Standards swept aside
in the NHS

i WAS quite shocked to read the letter from TW Coxon (Yorkshire Post, September 13) which advised that nurses were doing the jobs of cleaners and having to mop corridors and ward floors. I agree that this is not a nurse’s duty.

I have often seen advertised from businesses the words “We welcome any ideas, compliments and suggestions”, but it is all pointless if nobody listens and changes are not made.

Whether it be nursing or cleaning, each has been trained in their subject and wants to concentrate on their area of work. I believe it is a fact of life that is someone is not happy in their work the job doesn’t get done properly. I think TW Coxon’s idea of employing a designated ward cleaner as we once had in all wards is a good one. Ward cleaners no doubt were abolished to save money. A nurse’s job is to save lives and when you devalue a person in the way of affecting their self esteem you really don’t save anything.

Dealt with properly, this issue could be the key to where we have been going wrong. Morale in the National Health Service is low and it is a situation that cannot continue. I believe that carers can’t perform their duties to the best of their ability in an unhappy environment.

From: GS Tempest, Lands Lane, Knaresborough.

You occasionally publish letters about the service received from the NHS – sometimes less than complimentary.

I have been treated for bowel cancer since January 2011 with 30 consecutive visits to the Bexley Wing at Leeds for radiotherapy. On the third visit, I asked for some different music as I don’t like Oasis. After that, the music they played was the Beatles every time that I was due for treatment.

I was then in the McMillan Ward at Harrogate for three months for chemotherapy and lastly six weeks in York for stronger chemotherapy as the cancer had spread to my liver and lungs. Without exception – and I do mean without exception – I have met nothing but kindness and friendship from every member of staff from the surgeons down to the cleaning ladies. Everyone has been most kind with a smile and a bit of banter. Although I am suffering from a horrible disease, I have remained positive.

I will find out my fate on Monday. Yes, I have been advised that the cancer will get me, but I will be given the best quality of life until that time. We are so lucky to have the NHS. I just cannot imagine the cost of my treatment and the equipment used. It must be immense.

To each and every one of the members of staff from the top to the bottom, at all three hospitals, I thank you and say that you all deserve more money.

Classical decline

From: Donald S Burslam, Elm Road, Dewsbury Moor, Dewsbury.

I READ the recent letters from Dame Fanny Waterman and others with great interest. I too deplore the apparently declining interest in classical music. Years ago while living in Lancashire I competed in several amateur musical festivals as a solo singer which was a great opportunity to mix with and hear fellow singers. Many of these festivals have now gone or shrunk and the musical scene is so much the poorer.

The almost universal singing into microphones has a lot to answer for in diminishing our culture. My impression is that amateur music making in the classics is on its last legs outside the great centres of population.

When one looks back at the great days of oratorio and choirs here in the North, it is very sad to see the decline in standards and interest. Dame Fanny Waterman deserves our gratitude for her flagship competition and we also have the excellent orchestra of Opera North.

Some of us still remember the tremendous fillip to classical music during the war, provided by the likes of Myra Hess and so on. Let’s hope it doesn’t take another conflict to awaken people again to the delights of the classics.

Local loyalty means nothing

From: Angela Holdsworth, West Garth, Sherburn, Malton.

WITH reference to the letters about Morrisons head office transferring jobs to India (Yorkshire Post, September 29), I wholeheartedly agree and I too shall be boycotting them.

This is not a socialist 
reaction, as the jobs may have been done by people of all nationalities in Bradford.

However, they will be paying taxes and not costing us dole and other benefits.

We cannot afford to lose jobs like this. It is a Yorkshire firm and should remain loyal.

As Mr Davies says, it all comes down to profit by what ever means.

I shall enjoy investigating Asda and Lidl. After all, Yorkshire loyalty means nothing to the “big boys”.

Oh, Morrisons, how could you?