The first time an asylum seeker was infected, headlines predicted national epidemics created by immigrants. It is disgusting that people can be victimised when underfunded health services and poor housing conditions are leading to the return of a once-eradicated disease. I AM concerned that another day centre for people suffering mental health problems is to close in Gateshead. We don't know which one is to go this time. New Labour has continued the Tories' policy of putting mentally ill people in privately run hostels.
Many hostels are shoddy and the meals are often out of tins.
Fresh fruit is hardly seen. Somebody is making a lot of money from care in the community. Let's put New Labour where it belongs-with the property racketeers and with the GlaxoSmithKlines of this world. If ever a case cried out for nationalisation it's these giant drug companies that bleed the NHS dry. Its compensation deal for big farmers contrasts vividly with its willingness to let the market destroy the jobs of workers in the car industry, steel, electronics and elsewhere.