The thing is that politicians only ever get stats that they can use politically and that they can undderstand at a very simple level. That means that they are very limited in the info. that they get and never actually even glimpse reality. Someone said that there are 3 kinds of lies, "lies, damned lies and statistics" and that's where political stats belong. he reality is that the LAS does an extraordinary job dealing with all kinds of things in all kinds of circumstances. I often think that a high-up in the DoH should have to spend at least a week DOING the job he or she is nominally answerable to parliament for. Also, I know from having attended LAS public meetings that they try incredibly hard to find out what is really needed by the public and to meet those needs. I am quite happy to say all this out loud and in oublic if necessary. Is Laura good at massaging feet? That is the BEST!!!! Isobel