Unbearable

Mere statistics and catalogues of welfare cuts do not really capture the incompetence of the NHS. It takes a shocking example of the cruel behaviour suffered by an elderly worker to put in concrete terms the sheer criminality of the system. 'An elderly stroke patient was left lying in her own urine in a cold ward on Christmas Day, it was claimed today. Elsie Keirl, 84, was admitted to Musgrove Park Hospital - which has since launched an investigation - in Taunton, Somerset, a day after she had a stroke at her home in nearby Brigwater. Her son David Keirl, 58, stayed with her until Christmas morning before returning home for a few hours rest - but found on his return that his mother was "blue" because her room was so cold.' (Daily Mail, 31 December) RD