Superb visit to EU in bustling Holland

A SELF-CONFESSED “eurosceptic on balance”, BJ Cussons asks “why has another huge, expensive building been created?” (Yorkshire Post, November 5).

In part it is a response to the persistent accusation that the EU is remote from its citizens. The visitors’ centre is located on the ground floor of the Parlamentarium, between Rue Belliard and Rue Montoyer in Brussels.

While staying in Rotterdam last week, I took the opportunity to visit it. On arrival, one is greeted by one of a team of guides, who will be wearing badges showing the languages he or she speaks.

After conversing briefly with an Estonian, then an Englishman, I found myself being escorted by a Greek woman named Cassandra.

As a history buff, I was absorbed by the audiovisual “journey through time”.

My visit lasted more than two hours during which, apart from breaks to consult colleagues, my escort remained with me. Both the presentation and the service were superb.

Anti-Europeans will complain at the cost of E21m. It seems a bargain when compared to the $420m spent on the US Congress visitors centre.

While in Rotterdam, it was impossible not to notice the buoyant economy and general air of prosperity, in contrast with the pervading gloom in Britain.

Could this be because the Dutch have always viewed the EU as a great opportunity, rather than an alien conspiracy, and acted accordingly?

From: TE Marston, Cambridge Street, Otley.

REGARDING the present chaotic affairs in Europe, is there not a strong smell of 1939 about, mercifully without the military threat?

The Germans have virtually got control of Europe with the help of their French lackeys, the Italian are ready to surrender, the Greeks can’t make up their minds and the Americans are keeping well clear.

As a staunch Ukip supporter. I am tempted to gloat over this but I have more sense as I know we will eventually get dragged into it.

From: D Wood, Thorntree Lane, Goole.

I WOULD just like to comment on Denis MacShane’s article (Yorkshire Post, November 5) where he makes the following comment: “The colonels are not in power but men in suits without a democratic mandate are now to be in charge.” Surely this is the same modus operandi used by the EU?

The EU has two presidents in charge, neither of which has been democratically elected and therefore neither has a mandate to rule over us.

Further, Mrs Merkel and Mr Sarkozy have taken it upon themselves to call all the shots (and stumble from one mess to the next) in the euro crisis.

Celebrate NHS care as well

From: Paul Hodgkin, CEO, Patient Opinion, Mowbray Street, Sheffield.

Although the stories of poor elderly care revealed by the Patients Association highlight some shocking examples of neglect (Yorkshire Post, November 8), we should be careful not to let these distort our view of the NHS.

Of course these rare cases cannot be ignored and it is crucial that the staff and hospitals responsible are held to account, but we must put these stories into context. Hundreds of thousands of older patients come into contact with the health service every day and the vast majority experience fantastic care.

On websites like Patient Opinion you will find countless stories from elderly users looking to thank the staff that treated them with such compassion. What’s more, rather than being the helpless and vulnerable people we hear about in the media, these older patients are some of the most active users of feedback sites. Their constructive comments are helping to shape health services and improve standards for all.

So as well as exposing the failings of the NHS we should also celebrate its successes and the spirited elderly patients that are helping to make it better.

From: Dr Stephen Smith, Lead Nurse, Edinburgh Napier University/NHS Lothian Leadership in Compassionate Care Programme.

OLDER people deserve compassion and dignity. As a nation, we must embed this mantra into the care we provide for all, but particularly those that are most vulnerable (Yorkshire Post, November 9).

Education plays a key role in this process. Many nurses do a wonderful job under incredible pressure. Education can help the next generation of nurses and healthcare professionals see compassion as an integral part of caregiving on both a practical and emotional level.

The Leadership in Compassionate Care Programme from Edinburgh Napier University and NHS Lothian is committed to embedding compassionate care in practice and nurse education by giving nurses the skills and tools of caregiving.

We have conducted interviews with hospital patients and their relatives with this goal in mind. Hearing about their experiences is vital in developing our understanding of compassionate care. We use audio recordings and podcasts in our teaching materials to help these experiences come to life.

Students are encouraged to think about and discuss the care of older people in light of their stories and how “compassion” can make a big difference to care – one example being an older lady who was very proud of her appearance but now unable to apply makeup. The help she received by her carers to apply her make-up had a positive impact on her well-being and on her family. Shortly we will publish the results of our Compassionate Care report and we hope the recommendations will become a key part of care for the elderly.