A&M questions remain
First of all this month, I must retract one of my statements from last month.
I said the initiative to close down the 10pm-8am A&M service at Kenepuru Hospital had come from the local doctors. Apparently, their suggestion was in response to a move from the DHB, so if our local doctors were upset by my allegation, I trust they will accept my retraction.
To date, I have received answers to only a couple of my questions from last month. Those regarding the amounts of money involved have not been answered. I am persevering in my efforts to obtain the rest of the information.
Further questions spring to mind: If, as I understand is the case, the unit is staffed during ordinary hours by hospital-employed doctors and nurses, why do we have to pay to use the service during those hours? Are we not already paying their wages through our taxes? And in what other public health facility are the public expected to pay to attend an accident and medical unit?
I sometimes wonder where our country is going. Recently bills have been put forward to legalise same-sex marriage and so-called ‘‘ voluntary’’ euthanasia. We already have abortion on demand and reduction in government support for organisations which work to help those on low incomes and in straitened circumstances.
Even government agencies are continually being told to save money and the result is reduced services and consequent effects on the most disadvantaged of our people. Our most vulnerable, children and the frail elderly, are often not receiving the care and attention they need.
Child abuse and elder abuse show no signs of abating. Many children are turning up to school minus breakfast. Businesses are closing at a frightening rate. Scams and fraud perpetrated against the most vulnerable are regularly reported in our papers.
What is happening to ‘‘Godzone’’? It is easy for me to think nostalgically on the past and the relatively peaceful era when people seemed to care for one another, charitable organisations flourished and ethics and integrity were the hallmarks of business transactions.
Of course, there have always been inequalities in society but I suppose they didn’t impinge on my consciousness in those days.
Another thing I find mystifying is the efforts of opposition parties to destabilise the government. Am I the only person who is getting somewhat weary of the Dotcom affair, the (possibly genuine) lapses of memory of the Prime Minister, and all the other seemingly trivial matters which so exercise the minds of the Labour and Green parties in particular?
Okay, their job is to keep the government honest but could they not spend more of their energy in supporting efforts by government agencies to keep the economy and our people afloat?
As long as the opposition (of whatever political hue) is in opposition, its members conveniently forget their own shortcomings when in government and make it their business to undermine the current government by every possible means.
Do they have at heart the best interests of our citizens or are they merely trying to get back on to the Treasury benches?
Last month, we enjoyed a couple of interesting speakers. Stephen Cross of Abbeyfield Porirua introduced us to this form of communal housing for the elderly. We hope to hear from Stephen again next year. We also heard from Anna Suroweiz about the great work of the Wellington City Mission and in particular its support of senior citizens.
This month we hold our last meeting for the year so it will be a social function. It is a chance to enjoy one another’s company and some festive fare. So do come along. Bring yourself, a friend and some food to share. We look forward to seeing you there.
Date: Tuesday, November 13 . Time: 1.30pm. Venue: The Porirua Club, Lodge Place, Porirua. Contact: Helen Griffith, phone: 236 0112.