The staff were all great, however I needed to be admitted to the ward for surgery the next day.
The staff in every department that I encountered were friendly, polite and very helpful.
The cleanliness of the ward was evident and the food was good.
After my surgery (and because I live on my own) I was not discharged until home support was organised, and this has been a great help with my rehabilitation.
Follow-up appointments nearly raced me home!
Our local district hospitals are just so important and I, as one very appreciative customer, wish to publicly congratulate the team and the efforts of those who work in and manage this service. Please keep it up!
N BRADLEY
Whanganui
Climate cancer
Accurate, irrefutable testing of the amount of carbon dioxide in the air began in the 1970s. By taking many thousands of samples globally, scientists concluded that the amount of CO2 was increasing throughout the world. Radiocarbon isotopes of carbon dioxide (only formed by fossil fuels) made up the lion's share.
Exxon, the corporate oil giant whose former CEO is Trump's Secretary of State, was aware of climate change as early as 1977. That year Exxon's senior scientist, James Black, said: "In the first place, there is general scientific agreement that the most likely manner in which mankind is influencing the global climate is through carbon dioxide release from the burning of fossil fuels." They buried it.
In the '80s the scientific consensus was at its early stages. Scientists were telling us that even if we had a 50 per cent chance of catastrophic climate change; it made sense to do something about it. If we had a 50 per cent chance of a comet hitting the earth or a 50 per cent chance of survival if stricken with fatal, but curable cancer, most would agree on action.
Now, 30 years on, most fossil fuels are now on parity with renewables per kilowatt hours. Now, 30 years on, virtually all climate scientists agree on climate change whose cause is divided between burning fossil fuels and methane produced by badly managed agriculture. The only area of disagreement is the degree of severity.
Even with the current Paris Agreement, some fear relatively "minor" consequences, perhaps a real refugee crisis with a survivable economic hit. But some on the other extreme believe that the feedback loops, such as the methane leaks recently appearing in the Arctic Ocean floor, could synergistically multiply, wiping out most life. Seriously.
According to yesterday's OREC report, New Zealand "has the second-highest level of emissions per GDP unit in the OECD and the fifth-highest emissions per capita." With a high level of complacency and even denial among our National-led government, it is inexcusable now that we reach between stage 2 of the "cancer" that is climate change.
BRIT BUNKLEY
Whanganui
Overpopulation
As a confirmed fan of Terry Sarten's columns, I read his latest offering on immigration policy with added interest.
My conclusion?
Unfortunately, I think Terry has let his laudable idealism get the better of him on this one.
I see no hidden agenda in the concept that too many people, immigrants or otherwise, will make New Zealand overpopulated.
Auckland is already overpopulated, yet the rest of the country, including Whanganui, is slavering for a piece of the action like frustrated addicts hanging out for a share of the growth drug.
How many people should we have here? We are lucky to be part of a diminishing number of countries who even have a choice in the matter.
But we can't wait to blow this privileged position to have what we think we want right now rather than what's right and sustainable into the future.
That's why a lot of new arrivals want to pull up the drawbridge behind them; they have lived the dream and know what a nightmare it becomes for the majority at the bottom in most of the world.
We have an almost unique opportunity here, in our splendid isolation, to get it right in terms of sustainability if we can only forsake the need for immediate materialistic gratification and sort out the means from the ends.
As the Rolling Stones sang, "You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes you just might find you get what you need."
L E FITTON
Whanganui
