Changing face of nursing profession

I REALLY enjoyed the article by Paul Muller (Yorkshire Post, February 11). The photograph of nurses in uniform with the sister in 1960 brought back so many happy memories.

I was a nurse from the age of 16 and-a-half to 62 years and loved every minute. But now “nurses” are in short supply and I agree that “managers” are plentiful.

There is no time for nurses to care and nurse; they are too busy with paperwork and computers. It took me four years to become qualified with first part midwifery. Now, nurses can go to university and become qualified in very little time without having to “care.”

I know the “old days” will never return, but I am sure the nurses of today could be improved upon.

From: CJ Jackson, Adel, Leeds.

PAUL Muller’s column on hospital managers highlighted the problem of several tiers of pen-pushers who know nothing about medical matters and who seem to exist for their own benefit.

Bring back matrons! Your photo also shows how nursing has suffered in the last 20 years – by the lack of a recognisable uniform. In hospitals today it is difficult to tell nurses from cleaners; nothing to give patients confidence and, surely, nurses would prefer to look smart?

Perils of being caught short

From: Barry Geldard, Glen View, Hebden Bridge.

ROSE George’s article (Yorkshire Post, February 20) on the dearth of public toilets in this country, reminds me of the old adage, which should be engraved on the hearts of all tourism officers.

Three of the most important factors in attracting visitors are a view, a brew and a loo. It is true of everywhere.

It reminds me of one of the times that Peter O’Toole was speaking on the Michael Parkinson show told that when filming The Lion in Winter with Katherine Hepburn he was caught short.

While he hurriedly relieved himself in his dressing room sink, his co-star burst in on him and after making a pithy remark with regard to his surname, elegantly withdrew.

From: Michael Meadowcroft, Waterloo Lane, Leeds.

ROSE George drew attention to a serious problem in city centres.

My late city council colleague Denis Pedder made a somewhat individualistic Justice of the Peace but he was unafraid to take a stance on what he perceived as unfair.

One such was that whenever a case of “urinating in a public place” was brought before him, he would ask the police officer giving evidence where was the nearest available public toilet at the time of the alleged offence. When, as was usual, the officer hummed and hawed and admitted that there wasn’t one, Denis would simply dismiss the case!

Perhaps Rose George and others raising the issue ought to secure the active support of the magistrates and the police.

Water supply obstacles

From: Jeffrey Stirke, Newton-le-Willows.

A FEW years ago at a private function, I met a senior official and the conversation was water shortage, then as it is now.

He told me in no uncertain terms that the problem of water shortage is not the lack of rain but the obstructive practices that the water companies have to face when they have to confront possible problems with supply.

The obstructive bodies include the tree huggers, wildlife fanatics and above all, the archaeologist band wagon.

The water companies are unable to plan storage or movement of water to dryer regions without consultations and approval of these bodies who have their own agendas.

One senses that we have been here before but it is not time to tell these bodies that their activities are not in the public interest and therefore carry no credence.

PM is right on binge boozing

From: Richard Ford, Carlton Husthwaite, Thirsk.

REGARDING Jayne Dowle’s tirade against the Prime Minister’s laudable attempts to rid the country of its nationwide “binge drinking” scandal (Yorkshire Post, February 20), she clearly does not appreciate that he is, in fact, very much in touch with the vast majority of ordinary, hard-working people, many of whom enjoy a drink themselves, albeit in moderation.

Despite her comments, young people are still going out in droves at a weekend with the apparent specific intention of becoming as drunk as possible, certainly in York, which, for so-called ordinary people, becomes a no-go area from Friday night onwards.

I fear it is Ms Dowle who is out of touch with public opinion.

Labour’s poor growth record

From: David Bradley, Horbury, Wakefield.

ONCE again there is criticism from a shadow minister. Mary Creagh talks about the Tories not acting on growth in the countryside – rich coming from a government that couldn’t manage the EU subsidies to our farmers, resulting in fines being paid to the EU (Yorkshire Post, February 18).

However, the story starts with councils selling off land over the last 10 years, mainly Labour. we are not told, however, the Tories have been in power for 21 months so it looks like Labour had 99 months to do something but didn’t. As a Wakefield ratepayer, it took the Tories to force the council to stop the inexorable rises in rates that have gone on since 1996 to 2011.