Kidderminster Health Concern

Independent Kidderminster Hospital and Health Concern

 

 

VIEWPOINT FOR 12 MARCH 2009
FROM DR RICHARD TAYLOR

It is a great pleasure to visit local schools and, as often happens now, to be greeted by cheerful, enthusiastic staff and happy, well-behaved children. This happened to me again last Friday when I walked round 
St Bartholomew’s Primary School, Stourport with the head teacher
.
I was struck repeatedly by the affection and rapport between Sue Helps and her school family. 
I understand that this school is under subscribed at the moment but I am sure as its deservedly growing reputation gets better known this will change. The school’s efforts to help children with special needs without compromising the teaching for others are commendable and effective.
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President’s Day at Kidderminster Carolians Rugby Football Club was celebrated last Saturday with an excellent Buffet Lunch followed by the home league fixture against Silhillians RFC. 
Until nearly full time it looked as though the Carolians had a win under their belts but unfortunately and rapidly this turned into a narrow defeat. This did not impair the celebration of a very active well-supported club that plays its part in involving young people in sport so essential in the face of the increasing incidence of obesity in the young. We are fortunate that so many of our sports clubs play such an active role in this vital effort.
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I have had many letters from constituents expressing disgust at the huge cash bonuses that highly paid executives in failed banks are due to receive or have received. I have tried to reply to all who have written as I share their concerns which are well recognised by most MPs. 
There have been several Early Day Motions drawing the government’s attention to the madness that allows senior executives to receive bonuses for failure. The government is recognising this and appreciating the difference between these huge and undeserved payments and the small cash bonuses to lower paid workers that are a thoroughly justifiable increase in their pay.
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In view of the recent increase in prescription charges I have been asked for my opinion about these. 

As I have said in debates I would abolish these charges completely as I do not think they could ever easily be made fair. 

The government are strongly against their abolition quoting the income of about £450 million per year that they contribute as irreplaceable. This is a tiny proportion of the huge NHS annual budget, now about £100 billion, and, in my view, could easily be made up by more economic delivery of treatment across most specialties. I have pointed to these in debates here also. 

It is grossly unfair that prescription charges have been abolished in Wales and will be soon in Scotland

  • We are told that already 89% of dispensed items are free
  • The government have agreed to abolish prescription charges in England for cancer patients
  • They will set up an inquiry into doing the same for those with long term conditions. 

Hopefully these will be excluded also and then there will be even fewer of the small percentage of people currently paying so surely it would be better to abolish the charges altogether now.

R.T.

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