In September 2016 I took a friend of my daughter’s to SERH after an accident with a circular saw in which he had cut though half of his hand and nearly detached one finger and severely injuring two more.

Due to the gashing wound he was instantly admitted and treated in the emergency department. I can only say the best things about how the nurses attended the wounds and rendered emotional support. He was asked when he had eaten last and since this was just after he had lunch he was told surgery could not be for a while.

About 5pm my daughter, who was sick in bed with tonsilitis, came to stay with her friend and I left to have some dinner. When I called my daughter at 7.30pm she told me they had been given an appointment in Sydney at 9am the next morning and Panadol to supplement the pain management that was not working at the time. They had been told to drive to Sydney on a rainy night and were already on their way.

Fearing for their safety I contacted the hospital and pointed out that they had failed their duty of care and that I wanted to lodge a complaint. I was told that only the admitted patient was able to lodge a complaint. Well, good one for SERH since he happened to be busy with getting treatment and coping with the trauma.

I later found out from a local employee that the directive in view of staff shortages had been to make sure every patient possible was sent out of the area. A “geographic cure” that works therapeutically only for the benefit of pretty statistics.

Many New Year resolutions are arduous and hard to maintain, but here's an easy and very satisfying one: be kinder in 2019.

Most people understand that causing others to suffer is wrong. It's why we cringe when someone hits a child, beats a dog, or shoots a cat. But when it comes to having consciousness, feeling joy, and experiencing pain, all animals – including humans – are the same and limiting our scope of compassion to those that are most familiar to us allows untold cruelties to be inflicted upon billions of animals on the planet each year.

No-one would choose to live in a cramped, filthy shed and wallow in their own filth. No feeling, sensitive person would choose for their babies to be torn away from them so that another species could steal their milk. And no-one would watch their friends bleed out on a slaughterhouse floor and willingly stand in line for their throats to be slit next. We all share the desire to live free from harm.

Consuming meat and dairy is unnecessary, and PETA urges everyone to go vegan – right here, right now. By doing so, you'll spare nearly 200 animals a year a terrifying death. There's simply no easier way to help animals and prevent suffering than by choosing plant-derived foods instead of meat, eggs, and dairy.

In regard to the incident at Pambula river mouth, I witnessed the incident.  The first response was actually by three surfers who immediately saw the boat swamped and paddled out to rescue the three occupants. They then brought in two of the distressed occupants to the shore.

The IRB then picked them up from the other side of the river mouth where they were resting safely. The actual rescue had been completed by then and the three surfers must be highly praised for their quick response. I would appreciate a mention in your letters this week to this effect as I feel their efforts were very much overlooked by Mr Holt claiming recognition when it was not due.