Caredale General

I cycled over to Airedale Hospital last month to visit a patient there. The journey was long and the visit was short, but it was important that I went. I departed feeling rather melancholic as I reflected that illness weighs us down, if not now, then later. Still, my friend knew the Lord and will be supported until his last breath, and then received into glory thereafter.

As I took my leave of the hospital grounds, I was narked by the LGBTQ+ rainbow themed crossings which someone had daubed around the hospital grounds. Even in a place of sickness and healing, of birth and dying, we cannot escape the new sexual propaganda. As health budgets stretch and waiting lists rise, I wondered at the Pride ideology’s apparent exemption from any kind of financial cuts or demands for savings. Whatever the institution, service or organisation, “We’ll keep the rainbow flag flying” is now the official mantra. I meditated on the levels of comfort this garish colour scheme was likely to give to the sick, the dying and their visiting relatives. Offering higher quality care to patients rather than token gestures aimed at minorities might be better use of time and money. As I cycled home over Elslack Moor, I was reminded that having a closer proximity to the next world is certainly not without its benefits.