I was extremely saddened to read Mr Brannan from Carnoustie’s letter. I am not defending the man who assaulted his GP, but I think it would be a tragedy if people with stress and depression were afraid to visit their doctor for fear of being labelled a malingerer.
Often there can be underlying physical illness, which in my own case required an operative procedure.
If my own GP had lacked the knowledge, understanding and compassion required, and had simply written me off as a malingerer, I might not have been here today.
GPs are more than qualified to issue sick notes for their own patients, without adding yet another layer of bureaucracy and red tape which would obviously be weighed in favour of the employers and not the person who is suffering. — Have A Heart, Dundee.
Sign of strength
In response to Kenneth Brannan’s letter “Sick note rules need changing” I would like to point out that not all people who suffer from back pain, depression and stress are malingerers.
Having worked in psychiatry for over 23 years, I can assure you that admitting you have depression or stress is a sign of strength not a sign of weakness or an excuse to be off your work.
In fact, it can be a very debilitating illness.
Each individual’s experience is different and while I am aware and acknowledge that some people do abuse the system, I feel strongly that people should not all be tarred with the same brush. — an Black.
Ambassador route disgrace
The jungle of feet-high weeds on the “landscaped” ground on either side of the cycle track running from Claypotts to Balgillo Road East is an issue requiring the attention of Broughty Ferry councillors.
This area is an absolute eyesore, and a disgrace for an Ambassador route into the city. — Balgillo Resident.
Terror concerns
George W. Bush came to London for a last farewell and to drum up support for another act of aggression, this time against Iran.
He will tell us that Iran possesses a nuclear weapons programme which is a threat to the world, even though his own CIA report says they abandoned it in 2005.
The anti-terrorism legislation enacted by Labour in 2005, means the Metropolitan police have been able to ban protestors from exercising their democratic right.
This is not the first time Labour’s Orwellian anti-terrorism laws have been used to intimidate peaceful protestors. I experienced this harassment first hand whilst taking part in a peaceful protest against World leaders at Gleneagles in 2005.
The Government has introduced a new raft of measures. Although the 42 day pre-charge detention period was the one which got all the attention, the Bill creates a new offence of seeking or communicating information about the armed forces which could be useful to terrorism. This will develop into yet one more device for the authorities to use against the anti-war movement.
Dundee West MP Jim McGovern voted in favour of this totalitarian measure which takes Britain further down the road of a police state. He should apologise to the people of Dundee and admit he was wrong. — Raymond Mennie, Member of Liberty.
A&E charge sting in tail
I crashed my motorcycle last Thursday evening and suffered some slight injuries. What really stung, however, was having to limp, bloodied and bruised, into A&E at Ninewells where my first priority was to find enough money for the parking meter.
With all the crashing and sliding down roads I’d been doing, I’d completely forgotten to bring enough Casualty Change.
Thankfully, the staff gave me 40p so I could park, relax and enjoy my pain without worrying about getting clamped.
Why charge at A&E? Who is going there unless they really have to?
I took chocolates to the A&E reception staff to say thanks.
They have hearts, the person who decided to charge for visiting A&E doesn’t. — S. Ross, Strathmartine Road, Dundee.
Dental problems
I am having problems with the dentist at Finlarig Terrace.
I was given an appointment but when I turned up I was told they were running late by an hour. They don’t seem to keep any stock in the rooms so the dental assistants have to keep running in and out the whole time.
I wasn’t given a bib so came out soaking wet.
If I can be charged for missing an appointment, can I charge the dentist for the wait and inconvenience I suffer? — Teething.
[A spokesperson for the surgery said, “There is an official complaints department and procedures in place to deal with such issues from the public.
If the individual who has voiced concerns would like to write to us then the complaint can be dealt with.
Send a letter to: Finlarig Practice for the attention of the Practice Manager, 60A Finlarig Terrace, Dundee, DD4 9JD.]
THE ADDRESS for readers’ letters is - Readers’ Page, Evening Telegraph, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL. They can also be placed in our post box at our offices in Albert Square, Dundee, emailed to us on letters@eveningtelegraph.co.uk or faxed on 01382 454590. We ask correspondents using a nom-de-plume or sending by e-mail to provide a name and address for reference purposes. The editor reserves the right to reject or edit any letter. Please keep letters as short as possible.*
