Private care homes - When carers fail

Southern Cross, Britain’s biggest private care-home operator, has been faltering since 2008. What now happens to Southern Cross will be widely watched.  Southern Cross is not the first care firm that is in financial trouble.  A health-care consultancy says that most of the 750 homes of Southern Cross are likely to keep operating. Since 2006 the occupancy levels of the homes have fallen because of the quality of the homes, it was below average. Because of this customers went elsewhere. Southern Cross is a business failure not a policy one.

I think that the elderly need better care. They have worked all of their lives, so if they need to go to a care home it has to be a good care home that provides everything for the elderly. The government should give money so this can be achieved. Southern Cross has to make sure that the quality of their homes is average or above average, but now they are below average, so they have to do something about this. They are in a financial crisis, thus the government should give them money.

Source: http://www.economist.com/node/18774648

NHS waiting time increases may cost lives, doctors warn

Patients have to wait too long for test results. This could mean that illnesses could reach stage where surgery cannot treat them anymore, thus patients could die because of this. David Cameron has offered personal guarantees that patients  will not have to wait long to be treated. The NHS data showed that an extra 2,400 people a month are not being treated within 18 weeks. If people have to wait so long then their treatment options are being limited and they are waiting with pain longer than they should be. The Department of Health denied that waiting times were becoming a problem. A spokeswoman said: "Waiting times are low and have been broadly stable since 2008. The latest figures show that 90.5% of admitted patients and 97.5% of non-admitted patients started treatment in under 18 weeks".

I understand that The Department of Health is very busy all the time, but that doesn’t mean that people have to wait so long for their results. If you have cancer you want a treatment as soon as possible because if you have to wait there is a huge chance that treatment doesn’t help anymore. I think everyone deserves a chance of getting better, thus the Department of Health should do something about the waiting times instead of denying it because the NHS data shows that waiting times are too long.

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/jul/10/nhs-waiting-time-increases-may-cost-lives

Milly Dowler family call on Rebekah Brooks to quit

The family of the in 2002 murdered girl Milly Dowler wants Rebekah Brooks to quit. Rebekah was editor of the News of the World in the year that Milly was taken and she hacked Milly’s phone. The family lawyer says she should take responsibility and leave. The Surrey police knew almost a decade before they told Milly’s family that Rebekah Brooks hacked Milly’s phone. The family lawyer thinks that the police should have told the Dowler family sooner that Milly’s phone was been hacked. Rebekah Brooks wants to speak to the police over the wider phone hacking scandal. She is one of several who wants to offer help to Scotland Yard.

(Milly Dowler)

I think that it is for the better if Rebekah Brooks would quit. This isn’t the only family where she hacked a phone. She did it with a couple more other cases too. She doesn’t show any respect to the families and they all lost someone.  The police made a huge mistake too. If they have new information about a case they have to pass it through to the relatives of the person that is murdered. The police knew that Rebekah hacked Milly’s phone, thus they had to tell this immediately to the family. There is a lot of news around Rebekah Brooks, so I think she has to quit her job and stay out of the media.

Source: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2011/07/11/milly-dowler-family-call-on-rebekah-brooks-to-quit-115875-23263679/

Prince William and Kate Middleton to keep low profile for rest of year

Prince William and his wife Kate are keeping a low profile for the rest of the year and are going to live in their cottage home in North Wales. The reasons for this are that they want to spend quality time together, William wants to concentrate on his work as an RAF Search and Rescue pilot and Kate will plan which causes she wants to become involved in. There is another reason, which is that the Queen has her Diamond Jubilee next year. They want her to have all the spotlights. The Royal Couple wants quiet time before William is posted to the Falklands for two months for the RAF. When William is gone Kate will determine what her interests are and where she can make a difference. The spokesman of the Royal Family thinks that 2012 is going to be a very important year for the Royals.

In my opinion the Royal Couple is doing well. After their wedding they have done a lot. They can not enjoy that they are newlyweds. It’s great that they are going to spent time together and keep a low profile. It’s also very nice that they want the Queen to have all the spotlights and that William is going to concentrate in his work as an RAF Search and Rescue pilot. I think that nobody would mind if they heard less about the Royal Couple, almost everybody would understand it.

Source: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2011/07/12/prince-william-and-kate-middleton-to-keep-low-profile-for-rest-of-year-115875-23265553/

Family admit neglecting drowned toddler

A two year old boy named Daniel Rees-Smith drowned in a garden pond on June 4^th because his father, mother and grandmother neglected him. When the police arrived to Rees’s home the child was still in the garden pond. He was pronounced death in the hospital. The father, mother and grandmother originally faced manslaughter charges and charges for neglecting a child, but they pleaded guilty of neglecting the child. The prosecution accepted this and they would not pursue the manslaughter charges. The charge which is given to all three: neglected, abandoned, or exposed Daniel Rees-Smith in a manner of unnecessary suffering or injury to health. Sentencing will take place on July 21^st.

I think the prosecution should have pursued the manslaughter charges because that is what the father, mother and grandmother of Daniel have done. Now they are only getting charged with neglecting the child. They knew what they were doing, so they have to pay for what they did. I think that it’s awful that this has happened and I can’t understand why you can do such a thing to your own child. If you neglect your child since the day that he’s born, why did you want a child then?

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/jul/11/family-admit-neglecting-drowned-toddler

Phone hacking: Gordon and Sarah Brown 'shocked and sad' at claims they were targeted

Gordon Brown and his wife has been shocked and sad because of the way that personal details of their family have been obtained by criminality and unethical means. But the Sun and the Sunday Times had access to his legal file. This case is now in the hands of the police. Rebekah Brooks of the newspaper the Sun, gained information about the medical condition of Fraser, a child of Gordon Brown. This was just after Jennifer died. Jennifer was the first child of Gordon and Sarah Brown. The information about Fraser was obtained by illegal methods. News International did everything legitimate.

I think that it is normal for journalists to obtain information about the personal lives of others. But I think that it is ridiculous that someone deliberately spreads the news of the medical condition of a child. The Brown family has been through enough because of the death of their first child. Rebekah Brooks should have left them alone instead of obtaining information about their personal life. It is normal that she wants information about Gordon Brown, but she has to leave the children and the rest of the family out of it.

Source: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/2011/07/11/phone-hacking-gordon-and-sarah-brown-shocked-and-sad-at-claims-they-were-targeted-115875-23264726/

Luxury camping in Britain: Harptree Court, Somerset

Joanne O’Connor stayed in one of England’s most expensive tents to find out if camping can ever be classy. The tent is filled with Persian rugs, antiques and you’ll have landscaped grounds. It’s also well situated. It feels like you are in one of Jane Austen’s novels. In the tent there is a central living, two smaller yurts housing, a suite with flushing loo and roll-top bath and a bedroom. Joanne says that the tent is the size of her flat. You have lots of privacy, peace and space. One night in this tent costs 105 pounds. For this amount of money you could stay 20 nights in a standard farm campsite, but you can’t compare those two because this tent means luxury.

(This is the inside of the luxury tent)

I think that you can’t say that the campsite, which is mentioned in this article, really is a campsite. It’s full of luxury and you even have your one dishwasher and several rooms. If you’re going camping you have to wash your dish by hand and you don’t have a bedroom with a king-sized bed. People who are going camping will certainly not pay 105 pounds for a tent. I think that this tent doesn’t give you the feeling that you’re on a camping. When you’re on a ‘normal’ camping you’re always talking with other people who are in a tent next to you, in this luxury tent you are all alone and you have lots of privacy. Most people want to talk to others when they are camping. So I think that this is more like a house then a tent.

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/campingholidays/8622670/Luxury-camping-in-Britain-Harptree-Court-Somerset.html

Blow for Sir Alex! Sneijder tells Manchester United: I don't want to leave Inter

The Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder (valued at 35 million pounds) has told other clubs that he doesn’t want to leave Inter Milan. He will only leave if the club decides to sell him to another club. Malaga and Manchester United want Wesley Sneijder in their club. Sneijder says that he and his wife love Italy, but that he will go if Inter Milan sells him. If Sneijder really is staying with Inter Milan there will be a few disappointed clubs. Especially Manchester United wants to see Sneijder in their club because he plays in areas where he is difficult to pick up. Sneijder has a contract with Inter Milan that ends in 2015.

I think that clubs should not pay so much money for one player. I understand that it is important to have good players in your club, but they are just footballers. It’s absurd that they get so much money. If Manchester should buy Sneijder from Inter Milan they have to pay Inter 35 million pounds and even then they don’t know if it was the right move. When Sneijder would be playing very bad for a while it  would take a long time before they made any profit out of it or even worse: they wouldn’t make any profit at all.

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2013479/Wesley-Sneijder-set-snub-Manchester-United.html

Harry Potter fans camp in London's Trafalgar Square

Although the weather is very bad lots of Harry Potter fans are sleeping on Trafalgar Square, without a tent, hoping that they will see the actors on the premiere night of the last movie. Patty Zurita says that the Harry Potter movie have been a part of her childhood, so she had to be here. She has travelled all the way from Mexico City. The tents on Trafalgar Square all have been taking down because there were complaints that they spoiled the view. A spokesman of the mayor of Londen welcomed the fans. Everybody is excited, but they also feel that something special is coming to an end. Another fan, Marina Gomez, said that this was her worst camping ever.

I think this is a little bit over the top. Lots and lots of people are sleeping in the rain just because they want to see the actors of Harry Potter. And then there is a huge chance that they don’t get to see the actors or only for one second. I can understand that people think it’s sad that it’s the ending of Harry Potter, but sleeping in the rain for a couple of days to see the actors is just crazy. In the article someone said that the ending of Harry Potter feels like one of her parents dying. I just can't understand that you can think that way about an ending of a movie.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-14050584

Suicide rates in Europe 'linked' to financial crisis

The financial crises is probably responsible for an increase in suicides. Researchers say that suicide rose among working people in the years 2007 to 2009. They also said that investment in welfare systems is the key to keep the rates down. In the period that suicide rose there was a rise in unemployment. Before the recession suicides were falling. Earlier this year the BBC had an investigation and the results were that anti-depressant describing rose during the recession. More and more people are having money worries. Unemployment and the fear of unemployment are risk factors for poor mental health. It is important that we treat the mental health of those people.



I think that it is sad that the financial crisis is a reason for people to end their lives. I can understand that some people just don’t know what to do when they are unemployed and that they kill themselves because they just don’t see another option. The government should do something about this, like creating more jobs for people. If investment in welfare systems will keep the rates of suicides down I think they should invest more.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-14068496

Royal terror suspect's 'false name'

Eneko Gogeaskoetxea (44), a suspected terrorist wanted for an alleged attempt to kill the King of Spain, was arrested in Cambridge today. Eneko lived in the UK under the name of Cyril Macq. James Stanfeld(spanish autorities) said that bail should not be granted because he killed a police officer, hijacked cars and if he would be released on bail he would be able to get a new false identity. He also was in possession of ammunition and is a member of terrorist organization Eta. Eta is a terrorist group who are fighting for an independent homeland. In 42 years of campaign in Spain they killed 800 people. Mr Stansfeld said: "Those facts clearly show that this gentleman will do anything to evade capture." . Eneko hast to appear in court by video link on July 25.

I think that Eneko should not be granted with bail. They should take him to prison, where he has to stay. He did too much things that are against the law. He probably would stay a member of Eta, so there is a huge chance that he would be get arrested again. Eta killed a lot of people, so Eneko is partly responsible for that too and he lived in the UK with a false identity. He should be punished for what he has done.

Source: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/royal-terror-suspects-false-name-2308350.html

Grizzly bear kills hiker in Yellowstone park

A grizzly bear killed a 57 year old man in Yellowstone national park. The man was hiking with his wife. The couple surprised the female bear, so she attacked them. According to Park officials the bear was defending against a perceived threat. The wife of the attacked man called for help and other hikers responded. She didn’t see the bear attacking her husband. Park officials cleared the area after the attack. This was not the first time that a grizzly bear attacked and killed a human. They doubt if the attack will deter people to come to Yellowstone. Park officials have warned visitors to go hiking in groups and to be alert for bears.

I was a little bit shocked when I read this story and my first thought was: Why do people still go there and why is it still allowed to go hiking there? If there is news about a man who is killed by a grizzly bear, I wouldn’t go to places where grizzly bears are living. And they shouldn't allow people to go to an area where they could be killed by a bear . I don’t think that you can blame the female grizzly bear. She thought she was in danger and attacked the man, she didn’t know better. People just have to think for themselves and they shouldn’t go to such places!

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jul/07/grizzly-bear-kills-hiker-yellowstone

Speakers Corner: Queen needs more money to maintain Royal homes

The queen has asked the government for more money to maintain the Royal Homes. The monarch already gets 11.9 million pounds a year to maintain them, but because of a pay freeze she can’t spend everything. There is already a reparation going on at Buckingham Palace which costs 3.5 million pounds. Because of this other projects (refurbishing state rooms, Windsor Castle) had been forced to be put on hold. On the other hand, the Civil List spending fell from 14.2 million pounds to 13.7 million pounds and the Property Management dropped from 15.4 million pounds to 11.9 million pounds. So they saved money. However Royal Travel costs rose from 3.9 million to 6 million this year because of the state visits and the increase in fees for using RAF aero planes. The pay freeze will continue next year. The costs of providing security for the Royal Family is not included.

I think that it’s nonsense to pay so much money on maintaining the Royal Homes. The money could be much better spend to other things like education or better care for the elderly. On the other hand, the Royal Homes are public attractions so tourists are going to visit these places. I think that 11.9 million pounds a year is enough. Projects like refurbishing the rooms have to be paid by the queen herself and not by the citizens of England.

Source:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/8615892/Queen-needs-more-money-to-maintain-Royal-homes.html

'You can't come to the prom, you've had too much time off', school tells girl suffering 'depression over stepfather's cancer'

The sixteen year old Hayley from Manchester is excluded from her school prom because the headmaster says that she had too much time off. Hayley suffered anxiety and depression because her beloved stepfather was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer. The headmaster would not accept that Hayley could be affected by her stepfather’s cancer. Hayley is very upset and embarrassed that she can’t go to the prom, especially because she only has A’s and B’s in her exams. Her stepfather had chemotherapy and he had an operation to remove the remaining cancer. Hayley saw that he was in a lot of pain and could not handle this very well. She had an attendance of 66%, so the school did not allow her to go to prom. Hayley says: 'I'm just glad my step-dad is getting better. I'm sad I didn't get to go to my prom, especially as I'm a good student, but I'm overjoyed to still have my family. That's the most important thing.' 

Reaction: I think it is absurd that Hayley could not go to the school prom. Her stepfather was very ill, so she suffered enough. First they hear that he is not going to make it, but then they get the news that her stepfather is finally getting better. Hayley has finally something to look forward to, which is prom. I think it is not fair to punish a girl who has been through a lot. She had good grades so I do not understand why they did not let her go to prom. She could see her friends there and feel like a teenager again.

Source:  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2011367/Schoolgirl-barred-prom-took-time-school-depression.html