NHS Punters Speak Out

Liz Barclay was in no-nonsense mode for NHS Punters Speak Out (Radio 4, Friday). Investigating the idea of patient feedback websites, she had, she said sternly, encountered "a lack of openness in some parts of the NHS" and "a lack of objectivity" amongst some of the complaining patients. Barclay has a voice and demeanour that make it quite clear when she feels let down. The case study was a woman who had complained online about waiting times of four or five hours in her local ante-natal clinic. The clinic had, it turned out, acted on her comments, and seemed to appreciate the feedback. They just hadn't replied to her. In four months. With Barclay's involvement, an off-air meeting was hastily arranged. Ballot-box fever gripped Count Arthur Strong's Radio Show! (Radio 4, Friday) with Strong pledging to run on a "bi-Parmesan one ticket for all" in the "important erections coming up". He was worried, though, about the grilling he'd get from "James Nightie" ("they go for your Jaguar"). Naughtie, meanwhile, on the Today Programme (Radio 4, Friday) chatted to Mandy Smith, a guest-house owner in Altnaharra, Sutherland, the coldest spot in Britain the night before. "What," he asked her down the phone line, seemingly lost in a reverie about fishing in the area, "are you wearing at the moment?"