I just wanted to say congratulations to all those brave souls who participated in the BUPA Great South Run on Sunday.

While I was reclining in the warmth of my living room, watching the Indian F1, several thousand hardy bods were facing the damp and windy conditions of Southsea seafront.

In particular I want to say well done to my next door neighbour, Gordon, who took part for the first time this year. He finished in a very respectable 94 mins and 27 seconds.

To all the runners, regardless of the reason for your participation,

CONGRATULATIONS & WELL DONE

Perhaps the mystery here isn’t the circumstances of the shooting, rather the venue chosen for the injured mans treatment.

Man is seriously injured in air gun shooting at Southsea house – Law and Order – The News.

Having read this article I am gobsmacked.

How does it make sense to send this man all the way to Southampton when we have an Emergency Department at the QA in Cosham ?

That is, he was sent to Southampton General Hospital, a journey of some 20 miles. This was deemed to be better for the patient, who had life threatening injuries, than going to A&E at the Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham.  A journey of around 5 miles.

I can only imagine that the huge hospital on Portsdown Hill, the one with A & E and the emergency helipad recently installed on the roof of the new building, doesn’t work over the weekend. Or is it perhaps the migration of medical skills from Portsmouth to Southampton now includes our local emergency care.

It beggars belief.