Letters to the Editor

SIR, Regarding the current problems of the NHS regarding both finances and waiting lists.

Firstly, waiting lists. In May 2004, my GP made an appointment for me to see a chest consultant. I waited 13 weeks. A CT scan of the chest was requested.

Ten weeks later, having heard nothing, I rang the department. No record of this request was there. I eventually got the CT scan on November 30, 2004. I now have irrevocably damaged lungs.

Recently, I needed to consult a different doctor. Waiting time? Another 13 weeks. So, I asked for a private consultation and was seen within days.

After all, I was spending my money and am unable to go for a holiday, etc.

As for finances, we hear of wastage in all kinds of ways, but I have experienced the following occurance several times. It concerns NHS transport to various appointments.

Part of my treatment regarding the lungs involved being transported to a specialist hospital in Sheffield. I recently had to postpone a visit so I rang the hospital six days prior to the appointment.

I even rang the next day to make sure the transport was cancelled. I was assured it was. Yet the driver turned up on the day - he had not been told.

I've experienced this locally, mainly for appointments in Leeds (12 miles). But this man had come from Bradford to take me to Sheffield. I'm told it is a common occurrence. Multiply these wasted journeys across the country and there is another large source of wastage.

E M Bruce (Mrs)

Otley.

Home Care cuts

SIR, - Readers of the Otley Action for Older people Newsletter and Otley Matters will be aware of the survey into the cuts in Home Care that is currently occurring in Leeds. As a victim of these cuts may I comment?

There appears to be little that can be done to release the stranglehold that bureaucracy has on the provision of services for the elderly and disabled. Even Social Services Departments are between a rock and a hard place and have to do as they are told by central government. Local democracy is stifled.

No-one could have done more than our MP, Greg Mulholland and Councillor John Eveleigh and many others including our GP and district nurse who have tried to get our services re-instated. We are very grateful to them all.

However it appears nothing can be done to turn the Titanic bureaucracy around. The only redeeming feature was the way in which politicians of differing parties supported us in this bruising bureaucratic battle. The root of this problem lies with the privatisation of health by the back door.

More and more services have been transferred from free health to chargeable means tested social care and local authorities put under pressure by cuts in funds from central government.

This is a new and unfair stealth tax on the elderly and disabled in which the burden is falling on Council Tax payers whilst Income tax is avoided by the wealthy with off-shore trusts. MPs and councillors of all parties, including Labour, seem powerless to do anything to overturn the lack of democratic processes.

The provision of Home Care is a minefield in which the NHS and Social Services are involved. Unlike Scotland the distinction between personal and social care is a breeding ground for conflict that gets in the way of care.

The Panorama programme in which the NHS daylight robbery from elderly people was exposed should be a lesson for all and more importantly to act upon.

If anyone is experiencing difficulties or cuts on Home Care please contact Otley Action for Older People so that the full impact of this callous injustice can be evaluated and, if not stoppe,d at least exposed.

Malcolm Naylor

21 Grange View,

Otley.

Disgusting paths

SIR, - My wife and I regularly walk our dogs in Springwood, Esholt, on land which I believe belongs partly to the Bradford Corporation and partly to Yorkshire Water.

We went for a walk in the woods yesterday morning and was astounded and, I must say, disgusted at the state of the footpaths. We were there last Saturday morning and between then and Monday, the footpaths have turned into a sea of mud.

Judging by the width of the tyre tracks a number of thoughtless, selfish morons had ridden quad bikes around and around every path they could find ruining the lot. It will take months of dry weather before the paths are anything like decent again.

What's the point in having notices threatening legal action against these mindless people if no-one does anything about it? I ask you.

Peter Hainsworth

7 Dale Close,

Tranmere Park,

Guiseley.

Doctors' service

SIR, - Reading the report in'the Wharfedale''regarding doctors' emergency service,

I would like to say that I have already experienced a problem. My seven-year-old grandson became ill and had difficulty breathing through the night (this was at the end of December).

I eventually spoke to a doctor who agreed to see him, but said, as he had to come from Harrogate Hospital and had another call to make, he would be about one and a half hours. He arrived nearly two hours later leaving us in a state of panic.

I should imagine that people needing to use this service will ring for an ambulance rather than wait when in some cases a life could be in danger.

N B Pratt

Cleasby Road

Menston.

Heaps on roads

SIR, - On reading the letters page last week, I would like to comment on the letter from a resident of St Richards Road in Otley.

I heartily agree with them and if they walked up to Clifton Village from the Hospital, they would see the same sort of 'heaps'. People from Otley seem to think that roads to the country do not matter, but it is disgusting having to avoid these 'heaps'.

Dog owners should do the right thing and clear up after their pets!

Resident of Clifton

Name and address supplied.

Cuppas count

SIR, - Let's make every cuppa count against meningitis!

I'm delighted to be supporting the Meningitis Trust's 12th annual national Coffee Break from April 24 to 30 this year.

Everyone can get involved with a Coffee Break fundraiser; it's a great chance to catch up with friends, family and colleagues over a cuppa. Your Coffee Break can be any size - from a small gathering at home, to an all-singing, all-dancing event in the office, town or village hall.

And if you raise more than £200, you'll even have an opportunity to win yourself a year's supply of yummy chocolate, thanks to support from Fairtrade chocolate makers Divine.

Wherever you hold your Coffee Break, every cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate you make will help fund life-long support for people affected by eningitis and meningococcal septicaemia.

This disease kills more children under the age of five than any other infectious disease in the UK, and leaves thousands of people with devastating after-effects that can include brain damage, deafness and loss of limbs.

I have seen the courage and determination of survivors of meningitis and septicaemia. People like Olivia, who, at the age of 36 rebuilt her life after having four limbs amputated. Or 12 year-old Alex, who didn't let the fact that he is confined to a wheelchair stop him from playing basketball for his local team.

Compared to their achievements, holding a Coffee Break is simple! Please join me in supporting the Meningitis Trust's Coffee Break by registering for your FREE event pack on 0845 644 0184 or online at www.meningitis-trust.org/involved/coffee-break.php. You'll get that wonderful glow from knowing that you are helping to make a difference in an instant.

Go on ...join me and put the kettle on.

Lorraine Kelly

24-hour nurse-led Helpline - 0845 8000

600 www.meningitis-trust.org

Great evening

SIR, - A big 'thank you to Yeadon Amateur Operatic Society for a great evening's entertainment at 'The King and I'.

The whole show was absolutely fantastic. Whilst mention must be made of the principals, Samantha Ball and Nick Green, thanks must be expresssed to everyone involved, both on stage and behind the scenes.

It is obvious how much hard work goes into the production of the show. All the children were so well disciplined. They were a credit to all involved with their training.

Thank you again for such great entertainment. One small grumble - it ended all too soon.

Here's wishing continued success to the society and all its members.

Mrs M GILKS

Harrogate Road,

Yeadon.

Alcohol abuse

SIR, - Your readers may well have seen recent reports highlighting the issue of young people misusing alcohol.

I would like to let everyone in West Yorkshire know about our new national awards scheme, which recognises the vital work being done to prevent alcohol misuse in children.

Mentor UK, the drug misuse prevention charity, has launched the scheme with drinks company Diageo Great Britain. We are calling on the public, professionals and children themselves to submit projects and activities they feel are having a positive impact in this area. Three winners will each receive awards of £20,000.

Examples might include a website put together by young people on a home computer, classroom work in primary schools or mentoring projects in the community - in fact, any initiative that aims to prevent alcohol misuse before it starts.

An application form can be downloaded from www.mentorfoundation.org/uk/awards; the closing date is Friday, April 14, 2006.

Eric Carlin

Chief Executive,

Mentor UK..