'End the unfit for purpose white elephant!' - Your Letters: February 6

Some years ago when the Prescription Ordering Direct (POD) service started, I complained as people couldn't get through by phone and how much it was costing them via their phone bills. Some stopped taking their medication or cut down on it, ie taking half a tablet instead of full dose.

I even spoke to the so-called independent ombudsman, who is in fact funded by the government. How they get away with saying they are independent I don't know, however after speaking to some GP surgeries they have put repeat boxes back, we don't all have IT to order medication, so here we are again (but it's always been inept and very expensive to set up and run). Also I'm led to believe the call handlers are qualified nurses etc. As I said many times if that is the case they would be more useful on the wards and POD being done away with.

What has started me off again is my friend has just told me he was 75th in the POD queue to order Christmas and new year meds. How disgusting is that? If he can't get his meds he may end up in hospital like thousands more, for goodness sake, end the unfit for purpose white elephant.

Carol Prince, Craven Arms

CAN MINISTERS DO THE MATHS?

The basic state pension increase is almost completely taken up by tax. 

An example, £340 increase this year takes my pension to £14,404, after tax allowance £12,570 leaving an increase of £20.

Various ministers including the Prime Minister and Chancellor have defended the demise of winter fuel payment by saying triple lock will compensate. 

Do we have a government that can't comprehend basic maths or prepared to deliberately offer a misleading statement defending triple lock as a solution to winter fuel allowance?

There's much to discuss on this matter.

Chris Atkins, West Midlands

TIME TO RENAME THE UNIVERSITY

With the news breaking that Wolverhampton University is to close it's Telford 'branch' in Shropshire, can it now be given the name that it should have had all along?

In other words, those in charge should now call it/rename it The University of the Black Country.

It's about time it was, so just go ahead and do it.

Michael Gough, Wombourne

DEFECTIONS MAY KILL MERGER

The Star reports talk of a merger between the Conservative Party and Reform.

Judging by the Tories defecting to Reform, there will soon be nobody left to merge with!

Robert William White, West Midlands

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