Today’s correspondents discuss the service provided by Ninewells Hospital and NHS 24 and the proposal to move patients between wards at Ashludie Hospital. Our correspondents also discuss the future of electricity generation and the decision to hold a referendum on political reform on the same day as the Scottish Parliament elections.
Appreciate Ninewells’ exemplary standards Sir,-On a recent visit to Dundee, I was taken seriously ill and had to make the decision whether to stay, or go home to Staffordshire.
Fortunately, I made the right decision to stay in Dundee.
An appointment was made for me to see a GP, who referred me to Ninewells Hospital where I was admitted within the hour. After extensive tests had been carried out, I was operated on within the week and am now back home and on the mend.
The skill, professionalism and human kindness shone through during my stay. I can honestly say that, as a visitor to your city, I was totally impressed with the service I received and the skill with which the problem was found, a problem which had been missed at home.
I have no reservations in my praise for Ninewells Hospital and its staff, from the excellent consultant, surgeon, doctors and nurses, all the way through to the trainee nurses and auxiliary staff.
It is often the case that when you live close to a place, your perceptions can become skewed but I can assure you that, based on actual experience of the service in the Staffordshire area, your hospital is truly outstanding and, in my view, is a considerable asset to your community.
Michael Watton.10 Nursery Croft,Lichfield.
Ward closure bed-block risk
Sir,-I was shocked to read (July 8) that the patients from ward one at Ashludie were to be moved to ward seven.
I retired in April from Ashludie as one of the rotational charge nurses.
Ward one is for the frail elderly who, because of unstable medical conditions, need 24-hour nursing care. Therefore, they are not fit for nursing homes.
Ward one is a bright and airy ward, whereas ward seven is dull and dark. They have patients who wander, whereas, in ward one, most patients are immobile. One of ward seven’s patients is mobile and aggressive and hits other patients.
The staff in ward seven have no experience of nursing the type of patients who are in ward one as this is not their speciality and the staff from ward one are not going with their patients as they are being deployed in other areas.
NHS Tayside plans to move them again in one year, so why not leave them where they are? It is also the plan to move them into nursing homes as NHS patients, but not with NHS staff.
In the last 15 years I have seen the loss of over 100 beds. We have an ever-increasing elderly population, so why remove beds? Ninewells has people in there for months waiting to get a bed and are blocking beds needed for acute patients.
(Mrs) Anna Easton.23c Hebrides Drive,Mill O’Mains,Dundee.
In praise of NHS 24
Sir,-With reference to your debate on health services, I have nothing but praise for NHS 24.
When my late husband was very ill, I had to call NHS 24 three times over the New Year period.
I was met with the utmost kindness and sympathy by first the receptionist and then by a nurse. The doctors who attended could not have been kinder or more efficient. I was told exactly when the ambulance would arrive and I felt that we were very fortunate to have such a service.
Dorothy McRae.6 Humbie Terrace,Aberdour.
Looming UK power shortage
Sir,-Perhaps your correspondent Bradley Borland (July 8) should take a fresh look at the New Electricity Trading Arrangements website to check up on the reality of wind power generation, rather than the hyperbole emanating from politicians, landowners and developers, before postulating massive public investment pursuing a phantom.
The recent drought also throws even more doubt on hydro and pump storage, which, even at the best of times, do not contribute vital amounts of power.
Some of the Scottish Government’s marine renewables strategy offers a modicum of potential but much of it remains a pipe dream which will not save us from the coming nightmare of power shortages.
Ron Greer.Armoury House,Main Road,Blair Atholl.
Voting clash will save cash
Sir,-Your correspondent Alex Orr states (July 9) that the decision by Westminster to hold a referendum on political reform on the same day as the Scottish and Welsh elections beggars belief.
He also makes out that it is disrespectful for them to do this. I have to ask why?
At the last Scottish Parliament election, confusion happened because the voting systems were totally new to this country and people were being asked to vote for each candidate in preference, using numbers and not the usual cross.
The proposed procedure would be straightforward for Scottish voters.
Does Mr Orr and the SNP, who have also criticised this decision, really think the people of our country are that stupid that we cannot put a simple cross in a box at the same time as we vote for an MSP?
That seems to me to be not only disrespectful to the people of Scotland but also insulting. Perhaps they should think before making their comments public. The fact is that if the elections are held on the same day, it would save millions of pounds and that makes good economic sense.
Allan Petrie.109 Blacklock Crescent,Dundee.
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