Quote Originally Posted by SouthsideHarp_Bhoy View Post
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Kind of illustrates the point about the difficulty and sliperiness of stats.

But, everyone, including the FM, the Cab Sec and the SG, NHS Scotland etc is discussing the winter crisis, and the weekly reports, whixh the SG publish, but you have decided thats a sign of media bias because they arent using your preferred annual figures.

That doesnt strike me as a reasonable basis on which to accuse the media of bias, when your interpretation is just as much of a piece of spin as you are accusing them of.

But equally it also shows the futility of this debate, as clearly what you say is true, and what the media (or most of the media) are reporting is also true.

Kinda brings us back to the point that people will look for news they like, and disregard that they dont.
I can't win, can I?

Quote from Shona Robison which is based on the figures I quoted from NHS Scotland. Where else would the Scottish Government get their figures from if not the NHS?

During my visits to hospitals I’ve been struck time and time again by the dedication and sheer hard work of staff throughout this busy winter. I’d like to thank them for their work in supporting any patient or family experiencing a delay to their treatment, and to thank patients themselves for their patience and understanding.“Scotland’s accident and emergency departments are continuing to outperform those across the rest of the UK - and indeed it is to the great credit of NHS staff that even at the height of these exceptional winter pressures, almost eight out of ten people who attended A&E were admitted, transferred or discharged within the four hour target.
“I’ve heard an overwhelming number of reports from clinicians about how flu and respiratory illness, combined with other winter pressures and exceptional and sustained levels of demand, is changing the way they are treating patients arriving at A&E. It is crucial that patients with complex care needs and flu receive the right care, not simply the fastest.
“It will take some time for services to recover from the pressures being felt this winter and for the spikes in flu levels to subside - however we are working to provide support to Boards wherever they might need it, alongside the £22.4 million investment the Scottish Government has already made available for winter contingencies. to ensure demand is appropriately managed.”