Surely prime responsibility lies with the CEO of NHS Scotland, whose title also includes Director General of Health and Social Care, along with her counterparts in the regional bodies and their hospitals. I imagine few could name her – Caroline Lamb, a chartered accountant.

That is akin to the Covid lockdown when invariably “the government” and Matt Hancock were blamed for whatever went wrong, but never the CEO of Public Health England or NHS Scotland or, for example, the head of NHS Procurement regarding the initial lack of PPE and subsequent ordering mishaps.

I am not normally one to defend ministers, but surely “debit where debit is due” should also apply – as Ms Lamb might have agreed in a previous role!

Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care. is under pressure over A&E waiting times . (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

John Birkett, St Andrews, Fife

People matter

In her statement to the Scottish Police Authority, Chief Constable Jo Farrell said that the service was seeking voluntary redundancies from civilian staff, but “not from the control centres because they were areas of high risk and we need those resources” (Scotsman, 31 January).

What was wrong with saying “we need those people”? Referring to people as resources is demeaning. It’s disrespectful and counterproductive.

If organisations believe people are their greatest asset, then treat them like they are their greatest asset.

Treating them well without indulging them, will produce a motivated, productive organisation and better outcomes, than treating them like resources to be used or discarded at will.

Brian Barbour, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland

Taking a stand

Andrew Turnbull must be very much to the left politically if he thinks that the current Government is “increasingly right wing” (Letters, 30 January). If anything, it is virtue-signalling to the liberal left and losing its voter base thereby.

Moreover, he seems to regard the actions we are taking in the Red Sea as “pretending to be a super-power”. In fact, this is a part of the world in which Britain is the former colonial power and we are still seen there as a major player, as we are. We have a naval base in the Gulf, in Bahrain, one of the nations to which we gave independence in my lifetime, and Aden only became independent in 1967.

The area is noted for its instability and the Iranians are attempting to spread their evil influence throughout the region. Their thuggish allies, the Houthis, are attacking international shipping, regardless of their flag, or ownership of the vessels, let alone their cargo. One cargo hit last week was Russian oil, for example. No one is immune.

Someone must stand up for freedom of movement and of trade, even if Mr Turnbull would rather that we left it to America. The restriction on free movement of goods the Houthis are causing will be costs we will all have to bear unless we stand up to them.

If Trump gets in, then it will come down to us anyway. We cannot allow Iran to use the Gazan mess as an excuse to attack the West, because that is all it is. If not Gaza, then they will fabricate some other cause.

Peter Hopkins, Edinburgh

Magical thinking

I am appalled by the Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron’s magical thinking concerning Israel and the Palestinians. There are fundamental reasons why it is at present impossible to negotiate peace between the parties, and why we should not recognise a Palestinian state at this time. Hamas and other Islamist groups, which seek the destruction of Israel and the thorough genocide of its Jewish citizens, still enjoys substantial, probably majority support amongst the Palestinian population. The priority for these groups is the destruction of Israel, not the consolation prize of a Palestinian state.

The Iranian regime continues to finance, arm and organise these groups. Until there is regime change in Tehran, the terror organisations will always have sponsorship and strategic depth.

If we want peace in the Middle East and a viable future for the Palestinians the priority must be to undermine the Iranian regime and counter its actions through out the region and beyond. Also, we must start to ensure that in future Western aid is not diverted to funding the terrorists.

Otto Inglis, Crossgates, Fife

Green honesty

Your editorial “UK must rearm amid warnings of all-out war” was timely in view of the volatile state of the world which has 32 ongoing conflicts (30 January).

Readers' letters: Is Matheson really to blame for A&E waiting times?