THE other night I was on a Zoom call with around 20 doctors and nurses of all generations and a mix of specialties in NHS Scotland, and each one expressed their deep concern over the undue pressures they and their colleagues are under at this present time. Shortage of staff due to sickness or self-isolation is resulting in certain services being shut down, and the remaining staff are anxious because of the workload. In addition, the increased number of very sick Covid patients together with the complexity of the precautions essential to diminish cross-infection, all contribute to the anxiety levels within our NHS.
Andrew Wilson’s Growth report predicted at least 10 years before a new currency could be established ROBIN McAlpine gives the example of converting vending machines to accept new coins to suggest that the issues that would have to be overcome by an independent Scotland are not difficult ( Independence would not be easy but Scots could pull it off , The Herald, December 11). It is a very strange example, particularly in an increasingly cashless society. He uses this example to support his proposition that the decision to become independent may be difficult but, once taken, implementing that decision is just hard work and not difficult at all. That is an inaccurate and disingenuous argument.