Coles checkouts improved

Dear Echo News,

Someone at Coles must read the Echo.

After your correspondent L Andrew publicised Coles’ lack of staff at the checkout things appear to have changed.

On a wet and windy Sunday I did the weekly shop at Coles Kalamunda.

You could say that due to the foul weather there were not a lot of people around.

However, when I got to the checkouts, guess what?

Four manned checkouts! Everybody being served - no one waiting, the way it should be.

There were even extra staff at the self-serve checkout.

But wait, before we congratulate everybody, I was at the deli counter and guess what?

I had a wait of 7 – 8 minutes, there was four of us with only a single harassed staff member serving. I felt for her.

So, there are still some issues.

In the good old days there used to be someone called a floor walker who roamed the store and would fix the choke points.

These days you feel like choking the manager.

R Jones

Lesmurdie

Delays at hospital EDs

Dear Echo News,

I often hear and read news articles highlighting the unacceptable delay patients with serious injuries are treated in Perth’s emergency hospitals, and also  the ramping of paramedics.

I have volunteered in emergency (ED) for about eight years.

Whilst only working one day per week I have a strong opinion on the reason.

Are the staff in ED to blame?

Absolutely not.

Nurses, doctors and specialists are often stretched to breaking point.

Are the hospitals to blame?

I don’t think so as their funding is limited by state and federal governments.

The cost of Medicare  is a major crippling expense within the government’s financial position.

So, in my opinion the issues are:

1. Ageing demographics needing more medical care will continue to increase

2. Australians  cancelling private health insurance and now relying on the public system.

3.  People attending ED with relatively minor injuries not classified as ‘an emergency’  clogging up the department.

The reason for this can occasionally be attributed to not being able to get an early appointment with a doctor, possibly not being able to afford a doctor, but also in my opinion and very annoyingly,  because it’s free.

A triage nurse will rate a patient’s injuries and health issues based on the seriousness, with priority given to the most urgent.

But there is still a limit on how fast these people can be treated in very busy times.

The wait time for non-serious injuries can stretch to hours, many many hours, but at least they will be seen, eventually

A sad situation which will only get worse.

D Alan

Lesmurdie

Thanks for Swan citizenship

Dear Echo News,

I would like to congratulate the City of Swan on the September Citizenship Ceremony.

My German-born wife became an Aussie, along with 109 other people from all over the World.

The organisers had obviously put a lot of thought into the ceremony – it was held in lovely surroundings at Mandoon Estate, with refreshments provided after the event.

As we entered the conference rooms, a musician/singer was playing Aussie classics on guitar and vocals – “Give me a home amongst the gum trees …” was, to our minds, perfect lyrics for anyone having the honour to become an Aussie.

Deputy Mayor Ian Johnson was refreshingly down to earth as MC, as indeed was Mayor Tanya Richardson, with the Federal member of Bullwinkle, Trish Cook, representing the Minister for Immigration giving a more formal, but warm federal government welcome.

We also particularly appreciated the genuine references to Aboriginal culture and heritage.

After the ceremony, there was ample opportunity for people to have photographs taken with family and dignitaries, as Trish Cook and councillors mixed with everyone - the deputy Mayor even shouted a round of drinks for those who wanted one – my wife Ann enjoyed her first champers as an Aussie - very much thank you Ian.

The feeling of camaraderie and good will was palpable, due in no small way to the organisation and planning by the City of Swan.

We came away feeling very proud that Ann had been granted citizenship, that Oz truly is a multicultural society and that the City of Swan had done so well with the event.

Cheers to everyone involved.

G Ross

Swan View