What you say #131
AMBLE HEALTH CENTRE: ONE OF THE MOST SUCESSFUL IN ENGLAND
There has been comment in The Ambler and other local reports, about the level of patient satisfaction or otherwise with the Amble Health Centre.
For thirty years of my professional life, I frequently dealt with complaints about NHS services; GPs, hospitals and ancillary services.
That there are complaints is inevitable, few people ever make contact to praise provision of a public service.
I have been a registered patient of the Coquet Medical Group in Amble for several years but during the past year have been volunteering there to help with the Covid-19 inoculation programme. This has enabled me to see behind the scenes and to witness surgery staff as patients do not get to see them.
I have seen personally, the level of dedication from the Coquet doctors, nurses and admin support staff, determined to drive through a programme of protection for their patients that has made the Amble centre one of the most successful in England. It has been relentless and high-pressured, processing a huge volume of people in various conditions of personal health. That they were each accorded not only professional competence but human kindness was illuminating to watch and I doubt many could have matched the individual devotion to patient care staff exemplified.
The doctors were remarkably determined and efficient. The nurses incredibly well-organised and capable, all going the extra mile. This could not have happened without an effective and dedicated administrative team. All of this was boosted by teams of St. John Ambulance personnel and community volunteers, all pulling together for the locality.
Working in medicine is a job like any other, with varying demands and levels of reward, except that getting it wrong can have more vital consequences.
That is a layer of pressure not many have to cope with daily and remorselessly.
My admiration for what they have achieved is considerable. They are a truly remarkable group of healthcare professionals and we are fortunate to have such a facility in our area – please value them a little more.
Derek Conway TD, Warkworth
GARDEN COMPETITION
I have lived in Amble for 20+ years and look forward to the Ambler, a great community newspaper.
In the Oct /Nov issue an article entitled Garden Awards under the Amble Town Council section, reads “Previously this has been judged in July but we have often heard that’s too soon, the annuals need a little longer, so this year it was left another month. But all the councillors felt the standard was not as good and it was better when done in July”
In my view this statement undermined the hard work that the folks of Amble, who received an award. There was no notice of who won, runners up or commendations. Is this because the councillors thought “the standard was not as good.” There were some new winners and runners up this year who previously never stood a chance, as they prefer their gardens to bloom a little later.
Thanks to the Alnwick Garden judges for their kind positive comments, to whoever nominated my garden and to all the lovely folk of Amble who pass by with wonderful compliments. This in my view is grand community spirit.
“M. Greenhouse”
Via email
GIVING TO CHARITIES
In response to Hugh Tindale’s letter regarding allocating funds to two charities, I’m all for opinion and listening to suggestions and read it and re-read it and re-read it and still came to the same conclusion.
I am utterly disgusted at the thought of someone belittling the donation of funds to support two charities. A charity is dependent on the donations it receives and as we all (should) know many took a massive hit during the lockdown. Whether this be a small community charity or a nationally recognised charity, it should not matter and morally suggesting the improvement to a path would have been money better spent. This is the world we live in.
What would he prefer? The development of a path that can already be recommended through other channels such as the local transport plan programme. Maybe Mr Tindale’s efforts could be put into putting forward his suggestions to this forum.
Well done Councillor Clark for recognising the ongoing effort to support charities.
Via email Name withheld.
HELP NEEDED
A 90-year-old Amble lady would greatly appreciate some help with her garden, fence, and roof / chimney stack repair.
Any help you can do please contact Chris Scott, 07702887902.
Chris Scott
via email
NOT PLEASED
Where was the Ambler for August/September?!!
Hardy’s moved from Willowburn Estate to the old HSBC on the main street in Alnwick.
All the money that the councillors have could be spent on a better NHS.
The main road from Amble to Warkworth is like a racetrack. The Co-op is deserted; so is the main street. The best thing about Amble, now, is Morrisons.
Yours, not pleased,
R. Bramham,
Mariners Court, Amble
Ed: We are aware that some people did not get the August issue (#129) of the Ambler, and we apologise.
WELL DONE BUT MORE TO DO
Well done to the Northumberland County Council workers who, in August, strimmed, raked and cleared nettles and thistles from the pathway linking the Coquet Industrial Estate with Percy Drive, so enabling residents from Priory Park, Tynedale and Dandsfield to pass more easily along its way once again.
This vital and direct route to Morrisons, for both staff and customers, as well as other businesses and schools, is well used on a daily basis.
There now remains the issue of flooding. Whenever it rains heavily, as it did in early October, the path is left completely submerged. It was almost impassable for two consecutive days.
Where, apart from a country totally lacking in infrastructure, would people be expected to walk through standing water to access work, education and food?
Councillor Clark might well favour the Local Transport Plan Scheme as a vehicle for deciding where improvements should be made; but surely the basic needs of a great many permanent residents should come before the superficial traffic management requirements of a much smaller community, especially when you take second home owners and holiday makers out of the equation.
Hugh Tindle,
Priory Park, Amble
THANK YOU FOR DONATION
Amble RNLI Fundraisers and volunteer crew would like to thank Councillor Terry Clark for the recent kind donation to our charity’s lifeboat station at Amble.
Owing to the effects of the pandemic, it has been another challenging year for the crew and fundraisers, this donation will prove invaluable. We normally hold a monthly coffee morning which raises approximately £500 (sometimes up to a £1,000 at Christmas) and of course our Harbour Day couldn’t go ahead for the last two years (each could raise approximately £10,000). Morrison’s in Amble stepped in with an in-store raffle, tombola and entertainment. Local businesses and the community have been supportive but, unfortunately, this is a drop in the ocean to our usual fundraising and, with the shops being closed in early 2020, our collection boxes have been hard hit too.
As you know, the crew are volunteers and are so grateful for donations – not just for the actual monetary support but it helps boost their morale.
The donation will be allocated to Amble Lifeboat Station to go towards the running of our 2 lifeboats; also to the training and costs of the crew. It is essential that the crew, kit and boats are kept fully functional and up to date at all times so that they can respond to their pagers whenever the need arises and continue to save lives at sea.
Jill Faulconbridge
Chairman Amble Lifeboat Fundraisers
