EDITORIAL COMMENT

This week's magazine contains three little rhymes admonishing us to see, hear and speak no evil. It could be thought that staffs of mental hospitals might be expected to be a little more understanding of what makes people tick, but never-the-less we are but poor mortals like the world outside.

However, in this age of rapid change we might remember now and again advice tendered almost 2,000 years ago which is not only counsel but poetry:

'Why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceiveth not the beam that is in thine own eye? How canst thou say to thy brother, "Brother let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye`` when thou thyself Beholdeth not the beam that is in thine own eye? Cast out first the beam out of thine own eye and then thou shall see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.'

It should also be remembered that the advice was given in brotherly love.

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS

I am writing in reply to the Editorial Comment contained in the Standard, Vol. 1 No. 14, which was, I presume, specifically intended to be provocative.

I am provoked.

The general comments about radical and "revolutionary' change are simply emotive statements, the comments themselves being nothing more than, to quote, 'full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.' The correct general comment to be made is that, in any situation or organisation, changes are virtually always necessary. Sometimes radical and 'revolutionary' changes are necessary and sometimes not - so that smaller 'reformist' changes are all that are necessary. The decision as to what type of change is necessary in a particular situation is one that should be based, as far as possible, on a logical analysis of that situation. This analysis can only be made if one is aware of the radical changes which are possible. In this respect, it is essential that the 'revolutionary concepts' should be put forward. Even if they are not correct, it is still necessary that they should be put forward, examined logically, and either accepted, rejected or synthesised with the more conservative concepts can emerge. Therefore, the emotionality, the 'cacophony of sound' allegedly employed by the advocates of change is no more dangerous, and usually much less dangerous, than the emotionality employed by the advocates of no change, or little change. In general, these advocates are the ones already in power - the Establishment, already benefitting from things as they are. Establishment concepts are often more dangerous simply because the Establishment has the power to implement policies based on these concepts. One can see this very clearly in specifically political situations where the emotional blindness towards radical change shown by those in power leads to them implementing, at best, slight reformist changes which do nothing other than possibly delay the time when the necessary revolutionary changes take place. Often, unfortunately, violence is the result, as in Ireland at the present time.

In non-political contexts similar considerations apply. For instance, in a hospital situation the desire of the Establishment to hold on to their entrenched position of power over decision-making can often, in the face of the 'revolutionary' concept of 'democratisation' (the concept that people should have an important say in what happens to them), lead to the reformist change of 'talking shop' committees. In theory in these committees, the employees of the hospital have some power and a say in decision-making. In practice all important decisions are made elsewhere, and imposed without the employees having any real say in them.

A particularly blatant example, in the Health Service, is the 'Consultative' document on the re-organisation of that service. There have been some Establishment remarks made about this in recent issues of The Standard. The truth is that this is a document about which nobody was consulted in any real sense, and it is a document which almost completely denies most employees of the Health Service any say in the running of this 'public' service, of which they are a part.

In non-political structures like the Health Service this blindness to radical concepts such as democratisation rarely leads to violence. But often gross dissatisfaction, cynicism and a general malaise result. This benefits nobody, patients or staff. Therefore neither do emotional tirades against change, such as that in the Editorial referred to.

E. Bromley.

ON THE LEAGUE OF FRIENDS OF THE WINWICK HOSPITAL

One need not work long in a Hospital such as ours to realise that the translation of pious platitudes into palpable improvement in the quality of life we are able to offer those in our care requires effort - effective sustained, co-ordinated effort. Effort, moreover, that no single section of the Hospital personnel can pretend to offer on its own. And even when each section's particular responsibilities and capacity have been taken into account, there remain important areas which are incompletely covered. Consider the friendless patient - who visits him? Who provides the gift which happily distinguishes Christmas Day from just any day? And on the wards in general - who provides additional comforts, special equipment? These services, along with the fortnightly Dances and the coach trips, cone as a result of our good fortune at Winwick in having a flourishing League of Friends. Outside the Hospital they liaise with Social Workers and even provide a private car service. Their efforts make an increasingly valuable contribution to the fullness and enjoyment of the life we can offer our patients. Too few people know of what they do, and are prepared to do, on our behalf. It is a worthwhile job for which we are grateful.

J. A. Jolley.

CHESS CLUB NEWS

The A.G.M., of the Winwick Hospital Chess Club took place on 24.8.71 in the Library. Dr. B. Ward, the Club's Honorary President, kindly came to present two fine tankards, the Dr. B. Ward Cup to Div. 1 K.O. winner, Les Bayliss, and the J. A. Jolley Cup to Malcolm Price, who carried off the Div. 2 trophy after joining the Club only two months ago.

Ties in the Hospital colour:, Maroon, with a distinctive Chess motive were awarded to last season's regular team members. Our Honorary President himself was presented with a specially moth-proofed version - notification of sightings later than the above date to the Secretary, please.

Our thanks go to the Catering Department for some very fine refreshments which contributed in large part to the relaxed and contented atmosphere in which the meeting continued, more in the manner of a Literary and Debating Society than a Chess Club. Working as we do in an area presenting problems which have taxed men's minds for centuries, it seems a pity that our opportunities for discussion have to be snatched from the very jaws of Time and Chance - as it were.

R. Bruton.

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In view of comments on Mr. Nunn's and Miss Craddock's letters to the Editors, Mr. Seddon asked if the following could be published this week:

SEE NO EVIL

Now isn't it surprising
The faults that I see
Are always in others
And never in me
But there is no difference:
We're wrongdoers all -
This is the message of God
Says Saint Paul.
So look for the good
In those whom you meet.
Switch off the sour
And turn on the sweet'.

HEAR NO EVIL

"Have you heard?" says your friend,
And your ears begin to flap,
"I'd never have thought it.
The horrible chap".
But before, you condemn
Consider this, do,
Is it fiction or fact?
And what's it to you!
Seal up your ears
Be pure and kind.
And as for the gossips
- Just leave them behind!

SPEAK NO EVIL

Before you can stop it,
It's wagging away;
That tireless tongue
Has so much to say.
You mean to control it
And just to have fun;
But almost at once
The damage is done
So buy it some reins
And stick then on tight.
Speak only good
And you'll get on alright!

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