Paul Ward

Feb 17, 2025 | bbc.com | James Cook |Paul Ward

Early release of hundreds of prisoners to beginJames Cook & Paul WardPA MediaThe first of up to 390 prisoners are being released early in the latest attempt to ease overcrowding in Scotland's jails. Emergency legislation was passed last year which allows eligible inmates sentenced to less than four years to be freed after 40% of their term, rather than 50%. Justice Secretary Angela Constance said the prison population was "too high".

Nov 19, 2024 | theconversation.com | Belinda K. Lunnay |Kristen Foley |Paul Ward

Even before the COVID pandemic, which added significant pressure to the health-care workforce, Australian doctors experienced poor mental health at higher rates than the overall population. The risk is particularly high for medical students, junior doctors and female doctors. A recent review of data from 20 countries found suicide was 76% more likely among female physicians compared to the general female population. All this is a problem for the doctors themselves, and often for their loved ones.

Jun 3, 2024 | bbc.com | Lisa Summers |Paul Ward

'Whooping cough has been relentless - we haven't slept for weeks'Lisa Summers and Paul Ward,BBC Scotland NewsBBCJayne Saywell and her son Peter have been trying to recover from the infectionA mum who has spent two months dealing with whooping cough in her family has described it as “relentless and exhausting”. Jayne Saywell, from Portobello in Edinburgh, was scared when her 16-year-old son Tom started having coughing fits in April and it soon spread to herself and her youngest son Peter.

Sep 29, 2023 | bbc.com | Paul Ward

Image caption, Swimming club treasurer Linda Scott has vowed to fight the cutsFor more than 20 years young swimmers in Airdrie have been given their first taste of competition at the John Smith Pool. But the future of Airdrie and Monklands Swimming Club is now under threat after it was listed among 39 facilities to be closed by North Lanarkshire Council in budget cuts. Club treasurer Linda Scott said the news was "devastating" but believes it will bring communities together.

Sep 7, 2023 | bbc.com | Paul Ward

Image caption, Evan Macaulay and his brother Lucas won prestigious UK golf titles on the same dayTheir combined age is low enough to make a respectable golf handicap but six-year-old Lucas Macaulay and his eight-year-old brother Evan are already proving their skills with a set of clubs. The young brothers are celebrating after they both won prestigious UK golf titles on the same day.