SIR – The Care Quality Commission recently said those in need of mental health care were not receiving adequate support. The conclusion was based on surveys of patients, analysis of national data and inspections of services.
As a human rights organisation that investigates abuses in the field of mental health, the Citizens’ Commission on Human Rights receive reports from people who have experienced the psychiatric system, and would agree that needs are not being met. Furthermore, many patients are often forced to accept treatment under threat of detention, which can push them further into despair.
People do experience problems and upsets in life that may result in mental troubles that are sometimes very serious. However, people in desperate circumstances must be provided proper and effective medical care rather than psychiatric care.
Humane hospitals should replace coercive psychiatric institutions, where
non-psychiatric medical doctors can thoroughly examine and test a person for all underlying physical problems that may be manifesting as disturbed behaviour. Several studies have shown that those diagnosed with “mental illness” were actually suffering from a physical condition.
Care and compassion should not include the chemical cosh. A humane care package for anyone experiencing mental troubles should include attention, good nutrition, a healthy safe environment, and activity that promotes confidence.
A past president of the World Psychiatric Association said: “In the future, the mentally ill have to learn to live with their illness.” On the other side of the coin, real medicine and the discovery and treatment of physical illness presents the opportunity for real recovery and hope for the future. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out the best option.
BRIAN DANIEL
Citizens Commission on Human Rights (UK)

Elgar’s secret is revealed
SIR – With reference to Roger Williams’s letter in Wednesday’s Worcester News about the lack of any real tangible tribute to Elgar in Worcester, I would like to remind him, and everybody else, about Worcester’s best kept secret – the Elgar Birthplace Museum and Visitor Centre at Lower Broadheath.
Admittedly not situated in the centre of Worcester, but a short drive or cycle ride west of the city up the Bromyard Road will lead you there. Perhaps it is its location which makes it such a well-kept secret. Although only four 4 miles or so from Worcester Cross, it is in the heart of the countryside that Elgar knew so well and loved so much, just down the road from Broadheath Common.
It was Elgar’s wish that his memorial should be at the cottage of his birth. Although he lived there for only his very formative years, he was in the habit of re-visiting the cottage throughout his life, often bringing friends with him, and would write lovingly about it to others.
Of course, Elgar was to live in much grander houses as success came his way, but he never forgot his roots in this little corner of Worcester, and his daughter Carice opened the Museum in his Birthplace cottage in the years immediately after his death in 1934. The Visitor Centre opened on land behind the cottage in 2000, enabling the display of a wider range of artefacts, and providing more modern facilities for the visitors, who these days come from the other side of the Common, and the other side of the world.
CHRIS BENNETT
The Elgar Birthplace Museum
Lower Broadheath

Illegal profits frommisery of others
SIR – If possible I would like to re-emphasise the main point I was making in my letter of June 12 concerning a few unscrupulous private landlords profiting from housing benefits payments. I believe it has been well publicised that Worcester City Council is introducing a new licensing scheme to ensure landlords owning houses of multiple occupation keep to set rules and this is to be applauded.
However, the point I`m trying to bring to attention concerns those private landlords who are making a fortune from the housing benefits system by claiming that they are letting out flats, whereas the reality is these “flats” are in fact single rooms with shared facilities. A landlord can claim an extra £30 per room per week in this way, and if the house contains five to seven “flats” – in reality rooms – then the landlord who may well own several similar houses is making an absolute fortune from the system which is really there to help those most in need. There needs to be scrutiny put in place whereby each house is physically assessed as to its correct status ensuring that taxpayers` money is put to good use.
Single men who become homeless can become severely depressed and have mental health problems while having to wait many months when applying on Home Plus Choice for a cCouncil property and private landlords can step in and& profit from this misery.
The following poem was handed to me which reveals how easy it is to become homeless and attempts to banish rid the stereotypes which people may have. Homelessness can literally happen to anyone.
GERALDINE LOWMAN
Worcester

MPs’ pay rise is a disgrace
SIR – What a disgrace!
When public servants are being squeezed more and more you lot are taking a pay rise of more than some public servants earn in six months.
“Not our decision”, “up to IPSA”, “I’ll increase my charity contribution”, they cry ... well, that’s not good enough.
With public sector pay frozen, in real terms reduced or increased by only one to two per cent, you lot should be ashamed of yourselves. You are like pigs at the trough – I hope all your personal ambitions and endeavours fail as retribution for your acceptance of this
out-of-touch increase.
PAT KELLY
(Public servant for nearly 37 years)
Worcester

Landings were at Suvla Bay
SIR – While it is admirable that the Worcester News is are following the (mis)fortunes of our brave lads in the Great War it would help if they got the facts right.
It was Suvla Bay where the ill-fated landings took place not Sulva (Worcester News,  June 16).
I bet the Aussies don’t get that one wrong.
CHRIS PATE
Worcester