I don’t know how they do it
IT is distressing to hear constant reports about working conditions at the Royal Hospital Hospital, especially after spending a few days there as a patient recently. Everyone on staff, doctors, nurses, administration staff, orderlies, was consistently kind, patient, efficient, helpful and cheerful. How they managed this, especially the good cheer, I fail to understand as the hospital fluctuated between levels three and four while crowds of people were attended to, beds in short supply were juggled and many people were working double shifts. The hospital is a small city, a very multicultural one, where there is much goodwill and co-operation.
We should all be so grateful to hospital and ambulance staff who provide such excellent attention under increasingly difficult circumstances. It is a disgrace for a hospital responsible not only for the citizens of Hobart, but the state’s South, to be working without adequate resources in the middle of a building site and without parking for staff, patients or visitors. It is a miracle they do as well as they do and I thank everyone involved in my treatment.
I would like to know whether the Health Minister or a politician of any persuasion has been there when a level-four situation occurs. Would it be too much to expect one of them might be interested enough to spend a weekend night in the Emergency Department, just to have some real understanding of what staff face on a daily basis?
Paying for others’ solar
FINALLY lightning has struck and the realisation that we are all paying extra for our power due to solar subsidies for roof top panels. It’s a pity that a dear friend of mine who is 89 years of age and living on the pension in rental accommodation in Moonah is paying for the privilege of my neighbours in Sandy Bay to have rooftop solar panels. This fact has been around for a long time but clearly ignored by all those intelligent people in power. Green energy needs to stand on its own without support, otherwise we all pay, including my Moonah friend.
Transgender hopes
I AM so happy to read the article “Transgender Tasmanians hope to emerge from the shadow of bigotry” (Talking Point, July 12). Tasmania had more support for LGBTI rights than most states in the marriage survey despite the unfortunate but predictable way the religious Right tried to make it about trans people. It’s time we removed their archaic rules for trans identity documents. They shouldn’t be forced to divorce, have surgery, and should just be allowed to be.
Keep dog laws
I HAVE written to every Kingborough councillor giving reasons why the present dog laws should remain, but unfortunately only one had the courtesy to reply. It seems they are no longer there to listen to and support the ratepayers. Elections are in three months so hopefully there will be others running who will take their job seriously. We know dogs give elderly people a reason to get up in the morning. Taking them for a walk is exercise for them and good for their physical and mental health. The interaction with other dog walkers may be the only contact they have with people on some days.
The majority of owners are responsible, keeping their dogs under control and cleaning up after them, but sadly a minority don’t and all of us are judged on those selfish few. Five hundred people attended the rally on the Kingston dog beach and signed the petition to the council. A change in the laws looks imminent and they will be pandering to the dog haters (people who seem to forget that dogs are a very important part of families). The council doesn’t have the staff any more when they used to patrol the beaches so how do they plan to exercise the new laws?
Airline rules for Bruny
WHY have bookings for the Bruny Island ferry? Booked on the 10am Bruny Island ferry bound for Kettering. It is only a quarter full. Next sailing of the ferry only half booked. What to do? Easy peasy, do what the airlines do. Cancel the 10am sailing and put travellers on the next sailing which becomes three-quarters full. Works for airlines, so why not for a ferry service? Works brilliantly for the bottom line of the ferry business. Not so sure it would work for those living on Bruny Island, but when there is a monopoly who cares.