Politics Matters: Screening men for abdominal aortic aneurysm saves around 170 lives a year in Scotland and all men aged 65 and over are invited by the NHS to get the scan
Former MSP David Stewart argues that a simple and painless scan helps save lives so mail Courier leaders should seriously consider it if invited
Popped into Raigmore Hospital this week to have an important and painless scan. I did not realise until this week that all men in Scotland aged 65 and over are invited by the NHS to screen for a condition called abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).
The condition is most common in men aged 65 and over, and around five in every 100 men over 65 have the condition.
The very helpful staff at Raigmore told me that screening saves around 170 lives a year in Scotland. Screening for AAA can detect the condition early where it can be treated.
AAA tends not to have symptoms so you will not feel pain or anything out of the ordinary. You are more at risk if you are male, you smoke and have high blood pressure and cholesterol.
My message to all male Courier readers aged over 65: if invited for the scan, take it up. It is safe, painless and takes around 15 minutes.
Spent an afternoon at a hidden Inverness gem this week – Highland Archive Centre.
I was shown around by Fiona MacLeod, who is the senior archivist.
For my studies, I am researching the early development of the health service in the Highlands and Islands. My main focus is the Highlands and Islands Medical Service (HIMS) which was set up in 1913.
The archive centre has a wealth of information on HIMS including the original evidence to the Dewar Report which led to HIMS.
The American pioneer Mary Breckinridge visited Scotland in 1924. On her return to the States, she set up the Frontier Nursing Service in Kentucky, based on the new model of healthcare in the Highlands and Islands.
I was listening to the Chancellor deliver his Budget as I drove back from Edinburgh this week.
I have sat through my share of Budgets during my time in the Commons. The devil is in the detail. However, I do welcome the changes to air passenger duty (APD).
It looks like flights to airports such as Dalcross or Kirkwall may be APD exempt. This will be a boost to Highlanders returning home from holiday and a shot in the arm for local airport representatives and carriers.
I am not in the market for employment just yet, after retiring in May, but I was interested in the project officer post advertised on the Assynt Development Trust website.
The Scottish Government has set up pilot schemes called Regional Land Use Partnerships. The project officer will need to have a passion about the environment, land reform and improving the economy in rural areas. Home-working is a possibility in the role, so if the above ticks any of your boxes, brush up your CV.
Gold stars to both the Camanachd Association and Inverness College UHI for their innovative partnership to secure the production of camans and the future sustainability of the sport (see page 14).
A few years ago, the Heritage Crafts Association added the tradition of making shinty sticks to its red list of endangered crafts. Well done to both organisations for this excellent initiative.
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