Saddened to see state of NHS Tayside

I WORKED in NHS Tayside, shop floor and management, for 27 years and have now retired.

It saddens me to see the financial problems they now face.

I remember year-on-year all departments had to make 3% savings.

At first this was OK as we could make savings by cutting inefficient work practices.

As the years went on it became harder and it was a case of cutting the cloth to suit the dummy.

Then the legs and arms had to come off the dummy and the cloth made to suit what’s left — and every time this happened the statements from the top were front-line staff would not be affected and patient care would not suffer. Well it’s worse now. Why can’t we find the money required to give us a better service?

People have always said they would pay more tax or rates to help health and social care improvements but political reasons mean those in power seem loath to ask.

Allan Ramsay.

How can any of them plan ahead? This is something that those who are causing this stress can’t comprehend due to the salaries and pension packages we provide for them.

It’s time we — the people, their employers — told them we don’t want cuts we want investment.

The SNP has called for powers for years and now they should be using them.

Douglas Thain.