Heading to town this morning I commented on how the out of town shopping centres were effecting the shops in the City Centre. We headed to Ocean Terminal and I then went to the Outdoor Warehouse at Granton - big mistake, long delays due to roadworks at the Starbank Inn. However, that was only the beginning, I then got stuck in roadworks after roadworks trying to get back through the centre of the town. So I have now changed my mind about the peripheral shopping centres. The City fathers must live with their heads stuck up their external orifices if they cannot see what is happening. Pothole city, and now, as a fund raiser they are complaining that not enough motorists have been charged with blocking junctions - do they really want to totally alienate the Police from the public.
Just a reminder - trams are nearly ready to run, lots of great comments about them, apart form the fact that route is not long enough, and once they hit the city centre, everything else may well grind to a halt - only time will tell.
On anther track, big feature about discount furniture warehouses mismarketing their wares- no mention of Richard F Mackay warehouse, their voice over man on the radio must not only be due for retirement but must be fed up promoting sale after sale after final sale after mega sale at their premises. just one after the other event, just where can one get a guaranteed bargain these days.
Only consolation, the steed of steel was in fine fettle, nice run out through the countryside later on before the rains arrived, perhaps a precursor of worse to come - might even by pass summer and slide back into Autumn again - and no hose pipe ban either.
Friday, 21 March 2014
Thursday, 20 March 2014
Hospedia - lacking in communication skills
Perhaps I am a bit naive, but I did think that Hospedia would have at least have acknowledged receipt of my correspondence, but no, looks like their Customer Relations are in denial.
I have just looked at their website, looks great, lots of big words, fancy jargon, and super looking interactive media units - just a bit more modern than the Units installed in the Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, which , as their own operator told me were obsolete, so I could not use E mail. Might be that they expect everyone to have fancy smart phones. If you cannot maintain the service, do not make it a selling point.
Obviously communication is essential, and it always has been , letters, semaphore, mirrors, smoke signals, pigeons, etc - the inhabitants of St Kilda, the World Heritage Island in the Atlantic off the West coast of Scotland used what they called "ships" to get messages to the mainland. They were small wooden boxes attached to floats - a message was placed in the hollowed out centre of the "ship" this was sealed and then cast into the Ocean to drift with the tide. In a recent "posting" the tiny "ship" was found by a fisherman, washed up on the coast in Norway, some six hundred miles away. BUT, at least the message was received !! Come on Hospedia - play the game.
I have just looked at their website, looks great, lots of big words, fancy jargon, and super looking interactive media units - just a bit more modern than the Units installed in the Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, which , as their own operator told me were obsolete, so I could not use E mail. Might be that they expect everyone to have fancy smart phones. If you cannot maintain the service, do not make it a selling point.
Obviously communication is essential, and it always has been , letters, semaphore, mirrors, smoke signals, pigeons, etc - the inhabitants of St Kilda, the World Heritage Island in the Atlantic off the West coast of Scotland used what they called "ships" to get messages to the mainland. They were small wooden boxes attached to floats - a message was placed in the hollowed out centre of the "ship" this was sealed and then cast into the Ocean to drift with the tide. In a recent "posting" the tiny "ship" was found by a fisherman, washed up on the coast in Norway, some six hundred miles away. BUT, at least the message was received !! Come on Hospedia - play the game.
Slowly returing to what ? Normality
Yup - yesterday I was pottering at 1 a.m. and today on line early doors for the first time in a while. What would normally be a social whirl of Masonic and motorcycle events, has for this past couple of months evolved into a stream of varying NHS appointments !! But being positive - I was out at Bonnyrigg last night to the OES for the first time this year - good night and excellent attendance. Was even joined by the wife of my friend "Mr Peacock" inveterate traveller and member of 151.
I had in the back of mind plans to do one of my daily diddles about Tesco, but in the excitement of all that has happened have forgotten what I had planned - but give the old grey cells time to unravel.
I do know that I am particularly perturbed by Mr McCaskill's daft proposal about removing the need for corroboration in Scotland. Way back in the dark ages when I had to make a choice about staying south of the Border and joining an English police force or returning North (home) I chose home as I did not believe in the fairness of the English system. Albeit I ended up working on my own a great deal in a County Station, but that meant you had to work hard to become involved in the local community who then supported you and became your backup and corroboration when needed.
Perhaps Sir Steven House and his high ranking English counterparts never worked in the Community - or alternatively, the para military type Police we appear to have on the streets these days do not integrate as well as "old style bobbies" did.
Bit in the Evening News recently that Police Scotland are getting into a right fankle with some of their proposals, shutting Police stations and moving into "Community Hubs", and I even spotted ( what's new) that their new or upgraded Computer system, (cannot remember the budget figure) is £10 million over budget already . Bit of Deja Vu, as this happened with the original L and B Police System which was so bad we relied on paper systems running parallel for a long time.
Missed out on a trip to the IPA meeting in Litchfield at the weekend, but should make it to the No 1 region meeting at Auchterarder on Sunday - along with some of the No1 Region IPA Motorcycling Touring Group who are off around Germany, Italy and France in June.
I had in the back of mind plans to do one of my daily diddles about Tesco, but in the excitement of all that has happened have forgotten what I had planned - but give the old grey cells time to unravel.
I do know that I am particularly perturbed by Mr McCaskill's daft proposal about removing the need for corroboration in Scotland. Way back in the dark ages when I had to make a choice about staying south of the Border and joining an English police force or returning North (home) I chose home as I did not believe in the fairness of the English system. Albeit I ended up working on my own a great deal in a County Station, but that meant you had to work hard to become involved in the local community who then supported you and became your backup and corroboration when needed.
Perhaps Sir Steven House and his high ranking English counterparts never worked in the Community - or alternatively, the para military type Police we appear to have on the streets these days do not integrate as well as "old style bobbies" did.
Bit in the Evening News recently that Police Scotland are getting into a right fankle with some of their proposals, shutting Police stations and moving into "Community Hubs", and I even spotted ( what's new) that their new or upgraded Computer system, (cannot remember the budget figure) is £10 million over budget already . Bit of Deja Vu, as this happened with the original L and B Police System which was so bad we relied on paper systems running parallel for a long time.
Missed out on a trip to the IPA meeting in Litchfield at the weekend, but should make it to the No 1 region meeting at Auchterarder on Sunday - along with some of the No1 Region IPA Motorcycling Touring Group who are off around Germany, Italy and France in June.
Monday, 17 March 2014
Not such a good report for Hospedia
Having been full of praise for the hospital staff at Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, I am totally the opposite with regard to the facilities offered by Hospedia who supply the TV, radio and internet services to the patients in the various wards throughout the hospital.
They have the franchise for the service which is totally exhorbitant to the patients offering service packages from £5 for eight hours to over £50 for packages which include e mails and movies.
During my third stay I took a package because the Olympic games were on and because I wanted to deal with e mails - not quite so easy, the e mail system was so slow it would not download anything for me and when I called to complain the operator said that this was because the system was now too old and obsolete !! Tried to see a movie but the images were so bad I gave up.
Thought that I might have learned my lesson, no - booked on, after trying six of the card dispensers, to see the Rugby Internationals on Saturday past ( not that Scotland were worth watching) however, fifteen minutes after switching on and into the game the system decided that it had to defrag or test itself - so about twenty points against Scotland later, it came back online. Called the Operator again, who just apologised, and eight hours later the system switched off - robbing so and so's
More conerning was the fact that there was already £5 credit left in the unit I was using, but when I registered the new card they deleted the credit - an added cash bonus to Hospedia - taking money for supplying no service - and a point not lost on the staff who feel it is a total rip off - Would not be so bad if Hospedia were to send the unused cash back to the Ward to be used for the welfare needs of the patients - in this case my ward was needing a new base unit for the relatives waiting room TV set.
This is just not my view this is a feeling being expressed by just about 100% of the patients.
Sort of in the same vein - the site of the old Royal Infirmary was sold to developers by the Health Board for £30 million, but the new hospital cost £170 plus million, some £10m over budget and as part of a PPI iniative - the car parking facilities cost from £1.30 per hour, with staff receiving reduced rates on the nightshift. Money spinner all round with the PPI folks rolling in cash. Many relatives are paying a fortune to use the car parks, sometimes for long hours when family are seriously ill - why can they not do the same as some cinemas and stores do - give a free pass out to those who are visiting or who are attending clinics?
They have the franchise for the service which is totally exhorbitant to the patients offering service packages from £5 for eight hours to over £50 for packages which include e mails and movies.
During my third stay I took a package because the Olympic games were on and because I wanted to deal with e mails - not quite so easy, the e mail system was so slow it would not download anything for me and when I called to complain the operator said that this was because the system was now too old and obsolete !! Tried to see a movie but the images were so bad I gave up.
Thought that I might have learned my lesson, no - booked on, after trying six of the card dispensers, to see the Rugby Internationals on Saturday past ( not that Scotland were worth watching) however, fifteen minutes after switching on and into the game the system decided that it had to defrag or test itself - so about twenty points against Scotland later, it came back online. Called the Operator again, who just apologised, and eight hours later the system switched off - robbing so and so's
More conerning was the fact that there was already £5 credit left in the unit I was using, but when I registered the new card they deleted the credit - an added cash bonus to Hospedia - taking money for supplying no service - and a point not lost on the staff who feel it is a total rip off - Would not be so bad if Hospedia were to send the unused cash back to the Ward to be used for the welfare needs of the patients - in this case my ward was needing a new base unit for the relatives waiting room TV set.
This is just not my view this is a feeling being expressed by just about 100% of the patients.
Sort of in the same vein - the site of the old Royal Infirmary was sold to developers by the Health Board for £30 million, but the new hospital cost £170 plus million, some £10m over budget and as part of a PPI iniative - the car parking facilities cost from £1.30 per hour, with staff receiving reduced rates on the nightshift. Money spinner all round with the PPI folks rolling in cash. Many relatives are paying a fortune to use the car parks, sometimes for long hours when family are seriously ill - why can they not do the same as some cinemas and stores do - give a free pass out to those who are visiting or who are attending clinics?
Outwith my control
To put the record straight, I have had four trips (three by ambulance) to the Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, since early January, last "demob" being yesterday.
I have only praise indeed for the staff of the Scottish Ambulance Service who responded the the three 999 calls - they are very professional and I just cannot comprehend the "eejits" who abuse them when they go to their assistance.
To the staff in A & E who dealt with me on arrival, superb, very caring and working constantly under pressure. At no time was the A & E Dept quiet so I ended up initially on trollies in the corridor, but being attended to. Certainly gave me the opportunity to see the constant stream of time wasters who were being brought in, drunk, abusive, substance abuse, etc, who again were abusing valuable resources.
After one trip to CCU, I ended up in the same ward on three occasions - again the staff were exceptional, from the highly trained Cardio nurses to the ward assistants - and despite the fact that the hospital is always struggling to find bed space there was never an attempt made to send anyone home early.
My consultant and his staff in cardiology were very helpful and made some extremely difficult procedures appear very simple and straightforward - it is easy to see why the ERI is a recognised Centre of excellence in the field of heart treatment.
A big thank you from myself, friends and family.
I have only praise indeed for the staff of the Scottish Ambulance Service who responded the the three 999 calls - they are very professional and I just cannot comprehend the "eejits" who abuse them when they go to their assistance.
To the staff in A & E who dealt with me on arrival, superb, very caring and working constantly under pressure. At no time was the A & E Dept quiet so I ended up initially on trollies in the corridor, but being attended to. Certainly gave me the opportunity to see the constant stream of time wasters who were being brought in, drunk, abusive, substance abuse, etc, who again were abusing valuable resources.
After one trip to CCU, I ended up in the same ward on three occasions - again the staff were exceptional, from the highly trained Cardio nurses to the ward assistants - and despite the fact that the hospital is always struggling to find bed space there was never an attempt made to send anyone home early.
My consultant and his staff in cardiology were very helpful and made some extremely difficult procedures appear very simple and straightforward - it is easy to see why the ERI is a recognised Centre of excellence in the field of heart treatment.
A big thank you from myself, friends and family.
Thursday, 6 March 2014
Just filling in
Been a few days since writing, few ups and downs, but making headway again.
Hopefully Scotland's rugby team will be able to emulate their football counterparts who had a wee win in Poland last night - fingers crossed.
Spoke to a friend yesterday who was involved in helping someone move house, the lady concerned was a bit of a hoarder and during the conversation mentioned that she had a garage but did not know where it was as no one had been near it for fifty years !!! Long story short, the garage was eventually traced and there was a 1947 motor car in the lock up which had never moved for fifty years - tyres were inflated and are still holding air. Someone now has a nice wee restoration project.
Much debate about the wearing of the burkha by women, the French having banned the wearing of it in public places. Up till now I have not paid much attention, but yesterday there were two different women in the street, totally masked. Now these folks can walk through customs without removing same, they are actually quite threatening, yet according to the experts they are not required by their religion to wear them. I cannot go into a garage without removing my crash helmet - something wrong there.
Still not back in the writing mode - later perhaps
Hopefully Scotland's rugby team will be able to emulate their football counterparts who had a wee win in Poland last night - fingers crossed.
Spoke to a friend yesterday who was involved in helping someone move house, the lady concerned was a bit of a hoarder and during the conversation mentioned that she had a garage but did not know where it was as no one had been near it for fifty years !!! Long story short, the garage was eventually traced and there was a 1947 motor car in the lock up which had never moved for fifty years - tyres were inflated and are still holding air. Someone now has a nice wee restoration project.
Much debate about the wearing of the burkha by women, the French having banned the wearing of it in public places. Up till now I have not paid much attention, but yesterday there were two different women in the street, totally masked. Now these folks can walk through customs without removing same, they are actually quite threatening, yet according to the experts they are not required by their religion to wear them. I cannot go into a garage without removing my crash helmet - something wrong there.
Still not back in the writing mode - later perhaps
Sunday, 2 March 2014
From Bad to Worse
What a mess this World is getting into - now that the Olympics are over we now have rising tensions over the Russia / Ukraine situation, with the USA and Europe siding against Russia. Further east we have China and Japan facing each other and again the USA are in a quandry, this time they are duty bound due to some treaty to support Japan, totally opposite to supporting China against Japan during WW2.
In the UK it would appear that we now have a new set of rules for Immigrant criminals !!! Rumanian arrives here, eleven days later he steals fifty odd bottles of whisky, gets caught, taken to court, but when offered a Community Service Order gets off because he does not understand enough English to follow the Supervisor's instructions !!! I wonder how he was able to brief his lawyer, or did he get legal aid and an interpreter - one way bus ticket needed - or a Hercules over the North Atlantic offering an open door policy.
Tram Jam, great fun in the West End of Edinburgh when an ambulance stopped on the tram tracks to deal with a life threatening incident - tram out on a fun run could not pass so chaos ensued with traffic piled up for ages. Someone even suggested that they fit road wheels to the trams so they could detour round such hold ups.
Have ventured out, on four wheels and two wheels having had the all clear from the Dr., but not fit enough for anything dramatic yet, so a further respite for the staff.
In the UK it would appear that we now have a new set of rules for Immigrant criminals !!! Rumanian arrives here, eleven days later he steals fifty odd bottles of whisky, gets caught, taken to court, but when offered a Community Service Order gets off because he does not understand enough English to follow the Supervisor's instructions !!! I wonder how he was able to brief his lawyer, or did he get legal aid and an interpreter - one way bus ticket needed - or a Hercules over the North Atlantic offering an open door policy.
Tram Jam, great fun in the West End of Edinburgh when an ambulance stopped on the tram tracks to deal with a life threatening incident - tram out on a fun run could not pass so chaos ensued with traffic piled up for ages. Someone even suggested that they fit road wheels to the trams so they could detour round such hold ups.
Have ventured out, on four wheels and two wheels having had the all clear from the Dr., but not fit enough for anything dramatic yet, so a further respite for the staff.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
