'Our legal system that we are innocent until proven guilty' - Your Letters: March 24

Our Government tells us with our legal system that we are innocent until proven guilty, so why is it our car insurers discriminate against experienced elderly drivers with mega insurance fees? Some of these drivers have first-class driving records, no claims, clean driving licence, do not want to drive abroad, do low mileage, have first class cars with safety certificate and tests etc. and yet our elderly drivers are robbed by insurance bodies.

Our insurance bodies must be put in a position of honesty and trust, and not be allowed to rob honest taxpayers.

N L Cullis, West Midlands

PRAISE FOR OUR EXCELLENT NHS

With so much negative publicity of our NHS lately I write to address the balance.

My younger sister, 79-years-old, suffered a fall at home and was taken to New Cross Hospital by a kind and careful ambulance crew. They suspected a fractured hip and no doubt could see how frail she was. She was in great pain and could not stand and was taken for scans, all the time she was being assessed she was being reassured by all involved.

Fortunately her hip was not broken but chipped and sore - the scans revealed two blood clots on her lungs and she was admitted - there were no delays.

This lady is well used to hospitals. She developed Lupus - an autoimmune disease that attacks different organs, first her heart, but the most persistent was rheumatoid arthritis - she has been on steroids all her life - she also had breast cancer. Despite this she has always ‘bounced back', even from recent bowel surgery.

All NHS staff in New Cross were exemplary on C wards when I visited. I was very impressed by the nurse on her four bed bay, this young woman moved constantly around - rubbing backs, necks picking up pillows, helping with food and drinks and talking quietly to each one. Then the physio team came and got my sister to walk slowly with a frame. The doctor said she could go home with medication so long as no stairs were involved.

Frantic efforts by her family at home managed to convert a front room to a bedroom overnight, a rickety ambulance was swiftly organised and another cheerful crew took her home, drugs supplied so bed freed - job done.

Well done our NHS.

Name and address supplied

THANK-YOU FOR NSPCC SUPPORT

With Mother’s Day coming up, I wanted to take the opportunity to say ‘Thank you’ to all the mums who have taken part in our NSPCC Look, Say, Sing, Play campaign in the West Midlands.

Since Look, Say, Sing, Play was launched back in 2022, over 4,100 people, including babies, parents, carers and professionals, have worked together to support parents and babies to build strong bonds and for babies to have the best start in life. 

This includes participants taking part in our big baby fun day events at the Library of Birmingham as well as educational workshops and using tips and resources found online.

Look, Say, Sing, Play – which is also open to dads, carers and grandparents - provides parents with simple activities, singing and sensory games that support them in forging stronger bonds with their babies while also supporting their brain development.

We recently celebrated the end of our two-year Look, Say, Sing, Play, but parents, carers and professionals can help keep the campaign legacy alive by finding out more about the campaign’s resources and sharing the message with new families. 

Parents can also signup to free weekly tips by visiting nspcc.org.uk/brain-building. Each email will include a fun, age-appropriate tip that can be included in a family’s daily routine.

Rachel Wallace, NSPCC West Midlands

OUR FREEDOMS HAVE BEEN CUT

I read in the Star that two men had their motorcycles seized by police after off-roading on the National Trust Longmynd Hill, and will be prosecuted.

During the 1950s and early 1960s lads used to use the Longmynd for motorcycle scrambling, and this was never punished or banned, until the trust got their hands on the hill, and all the fussyness started about what people could do there.

There was even a rubbish tip near Jin Lay at All Stretton, and nobody complained - today they would go mad!

Unfortunately, people's freedoms have gradually been eroded, until you constantly have to be aware of the Stasi-like snoopers, watching if your dog does a dropping or someone drops a cigarette end - Big Brother! Britain is no longer a free country, but hopefully if Reform gets in, things will change.

W F Kerswell, Picklescott

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