Dear Editor,
As I write (11.03.07) we are approaching the fourth anniversary of the start of what I consider to be an illegal war with Iraq.
There is now effectively a Civil War between the Sunni and Shias. The United Nations has estimated that in this year alone, 34,000 Iraqis have been killed in sectarian violence. A further 21,000 American troops are being drafted into Iraq.During the four years over a hundred British Soldiers have lost their lives, and many more have returned home injured, both physically and mentally, only to receive shabby medical treatment, partly because specialised Armed Forces Hospitals have been shut down.
How much more suffering will take place and how will there be a solution? Can those who took us into the War give us an answer?
Christine Bampton-Smith
Liberal Democrat Councillor
Luddendenfoot Ward
Dear Editor
Earlier this year my grandfather passed away. He had suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease for nearly a decade and had been cared for in a residential care home since 1999.
During his time in the care home all of his needs were met and he was washed, fed and clothed by a devoted and friendly staff.
On a number of occasions my grandfather was seriously ill and had to be taken to his local hospital. During his stay in hospital his illnesses were treated by a great team of consultants, doctors and nurses.
Unfortunately whilst in hospital it became apparent that he was no longer being fed and that the meals being placed in front of him were not being eaten. The catering staff at the hospital had been placing the food next to his bed unaware that he was unable to feed himself. The nurses had tried to feed my grandfather when they were available but they had neither the time nor the training needed to feed a man with dementia. Fortunately once the problem came to light, my mother was able to attend the hospital three times a day to ensure that he was fed all his meals.
I am sure that my grandfather’s case is not unique within the NHS and the other elderly and vulnerable people are receiving the treatment they require but not the nutrition or personal care. It is of the utmost importance that all patients are given the full care that they require and not merely processed in the most efficient manner.
Rather than taking action, the Labour Government has recently ended the Better Hospital Food programme which ring-fenced extra money for hospitals to improve nutrition for patients.
We must also provide additional training for all appropriate medical staff and we must ensure that there are enough staff to help the very frail eat their meals.
The Labour Government needs to put more effort into caring for the most vulnerable in our society now and in the future rather than constantly being sidetracked by the latest fashionable “agenda” at the expense of long term and permanent improvements.
Kind regards
John Beacroft-Mitchell
(Chair, Upper Calder Valley Liberal Democrats)
john@beacroft-mitchell.co.uk
10 Cleveley Gardens, Mytholmroyd
