Complaint to the BBC Lunchtime News - 18/7/06....
Re: the NHS overcharging story...... we said -
Dear Sir,
'The story about the NHS charging for parking, eye tests, prescriptions, dental work etc is primarily about England. It is English patients who are being ripped off by the English NHS. Scotland and Wales have their own NHS services - and they do not charge for parking, barely charge for prescriptions (free for everyone in Wales next year). Eye tests are already free in Scotland...... So it was the English NHS that the story is concerned with as the committee HAS NO INFLUENCE on Scottish or Welsh NHS policy as this has been devolved to them - and anyway, as explained, they hardly charge for anything. So why did the BBC News insist on giving the impression the committee was referring to the whole of the UK. Honestly, your news editors need to report ACCURATELY - and report when the English population are getting a raw deal from this awful government. Even the so called 'expert' failed to explain who was being charged. You really do need to get your reporting act together.'
They replied......
Dear Justin,
Thank you for your e-mail regarding the 'One O'Clock News', broadcast on 18 July. I understand you have concerns that the story about NHS charges was only applicable to England and that this was not clarified.
Therefore, please be assured that your comments have been fully registered and added to our daily audience log. This is an internal document that is made available to all BBC staff, including the 'One O'Clock News' production team and Senior BBC Management.
Feedback of this nature helps us when making decisions about future BBC programmes and your comments will play a part in this process. Once again, thank you for taking the time to contact us with the strength of your concerns.
Regards
Paul Kettle
BBC Information
Result - All subsequent reports on the subject had the words 'in England' stitched into them.
Re: the NHS overcharging story...... we said -
Dear Sir,
'The story about the NHS charging for parking, eye tests, prescriptions, dental work etc is primarily about England. It is English patients who are being ripped off by the English NHS. Scotland and Wales have their own NHS services - and they do not charge for parking, barely charge for prescriptions (free for everyone in Wales next year). Eye tests are already free in Scotland...... So it was the English NHS that the story is concerned with as the committee HAS NO INFLUENCE on Scottish or Welsh NHS policy as this has been devolved to them - and anyway, as explained, they hardly charge for anything. So why did the BBC News insist on giving the impression the committee was referring to the whole of the UK. Honestly, your news editors need to report ACCURATELY - and report when the English population are getting a raw deal from this awful government. Even the so called 'expert' failed to explain who was being charged. You really do need to get your reporting act together.'
They replied......
Dear Justin,
Thank you for your e-mail regarding the 'One O'Clock News', broadcast on 18 July. I understand you have concerns that the story about NHS charges was only applicable to England and that this was not clarified.
Therefore, please be assured that your comments have been fully registered and added to our daily audience log. This is an internal document that is made available to all BBC staff, including the 'One O'Clock News' production team and Senior BBC Management.
Feedback of this nature helps us when making decisions about future BBC programmes and your comments will play a part in this process. Once again, thank you for taking the time to contact us with the strength of your concerns.
Regards
Paul Kettle
BBC Information
Result - All subsequent reports on the subject had the words 'in England' stitched into them.
posted by justin at 6:54 AM
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