Sir, Alex Rowley MSP’s critique of NHS Fife, demanding an independent review, will strike a chord here. He should have addressed that when leader of Fife Council for almost three years.
When St Andrews Hospital/Hospice opened at Pipeland in 2009, its wise “future-proofing” envisaged possible expansion (however care-at-home develops) as demand increases from widening medical services, longer life-spans and 2000 new houses in NE Fife planned by the council.
Leuchars army personnel will now number hundreds more than the RAF’s.
But Mr Rowley decided in 2012 to relocate Madras College bang up against the hospital, preventing its expansion forever, despite the availability of a suitable alternative site with numerous advantages and more convenient for the great majority of pupils and staff.
NHS Fife withdrew its initial concern having been promised more car-parking (in the school grounds!) but its facility-management company’s objection remains.
Apart from many residents feeling a proper survey would confirm most of the population (and maybe NHS/GP/dental and school staff) are against the plan, they cannot understand NHS Fife’s short-term focus with “no current strategic objective or reasonably foreseeable priority” demanding a robust NHS objection in principle to Mr Rowley’s decision.
Let us hope an “independent review” will include a genuine transparent survey of the public and NHS staff.
John Birkett. 12 Horseleys Park, St Andrews.
It fell well short of expectations
Sir, It is a big disappointment that proportional representation of the people turned out to be such afailure in Scotland. Theliberal principle which promised fairness and the avoidance of any one political party gaining overall control, provided all votes are counted, fell miserably short of expectations.
Instead we have a dictatorship-like government where any legislation regardless of its effect on the people or the country, and regardless of the will of the people, is guaranteed to go into the statute books.
Consider the difference between the referendum when political awareness rose and there was discussion and debate till now when the parliament has returned to non-discussion and can no longer be held accountable for its current failures.
Gradually Scotland is becoming more likeZimbabwe or North Korea when it comes to legislation or elections as our government refuses to accept the result of the people’s will and intends to send the country’s economy into a five-yearly depression each time they put referendum into a manifesto.
Alan Bell. Roods, Kirriemuir.
Mobility scooter fright at night
Sir, I really like to see the mobility scooters being used to help the physically disabled and elderly get out and about.
But what I witnessed the other night makes me wonder if some test should be put in place before allowing these vehicles out with aperson who may have no knowledge of road etiquette.
I was driving through a large shopping park on the Kingsway in Dundee. I was glad I was driving slowly because out of nowhere remembering it was 5.15pm and darkness had descended a scooter appeared.
The scooter was dark in colour and the person driving it was small in stature and wearing a dark jacket. There were no lights and no fluorescent strips visible.
Luckily, it was heading in the opposite direction from me, so I didn’t need to brake hard or swerve, but heaven help the scooter driver if they suddenly appeared directly in front of any other vehicle.
Anne H F Lowe. 13 Nelson Street, Tayport.
A wealth of creativity
Sir, I am surprised that there has been no publicity in the press for the embroidery exhibition currently showing at Dundee Botanic Gardens.
As a visitor last week I found it inspirational with a range of beautiful pieces in different styles depicting landscape and abstracts as well as some quirky items.
One piece of particular interest related to thepresence of Americansoldiers in Dundee during the Second World War.
From about a dozentextile artists this is anotherexample of the wealth of creativity in our area and well worth a visit.
Alison Gibson. 5 Park Road, Dundee.
It has all been said before
Sir, Re Harry Key’sletter, Why would we trust any of them to govern? (Courier, November 6). He has the audacity to talk about democracy after such abitter and biased tirade?
All this bile has been voiced before by a few of the Yes losers, the minority of voters I may add. I suggest he grows up and accepts the decision of the majority.
That, Mr Key, is democracy.
Charles Henderson. 5 High Street, Auchtermuchty.