This isn't a riddle but it is a puzzle!!
On 5th July 2007 our MSP wrote a detailed letter to NHS Lothian.
On 19th August 2007 NHS Lothian replied but did not address any of the questions / major points raised but rather questioned some of the background information included by our MSP.
On 21st September 2007, our MSP wrote again.
On 21st November 2007, our MSP wrote again chasing a reply.
During January 2008 our MSP's office phoned repeatedly but in their words, "We were given the run around."
On the 25th January 2008, NHS Lothian told the MSP's office that they would have a letter issued by early the next week.
We arranged to meet the MSP on 11th February but this was cancelled because there was no letter.
We arranged to meet the MSP on 22nd February.
The phonecalls continued into early February but no letter arrived.
On 22nd February - the day of our meetig with the MSP - NHS Lothian send the MSP an email stating that Mrs Carr was receiving treatment for her eating disorder and that her GP was monitoring her general health. They hoped to finalise a letter that day. The email did not address any of our MSP's points.
Today, 15th March there has been no reply!!!
In 1 more week we will have waited 6 MONTHS for a reply to our MSP's second letter.
We have already waited 8 MONTHS for answers to the issues raised in the MSP's first letter.
Do you think NHS Lothian are simply inefficient; have they decided that they are not going to reply or do they think we will go away?
But more importantly, why should NHS Lothian be so unwilling to reply?
2 comments:
This must be very frustrating for everyone and frankly it's quite unbelievable. It's not as if there was just the one letter which could have been lost in the system, although it should not have been.
I'm sure it makes you feel quite powerless because who can get action if you MSP can't. I'd be thinking about picketing their office and maybe newspaper publicity. Well I'd be tempted to anyway. I assume that you've gone right to the top there.
Why indeed do you get no answer? They don't like the questions or they are frankly incompetent or they are swamped?
Good luck but don't hold your breath.
Calum, One suspects that they are hoping you will give up before they give in and are going to the wire on it.
I think this is not a particularly unusual response. I and my Mother’s MP had similar problems dealing with her local council. I suspect they were hoping she, being elderly, would give up or possibly die before they had to address the matter. As it was she moved and escaped the problem and the problem was a significant factor in motivating the move. As far as I know the issue was never resolved.
These people are never held to account for their incompetence and outright refusal to do their jobs, not even when it results in a death (thinking of much publicised child abuse cases).
Utility companies sometimes seem to use similar sorts tactics, such as a gas company I had dealings with.
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