AFTER projections recently showed the number of pensioners is set to increase by 28 per cent it's high time the SNP started listening to warnings about an ageing population

The National Records of Scotland has estimated the hike over the next 25 years, which would unfortunately bring with it a rise in conditions like dementia.

Hospitals across the country are already struggling to cope with increasing numbers of patients, particularly those with diseases linked to living longer.

Shadow health secretary Miles Briggs said the NHS was already struggling as a result of the SNP’s failure to plan for an ageing population and he said the problems would only worsen as that demographic increased.

The elderly population has rocketed in the last 10 years north of the border and the growth is even larger in rural constituencies.

In fact by 2039, the number of over 75s will have gone from 430,000 to a massive 800,000.

In contrast, the population of 0-15-year-olds will rise by only one per cent.

The Scottish government must act now or the problems for hospital staff and patients are only going to get worse as the years go on.

There is going to be a heavily increasing elderly population north of the border, who risk being served by an NHS which sadly won’t be remotely equipped to provide the help they need and is being centralized to near breaking point by the separatists.

Perhaps if the Scottish government dropped it's obsession with both another independence referendum and centralizing everything in sight they could concentrate on steering clear of this iceberg.

Cllr Alastair Redman,

Islay

THE school holidays are now well under way, and Sea Cadets – a national youth charity with 400 units across the UK – is urging people to stay safe as it launches its Water Savvy campaign.

More than 300 people drowned in the UK last year, and more suffered life-changing injuries through near-drowning.

But many of these tragic incidents could be avoided through good knowledge of water safety.

Sea Cadets’ Water Savvy campaign highlights the importance of staying safe in, on and around the water, and making others aware of the dangers.

We offer water-based adventure to 14,000 young people aged 10 to 18 across the country who – along with our 9,000 volunteers – undergo specialist water-safety training. But we want to spread the message further.

There are a number of things you can do to ensure you, your family and your friends stay safe.

When swimming in open water, stay close to the shore, make sure you are appropriately dressed, and let someone know where you’re going. If you fall in accidentally, cold water shock can be deadly and it’s vital you do not swim or try to get out.

Instead, focus on floating and keeping your airway above the water.

You can find lots more tips and information by downloading our free Water Savvy guide at: sea-cadets.org/get-involved.

Tye Shuttleworth.

Head of Inshore Boating, Sea Cadets