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Open Letter to the West Herts Hospitals Trust Board
I would like to draw the attention of the Trust Board to the direction leaflet headed, ironically, 'Improving our Services to You', which was sent to a patient who was due to attend one of the clinics in the newly refurbished Outpatients Dept in Verulum Wing in Hemel Hempstead Hospital.
It would appear that
not content with depriving Dacorum residents of their A&E, maternity services
and those acute services too numerous to detail at this time, you even have the audacity to bring about the name change of our well-known, to Hemel residents, 'Marlowes'.
The map on the leaflet refers to the main thoroughfare as the 'High Street'.
Pity those unfortunate
outpatients from outside the area who, directed to
the high street, will go to the old town looking for the hospital.
Also featured on the map is the now disused bridge which allowed easier access to all parts of the hospital and looks as if it is still available from the Tudor Wing, although at least the now boarded-up wing is not named but seems to have been airbrushed from history.
Perhaps the leaflet could be re-issued with amendments.
Betty Harris
Chaulden Terrace
Hemel Hempstead
Why we must continue the fight for our hospital.
Hemel Hempstead has had a hospital since the middle ages.
When Hemel Hempstead was designated a new town, a new site was allocated for a 750-bed general hospital.
The Labour Government announced its start in 1970. To be completed by 1975. Nothing happened despite local councilors meeting the health minister on several occasions.
The Dacorum Hospital Action Group (DHAG) comprising all sections of our community was formed to campaign for the new hospital, a very strong supporter being David Leigh, a member of the Communist party.
Demonstrations took place by thousands of people, a train was hired to Euston
and we marched to the House of Commons to meet the Health Minister. Robin Corbett, our MP, arranged this. After continued discussions with the Health Minister the closure of the A&E was cancelled and modernisation of the hospital was started.
This is proof that fighting gets results.
All governments allowed the regional trusts to make decisions, although all our MP's have personally supported DHAG.
We must demand that the Trusts are accountable to the people.
MPs have been shown up for their expenses scandal, why not demand the same for the Trusts notice of their costs.
Fight on - support DHAG.
Geoff Lawrence
President Hemel Hempstead Liberal Democrats
We were recently surprised to learn that Watford
General Hospital had
appointed a Spiritual Care Manager or salaried
hospital chaplain.
At the time, we asked for information as to the cost of this chaplaincy service but none was forthcoming.
Under Freedom of Information legislation, the National Secular Society (NSS) has obtained the staffing and associated costs of NHS chaplains to the local healthcare sector.
Mike Penning, MP for Hemel Hempstead, is Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Chaplaincy in the National Health Service.
The Secretary of the Group is the Bishop of St Albans. Initially, we thought he might be one of the 26 sitting Bishops in the House of Lords - but he is not, which raises the question as to how he has managed to obtain his position as Secretary of the Group?
Mike Penning and the Bishop of St Albans hold these pivotal positions within the UK parliament, from which they are apparently able to influence local, regional and national spending decisions within the NHS.
Mr Penning has recently stated in the local media that in the event of the
election of a Conservative Government, this would provide him - as a putative Minister of Health - with a key position from which to influence spending
decisions on local healthcare.
In such an event, will Mr Penning continue to support the expenditure of vitally needed funds within our local healthcare system on paying clerics to act as paid-for chaplains or will the same funds be better spent on vitally needed patient care?
I also think we are entitled to ask for the details as to how the Bishop of St Albans - a non-sitting House of Lords Bishop - managed to obtain an appointment to the position of Secretary of the All-Party Parliamentary Group. In essence, is this an example of 'jobs for the boys' or was the position recruited openly and competitively?
In any event, we think local people are entitled to ask both Mike Penning and the Bishop of St Albans what their position will be if a future government decides to make cuts in the NHS budget?
Will they support cuts or outright elimination of the NHS Chaplaincy Service in the event that the overall amount of funding for the NHS is reduced?
Savings of a minimum of around 375,000 per year - or possibly as much as 2 million over a parliamentary term - could be cut from the local healthcare sector without one single patient's treatment being affected.
The services of Humanist Chaplains are always freely available to the NHS.
John Dowdle
President
Watford Area
Humanists
Shaftesbury Road
Watford
We are faced with yet another example of services leaving Hemel and going to Watford: the college, the hospital and now police custody cells.
Although the Labour Parliamentary candidate actually supports the move on custody cells (Gazette, November 11), I think most people will take the view that this threatens to take police off the streets in Hemel when they are needed.
In previous cases where we have lost services, this has often been in the face of local opposition after extensive consultation which has been ignored by bureaucrats.
In this case, there has been no consultation whatsoever, not even a discussion at the Police Authority which is absolutely breathtaking.
It is essential that this decision be brought back to the Police Authority, which relays public opinion to the police, so that there can be a proper review.
Consequently, I have asked Liberal Democrat County Councillor Ron Tindall, who is the Dacorum representative on the Police Authority, to raise this at the next meeting of the authority.
It is absolutely essential that somebody stands up for Hemel on this issue.
Even if the Police Authority cannot reverse the decision, the strength of local opinion must be brought to the attention of people who do not choose to consult local residents in any way.
Dr Richard Grayson
Parliamentary Candidate, Hemel Hempstead Liberal Democrats
Halwick Close
Hemel Hempstead
The Equality Bill currently working its way through Parliament is a significant win for older people who have been waiting for years to gain the same protections from discrimination as other groups in society.
However, the Bill is still not everything we have been hoping for. Key regulations for protecting older people in heath and social care and in the financial sector will not be part of the Bill in this Parliament. There is also no word yet from the Government on whether they have plans to scrap the unfair and widely unpopular national default retirement age of 65.
I've written to my MP asking that they, and their party, stand up for older voters and give their wholehearted support to the Equality Bill. They must also make a clear pledge to introduce an unbreakable legal commitment of strong regulations as soon as possible and to discard forced retirement.
I urge your readers to do the same by supporting the Just Equal Treatment campaign led by Age Concern and Help the Aged. They can take action by calling 0207 239 1982 or going to http://www.helptheaged.org.uk/justequaltreatment
This is a critical issue for older people and if we don't hear the right noises soon, we will vote with our feet in the next election.
Wai Yue Neep
Hervines Road
Amersham
Walking down into Marlowes today, I was appalled at the lack of people wearing poppies, may be six or more out of the crowd.
Not only that the general poor state of the town centre seemed to match the people. Makes you wonder what we fought the war for!
Tony Lecart
Wroxham Avenue
Hemel Hempstead
Having read the plight of Kelly Ashton and her son Albie, in The Gazette, I can only echo her concerns!
Having worked for more than 20 years with children who have disabilities including severe autism, whilst head of Woodfield School, it was very apparent that the services for such families left much to be desired.
We really need to try really hard to put ourselves in their positions, which is virtually impossible...to realise what traumatic, distorted, troubled lives they invariably live, struggling to cope with their developing sons/ daughters, whilst trying to maintain some semblance of normality for their other children, and their marriages/partnerships.
Most families would 'go under' with the strain, on a day in day out basis, a life where they are treading on egg shells much of the time, hoping this confusing world will not cause their child to have another massive, distressing outburst, and who are often marooned in their own homes, to avoid the stress their youngsters can experience due to the unfamiliarity of the outside world.
This leads to isolation for the whole family, and particularly for siblings.
When a family begins to feel able to consider the possibility of their vulnerable child attending a respite centre - usually due to the strain of all the intense caring required of them - it takes a very long time often for such a child to begin to learn to cope away from home, for any care organisation to be able to cater for their needs, and for the family to take the plunge, and try and eventually make use of the small amount of time provided for them, at last.
To then find that services such as Woolmer Drive, that their children have eventually been able to cope with using, (just about) are to be closed, new places opened, losing the familiarity the children so desperately require, must be so devastating for all concerned.
It can take months or years for many such children to cope with such huge changes, and these families are suffering enough already, and they certainly don't get the level of help and support they all require.
They are generally remarkable and very brave people, who manage somehow to cope, but we must ensure they are listened to, they are the experts!
Jean Johnson
Via email
After a day out and about with my children, which included a trip to Sportspace in Hemel Hempstead, I discovered that I had lost my antique gold bracelet - a treasured 40th birthday present from my husband that matches the necklace that he gave me on our wedding day over 10 years ago.
I was devastated and decided to retrace my steps, though it felt like a futile exercise.
Imagine my surprise when I found that it was waiting for me in an envelope at the sports centre!
In these difficult times of doom and gloom, this small action restored my faith in the goodness of humanity - not to mention, made my weekend.
I want to say a very big thank you to the kind, honest person who handed this in and to Hemel Hempstead Sportspace - you made my week!
Ruth Adams
Curtis Way
Berkhamsted
As mentioned in last week's Gazette, the Herts Primary Care Trust is now consulting on the re-opening of Hemel Hospital's much loved and highly successful birthing unit, which had replaced
our equally excellent maternity unit in the Verulam Wing.
Both received awards and contrary to what was stated, were not short-staffed.
Its temporary closure was not for lack of demand but to save money and to move midwives to Watford which was and still is short-staffed.
Midwives and mothers alike loved the Hemel unit with its relaxation room, equipped by The Gazette, its birthing pool and its calmness.
Its re-opening would benefit all West Herts mothers by relieving the pressure on the very busy Watford unit, pressure which is growing with the increase in births.
I am informed by a reliable source that many patients resident in the Watford area are opting to go to Mount Vernon or Northwick Park Hospitals rather than to Watford for the above reason and not only for maternity.
I realise that the West Herts Hospitals Trust are more interested in selling Hemel Hospital's land to reduce both capital charges and their deficit than in providing the services we need and are entitled to in Dacorum, as much as in any other district.
We expect and hope for better from the Primary Care Trust.
Why the WHHT has chosen to deprive Dacorum, with the largest population in Herts, of our acute emergency and maternity services is puzzling, and harmful.
Centralisation is not what has occurred.
Watford Hospital is at the 'bottom' not middle of West Herts, on the London side of the M25, with poor access.
Until 2004 when the order to 'centralise' meant just that Watford did not qualify compared with Hemel Hempstead.
If Dacorum continues to lose NHS services we shall end up with only a health clinic, whatever it may be called, so the Dacorum Hospital Action Group calls for the return of our lovely birth unit.
This would not be a 'stand alone' unit as the PCT claims, though there are many successful ones throughout England, but in Hemel we do have an Urgent Care Centre staffed with GPs who are qualified to deliver babies, some are obstetricians.
For a copy of the consultation document ring 01707367217 or visit www.wherts-pct.nhs.uk
Zena Bullmore
Crouchfield
Hemel Hempstead
Obviously, from the
number of Conservative-Councillors elected-to
the-Dacorum and Hertfordshire County Councils a lot of people voted Conservative.
However, the law of averages suggests that a number of those people who did are now writing to The Gazette to complain about the policies of those bodies.
Among these policies are the neglect of Hemel's town centre, money wasted on failed contracting-out of council services, above
average council tax increases and now the imposition of car parking charges on Sundays.
The list goes on, no replacement for the Pavilion, (something we were
definitely promised), the granting of planning
permission for blocks of flats on unsuitable sites and in addition, something which seems to be causing a
good deal of public
concern, the closure of public toilets.
What these Conservative voters fail to grasp is that if you vote Conservative you get Conservative policies.
Need I say more.
T Harvey
Quartermass Road
Hemel Hempstead
Did you ever serve on board any of the light fleet carriers, HMS Bulwark, HMS Albion, or HMS Centaur?
Our Association - the HMS Bulwark Albion Centaur Association - is open to anyone who served at any time on these ships.
There is a magazine three times per year plus events including AGM/socials, sea-days with our new ships, HMS Albion & Bulwark, and anniversary commemorations at home and abroad. Whilst our 'Home Port' is Portsmouth, this year's AGM was at Sand Bay, Weston super Mare.
We also sponsor sea cadets from our affiliated SCCs on the Training Ship Royalist. Membership is all of 8 per annum. Enquiries to Leigh Easton, Glenmoray, Hayford Pl., Cambusbarron, Stirling, FK7 9JX, or e-mail at ngsfo@tiscali.co.uk or visit our website for
further details at www.
bulwarkassoc.plus.com
Leigh Easton
Membership Secretary
HMS Bulwark Albion
Centaur Association
Glenmoray Hayford Pl. Cambusbarron Stirling
FK7 9JX
In the letter from Tony Humphrey (The Gazette October 21) issue I noticed the comment 'In addition, GPs and health professionals all agree that the GP-led centre is an expensive extravagance with little demand for its services'. I think that is quite a sweeping generalisation to make but anyway it misses the point.
At the West Herts Medical Centre we aim to provide services focussed on the needs of the patient, which is why we open from 8am to 8pm every day of the year. In our first year we are on track for seeing close to 10,000 patients and we are delighted with how well the service has been used. A considerable number of people in West Herts - including for example commuters; those living and working away from home; those with business, employment or caring commitments through the working day can experience considerable difficulty in accessing GP services provided only during traditional opening hours.
May I take this opportunity to invite all of your readers to the West Herts Medical Centre Open Day on November 10 between 1pm and 8pm.
We are co-located with the Urgent Care Centre at
Hemel Hempstead General Hospital.
Mark Cockerton
Chief Executive
Herts Urgent Care
(a Community Benefit Society)
What a way to raise money for a good cause!
The Mayor's DENS charity was the beneficiary at the Dacorum Excellence Awards held at Shendish Manor last week.
Amongst the auction prizes was a relax day for two at Champneys.
Bidding was ferocious and exciting, with two men bidding against each other.
At 700 I jumped up and bravely told the compere that if both men would pay 750, I would somehow obtain a second similar prize.
Thus, relax days at Champneys raised 1,500 towards the total of over 2,000 - a huge achievement!
I contacted Champneys, and told them about the auction.
I was hoping that I would be able to buy a voucher at a discount, but to my surprise and joy they immediately agreed to double their
original gift!
Thank you very much Champneys - you have a
fabulous resort - and very big hearts!
Christopher Dann
Swan Bottom
Great Missenden
GIVEN that Berkhamsted has a parking problems, what bright spark decided to make a road with safe parking into a no parking area - namely Mill Street?
This means those who used Mill Street, quite often all day, now use spaces in the car park usually taken up by shoppers.
Presumably instructions are in place to ensure meter feeding does not take place.
Jane Cook
Station Road
Berkhamsted
WE are the present owners of Shootersway Farm (also known as Sugarsway Farm and Shootersway Farmhouse) in Northchurch, on the outskirts of Berkhamsted.
We are trying to put together a history of the farm, the buildings, the development and the people who lived here.
We would love to hear from anybody who can help or have any archive material, we can be contacted on 01442 873345.
Clive Godsell
The Chiltern Group
Shootersway Farm
Shootersway
Berkhamsted
YOU recently ran a report that former Army man, Chris Meany, took part in a 'cage' fight to raise money for injured soldiers, in the process, hurting himself and others – a desperate way in desperate times to show his concern to help his former comrades.
No doubt driven by the inadequate support given by this Government for the injured, maimed and traumatised soldiers returning from Afghanistan.
Then I read the sentiments expressed in another article 'Treats for Troops' in which our MP and the mayor are encouraging the collecting of gift boxes for the troops, sweeteners to help them face the dangers in the eighth year of an unwinnable, unacceptable and costly war - (4.5 billion this year alone, so far).
I am sure Afghans would also appreciate a few boxes of goodies, as much of the 'official' aid that is sent does not reach those in real need, because the Government, under Hamid Kazai, which we are fighting, it seems, to support, mainly decide who receives aid.
Many of the charities have long since left.
Unemployment, hunger and homelessness is rife and has caused life expectancy to fall sharply, while very little money is spent on reconstruction, as it goes mostly on the military effort.
Meanwhile, hundreds and thousands of Afghan civilians have been killed and injured in a war that the majority do not want, or benefit from. One example of many: in May, 140 Afghans, mainly women and children, were killed in one NATO drone airstrike.
In the UK, recent opinion polls, including BBC and COM RES, show a growing opposition to war with 52 per cent wanting troop withdrawal and 43 per cent against.
As you reported, HHCND, joined the 'Bring the Troops Home' march in London on October 24, demanding an end to the slaughter and cycle of violence, in a war that is now dangerously spreading to nuclear
Pakistan.
The best treat for the troops and their families is to Bring the Troops Home for Christmas and add no more to the death toll of 221 dead soldiers already brought home in 'boxes' to Wootten Bassett.
Christine Hillier
Chairman HHCND
Herbert Street
Hemel Hempstead
I READ with interest council leader Andrew Williams' comment regarding the transfer of council homes to the Community Gateway, that, "we believe this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our tenants and their homes and services".
However, we (I mean Dacorum tenants) have been here before where the result was no! to housing transfer.
I have written to this newspaper previously on this subject and still maintain that Hemel Hempstead new town was inspired by social, council housing and should remain in council ownership. Personally, I have troubling doubts about the so-called guarantee promises to tenants.
Besides, I believe that
central government is
reviewing its policies on council rents and
distribution, that would negate the council argument for transfer.
Martin A.White
St Albans Hill
Hemel Hempstead
ON a September day six years ago, I phoned my wife to come and get me from work because I wasn't feeling too well. When she
arrived, being a nurse, she
realised I was in the
process of having a heart
attack.
On arrival at Hemel A&E I popped off and due to
wonderful staff at the hospital I was resuscitated and in due course I had three stints in St Mary's Paddington.
The reason for this tale is that I never got to thank the staff in A&E who saved my life, and now due to this government's handling of the NHS that department
has vanished from Hemel.
If any members of staff who worked there at the time should read this I
would like say a big thank you.
I feel that if I'd had
travelled to Watford I wouldn't be here now to tell the tale.
I feel the closure of part of the hospital is very sad and a backward step in our local healthcare.
Peter Randall
West Valley Road
Hemel Hempstead
FOLLOWING the disgraceful, blinkered, bone-headed decision to close Tring's household waste and recycling centre (Gazette, October 28), I have some essential advice for the mandarins at Hertfordshire County
Council who pushed it through.
Don't you dare lecture me, or any other residents of Tring, about carbon footprints when we now face a 10-mile round trip to our nearest tip.
Don't you dare shovel any of your environmental propaganda through my letterbox until the Tring site is reopened – or I shall find an uncomfortable altnernative place to post it.
And to the ruling hypocrites at County Hall who have treated us like second-class citizens, don't you dare come canvassing for my vote at the ballot box.
Save the planet?
You're not fit to save Green Shield stamps.
So much for democracy.
Mike Walters
Bunyan Close
Tring
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Weather for Hemel Hempstead
Friday 10 February 2012
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