Feesfree students are stepping out of line too often

LIKE many Dunedin residents, I am again frustrated when reading another of several recent reports (ODT, 4.9.19) of the totally unacceptable and possibly serious criminal behaviour of students from the city’s educational institutions.

I can’t help but wonder how many of these offences are attributable to the irresponsible enticement of this Government that gifted $200 million to young people, who demonstrably had no direction or motivation, and invited them to join a yearlong party funded by the taxpayer with no financial accountability; and, due to a virtual getoutofjailfree card for students, no legal consequences.

What could possibly have gone wrong?

I have some sympathy for the educational providers who are reluctantly being turned into policemen and bear the brunt of the resentment from responsible ratepaying citizens who would be jailed or fined, in a heartbeat, for much less offensive behaviour.

Someone should remind the Government ‘‘you reap what you sow’’ and the reaping won’t necessarily be counted in votes. B. Murphy

Dunedin

Hospital treatment

WE had need of the Dunedin Hospital emergency department on Tuesday night.

There are definitely problems with some of the systems at the SDHB, but the staff we encountered were totally outstanding.

All of the staff were wonderful, but there are two examples I’d like to share.

I watched security, professionally helping with an incredibly difficult and argumentative patient for 12 hours, never losing their cool despite provocation.

I watched the main triage nurse in awe, as he seamlessly shifted from deaf elderly, to children, to mental health patients, worried parents and ambulance officers. He was incredibly calm, efficient and professional for hours on end. I really hope he earns good money — he deserves it!

We are extremely fortunate to have such staff in our hospital.

Lindsay Robertson

Green Island