Anonymity is granted only at the discretion of the editor, who also reserves the right to edit letters.

Inadequate rating comes as no surprise

Your recent report on the fact that Eldene Surgery has been rated as inadequate in almost all areas of its operation (SA, July 3) should surely come as no surprise; after all it was only in 2017 that the CQC issued two warning notices and told the doctors at the surgery that it needed to improve.

In May 2018 you reported that “managers are celebrating after a new inspection saw the surgery’s rating upgraded to Good.”

Indeed, the surgery scored Good ratings in all of the CQC categories, including the quality of the surgery’s leadership. One of the reasons given for why the surgery had ‘turned the corner’ was that the practice has entered into a partnership with Integrated Medical Holdings; now it is being said that the failures of the past 12 months are due to that same partnership!

The CQC inspectors said of Eldene Surgery’s leadership: “The practice had a clear vision and credible strategy to deliver high quality, sustainable care.

Leaders had the experience, capability and integrity to deliver the practice strategy and address risks to it.” Norma Thompson, chairman of the Eldene Surgery patient participation group, said at the time: “The report was very good. They’ve done very well. We’re proud that we’ve got a good report.”

One year on and the practice is again rated ‘inadequate’ which surely calls into question the inspector’s view that “The practice had a clear vision and credible strategy to deliver high quality, sustainable care.” The evidence suggests there was absolutely no ‘strategy to deliver high quality, sustainable care’ unless the word ‘sustainable’ has taken on a whole new meaning from ‘able to be maintained at a certain rate or level’.

What should be a concern to every resident of Swindon is comment made by the CCG who simply say “It is disappointing to see a practice rated as inadequate” – really, is that the sum of their considered view.

Little wonder that the CCG management is considered to be a talking shop inhabited by health professionals who have but one purpose in life – self-preservation.

Des Morgan, Caraway Drive, Swindon

What is the definition of a hate crime?

There is an Englishman, Irishman and Scotsman. If I was to complete that joke it would leave me open to the accusation of being offensive to one group or the other (hate crime).

That is the stupid state of affairs we now find ourselves in. All thanks to the perpetually offended brigade.

It would not be quite so bad if we knew what the rules were.

The response by Helen Thompson (SA Letters, July 4) either deliberately or just completely missed the point.

Ever since the referendum the myth that hate crime has increased since we voted to leave the Europan Union has been thrown out there by idiots that have used nonsense stats based on a broad spectrum of what the actual definition of hate is to label people.

If you voted to leave then you must be a racist or a bigot, just look at the increase in hate crimes that we have manufactured based on our loose interpretation of what hate actually is.

The vast majority of people in this country just want to get on with their lives and could not care less what you want to do with yours. So you have been assaulted, that’s a crime, call the police.

So people have said horrible things to you, welcome to the club.

There are unpleasant people out there and let me tell you most them seem to be idiots claiming to be standing up for someone else or on some moral crusade which makes them right and everyone else open targets.

Helen, your response concerns me. I not sure who should have the ability to define what hate is, as up to now the hypocrisy has been disgraceful, but is seems to me that you have a personal agenda.

Tell me, if I was to of completed that joke, would that be hate?

Craig Halliday, Mulberry Grove, Swindon