Mind The Gap

“Mind the Gap” is a recorded public address announcement on the London Underground rapid transit system which alerts passengers to watch out for the distance between the train and the platform when leaving the train.

Prior to my trip to England, I’d never heard the phrase. Yet within a few short days, it had quickly become part of my daily life in London. The phrase has also been used as part of popular culture including movies, music and video games. And as a writer, I was inspired to write as we strolled the streets of London and took in the sights of England’s country side. My mind raced as I envisioned the possibilities of taking Chris Ryder, the main character from THE KILLER TRAIL, on a trip to England for a future story!

“Mind the Gap” can also be used to describe the wide discrepancy in wealth between the rich and poor, the powerful and the powerless. I couldn’t help but think of this as I toured magnificent castles and cathedrals and soaked up the history in England.

But this gap is not limited to history. During our stay in London, daily headlines highlighted a report recently released on the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) healthcare system. The report concluded that in many instances patients were neglected by a Trust that appeared more concerned with cost cutting than quality care. Of course, this phenomenon of numbers over people, misuse of power and authority is not limited to the UK,  as one wouldn’t need to look too far for instances in their own backyards, including my own in Canada.

Inequality knows no borders. Mind the Gap – indeed.