What the papers said in the week ending 1 April 2023
Extending the week a little allows us to include the news that the Swedish police are still pressing for the deportation of Kathleen Poole, a 74 year old British woman with advanced dementia. She has lived in Sweden for 18 years to be near to her son and his family. The reasoning for her deportation seems to be entirely technical as she has not been able to comply with recent legal requirements. Forced removal from the care which has supported her is clearly inhumane and is very likely to bring forward her death, which cannot be long ahead anyway. Surely compassion and sense can prevail: Swedish police moving ahead with plan to deport UK woman with Alzheimer’s | Sweden | The Guardian
There is compassion and a desire for friendship and collaboration in the communications which King Charles takes to Germany: King Charles to lay wreath to German victims of wartime air raids | King Charles III | The Guardian
Introspection and reflection lead to re-evaluation of past principles, and resolve to be fairer in the future: Slavery and the Guardian: the ties that bind us | Slavery | The Guardian
Concern for people in the terminal stages of progressive conditions, including dementia, is right and proper. Minimising pain and distress during this important phase of life is a priority but the arguments for a change of law are to be respected but also open to honest, informed question: Assisted dying inquiry hears people in UK face ‘unbearable suffering’ | Assisted dying | The Guardian
Sadly, confidence in the NHS has been progressively eroded. It is as much in need of care and understanding as the people it is designed to benefit, but we need to take action now. Satisfaction with the NHS plummets to lowest level in 40 years | NHS | The Guardian
Health:
We are assured that diet can influence health for the better: Mediterranean diet ‘can reduce heart attacks in people at higher risk’ | Food science | The Guardian
- But what is healthy is not always obvious: Salt in sliced breads exceeds crisps, say health campaigners | Health | The Guardian
There are more cases of Covid-19 – older people are encouraged to seek booster vaccines: Covid vaccine booster doses only needed for high-risk groups, WHO says | Health | The Guardian
Other matters:
Our fears about climate change and pollution are not being calmed: UK government gambles on carbon capture and storage tech despite scientists’ doubts | Carbon capture and storage (CCS) | The Guardian
Extremist activity in the name of faith is recognised and we hope will receive attention: Ministers urged to be more aggressive in tackling issues within religious groups | Religion | The Guardian
The economic situation is not improving and will be most damaging to the less well off: Rising bills and tax hikes to make UK families hundreds of pounds worse off | Household bills | The Guardian
Our concerns about proposed change to the age at which national pensions begin are receiving less passionate responses than their equivalent in France: Decision on bringing forward UK pension age rise to 68 delayed until after election | Retirement age | The Guardian
Observations about one case of a woman with multiple disabilities being confined to jail, are extended to point out how much emphasis is given to prison by our legal process: The Auriol Grey case exposes Britain’s obsession with prison | Prisons and probation | The Guardian
English Heritage is celebrating King Charles and his Coronation with plans for 100 meadows: 100 meadows across 100 historic sites over the next decade – English Heritage’s Coronation pledge | English Heritage (english-heritage.org.uk)
David Jolley. Chair of Christians on Ageing, in a personal capacity.
