This is unfortunate as the council Leader in waiting, Paul Scriven, has made it clear this particular plot is not up for grabs.

And to now drag this damaging debate on for even longer can only inflict deeper wounds into a city which is fundamentally divided over the issue.

St Luke's would have been better advised to have graciously accepted the opportunity to react positively to an offer to find a suitable, and alternative, piece of land. Then they could put an end to a conflict which, it's becoming increasingly clear, is of their making.
Fresh light on how hospitals perform

WE hear much these days of public organisations being scrutinised according to how they perform, which is calculated on a spread sheet and can be vastly removed from accurately measuring how they deliver services.

But a new survey will strike a more realistic note with the people who really matter: for it has been conducted among patients who were asked to rate particular hospitals according to their experiences.

Of course, this is unscientific and results can be swayed by personal feelings...not least being gratitude for assistance in recovering lost health. But at least it does shed an interesting light on the customer care all organisations are expected to deliver.


Fat of the lands
BAD news for the Brits...we're fast becoming the fattest people in Europe. The men and women of both England and Scotland are way ahead of our continental cousins when it comes to piling on the pounds. Still, looking on the bright side, all this talk of recession and credit crunches is going to have us all tightening our belts soon!

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