Living on another planet

From the Swindon Advertiser, first published Monday 19th Jan 2004.

IT'S that time of year again when it seems that all the managers at our great new hospital start living on a different planet.

Oh dear, they say, we didn't expect so many patients. Didn't we tell them year after year there were not going to be enough beds at the new Great Western Hospital?

They just shut up shop or re-define the word trolley to become removable bed ­ a great way to change statistics on trolley waits on which, thanks to the National Health Service, I've become quite an authority.

Then they blame it on the weather . . . don't they always? They just keep living on another planet, where they don't have patients or bad weather and there are plenty of beds.

How many hospitals had to close to be able to have this great new hospital at Commonhead? Princess Alexandra's RAF, St Margaret's Hospital, Seymour Clinic, the Victoria and PMH. Hospitals which opened ­ the Great Western.

T COLLINS

Penhill

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