Letters To Editor:Broken promise leaves sour taste

Broken promise leaves sour taste 

I was disgusted to read in HBT September 23 that Rugby NZ had dishonoured its promise of a free match ticket to the members of the volunteer choirs.

Demand for tickets is irrelevant; the commercial value of the tickets is irrelevant; a promise is a promise and Rugby NZ's action leaves a very sour taste in the mouth. I am not surprised that one singer has quit in protest.

Then, on the next page, I read of the wonderful generosity of Malcolm and Beverley Reid, who gave up their own rugby ticket to extend hospitality to a stranded Welsh tourist. Those good people showed kindness and compassion, not counting or begrudging the cost to themselves.

Rugby NZ would do well to take a leaf out of the Reids' book and do the right thing.

Judith Drabble, Havelock North

Policy on Vitamin C

I agree with Dr Gary Payinda. Diagnosing meningitis during its early stages is near impossible.

Ironically, its during these early stages when treatment would be most efficacious.

Given the rise of meningitis nationwide, I believe our local hospital and health board should state its policy towards a controversial therapy some folk might want implemented - intravenous vitamin C.

Some readers may remember the case shown on TV3's 60 Minutes programme where a farmer was brought back from death's door after complications relating to bird flu.

As a bonus his leukaemia also went into remission.

While these results are common for medical practitioners and others who use this therapy, most doctors refuse to accept vitamin C has any benefit for treating serious illness.

In the farmer's case this lead to ugly scenes between family and attending doctors.

Thankfully one doctor relented and the patient improved once vitamin C was administered.

Of concern was the doctor's inability to notice when intravenous VC was withdrawn, the patient relapsed. When started, the patient improved. They saw no connection.

This scenario has been played out across New Zealand and Australia.

My own experience with HB Regional Hospital a few years back was disappointing. They politely refused to administer vitamin C to a very ill relative. But they did offer the family a new drug being trialled. It's effects were still being evaluated.

Times have changed. People are more informed. This issue will reappear at our local hospital again.

Hence the need for a policy statement.

K C Wellwood, Hastings