An Open Letter To Jo Churchill MP for Bury St Edmunds
I recently sent a letter to Jo Churchill, MP for Bury St Edmunds, questioning her about her attitude to people in distress.
After interviewing you prior to the 2019 General Election, I told you about the trouble my mother was having getting a blue badge renewed. I informed you that she had suffered a triple heart attack, Norovirus, Colorectal cancer, both hips replaced and both cataracts removed.
You replied, laughing, “Well obviously she has had her money’s worth”
I found your response to be unsympathetic. cruel and not at all funny.
Since then, my mother has had 3 falls and also a slight stroke, after which we waited 8 hours for an ambulance to arrive. So much for the acronym FAST (Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties and Time.
Her latest visit to the hospital was brought about because she had fallen out of bed. The ambulance which arrived after 30 mins of calling, checked her medication and told me to carry on using 2 Paracetamol every 4 hours.
24 hours later she was still in pain, so I called 111. They informed me that as she is on blood thinning medication, as she is now 95 and as she had a fall, she should have been admitted to hospital on Friday.
They said they would send out an ambulance to take her into hospital for a CT scan. The ambulance arrived 8 hours later and took her to hospital where she spent two and a half weeks.
She is now comfortable at home. She has a hospital bed here, and more medication.
She also has 2 carers who come out from the hospital 4 times a day, which is a great blessing. The nurses are highly competent and really know what they are doing. I am very grateful to them for their care.
So, I have a question for you Jo Churchill, MP for Bury St Edmunds.
Do you think my mother has had her money’s worth yet? And do you wish to apologise publicly for your previous, unsympathetic comments?
Also, did you get your “money’s worth” when you had cancer?
cc jo*************@********nt.uk
AN UPDATE
Well just over a week later, my email was replied to, however it there was no apology, or answer to my question.
Dear James,
Thank you for your email of Monday 6 June.
I am very sorry to hear that your mother has suffered three falls and a slight stroke. I know from having elderly parents of my own, with acute health conditions, that it is always worrying when they are unwell.
It is very welcome however, to hear that your mother is comfortable at home and is being visited by two carers from the hospital, four times a day. I saw first hand in my previous role as a Health Minister, and have experienced for seven years as the local MP, the compassion and dedication of those who work in the NHS caring for patients. As you say they are a blessing. I am pleased that your mother is being well looked after and I wish her well.
Kind regards,
Jo
