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Sydney Morning Herald

Private or public, our care sector needs a health check

Unusually, I partially agree with Parnell Palme McGuinness (' If broke, nationalise? Fix that idea ', July 13). I think, however, that you have to look at why the government runs a service. The main reason is that the private sector can't be trusted to provide the required service at a reasonable cost. It may need government subsidies, but the government is uncertain whether these subsidies will be used properly or end up reflected in the bottom line. On the other side of the equation, private operators who cannot turn a profit want their business bought out by the government. Northern Beaches Hospital is the latest. The only thing we can be sure about is that the pendulum reached the end of the swing to the private side, and is now swinging the other way. Neville Turbit, Russell Lea Parnell Palme McGuinness writes that if any system is broke, there is talk of 'nationalising it', and she cites childcare and education as recent examples. Nationalising, with all its negative connotations is an emotive and wrong term. The term should be 'unprivatise'. The simple fact is that when profits are involved then profiteers will make use of the opportunity. This may work in commercial enterprises, but when we are talking of precious children in their formative years and social services it is a different matter. Regularly I read of countries such as Sweden, Norway and Denmark, where prioritising investment by government, and therefore taxpayers, ensures outstanding quality and affordability. The flow-on benefits for whole of society are obvious and can be enumerated. As a country, we need to decide what is important to all of us and invest. Our country's future rests on these decisions. Tatiana Podmore, Cremorne Parnell McGuinness should acknowledge that commercial childcare, aged care, power generated, and private colleges are inherently conflicted. She should also look at Margaret Thatcher's disastrous privatisation of Thames Water and British Rail. Tony Simons, Balmain Childcare guilt The mother-blame phenomenon that has resulted after the shocking abuse allegations in early childhood learning centres is a disappointing indictment on our communities (' The Care Fracture ', July 13). Young working mothers, already overcommitted with work, home and childhood-rearing responsibilities must now feel the continued fear and guilt piled on that their child may be harmed while in 'care'. The reasons for returning to work are many and varied and should be solely the family's decision. Families should be commended for their efforts and safeguards put in place by authorities. Above all, guilt should not be applied to mothers. Janice Creenaune, Austinmer Sound barrier The article on hearing loss is one of courage in adversity (' 'I didn't catch that': The trouble with hearing loss in a noisy world ', July 13). For Beethoven, increasing deafness was a tragedy, but he composed some of his finest music as his malady worsened. After conducting the first performance of one of his greatest works, he had to be turned to face the audience to become aware of their enthusiastic acclamation. We must be grateful today that he did not allow such a handicap to deprive us of his genius. Nola Tucker, Kiama An excellent article, but I would have liked a little discussion on the use of bluetooth technology. I have mild hearing loss and via bluetooth I can pair my phone and my hearing aids, and not only adjust my earbuds via my phone but get everything on my phone radio, podcasts, all sounds direct to my ears. Bliss for me and bliss for my neighbours, as only I can hear my sounds. Somewhat more expensive, but highly recommended. John Crowe, Cherrybrook No piece of cake