Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – I regularly read Jim Crumley’s column with a great deal of empathy and share his concern with the built environment in Dundee and further afield.
Dundee, as he states, does not reflect nearly enough on its relationship and history with the sea.
I am sure the neglect of the Unicorn will be looked back on with regret that it is not to be included in the revamp of the docks area.
However Jim’s assertion that architect Frank Gehry should have been invited to design the V&A building is mistaken.
In a small way I was involved with the building of the Maggie’s Centre at Ninewells Hospital. Although pleasing to look at, this building with its organic shapes and natural materials was almost impossible to build and cost much more than any similar-sized building. It’s a surprisingly small building internally and some of its users consider it is unfit for purpose.
The choice of Kengo Kuma and associates to design the V&A building is a triumph for Dundee.
The project team chose an architect who uses the most stunning shapes and forms imaginable and this building will be visited for this alone regardless of what it keeps as a museum.
If Jim has any doubts on this can I suggest that he looks at Kengo Kuma’s work on the internet.
Robert Alexander.Bothy Starforth,Panmure, Carnoustie.
Getting to grips with absentees would help
Sir, – It is disappointing, but not entirely surprising, to see the blame for A&E waiting times being attributed to Government cost-cutting, while no mention at all is made of the recently-reported shocking loss of productivity in hospitals due to absenteeism for reasons of ”psychological stress”.
Stress is simply an excuse, in most cases, for indolence.
Life can be stressful at times, but people who take time of work for no very good reason are obviously in the wrong jobs.
Hospital management should get to grips with this problem which, if properly resolved, could greatly assist in the improvement of hospital services to the public.
Derek Farmer.Anstruther.
Fife A&E figures now improved
Sir, – You are quite correct to point out in your article, Figures reveal shock NHS Fife waiting times (August 10), that lengthy waiting times for emergency care are unacceptable.
It is also true that the period to which the statistics you quote refer to financial year 2011-2012 and that our performance was unacceptable. This was subject of much debate in your paper at the time and you reported my apology to patients who had experienced an extended wait at the time.
Five months have since passed and we have worked hard in that time to overcome the deficiencies which we identified as contributing to patients being delayed in Accident and Emergency and Minor Injury Units and this included:
More Allied Health Professional staff working at weekends.
Improved discharge planning, including additional discharges at the weekends, to enable capacity to be available for emergency admissions.
Improved early warning systems to enable swifter action to be taken within the four hours.
Advertising for four new consultant positions.
Important work is also under way in community hospitals across Fife and in partnership with colleagues in Fife Council Social Care Services because it is important that the whole system flows smoothly so there is not a build-up of patients waiting in A&E unable to be transferred to their next stage of treatment. This work is paying dividends.
As quoted in your article, our local information shows that we are now working within the Scottish Government standard of treating, admitting or discharging 98% of patients attending for emergency treatment within four hours.
This is testament to the work and dedication of staff across NHS Fife and our Social Care partners. I hope this reassures your readers that the situation in NHS Fife is now much improved.
John Wilson.Chief Executive,Fife NHS Board.
A great night at Glamis Proms
Sir, – On Saturday I gave up a night watching the historic athletic events in London to attend the annual Glamis Proms. Am I glad I did? This year’s proms was the best ever and my congratulations go to the organisers for putting on such an outstanding show.
Grant Llewellyn, the conductor, brought out the very best of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and his brilliant humour added to the fun of the evening.
Ailish Tynan, soprano, gave a performance that was mind blowing, bringing to life all the most favourite of arias and the Lonach Pipe Band were superb and the icing on the Glamis Proms’ cake!
A big thank you to the Spirit of Glamis and also to The Courier, through which my daughter won our proms tickets and a bottle of champagne!
Weren’t we lucky!
George Gavine.The Veldt,Monikie.
Lanes success
Sir, – As a guest at the Olympics, I was impressed by the speed and efficiency of the Olympic Route Network’s segregated lanes and would ask Boris Johnson to consider their permanent retention for use by official vehicles and those who are willing to pay a premium. Their aspirational affect on those in the slow lanes could well drive new generations to hard work and economic success.
John Eoin Douglas.7 Spey Terrace,Edinburgh.
Well done GB
Sir, – All I can say is well done Team GB, you all excelled yourselves. And well done Andy Murray, you put all you had into your game and deserved the gold medal. It makes you proud to be British.
Jenny Duncan.43f South William Street,Perth.
Pop concert
Sir, – The closing ceremony of the Olympics was little more than a pop concert. Is this the best Britain can do?
I presume the artists were not being paid for this. A spectacle surely! Unfortunately so!
Tom McDonald.57 Durham Street,Monifieth.
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.