Ralph,

I would suggest that there is much greater dissatisfaction with the
performance of the Society than you would be happy to admit, or that you
realise.

The whole Society approach to dealing with the inception of the HPC and
grandparenting was an example of political manoeuvring, ineptitude and spin.
This was the view of probably a great many members and I know that it is the
view of some council members, whose views were ignored despite
protestations.
Our aim has always been a General Podiatric Council, a hard thing to
achieve, although the opportunity was thrown away by the Society a dozen
years ago.
My view is and was, that the Society should have had no truck with any of
the process and yet the Chairman of the day collaborated with it and still
does with Council`s blessing.  What sought of message does that send out ?
Certainly when campaigning against the HPC and for a GPC I was, more than
once,
told by ministers 'but the Society is helping with setting it up'.  Little
has been achieved and as you quoted, the profession has been set back 30
years, with the HPC saying they don`t want to talk to the Society. Why
should they bother ?  Your points 3 & 5 of 6th Sept therefore seem rather
hollow.


3. If they joined the Society, as many wish, they would strengthen our
position as the premier representative body.

5. If they do not join we will only represent 75% of the registered
profession which will damage our negotiating position and allow others to
claim their representation of part of the registered profession.



and  4. If they join they will have to carry out the same CPD as all other
members.

was rather misleading, as that doesn`t equate with being of equivalent
standard.


Of course we have been forced to register but we could withdraw from any
collaboration for any number of good reasons and keep hammering away
promoting our standards.

Simply, again the Society has failed to perform or deliver.  Having known
you all your professional life, 37 years I believe,  I am aware that for the
great majority of that time you were scathing about the Society. For the
last half dozen years you have been involved with the Society , presumably
in the hope of  'taking over' and with the idea of changing things.  Is it
not time to admit that the Society screwed up on this one ?  My fear is that
maybe the Society has taken you over.

You mentioned Nelson Mandela.  For over 30 years he focused on one issue and
would not be budged despite personal suffering and being disadvantaged,
he didn`t play the short term political game. He achieved his goal.

Kind Regards,

John Mason


----- Original Message -----
From: "Ralph Graham" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, September 06, 2004 10:19 PM
Subject: Re: The Reason of Things (Ralph Graham)


> To All interested in this argument.
>
> The three participants Mark, Bill and Akbal have recently shown only too
> clearly why podiatry is regarded as it is by govt. I have tried to
> outline why certain decisions have been taken and with what proposed
> benefit. Mark thinks that some changes are "shameful", Bill castigates
> because I think the Society needs change without throwing out the baby
> with the water and wants a new organisation, and Akbal can not
> understand why anyone should want to associate with the Society.
> Like pushing jelly uphill there is no future in hoping for progress.
> If the three of you could agree on what you want let me know, clearly I
> will never come up with a method that will satisfy you. So far the total
> complaints about the SCP policies amount to 5 contributors to this
> mailbase and the SCP website.
> As of this day nothing in writing. So that I do not misjudge the
> unhappiness masked by apathy all those who have a view please email me
> at [log in to unmask] I will list them all in the journal.
>
> Kind Regards
>
> Ralph Graham
> Consultant Podiatrist
> Witham, Essex, U.K.

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