Bad performance

Barnet Hospital is not performing.

And no matter how many stories we run about waiting lists and an overflowing A&E, the problem is not getting any better. This week statistics reveal waiting times in casualty are the worst in the country but, as the Community Health Council says, this has come as a shock to no-one.

And that is the problem. When we have reached the point where dangerously overworked staff and people waiting on trolleys for treatment no longer raises even an eyebrow.

There are a lot of dedicated health professionals working round the clock to improve the situation. It is not their fault that conditions are so bad.

The NHS trust is moving too slowly. Plans to open more acute and intermediate beds at Barnet Psychiatric Unit have been too long in the pipeline. Bad decisions have been made and gone uncorrected.

We now officially have the slowest service in the country; surely it's time we saw some action - and fast?

Let's beat crime

Those much-uttered words are back to haunt us ,, 'crime is up again'.

But instead of lamenting the 17 per cent rise in crime, or the fact that robbery has almost doubled since last year, the question we should be asking ourselves is why.

Why, when Barnet's chief officer says he is so committed to making Barnet safer that every crime physically pains him?

Why, when the police commissioner joined community leaders for a partnership conference on Friday?

Why, when we have new community safety units to tackle race and violent crime?

Former Tory MP and present councillor John Marshall says it is because of dwindling police numbers.

But if we want to be able to say 'crime is down' for once, it is time we all did our bit.

Don't leave doors and windows open. Report crimes to the police or Crimestoppers. And find out how you can help your Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

Let's show criminals crime is our priority.