Compassion is a double-edged sword when it comes to the NHS

Dr Sami Musa makes a well-reasoned case, in his recent letter, for more compassion and sympathy for medics under tremendous strain within the NHS and calls for an end to the “blame culture” which he sees as traumatising all concerned. He says “intelligent kindness” would help the healing process and while this notion might suit the needs of the medical profession I fear the patients and families of those who’ve suffered from too many cases of delays, neglect, and incompetence will not be able to apply such compassion and benign pragmatic acquiescence.

Striking doctors are seen by many as a threat. While we all want the same thing, the public sees these strikes as contributing nothing to the solution and merely adding further discomfort and worsening the end result.

Compassion is a double-edged sword and while Dr Musa seeks intelligent kindness for the medical profession from patients struggling with poor service and increasingly long waiting lists, he and his colleagues might try reciprocating those sentiments as they prepare to withdraw their labour again while patients suffer and have no option but to wait for them to return to work.

Steve Mackinder

Denver

I could not agree more with The Independent’s recent editorial: the treatment of our Afghan allies is shameful. Our immigration policy appears to be stalled in so many directions, that it is fast losing purchase on anything.

As rightly stated, this particular migration issue would indeed find wholesale favour with the public but the government has tied itself up in intractable knots with the whole scenario. There is a real sense now that this country is falling out of step with the international world and it is so depressing.

The prime minister and home secretary think by lauding the Rwandan policy, despite it being deemed unlawful, they are scoring a multitude of “brownie points” from the public. But I would beg to differ. All the public is seeing is a court decision being denounced and nothing being sorted as to the verification of thousands of refugee claims, just a continual stalemate.

Not exactly efficient or praiseworthy governance, I would surmise.

Judith A Daniels

Norfolk

The ludicrous, but ultimately successful, campaign to gain independence from the European Union did not cause rumblings from some areas of the UK for true self-determination, they were already there. However, Brexit has empowered secessionists and enraged others that are justifiably aghast at a loss of rights and freedoms.

It seems like only a matter of time before the unification process of Ireland gets underway, Scotland is likely to eventually go it alone as well. Wales is then the next candidate, followed by Cornwall. I read about the Orkney Islands contemplating returning to Norway comfortably before the EU referendum. Now talk of leaving the UK will not go away. Finally, throw in Gibraltar (yes, I know it is a dependency and not part of the UK) which will probably join with Spain at least partially.

Who next I wonder? Many of us predicted that once you open the “independence” bag you cannot put the contents back. We were correct RIP UK.

Robert Boston

Kent

In this country, there must be at least tens of thousands of people with highly responsible jobs. Jobs which if not pursued with integrity, effort and selfless commitment, could see serious repercussions for the individuals concerned, whether that is the wider organisation or the public at large.

And believe it or not, the vast majority fulfil their obligations without the necessity of a monetary bonus to incentivise and stimulate them.

On the other hand, there are the CEOs of water companies, utilities and others who, notwithstanding eye-watering salaries, clearly cannot be trusted to commit to working hard without being incentivised with bonus payments!

Almost invariably they appear to have no experience or understanding of how their business functions at the sharp end, and the impact on the environment or people when things go wrong. Thus we have the case of Thames Water with its spineless CEO slipping quietly away, leaving an unholy £14bn black hole for others to clean up – and pay for. The CEO concerned was paid a high salary plus bonuses.

Over a hundred years’ worth of infrastructure, which would likely cost billions of pounds to replace, was handed to them on a plate. The least they can do is look after it properly! At the very least there should be some experienced civil engineers brought into the upper echelons of these companies, that way there will be sound guidance on how to manage the infrastructure.

Ian Wingfield

Derbyshire

The usually very staid English acted disgracefully at Lord’s Cricket Ground, shouting abuse (and possibly jostling) our Aussie cricketers for allegedly cheating.

It could somewhat be “tit for tat” after mercurial Aussie Tennis player Nick Kyrgios’ shameful behaviour at Wimbledon.

There’s one major difference though, the Marylebone Cricket Club has wasted no time addressing some of the disgracefully behaved offenders and sincerely apologised to the Aussie cricketers. However, the All England Tennis Club by comparison has never suspended Kyrgios from playing at Wimbledon, nor has the foul-mouthed Kyrgios ever apologised!

How can we encourage good sportsmanship without a consistent line across all sports?

Howard Hutchins

Addressed Supplied