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Glasgow Times
a day ago
- Glasgow Times
Four men jailed after £6m corruption and bribery probe
The group had been found guilty in April following investigations into the award of lucrative NHS contracts to an Ayrshire – based telecommunications firm. Adam Sharoudi, 41, and Gavin Brown, 48, ran Oricom Ltd – a firm which effectively began from a garden shed before going on to secure major deals. But, prosecutors said the contracts for the supply and maintenance of telecoms and video conferencing equipment broke rules on financial wrongdoing in the tendering process. The Oricom bosses had got the illegal help of Alan Hush, 68, and 60 year-old Gavin Cox. Hush was the telecommunications manager at NHS Lothian and then NHS Scotland video conferencing manager. Cox held the post of head of IT and infrastructure at NHS Lanarkshire. The pair abused their powers as 'public servants' to push deals through. One contract alone was worth £3.1m. In return, Hush got £18,231 of cash bungs and gifts, Cox a total of more than £70,000. All four men had denied the accusations during a mammoth three-month trial. The charges spanning between 2010 and 2015 included bribery, corruption, fraud, theft as well as others under the Proceeds of Crime Act. One stated Sharoudi and Brown did 'acquire, use and possess' a total of £5,719,244 of 'criminal property' paid by NHS Lothian, NHS Grampian, NHS Lanarkshire, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde as well as NHS Ayrshire and Arran. The group were back in the dock at the High Court in Glasgow to be sentenced by judge Lord Arthurson today. Hush was jailed for eight years after being found guilty of nine charges. Cox was locked up for six years for the two jurors convicted him of. Sharoudi was also handed an eight year term having been convicted of seven charges. Brown was jailed for seven years for a total of six. Lord Arthurson said: 'Such is the corrosive effect of corruption upon commercial and public life, individuals such as yourselves should expect to be dealt with robustly by the courts. 'The public should expect their fellow citizens should not seek to subvert public officials in their duties. 'Such officials should note that, succumbing to bribery, will result in the handing down of significant terms. READ MORE: Last-minute plea to save historic Glasgow building as decision looms 'The reach and character of the corruption and, in particular, the corrupt relationship engaged by all of you was on a grand scale.' All four showed little emotion as they were led to the cells. Sharoudi blew a kiss towards family and friends in the packed courtroom. Oricom was formed in 2008 by trained engineer Brown and colleague David Bailey. They later set up at offices in Irvine in Ayrshire. Sharoudi went on to join the team also as a director. Oricom took on more staff and began to build a reputation in the telecoms industry. This eventually led Oricom getting a number of big health board contracts. But, in 2015, its offices were raided – including by investigators from NHS Scotland Counter Fraud Services – following concerns into how the deals were secured. It resulted in the Oricom directors as well as Hush and Cox being arrested and charged. Bailey was also prosecuted, but charges were dropped against him early in the trial. The four accused all gave evidence in the case which sat for 65 days - testimony described by the judge today as 'self serving, arrogant and mendacious'. Hush, of Leith, Edinburgh, was first. He told jurors he initially became aware of Oricom around 2010. Married Hush ended up friends with Sharoudi, but denied there was any intimate relationship. The trial heard of numerous text messages between the men through the years. These included Hush referring to Sharoudi as "hunk" and him being called him "stud" in return. Hush also declared his love for the Oricom director. He denied being dependent on Sharoudi for cash. But, Hush was said to have complained at one stage: 'I am keen to get some commission under my belt. I am going on holiday in a month and cannot afford a pot to p*** in'. His KC Keith Stewart put to him during the trial: 'If it is suggested any reference to commission was you talking about earning money from Oricom in exchange for contracts, what would you say?' Hush: 'That was not the case at all.' He claimed any payments he ever received had been money from his now late father. But, it was later suggested Hush had used the firm as the 'Bank of Oricom' for his help in getting them business including a £750,000 contract with NHS Lothian. READ MORE: 'Scamming more money from the fans': Celtic fans rage at latest release The handouts were said to include train tickets, such as on the Eurostar, stays at the Troy and Re Hotels in London, a near £2,000 laptop, an iPad, meals as well as concert tickets to see Paul Simon, Rufus Wainwright and Patti Smith. In cross examination, prosecutor David Nicolson KC put to Hush at one stage: 'At NHS Lothian, Alan Hush was the kingpin in the telecoms department. 'You were the 'big cheese', 'the big boss'. The telecoms department was your fiefdom. 'Alan Hush played by the Alan Hush rules. Alan Hush made up the rules and did what he liked.' He replied: 'Alan Hush performed to the best of his abilities.' Hush was said to have 'ferreted about' in a 'deception' to obtain false 'dodgy' quotes to help Oricom get the lucrative business. Denying any wrongdoing, Hush insisted: 'I have stepped into the witness box and told the truth.' Sharoudi, of Motherwell, Lanarkshire, meantime told the court Hush repaid for anything Oricom had purchased for him. He said: 'Alan was very cost-conscious. He paid back every single thing that was bought.' He refuted claims there was anything intimate between them adding the NHS official could be guilty of 'pushing a joke too far'. In his evidence, Cox, of Cathcart, Glasgow, denied being 'bribed' by Oricom and that any contract with NHS Lanarkshire was won 'fair and square'. He was accused of giving Oricom the 'heads up' with information to give them a 'commercial advantage' to secure business. It was suggested it was 'not a level playing field' for other bidders. The court heard of an excited message exchange after the firm learned they were likely to be awarded one contract. Brown texted Sharoudi: 'Gonna c**** my pants'. Sharoudi replied: 'Yes f*****g baby'. Cox's 'rewards' had been said to include hospitality at the Scottish Grand National at Ayr, a night at the Loch Green Hotel in Troon and a slap-up meal at Elliots in Prestwick. Brown was also a guest at Cox's surprise 50th birthday party. The NHS official told the trial: 'The things I got from Oricom I paid for fully.' Jurors heard he also got thousands of pounds worth of Barrhead Travel holiday vouchers which allowed him to go on trips to New York and Lanzarote. READ MORE: Popular whisky retailer announces shock closure with 'heavy heart' But, Cox said he believed they were gifts to his wife – a newspaper advertising manager – from Brown's partner who she had become friends with. Prosecutors stated this was 'a remarkable coincidence'. Cox also denied ever getting a series of cash handouts from Oricom. He told the trial he was instead given an inheritance - a holdall full of cash – following the passing of his father. He returned from Northern Ireland and stuck it in his loft back home in Scotland. Cox claimed it was only later he realised how much was there – a total of £79,300. It was around 2012 or 2013 Cox claimed him and his wife agreed to 'invest' it in an extension for the home they had moved into in Newton Mearns. East Renfrewshire. Brown, of Prestwick, Ayrshire, said he was happy at the work Oricom provided for the health boards over the years. He added: 'We did deliver a service. If they phoned at 3am, we would fix whatever they were on about. We had a good reputation. We worked really, really hard.' Brown also knew another NHS Lanarkshire telecoms official called Alexander 'Sandy' Stewart. Among the charges was one that Oricom also effectively bribed him to secure work including a near £700,000 deal. Stewart has since passed away. Prosecutors further said smaller 'inducements' were given to an IT official who worked at both NHS Lanarkshire and Greater Glasgow and Clyde health boards as well as a woman with NHS Ayrshire and Arran. The court heard today how all four maintained their innocence. Hush's lawyer Keith Stewart said the jury had concluded there was a 'corrupt relationship' between Hush and Oricom carried out in 'plain sight' and based on 'budgets hotels and discounted rail fares'. Gordon Martin, defending Cox, said he was 'ashamed at the findings of guilt' as he had been 'a public servant for 31 years and rightfully proud of that service'. Sharoudi's defence KC Brian McConnachie told the hearing the NHS work carried out by Oricom was 'necessary' and it was not a 'situation of job creation' for money. He said Sharoudi had overcome a number of issues growing up to gain a first class honours degree in maths and philosophy before helping build Oricom. Tony Graham KC, defending Brown, said he was someone who had 'worked every day since he left school' providing 'employment for many others over many years'. Sharoudi and Brown have also been banned from being a company director for the next 10 years.
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- The Herald Scotland
Men convicted of NHS corruption and bribery scheme jailed for 29 years
Adam Sharoudi, 41, and Gavin Brown, 48, ran Oricom Ltd – a firm which effectively began from a garden shed before going on to secure major deals. But, prosecutors said the contracts for the supply and maintenance of telecoms and video conferencing equipment broke rules on financial wrongdoing in the tendering process. The Oricom bosses had got the illegal help of Alan Hush, 68, and 60 year-old Gavin Cox. Hush was the telecommunications manager at NHS Lothian and then NHS Scotland video conferencing manager. Cox held the post of head of IT and infrastructure at NHS Lanarkshire. The pair abused their powers as 'public servants' to push deals through. One contract alone was worth £3.1m. In return, Hush got £18,231 of cash bungs and gifts, Cox a total of more than £70,000. All four men had denied the accusations during a mammoth three-month trial. The charges spanning between 2010 and 2015 included bribery, corruption, fraud, theft as well as others under the Proceeds of Crime Act. One stated Sharoudi and Brown did 'acquire, use and possess' a total of £5,719,244 of 'criminal property' paid by NHS Lothian, NHS Grampian, NHS Lanarkshire, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde as well as NHS Ayrshire and Arran. The group were back in the dock at the High Court in Glasgow to be sentenced by judge Lord Arthurson. Hush was jailed for eight years after being found guilty of nine charges. Cox was locked up for six years for the two jurors convicted him of. Sharoudi was also handed an eight year term having been convicted of seven charges. Brown was jailed for seven years for a total of six. Read More Lord Arthurson said: 'Such is the corrosive effect of corruption upon commercial and public life, individuals such as yourselves should expect to be dealt with robustly by the courts. 'The public should expect their fellow citizens should not seek to subvert public officials in their duties. 'Such officials should note that, succumbing to bribery, will result in the handing down of significant terms. 'The reach and character of the corruption and, in particular, the corrupt relationship engaged by all of you was on a grand scale.' All four showed little emotion as they were led to the cells. Sharoudi blew a kiss towards family and friends in the packed courtroom. Oricom was formed in 2008 by trained engineer Brown and colleague David Bailey. They later set up at offices in Irvine in Ayrshire. Sharoudi went on to join the team also as a director. Oricom took on more staff and began to build a reputation in the telecoms industry. This eventually led Oricom getting a number of big health board contracts. But, in 2015, its offices were raided – including by investigators from NHS Scotland Counter Fraud Services – following concerns into how the deals were secured. It resulted in the Oricom directors as well as Hush and Cox being arrested and charged. Bailey was also prosecuted, but charges were dropped against him early in the trial. The four accused all gave evidence in the case which sat for 65 days - testimony described by the judge as 'self serving, arrogant and mendacious'. Hush, of Leith, Edinburgh, was first. He told jurors he initially became aware of Oricom around 2010. Married Hush ended up friends with Sharoudi, but denied there was any intimate relationship. The trial heard of numerous text messages between the men through the years. These included Hush referring to Sharoudi as "hunk" and him being called him "stud" in return. Hush also declared his love for the Oricom director. He denied being dependent on Sharoudi for cash. But, Hush was said to have complained at one stage: 'I am keen to get some commission under my belt. I am going on holiday in a month and cannot afford a pot to p*** in'. His KC Keith Stewart put to him during the trial: 'If it is suggested any reference to commission was you talking about earning money from Oricom in exchange for contracts, what would you say?' Hush: 'That was not the case at all.' He claimed any payments he ever received had been money from his now late father. But, it was later suggested Hush had used the firm as the 'Bank of Oricom' for his help in getting them business including a £750,000 contract with NHS Lothian. The handouts were said to include train tickets, such as on the Eurostar, stays at the Troy and Re Hotels in London, a near £2,000 laptop, an iPad, meals as well as concert tickets to see Paul Simon, Rufus Wainwright and Patti Smith. In cross examination, prosecutor David Nicolson KC put to Hush at one stage: 'At NHS Lothian, Alan Hush was the kingpin in the telecoms department. 'You were the 'big cheese', 'the big boss'. The telecoms department was your fiefdom. 'Alan Hush played by the Alan Hush rules. Alan Hush made up the rules and did what he liked.' He replied: 'Alan Hush performed to the best of his abilities.' Hush was said to have 'ferreted about' in a 'deception' to obtain false 'dodgy' quotes to help Oricom get the lucrative business. Denying any wrongdoing, Hush insisted: 'I have stepped into the witness box and told the truth.' Sharoudi, of Motherwell, Lanarkshire, meantime told the court Hush repaid for anything Oricom had purchased for him. He said: 'Alan was very cost conscious. He paid back every single thing that was bought.' He refuted claims there was anything intimate between them adding the NHS official could be guilty of 'pushing a joke too far'. In his evidence, Cox, of Cathcart, Glasgow, denied being 'bribed' by Oricom and that any contract with NHS Lanarkshire was won 'fair and square'. He was accused of giving Oricom the 'heads up' with information to give them a 'commercial advantage' to secure business. It was suggested it was 'not a level playing field' for other bidders. The court heard of an excited message exchange after the firm learned they were likely to be awarded one contract. Brown texted Sharoudi: 'Gonna c**** my pants'. Sharoudi replied: 'Yes f*****g baby'. Cox's 'rewards' had been said to include hospitality at the Scottish Grand National at Ayr, a night at the Loch Green Hotel in Troon and a slap-up meal at Elliots in Prestwick. Brown was also a guest at Cox's surprise 50th birthday party. The NHS official told the trial: 'The things I got from Oricom I paid for fully.' Jurors heard he also got thousands of pounds worth of Barrhead Travel holiday vouchers which allowed him to go on trips to New York and Lanzarote. But, Cox said he believed they were gifts to his wife – a newspaper advertising manager – from Brown's partner who she had become friends with. Prosecutors stated this was 'a remarkable coincidence'. Cox also denied ever getting a series of cash handouts from Oricom. He told the trial he was instead given an inheritance - a holdall full of cash – following the passing of his father. He returned from Northern Ireland and stuck it in his loft back home in Scotland. Cox claimed it was only later he realised how much was there – a total of £79,300. It was around 2012 or 2013 Cox claimed him and his wife agreed to 'invest' it in an extension for the home they had moved into in Newton Mearns. East Renfrewshire. Brown, of Prestwick, Ayrshire, said he was happy at the work Oricom provided for the health boards over the years. He added: 'We did deliver a service. If they phoned at 3am, we would fix whatever they were on about. We had a good reputation. We worked really, really hard.' Brown also knew another NHS Lanarkshire telecoms official called Alexander 'Sandy' Stewart. Among the charges was one that Oricom also effectively bribed him to secure work including a near £700,000 deal. Stewart has since passed away. Prosecutors further said smaller 'inducements' were given to an IT official who worked at both NHS Lanarkshire and Greater Glasgow and Clyde health boards as well as a woman with NHS Ayrshire and Arran. The court heard how all four maintained their innocence. Hush's lawyer Keith Stewart said the jury had concluded there was a 'corrupt relationship' between Hush and Oricom carried out in 'plain sight' and based on 'budgets hotels and discounted rail fares'. Gordon Martin, defending Cox, said he was 'ashamed at the findings of guilt' as he had been 'a public servant for 31 years and rightfully proud of that service'. Sharoudi's defence KC Brian McConnachie told the hearing the NHS work carried out by Oricom was 'necessary' and it was not a 'situation of job creation' for money. He said Sharoudi had overcome a number of issues growing up to gain a first class honours degree in maths and philosophy before helping build Oricom. Tony Graham KC, defending Brown, said he was someone who had 'worked every day since he left school' providing 'employment for many others over many years'. Sharoudi and Brown have also been banned from being a company director for the next 10 years. The court also heard how Hush has embraced prison life since being locked up. His KC told the sentencing hearing that he is the 'head' of the prison library and the Bar-L radio station for inmates, and also appeared to be noticeably thinner than he had looked at the trial. The court also learned that Oricom pair Sharoudi and Brown have both resigned as directors of the firm. But, it emerged the NHS - despite the convictions - continues to do business with the company. Brown's KC Tony Graham said in the last fortnight Oricom "received two additional purchase orders" in connection with work at Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride, Lanarkshire. Mr Graham added: "Oricom still receive contracted work for GP surgeries. "This is eloquent of being able to provide a service of good value for money with an expectation of delivery." The advocate also described how Brown had even been out "troubleshooting" at an issue at an NHS site during the trial.
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Daily Record
Fraudsters behind £6m NHS Scotland corruption and bribery scandal jailed for 29 years
The group were found guilty in April following investigations into the award of lucrative NHS contracts to an Ayrshire–based telecommunications firm, Oricom. Four men convicted after a £6m corruption and bribery probe at health boards across Scotland have been jailed for a total of 29 years. The group had been found guilty in April following investigations into the award of lucrative NHS contracts to an Ayrshire – based telecommunications firm. Adam Sharoudi, 41, and Gavin Brown, 48, ran Oricom Ltd – a firm which effectively began from a garden shed before going on to secure major deals. But, prosecutors said the contracts for the supply and maintenance of telecoms and video conferencing equipment broke rules on financial wrongdoing in the tendering process. The Oricom bosses had got the illegal help of Alan Hush, 68, and 60 year-old Gavin Cox. Hush was the telecommunications manager at NHS Lothian and then NHS Scotland video conferencing manager. Cox held the post of head of IT and infrastructure at NHS Lanarkshire. The pair abused their powers as 'public servants' to push deals through. One contract alone was worth £3.1m. In return, Hush got £18,231 of cash bungs and gifts, Cox a total of more than £70,000. All four men had denied the accusations during a mammoth three-month trial. The charges spanning between 2010 and 2015 included bribery, corruption, fraud, theft as well as others under the Proceeds of Crime Act. One stated Sharoudi and Brown did 'acquire, use and possess' a total of £5,719,244 of 'criminal property' paid by NHS Lothian, NHS Grampian, NHS Lanarkshire, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde as well as NHS Ayrshire and Arran. The group were back in the dock at the High Court in Glasgow to be sentenced by judge Lord Arthurson today. Hush was jailed for eight years after being found guilty of nine charges. Cox was locked up for six years for the two jurors convicted him of. Sharoudi was also handed an eight year term having been convicted of seven charges. Brown was jailed for seven years for a total of six. Lord Arthurson said: 'Such is the corrosive effect of corruption upon commercial and public life, individuals such as yourselves should expect to be dealt with robustly by the courts. 'The public should expect their fellow citizens should not seek to subvert public officials in their duties. 'Such officials should note that, succumbing to bribery, will result in the handing down of significant terms. 'The reach and character of the corruption and, in particular, the corrupt relationship engaged by all of you was on a grand scale.' All four showed little emotion as they were led to the cells. Sharoudi blew a kiss towards family and friends in the packed courtroom. Oricom was formed in 2008 by trained engineer Brown and colleague David Bailey. They later set up at offices in Irvine in Ayrshire. Sharoudi went on to join the team also as a director. Oricom took on more staff and began to build a reputation in the telecoms industry. This eventually led Oricom getting a number of big health board contracts. But, in 2015, the Record revealed how its offices were raided – including by investigators from NHS Scotland Counter Fraud Services – following concerns into how the deals were secured. It resulted in the Oricom directors as well as Hush and Cox being arrested and charged. Bailey was also prosecuted, but charges were dropped against him early in the trial. The four accused all gave evidence in the case which sat for 65 days - testimony described by the judge today/yesterday as 'self serving, arrogant and mendacious'. Hush, of Leith, Edinburgh, was first. He told jurors he initially became aware of Oricom around 2010. Married Hush ended up friends with Sharoudi, but denied there was any intimate relationship. The trial heard of numerous text messages between the men through the years. These included Hush referring to Sharoudi as "hunk" and him being called him "stud" in return. Hush also declared his love for the Oricom director. He denied being dependent on Sharoudi for cash. But, Hush was said to have complained at one stage: 'I am keen to get some commission under my belt. I am going on holiday in a month and cannot afford a pot to p*** in'. His KC Keith Stewart put to him during the trial: 'If it is suggested any reference to commission was you talking about earning money from Oricom in exchange for contracts, what would you say?' Hush: 'That was not the case at all.' He claimed any payments he ever received had been money from his now late father. But, it was later suggested Hush had used the firm as the 'Bank of Oricom' for his help in getting them business including a £750,000 contract with NHS Lothian. The handouts were said to include train tickets, such as on the Eurostar, stays at the Troy and Re Hotels in London, a near £2,000 laptop, an iPad, meals as well as concert tickets to see Paul Simon, Rufus Wainwright and Patti Smith. In cross examination, prosecutor David Nicolson KC put to Hush at one stage: 'At NHS Lothian, Alan Hush was the kingpin in the telecoms department. 'You were the 'big cheese', 'the big boss'. The telecoms department was your fiefdom. 'Alan Hush played by the Alan Hush rules. Alan Hush made up the rules and did what he liked.' He replied: 'Alan Hush performed to the best of his abilities.' Hush was said to have 'ferreted about' in a 'deception' to obtain false 'dodgy' quotes to help Oricom get the lucrative business. Denying any wrongdoing, Hush insisted: 'I have stepped into the witness box and told the truth.' Sharoudi, of Motherwell, Lanarkshire, meantime told the court Hush repaid for anything Oricom had purchased for him. He said: 'Alan was very cost conscious. He paid back every single thing that was bought.' He refuted claims there was anything intimate between them adding the NHS official could be guilty of 'pushing a joke too far'. In his evidence, Cox, of Cathcart, Glasgow, denied being 'bribed' by Oricom and that any contract with NHS Lanarkshire was won 'fair and square'. He was accused of giving Oricom the 'heads up' with information to give them a 'commercial advantage' to secure business. It was suggested it was 'not a level playing field' for other bidders. The court heard of an excited message exchange after the firm learned they were likely to be awarded one contract. Brown texted Sharoudi: 'Gonna c**** my pants'. Sharoudi replied: 'Yes f*****g baby'. Cox's 'rewards' had been said to include hospitality at the Scottish Grand National at Ayr, a night at the Loch Green Hotel in Troon and a slap-up meal at Elliots in Prestwick. Brown was also a guest at Cox's surprise 50th birthday party. The NHS official told the trial: 'The things I got from Oricom I paid for fully.' Jurors heard he also got thousands of pounds worth of Barrhead Travel holiday vouchers which allowed him to go on trips to New York and Lanzarote. But, Cox said he believed they were gifts to his wife – a newspaper advertising manager – from Brown's partner who she had become friends with. Prosecutors stated this was 'a remarkable coincidence'. Cox also denied ever getting a series of cash handouts from Oricom. He told the trial he was instead given an inheritance - a holdall full of cash – following the passing of his father. He returned from Northern Ireland and stuck it in his loft back home in Scotland. Cox claimed it was only later he realised how much was there – a total of £79,300. It was around 2012 or 2013 Cox claimed him and his wife agreed to 'invest' it in an extension for the home they had moved into in Newton Mearns. East Renfrewshire. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Brown, of Prestwick, Ayrshire, said he was happy at the work Oricom provided for the health boards over the years. He added: 'We did deliver a service. If they phoned at 3am, we would fix whatever they were on about. We had a good reputation. We worked really, really hard.' Brown also knew another NHS Lanarkshire telecoms official called Alexander 'Sandy' Stewart. Among the charges was one that Oricom also effectively bribed him to secure work including a near £700,000 deal. Stewart has since passed away. Prosecutors further said smaller 'inducements' were given to an IT official who worked at both NHS Lanarkshire and Greater Glasgow and Clyde health boards as well as a woman with NHS Ayrshire and Arran. The court heard today how all four maintained their innocence. Hush's lawyer Keith Stewart said the jury had concluded there was a 'corrupt relationship' between Hush and Oricom carried out in 'plain sight' and based on 'budgets hotels and discounted rail fares'. Gordon Martin, defending Cox, said he was 'ashamed at the findings of guilt' as he had been 'a public servant for 31 years and rightfully proud of that service'. Sharoudi's defence KC Brian McConnachie told the hearing the NHS work carried out by Oricom was 'necessary' and it was not a 'situation of job creation' for money. He said Sharoudi had overcome a number of issues growing up to gain a first class honours degree in maths and philosophy before helping build Oricom. Tony Graham KC, defending Brown, said he was someone who had 'worked every day since he left school' providing 'employment for many others over many years'. Sharoudi and Brown have also been banned from being a company director for the next 10 years.
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Nearly 23,000 Scots stuck on NHS waiting list to see psychologist
EXCLUSIVE: Freedom of Information Requests revealed that some 22,880 are currently on a psychologist waiting list - with NHS Lothian having the longest list. Nearly 23,000 Scots are languishing on an NHS waiting list to see a psychologist. Freedom of Information Requests revealed that some 22,880 are currently on a psychologist waiting list. Dr Pavan Srireddy, vice-chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland, said: 'While concerning, these figures come as no surprise. The unprecedented demand for services and critical gaps in the mental health workforce is already leading to unacceptably long waits for mental health care and treatment. 'Working on the frontline we see a postcode lottery of specialist mental health services across the country, but our patients deserve so much better than this. 'Alarmingly, waiting times may be even higher because the Scottish Government don't consider the rise in people seeking help for neurodevelopmental conditions such as Autism or ADHD." NHS Lothian had the longest list, with 4,287 patients waiting to be seen. This was followed by Greater Glasgow and Clyde on 3,733 and Tayside on 2,821. Grampian had 2,736 patients waiting, Forth Valley had 2,729 and Lanarkshire had 2,097. The only other health board with more than 1,000 people waiting was NHS Fife, on 1,746. Dr Srireddy continued: 'The situation is only set to get worse if there is no action. Targets are missed but what we need is ringfenced funding and resources ploughed in at local level. 'We also urgently need a strategy to not just recruit more psychiatrists, but to retain our experienced doctors who sadly face excessive workloads, stress and burnout due to staff shortages leading them to leave permanent roles. 'Above all, we need ring-fenced mental health funding to reach the government's own 10% budget commitment and ensure adequate resources are put in place urgently, for recruitment and retention.' Campaigner Peter Todd - who waited five years for mental health treatment - said: "Many of our leaders have no idea much patient's lives are affected by waiting years for psychological treatment because they have no sense of what goes on in the real world. "No doubt we will here covid being used as an excuse. But that doesn't wash because I was forced to wait 5 years back in 2018 due to being a victim of the MP Cyril Smith scandal which I gave evidence at the Historical Abuse Inquiry about. "I look forward to John Swinney campaigning in Caithness in the run up to the Holyrood election, so he can hear my experience and how my Iife was ripped apart because of his parties inept running of mental health services which forced me to wait five years." Scottish Labour Mental Health spokesperson Paul Sweeney said 'These shocking figures lay bare the true scale of Scotland's mental health crisis and the SNP's woeful failure to deliver the support needed. 'Behind these figures are people who have been failed in their darkest hour by an NHS that is no longer truly free and available at the point of need. ' NHS staff are working tirelessly to keep overstretched mental health services going, but they are being let down by an SNP government more interested in fiddling the figures than fixing the waiting lists. 'Scots needs NHS mental health services that they can count on and we need a change in government to deliver that.' A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'The latest Public Health Scotland data shows that more than 74,000 people started treatment in psychological therapies last year. 'One in two patients are starting treatment within three weeks of referral and there was a significant increase of 7.5% of patients starting treatment in the last quarter. 'This has been made possible by the hard work of our psychology services workforce which has increased by 61.8% in the last decade. 'We want to ensure that all people in Scotland can access the right help, at the right time to support their mental and physical health. We continue to work with NHS Boards that are not on track to meet the standard that 90% of patients begin treatment within 18 weeks of referral.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Watch: Meghan twerks while pregnant in video celebrating Princess Lilibet's birthday
Credit: Instagram/Meghan The Duchess of Sussex has released a video of herself twerking while pregnant with Princess Lilibet to celebrate her daughter's fourth birthday. The Duchess, 43, can be seen performing the dance move, which involves hip-thrusting while in a squat position, with her husband in hospital while waiting to give birth to their daughter, who is seventh in line to the British throne. In the Instagram caption, Meghan said that she was using the dance technique to induce birth, which she revealed was a week late, for both Princess Lilibet and Prince Archie, six. She explained: 'Four years ago today, this also happened. Both of our children were a week past their due dates... so when spicy food, all that walking, and acupuncture didn't work – there was only one thing left to do!' In the video, Meghan can be seen cradling her stomach before looking over at the Duke of Sussex and starting to dance to Baby Mama Dance by Mic Drop Mama. The song, which includes the lyrics 'drop it down, drop it down down low', was the focus of a TikTok trend where pregnant women showcased their dance moves at 39 weeks (nine months). It is not confirmed that dance moves such as twerking induce labour, but some induction tips will include being as mobile as possible. On NHS Lothian's website advising women what they can do while having an induction, it states: 'Walking, dancing, swaying, squatting and using a birth ball all help to keep you mobile and active, which can help your labour to establish.' While the Duchess did not make clear her reason for sharing the video, it marked the third post she made on Instagram in celebration of Princess Lilibet's fourth birthday. The other posts included new family photos of her daughter, who has rarely been pictured facing the camera in recent years. The posts included a black and white picture of herself holding her daughter on what appears to be a boat as well as shots of the Duke walking hand-in-hand with his daughter. Meghan wrote: 'Happy birthday to our beautiful girl! Four years ago today she came into our lives – and each day is brighter and better because of it. 'Thanks to all of those sending love and celebrating her special day!' In the picture, Princess Lilibet's eyes and the top half of her face can be seen, in a departure from the Duchess's usual rule of only showing the children from the back in order to preserve their privacy. Her decision to share a personal glimpse of the Princess's birth in the dancing video, however, might be thought to be in part an attempt by the Duchess to silence false online conspiracy theories that her children were born by a surrogate. Elsewhere, the Duke can be seen cradling a newborn Lilibet in 2021. Since moving to the US in 2020, the Duke and Duchess have guarded their children's privacy, but the Duchess has increasingly posted photographs of them on her Instagram feed. Last month, she shared previously unseen images of the children in a post to mark the couple's seventh wedding anniversary. In April, the Duke and Duchess called for stronger protections for children online after unveiling a memorial in New York City to young people who lost their lives because of the harmful effects of social media. The couple joined a vigil and met families who believe social media played a part in the deaths of their children. The Duke told BBC Breakfast that 'life is better off social media' and said 'enough is not being done'. He added that he was 'grateful' Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet were still too young to be online.
