A ROW has emerged online following the naming of Glasgow's new temporary hospital at the SEC.
We told yesterday how the emergency facility to treat coronavirus patients is to be named in honour of a Maryhill nurse - Louisa Jordan.
Jordan dedicated her life to aid efforts during the first world war in countries including Serbia - before dying of typhus aged 36.
READ MORE: UN climate talks in Glasgow postponed until 2021 due to coronavirus concerns
Despite being recognised every year by the people of Serbia, Louisa Jordan remains fairly unknown in Scotland - with many believing it is now fitting to give her the recognition she deserves.
But others have hit out at the decision - saying it creates more division between Scotland and those south of the border.
They say they'll be referring to the facility as Nightingale Glasgow - joining the 4000-bed facility at the Excel Arena in London.
Former Labour MP Douglas Alexander is among them.
Following the announcement of the name, Mr Alexander said: "Let's focus on making a difference and not proving we're different.
"As a son, grandson and great-grandson of Scottish doctors, I think 'Nightingale Hospital Glasgow' would surely have better reflected the truth that we're all in this together."
We are now working hard as part of NHSScotland's response to #COVIDー19 to ensure we are ready to support those who need us, should this be necessary. Follow us to keep up to date. pic.twitter.com/EOm1MUkwrM
— NHS Louisa Jordan (@NHSLouisaJordan) April 1, 2020
Hitting out at the former Labour MP's "small-mindedness", Glasgow South SNP MP Stewart McDonald replied: "In Kraguievac, Servia, there is a ceremony to remember the Scottish Women's hospital each year.
"I think that's worthy of emulating back home in some way, even if Douglas doesn't.
"We should never allow his brand of small-mindedness make us write off their heroism."
The debate sparked a row on Twitter, with #NightingaleGlasgow ranked the top trending topic in the Glasgow area.
One Twitter user, Kerry Burrows, wrote: "As a Scot living in London, I'm really disappointed to see the SNP use this crisis as another opportunity to promote separatism at the most inappropriate time.
"The majority of Scots will refer to the hospital as #NightingaleGlasgow despite their efforts.
"How embarrassing for Scotland".
Jamie Blackett added: "A slap in the face for the British Army who have worked so hard to get #NightingaleGlasgow ready."
Urging on people to focus on the crisis at hand, Twitter user @powkatty wrote: "Really. I mean really?
READ MORE: NHS technicians convert 100 anaesthetic machines to life-saving ventilators
"We're are in the middle of a crisis and people are picking on the name of an emergency facility.
"It doesn't matter what it's called. It matters what it does. It's not called #NightingaleGlasgow".
And Andrew McCourt said: "Some right roasters bashing the name of the temporary NHS hospital at the SEC, who instead of just accepting it's honouring a woman that our education system didn't shine alight on, use it to make a political point."
---------------------------------------------------------------
Shops across Scotland are closing. Newspaper sales are falling. But we’ve chosen to keep our coverage of the coronavirus crisis-free because it’s so important for the people of Scotland to stay informed during this difficult time.
However, producing The Herald's unrivalled analysis, insight and opinion on a daily basis still costs money, and we need your support to sustain our trusted, quality journalism.
To help us get through this, we’re asking readers to take a digital subscription to The Herald. You can sign up now for just £2 for two months.
If you choose to sign up, we’ll offer a faster loading, advert-light experience – and deliver a digital version of the print product to your device every day.
Click here to help The Herald.
Thank you, and stay safe.
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel