Why do most hospital outpatient waiting areas at Ninewells Hospital have TV sets or music playing, often annoyingly loudly?
The TVs are usually situated high up, allowing no choice to waiting patients to turn down the volume or simply switch them off. I complained to one of the nurses at a clinic recently about this and she had it turned down.
A hospital waiting area is not a place of leisure like a pub or an arcade where people choose to be.
Most outpatients just want a bit of peace and quiet prior to speaking to a doctor or consultant.
I have heard complaints, tuts, sighs and seen rolling eyes all because of this stupid practice.
Just let people sit in a calm atmosphere at a time which could be stressful enough for them. — J. A., Dundee.
Abused by beggars
I agree with Dreading about the growing problem of people begging in Dundee.
Walking through the city centre is like an obstacle course, trying to avoid men and women asking for money.
Often you face abuse if you refuse, however politely.
I, too, live and work in the city centre and walking alone at night is unavoidable. I am also a young lady and fear I am an easy target.
What has to happen before the police and the council do something?
The aggressive manner in which they approach you — striding right up into your face with no respect for personal boundaries — is extremely intimidating.
While waiting for a taxi in the Nethergate (yards from my own front door), I was approached not once, but twice by the same person.
The second time a syringe fell out of his pocket. — Take No For An Answer.
Give them their due
The Land Army has received recognition for their contribution to the Second World War effort at last.
But what about the thousands of women who were put into factories to work to produce the munitions vital to the war?
And what about the Bevan Boys who were sent down pits to produce the coal? All are worthy of official recognition. — Fairdos.
Police number
I read with amazement in the Tele about the plans by Tayside Police to bring out a new call number for non-emergency issues, because the force says it has selected an 0845 number.
This is only classed as local rate by BT. What about the other phone companies who charge high rates for non-geographical calls?
What about pensioners and the unemployed who cannot afford to pay these charges and will feel the need to use the standard 999 call?
I appreciate the problems non-emergency calls can cause on the present service but this is a public service that has its needs when used correctly.
An 0800 free number would have been far more sensible and appropriate. — Gobsmacked.
We pay tax
Letter writer Parking Man defended leaving his vehicle in Dundee’s Crescent Street/Crescent Lane.
We, too, pay road tax and we also pay a high rate of Council Tax set for this area.
You invade our area from 8 to 5 and don’t care about people who really need the spaces, such as nursery staff, doctors and dentist patients, etc.
You say you don’t live hear a bus route. Why not take your car to the nearest bus stop and park it there?
I let you know that on January 14, all cars parked in Crescent Lane were given warning notices by police.
The residents in this area can’t wait for meters and restrictions to come into force.
No doubt Parking Man will then move to invade other people’s parking spaces. — Angry Resident.
What taxes?
SNP MP Stewart Hosie calls for Corporation Tax to be slashed to help generate jobs in Dundee.
Could he now tell us what taxes would have to be increased to compensate for the loss. — Honest Joe.
Moaning firefighters
I am sick of hearing the constant moans from Tayside firefighters.
They earn an average wage, £25,000 a year, do little work and most sleep during night shift.
When they finish a “gruelling” 12-hour shift, they go and work a full day doing all sorts of jobs.
This is coupled with a more than decent pension with early retiring as well.
I ask firefighters, why do you get thousands of applications for one or two vacancies every year?
How many employees actually leave the brigade for alternative employment because the money or the terms/conditions are not good enough? — Postman Plod.
Lost out after flight cancelled
I am at my wits’ end trying to get my money back from Flywoosh.com and wonder if other readers are having the same problem? My Dundee to Belfast flight was cancelled suddenly on November 30.
My credit card company has refused to reimburse me and I am now wondering which way to turn as I am unemployed and it was quite a lot of money to lose. Any ideas? — Disgruntled.
Act ended rights
Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrats’ constitutional commission, set up with rules laid down by these parties, is clearly wrong. The Act of Union ended our democratic rights. It’s time this issue was resolved by means of a referendum. — R. G., Kirriemuir.
Medal found
Among my late mother’s effects, I found an old silver golfing medal inscribed as follows: J. H. Thompson Cup, Runner-up 1934, J. McKay.
Can any reader provide information about this competition and where it was (and maybe still is) held?
It could be in the Dundee area, where my mother lived all of her life. — Elizabeth Binnie, 40 North Anderson Drive, Aberdeen, AB15 5DB.
Petrol tax
Although it cannot be denied that oil companies such as Shell are making what seem to be large profits, some of this is required for exploration and infrastructure.
A large percentage of the price of petrol is levied by the Government.
We have to go back to the days of Robin Hood to find a tax as bad for the working class. — Non Voter.
Not so obvious
As I was getting into my car, parked in a disabled bay at a local supermarket, a man approached who was walking with the aid of two walking sticks.
He made an insulting comment because I was parked in a disabled space.
Yet, I qualify for a blue badge which was displayed, but my ailments are not obvious, unlike his. — D. D.
Need for questions
I had to laugh when I heard SNP list MSP Christine Grahame question the need for Scottish MPs are Westminster.
Her moan comes as it’s reported that £70,000 has been allocated by Holyrood to help MSPs to, of all things, ask questions. — Politics Watcher.
Rod Allen
I was sorry to hear of the passing away of Rod Allen, vocalist of 60s’ group, The Fortunes.
Three of their singles, in my opinion, should have been chart hits in the UK — Caroline (c1964), Seasons In The Sun (c1968) and Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again (c1970). — Another Fortunes Fan.
Dog mess
I ask the owner to pick up the mess after his or her dog fouls, especially in the kids’ playpark at Craigiebank, Dundee. — Anon.
No mail
Why don’t I receive mail on a Saturday? I live in the grounds of Liff Hospital and see the Royal Mail van in the area, but nine times out of 10 we do not get any mail delivered.
Can Royal Mail comment? — Waiting.
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