Wirral Letters: August 10

Aug 17 2011 Birkenhead News

We must fight plans

I READ with interest the letters about the possible relocation of Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology and agree with the sentiments expressed.

Vascular surgery is being moved to the Countess of Chester Hospital and all surgical procedures are being moved from Clatterbridge to make it a day-centre only, but we were told the oncology centre would remain at Clatterbridge.

As Professor Mark Baker knows, the CCO is not for the sole use of the people of Merseyside, as he indicated, but it is also used by Cheshire and North Wales patients, therefore, making Clatterbridge with its vast parking facilities the ideal location.

It is easy to travel to via the tunnel onto the M53 exiting at junction four.

In contrast, the parking facilities are non-existent at the Prescot Street site. Parking is very expensive, together with the tunnel fees and trying to get through city traffic and finding somewhere to park is a daunting prospect.

This appears to be an attempt to appease the people of Liverpool so they don't incur the expense and time of travelling to Clatterbridge. The people of Wirral, Cheshire and North Wales deserve better and I hope our MPs and councillors will fight this proposal tooth and nail.

G. DEVANEY,

West Kirby

Shame on you

MY WIFE and I were taking a walk along New Brighton front on Saturday, August 8, at about 4.50pm.

We were just about to cross the road from the dips to the sea wall when a white four by four vehicle drove past us.

Just before it reached us the driver, who looked to be in his 30s, leaned across the passenger street, and through the open window threw a plastic bottle towards the pavement, followed by a sweet wrapper.

We were incredulous as all along the road and just near where we were standing are waste bins, so all he had to do was pull over and put the items in a bin.

In addition, leaning across the passenger seat meant he wasn’t in full control of his vehicle, and so could have caused an accident. How somebody can be so inconsiderate and socially irresponsible is beyond us, and we would like to say “shame on you”.

If we hadn’t been so surprised we would have taken the car registration, and would have reported the incident to the police.

Name and address supplied

They won’t care

THERESA May is quite right to suggest that juvenile thugs convicted of rioting and looting must be stripped of their anonymity.

The problem is many, if not all, won’t care if they are ‘named and shamed’, because they have no shame or no respect for themselves or anyone else.

They wear convictions like badges of honour and laugh in the face of ASBOs, referral orders and other lily-livered sentences.

PAUL NUTTALL

North West MEP, UK Independence Party

Extra stress

RE: Keep CCO at Clatterbridge.

I agree wholeheartedly with the comments expressed by J.R. McCarthy on the above issue.

Having been several times this year, due to my husband’s recent diagnosis, we have been so impressed with the attractiveness and peacefulness of the surrounding.

It makes what might be a stressful appointment, much easier to deal with.

The staff are second to none, from the gentleman manning the car parks, right through to the top doctors. We have been met with nothing but kindness, helpfulness and made to feel our concerns really matter to them.

Having been to the Royal in Liverpool, I can honestly say, there is no way I would want to go there for such appointments.

Rather than drive and try for a parking spot, it would mean getting the train and then a taxi, adding stress and expense to two pensioners.

Prof Mark Baker does not seem to have done his homework properly, or he would realise just how much both staff and patients will hate the idea.

PATRICIA FINCH

Address supplied

Way to cut costs

WITH reference to Liza Williams’ article, Plans still on to move CCO, is this another NHS cost-cutting exercise?

Moving the oncology department to the Royal in Liverpool would not be helpful or fair to the people on this side of the river, who come from far and wide to Clatterbridge, for instance North Wales!

I cannot speak highly enough of the oncology department at Clatterbridge, my husband having been treated there.

The care of doctors, nurses and all the staff, in whatever capacity, could not be bettered by a move to Liverpool. If a system is going well, why change it?

M. THOMSON

Address supplied