The short answer is yes, and I’ll come on to why later, but, in the mean time, it raises the question as to why there is so little apparent trust among the Dorset population.
There is a huge drift towards a meaner society. We don’t usually notice it, it creeps into mind sets, distorts emotions and feeling. If we do notice we tend to just say to ourselves – what can we do? We go on social media, we sign petitions, we make noises and we hope that things change. We are all of us a bit likeTruman Burbank, from the film ‘The Truman Show’, at times not realising we are playing roles and not really in charge of our own destiny.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3gI9ms8Fdc
I am reminded of the saying:
The pessimistic sailor blames the wind for his woes at sea.
The optimistic sailor whistles and hope the wind will change.
The realistic sailor adjusts his sails.
….……..perhaps there is a bit of Truman in all of us making that bid across the sea in the tiny boat or maybe its me blaming the wind?
I’m going to sound like that guy who has had a bit to drink and starts listing the woes of the world, but here are some of the influences that have contributed to our meaner world.
- A socially corrosive atmosphere being engendered in the media and in politics.
- Litigation and blame culture
- Resultant Compensation culture
- Underfunding in public services
- Arrogance in those who have ‘all the answers’
- Spin and lies in things like the EU referendum picked up and turned into stories by the media
- Our Rights dominant over our responsibilities
- Targets that are supposed to improve efficiency, that distort service
- Attitudes toward the vulnerable as exemplified in some of the media
- Inequality, discrimination
- Rise of right-wing political movements trading on our fears and insecurities
The list goes on and on. For me it is depressing and hard no to be overtaken by anger.
We fear change, we become self-centred and examine issues only from the one point of view of how it affect us individually, we lose sight of the bigger picture. We have also learned to become increasingly cynical when dealing with anything vaguely official.
Its against this background that the CCG, which, like the public and all public bodies, does not exist in a vacuum and the relationship between the public and the CCG is an dynamic dialogue. In other word they have an up hill task before they even get to engage. None of the above is the CCG’s fault.
So, how does that tell me we can trust the CCG? Firstly they, like our local authorities, are constrained by Acts of Parliament, regulation and funding. We may not like it, but that is how it is and if you want to change the system you better think as to who you vote for next time.
Secondly there is my experience of their motives thus far. If, as I believe, the members of the CCG have our interests at heart and they show no sign of proving otherwise, then I am quite happy to go along with that.
That does not mean I shall sit back and go along with everything they say or do. We have a duty to be critical and scrutinise everything. This is the process that I am engaged in as a member of the public who fortunately has enough time, inclination and a few skills to go beyond the surface levels of the official published information and media stories.
I like to have answers when I find something that doesn’t fit. I research and will ask for explanations if the research doesn’t help. This isn’t to catch anyone out, it is part of the process of engaging.
The big advantages for both sides are:
- It alerts both sides as to where there may be something that needs attending
- It enables quality engagement
- It should enable a resolution
- It promotes good relationships
- It allows the original issue to be amended if required
- And it allows the results to be communicated beyond those engaged in the solution to the search for resolution.
- It also allows apologies and correction to be made.
- The outcomes are positive building trust and understanding.
This is a two way process or dialogue and we must engage with it simply to ensure the results are the best that can be achieved within the constraints imposed from outside.
©John Daniels
