Bill crosses medical line in sand

As doctors we try to dedicate our professional lives to the health and wellbeing of our fellow human beings, to help and reduce human suffering while upholding the dignity of our patients. In case of terminal illness this includes advanced practices of palliative care to alleviate any physical and/or mental-emotional suffering.

No conscientious medical practitioner wants to prolong physical or mental suffering in patients. At the same time a clear ‘‘line in the sand’’ has always existed and is respected by doctors, in accordance with global cultural values of all persuasions. This line is not to kill, not to willingly and intentionally bring about the death of our patients.

The bill before Parliament seeks to overrule this basic human and societal rule by means of medical prescribing of a lethal chemical agent, thereby annulling the entire ethos and spirit of medicine. This is not a political issue, and processes like ‘‘getting the numbers to get the bill over the line’’ are completely out of place in deciding upon such fundamental and individual life issues.

Dr Rene´ de Monchy, Alicetown

Bus drivers’ pay

There has been much public debate over the transition of bus drivers from one employer to another under the Public Transport Operating Model (PTOM) contract system. This has been fuelled by accusations that those who made that transition would be substantially worse off than those who stayed with the incumbents.

In order to separate facts from fantasy, the regional council, with the agreement of all parties (drivers, bus companies and unions), commissioned a comprehensive analysis of the differences in terms and conditions of drivers working for Tranzit and NZ Bus, and the results were very revealing.

The truth is, there is little, if any, difference in the pay rates and many, particularly younger drivers, would be better off moving to Tranzit. The report has not been contested by any of the parties.

A valuable lesson to be drawn from this is that the PTOM model is an arbitrary and inadequate medium for dealing with such a complex variety of pay rates, access to overtime, impacts based on seniority and other entitlements such as leave. The Minister of Transport has signalled an intention to reform PTOM, and the sooner this is done the better for all of us. Chris Laidlaw, chair, Greater Wellington Regional Council

Don’t blame women

The Wellington Women Lawyers’ Association (WWLA) is appalled by Monica Devine’s letter (July 9), which states: ‘‘It would be naive to place all the responsibility of misbehaviour in the legal fraternity . . . at the feet of men’’ and that women should ‘‘dress and behave decently’’ in the workplace, otherwise they are inviting harassment. She recommends young professionals stay sober at work events.

First, we have a legal profession, not a fraternity.

Second, there has been more than mere ‘‘misbehaviour’’ in the profession: Ms Devine is minimising sexual harassment and assault.

Third, women should be free to wear whatever they wish, and consume alcohol, without being subjected to sexual harassment or assault. To suggest the contrary is outdated and dangerous. Perpetrators are solely responsible for inflicting sexual harassment or assault; not the victims, their clothing, or alcohol.

Grace Bennett, on behalf of the Wellington Women Lawyers’ Association Committee [abridged]

Karori bus dismay

I am dismayed at Metlink’s decision to remove the existing Route 21 bus for East Karori residents to Lambton Quay and replace it with a 21 service to Courtenay Place via Kelburn.

A seamless link to Lambton Quay and the government end of The Terrace is now practically denied. Patrons must transit by a ‘‘hub’’ at Karori Tunnel instead and wait for a Main Rd bus.

The so-called peak service solution of three times each way by a new Route 37 up and down The Terrace promises to join the well-known evening gridlock on The Terrace, and overlooks the existing and efficient bus lanes provided in Tinakori Rd and Glenmore St.

The removal of Route 18 fares no better. It provided a direct link with the hospital for elderly residents. The frail and not-so-nimble must now catch a Main Rd bus instead.

So much for Metlink’s flyer that the new services will ‘‘carry more people to more places every day . . . with less congestion and fewer delays’’. Gary Turkington, Karori [abridged]