A personal reflection by John Hicks, Station Director of UK Health Radio
Tonight, as temperatures drop to minus 4 degrees in Bracknell, a middle-aged lady with mental health issues is sleeping rough on the streets.
The local Council, Bracknell Forest Council, has taken her children into care as she is not able, in their view, to look after them properly. Her minor alcohol problems, often associated with Borderline Personality Disorder from which she suffers, are being addressed with help but she has financial problems which resulted in her eviction from her privately-rented home earlier today.
The Council feel that they have offered her enough help in the past and cannot offer her temporary shelter.
So, one of the residents of The Royal County of Berkshire - yes a County of the United Kingdom which proudly bears the prestigious title and honour of being called "Royal County" - is condemned to suffer freezing cold.
Whatever rules are being applied in this case I worry that the word "compassion" did not feature.
The lady, a listener of UK Health Radio, came to us for advice about her BPD which was diagnosed but untreated for many years. I, for one, will not be sleeping too well in my warm and comfy bed tonight!
My prayers will be with her.