Observer Comment: No excuse for attacking hospital staff
THERE is nothing more disheartening than being assaulted or verbally abused by someone you are trying to help.
According to recently released figures, there is more than one attack a week on staff at the Conquest Hospital.
These statistics make worrying reading, although a spokesman for the hospital has assured us they are in part down to efficient reporting systems and staff confidence that they can come forward and log such matters.
Our hospitals are not perfect places, and they can be as much places of grief and upset as they can solace and peace.
But whatever a patient’s or relative’s frustration, there is no excuse for verbally or physically abusing doctors, nurses, ambulance or ancilliary staff who, in the main, are doing their utmost to help, often in difficult conditions.
The Conquest is right to take a hard line on such matters - as the hospital spokesman has said, nobody should feel that violence or abuse is part of their everyday life.
And if such a case goes to court and there is a conviction, the perpetrator is more than likely to find the courts throwing the book at them.
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Summer the first test of Next Wave
LAST week’s story about subsidence along the Colonnade as a result of work on the Next Wave project has resulted in a flood of readers’ letters.
While one correspondent this week argues the story should have made the front page, another claims the Observer should be ashamed to give the piece the prominence it was given.
Yes, the contractor is seeking to rectify the problem at no cost to Rother District Council under the 12-month snagging period, however the role of a local newspaper is in part to air the concerns of residents - and to give praise where it is due.
Apart from the shelters, a lot of the correspondence the Observer has recently received on this subject has been positive, and we are confident the sentiments expressed in these letters are as genuine as those who have spoken against the project.
The coming summer will be the first true test of Next Wave.
Now as the works are almost complete let’s hope the scheme does what the council has promised and truly benefits the town.
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Weather for Bexhill-on-Sea
Thursday 23 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 8 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 28 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 8 C to 12 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South west
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