Scots heroes shine at the military medical “Oscars”

By Michael MacLeod

BATTLEFIELD medics who risk life and limb daily to save the lives of wounded soldiers have been honoured for their skill and bravery on the front line.

Scotland’s military health heroes swept the board at the Military and Civilian Health Partnership Awards.

Among them was Stirling-born Major Moira Kane, a mum of two who had to leave her family behind at short notice to run the emergency ward in Afghanistan’s Camp Bastion.

Her team treated countless war-wounded soldiers and witnessed some of the most harrowing injuries imaginable.

Major Kane said: “I’m a Scottish lass and it is great to take a break from the trauma ward at Camp Bastion to collect the award in Edinburgh.

Scots more likely to die in a fatal car crash involving a Vauxhall

By Cara Sulieman

SCOTS are more likely to die in a fatal car crash involving a Vauxhall than any motor, according to official statistics.

More Astra, Corsa and Vectra models are involved in deadly smashes on Scotland’s roads than any other make.

The data – obtained under the Freedom of Information Act – shows the three makes were involved in 116 fatal car crashes in Scotland between them over the last three years.

The Vauxhall Astra and Corsa were involved in 41 fatal crashes each in the last three years, and the Vectra was involved in 34.

Parents slam decision as travesty as Cancer doctor blamed for Lisa Norris radiation bungle allowed to keep working

Ken and Liz Norris leaving the hearing

By Cara Sulieman

THE parents of a tragic teenage cancer sufferer who was blasted with 19 massive overdoses of radiation while being treated for a brain tumour has described a decision to allow the doctor responsible to keep working as a “travesty” and vowed to sue health chiefs.

Dr Stuart McNee bungled treatment plans which saw tragic Lisa Norris, 16, from Girvan, Ayrshire, receive 58 per cent more radiation than she should have, leaving her with burns to her neck, head and unable to continue the life-saving course.

But despite all misconduct charges being proven against him, the Health Professions Council ruled he could continue working.

Her parents described it as a “travesty” and attacked his decision to stay away from the hearing rather than face them.

Delivering their controversial decision, the panel’s chairman Colin Allies said that while all allegations of a lack of competence had been proven, it was their opinion that Dr McNee was still fit to practice.

He said: “We are confident the Registrant has learned from his mistakes and would act differently in similar circumstances today.

“We took into consideration the lack of staff and a lack of support from senior management.

“The Registrant’s fitness to practice is no impaired therefore the allegation is not well founded.”

But Lisa’s anguished parents Ken, 53, and Liz, 52, who attended today’s (fri) Conduct and Competence hearing, slammed the decision.

And they vowed to sue the health board responsible branding the decision a “whitewash”.

Newspaper Round-up Friday 30th October

Firefighters save thousands of books from flames

Fire at McDonald Road library

By Cara Sulieman

FIREFIGHTERS rushed to save thousands of books from flames after yobs started a fire in a library toilet.

Staff had to evacuate the McDonald Road library in Edinburgh after the blaze was discovered today (thurs) afternoon.

Toilet paper had been stuffed into a pipe duct in an out of order cubicle before being set alight.

And after two firemen in breathing apparatus managed to douse the flames, they still had to deal with the plumes of smoke that had clogged the library’s corridors.

Google Maps sends mourners to crematorium eleven miles off target

Google Maps show Dunfermline Crematorium as being in Kirkcaldy

By Cara Sulieman

INTERNET giants Google have found themselves at a dead loss in Fife after mixing up a crematorium in Dunfermline with one located miles away in Kirkcaldy.

Grief stricken mourners heading there to say their last goodbyes to their loved ones could be left 11 miles off target by relying on directions from the popular online service.

Searches show the crematorium listed as Dunfermline – but located at the actual home of Kirkcaldy Crematorium which also finds itself listed as its online doppelganger.

Now funeral bosses warn the blunder could cause grief wracked families yet more distress in their darkest hour.

Mother of Scots hero Tam Mason pays tribute to her son

Corporal Tam Mason

By Cara Sulieman

THE mother of hero Scots soldier Tam Mason who died six weeks after being injured in Afghanistan has paid tribute to her son, saying he told her: “Don’t worry about me – I’ve got God on my side”.

Linda Buchanan described how her “wonderful son” used to tell her it would be an “honour” to die doing the job he loved.

The 27-year-old died six weeks after being injured in a blast in Kandahar despite attempts by specialist medics to save him.

YouTube biker Danny MacAskill breaks his collarbone

By Oliver Farrimond

DEATH-DEFYING YouTube biker Danny MacAskill faces an eight-week layoff after finally meeting his match – an Edinburgh kerbstone.

23-year-old Danny, whose incredible leaps and somersaults in Scotland’s capital saw him shoot to virtual fame in April this year, smashed his collar-bone after falling in the street.

He first damaged the bone in the United States, falling on it while biking in San Diego, California.

The injury healed, but on his return to Edinburgh he tripped on the pavement, causing more serious damage.

The Edinburgh resident, originally from the Isle of Skye, said: “I just fell on my side in California, but unfortunately I had a fall over here as well and broke it a lot more, and it had to be plated.

Police announce new crackdown on the back of Operation Algebra

By Cara Sulieman

SICKENED detectives last night warned Scotland’s secret paedophiles: We’re coming to get you.

Cops launched a new crackdown – codenamed Operation Alba – which will for the first time see specialist teams hunt out vile perverts rather than having to wait and react to child sex crimes that have already happened.

Police launched the operation today (Thurs) – the same day two ring-leaders of Scotland’s largest known paedophile ring were sentenced.

Neil Strachan and James Rennie both received life sentences at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Newspaper round-up Thursday 29th October