Joseph Anderson
Joseph Anderson
Health Correspondent
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Girls in the UK are smoking and vaping more than boys, a major study across 44 countries has found.

Scotland's youth vaping problem laid bare in landmark international study

Only a third of health and social care professionals were vaccinated against Covid over the winter, new figures show, leading to calls for a “targeted campaign” to tackle “popular myths”. Picture: Getty

Only a third of healthcare workers were vaccinated this winter, report finds

The Sandyford clinic in Glasgow is Scotland's only facility for trans young people. Picture: John Devlin

Government defends informing young people of puberty blockers pause first

'Should governments ban dangerous pleasures?', asks The Scotsman's Joseph Anderson. Photo: Adobe

Does the government have the right to ban dangerous pleasures?

Paul Arkinson, a senior organiser with GMB Scotland, is set to tell the Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry in Edinburgh that workers were pressured to work despite displaying symptoms of Covid, creating “a huge amount of mistrust and anger towards these employers”.

Union leaders and care home bosses clash over Scottish pandemic response

Dr Hilary Cass said young people have been “caught in the middle of a stormy social discourse” where there is polarisation and a stifling of debate.

Young trans people have been let down by polarised debate, review finds

Analysis Why is Scotland's healthcare system still feeling the pressure?

From March 2023 to February 2024, 24,802 of the 280,298 planned operations in Scotland were cancelled on the day of the surgery, or the day before

Thousands of operations cancelled at last minute due to capacity and staffing

GPs across Scotland have had the "rug pulled from under them" by the Scottish Government, Scottish Labour has said, after sustainability loans were suspended

GPs hit out after interest-free loan scheme halted by Scottish Government

Police seized illegal tobacco and vapes worth £15k in Lancaster and Morecambe raids.

Scottish health chiefs call for minimum pricing on e-cigarettes on tobacco

Exclusive Burned-out GPs warn public to "expect more practice closures"

Hackers threaten to release huge amount of stolen NHS Scotland data

The UK Government said it has its “eyes wide open when it comes to China”, as it blamed Beijing for cyber attacks on other state systems, such as the Electoral Commission and systems used by parliamentarians

NHS cyber security: How safe is your data with the nation's healthcare service?

Public Health Scotland data published showed there were 31,206 hospitalisations last year due to alcohol.

Causes of drop in hospitalisations "unclear" amid spiralling drink deaths

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) has warned the consequences of lengthy waits for Scotland’s sick children “could be catastrophic” and “irreversible”.

Spiralling waiting times are "catastrophic" for Scottish children's health

Pressures on paediatric staff and services have greatly increased over the past 11 years, leading to longer waiting times for children and young people.

Spiralling waiting times are "catastrophic" for Scottish children's health

Public Health Scotland said MUP had reduced deaths directly caused by alcohol consumption

Union says 'untested tax' with minimum unit pricing will 'punish poorest Scots'

Puberty blockers, which pause the physical changes of puberty such as breast development or facial hair, will now only be available to children in England as part of clinical research trials

Puberty blockers ban in Scotland unlikely, according to Scottish trans charity

Safe consumption facilities are designed to reduce the harmful effects of drugs, but risk normalising addiction (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Job vacancies for Scotland's first drug consumption room

Experts working with Cancer Research UK found that Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging can allow the entire bowel to be examined and for tumours to be studied while inside the body.

Scottish scientists make breakthrough bowel cancer discovery

Yousaf suggests Matheson should not be forced to quit as MSP

First Minister Humza Yousaf acknowledges applause after speaking at the SNP campaign council in Perth. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Humza Yousaf refuses to be drawn on questions over SNP campervan

The EU is set to prohibit the use of amalgam from January 2025 as part of a health drive to reduce public exposure to mercury

EU ban on dental fillings 'could break UK dentistry', top dentists have warned

Scottish company's Alzheimer's drug trial shows promising results

Paul Alexander, widely known as 'Polio Paul', has died at the age of 78 after spending more than 70 years in an iron lung. (Credit: GoFundMe)

Man in the iron lung Paul Alexander dies aged 78

Drug deaths in Scotland rose again, by 10 per cent last year, new figures released by Police Scotland show. Picture: PA

Drug deaths spike by 10 per cent in Scotland as 'swift change' demanded

Analysis Why is Scotland's shameful drug deaths tally increasing again?

NHS Scotland is currently in the grips of a recruitment and retention crisis, with workers of all healthcare professionals choosing to reduce hours, take early retirement or leave their chosen profession entirely amidst unbearable working conditions.

Why raising morale of the NHS's embattled workforce is key to securing future

In 2023, paramedics also took 9,409 hours off due to musculoskeletal/fractures, a rise of 80 per cent compared to 2019, while absences due to operations, gastro problems and colds/influenza also surged.

Mental health absences spiralling among NHS ambulance workers

Exclusive Private healthcare set to reach record levels as unions warn of 'two-tier NHS'

Endometriosis affects one in ten women.

Women left in agony for nearly nine years awaiting endometriosis diagnosis

Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray (left) meets staff working in the Major Trauma Centre, during a visit to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. Jane Barlow/PA Wire

Extra NHS funding should be spent on Scotland's frontline staff, unions warn

NHS Western Isles is trying to recruit 'at least five' GPs to the Benbecula Medical Practice, on an island 'with lochs and lochans, endless sea and spectacular seascapes and surroundings'

'Dream' £150,000 jobs up for grabs on remote island

Professor Sharon Cameron, a consultant in sexual and reproductive health at Edinburgh’s Chalmers Centre, said patients feeling “intimidated” by anti-abortion protesters outside the healthcare clinic.

Concerns non-sexual health services are being impacted by anti-abortion protests

The BMA in Scotland has threatened to "undertake the kind of industrial action seen elsewhere in the UK", such as the junior doctors' strike pictured above in England.

Union warns Scottish Government it would consider NHS strike action

Despite England having ten times the population of Scotland, it had 13,164 patients who had been waiting 18 months or more for elective care – with the total in Scotland 35% higher than south of the border.

More NHS patients are facing 18 month waits in Scotland than in England

Karen Leonard, GMB Scotland organiser in the ambulance service, said any decision by the national force to unilaterally change officers’ responsibilities will impact on other emergency workers.

Ambulance crews call for "urgent meeting" with police over mental health calls

IHV chief executive Alison Morton told the BMJ there is a “natural experiment” happening between England and Scotland because of the countries’ contrasting approaches to providing health visitor services.

Researchers find 'clear difference' in health of Scottish and English children

The number of Scots waiting for a cardiology appointment has increased again, breaking the highest number on record for a second time in a row.

Number of patients waiting to see a cardiologist breaks record for second time

Eljamel's victims protested outside the Scottish Parliament. Image: Andrew Milligan/Press Association.

Sam Eljamel: Chair appointed to head inquiry into disgraced brain surgeon

Proposals include restricting multi-buys, unlimited refills or selling at locations such as at checkouts and front of store

Scottish Government proposes ban on promotion of unhealthy foods

There was a significant increase in the neonatal mortality rate for babies born at 32-36 weeks’ gestation in Scotland in 2021/22.

'Unanswered questions' remain following report into neonatal deaths spike

Scotland has the worst waiting times for chemotherapy in the UK with patients waiting on average 65 days, compared to 58 in Wales, 57 in Northern Ireland and 48 days in England.

Scotland lagging behind rest of UK on cancer care in 'timebomb' warning

Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray during a visit to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow

Time is running out to save NHS Scotland. Neil Gray must act now.

Fort William from the air

Halt to new NHS building works is a 'hammer blow' to rural communities

The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE) said it is now “legitimate to ask whether we can afford to provide every treatment available, free of charge and at the point of access”.

Medics call for debate on whether NHS Scotland should remain free