WORRIES about problems with medical secretaries have been causing great concern among health professionals for some time as we have reported in The Evening Star over the last few days.

WORRIES about problems with medical secretaries have been causing great concern among health professionals for some time as we have reported in The Evening Star over the last few days.

However now those concerns have now reached the very top of the health service in this county after a letter was sent by PCT chief executive Carole Taylor-Brown to Ipswich Hospital boss Andrew Reed expressing concern about the changes.

It is now clear that the worries about delays in handling medical notes extends across the health service in Suffolk - these are not a few teething troubles that can easily be ironed out.

Medical secretaries fulfil a vital job in the organisation of any hospital and any changes to the way they operate have to be carefully thought out and followed through.

This reorganisation was clearly a cost-cutting exercise which has seen many people with important skills either leave the hospital or finding themselves sidelined into new jobs they didn't want.

It is inevitable that this would have a devastating effect on morale, and that in turn would lead to work slipping and delays being introduced.

Bosses at Ipswich Hospital have to take urgent measures to address this crisis. GPs across the county are already worried. Urgent action needs to be taken to ensure no patients' lives or treatment are put in danger.

OVER the last few years our Air Fair campaign has highlighted the growing number of planes flying over this region.

At first concerns were dismissed by the authorities - but now the government and CAA which regulates aviation has recognised that there is a real worry about the increase in flights.

Now the government is promising to listen to the worries of those living under flightpaths - and this must include having a fresh look at the holding areas used by planes as they await a landing slot at their destination airport.

It is not right that they are always stacked over the same communities, causing permanent disruption to the lives of people who live miles away from the nearest airport.

Over parts of east Suffolk there are almost permanent flight movements - the peace is constantly shattered. That is not fair on residents.

It is good that the government has now recognised there is an issue here. That is certainly an improvement on their position of a few months ago. But now these words have to be followed up with actions.

HAROLD Mangar is a councillor with a fine reputation for integrity and public service, so the last year must have been very difficult for him as he faced charges following a fatal road accident.

He has now been cleared of driving without due care and attention and is able to carry on his valuable service to the community without any stain on his character.

However after this case, it would be good for the authorities to look again at why it took 14 months to arrange the trial to clear him - forcing him to live under a cloud for such a long time.