THIS week, on hearing of the appalling treatment of some older patients in some hospitals, I wondered if we, as a society, could do better.

Why are we not giving the same safeguarding service to these hospitalised older people as we give to those people detained in police custody while their alleged offences are being investigated?

I would suggest the Government or local health authorities should establish a system of checks and safeguards for (older) patients similar to those which are already established to ensure that people detained in police custody are receiving appropriate care from the police custody staff whilst under investigation for commission of criminal offences.

Within each police force area there is a substantial group of volunteers, Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs), who visit custody suites without appointment, at times of their own choosing, to interview those detained and satisfy themselves that their treatment, while in custody, is up to the standard required by regulations.

Failures or inadequacies that are found are brought to the attention of senior officers who investigate and take whatever corrective action is necessary. It is a system that works well.

It would be a positive development if groups of community volunteers could be trained and appointed to visit hospital wards without notice and speak to (particularly older) patients.

They could then bring complaints of weaknesses and failures, in respect of care and treatment, to the notice of the appropriate manager, even to the notice of hospital authority.

I agree with the system of monitoring which is in place regarding those detained by the police but feel that vulnerable, particularly older, hospital patients should have similar if not better safeguards, particularly considering the recent critical reports from within various health authorities’ hospitals.

Joe Froggatt

Honley

Silencing voters?

WHAT is our council up to? It seems that our elected representatives and their accomplices in the Planning Department have taken it upon themselves to vote in the revised Local Development Framework against the wishes of those they should serve.

We know that our councillors have difficulty accepting that members of the public actually know better than them and of course they are supported in this by council officers, who take it upon themselves to actually make policy.

Now they tell us that we will not be allowed to speak or comment on the proposed changes to the LDF until the council has actually reached a decision!

I think I know what they fear.

They would really prefer it if we just shut up and behaved ourselves. Perhaps if we trusted them we just might!

Trevor Woolley

Linthwaite

Council’s unreal world

RATE payer Steve Bradbury has been banned from all council buildings for being a persistent complainer (Examiner, October 14).

Well if the elected council did the job they were elected to do, I don’t think we would have any reason to complain.

But I have to live in the real world, and it’s a pity our council don’t.

As far as I have seen in recent months, the council aren’t interested in what’s best for the public, but like to make it up as they go on, thinking they are doing a good job within the public interest.

Perhaps if the council members read the letters in this newspaper they would realise just what the public thinks.

Adam Deal

Linthwaite

Politicians disappoint

ONCE more I have been taken in by politicians who vowed to rectify the false promises of a previous government and then let us down.

I have always used my vote as I think we owe it to all those brave suffragettes who suffered so much for the right for us to be able to. But what do any of our votes count for now?

After being disillusioned with the Tory Government we elected young, vibrant Tony Blair, a breath of fresh air, until we found that actually that is all it was, like a butterfly flitting from one self promoting theme to another, and now making his fortune flying around the world.

Now after the trumpets of glory heralded in David Cameron we are experiencing a severe case of deja vu.

By my reckoning he has reneged on voting on EU membership, immigration control and human rights, using the excuse of having to work with the liberals.

My total and final disillusion was the recent London riots.This country was leaderless at the time and our PM seemed to be in no hurry to get back from his holiday to deal with it. He waited until Nick Clegg had taken all the flack before he made an appearance.

Since then every day there are more examples of back-pedalling and weak leadership.

Tony Blair and David Cameron are products of the same privileged backgrounds. What we are in dire need of at present are the true politicians of old – Clement Atlee, Margaret Thatcher, Harold Wilson and probably a Winston Churchill to inspire us again.

Are there any out there – or have we just got to settle for career ones?

Mrs N Clarke

Almondbury

Free of the EU

THE fight goes on to get us out of the hated EU. It is reported that David Cameron doesn’t want a referendum, never mind Nick Clegg.

What is the real reason they have reneged on this pre-election promise? Could it be that they have got their eye on the EU gravy train some time in the future?

Brenda Holdroyd

Netherthong

That’s entertainment

LOVE him or loathe him, Bruce Forsyth has certainly earned his award for a lifetime of entertaining the public. So congratulations Brucie.

Whilst we are at it, isn’t it about time Ken Dodd got some official recognition for the fun and laughter he continues to generate year after year? Somebody out there please get him his gong from all of us.

George Sutcliffe

Huddersfield

Band in town

I WONDER if readers and former members of the Huddersfield Builders Club can help me out.

Someone recently told me that Judas Priest played the Builders Club in the 70s. I went to many concerts and can’t recall Priest playing there once.

I do know that their guitarist played there with the Flying Hat Band, which helped out from time to time, and also guitarist Glenn Tipton – but Priest themselves didn’t to my knowledge appear there. So can any Builders Club members recall if they played at the club?

Colin Vause

Marsh

Pride rekindled

I HAVE to admit that for many years I have had a downer on my home town of Huddersfield, as I am still mourning the loss of the old market hall, the Shambles and much more. (The mourning bit is tongue in cheek, though!)

Yes, we have lost a lot of our precious heritage, but after the reopening of Greenhead Park, the unveiling of the magnificent work in Beaumont Park and the wonderful open day at the town hall last Saturday, these events have rekindled my pride in my home town once again!

Thank you so much to the brave souls that have suggested and run these events.

It can’t have been easy with some querying priorities in these financially difficult times.

But I would argue this type of expenditure is so well spent.

It has lifted people’s spirits and has bought many people very special memories that will last a lifetime, so I really hope there aren’t any party poopers complaining about the expense.

Finally a big thank you to the Mayor and Mayoress, councillors, Kirklees’ staff and volunteers who worked so hard on these projects, and all the local performers who showcased all the talent we have in our town.

A very big thank you for these exciting celebrations.

JRG

Huddersfield

Dangerous bus lane

JUST a quick note to ask if anybody is as fed up as me about the bus lane going down Manchester Road past Wickes.

There are roadworks at the top end so you have to use the bus lane for a bit, then back into normal lane.

But some idiots seem to think that the bus lane is for anybody. The bus lane is not only dangerous, it is a complete waste of time and space and was a complete waste of money. So the council need to sort it out soon before there is an accident and someone is killed.

Brian Hinchcliffe

Crosland Hill