Letters to the editor: Gratitude from Tauranga Hospital and tougher sentences for domestic violence ‘scum’

Not out of the woods, but grateful to have been rescued

The people of Bay of Plenty are fortunate to have the exceptional staff at Tauranga Hospital.

The skill of the staff and the excellent coordination between departments undoubtedly saved me
to live.

I am extremely grateful for the care I received. The ongoing treatment was always explained and discussed with me and my family.

My ongoing problems were monitored and appropriate assistance was provided after my discharge.

In particular, the following departments were involved: Emergency Department, Hato Hone St John and its shuttle service, orthopedics, infectious diseases, assessment and planning, cardiology, support services, physiotherapy and community nurses.

What a team. Thank you all for your skills, care, dedication and compassion.

It’s been a long road and I’m not out of the woods yet, but it’s wonderful to be back home and getting on with life.

Bill Lomas

Papamoa

Time to take domestic violence more seriously

Regarding domestic violence, I’ve lived in several countries and they all suffer the same thing to varying degrees, but here in New Zealand I think we should know better.

We are proud of many claims: we claim to be nuclear weapons free, we claim to be a clean, environmentally conscious nation; we also claim to be concerned about New Zealand’s land, sea, flora and fauna. We provide assistance to other countries suffering hardship; we show deep concern about the hunger and challenges some of our children face.

So why aren’t we more concerned about violence against our women?

Any man who raises his hand to a woman, or subjects her to any form of terror or fear, loses the right to call himself a man. Instead, he’s scum.

Our existence depends on women – our mothers, grandmothers, daughters and sisters are women, and we owe it to them from the first breath.

Even thinking about someone raising their hand at them makes me feel sick.

Yes, it should be a police matter, and the full weight of the law should fall on the heads of the individuals who think it’s okay to hit a woman.

No punishment is too severe for these people. We have to take it more seriously than we do.

Jim Adams

Rotorua

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