13/01/2017 Reporting Scotland

A health board apologises to five pregnant women who were turned away

at Glasgow's flagship hospital because of a shortage of beds.

Detectives investigating the murder of a man in a house fire

in Milngavie say they're following a positive

The family of a woman who died, after battling multiple

sclerosis for years, say she should have been allowed

Every day she would say, I want to die, please help me do I. What do

you say to that when you can't help? I couldn't help her. The government

could help her, doctors could help her. Why won't they do that?

Just a bit of space so I can get moving, please.

as Sir Andy prepares for the first grand slam tournament of the season.

And one of the largest creatures in the ocean is filmed

underwater off Shetland, in what's thought to be a UK first.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have apologised to expectant mothers

who were turned away from the flagship

Queen Elizabeth Hospital because of a shortage of beds.

One pregnant woman, who was waiting for a bed after her waters broke,

told BBC Scotland the situation last night was "chaos".

Normal service has resumed today but it was a different service --

different story yesterday, with Labour wards full foremost of it.

This is how one expectant mother described the scene last night, when

she was waiting for a bed to become available. She said it was chaos,

and another woman whose contractions were two minutes apart had nowhere

to give birth. NHS Glasgow and greater Clyde offered an apology but

said it was a small number of patients. Three mothers were

diverted to the Royal Alexandra Hospital and the Princess Royal. Two

others had their planned deliveries delayed. But the pressure on

services in Glasgow raises concerns about proposals to close community

units. Across the country, a picture of pressure on maternity services is

emerging. Our birth rate in Scotland is steady at the moment. The issue

we are seeing is a greater complexity in the women we care for.

That is partly to do with women being older when they have babies,

maybe they come to us with some medical conditions, and there is a

higher rate of Caesarean sections than in the past. Maternity services

are having to adapt and as the face of the nation changes it will

inevitably mean more pressure on front line services.

Lisa, what is the bigger picture for maternity

This was distressing for these women but this is not just one hospital in

Glasgow. There are occasions when mothers have to be diverted because

of pressure on beds, perhaps because they need access to specialist

neonatal services. It should be done in consultation with midwives, so

the expectant parents are not turning up and getting turned away

again. Or example here in Edinburgh, there are around 10,000 babies born

last year, and in 70 cases they were born at other hospitals. How that

fits into the bigger picture of pressure on maternity services in

terms of the changing demographic, we are expecting the government to

publish a review of maternity and neonatal services in the coming

weeks. Thank you. Detectives investigating the death

of a man in an East Dunbartonshire house fire have said

they are following what they call Huw Williams is at the house

in Milngavie for us tonight. The body of 23 years rolled camera

and Logan was found at his parents house soon after emergency services

were called here just before 7:30am on New Year's Day. His girlfriend,

Rebecca Williams, suffered serious injuries, although reports in the

last couple of days suggest that her condition in hospital may be

improving so much that she has been able to talk to police officers.

Both Cameron Logan's parents needed treatment for the effects of

breathing in smoke. Soon after they were called to this crime scene,

forensics investigators were able to say they believed the fire had been

started deliberately. Police called it a targeted, wilful attack and

have been treating it as a case of murder and three cases of attempted

murder. This afternoon, detectives said they were now following what

they called a definite line of enquiry. To unpack what that means,

it is often police speak for the fact that they have identified a

suspect, and it usually means they would hope to be able to make an

arrest quickly. Officers had been trying to trace dog walkers and

joggers seen in the area at the time the fire started, and a week after

the attack happened, they were also in nearby streets and local shops,

stopping and talking to passers-by in the hopes of identifying more

witnesses. The family of a woman who died

after battling multiple sclerosis for years say she should have been

allowed to choose when to die. Flora Lorimer, who died last month,

was paralysed and in constant pain Her family have published

harrowing pictures of her, ravaged by the illness,

in the hope that they will persuade politicians to change the law

on assisted suicide. Steven Godden's report

contains pictures some Childhood sweethearts, Laura had

only been married three years when she was diagnosed with MS. She

shrugged and said, let's get on with life. It did not bother her, you

know, for 30 years. But in the last four years, her deterioration

accelerated. Completely blind, Tom could not see it, but could only

feel his wife wasting away. She could not move, feed herself, could

not scratch her nose. That's when she started to say, I don't want to

be here. Every day she would be crying, I want to die, please help

me. What do you say to that? I couldn't help her. The government

could help her, doctors could help her, but they won't. Why won't they

do that? If the law had allowed it, the family say she would have ended

her own life two years ago. When she died last month, they took these

pictures during her final few hours. Difficult to view, the difficult

decision to make them public was born of frustration. People need to

know why they want to stop it. Why? Nobody sees these pictures. She

said, do it when I'm dead, not when I'm alive. Do it when I'm dead.

Proposals to introduce right to die legislation through the Scottish

parliament crystallised opinion on both sides. The Law Society and

Church of Scotland were among those to voice opposition. That was two

years ago. MS peas were given a free vote and the bill was defeated. The

years ago. MS peas were given a free problem is that if you change the

law for the hard cases, it can cause problems for many vulnerable people.

They might feel under pressure from other people, or because of their

own illness. Since sharing these pictures, the family say they have

been inundated with messages from others with similar stories. They

hope politicians might be prompted to look again at the issue of

assisted suicide. Well, it has brought it back into the spotlight.

I don't think it will make a difference. I've got my fingers

crossed. It's the first step in the use

of new, devolved powers on welfare. Tenants in the social and private

sectors will be able to get the housing element

of Universal Credit paid People will also be given further

help to control their budgets by choosing monthly

or fortnightly payments. But the Conservatives say

the Scottish government's too slow It's the view from Sighthill. BBC

Scotland's new documentary has been looking at the big changes in social

housing. All those in, then building, residents moving into new

town houses. Beautiful. It's massive. People's homes and how they

pay for them. It's the first area to be impacted by new devolved powers

from Westminster to Holyrood. People in places such as this might start

to notice a difference. The first steps apply to universal credit. By

the autumn, ministers will allow people to choose whether the housing

element of the payment goes directly to the landlord, in both the social

and private sectors. Also to help budgeting, tenants can choose

monthly or fortnightly payments. It's not known what the admin costs

will be. Campaigners say it's a step forward but want more. We welcome

the use of these administrative powers to make budgeting easier

following families on universal credit, but the bottom line is

universal credit and support for families is inadequate. We need to

invest in family benefits, and the Scottish Government now has the

power to top up benefits. We would urge them to top up child benefit.

The UK Conservative government devolved the power. The party here

says it is time for the Scottish Government to make use of what they

have. I welcome that the UK Government has given the Scottish

Government these powers but the Scottish Government have only used a

small portion of the powers devolved. I want to see them using

more. The Scottish Government is in the process of setting up its own

Social Security agency, but ministers have asked not to take on

the full powers available to them until 2020. We are not delaying. We

the full powers available to them are taking the right amount of time

to go through the process that you need to go through in order to be

sure that none of the 1.4 million people who are dependent on these 11

benefits suffer because we have rushed matters. Building continues

in Sighthill. The Scottish Government say they are carefully

constructing the new welfare system, but their opponents think there are

unnecessary delays. Canon Kenyon Wright,

who chaired the Scottish Constitutional Convention,

has died at the age of 84. The Convention played a central

role in the creation The First Minister,

Nicola Sturgeon, has paid tribute. She said Canon Wright's

death is a great loss to Scotland's political,

civic and religious communities. He campaigned for devolution during

the 1980s, in the face of opposition What happens if that other voice we

all know so well responds by saying, we say no? We say no, and we are the

state. Well, we say yes, and we are the people.

There's change afoot for Scottish businesses

Others are demanding there should be radical reform.

Two shops in Falkirk. One shopkeeper. You might think it makes

sense to run one business out of these two addresses but the business

rates for a single business is higher than two rates, and two still

equal ?1300 a month. Now selling Prom dresses, business is as tough

as it has been in 21 years, challenged by declining footfall and

online competition. But the rates bill does not change and it weighs

heavily. I would open another five shops because Falkirk people like

independent businesses. I would love to open more shots but I can't

because of the rates. The rates are crippling. If you go to any business

and mention business rates, you will get somebody like me on a soapbox --

on a soapbox, renting. Business rates are charged on shops, offices

factories even phone masts. You pay a percentage, or a poundage of the

factories even phone masts. You pay value, currently nearly half. In

total, this year's bill is ?2.8 billion. The smallest commercial

premises are exempt. The Scottish Finance Minister plans to raise the

threshold for that bonus scheme in the budget this year, including the

Paisley cafe he visited today, so that more than 100,000 businesses

are exempt. It would be life changing for the business and for

the young people we would be able to employ because of the saving on our

rates. But bigger businesses have to pay the price. ?125 million this

year. That is a supplement to the tax, which has just doubled, which

is one reason why there is pressure for change. Larger businesses are

paying a higher rate of tax than any other part of the UK and they have

been over the past year and will continue to do so over the next

year. That is something we want to see changed. So ministers have set

up an independent review of business rates. The review can help to look

at the different levers in relation to business rates, to make sure we

have a package that is supportive for economic growth, but discourages

tax avoidance and makes sure we are using all of the incentives

appropriately to support business growth. The review will report back

this summer. Among the questions it faces, whether some sectors are

unfairly treated, like shops, is the balance right between big and small

firms, is rental value the best basis for tax, or turnover be

fairer, and is the appeal system fair? But the big question is how

can business rate reform help new firms to create new jobs, in the

economy? One condition, whatever changes it brings about, it has to

raise the same amount of money as the current system.

You're watching BBC Reporting Scotland.

Our top story: A health board apologises to five pregnant women

turned away from the maternity unit at Glasgow's flagship hospital.

Murray Mania in Australia as Sir Andy prepares for the first

Sir Andy Murray could come up against former champions

Roger Federer, Stan Wawrinka and Novak Djokovic in his last three

matches should they all progress at the Australian Open,

Those would be his opponents in the latter stages, after the draw

But first, is a little known Ukranian, on Monday.

From Melbourne, here's Kheredine Idessane.

The warmest of welcomes down under for the world number one.

Just a little bit of space, so I can get moving, please.

His knighthood seems to appeal to the locals.

He has every right to be feeling on top of the world,

as he approaches one of his favourite tournaments.

It's a tournament, I've been in the final five times.

I've played really well in the past, but never quite managed to get

I'm hoping this is going to be my year.

I finished last season as best as I could, coming

in as number one in the world, so I feel good.

The hard work continues to make sure he is ready.

He is in familiar surroundings, having first played

at the Australian Open in 2006, but as Sir Andy Murray,

will there be any protocol problems for the organisers?

I'm sure there will be others around the locker room who will be

giving him a bit of a rib on it, but it's Andy Murray,

I don't think it will change too much.

It's a great honour, one of the biggest honours

in Britain you can get, so I'm very happy about that.

But how happy will Andy Murray be with his draw here in Melbourne?

He shouldn't have too many problems in his opening match

against the Ukrainian, Illya Marchenko.

But if he reaches further matches, he could face Roger Federer

in the quarterfinal, Stan Wawrinka in the semifinals,

before potentially yet another final against defending champion Novak

After losing four finals to him, Andy Murray's mission is to loosen

the Serb's grip on a trophy he has come to call his own.

Rugby's Glasgow Warriors will have to beat the best team in Europe

to have any hope of reaching the knock-out stage

That's according to the club's head coach Gregor Townsend.

Glasgow face Munster at Scotstoun tomorrow night,

Cheers. Fear not, these are not Glasgow Warriors players as you may

have guessed. Dedicated supporters already looking ahead to the big

game. What is the feeling on the eve of the game for a die-hard fan? Very

confident. Both teams are well matched, it depends on who comes out

with more confidence tomorrow. Glasgow Warriors are a Scottish

rugby success story, consistently finishing in the top four in the

Pro12 league but they have never reached the last eight of the

European Champions Cup. And even the experienced internationals admit the

pressure is on. As we apply a lot of pressure on ourselves, we target

every day in training being the best pressure on ourselves, we target

team in Europe and we are going about in the right way so far but

had to keep grounded and work hard and hopefully we can qualify. It is

a try. Munster have already beaten them twice this season, convincingly

in island in the Champions Cup and by one point in the Pro12 in

Glasgow. The Warriors must buck that trend or their dream will be over.

We plan for an opposition like we do every week. We work out what we can

improve on from the week before, what the opposition are going to

bring, their traits and areas where we can exploit but alter their

strengths and they have a lot of strength in their game, they are

probably the best team in Europe on form just now. Glasgow can look to

their greatest achievement to date for inspiration if it is needed. It

was the mighty Munster they defeated in the Pro12 final in 2015. And

there will be plenty more Glasgow Warriors fans raising a glass

tomorrow if there is a similar outcome. We are Warriors!

A collection of more than 50 paintings depicting

the story of Tam O'Shanter, will go on display in Ayrshire

The paintings were made by Alexander Goudie in 1995

and have only been seen in their entirety once before.

Our arts correspondent Pauline McLean reports.

The tale of Tam O'Shanter is regarded as one of Robert Burns'

greatest poems and is painted version became artist Alexander

Goudie's most celebrated work. Epic in scale and the subject, it is a

challenge to display and this is the first of all 54 paintings had been

seen together since the collection was donated to South Ayrshire in

1999. It will give us an opportunity to bring in schoolchildren, primary

and secondary, those interested in the literary side and those who want

to see the value of capturing the written work onto canvas. A

permanent display would be a great challenge but it is a display we

would love to share with people throughout Scotland and throughout

the world. The entire collection is only been seen once before at the

Edinburgh festival in 1996. A bid by the National Galleries to raise the

funds to buy them failed and there were fears the collection would be

divided up and sold separately. I had not seen them put together for

ten, 15 years. All of which makes his son Lachlan, himself an artist,

relieved and delighted they are once again together in public. He had

plenty of people who wanted to take away the individual works and hang

them above the mantelpiece but this collection make sense when you see

them from the beginning to the end and it turned the black and white

text of Robert Burns' poem into the most vivid fireworks you can

imagine. The exhibition opens on Sunday in times for Burns night and

so minutes renditions of the tale of Tam O'Shanter, none more vivid and

colourful than the one told by Alexander Goudie in this epic series

of paintings. What's claimed to be the first

underwater pictures of humpback whales in UK waters have been taken

by a wildlife guide Richard Shucksmith has taken

advantage of an exceptional year for whale sightings

in the islands to get the shots. Looming out of the dark,

230 tonne humpback whales. This sequence of stills was shot

just before Christmas in Shetland He has seen whales many times,

but never so close. To get in the water with them,

and one of the biggest animals in the world coming past here,

it was exhilarating, it was fun. A little bit nervous, but generally,

it was an amazing experience. His encounter was captured

on film by fellow wildlife It turns out this was probably

the first time humpback whales have been caught on an underwater camera

in the UK. an image of something,

and to be the first one to get it 2016 was an exceptional year

for whale watching in Shetland and local tourism organisations hope

it will bring more Let's find out what the weather's

going to be getting It has certainly been a wintry week

for many but heading through the weekend we replace those cold winds

with something a touch milder but it also introduces more moisture and

cloud. Right now we are so focused on the cold, icy, and for some snowy

conditions. Tonight our attention is on the risk of ice. There is a metal

base yellow the aware warning enforced pretty much covering the

whole country. A few showers in the West, rain on the coast which moves

inland, perhaps affecting west central Scotland for a brief time

but most of those showers affecting highland regions into the north-east

and the Northern Isles. For many you will notice it is dry, cold and

frosty and icy, temperatures even in town below freezing and in the

countryside, -6, -8, even -10. A cold start tomorrow and icy in

places. Rain showers on the West Coast, wintry showers in the

north-east still but for many it is bright and sunny and crisp. And it

is cold. By mid-afternoon in Central and eastern parts, some sunshine,

further west, a bit more clout, a bit of a breeze from the West and

some rain showers so milder. For many it is dry and bright although

the cloud will increase through the afternoon. If you hill walking or

climbing, Saturday is better than Sunday and on Saturday, in the West

and north-west there will be some showers at times, some bright moment

and after a windy start they will moderate by mid-afternoon, 2225

miles an hour. In eastern ranges, the winds will be similar but more

chance of some unbroken sunshine and it will be cold on the tops again

and with any wind at all, bitingly cold with the wind chill. Into the

evening and the cloud spreading across the country and we see the

first signs of a change with this rate approaching from the Atlantic.

That will move west to east overnight, Saturday to Sunday,

initially falling as snow but quickly turning back to rain. And it

pulls through but leaves a legacy of fairly cloudy, murky conditions in

the second half of the weekend. Although Sunday will be a good bit

milder in places, it will be a lot cloudier, some fairly extensive hill

fog, drizzly rain most likely in the West but temperatures up to eight or

10 Celsius. That is the forecast for now.

Now, a reminder of tonight's main news...

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have apologised to expectant mothers

who were turned away from the flagship

Queen Elizabeth Hospital because of a shortage of beds.

Thousands of people living on the east coast of England

are being evacuated after the threat of severe flooding caused by high

I'll be back with the headlines at 8pm and the late bulletin just

Until then, from everyone on the team right across the country,

Parents are facing an explosion in the number of children saying