Be patient

We're always being asked...sometimes being asked...somebody asked us once - what the purpose of a Blog really is. Funny, but you have to think about that for a moment. Blogs - originally an abbreviation of 'Web Log' - were supposed to be a form of online diary when they first appeared, but an increasingly large number have evolved into something quite different.

In our local area there are about half a dozen bloggers, each with their own style of writing and approach to what they think of as important. Few would dispute the observation that Oscar and Cllr. Oddy's are acutely political and aim to reveal what many councillors would rather the electorate didn't know.  Cllr. Weyman's blog also offers a very useful insight into the workings of our council, often spelling out the detailed and time-consuming endless committee attendances required of the party faithful and it can surely be no coincidence that both the councillors running their excellent blogs are independent.

But for blogs that take giant strides through those services we will almost all need at some point, you have to look further afield.

The NHS is represented well, and there are many blogs from which to choose.  However, another characteristic of the blog is that for it to be relevant and widely read, it has to be publishing something new at least once every few days. By that criteria the Jobbing Doctor is always worth read: a GP approaching retirement, what he says is worth reading, and his blog is listed at the side.  It's also here:

http://thejobbingdoctor.blogspot.com/

For the nursing perspective, Militant Medical Nurse is also worth a gander, although the blog article here might leave you more than a tad concerned:

http://militantmedicalnurse.blogspot.com/2009/12/feeling-sorry-for-kids.html

For a general peek at Hospitals, this is also worth a read:

http://www.hospitaldr.co.uk/

Retired teachers also have a lot to say on the subjects of modern education:

http://frankchalk.blogspot.com/

But what all bloggers who are worth reading write about is the iniquity of life in general.  Bloggers can provide a useful function in that they say - often to a wide if undisclosed audience - what those in 'authority' would rather you didn't hear.  Whether those are politicians, councillors or management, the light shone on their dark places by the better bloggers should never be underestimated.  Happy reading :-)