| Letters - 09 December 2005 |
| Screen hospital staff |
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| WITH all the publicity of MRSA in Ninewells Hospital, should nurses and doctors not be screened for this? How many of them are actually passing on MRSA to patients? |
| Staff are very aware of this danger themselves and some have voiced their concerns but have been told no plans have been made for screening in the foreseeable future as this would be too costly.
However, surely the cost of screening would be cheaper than the cost of treating so many patients who contract this disease.
Nurses and doctors don’t want to endanger patients — they want to help those who are ill. Ninewells bosses should be doing all in their power to eradicate MRSA, and screening staff would go a long way to doing this. — Worried.
[Dr Gabby Phillips, Infection Control Doctor, says, “At Ninewells, we follow national guidance which states if there is a reason to screen staff, for example during an outbreak that is not brought under control with the usual measures, then we do.
“We have followed this guidance for several years and, when members of staff are tested, the number of positive results is very small.
“MRSA is passed mainly by hands-on contact, which is why the most effective infection control measure is to make sure everyone, including all healthcare workers, patients and visitors, practise good hand hygiene in hospital.”] |
| Lit up journey |
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| DRIVING THROUGH Kirkton in Dundee the other night I passed a wonderful display of Christmas lights.
They brought a smile to my lips and my journey was made memorable. Well done to those responsible and to all others who brighten up this dreich time of the year. — Smiler. |
| Alive and kicking |
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| IF ANYONE needed evidence of the way Dundee City Council operates, then we have to look no further than the attempt to employ two people in top jobs in the education department, without anyone else being considered.
The jobs-for-the-boys culture is alive and kicking within the Labour/Lib-Dem/Conservative coalition. But of course they tell us they are only a coalition for the good of the city.
But we all know this is nonsense and the rewards of highly-paid convenerships are at the heart of this issue.
To employ people on the strength of a nod and a wink should be outlawed.
Also, we see our street ambassadors are encouraged to hand out leaflets advertising shops. The City Fathers seem to think this is okay, because the shops are paying.
That being the case, I have a suggestion for the SNP. Print up some leaflets and pay the council to hand them out. — Stamping Stan. |
| Priority for buses |
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| I REFER to the letter from Silky Slim and, as a bus driver, point out it clearly states in the Highway Code to give priority to buses, trams and coaches, when you can do so safely. This should be done especially when they signal to pull away from stops.
In this last week I think I’ve been let out of a stop once by a car user. I can’t answer for all bus drivers but as I carry passengers, I wouldn’t take a risk pulling away from a stop in front of a car.
We are all trained to the same high standards and have to watch out for reckless road users who cut in front and move off without indication.
Another part of the Highway Code states cars (this includes taxis) should not park at a bus stop. This is a common fault with some Dundee taxi drivers. — Bus Driver. |
| Simple courtesy |
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| C’MON SILKY Slim, are you really in such a rush that you can’t allow a bus to pull out? Either your route or that of the bus will diverge down the road or you can pass at the next stop.
Buses don’t need to have the old “Please Let Buses Pull Out” signs displayed again. Simple courtesy should suffice. — P. M. |
| Bike taken |
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| I AM disgusted with whoever stole my Giant mountain bike from outside my flat this week. Up to £75 reward will be given to anyone who provides me with information leading to the recovery of the bike. Mobile: 07966 383687.— St Nick. |
| Chav city |
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| I AGREE with Ashamed Dundonian about many of the city’s population dragging down it’s reputation. I came across Dundee described as a “Chav city” when I was surfing the net. — Also Ashamed. |
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