No we don't, we need to give them a glass of water...

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Baroness Greengross, who used to run Age Concern, says:

The government should introduce a nationwide policy to ensure elderly patients in hospitals do not get dehydrated, a former head of Age Concern has said.

I am led to believe that there are people called "nurses" in hospitals whose job is to look after patients who are there for treatment, operations or convalescence. Might I suggest that, if those nurses are doing their job properly they will give elderly patients a drink - a glass of water, maybe a cup of tea?

However the response from Baroness Thornton, Labour's health spokesman is priceless:

Baroness Thornton accused the government of “washing its hands of a hydration policy” and called for ministers to provide “leadership”.

You couldn't make this stuff up, could you? What next, a national strategy for making beds?

....

Two family stories - and why barring people without a degree from nursing is wrong

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Family Story #1

My Uncle was a judge. OK, I hear you - "Tory has judge for uncle, surprise, surprise". But my uncle - Ray Palmer - was one of the first solicitors to join the circuit.

So what? Oh yes - my uncle did not have a university degree. He joined a solicitors at 14 straight from school and worked his way up through the firm.

Today a young man from Ray's working class background would find it really hard to achieve what he did - to achieve without a university degree

Family Story #2

My wife is a publisher. She was a director of a leading academic publisher for many years and is widely regarded and respected in the business.

I'm very proud - she has achieved more and contributed more than I have.

So what? My wife does not have a university degree.

Taking these two stories as examples - and there are thousands more. Why are we barring yet another profession - nursing - to those who choose not to go to university. The idea that you can learn how to be a nurse in three years at university is ridiculous - and thousands of young people with loads to contribute are now unable to fulfill their promise and their dreams.