Zika virus is not the birth defect risk Scotland should be most worried about. Dr Jonathan Sher talks good sense

Zika virus is not the birth defect risk Scotland should be most worried about. Dr Jonathan Sher talks good sense

Dr Sher writes: Images of babies with severe microcephaly caused by the Zika virus are upsetting. Our hearts go out to these abnormally small-headed babies whose lives and life chances have been compromised – as well as to their families.

With the Rio Olympics now underway, the risks of contractin

Read more: Zika virus is not the birth defect risk Scotland should be most worried about. Dr Jonathan Sher talks good sense

Where is attendance compulsory? Just prisons and schools. But aren’t schools supposed to make children happy?

Where is attendance compulsory? Just prisons and schools. But aren’t schools supposed to make children happy?

Editorial by Peter Limbrick: One day last week my newspaper had two items that caught my eye. The first about a report from the (UK) Children’s Society and the second about plans for new colleges in England to train students for practical careers from 14 years of age. I see a connection between th

Read more: Where is attendance compulsory? Just prisons and schools. But aren’t schools supposed to make children happy?

Some concerns about the mental health of disabled babies and their mothers. Are we helping or hindering? By Peter Limbrick

Some concerns about the mental health of disabled babies and their mothers. Are we helping or hindering? By Peter Limbrick

My concerns are based more in a degree of familiarity with families of babies and infants who have disabilities than in any expertise in psychiatry. My experience is that when a new baby arrives with disabilities, little attention is paid to the mental health of baby, mother and other close family

Read more: Some concerns about the mental health of disabled babies and their mothers. Are we helping or hindering? By Peter Limbrick

One million old people in England with care needs get no help. We can lay half of this at the government's door – only half

One million old people in England with care needs get no help. We can lay half of this at the government's door – only half

Editorial: Charlie Cooper, writing in the Independent newspaper on July 7th, quotes the charity, Age UK:

'For the first time, more than a million have a care need – such as getting out of bed, going to the toilet, preparing food or taking medication – but receive no help from the state, self-funded

Read more: One million old people in England with care needs get no help. We can lay half of this at the government's door – only half

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