All about Peter part two

Published 4 Aug 2010 12:30

RESPONSES to my letter regarding St Margaret's Hospice filled the Postbag last week and one thinks they protesteth too much.

I will deal with the points raised.

Sister Rita, chief executive of St Margaret's not once defended the silence adopted by her chairman and deputy chairman.

She also accused me of being rather disingenuous in that I did not wish to meet with her to discuss my concerns.

I think Sister is being rather disingenuous as she personally never contacted me as I received an invitation not from her, but from a hospice administrator.

Sister also went on to quote the old adage, what Peter says about Paul often tells us more about Peter than it does about Paul.

That adage could be applied in this instance as what St Margaret's tells us about the health board often tells us more about St Margaret's than it does about the health board.

Sister should also remember that 'let he that is without sin cast the first stone', as I have still to find where in health board documents it says that the health board wishes to close St Margaret's.

I also found it staggering that the good Sister did not once defend the silence of her chairman and deputy chairman, there is no point in them coming to the table now as the party is over.

John Bannon, who has become the hospice mouthpiece, made very detailed points which I cannot disagree with as I have not had the level of involvement he has had, but I have to accept his points as factual unless the health board tell us otherwise.

However, can Mr Bannon tell us supporters how often the hospice chairman or deputy chairman have met with all hospice supporters and not just the vocal majority or the few that they wheel out every so often to support the hospice when the need suits?

What about the silent majority, those too scared to put pen to paper in fear of being victimised, including staff, and what about those of us who stood on streets collecting signatures - did letter writers Catherine Boyle, Denis Kearns or Dianne Ferguson stand on the streets of a Winter collecting signatures?

Can they also explain why St Margaret's should be treated more favourably than any other care provider?

Can Mr Kearns also explain to me and readers how he knew that I wrote a letter to the health board chairman which was copied to the hospice but it never received?

That letter only went to a handful of people and Mr Kearns was not one of them.

An explanation would be welcome.

The health board is entitled to decide who it wishes to provide care for it and in this case it no longer needs St Margaret's to provide a certain type of care.

Other providers have had to adapt to change, why not St Margaret's?

If the chairman is not willing to compromise then he should do as all decent men would do and step down now and let someone else takeover who is willing to compromise.

Diane Ferguson is not alone in having a relative die at the hospice as both my mum and elderly aunt died at the hospice and aunt's family gave a sizeable donation.

Both received excellent care so for anyone to suggest I bear a grudge is just madness.

What has Ms Ferguson done for the hospice as she says she is a real supporter?

I would also say to her and others that the chairman and his deputy are not alone in giving hours of their spare time to worthwhile causes for free, and there are many more people just as committed and experienced than those two, as I know only too well, who probably give more of their time than Mr Martin.

John Bannon called for there to be no slanging match as this helps no-one.

He is completely wrong - it helps the health board realise that the hospice supporters are far from united, they are totally disunited.

I know this from the many people whom I have spoken to in recent weeks and let no-one be fooled by the few letters of support published in the Clydebank Post.

Derek Johnsone, address supplied

Tweet

This article appeared in Clydebank Post 04 Aug 10

Follow @clydebankpost

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our Opinion archives.