18/05/2005

I duly went and selected a pair of frames and, after measurements were taken, I happened to mention I had never received a voucher before.

Are you on pension credit, I was asked?

And did I have any other credits or benefits? No. Sorry, you're not eligible for this token.

So the bottom line is: if you are receiving benefits you receive more benefits.

Like many other retired people, my husband and myself cut our cloth according to our means, so to speak, to ensure we would have a little extra for our retirement. And guess what? We are penalised.

Where is the justice? - Ada Gaskill, Bishop Auckland.

VITAL CARE

DURING a spell in hospital after severe illness, the services of an occupational therapist are vital to the rehabilitation process - to relearn skills like washing and dressing and, for those who are well enough, kitchen skills.

When a patient is ready to return home, an assessment of the home environment with advice on necessary adaptations and services is also vital.

As a social worker in a hospital for older people in Edinburgh, I am experienced in working with my OT colleagues to provide the best of services for older people to ensure, so far as we can, a successful discharge.

Imagine my dismay, when requesting such a service for a close family member, I found that occupational therapy input has been withdrawn from the Radiotherapy and Oncology Unit at the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough.

Also, the services of the hospital social work department - for setting up appropriate post hospital services - appear to be denied to her because she's from North Yorkshire and they work for Middlesbrough Council.

I have written to the Director of the Radiotherapy and Oncology Unit to ask why the occupational therapist has been withdrawn. If it is on the grounds of the funding problems of the South Tees Health authority I will take the matter further.

I am concerned that my relative cannot access the quality of discharge planning that would be available to her had she been a patient where I work. - Jacquie Bell, Edinburgh.

NATURE RESERVE

WALKING round Drinkfield Marsh off Whessoe Road, in Darlington, on Sunday, I met a chap visiting from Derbyshire who said how impressed he was with the nature reserve.

But what a pity it had to be spoilt by drunken youths throwing bottles and cans at the wildlife and the display of empties scattered around the pond.

Also, on the Sunday, some mindless idiot was riding a motorbike around - scaring the life out of everything. I couldn't help but agree with the gentleman that money is spent on providing an excellent facility, only for the morons to ruin it.

But then there isn't supposed to be anything for the youths to do around the north end of the town. Perhaps tidying up that area could be a start. - Name and address supplied.

TAXING ISSUE

GLEN Reynolds (Echo, May 13) should remember that, even in the Bible, a tax collector was a pariah.

Even understanding it is a necessary evil, who amongst us finds it acceptable to lose a considerable portion of our salary to be used by others?

Which is why governments who put greater tax demands on higher earners lose more than they gain as the higher earner can afford evasive tactics.

Eighty per cent of the working population is a captive audience who have no choice but to pay up. Given a choice, unpalatable even dishonest, I wonder how many of us wouldn't take it?

Tax should be fair, even for the rich, and although governments have to impose it, maybe it would help if our politicians spent it all wisely and well. - S Harnby, Stockton.

GLEN Reynolds' article highlighted the way that those with riches are able to avoid paying their due share of taxes. The article exposed the hypocrisy of Rupert Murdoch, whose Sun newspaper constantly campaigns against benefit frauds and asylum seekers bleeding the country, while he, by a series of tax avoidance measures, is able to hide away his assets.

While in this country he expects the full services of the police, the fire service etc, while only paying the minimum for them.

Reading the financial columns shows how normal it is for the super rich to do this, with stories of chains of companies, and cross ownership, linked to holding companies all owned by some unknown, private company in an offshore tax haven.

The British obsession with secrecy seems to make it so easy for them. - Eric Gendle, Nunthorpe.

NO ASSISTANCE

I FEEL so annoyed at the outcome of a social services assessment on my mother-in-law.

My mother-in-law, a widow, who worked all her life and is now 87, has virtually given up her care and feeding.

My wife looked after her in her flat. Now she cannot fend for herself and is presently in hospital.

She wants to go into a home, which we are arranging, but we cannot get any assistance towards costs because it has been decided she can cope.

The decision makers should try the months of stress my wife has experienced.

I wonder: if she had been an illegal immigrant or gipsy would it would have altered matters? - PM Smith, Middleton St George.

NO RESPECT

I HAVE been playing local amateur football for about 12 years and take it relatively seriously - playing to a decent standard.

In the past four of five years I have noticed a change in the way referees are treated.

There is a distinct lack of respect towards them. I have seen them threatened with violence and one of their cars was vandalised by a player who was dismissed.

It could be the example shown by the likes of Rooney and, or it could be more to do with the society we now live in.

If we don't make a change now more and more games will be cancelled and even leagues will be forced to fold.

Remember lads, there would be no Saturday afternoons, Sunday mornings or five-a-side without these committed individuals.

So the next time they make a dodgy decision, have a laugh about it, don't make their life hell. - Darren Metcalfe, Bishop Auckland.

LEST WE FORGET

THANKS to everyone who organised VE Day celebrations, especially those who are making careful records on film and in written form of personal stories from 60 years ago.

The generation that took part in the Second World War are becoming fewer in number and it is important that the present generation should know what VE Day is all about.

The stories should be truthfully and carefully told so that today's youngsters know and understand why they have the freedom and material well being they enjoy.

Thousands died giving all their yesterdays for our today. - EA Moralee, Billingham.