Sir Reference recent articles in the press about overcrowding and long waiting periods for patients in A&E at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy, some points should be made.
If there are two hospitals with A&E departments in an area (eg Fife) with a fairly steady population base, it must follow that if one A&E is closed down, then the other will experience an approximate doubling of workload.
This means that the same numbers of staff will be needed, as previously, with a proportionately bigger departmental receipt and treatment area. It appears that staff numbers have been allowed to dwindle.
More special to condition ward space will be needed to allow for a bigger number of patients being admitted to the single A&E hospital.
There may be scope for some patients to be returned to the former hospital, but it would be preferable, surely, for any cure to be effected in the same hospital. Comments by a chairman of a “committee”, (speaking no doubt on behalf of “members”), the medical “director”, the clinical services “director”, nicely topped off with the views of the acute services “director” just about shows where the problems lie, within our NHS. Too many cooks.
Add the threat of lots of patients arriving from the about to close (probably) out of hours facility in Glenrothes and the likely increase of workload from that, doesn’t bear thinking about.
In England, the bloodletting (a common medical treatment in olden days) has started amongst health trust executives and senior staff, as Parliament responds to the population’s growing concern about falling standards within the NHS in England and Wales.
A T Geddie. 68 Carleton Avenue, Glenrothes.
R&A needs to be consistent
Sir, I watched the Open extensively on BBC and attended the event on Friday. Overall, this was a great tournament on a wonderful course which was in sublime condition.
It was excellent to see the R&A taking action on slow play, albeit in piecemeal fashion. However, I was appalled by the behaviour of the world’s number one golfer. Putting his generally surly demeanour to one side, I was horrified by his foul language when he missed a green on Thursday.
This loutish behaviour was later compounded by his spit on or near what I think was the 15th green.
Whilst the R&A is doing a grand job encouraging youngsters into the event, it is completely incongruous to expose them to the sort of conduct displayed by Tiger Woods.
If a golfer can be fined a shot for slow play, why can’t the referees intervene when poor behaviour occurs? It was wonderful to see a gentleman emerge victorious.
Scott Brady. Burntisland.
Attract cruise ship trade
Sir, The biomass proposal for the Dundee harbour is proving to be a highly contentious issue.
I would say forget it it does not have to be in a prime part of the city and I’m sure a more acceptable place for it to be built could be found.
A far better option, to me, would be to construct a cruise ship terminal with suitable buildings etc, so that Dundee could be the port of call for the East of Scotland with all its attractions and the forthcoming V&A museum plus the City of Culture possibility and it is ideally placed for excursions to places of interest within the central belt.
It could also become a ferry terminal for Scandinavia, Iceland, the Northern Isles etc.
I feel it is possible that Dundee could succeed where other ports have failed in this venture. We only have to look at Newcastle to see how they have made the most of their harbour area.
So let’s make Dundee a prime tourist destination for the lucrative cruise ship trade before it’s too late.
Raymond L Nicoll. 22e Hill Street, Monifieth.
How do these people cope?
Sir; With regard to the reports of “scared” residents in Kinghorn following the recent deployment of armed police officers, I found myself wondering if their criticism and reaction would have been the same had there been armed criminals at large in the area.
How do these people cope when passing through airports where some officers are routinely armed or when venturing on holiday to countries where police officers always carry personal firearms?
Colin Topping. 26 Crathes Close, Glenrothes.
Reinventing the wheel…
Sir, We wonder how many retired GPs will be writing to remark on the article on treatment of Bell’s palsy in Saturday’s Courier.
In the 1980s we recall feeling most remiss if we were slow to diagnose and treat a case of Bell’s palsy with high dose prednisolone, knowing the best results were achieved the earlier the treatment was started.
Older doctors often see examples of reinventing the wheel in medicine.
Does this apply to most professions?
Drs Duncan and Norma Smith. 7 Adelaide Terrace, Dundee.