Thursday, May 27th, 2010
This is life affirming stuff – so Judy Viitanen thinks it’s worth sharing on the PRimage blog ….
- Take into account that great love and great achievements involve risk.
- When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.
- Follow the three R’s: Respect yourself, Respect others and take Responsibility for all your action.
- Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
- Learn the rules, so you know how to break them properly.
- Don’t let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
- When you realise you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
- Spend some time alone every day.
- Open your arms to change but don’t let go of your values.
- Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
- Live a good and honourable life. Then, when you get older and think back, you’ll be able to enjoy it a second time.
- A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
- In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation; don’t bring up the past.
- Share your knowledge; it is a way to achieve immortality.
- Be gentle with the earth.
- Once a year go to some place you have never been before.
- Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
- Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
- Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.
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Tuesday, May 25th, 2010
We’ve just finished listening to the Queen’s Speech. 
Our view: the coalition is taking on an ambitious and challenging political programme! But we wish them success. David Cameron’s Con-Lib government aims to enact 22 separate bills over an 18-month period, as it attempts to build on the early goodwill towards the coalition. Nick Clegg will preside over a range of political reforms, including fixed-term parliaments and a bill to hold a referendum on changing the Westminster voting system to the so-called “alternative vote”.
Our interest as a healthcare communications agency means that we were looking for steers on the NHS. So, particularly important for health was that the voice of patients and the role of doctors in decision-making will be strengthened, with the aim of improving public health as well as reducing health inequalities. A Health Bill is expected to begin its legislative process in 2011. So there are sure to be a number of consultations to respond to - and plenty of opportunities for engagement in the coming months as the content of the Bill is decided. PRimage is looking forward to this - and to factor in our client’s interests and viewpoints.
MD, Judy Viitanen, is pleased that the overall thrust of the programme indicates that both the Tories and LibDems share a common interest in devolving power over public services to local people. We also give a ‘thumbs up’ for the news that the legislative programme include plans to create an Office of Budget Responsibility to produce independent economic forecasts and a shake-up of City regulation, giving the Bank of England greater powers in maintaining economic stability.
As a specialist healthcare public affairs and PR consultant, Judy is reassured that the Treasury has confirmed that the Department of Health’s overall spending will not be reduced in the current financial year. 
The Chancellor has announced £6.2bn would be saved from government spending during 2010-11, but none would come from the DoH. Health will have to make additional efficiency savings but they will be reinvested within the department.
For sure there will be tough and difficult times ahead; but the PM and deputy PM are right to focus on reducing the huge deficit as the most crucial challenge. 
We will be seeing an interesting 18-months of politics ahead ……..
Posted in Blogging, Business, By the way, Children's Health, Communications, Consumers, Crime, Economy, Education, Employment, Environment, Europe, Family, Financial, Healthcare, Lifestyles, Men's Health, NHS, Pharmaceuticals, Pharmacy, Political Scene, Public Affairs, Retail, Social Issues | No Comments »
Friday, May 21st, 2010
This terrible news story today – ‘Schoolboy, 15, hangs himself after ‘being plagued by bullies’ http://bit.ly/dxZhDg - highlights the urgent need for the new coalition government to take action and deal with the issue of bullying, especially in schools.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6dbJk4i0VY – Saving lives campaigning documentary is lobbying for affirmations in schools, to help deal with bullying and racism!
To find out more and to lend your support to this campaign, please contact: saving_lives@hotmail.co.uk or judy@primage.org
Posted in Alternative therapies, Blogging, By the way, Children's Health, Communications, Consumers, Crime, Education, Family, Lifestyles, PRimage press releases, Political Scene, Public Affairs, Social Issues | 1 Comment »
Sunday, May 16th, 2010
PRimage believes that David Cameron has made an excellent decision in appointing the Labour MP Frank Field as the Government’s ‘poverty tsar’. Cameron is clearly putting the fight against deprivation at the heart of his agenda. As a compassionate Conservative, Judy Viitanen thinks this is exactly the right approach, and is very relieved to hear that Mr Field has been asked to lead a major review into levels of poverty across Britain. He is also expected to study how poverty should be measured in the future.
Field is a long-time champion of welfare reform, and an MP that Judy really admires!
PRimage is also pleased to see that a new ICM opinion poll published this morning shows a high level of public support for Mr Cameron’s coalition administration – and for its key policies on tax and political reform. Almost two-thirds of voters (64 per cent) thought that the Lib-Con coalition was the right way forward for Britain after the general election resulted in a hung parliament. It was backed by 87 per cent of those who voted Tory this month and 77 per cent of Lib Dem voters.
Overall, the Conservatives have gained one point since the election and are supported by 38 per cent of the public. The Lib Dems, by contrast, have slipped significantly, down three points to 21 per cent. Labour have gained three points to 33 per cent.
Let’s hope that this “trust” between the Tories and the Lib Dems and the electorate continues!
However, PRimage hopes that Cameron will keep to his Conservative pledges on defence, immigration and Europe. Watch this space.
Posted in Blogging, Business, By the way, Communications, Consumers, Crime, Economy, Education, Employment, Environment, Family, Financial, Food and diet, Healthcare, Lifestyles, Political Scene, Public Affairs, Social Issues | 3 Comments »