Letters: City will sell itself short if it doesn't get projects right

WHILE it is vitally important to maintain and preserve the character, heritage and traditions of Edinburgh, the development of new buildings and systems is equally important if Edinburgh wants to be marketed as a modern and dynamic city as well as a top tourist location.

With proper planning and management the time factor shouldn't really be an issue.

But if the project is truly worthwhile and is going to be of great benefit to both the city and its citizens then the necessary time and care should be taken to make sure that the development or whatever has been completed to the standards and traditions of Edinburgh's great, unique and historical past.

Anything less and I suspect the city would be selling itself short and be in danger of missing out on future foreign investment plus, of course, tourism.

Angus McGregor, Albion Road, Edinburgh

Holyrood must act on hospital DVT

A REPORT published today reveals that, unlike in England where all hospital in-patients are routinely tested to assess their risk of contracting deep vein thrombosis, Scotland's 14 health boards are failing to come to grips with the country's most common cause of avoidable hospital mortality.

In 2008 Scotland's chief medical officer wrote to all health boards requiring them all to address their thrombosis prevention policies, "as a matter of urgency".

More than two years on, and an estimated 6,000 deaths later, there has been no effort in Holyrood to assess and monitor health boards, no audit of implementation, and no education for medical staff.

The Scottish Government must act quickly to arrest the levels of preventable mortality from hospital-acquired DVT.

Prof Beverley Hunt, Consultant in Depts of Haematology, Lupus and Pathology, GSTT and Director, Lifeblood: The Thrombosis Charity; Dr Simon Noble, Clinical Senior Lecturer in Palliative Medicine, Cardiff University and Director, Lifeblood, Wales; Kim Carter, Thrombosis Nurse Specialist for Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, and Nursing Director, Lifeblood

Who will rid us of troublesome trio?

IN 2008-9 Sir Fred Goodwin presided over the collapse of the RBS which took its shareholders, small business borrowers and most of the rest of the Scottish economy with it. In 2009 he left RBS, taking a lump sum and pension settlement many, many times the average UK salary.

In 2009 he was appointed consultant to RMJM Architects, who pay him several times the UK average salary for nine months' "work".

In spring they paid him a bonus which exceeded the average annual UK salary.

Last month he went to Buckingham Palace to meet a Prince, access to whom is being hawked around by his ex for $500,000.

The bosses, the bankers and the Royals are just taking the Mickey aren't they?

Will no-one rid us of this troublesome triumvirate?

David Fiddimore, Calton Road, Edinburgh

Using our money wisely wins votes

IT SHOULD come as no surprise that there are citizens who don't pay taxes when they see those in government and councils wasting their money on exorbitant salaries and wasteful projects.

Perhaps when the elected use other people's money more wisely, then the voters will respond.

CJR Fentiman, Polwarth Gardens, Edinburgh

Queen has done more for country

LABOUR'S Ian Davidson has criticised the Queen over her request for a paltry increase in the Civil List and to urge her to axe staff instead.

Was it not the former Labour government which poured billions of pounds of taxpayers money into maintaining the lifestyles of bankers who, compared to Her Majesty, have done little for our country?

John Eoin Douglas, Spey Terrace