sure that workers are supported to access the thousands of jobs in industries such as offshore wind and carbon capture,' the energy minister said. 'This funding will help deliver a fair and prosperous transition in the North Sea, unlocking the full potential of renewable energy and reaping the economic benefits from the skills and experiences of Aberdeen's workforce.' Scottish Tory net zero spokesman Douglas Lumsden said: 'It's frankly embarrassing that Labour and the SNP are boasting about this scheme. 'This support for 200 workers amounts to a drop in the ocean when compared to the projected 400 jobs a fortnight being lost thanks to their decimation of the oil and gas sector. 'Both parties shamefully opposed Rosebank and Cambo (oil fields) and have said they're against North Sea drilling altogether. 'This sector drives £14 billion into our economy and supports 83,000 jobs, but John Swinney and Keir Starmer have sold it down the river.' But Scottish Secretary Ian Murray described the announcement as 'good news' for the area and the industry, claiming it will 'ensure there is a key role for our offshore workers in delivering our net zero future'. And Scottish Energy Secretary Gillian Martin said: 'The north east of Scotland has long been a titan in the oil and gas industry and the expertise within our workforce must be at the heart of driving a just transition to new fuels and sustainable energy. 'This new oil and gas transition training fund will support offshore workers to take on roles in the sustainable energy sector and has been designed and developed by the Scottish Government, supported by funding from UK Government's regional skills pilot for Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, and will be delivered by Skills Development Scotland. 'Through initiatives such as the just transition fund and the energy transition fund, the Scottish Government has already invested £120 million in the north east's transition to net zero to help create green jobs, support innovation, and secure the highly skilled workforce of the future.' The programme will be run by Skills Development Scotland.
North Wales Chronicle
2 days ago
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Government-backed scheme to transition oil and gas workers opens
The pilot will help about 200 current or former workers in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire with support and funding for training courses, in a move energy minister Michael Shanks said would 'help deliver a fair and prosperous transition'. Both Governments have pinpointed the north east as being crucial to the planned transition away from fossil fuels, with £900,000 made available by the UK Government and an additional £40,000 from the Scottish Government for the first raft of applicants. But the Scottish Conservatives criticised the plans as 'frankly embarrassing', claiming the funding was not enough. 'Aberdeen has been the energy capital of Britain for decades and while oil and gas will be with us for decades to come, we are determined to make sure that workers are supported to access the thousands of jobs in industries such as offshore wind and carbon capture,' the energy minister said. 'This funding will help deliver a fair and prosperous transition in the North Sea, unlocking the full potential of renewable energy and reaping the economic benefits from the skills and experiences of Aberdeen's workforce.' Scottish Tory net zero spokesman Douglas Lumsden said: 'It's frankly embarrassing that Labour and the SNP are boasting about this scheme. 'This support for 200 workers amounts to a drop in the ocean when compared to the projected 400 jobs a fortnight being lost thanks to their decimation of the oil and gas sector. 'Both parties shamefully opposed Rosebank and Cambo (oil fields) and have said they're against North Sea drilling altogether. 'This sector drives £14 billion into our economy and supports 83,000 jobs, but John Swinney and Keir Starmer have sold it down the river.' But Scottish Secretary Ian Murray described the announcement as 'good news' for the area and the industry, claiming it will 'ensure there is a key role for our offshore workers in delivering our net zero future'. And Scottish Energy Secretary Gillian Martin said: 'The north east of Scotland has long been a titan in the oil and gas industry and the expertise within our workforce must be at the heart of driving a just transition to new fuels and sustainable energy. 'This new oil and gas transition training fund will support offshore workers to take on roles in the sustainable energy sector and has been designed and developed by the Scottish Government, supported by funding from UK Government's regional skills pilot for Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, and will be delivered by Skills Development Scotland. 'Through initiatives such as the just transition fund and the energy transition fund, the Scottish Government has already invested £120 million in the north east's transition to net zero to help create green jobs, support innovation, and secure the highly skilled workforce of the future.' The programme will be run by Skills Development Scotland.
Scotsman
3 days ago
- Politics
- Scotsman
Tributes paid following death of former Tory MSP Sir Jamie McGrigor
Colleagues remembered the politician as 'charismatic, funny and warm' Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Tributes have been paid following the death of former Conservative MSP Sir Jamie McGrigor at the age of 75. Sir Jamie served as an MSP for the Highlands and Islands for 17 years, from the dawn of devolution until 2016, and was later a councillor in Argyll and Bute. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay described him as "a true champion of the Highlands and Islands". Sir Jamie McGrigor, pictured outside the Scottish Parliament in 2006 | PA He said: "I'm deeply saddened to hear of Sir Jamie's death, and, on behalf of everyone in the Scottish Conservatives, send my condolences to his family and friends. "Sir Jamie excelled in a number of frontbench roles, including fisheries, and was popular and respected by colleagues from across the political spectrum." First Minister John Swinney also paid tribute on social media. "Very sorry to hear of the passing of Jamie McGrigor,' he wrote. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "We came from different political traditions and often held opposing views, but as an MSP, Jamie was a warm, engaging presence and was deeply committed to the Highlands and Islands. My thoughts are with his family and friends." Sir James Angus Rhoderick Neil McGrigor was born in London in 1949 and raised in Argyll, before attending Eton. He studied at the University of Neuchâtel in Switzerland and later worked in finance in London and in the commodities sector in Glasgow, as well as in farming. Sir Jamie stood unsuccessfully for the Western Isles in the 1997 general election, before being elected to the new Scottish Parliament, where he served as his party's spokesperson for fisheries, communities and sport. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In those early days of devolution, he was part of a group of MSPs who put on a show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, offering a light-hearted look at Scottish politics. Sir Jamie sang a song. He later successfully drove forward legislation to establish an official register of tartans. Donald Cameron, a Tory peer who was previously a respected MSP, remembered him as 'charismatic, funny and warm'. He said: 'He never took himself too seriously but was deeply committed to the causes and communities of his home patch.'
