Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
NHS Ayrshire & Arran - one patient's ongoing suffering
To: Dr Mark MacGregor
Associate Medical Director
Dear Dr MacGregor
I am writing to you in the desperate hope that you can do something to help my wife Mrs Lilian Margaret MacDonald get the immediate medical treatment that she so urgently requires.
For two years now, Lilian has been suffering from a seemingly mysterious condition, which causes her excruciating and agonising pain in her abdomen.
She has undergone innumerable tests and scans, none of which has shown there to be anything physically wrong.
Eventually, earlier this year, Lilian was referred to Dr Chris Gillen, consultant enterologist, who diagnosed autonomic neuropathy and prescribed some medications.
We were full of hope, but unfortunately these medications have proved to have no beneficial effect whatsoever.
Lilian has been given a follow-up appointment with Dr Gillen in November, but unfortunately Lilian’s suffering has now become more acute and requires immediate attention, which is why I am writing to you.
On numerous occasions recently she has become suicidal, saying that she would rather die than have to endure her agony any longer without any immediate treatment.
Usually I have managed to contain the situation on my own, but once recently I was so concerned about Lilian’s intentions that I had to call emergency services in the middle of the night.
The only outcome from this was a communication from psychiatric services.
But someone is missing the point here.
There is nothing wrong with Lilian’s mental health, and she doesn’t need to see a psychiatrist.
What she needs, and needs urgently, is immediate and radical medical intervention - NOW. She is at the end of her tether.
Obviously, patients with life-threatening conditions get first priority.
But a close second after that should come patients in acute continuing daily distress - like Lilian.
An appointment every three or four months just does not cut the mustard, and is an insult to a human being in constant and excruciating pain.
If a vet were to a leave an animal untreated for so long in this condition, he would be struck off. But people apparently do not warrant the same urgency of care and attention.
I would earnestly implore you to do anything you can to bring this situation to an immediate resolution.
I would emphasise that Lilian and I have total confidence in both Dr Gillen and in our GP Dr Hunter of Barns Medical Practice.
But to judge by recent media coverage, NHS Ayrshire & Arran is in a pretty poor state of health, of which Lilian’s treatment (or lack of it) would seem to be another symptom and indication.
Yours sincerely,
Murdoch MacDonald.
Associate Medical Director
Dear Dr MacGregor
I am writing to you in the desperate hope that you can do something to help my wife Mrs Lilian Margaret MacDonald get the immediate medical treatment that she so urgently requires.
For two years now, Lilian has been suffering from a seemingly mysterious condition, which causes her excruciating and agonising pain in her abdomen.
She has undergone innumerable tests and scans, none of which has shown there to be anything physically wrong.
Eventually, earlier this year, Lilian was referred to Dr Chris Gillen, consultant enterologist, who diagnosed autonomic neuropathy and prescribed some medications.
We were full of hope, but unfortunately these medications have proved to have no beneficial effect whatsoever.
Lilian has been given a follow-up appointment with Dr Gillen in November, but unfortunately Lilian’s suffering has now become more acute and requires immediate attention, which is why I am writing to you.
On numerous occasions recently she has become suicidal, saying that she would rather die than have to endure her agony any longer without any immediate treatment.
Usually I have managed to contain the situation on my own, but once recently I was so concerned about Lilian’s intentions that I had to call emergency services in the middle of the night.
The only outcome from this was a communication from psychiatric services.
But someone is missing the point here.
There is nothing wrong with Lilian’s mental health, and she doesn’t need to see a psychiatrist.
What she needs, and needs urgently, is immediate and radical medical intervention - NOW. She is at the end of her tether.
Obviously, patients with life-threatening conditions get first priority.
But a close second after that should come patients in acute continuing daily distress - like Lilian.
An appointment every three or four months just does not cut the mustard, and is an insult to a human being in constant and excruciating pain.
If a vet were to a leave an animal untreated for so long in this condition, he would be struck off. But people apparently do not warrant the same urgency of care and attention.
I would earnestly implore you to do anything you can to bring this situation to an immediate resolution.
I would emphasise that Lilian and I have total confidence in both Dr Gillen and in our GP Dr Hunter of Barns Medical Practice.
But to judge by recent media coverage, NHS Ayrshire & Arran is in a pretty poor state of health, of which Lilian’s treatment (or lack of it) would seem to be another symptom and indication.
Yours sincerely,
Murdoch MacDonald.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
This week marks my 40th year in the PR and publicity profession.
Things were very different back in 1972, when I started with Charles Barker Public Relations (Scotland) Ltd in Glasgow.
Press releases were duplicated on Gestetner machines, accompanied by black and white photographic prints, and delivered locally by motorcycle messenger, and further afield by telex.
The media scene was different too. Whether it’s me looking back with rose-tinted spectacles I don’t know, but we no longer seem to have great characters like Neville Garden of the BBC and the Scottish Daily Express, or John Toye, the former anchorman of STV’s Scotland Today.
John Toye was Scotland’s answer to Reginald Bosanquet, and he would always attend any publicity event we put on that featured a champagne breakfast, at which he would stay all day before wending his way to the STV studios in Cowcaddens about five minutes before that evening’s edition of Scotland Today was due on air.
Neville Garden of course was the much loved presenter of Radio Scotland’s breakfast programme Good Morning Scotland in the late 70s and early 80s, and in a way was a pioneer of breakfast television, as in 1982 for a week a static television camera was rigged up in the BBC studio in Queen Street, Edinburgh, and the nation watched transfixed.
After a couple of years apprenticeship at Charles Barker, I was entrusted with my first major project. Our client John Menzies, then a chain of stationers, booksellers and railway newspaper stores, had sponsored the 1974 Scotland World Cup football squad in West Germany, and I had to get the whole squad and manager Willie Ormond to open the new John Menzies flagship store in Glasgow’s Buchanan Street.
Surprisingly, I succeeded, and such was the talent and popularity of the squad, that not only was the store crowded out, but the whole of Buchanan Street came to a standstill as players including Sandy Jardine, Danny McGrain, Billy Bremner, Jimmy Johnstone, Kenny Dalglish and Denis Law arrived to be interviewed in front of the television cameras.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Ayr Spice: 22 Ayr Road, Minisham, KA19 8EX
Jan 21 2012 by Tam Cowan in the Daily Record
I SAMPLED the delights of this week’s restaurant a few weeks ago when I was filming in the heart of Burns country for a BBC Scotland documentary being broadcast this Wednesday called What Burns Did For Me.
What do you say about that for an effortless plug?!
As the car approached Ayr Spice (pictured above), the name definitely rang a bell. Ah, hang on, this is the Indian joint that provided a few words for one of my Wednesday columns back in July 2011.
In the same week a Chinese man revealed he stayed fit by drinking PETROL as part of his daily diet (his good health was mainly attributed to the fact he no longer smokes), another strange food story had managed to catch my eye.
We all know Scots love a curry, but what about the Dubai-based businessman who clearly loves a Scots curry?
To impress a party of 12 guests, he had a tandoori takeaway flown in 3500 miles from, yep, Ayr Spice.
Total cost: £2500!
Plus, I guess, a £2 delivery charge (although I imagine he got free poppadoms and spiced onions as the order was over a tenner).
Quite a story, eh? And I just hope the delivery driver didn’t (in time-honoured tradition) take ages to find the right street before knocking at the wrong door.
Anyway, folks, located within an old red sandstone church, you’ll find Ayr Spice (and, boy-oh-boy, I really urge you to find Ayr Spice) just five miles south of Ayr in the tiny village of Minishant.
A lovely setting, although I strongly urge the owner to get rid of the ghastly “OPEN” neon sign that you’d associate with a cheap, late-night kebab shop.
But, hey, I just want to salute the fact that – yippee – it was very much open. The Ayr Spice keeps fantastic hours (12 noon until 10pm seven days a week) and it was terrific to stroll in for a curry at precisely 2.56pm on a Wednesday afternoon.
Could you get to do that in Glasgow or Edinburgh?
Okay, we were the only folk in, but on this mouth-watering evidence – and if these reviews carry any sort of weight – I reckon they’ll be busy right round the clock in 2012.
In short, the food was fantastic and I congratulate the owner - ‘TV chef Mafiz Ali’ – who, according to his website (www.ayrspice.info), has appeared on more than 20 telly programmes, as well as preparing a 50th birthday feast for former PM John Major.
Although I gather Edwina was still his favourite Currie.
A family-run business, we were served by Mr Ali’s son who cheerfully revealed that (a) he can’t cook for toffee and (b) in terms of the local cuisine, he prefers going to the fish & chip shop in Maybole.
Surely not?
Listen, even the pickle tray, served with fresh, crisp poppadoms, was memorable at Ayr Spice.
Two chutneys (mango and tamarind) with superior spiced onions darker, richer and hotter than the norm.
Next up, I savoured a great tandoori mixed kebab.
The succulent, tender, crispy-edged lamb tikka was marked down as ‘best ever’ in my notebook and the charred chicken tikka, coloured all the way through, was also properly marinated – not sprayed on. A perfect seekh (sausage-style) kebab with a sprinkling of fried onions (a nice touch) made the ideal starter.
My producer/director pal Stuart started with the haggis pakora, mainly because he’d never tried it and it was appropriate for Burns country, particularly as I’d be able to squeeze in another plug for our programme that’s on BBC Scotland this Wednesday.
It, too, was excellent – meaty, moist and spicy balls of haggis, crispy-fried in pakora batter.
Next up, two curries served with plain boiled rice, a really good side dish of fiery tarka daal and a well-fired vegetable paratha that was on a par with the best ones I’ve ever tasted.
The chicken jalfrezi was smashing, but make sure you don’t miss one of Ayr Spice’s signature dishes – namely, the lamb handi bhuna.
Usually prepared for the staff (you got any jobs going, Mr Ali?), this is a really authentic dish made with succulent, slow-cooked lamb (or chicken) and it might just be the best curry I’ve eaten for a good four or five years.
My mate Stuart was also well impressed with it.
“I wonder if they’d do a carry-out to my place in Edinburgh?” he chuckled.
Why not? Stockbridge is a lot closer than Dubai.
AYR SPICE
Address: 22 Ayr Road. Minisham, KA19 8EX; Telephone: 01292 441413; Open: All day seven days; Wheelchair access: Yes; Bill for two (with wine): £64
Food: 5/5 - don't miss the signature dishes; Service: 5/5 - very friendly; Decor: 4/5 - lovely setting with nice interior; Toilets: 4/5 - clean and fresh; Value: 4/5 - won't break the bank.
Total: 22/25
Read this review on the Daily Record website: CLICK HERE
I SAMPLED the delights of this week’s restaurant a few weeks ago when I was filming in the heart of Burns country for a BBC Scotland documentary being broadcast this Wednesday called What Burns Did For Me.
What do you say about that for an effortless plug?!
As the car approached Ayr Spice (pictured above), the name definitely rang a bell. Ah, hang on, this is the Indian joint that provided a few words for one of my Wednesday columns back in July 2011.
In the same week a Chinese man revealed he stayed fit by drinking PETROL as part of his daily diet (his good health was mainly attributed to the fact he no longer smokes), another strange food story had managed to catch my eye.
We all know Scots love a curry, but what about the Dubai-based businessman who clearly loves a Scots curry?
To impress a party of 12 guests, he had a tandoori takeaway flown in 3500 miles from, yep, Ayr Spice.
Total cost: £2500!
Plus, I guess, a £2 delivery charge (although I imagine he got free poppadoms and spiced onions as the order was over a tenner).
Quite a story, eh? And I just hope the delivery driver didn’t (in time-honoured tradition) take ages to find the right street before knocking at the wrong door.
Anyway, folks, located within an old red sandstone church, you’ll find Ayr Spice (and, boy-oh-boy, I really urge you to find Ayr Spice) just five miles south of Ayr in the tiny village of Minishant.
A lovely setting, although I strongly urge the owner to get rid of the ghastly “OPEN” neon sign that you’d associate with a cheap, late-night kebab shop.
But, hey, I just want to salute the fact that – yippee – it was very much open. The Ayr Spice keeps fantastic hours (12 noon until 10pm seven days a week) and it was terrific to stroll in for a curry at precisely 2.56pm on a Wednesday afternoon.
Could you get to do that in Glasgow or Edinburgh?
Okay, we were the only folk in, but on this mouth-watering evidence – and if these reviews carry any sort of weight – I reckon they’ll be busy right round the clock in 2012.
In short, the food was fantastic and I congratulate the owner - ‘TV chef Mafiz Ali’ – who, according to his website (www.ayrspice.info), has appeared on more than 20 telly programmes, as well as preparing a 50th birthday feast for former PM John Major.
Although I gather Edwina was still his favourite Currie.
A family-run business, we were served by Mr Ali’s son who cheerfully revealed that (a) he can’t cook for toffee and (b) in terms of the local cuisine, he prefers going to the fish & chip shop in Maybole.
Surely not?
Listen, even the pickle tray, served with fresh, crisp poppadoms, was memorable at Ayr Spice.
Two chutneys (mango and tamarind) with superior spiced onions darker, richer and hotter than the norm.
Next up, I savoured a great tandoori mixed kebab.
The succulent, tender, crispy-edged lamb tikka was marked down as ‘best ever’ in my notebook and the charred chicken tikka, coloured all the way through, was also properly marinated – not sprayed on. A perfect seekh (sausage-style) kebab with a sprinkling of fried onions (a nice touch) made the ideal starter.
My producer/director pal Stuart started with the haggis pakora, mainly because he’d never tried it and it was appropriate for Burns country, particularly as I’d be able to squeeze in another plug for our programme that’s on BBC Scotland this Wednesday.
It, too, was excellent – meaty, moist and spicy balls of haggis, crispy-fried in pakora batter.
Next up, two curries served with plain boiled rice, a really good side dish of fiery tarka daal and a well-fired vegetable paratha that was on a par with the best ones I’ve ever tasted.
The chicken jalfrezi was smashing, but make sure you don’t miss one of Ayr Spice’s signature dishes – namely, the lamb handi bhuna.
Usually prepared for the staff (you got any jobs going, Mr Ali?), this is a really authentic dish made with succulent, slow-cooked lamb (or chicken) and it might just be the best curry I’ve eaten for a good four or five years.
My mate Stuart was also well impressed with it.
“I wonder if they’d do a carry-out to my place in Edinburgh?” he chuckled.
Why not? Stockbridge is a lot closer than Dubai.
AYR SPICE
Address: 22 Ayr Road. Minisham, KA19 8EX; Telephone: 01292 441413; Open: All day seven days; Wheelchair access: Yes; Bill for two (with wine): £64
Food: 5/5 - don't miss the signature dishes; Service: 5/5 - very friendly; Decor: 4/5 - lovely setting with nice interior; Toilets: 4/5 - clean and fresh; Value: 4/5 - won't break the bank.
Total: 22/25
Read this review on the Daily Record website: CLICK HERE
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Cambridge leads the way
I’m in Cambridge this week, and the feeling of cautious optimism in the air is palpable. Businesses are going for growth, and the only complaints that they seem to have is that the present local infrastructure - roads, houses, talented labour pool - will not be able to keep pace.
Economic downturn - it's partly a matter of belief
Tell me that I live in cloud cuckoo land if you like, but personally I think that the economic downturn is partly a matter of belief. If we believe that things are bad, they will probably continue to be bad. If, on the other hand, all of us who are willing and able to carry on doing our own business to the best of our ability, just trying that little bit harder, then there is just a chance that the bigger picture might just stand a chance of taking care of itself.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Old enough to remember Decimalisation Day 15 February 1971?
Are you old enough to remember Decimalisation Day 15 February 1971?
Do you remember where you were, what you first bought with the new money, and how much it cost?
For some reason which I can’t recall, I was on Exeter St David’s station, and bought a pint of Watney’s Red Barrel at 3 shillings and four pence.
I paid with a ten bob note and got 33 new pence change. I spent the whole rail journey back to Paddington trying to work out whether I’d been diddled.
Had I?
Do you remember where you were, what you first bought with the new money, and how much it cost?
For some reason which I can’t recall, I was on Exeter St David’s station, and bought a pint of Watney’s Red Barrel at 3 shillings and four pence.
I paid with a ten bob note and got 33 new pence change. I spent the whole rail journey back to Paddington trying to work out whether I’d been diddled.
Had I?
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