http://m6live.stalbansobserver.co.uk/yoursay/ St Albans & Harpenden Review /yoursay/ en-gb Thu, 08 Jan 2009 22:11:38 +0000 Thu, 08 Jan 2009 22:11:38 +0000 http://m6live.stalbansobserver.co.uk/yoursay/rssterms/ M6 nvincent@newsquest.co.uk webmaster@digitalmedia.newsquest.co.uk http://m6live.stalbansobserver.co.uk/resources/images/726169/?type=rsslogo http://m6live.stalbansobserver.co.uk/yoursay/ http://m6live.stalbansobserver.co.uk/yoursay/4033829.What_a_difference_a_year_makes_/ New Year is well-known as the time when we reflect over the past twelve months and think about the year to come. I remember the feeling of excitement in January 2008 when I watched the old postgraduate building at Watford General being razed to the ground. This was to make way for a massive new modular building that was going to help the Trust realise it’s plan to bring the emergency service in west Hertfordshire bang up to date. At the time, it seemed incredible to think that within a few short months a new 120-bed building would emerge next to the existing A&E department, but as time went on and 142 modules were transported from York and fitted together on site like an enormous lego set, the Trust’s long awaited plans started to become a reality. And here we are twelve months later, with the new emergency unit, known as the Acute Admissions Unit, or AAU for short, nearly ready to open its doors to patients in March this year. But what does this mean to you, me, and our families who may have cause to use the emergency service in the future? Well, it will offer more efficient, effective and quicker care in a clean, modern environment, but don’t take my word for it, come and see the AAU for yourself at the public open day on 24 January 2008 and speak to the doctors and nurses who will be providing this revolutionary new service. Tours of the AAU will be available from 11am to 3pm, so please ring 01923 693200 to book your place or just turn up on the day. May I also take this opportunity to wish you a happy and healthy 2009 and hope to see you on 24 January. Thu, 08 Jan 2009 19:21:48 +0000 9539d0ac6c8c94172aaad16f3110039e http://m6live.stalbansobserver.co.uk/yoursay/4022254.Energy_Security/ The latest spat between Russia and the Ukraine over gas supplies highlights once again the need for energy security to be at the forefront of national energy policy. Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:35:46 +0000 5efa6353c03dd77bec5094ae53cc528b http://m6live.stalbansobserver.co.uk/yoursay/4020962.Charity_begins_everywhere/ Don't let your local charities Pepper out because of the Credit Crunch. It's sometimes too easy to shove your pennies in a tin. Let's do something! Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:48:27 +0000 0b90c096b13e0bca4e6f0844fb636d74 http://m6live.stalbansobserver.co.uk/yoursay/4001247.Farewell_to_Christmas_as_we_know_it_/ The goose is getting fat, the moths are having a party in my wallet and the crunch has hit Santa's claws. Is it the end for the corporate cowboys? Wed, 24 Dec 2008 11:20:01 +0000 c97e495f5a81753200c3d35476f423a0 http://m6live.stalbansobserver.co.uk/yoursay/3986963.Too_keen_to_clean/ A street-cleaning vehicle sat outside my front door this morning, with its engine running constantly, from 6am FOR AN HOUR AND A HALF! Thu, 18 Dec 2008 09:52:11 +0000 b2dc09b8dbae1f293e717e4adacc3285 http://m6live.stalbansobserver.co.uk/yoursay/3985652.Open_House_or_Closed_House__/ After eight sparkling years the Open House at The Pumphouse on Tuesdays could about to be washed away in a flood of apathy. Wed, 17 Dec 2008 17:46:28 +0000 d698ca03f88d71bd04d6019c8517c166 http://m6live.stalbansobserver.co.uk/yoursay/3982630.A_new_course_out_of_the_crisis/ The Guardian today issues us all with a challenge to think outside the box when we search for answers to the financial crisis: "The Greek word kairos is the origin of the word chaos, but for the ancient Greeks it also described how some moments of crisis are decisive - they offer both danger and opportunity. They are moments that require courage and boldness of judgment. Roosevelt grasped that point of kairos in 1933, and produced his New Deal. Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:54:44 +0000 76aecbc7b7f9afdedf7f197876533268 http://m6live.stalbansobserver.co.uk/yoursay/3977358.Your_hospital_needs_you_____/ Since the Trust launched its application to become a Foundation Trust (FT) in September I feel as if my feet have hardly touched the ground. The team and I have been out and about talking to as many people as we can about what becoming a Foundation Trust would mean for the people of west Hertfordshire. Mon, 15 Dec 2008 10:05:19 +0000 03697aedd0da866cab6ac378b4e36722 http://m6live.stalbansobserver.co.uk/yoursay/3972888.Consultation_consultation_consultation/ Have the councillors of Manchester been learning from St Albans about how to avoid their responsibilities? Fri, 12 Dec 2008 13:31:30 +0000 a30588eb0d5ca4764ad7c13b53bd28e8 http://m6live.stalbansobserver.co.uk/yoursay/3968728.You_wouldn___t_put_on_a_blindfold_to_run_a_marathon_____why_wear_one_to_run_your_business_/ Thu, 11 Dec 2008 11:09:02 +0000 21ea21b86e83ad9a8b963303d81fcb9b