As terror threat increases then Britain must respond

IT IS clear that, as David Cameron said yesterday, Islamic State (IS) is “a greater threat to our security than we have seen before”. It is believed that hundreds of Britons have travelled to Iraq and Syria to join the jihadist group raising the possibility that they will return here to carry out terrorist atrocities.

Yesterday the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre raised the terror threat level from substantial to severe. This indicates that a terrorist attack against Britain is “highly likely” although there is no evidence of a specific planned attack. It is clear that this is a threat we must all take seriously.

Mr Cameron also announced new legislation to make it easier to remove jihadis’ passports and stop them from travelling, essential to preventing IS militants returning to Britain.

These are much needed measures. The biggest concern for our politicians and security chiefs has to be protecting this country from attack. Increasing the alertness of security services and making it harder for would-be terrorists to cross the border back into this country are both sensible strategies that will help to keep us safe.

HOSPITALS are scary places at the best of times and they’re even worse when you’re in pain. So my 14-year-old son was frightened when he dislocated his shoulder playing rugby and was whipped into A&E. Luckily he met a man who possessed what can only be described as the magic touch.

“Where should I put my rugby shirt, sir?” my son asked the 6ft 3in doctor who was towering over him.

“Don’t worry my boy,” the doctor told him with a perfectly straight face. “Pop it over there and I’ll sell it on eBay later. Should fetch a pound or two.”

Then he broke into a dazzling smile and as my son laughed and relaxed, the doctor swiftly popped the shoulder bone back into place. Patient care at its finest. You can spend a fortune on modern hospitals and hightech equipment (and we do, more than £113billion a year at the last count) but for the patient it’s the little things that matter the most.

The smile that says someone cares, the remark that puts a worried patient at ease, the gentle touch that shows sympathy and understanding. These are all things money can’t buy and are skills that can’t be taught – there’s no training course in kindness.