Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – I note with interest the letter (February 8) regarding visitors being unable to find parking spaces at Perth Royal Infirmary’s car park.
The issue of parking management at hospitals is a hot topic, regularly debated, and in response to this the British Parking Association (BPA) has produced a charter to help trusts and car park operators deliver effective and efficient parking for users that are fair for all.
Bringing together the interests of hospital car park users (staff, visitors and patients), Government, local authorities and commercial organisations, the charter has been circulated to all NHS Trusts across the UK with the aim to strike the right balance between fairness for patients and visitors and hospital staff, as well as the trust itself.
Over 75 organisations have already indicated their support for the charter including NHS trusts and parking operators.
Hospital parking is subject to supply and demand like any other commodity so charging is important. However, trusts should offer concessionary parking where appropriate and ensure these are well publicised to users.
We hope that the Scottish Government will take the opportunity to re-examine their policy of free parking in hospital car parks.
Maintaining a reasonable charge for parking at hospitals will ensure that standards in these car parks are maintained and any surplus generated can and should continue to be invested in improvements and maintenance for the benefit of the user.
A full copy of the charter is available at britishparking.co.uk/Charter-for-Hospital-Parking.
Patrick Troy.Chief Executive,British Parking Association.
Big dogs are not necessarily bad dogs
Sir, – I find it interesting that John Birkett would ask why anyone want to, or be entitled to own a large dog in this country. Perhaps I have an answer for him.
Companionship, exercise and mental wellbeing are just a few of the benefits of raising large dogs.
Large dogs are used for rescue work, police work and they make great pets.
The owners of any dog, be it large or small, must take responsibility to be trained on how to raise dogs as all breeds can bite and cause great damage.
I have two of the largest dogs in Dundee, from the most powerful breed on this planet today, the Neapolitan Mastiff. This ancient breed can grow past 10 stone and can stand eye to eye with a six-foot man.
My Neapolitan’s favourite chew toys include car tyres and the metal bars of my children’s trampoline.They are clever, calm and definitely keep criminals away.
Our largest dog is 91kg and is certainly not the aggressive beast of this house. That title goes to the most ferocious dog I’ve ever owned our tiny Jack Russell.
Cory Douglas Campbell.Baxter Park,Dundee.
Think green, but think smart
Sir, – We learned from the recent Budget Bill that there would be £11 million less available through agri-environment schemes over the next three years.
A ‘greener’ Common Agricultural Policy may pick up some of the pieces if the greening is ‘smart’.
It is unrealistic to expect farmers to compromise on production but equally our national wildlife should not be sacrificed.
So the smart and well researched option is to support game management approaches.
Clever cropping, supplementary feeding of seed without losing land from production and predator control are both shown to bolster what would become struggling farmland bird populations.
Many farmers and land managers already employ game management which has been proven to deliver major biodiversity benefits while providing a sustainable, additional income, and more could.
And as this approach is cheap, effective and popular, even our ‘Sir Humphreys’ should be pleased.
Dr Adam Smith.Director Scotland,Game & WildlifeConservation Trust.
Rooted in the dark ages
Sir, – John Cameron is right. The existence of bishops in the Upper Chamber is undemocratic and indeed sectarian. It grants power and privilege to one particular religious sect while discriminating against all other religions and sects, and non-believers.
Their presence is a throwback to the days when, through ignorance, a combination of myth and superstition was force-fed to people as fact.
If we must have a second chamber, it should be populated by those whose experience is informed by evidence, not by belief in the supernatural.
Alistair McBay.Lawmuirview,Methven.
This is not compassion
Sir, – Your anonymous columnist asks for a ‘dispassionate debate’ about assisted suicide and then includes dementia and saving money for the NHS in her reasons for doctors killing people.
The notion that people could be killed because they felt they were a burden, suffer from dementia or in order to save money is not the stuff of compassion but rather of greed and ignorance.
There is a reason why the BMA and every single disabled group are against euthanasia.
Perhaps, having given a column to the supporters of assisted suicide, you will offer the same space to those who are opposed?
David A. Robertson.Solas CPC,St Peters Free ChurchDundee.
Get involved: to have your say on these or any other topics, email your letter to letters@thecourier.co.uk or send to Letters Editor, The Courier, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL. Letters should be accompanied by an address and a daytime telephone number.