Priceless Paintings from W7

One particular detail about my recent hospital visit fascinate me though. It goes like this:

Whenever health professional A hands over a patient to health professional B (which, as it turned out, happened quite a lot), they need to go through a ceremonial dance to confirm that A brings the correct patient, that the correct wristband is still attached to said patient, and that B then obtains the correct patient.

It seems a little over the top, but I am sure the ramifications of cutting off the wrong part of the wrong patient could be unpleasant. So, OK, I go along with it. Not that I have a choice anyhow, but you’d wonder with all that scrutiny applied, at least they could try to do it right? You wish:

Sir, are you Mr so-and-so?

Yes.

Sir, are you born on the such-and-such of year so-and-so?

Yes.

Sir, do you live in this-and-that street?

Yes.

There were times when they could have asked whether I am the Queen of Sheba and I’d have said yes. Everyone who ever read a mystery novel knows not to ask suggestive questions. How hard is it to ask

What’s your name, sir?

Thoughts Britain, Health, NHS;

So, it’s the end of an era, he says. Realistically speaking, its the end of a not quite 11 year employment.

If you live in the U.K., you can’t have missed the huge fanfare with which TV and radio presenter Jonathan Ross said Good Bye with his last Friday night chat show on BBC television, and his last Saturday morning BBC Radio 2 show.

Many  came to wish him well and express their sadness to see him leaving.

I wish him well, too. Of course I do, but am I sad to see him leaving? Not really.

I acknowledge that he has gotten better over the years, but he is not half as original and not half as funny as he appears to think of himself, and when not quite sure what to say or do, his humour gets dirty and under the belt. How funny.

It would be very sad news indeed, if nobody can be found who fits his broadcasting slots just as well, and hopefully even better.

So, all the best to you, Jonathan. All the best to the –hopefully young- talent who steps into his shoes.

P.S. It’s Hildegard Knef, not Hildegard Knecht.

Thoughts BBC, BBC Radio 2, BBC Television, Britain

Just look outside. Really. It’s been nice weather London for the last few weeks. Hot on many days, warm on most, and warmer than in many previous summers on almost all days. Sunshine, mostly blue skies, silken air (or as silken as it ever gets in the big city).

Ahh. I wish it would stay like this until the end of September, then turn into a golden Indian Summer for six weeks, into a dry and crisp winter (but not crisp enough to hurt the Banana Grove), then approach a balmy spring again.

When the BBC weather man (my special friend Rob McElwee) talks about how we in England’s South-East must envy the Scots and Welsh for their cooler weather and abundant rain, all I want to do is shout Noooo at him.

Actually, it’s not worth my breath. I just go outside, light the BBQ and enjoy the warmth. That’s what I shall do now.

Thoughts Britain, Weather

The milk man and I work in opposite ways. The latest craze is that we wants me to get onto the Internet. No more rolled-up notes with changed orders in the bottle outside the door, just a simple click on a convenient web site. No more cheques, just online credit card payments.

You know me. There is hardly anything that I never bought or booked over the Internet, so why should I be so reluctant to follow the milk man’s latest plan?

First, there is the small difficulty of living in no milk man’s land: the guy to whose territory we belong doesn’t want to service us, because we are on the edge of his territory and he’d have to make a long way round the block to avoid going against the one way system (He could walk five steps but I guess he can’t be bothered, so he doesn’t deserve our business). The other guy services us because he comes down the one-way system anyway, even if we are outside his area. Reluctantly, and after lengthy negotiations between the two milk men.

The web site does, of course, not know of these arrangements. I’d rather not disturb a perfectly working system.

Second, and foremost, is that I really enjoy having the milk delivered in the old ways. I enjoy it as one of the few remaining low-tech delights of daily life. I enjoy the milk float coming down the road, the re-usable glass milk bottle on the door step, the aluminium cap, even the hand-written notices of changes to the order.

Maybe the milk man even thinks me technophobic. Yes, I’d be delighted by that.

Thoughts Britain, life

Britain’s so-called benefit culture (a term mostly used by conservative politicians and journalists, I think, and not really generally recognised to be part of British culture) is said to cost approximately £60…80bn per year.

Since the Chancellor of the Exchequer is short on money these days, and keen on making popular move to huge media fanfare, politicians such as Ian Duncan Smith give us the same nonsense that we heard for ages again and again already:

Tough measures are required to prevent fraud, they say. Fair enough, I say. Serious punishment of fraudsters and benefit cheats is another popular request, and, since those high earners making these suggestions know best how it is to live on the breadline, cuts and reductions to the benefit system are also a common suggestion.

Crucial is of course not the nonsense that is suggested, but what is not suggested.

You can search long and hard, up and down for a politician who would dare to suggest increased investment into benefit and welfare programs. Maybe not by way of direct cash payout, but surely those in need for help primarily need help to help themselves. These are the things a government is supposed to specialize in: Create jobs. Create incentives to recruit people. Provide infrastructure that enables people to go to work: affordable public transport or affordable quality daytime child care come to mind.

First of all, it seems we need to invest and buy our politicians some common sense, and the decency to be a government for the people, for all of them, rather than govern their own careers.

I think you heard this lament before. This won’t be the last time though.

Current Affairs, Thoughts Britain, Politics

In light of Britain’s debt amounting to £893.4bn, our George announced drastic spending cuts and savings. £100m taken from Network Rail, £108m from London Transport, £5m from the Arts Council, and so the list goes on.

All amounts to £6.2bn. £893.4bn on one hand, £6.2bn on the other – hmmm. That’s not even 1%, and a lot of damage is already done to important public services.

Would it not be much nicer to make huge big savings with few cuts, instead of negligible savings many times over and over and over again?

Take Trident for starters. Something between £76bn and £130bn, plus the running cost of £1bn per year. A costly thread to peace, without any contribution to our safety or to protecting our way of life. Scrap it!

That’s what I call savings, and made for a good cause, too.

The war in Iraq is comparatively cheap (£1bn per annum), but still big savings compared to the populist £100m here-and-there approach. Round-up these savings by withdrawing from Afghanistan, and not engaging in the next game of guns somewhere. The world would most certainly turn into a safer place at the moment that we stop playing God in the middle east.

I don’t mean to pretend that I can solve the problem of the £893.4bn deficit, but surely if anything can solve it, then this requires bold steps rather than pathetic £6.2bn and a little show for the media here and there.

Current Affairs Britain, Politics

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) ordered the far right-wing British National Party (BNP) to change its constitution; the restriction to allow new members only from “indigenous Caucasian stock” must be removed. People of all ethic backgrounds, including Black or Asian, must be allowed to join the BNP.

This is of course nothing but a farce. Or, is it?

I am calling all non-White members of the British public to join the BNP. Do it. Do it now. All you have to do is join, be united in the same goal, and outnumber the current BNP members. Then change the BNP’s constitution. Oh, and leadership, and name.

Oh, I see. I ask for unity. Bummer.

Plan B then. Let’s get a different electorate.

Current Affairs Britain, Politics

David Cameron is breaking the winds of change. I suppose there’s little to stop him now, following an eloquent speed containing lots of hollow phrases. Even though I hate the idea of yet another polished and styled politician leading the country, it is certainly time for a change.

Too bad there isn’t a real alternative to chose from.

Anyway, I wasn’t so much wondering about David Cameron but about Steve Hilton. I suppose initially, leading modern-time politicians and hopeful candidates had an advisor. A panel of advisors. An assistant. Maybe a press officer. A speech writer, and a campaign manager.

When did it start that hopeful candidates (and some of those elected) were in need of a Head of Marketing of the unquestioned calibre of advertising expert Steve Hilton?

I hate the idea that our modern politicians are all styled like one would otherwise brand a fashion accessory. Whatever happened to a convincing argument, a promising strategy, a steadfastness in certain principles of politics, humanity and morality?

Current Affairs, Thoughts Britain, Conservative Party, Politics

Why on earth would a nationwide vetting database cost one hundred and seventy million pound sterling? – yes, you read that right: The cost for the planned vetting database, a nationwide tool to help prevent unsuitable people from working with children and vulnerable adults, is estimated to be £170m (£84m have already been spent).

Call me naive if you like, but if you do so, please explain the cost to me. Remember the country already features well-established government offices and buildings, all readily networked. Council workers already have a desk and a computer. All that seems necessary is the creation of a database, a web front-end, a bit of security around it, redundancy, done. A few millions maybe, if you include printed manuals for every council worker and NHS employee, but £170m?

Someone is seriously milking the system, pulling the government’s leg big time and you know what? They fall for it. Fools.

Maybe someone can also explain why such a database is necessary in the first place, given that several “offenders registers” and the Criminal Records Bureau are already in existence.

P.S. Now returning to my blog break, but certain things just can’t wait, can they?

Current Affairs, Thoughts Britain

I had need to see a specialist doctor. His clinic doesn’t make appointments, but operates on a 9 ‘o’clock first-come first-served walk-in basis. OK, I thought, I’d better be there in time, and arrived at the machine where one pulls the ticket number at 8:15.

The room was already half full of people smarter, and even earlier than me.

The receptionist arrived at quarter to nine, and the first question was “who’s got an appointment?”

What? I have never found out how one gets an appointment on the no-appointment Monday morning walk-in clinic, but never mind. Turns out I was number 14 in the no appointment queue, and when it was 9 o’clock, the exact time when the clinic would officially open its doors, they announced that  they were now fully booked for the day, and started turning people away.

Luckily, I had gotten in earlier. I’d be fuming with rage otherwise.

After only 90 minutes, I got called and transferred to another queue. Arrangements there were less comfortable, but people were in better, and humorous, spirits, after realising that this is just another queue.

I was seen half an hour later, and discharged 10 minutes later. All right, I got the assessment I came for.

Next time, I’d like to provide an assessment into their work, though. I am sure there were lots of things going on that we didn’t know or understand, but the number of times my file was picked up, looked at, put down again, the number of times nurses and doctors walked up and down the aisle – I am sure that I don’t understand half of what is going on there, but I can’t believe they organised themselves, and a whole room full of patients, in the best possible way.

Anyway. I got out of there and back home in little over 4 hours. This will probably beat the official NHS target.

Thoughts Britain, NHS;

Those of you who know me will know that I appreciate beauty, but I am not a follower of beauty contests. However, this one caught my eye, and not limited to the ways you might think:

Rachel Christie, who is currently training on the running track for the 2012 Olympics qualifiers, is among the finalists for Miss England 2009. The competition’s final round is held yesterday and today (July 19th and 20th, 2009) at the London Hilton Metropole Hotel, and I want you all to give a big cheer, touch wood, hold a breath or, if you can, vote for Rachel. She isn’t the only non-white contestant, but she’s generally expected to do well in the competition.

America managed to elect its first ever black president not that long ago.

Surely, Britain should be able to vote for its first ever black Miss England?

 [Edit, 22-July-2009:]

Here you have it. Rachel Christie is Miss England 2009. Well done.

Given that the news came and went more or less unnoticed, I am no longer sure what this means for the black community, or any community. One could say “see, nobody cares that she’s black,” but I think the reality is that nobody cares for Miss England contests. Maybe she gets more publicity winning on the race track. This might just have given her the money to focus on training for the Olympics.

[/Edit]

Thoughts Britain, england, human

I find it very nice to see how the big sports events inspire the kids. During and (now) after Wimbledon, I notice many more than usual kids playing tennis in the streets in the evening. When I cycled past a pretty large public tennis place, it was also full.

How nice, and the perfect proof that public sports events should not be allowed to sell their TV rights to private channels that require an extra pay-TV subscription. It’s just not right, not as long as the same event takes a lot of taxpayer’s money for provision of public transport, security and emergency services and, well, license-fee funded public media for advertising and promoting.

It’s one, or the other.

Thoughts Britain, taxman, television

I explained a friend that our Velux roof windows, which come with a self-cleaning coating, only really clean themselves in a proper downpour. Due to low tilt of our windows (17 degrees), and maybe just as a general attribute of this coating, you really need a good rainfall to wash off the bird droppings and general Greater London dust and soot. A drizzle or mild rain won’t do the job.

When I explained all that, I just casually commented on this aspect. I did not mean to ask for such rain. Yet, it has arrived.

I am sure the MET office will be happy about this turn of the weather. All over the last few weeks, when our weather was really nice and warm, they told us in the evening’s weather forecast not to worry, promising that it would be cooler soon.

Did you know that the MET office issues the third of four heat wave alerts when the night temperature doesn’t drop below 18 Celsius? You’d think they’ve never seen a decent summer.

I shall be happy to see my roof windows getting dirty, and shall be happy to enjoy seasonally high temperatures. Please bring the summer back. Now.

Thoughts Britain, Weather

Heads must roll in light of the expenses scandal. Absolutely (but only figuratively speaking, of course). Heads must roll for intentionally liberal interpretation of the rules. Heads must roll for dropping all morale standards and intentionally milking the system. Heads must roll for denying first, then paying back some amount of money. Heads must roll for paying back that money and claiming all was well and in perfect order, while making laws with the other hand at the same time for crying out loud.

Heads must also roll for angrily resigning from the cabinet and thinking that’d be the first step to a career re-launch, neatly avoiding tax investigations or, indeed, criminal charges, in the process. Disgusting.

But.

But when I said the heads must roll, I didn’t mean that the head teacher of the Cardinal Wiseman School in Greenford ought to be arrested, charged with expenses fraud, dragged through the mud (full story here). I had asked for different heads.

The headmaster might have hand his hand into the petty cash kitty or not, and he might have fiddled with expenses, or not. That must, and will, all be found out of course. I can’t help thinking scapegoat though.  I sincerely hope he doesn’t end up being one.

There are some more rather interesting people to arrest and release on bail on allegations of expenses fraud. If you can’t find them in Westminster, make sure to check all their first and second homes.

Current Affairs, Thoughts Britain, expenses, london

Stop it! My head hurts from shaking it in disbelief alone. I’m pretty sure that you heard that UK newspapers had (through some questionable means) acquired and published details of UP parliamentarians’ expense claims, causing a huge stir-up.

In short, many politicians of all parties are excused to having exploited an overly generous expense system. (Here’s the detailed breakdown.)

That alone doesn’t surprise me much. Neither am I surprised by what happens next:

Step one (public declaration):

I have done nothing wrong; all my expense claims were in line with the guidelines, and lawfully approved.

Step two: (thinking to self):

Hmm, there’s a lot of public pressure here. And actually, claiming for cat food really doesn’t look too good. Of for 18 months of a mortgage that had been paid off. Or for a second home, while my good wife, also an MP, also claims for a second home. Or for three different second homes within a single year.

Step three: (public declaration):

I insist that I have done nothing wrong, but I’ll repay a five-digit figure anyway, in order to restore my now falsely damaged reputation and integrity.

How can I trust a politician how can neither stand by the claims of rightfulness, or admit exploiting the system?

Some brought lame excuses of claims being made by accident or poor accounting. Some others even acknowledged inappropriate claims, or withholding taxes, offered repayment and think this is the end of it. If Joe Public ‘withholds’ £13,332 in capital gains tax (See Hazel Blears), it certainly won’t be done with “Oops. Here’s the money.”

Now it’s all the speaker’s fault. He let us do it, so his head must roll, appears to be the common logic. One cannot but shake the head in disbelief.

Anyone erroneously claiming £16,000 expenses on grounds of “poor accounting” is not fit for office in the first place, so how… Didn’t I tell you? I shake my head in disbelief so much that it hurts, and much of the nation seems to shake alongside.

But, where’s the fraud squad I wonder? Few seem to ask for it, and many seem happy with apologies, paying back, and a few scapegoat resignations. Now that makes me truly shake my head in disbelief.

Current Affairs, Thoughts Britain, Politics, United Kingdom